Today turned out to be quite an interesting Monday. Steven has been mulling over buying a new car (pre-owned, but new to him) ever since he paid his car off back in July. He'd been looking at the Mercedes CLK430s, but wasn't sure if he wanted to upgrade (he had a C230). The salesman called today and, since it was the end of the month, they were able to reach a good deal using his car as a trade in, so now we've got this gorgeous silver 2002 CLK430. It's a pimped out model with the navigation system, electric every thing, dual climate controls, laser encoded key, integrated phone system; basically, the works. It's too dark to take pictures, so I'll have to get some tomorrow. It's a super sweet car. It's always so exciting to get a new vehicle!

.: 140 words at 11:23 PM in Fish Tales :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (7) :.

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It's Monday, so time to start the week out right with Jess's Participation Positives!

• I had a great mini-vacation with Jeanna and it was just what I needed
• I found a great little charity thing that I am mailing my check in for today - Adopt-An-Animal at Moody Gardens. I am adopting a poison dart frog.
• I bought some great stuff in Galveston - a cute purple shirt from Moody Gardens, a pretty pair of earrings, a fat peppermint striped cat ornament that is so adorable, a hex sign stained glass thing to hang in my window, and a birthday gift for Jeanna
• I took some really awesome photos in Galveston this weekend
• My ring was found last week and I am still psyched about it
• I got my bracelet back from B! Beads and it fits perfectly. I also got my new earrings and they are beautiful
• I won $50 on a lottery ticket when I was buying a Cherry Coke
• It's time for the new season of shows to start and ER and Alias are going to kick ass
• I got the new Anita Blake book, Narcissus in Chains
• Something at work may get changed and I will be very happy if it does
• I love and am loved

.: 214 words at 11:56 AM in Participation Positives :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (2) :.

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I think this is fitting for more than just the similarities in the name. ;-)

You are Lil' Kim!
You flaunt your sex appeal to get what you want, and you want
everything you can get. You are loud, spontaneous, and fun,
and despite your wild streak, people adore you.

Take the "Which Empowered Female Artist Are You" Quiz
made by Liberal Faerie and Violated Joy

.: 66 words at 07:26 PM in Quizzy Stuff :: Link :: Pings (3) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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I've been back home for a couple of hours, but I had to eat and I wanted to finish reading From a Buick 8 since I didn't have a lot left.

I had a wonderful time in Galveston with Jeanna, like I always do. We spent over four hours at Moody Gardens, had the best pizza in the world at Mario's on the seawall, watched fish leap out of the water at night (and speculated that maybe it was because of sharks and stayed in very shallow water), bought a ton of useless, but cool, goodies, and laughed, laughed, and laughed. I so needed this weekend and wish I could have stayed there the rest of this week with Jeanna.

I've got a ton of e-mails to catch up on, about 110 pictures from Friday and Saturday to download and edit, some blog reading to catch up on, and I really want to play some Emperor: Rise of the Middle Kingdom, so enjoy the rest of your Sunday afternoon, kiddies.

.: 172 words at 05:24 PM in Fish Tales :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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I am off to Galveston to meet my friend Jeanna for tonight and maybe tomorrow night. This is the last post until I get back, so everyone enjoy their weekend!

.: 30 words at 05:39 PM in Fish Tales :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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Did anyone catch the season premiere last night of ER?

SPOILERS BELOW

.: 268 words at 08:45 AM in Media Consumption :: Link :: Pings (2) :: All the Voices Say... (14) :.

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Not only is it Christine's birthday today, it's also Courtney's as well. Happy birthday, Courtney! Have yourself a wonderful birthday!

.: 20 words at 08:32 AM in Linky Love :: Link :: Pings (1) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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And now, time for today's Friday Five!

1. What are your favorite ways to relax and unwind? Drink a blender full of raspberry piña coladas, play on the computer something fun, and watch the Tivo curled up with Steven on the couch.

2. What do you do the moment you get home from work/school/errands? Sadly, usually get right on the computer to check my e-mail. I am so pathetic.

3. What are your favorite aromatherapeutic smells? I don't know if this counts, but buttercream by Yankee Candle Company. Otherwise, vanilla. I love how it smells.

4. Do you feel more relaxed with a group of friends or hanging out by yourself? Depends on the people, really. Plus, I would want it to only be one or two people, not a big crowd.

5. What is something that you feel is relaxing but most people don't? Hmmm. I can't think of anything that fits this.

.: 156 words at 08:25 AM in Friday Five! :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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It's Friday, so that means time for another edition of Discovery Friday!

.: Blue Roses - I have always admired Rina's blog for its simple, yet beautiful, look and its wonderful content. Plus, Kristine loves her, so you know she's got to be great.

.: J-Mo - another Houston blogger that I really look forward to meeting some day at a H-Town get together. Cool blog; go check her out.

