Gretchie Love

Notes to the Gretchie Verse

2012-02-03T18:05:00.000-08:00

Dear M: Lady can I just tell you how truly hard it is to blog on a daily basis....sometimes even on a weekly basis. One day I will just be plain fabulous and write a book. Then you can just sit there and read the book over and over again. There will be lots of plagiarizing and photos stolen off of Google. Honey, it's going to be FABULOUS...just like me.

Darth Vader head ??

Dear Susan G Komen: Okay, well you are dead, but your organization is not...well it might be. Okay, one thing ....going back to supporting Planned Parenthood...good idea. The fact that you pulled out publicly....DUMB DUMB DUMB idea. Really, have you been to a planned parenthood ? Are you under the impression that it is an abortion factory ? Okay, I had bad feelings about Planned Parenthood growing up. I thought okay, it's an abortion factory. It's a place where people go to if they have sexually transmitted diseases. No, not even the case. When I was taking some class in college I drove out to the one in San Ramon. It was a very nice facility and took a tour of the place.

I have to say I was really impressed. In fact, I would have no problems if any of my daughters went there. Everyone should take their kids there just for a tour and show them what it has to offer. Pretty much you blew it for me.

Tape...seriously ?

Really, I am sick of seeing things with your "logo" on them. I am also pretty disgusted that you own the saying "for the cure". Would Susan be delighted about all this ?

Jewelry Cleaner

Did she want world domination over "for the cure". What about cancer in general ?

Pocket Knife

So very disappointed....if Diet Coke has a Susan G Komen label on it...I am not buying it. I love Diet Coke....shame shame on you.

All these items were found on EBAY

Coach Joe kicking some booty !!!

Dear North Point PT: Okay, WOW ! I am in a great GREAT deal of pain. You realize I am going to have the finest ass and thighs in the world in about a year ? My thighs and ass hurt so much, I wish my toilet had a rope in front of it so I could pull myself up. It's been a long time since I have suffered with this pain and hope it goes away soon. You see me tomorrow and you might even see tears. No, honey those won't be tears of joy, those are going to be TEARS OF PAIN !!

Dear Mother: I am happy you are talking to me again. I am aware you most likely still think it was the dumbest move I have ever made to change back to my last name. It's been okay, nobody cares....nobody has given me grief about it. Nobody pays attention to it. People are more interested in who Kim Kardashian is dating now, not that I am back to my maiden name.

Dear European Vacation: I am so bipolar about you right now. There are a few places I want to go, and then I see all these fabulous vacations on Pinterest. It makes it hard, however, I do want to see Mrs. F and Cookie before Cookie moves back . So, maybe London, but pre or post Olympics ? Maybe go during the Olympics...so I can torture myself ? Then I shall be truly bi polar ! Oh well, I have decide soon...time is running out !

Dear Benedict Cumberbatch: In 1976 I was in 3rd grade. Benedict this means that truly we can have an affair. It's okay, because as long as I could never be your babysitter...it's fine.

I love the black hair, your tall slim body, your deep British accent and your large feet. Truly a beautiful man. Having said all this, would you be interested in living in Georgia ? Having 3 crazy children and ....you know everything that comes along with that ? Yeah, that's what I thought. Love Sherlock though, it would be nice if you could just make out with someone once or twice for my personal amusement. The whole "being married to your career " and being A Sexual is just sorta...creepy. Maybe you could make an appearance on Doctor Who or Downton Abbey ?? Oh that would be THE BEST of both worlds for me ! Yeah, I will just sit here behind this desk and keep on dreaming...wink wink nudge nudge....

Notes to the GretchieVerse

2012-01-28T07:30:00.000-08:00

Dear GretchieVerse: Okay, so I went to the John's Creek Newton Park Dog Park yesterday. I was going to meet Amy and her family. The girls and I brought Alice because Alice is pretty much the most Stellar dog I have ever met. She is sweet, intelligent, beautiful and very muscular. Alice has all the qualities that I wish I had. Anyway, lots of pooches and people. Audrey and Emma had a few run in's with dogs. Which was fine, there were not a lot of little children in the big dog park. Alice was retrieving the nasty dog slobbery tennis balls which were all over the dog park. There are a group of regulars who hang out on the bench closest to the entrance and closest to the water fountain. They sat around ignoring their dogs, or telling their dogs to attack other dogs, or admiring the single full makeup recent divorcee who was ignoring her dog and focusing on the men in front of her. I am assuming all of them are sleeping with her. Oh trust me I wish I had pictures !! Anyway, one of the men (assholes) walked over and yelled at me about Alice having diarrhea and I needed to pick it up. He accused me of ignoring my dog, when I didn't even see Alice let it out. I had no idea where it was ! Anyway, really there was nothing I could think of doing to piss him off the next time. I think what I am going to do is just either leave a whole pack of chewed up gum on "his bench" or make sure that I sit in that bench a few times before I get there.

Dear Stacey: I found this fabulous cup and saucer at an antique shop in Roswell. I absolutely love it.

There were other pieces I wanted to buy as well.

Two plates of King George and Queen Mary for $150. Anyway, I have decided I would like to collect Pyrex particularly pink and turquoise. I have my own room in the house I am making it all grey and white. It's actually a guest room, but I could care less....nobody is coming to visit me anyway :(

Dear Georgia: People keep asking me about you. They want to know if I like you or not. Okay, I like you but I do not love you. I love the UK much more than you. No, it is not because of the accents. I suppose that London just has a lot more history and I like the buildings and churches much more. I do miss California as well. I miss the people. People are much more liberal and friendlier and not narrow minded. There certainly would not be a bunch of assholes at the dog park....even in Danville !!

Yes, this is Victor

Dear L: How are you ? I just find it odd that you won't have a Facebook account. Really I go on Facebook once a day. I am friends with all the jerks from highschool. I am even friends with people who bullied me all through school . It doesn't really matter anymore. I am 44 and too tired to deal with the adult "hasn't gotten over highschool" mentality. Anyway " I don't have time for that" sounds like " darling I am way above that". Get over it and get an account. Really, someone on the Stargaze page mentioned how they used to stalk Victor Sistov. It was HILLARIOUS !!! By the way...Victor declined me as a friend....apparently he's a drug addict, so no complaints about that !

Dear Gavin Newsom: I still miss you. So, did you ever go to Stargaze ? Did you ever go to " One Step Beyond" ? So, did we ever make out ? I am thinking we didn't because I would have remembered. Anyway, I miss you...but I am sure you are busy in the city changing diapers with whats her name :)

Notes to the Gretchie Verse

2012-01-24T11:13:00.000-08:00

Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, is trying to take his web-based provocations to the TV screen. Wikileaks announced Assange will host a television series featuring interviews with "key political players, thinkers and revolutionaries from around the world."
C&P from NPR News
Dear Mr. Assange,
NO WAY ! Okay you know I was doing the dishes the other day thinking how fabulous you have seemed to disappear from the media. I don't know, your creepy grey/white hair and albino skin is still really freaking me out..

like Mrs. Gingrich. Okay, now that I have posted both of your pictures, now I am really scared. Julian do you really think political minded people are really going to be on your show ? Maybe you and Calista and do a talk show together ? Something about creepy Albinos and sleeping with the enemy...I will have to think of a name. Anyway, it ain't happening at this house.

So, about the hair....

Dear Mr. Mitt,
Okay, I have decided, despite the fact that you are a Mormon, that if anyone should be the running cannidate against Obama it is going to be you. Everyone has issues, but I am not going to fault that fact that you are extremely rich and bi polar about issues and hold it against you. Gingrich CAN NOT WIN ! Yes, former presidents have had their issues, but this guy personally is creepy and I would just rather see you up there.

Dear General Petraeus,
Why didn't you run for pres ? You are quite the amazing guy ! I would have totally voted for you. You look harmless, not loaded, and I bet you have a pretty clean record when it come to sexual relationships. Dude go for it !!

Owen being his bad ass self....

Owen smelling other dogs outside the door

Dear Puppy Owen,
I am sorry about all the trauma at the vet. Actually it was quite the good appointment. I spent more time at the Dentist today. I took some pictures of you and of a magazine at the dentist office. So, I wonder how many people picked up that issue ? The word Quantum just gives me a headache....not good...not good at all.

Dear Twins,
Sorry to hear you had the most miserable birthday ever. Sorry to hear how disappointed you were not to get goody bags at your own birthday party. Sorry to hear that there were not enough gifts. You poor poor POOR children. My heart bleeds for you.

Dear Stacey,
Just because I am going to church again, don't get all excited.... Get excited when you fly out and visit me. I am decorating my own room !

Dear Ghetto DMV,
Okay, the rap music was not so loud and the lady that helped me was not so mean. However , she didn't smile. I always smile !! Whatever !! I am officially Gretchen Amy ! Woo Hoo !!

Notes to the Gretchie Verse

2012-01-13T11:29:00.000-08:00

Dear Beyonce: I was talking to my friends last night. My friends that posted the disgust of the birth of your daughter. No, I wouldn't say the birth of your daughter, but the flying circus you made of Lennox Hospital. You could have taken the money you invested into that ghetto of a hospital room and had that child at home. So, that all of your important famous friends could visit your famous baby without the fear of "The Public". Beyonce I am 44 and have never enjoyed the music style of your particular genre. What is your Genre ? Anyway, I thought you were pretty and I was happy you married Jay Z (who ever he is). I have lost all respect for you and your husband after that show at the Lennox. My friends brought up the births of so many other children born to royalty and musicians and Hollywood. None of them ever rented an entire floor or made a door bulletproof. You must have some kind of reputation to have one of those placed in a hospital door.

Dear Kim Jong II: Dude, sorry to hear about your death. In fact, all of communist psycho North Korea is just in tears. In tears most likely if they don't pitch a fit about your death you will kill them....well your son would kill them. In fact I was reading that the birds and bears were also just so depressed about your death. Can you imagine ...imagine what whales, and dolphins, and rats are feeling in North Korea? Oh, dude it must be heart wrenching. My heart bleeds for your son who must take over. Kim Jong Un is now under that same status of a self made God. Dude, don't mess with God. God will send out Magpies and those Bears to eat your family.

Dear Stacey: I haven't heard from you in awhile. Things here are okay. I have gained a lot of weight since I have lived here. The fat has gone right to my chest and stomach. I suppose that is what happens when you turn 44. I hate 44 and yet I will hate 64 and 74. Maybe I should just be grateful to have boobs, the stomach is looking more like Beyonce's former pooch. Mother Trucker !!! It's my new saying mother trucker. It seems acceptable in Georgia.