.: Geek Bee - I found Bronwyn's site when I was browsing Chel's wishlist and went to look at some glass bead jewelry she had listed. I bought the jewelry and started reading Bronwyn's site in the process.

.: Glory-box - after seeing Glory-box pop up as a frequent answer in Name That Blog and decided to pay a visit. It's a gorgeous site and well worth visting.

.: Terrapin Gardens - how can you resist a site with so many wonderful themes on it and such great content?

.: 160 words at 03:14 AM in Discovery Friday :: Link :: Pings (1) :: All the Voices Say... (2) :.

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Today is Christine's birthday. Yes, the Big Pink Cookie is turning 33. Happy, happy birthday, Christine! I hope it's the best one yet!

.: 23 words at 12:01 AM in Linky Love :: Link :: Pings (1) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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There's about a half dozen new pictures up over at Picture Fish, so go take a look if you get a chance.

.: 23 words at 11:26 PM in Picture Fish Update :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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I forgot to mention yesterday but I gave the girl who found my ring a thank you card and $50 worth of gift certificates to the local mall. She tried to turn down the gift, but I really wanted her to have it. Later on she taped a note to the door of my office thanking me for gift certificates, saying she would have done it for anyone. She also said she'd just gotten married (so I guess she's not fifteen, in her early, early twenties, I bet) and they didn't have a lot of stuff for their apartment so her and her husband would have a great time finding some new stuff. I am so glad that she liked the gift certificates and it made me happy that she got something for being so kind and fishing my ring out of a toilet and holding on to it until I could get it back.

.: 155 words at 10:54 PM in Fish Tales :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Here's my submission to photojunkie: photo contests in the category "A Few of My Favorite Things." I call it "Orange Riot."

.: 21 words at 10:43 PM in Participation :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (3) :.

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Here's my submission to photojunkie: photo contests in the category "Caught Red Handed." I call it "Tart."

.: 17 words at 10:36 PM in Participation :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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Here's my submission to photojunkie: photo contests in the category "Vintage." I call it "Snail Shell."

.: 16 words at 10:32 PM in Participation :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Here's my submission to photojunkie: photo contests in the category "From The Hip." I call it "Rainy Mirror." I was trying to take a picture of me in my car's mirror so it would show the crepe myrtle bloom that had landed there. I didn't quite get it in the shot, but I liked how it turned out anyway.

.: 59 words at 10:27 PM in Participation :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Here's my submission to photojunkie: photo contests in the category "A Human Study." I call it "Sexy Shoes." I love how my feet look in these shoes.

.: 27 words at 10:21 PM in Participation :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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It's Wednesday, so it's time for Bea's Reasons For Love!

I love Steven because...

• He took the 150 PDF I printed to work and bound it for me so I could read it easily
• He does the hard part of giving Bella her medicine - dropping the drops in her mouth
• He took me to the ball game last night even though he really wanted to go to the gym and workout
• He passed the link to vote for Hellcat to his co-workers because he really liked the picture and knew how much it meant to me
• He made pizza and piña coladas for me and two of our friends Friday night and they were delicious

.: 117 words at 06:23 PM in Reasons For Love :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Since today is Jenn's birthday, I chose today's "It's a Group Thing" term in her honor. Today's term is:

A Mass of Bostonians

.: 23 words at 02:16 PM in It's a Group Thing :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Today is the wonderfully talented Jenn's birthday. Take a minute and go wish that Scripty Goddess a happy birthday. Happy birthday, Jenn, and congratulations on the mortgage commitment letter!

.: 29 words at 12:52 AM in Linky Love :: Link :: Pings (1) :: All the Voices Say... (2) :.

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Since I've been jealous all day of Christine's fun time at the Astros game last night, I jumped on the chance to go when Steven called and said his boss had just given him a pair of tickets. They are completely kick-ass seats located behind home plate and right in front of the press boxes and even come with free parking. This day has really turned out great: I got the new Stephen King book, we're going to the game, and I found my ring! Yeah!

.: 87 words at 06:57 PM in Fish Tales :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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I can't believe it, but I just got a call from a girl on my floor here at work. She found my ring in the toilet, nonetheless, and has been holding on to it all week because she didn't know who it belonged to. Someone mentioned to her that there was a sign downstairs and she called me today. I was so happy I started crying and I think I scared her some (she looks like she's about fifteen or so). She turned down my offer of a reward, but I'm going to go to the mall tomorrow and get a $50 gift certificate and a card and drop it by her desk. I was sure it was completely lost. I am so happy! :-)

.: 125 words at 02:39 PM in Fish Tales :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (5) :.

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Anybody know what happened to "Name That Blog?" I noticed it's missing from everyone's sites today.

.: 16 words at 12:42 AM in Daily Ramblings :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (2) :.

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Pogo has just added a new game to their repertoire - Hammerhead Pool - and I am utterly addicted. If you want to come play me, I play there under the name kymberliemc (very original, no?).