This interesting and unusual surname is of Old Norman French origin, and derives from the Old French personal name "Ame", from the Old French "ami", friend, or the Latin "Amatus", meaning beloved, from "amare", to love. Variants of the surname found in the modern idiom include Amy, Amie, L'Amie and Lamey. The name was introduced into England by the Normans after the Conquest of 1066. The personal name appears in 1198 in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire as "Amia". The surname itself first appears in records in the early 13th Century (see below), while other early examples include William Ame, in the Assize Court Rolls of Essex (1248); William Lamy, in the Hundred Rolls of London (1275); and William le Amy in the "Calendar of Letter Books of the City of London" (1282). Susan Amy married Michael Glasshawes on November 1st 1559, at Tonbridge, in Kent, while Marie Amey married William Usburne on May 1st 1580, at Maidstone, Kent. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Amy, which was dated 1219, witness in the "Assize Court Rolls of Yorkshire", during the reign of King Henry 111, known as "The Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Dear Mother: I am sorry to disappoint you in taking on my maiden name. It was sad to hear that you felt I had a very negative ulterior motive in doing so. I very much like my maiden name. I have many reasons why I switched back, but none for which you accused me of. I am aware you haven't disowned me, but really who cares. If you went back to your maiden name I wouldn't care. The earth is too big to worry about such things. There is nothing in the bible that states that disrespectful to my husband not to take on his name. Everyone at home has no problems with it, so isn't that what is important ? There are more important issues on earth to deal with. My friend's daughter has a cancerous brain tumor (so sad) please call her and tell her how horrible it is to change my name.

Dear Obama and Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy: Thank you so much for your letters addressed to me. I am sorry that at the moment during this crappy mother trucker economy that I just don't have the money to give you. I can't imagine the Obamas and the Kennedy's dumping money from their pockets out for such things. Family comes first in my house, and you know politics comes sometime after church maybe...

Dear Pinterest: Okay, I was very serious about my email. I would absolutely love to work for you ! I have detected that when you place pins into your boards they have nothing to do with that board. I think you should hire me to fix those boards for you ! I would love it ! Doesn't it sound like a pain in the ass ? I am sure that it is, but that is the kind of job I would really enjoy.

parisdailyphoto.com

Dear Snow: Thanks much for making a small appearance in my backyard. Finally, to look out the window and to see snow ! Could you come and visit again? It's freezing and it's such a waste without anything fun to come along with it !

You are crazy girl !!!

Dear Twins: So, I have decided on Friday's to have Fashion Friday. Your clothes just keep getting better and better as you walk out the door...truly.

I am still not well rounded....just in the stomach

2012-01-09T08:12:00.000-08:00

Add caption

Name Change

2012-01-04T09:01:00.000-08:00

I recently had my name changed back to my maiden name. I did it for a few reasons, none which were because I was getting a divorce. My family did not seem to have any issues with it. My mother I just think disowned me, but it's not a big deal. There are worse things in life, and if going back to my maiden name is a big one ...well maybe she should have appeared in court like I did yesterday.
I have previously mentioned the process in which it takes to change your last name back to your maiden name. You first have to fill out forms that are available online. Second you have to go to downtown Atlanta to the Family Law Office. You must then have those papers notarized. Then you walk across the street to the County Clerks office to then have papers drawn up and pay like $400. The county clerks office then assigns a court date to appear in front of a judge. You then take those papers down to the Daily Report and they publish your name change in their Newspaper for a certain amount of time. You then appear in front of a judge, take the oath, and give her the reasons why you want your name change.

I did this and what the county informed to tell me or anyone else is that you must live in Fulton County for 6 months in order to do this. So, I had to return yesterday to appear again. This time the trials that were to happen on January 2nd happened on January 3rd. These trials or court appearances were criminal trials. I sat in the court room for 3 hours and felt like I had seen it all. One man came in handcuffs and was accused of breaking into homes in a crappy neighborhood of Atlanta. He lied to the cops and had a gun on him. The public defender was skinny as a rail and full of herself. The Prosecutor seemed to be a nice enough guy who was simply stating facts about the case. The lady was pathetically pulling strings trying to get this guys case thrown out. It was straight out of a movie. There were also other cases brought in front of the judge. You really have to love what you do in order to be there. I was bored. I would say the only thing that surprised me was the behavior of the staff and the defenders/prosecutors. They had most likely been there a million times. The judge knew them. They sat there and talked their coworkers and friends in the court room. It really made the judge upset. Even the bailiff's were loud ! It was such a sign of disrespect I was really disappointed with the entire situation.

After explaining to the judge why I wanted my maiden name back I went back down to county courts office and paid to have copies made of my name change. It was $2.50 per copy for a piece of paper with a stamp on it. I now have the task of going to various county place to change my name such as the DMV and the Social Security office. Mother Trucker !! The crappy thing is it will take all afternoon and the county employees are obviously going to be totally rude. It's worth it though...

Bat Out of Hell

2011-12-31T17:49:00.000-08:00

I liked the do, I was just not happy....

Tuesday: Got a new hairdo

Stream at the Museum

Backyard at the Swan House

Back of the Swan House

Toy House

Some really warn down statues

beyond is a beautiful fountain

front of the Swan House

Very had to get my kids clean and smiling at the same time

fountain coming down in front of the house

the front yard again...very impressive

Olympiad Winners The C's

The Cupcake Hat for Stacey

It's a dive huh ??

Wednesday: Took the kids to The Swan Carraige house for lunch and the Swan House in the Atlanta Museum. The place was Top Drawer....we were not dressed top drawer. The food was nice and we really enjoyed the Atlanta Museum !

Thursday: Took the girls out for frozen custard, went to the J's house for games, and then returned home. Rah Rah went inside of her room and laid down while her friend JL went into the bathroom to brush her teeth. Rah Rah lays down and BAM up comes a lovely bat ! Bat starts flying around the room. Rah Rah screams at the top of her lungs and the bat continues to fly. Rah Rah runs out and Alice the puppy runs in .

Alice the Puppy

We kick Alice out! Rah Rah is VERY frightened. I had never seen her so frightened in her life. I am laying on my bed with Rah Rah. T goes in the room with a box. The bat flies into the box and T shuts the lid.

Owen the Puppy

He takes the bat outside and the bat flies away, like a bat out of hell. Meanwhile, JL comes out of the bathroom. We decided to all sleep in my room. We think because the kitchen door to the garage was left open the bat flew upstairs her room. INSANE !!

Things that chap my hide ...

2011-12-13T05:08:00.000-08:00

Okay, a lot of things chap my hide. Currently the thing that chaps my hide the most is the mess my kids keep leaving in my family room. I am host my first ever Christmas Party for the Bible Ladies tonight...I was going to say Bible Bitches, but that sounds wrong doesn't it ? I cleaned my family room...next day...the room was trashed. It makes me so angry, but quite frankly I have no idea what to do. My parents suffered from this as well. One time my dad was so ticked to find toys in the driveway, he just plowed over my tricycle and my sister's Big Wheels. It was horrible, my sister would drive that Big Wheel around cracked with rocks in it. It would scrape the sidewalk as she took it down the street. I don't think slicing socks in half is going to help. Anyway, things that tick me off about Atlanta....

#1) In order to register my kids for school they had to go to the county health department and get eye, ear, and teeth exams. Apparently, doctors in California are not acceptable. Also, you need to have the proof or residency notarized as well.

#2) In order for me to legally change my name I had to fill out forms, have those forms notarized, brought to the county court offices in Atlanta, and then wait a month and then have to appear in front of a judge. Your name change has to appear in a public newspaper for one month. Then that newspaper has to send you a notarized copy that it took place. It costs about $400 and then you appear in front of judge. I showed up last month to be turned away because nobody bothered to ask me if I had lived in this county for 6 months. All they care about is having everything notarized !

#3) In order to register cars with your spouse you don't go to the DMV. You go to county offices. You BOTH have to appear and sign the paperwork. If you can not do so, you need to give your spouse the power of attorney.

#4) I have never run into so many freaky people in my life. My neighborhood is nice. My next door neighbor named her son "Ping Pong", other than that....it's pretty much Danville. Outside of that, so many just openly bizarre people. Never had these issues in California. People are WAY too aggressive of drivers. If you don't move when they feel you need to move they honk. They honk at everything.....
Priscilla Queen of the Desert movie clip...when I think of Ping Pong I think of this

#5) The produce at supermarkets is crap :(

Deck the Log Cabin and Tree Removal

2011-12-05T14:10:00.001-08:00

So, I asked T to go and get all the Christmas Stuff. He finds everything but my MOST FAVORITE box of Ornaments. I was livid. It was something crappy, so I automatically made it his fault. Anything goes bad here at home, I make it his fault. Isn't what that what marriage is all about ?? Anyway, I am sad...really sad. I am having a Soup O Rama party for my bible study group next week and my tree was looking ghetto. I figure when there are few ornaments then people look at the tree and if there are a ton of ornaments...nobody looks at the tree. So, I go downstairs open the closet door, pull a box out, and WHAM the ornaments. So, my tree does not look so ghetto. I did however get the girls to make some homemade ornaments. It was fun and the next day we made Christmas Cookies. These cookies lasted about 1 evening...we didn't even decorate them !

Also, the neighbors are having their trees removed through our backyard. The tree removal people have pretty much ruined our backyard and the patio next door. It has to be done, the pine trees smell good, but the lawn is scary and sad :(

My Girls....vs. Stacey's Girls

2011-12-01T05:47:00.001-08:00

I have 3 girls, two of them are twins, and one is almost a tween. They're not girly girls, they're tom boys. One of my daughters once told me she wanted a penis. I suppose she found it fascinating how boys and stand and pee. I would love to have a girly girl. I would love to have a girl with a pink room with pink bows and sparkly shoes. I have let my girls decide who they want to be. They have chosen to be more tom boys. I don't know if it's me that is the influence or what . I went to a store yesterday called the "Pink Pastry Parlor". Okay, this place was not a store, it was a party house in a strip mall. I took some pictures to share on my blog because at first I found it really tacky, and then as rooms progressed it became more and more interesting and I kinda liked it.

I need to have the cupcake makers in the back !!

They should have had a shabby chic pink room, but I suppose it doesn't appeal to 9 year olds.

Only the good die young...

2011-11-30T04:40:00.001-08:00

Since I was ...was maybe 11 or 12 I have been intrigued with the Kennedy Clan. My grandmother had two pictures hanging up in her home. The first was JFK and the other was FDR. I never asked why she had them up there. She never appeared to be a fan of politics. So, while I was staying with her I am pretty sure I read a book about Jacqueline BK Onassis. I since then have not been deeply obsessed with the Kennedy Family, but I would never turn down a book or movie about them.

Two years I discovered Joseph Kennedy Jr. I mean he was always there, but since he died young, so he wasn't really mentioned.

Joe Jr. was being raised to be in politics.

He attended the US Naval Academy and became a pilot. He went out on a mission in WWII and never returned. There are many theories what happened to him and his plane in Europe. I would hope his plane crashed. That he was never captured and killed by Germans.

Anyway, I find him to be incredibly handsome. Sometimes, I just look back and think how I would have loved to have lived when he was alive. Everyone has an era they wish they had lived in. I suppose I would be fabulous time traveler. Wow...doesn't that sound geeky ? I don't know, I would want to see and live in it all !

Thanksgiving at our Nation's Capitol

2011-11-29T13:24:00.001-08:00

This Thanksgiving the fam was invited to a home in D.C for dinner. So, after only knowing this lady for 2 hours I said " Yes, of course we will come". We had a fabulous time ! We left Tuesday night for Greensboro, North Carolina at the Holiday Inn Express.

Can I just say it was probably the BEST HIE I have stayed at in the US. Why ? I liked the decor, the breakfast was good, the rooms were clean, and it's what all Holiday Inn Express Hotels should be like ! Will I write a letter to them ? No, because quite frankly everyone should be reading my blog anyway.

So, BRILLIANT me decides that we should go to Mt. Vernon on the way up to D.C. I don't know what I was thinking. Mt. Vernon closes at 4:00 for tours of the mansion. I schedule my tour for 3:30 and we get there at 3:45. So, we only got to see the mansion. We got tours for the next day and I rather enjoyed it. I always get a little disappointed when the tour guide says " Some of the items in this room belonged to George Washington". The tour guide simply doesn't point out what items are his. His house was small, but in many ways grand. The view of the Potomac was lovely, and he had fabulous gardens.

Washington was buried on the property, so we were able to see his tomb.

This is Liberty

Pictures of Aladdin the Camel are provided on request

Mt. Vernon also has the privilege of having the turkey that is pardoned by the US President, who happens to be Obama. We all know my feels about Obama :) Washington also has a Christmas Camel.
Thanksgiving with the R Family and the Smith Family itwas fun. Everyone at the table was very well educated, but me of course. They all attended prestigious schools except for me. I shouldn't be so hard on myself, but it's what I do best I AM MY WORST ENEMY. Anyway, we had soup, oysters, turkey, gravy, stuffing,mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, beets, rolls, two different cranberry dishes, carrots, and then of course like 8 different types of dessert. It was nice to meet some very nice people. Grandpa R was hysterical, and his accent reminded me so much of Andy Rooney.

Did I mention what happened to E ?

The next day we got up and went back to DC for the official sightseeing tour. We unfortunately had lower seats and could not see all the sites too well. We saw all the tourist sites and then took another bus to Arlington Cemetery so I could see my beloved Jack and Jackie.

My favorite quote

Jackie

John

Bobby

Teddy

I was quite emotional until I realized how far up it was to the Kennedy graves. By the the time I got up there I was breathless. Some lady left crying, and I had such sympathy for her. They were both too young to die. Most of the Kennedy Clan were too young. We also visited the tomb of the unknown soldier. That was really impressive too, except the soldier has walk back and forth on this rubber thing.....when was the rubber thing installed.

We then saw the Iwo Jima statue which was very large and very surreal. We returned back to Herndon, VA for a nites sleep and then got up early the next day. The Smith Family was kind enough to watch the twins so we could take S and enjoy the capitol tour....

The tour of the Capitol Building...not so impressive. Okay, yes its really nice to go inside, the statues are lovely, the art is lovely, but you really have to be controlled. You don't get to see all the statues close up. I had a lot of questions, but there were so many people in there. T and I were really disappointed. I want to go back on a week day and get the FULL tour. They however did show a really REALLY cool movie. It was very touching, and made one proud to be an American. Nothing has ever inspired me as much as that movie.

Wizard of Oz Red Ruby Slippers

It's time to put on Make Up ! It's time to light the lights !!

Hat O Michael Jackson

I know nothing about Lion King

Cat Lady Costume

Farrah Fawcett's swimsuit and Van Halen guitar

American Flag

We toured the United States National Archives, The Smithsonian United States History Museum and then we visited

The Lincoln Memorial and the

Jefferson Booty

Jefferson Memorial. We then drove home, had dinner, and then woke up the next morning and drove back to Georgia. The drive was long, but not too long. Now , it's time to break out the Christmas Crap...let the Holidays/Birthdays begin !!

What's in a ger ?

2011-11-21T08:32:00.001-08:00

Since I am a 70's child I have always wondered about the gers. Specifically Henry Kissinger, Pierre Salinger, and Arthur Schlesinger. They were all involved in politics, they were all big in the 60's and they all had some association with JF Kennedy. Well, not so much Henry Kissinger. So, which is which ? Let me explain !

Henry Kissinger

Born: 1923

Died: Alive and Kicking !
Henry Kissinger served under President Nixon and President Ford
Occupation: Diplomat, political scientist, academic, businessman

Everyone needs a Kissinger tie !

My favorite Henry Kissinger song written by Monty Python:

Henry Kissinger
How I'm missing yer
You're the Doctor of my dreams
With your crinkly hair and your glassy stare
And your Machiavellian schemes
I know they say that you are very vain
And short and fat and pushy but at least you're not insane
Henry Kissinger
How I'm missing yer
And wishing you were here

Henry Kissinger
How I'm missing yer
You're so chubby and so neat
With your funny clothes and your squishy nose
You're like a German parakeet
All right so people say that you don't care
But you've got nicer legs than Hitler
And bigger tits than Cher
Henry Kissinger
How I'm missing yer
And wishing you were here

His favorite game is : Diplomacy which can still be purchased on Amazon.com

Pierre Salinger

Born:1925
Died:2004

Occupation:1964 was the US Senator from California. From 1961-1964 served as the White House Press Secretary
Connection to Kennedy Clan: Served as the US Press Secretary under Kennedy. He was worked with Robert Kennedy in the 1968 Presidential Campaign.

Pierre Salinger Syndrome: Yes..there is such a thing..

It's the eyebrows that I find disturbing

Taken from Webopedia:
The tendency for one to believe that everything he reads on the Internet is true. Named for the former White House press secretary and journalist Pierre Salinger who reportedly relayed a bogus report that he read on the Internet, stating that TWA flight 800, which crashed on July 17, 1996, had been the victim of friendly fire. Salinger, in fact, did not get his information from the Internet but from reputable security agents who were incorrect.

Love the glasses and the bow tie

Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.

Born:1939
Died:2007

He generally looks like this in pictures

Occupation: Writer and Historian. Very interesting man....had a lot of facets to him !

What is up with the dude behind him ??

Connection to the Kennedy Clan: Was friends with JF Kennedy, Hung out with Jacqueline, and in 1961 ambassadorship and Assistant Secretary of State for Cultural Relations. He actually did a lot with the Kennedy Clan and wrote a lot of autobiographies. It is no wonder Jackie chose him to interview her !

Notes to the Gretchie Verse

2011-11-20T13:36:00.001-08:00

Dear Roswell: Your beautiful leaves are falling off the trees and thus begins the end of fall. I don't know whats more depressing the leaves falling off the trees or the huge hole that E dug into the wall with a exacto knife ?

Dear E: When your father leaves for his vacation, please don't get upset and destroy our home...it's just another reason for me to purchase 10 more pounds of pretzel M&M's and take off for

Some where in Europe...psst...it's a secret....

Europe....permanently !
Dear T: Delighted that you are going on your vacation soon. I was delighted that I was just able to pee alone without dogs or kids busting down the door.

Dear S: Please don't bitch about not going to Tahoe. Really, Tahoe is beautiful, but 1/2 the people in Danville went to Tahoe just to say they went. Our trip to DC is going to be the BEST experience for you.

Dear Economist: I was looking in your magazine today at jobs. As we have discussed before, I am not educated enough to take any of them on. I saw one, I saw one that screamed my name : Management of Events and Visits. You know what...if you provide me with a place to live and food...I will totally take the job. It's ME ! it Screams GRETCHIE LOVE TAKE ME I'M YOURS !

Creepy

Dear Silvio Berlusconi: Okay, you say you did nothing wrong...ethically you did 4000 things wrong. I don't know how fabulously you ran your government, but apparently you didn't do so hot at that either. Were you compensating by screwing little girls for the power you lack ? Just sayin'....

Dear Angela Merkel : Can I just say ROCK ! Okay, now I don't know you personally, but I am delighted you aren't sleeping with teenage boys. You were nominated for your intelligence and not for your looks. Not to say you aren't pretty, but really you seem to be the only one not treading water in Europe. I can't imagine how many lifebuoys you have left ??

Disgusting, and more disgusting

Dear Seif Al-Islam: My heart truly bleeds for you (NOT). I want to tell you how truly TRULY delighted to hear that you have been caught. What exactly were you thinking ? That you and your piece of shit father were going to get away with what you have done ? Sorry, not a fan of evil dictators. Evil doesn't work, maybe you should have watched Disney Movies or Lord of the Rings or you know something along those lines....

Fabulous Jackie O !!

Dear Jackie O: Sorry you are featured in the same blog as Seif Al-Islam. Truly, he doesn't and should not be featured in the same page as you. Well, think about it Jackie, you are in heaven, and Seif is going to hell. It is not my place to judge, but I think MILLIONS of people would agree with me. So, Jackie I am going to listen to your interviews with Arthur M. Schlesinger. Jackie for some reason I mix up Schlesinger and Kissinger mixed up. I bet they knew each other though...anyway, I have decided to visit your grave in DC. Feel free to haunt me at any time. I need some hints how to become more Kennedy friendly. Apparently, I will never become one, but I might as well pretend that I am one.

No, I am not QUITE there yet !!

Dear God: I am sick of being fat...really I am :(

Thank God huh ?

2011-11-15T16:25:00.001-08:00

Bowl O Rama

2011-11-14T10:40:00.001-08:00

Yesterday took the girls to a birthday party at a bowling ally. In my mind, my impression of a bowling alley was a bunch of ladies with long red fingernail polish, tight t-shirts, with a cigarette. When it's their time to bowl, they put their cigarette out with a 4 inch long butt and play. Bowling was for people in their late 40's early 50's who smoked, swore and drank beer....okay did I mention really I thought bowling was for white trash ? Could my impressions possibly been wrong ?

Then of course there was the show "Bowling for Dollars". So, bowling alleys have changed. There is no more smoking old ladies,etc. It was actually quite pleasant ! I even was tempted to play...the girls certainly enjoyed !

The Girls Providing Instruction

S was really ticked off...

She however did make to a smile :)

11 days sans kids

2011-11-07T13:15:00.000-08:00

Day 1: In the late afternoon departed on Amtrak to Washington, D.C. I sat next to an older black lady. She was nice, well....nice and strange I felt like I was driving her crazy, I decided from then on ....no coach seating ! I didn't fall asleep at all. Sometimes flying just seems better....

Marcus at Union Station

Day2: Arrived in Washington, D. C. and met up with M at Union Station. I checked out A LOT of guys in business suits wondering if they were all senators. I recognized nobody...I suppose if I were IN the Capitol building I might recognize somebody.

Union Station Clock ...

Anyway, M and I had breakfast at Union and then he took me home.

One of my many favorite Phallic Symbols

We took my picture in front of the Washington Monument and went to the Smithsonian to see

Jackie O's Dress...her waist is as big as my upper thigh

Martha Washington....little more reasonable !

First Ladies dresses, Julia Childs Kitchen, and the Library of Congress.

Yes, its a weird picture....

Honey, I'm Home...

Checked out The White House and then took a train by mistake to the Pentagon. It's the closest I think I will ever get to it. We had dinner with his partner Steve and then went to sleep.

Day 3 National Portrait Museum

The gun that killed him

Ford's Theatre

The House he died in

The bed he died in

I saw where Lincoln was shot and died. We had dinner and then got a look at the Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial. We returned watched a REALLY BAD movie and then went to sleep.

Eric and I

Day 4: Got up at 4:45 am and went to Union Station. I upgraded my seat on the way home to a Roomette, and then proceeded to get on my train bound for New York City. I sat with nobody ! It was fab ! It was gloomy and raining, but to sit by nobody felt great !

Eric met me at Penn Station. He was actually let down to the RR tracks ! Anyway, we got on the subway and headed to his apartment in the rain. We walked from the Subway to his house and it was raining. His apartment was small and sweet. We hung out and ate lunch.

It started to snow so we just hung out watching the snow and chatting.

Later we met up with my friend K and her sister N and my new friend J. We ate in TriBeCa at an all American restaurant. It was nice and it was good to see my friends. WOW ! Seriously, I can't live in NYC and the snow SUCKED. However I do love my friends who live there.

Day 5: Eric and I went to the Met Museum. He showed me where some famous people lived or had lived.

I saw The Guggenheim and a little bit of Central Park.

I was able to see more Picasso and Warhol. It was a fabulous museum and I can't wait to return. We went home, and dinner and then Eric introduced me to Nip/Tuck.

I am now in love with Julian McMahon. Totally spicy show, but I could care less, to see that man with his shirt off...TOTALLY WORTH IT !!!

Day 6: Met up with Erica. She gave me the grand tour of NYC.

I saw The Chrysler Building, The Empire State, Grand Central Station,

The United Nations Building, had lunch with her and took me back to the Upper East Side. I hadn't seen her in YEARS ! We had a very nice time and look forward to another visit with her soon.
Day 7: Halloween...sent a package to my family, bought a mug at Starbucks, cleaned some of Eric's apartment and watched Nip/Tuck. I didn't leave the house and I was okay with that.

Day8: Met up with Vero, Sand, and Erica at The Salisbury. We did so much after that it was insane ! We walked to Times Square and took a Grey Line Bus all over New York. We saw everything there was to see, and then took a tour of Brooklyn. We had dinner at Grand Central Station and then went back to the Hotel.

Our Tour Guide ! SHE ROCKED !!!

Day 9: Took at walking tour of Greenwich Village,

a boat tour of the Statue of Liberty, and returned to the Hotel. Vero and I went to dinner next door at a nice Italian place and then I went to bed.

Day 10: Took a cab to Penn Station and got on the Crescent back to Atlanta. First Class is nice, but again I didn't sleep.

They are totally crazy !!!

Day 11: Arrived back in Atlanta, my kids were just as insane as ever :)

Happy Birthday to MEEEE !

2011-10-22T12:38:00.000-07:00

Swedish Pancake from Pancake House

Pumpkin Pancakes

French Toast

MARTA

Well, the picture says it all :)

Last year at this time I was at SFO getting ready to board a plane for the UK. Today was not as exciting, but never the less a nice day.

Chilly in Hotlanta

2011-10-21T16:37:00.000-07:00

The new do

It's CNN !

It's a phallic symbol also known as the Westin Hotel

The Andrew Young School of Policy....I wanna go there !!


Very cool public bathroom..should gone inside

Went to downtown Atlanta today...it was chilly...but interesting...different....for sure not San Francisco. I saw a sign that said " Here is this blah blah building, it replaced blah blah building after it had been destroyed in the Civil War in blah blah blah". On a serious note, it was rather depressing.....knowing that many buildings were destroyed in the Civil War. I would have loved to have seen them. Sometime I am making it up to Savannah. Last year this day, I was getting ready to go to London and Paris with my mom and sister. There are so many times I wish I could hit that replay button ! So many times when I wish I could live a day over again and just make it so much better....like my attitude :)

Public Restrooms

2011-10-19T08:07:00.000-07:00

Okay, after my paper sticking to my ass incident I thought...okay what is my ideal public bathroom. First of all, I have been in enough public bathrooms. My many tours of the US have brought me to some that ...well I had to turn around and find another one. My most favorite restroom ?

Nordstrom in San Francisco...why ? They are not separated by slabs of metal, they have no advertising on the door, they are individual, and they are well taken care of.

I took the girls into the restroom at The American Girl Store. Fabulous they have a holder for your dolls !

They also have a deodorizer when the toilet flushes ! I am actually bringing one of these when I got to NYC. You drop it in before you go, and when you flush...it flushes sweet smelling water. I find it a courtesy for my room mates of 3 nights !

I am also bringing a small can of Lysol spray, and what I really really need is a small thing of toilet paper , but I will bring tissue instead. These are things that I bring on my trips across the US. You have to be prepared for anything ! I have decided to collect pictures of restrooms for my blog...because...well nobody else does :)

American Girl Cafe

2011-10-18T07:55:00.000-07:00

These were the BEST !!

I decided to take the girls to the American Girl Cafe store in Alpharetta. It's right down the street in our local mall. I forced the girls into getting their hair blown dry and I brushed it. They wore t shirts and shorts. Why can't they just be girly girls for two hours even ? Anyway, it was a teacher work day and T was home working. So, dragging them there seemed like a good idea. You pick a starter and then a main course. You pay extra for drinks and a dessert. The girls did not eat their food, some of the dessert, and I ended up paying well over $100. Alice the puppy had chewed Sarah's American Girl Doll "Kit". So, we took her in to see how much it would cost for a head and a hand. It cost $75.00. So, I bought her a whole new one instead. Where is it ? It's in a bag on the floor. I don't get that girl at all. I should have a bought a doll....I would love to have one.

The Ass Gasket

2011-10-16T17:31:00.000-07:00

Seriously, whoever invented the toilet seat cover is a genius. Why ? Because I just find them to be TOTALLY useless !! Today, was a beautiful day. I was trying to think what I did ... oh yeah, cleaned house, did some laundry, 2 loads of dishes, pureed my baked pumpkin, and read the rest of "The Host". Did not care for the ending of "The Host"..really who makes alien abduction into a romance ? Anyway, dying to get out the house T and I went looking for maps. I am going to NYC and DC soon and needed to get some maps. I find maps on my iPhone TOTALLY useless. Sorry Mr. Jobs (RIP) but walking briskly down 5th Avenue NYC and trying to read a map...not my cup of tea.

Back to my toilet seat cover. I'm at Barnes and Noble and using the public bathroom. I look down at the toilet. The person before me apparently flushed, but the toilet seat cover did not. Was I shocked ? So, flushed the cover down the drain. Toilet water flails everywhere and I put my sheet of wax paper down to protect my ass from any infectious diseases on the seat. The paper sticks...I sit down...the paper sticks to me...I sit up to find the seat cover stuck to my ass. I am not happy. This of course never happens to skinny people. In my mind skinny people ....nothing every happens to them :) So, peel it off my ass flush it down the toilet and wait for the next victim. I have decided to take a picture of the toilet seat cover dispenser because I am so pissed about it I needed to blog about it. Yes, the person who invented it is a genius.

Wikipedia's Take on The Toilet Seat Cover...ROCK ON !!!
A toilet seat cover (colloquially called an ass-gasket) is a disposable piece of paper shaped like the toilet seat itself that can be placed on the seat by its user. Its purpose is to protect the toilet's user from germs that may be resting on the seat,^[1] though scientific studies have cast doubt on the cover's value.

Apple Pickin'

2011-10-02T16:02:00.000-07:00

I always wondered what a bushel and a peck was....

beautiful valley

apple cannon

little lunch

Nah, this isn't so great

only in the south....

Rah Rah got a HUGE apple

Welcome Home Owen

2011-09-29T11:13:00.000-07:00

Owen.....

Sarah wanted him....

This dog was CRAZY

This dog had no fingers on his cage

Owen eating...

Audrey LOVED this door...

Love the ceiling fans...can't wait to to go Savannah

Hi Owen you cutie !!!

One of these was Alice the puppy

A Tree Climbing

So, we were in downtown Roswell last weekend and parked right by a homeless dog shelter garage sale. No, it wasn't that it was a bunch of homeless dogs in crates being given to loving families. So, we found Owen and brought him home. He's skin and bones little fur, but adorable. We also made him some homemade oatmeal and salmon cookies. They smelled to high heaven, but I am hoping to put some serious fat on that dog and a shiny thick coat for the winter. He bites, chews and poops and pees and yet I still love him.

Have you ever been down to Athens GA ?

2011-09-19T07:27:00.000-07:00

City Hall of Athens

Wide open spaces

classic church

went on a walk to visit this...

University of Georgia building...LOVE EM !

Steeple on the street

E took a picture of this dog....

Beautiful butterflies in Georgia !!

Took a picture, but the Cemetery was not fun to look at

Love the tombstone of the church

Headless Statue

sweet bridge leading to more graves

True Bible Belt Ministry going on !

Sanford Stadium

close up of the church

I found this ...funny

same butterfly

close up...it was huge though...

more Tent !