.: 36 words at 12:39 AM in Entertainment Value :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Time for Christine's This-or-That Tuesday:

• "Gone With The Wind" or "The Wizard of Oz"?
I've never seen "Gone With The Wind" all the way through and I love "The Wizard of Oz," so "Wizard" it is.
• "Toy Story" or "Shrek"?
I really liked "Shrek," but I've got to go with "Toy Story" on this one.
• "Saturday Night Fever" or "Grease"?
Never seen "Saturday Night Fever" so it's go to be "Grease."
• "Casablanca" or "Citizen Kane"?
I saw "Citizen Kane" and didn't really like it, but I haven't seen "Casablanca," but I'm picking it anyway.
• "When Harry Met Sally" or "You've Got Mail"?
I wasn't a huge fan of "You've Got Mail," so despite only seeing some of "When Harry Met Sally," I'm choosing it.
• "Forrest Gump" or "Titanic"?
"Forrest Gump." I really liked that movie and even though "Titanic" was good, I liked it better.
• "Pretty Woman" or "Working Girl"?
"Working Girl!" That movie is such a classic!
• "The First Wives Club" or "Thelma & Louise"?
"Thelma & Louise."
• "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" or "James & the Giant Peach"?
"Willy Wonka" for sure (but, once again, I didn't see the other movie).
• "Legally Blonde" or "Bridget Jones' Diary"?
"Legally Blonde!" I found it so hysterical and I didn't think "Bridget Jones" lived up to the book.

.: 219 words at 12:00 AM in This-or-That Tuesday :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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PetSmart always accepts donations towards their charities for homeless pets, but right now they are selling the Spay and Neuter stamps that the Post Office is offering with the proceeds going to their charity. Also, by giving a $10 donation, you receive a commemorative T-shirt featuring the Fall 2002 U.S. Postal Service Neuter and Spay stamp design. I always drop a couple of bucks in the donation receptacle when I go in, so getting a t-shirt for leaving a few more dollars was a no-brainer when I picked Bella up this afternoon. The girl behind the counter was sweet and thanked me several times for buying a shirt. They must be having a hard time moving them, so if you've got $10 and want to help homeless pets, drop by PetSmart and make a donation.

.: 136 words at 11:23 PM in Daily Ramblings :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (2) :.

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Here's PromoGuy's Monday Mission 2.38:

1. Do you like to drink warm beverages in the morning or do you prefer yours cold?
Cold. I hate hot beverages of all kinds.

2. Have you ever been so upset with someone that you wanted to get revenge? What did you do? Or if you didn't, what would you like to have done?
Yes, when my ex left me with about $30,000 worth of bills, I was very upset with him. I didn't do anything to him, though, because really, what would have been the point? He's a loser and always will be.

3. Looking back, are there any opportunities you missed out on that you can see now but didn't realize then?
The only one that I can think of is that I probably should have gone away to school instead of staying in town and going to U of H. Not sure if I would have wanted to considering I'm fairly happy with where I am in my life.

4. Are there any clothes you refuse to throw away even though they don't (and never will) fit? Why do you keep them?
I have a bunch of sexy looking dresses that just are not flattering to my body style. I would hate to throw them away, though, because it seems like such a waste to do it and I keep thinking I might fit in them some day.

5. Do you have an accent? Are there any phrases or words you say that tip folks that "you aren't from around these parts?"
I do some (after all, I was born and raised in Texas), but not a great deal. I tend to say "y'all" and drawl some words out, but that's about it. And since I was born and raised in these parts, I never hear, "You aren't from around these parts."

6. Are there any words folks misspell or incorrect uses of words that simply drive you insane?
I personally misspell chief all the time, but there's nothing that someone misspells that drives me crazy. However, I hate it when people say, "Anywho." It bugs the shit out of me. I totally hate it.

7. Are there any pet names that you like to be called? Any you don't? Do you (or did you) have any pet names for your partner?
Steven calls me muskerfish, mopyfish, manatee, and terrapin turtledove and I love them all. I mostly call Steven honey.

BONUS: Why you so fly?
It's bugging me that I can't remember what this is from. Argh!

.: 428 words at 11:15 PM in Monday Missions :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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I took Bella to the vet today and it seems like we might have an answer to why she's been peeing in the floor. It appears that she has a urinary tract infection and she also has ear mites. They gave her a shot of antibiotics and some ear drops and oral drop medication that she's supposed to take twice a day. It cost me almost $300 in vet bills, but it will be worth it if it fixes her litterbox problem.

.: 82 words at 06:45 PM in Kitty Tales :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (6) :.

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As I mentioned before, my copy of Emperor: Rise of the Middle Kingdom came in Friday. Due to a busy weekend, tonight was the first night I got a chance to play it. While it's essentially the same game as Zeus: Master of Olympus, they've added some new changes to the game, so I wanted to read the manual. I open the box and it's like, "Manual? What manual?" For whatever reason, Sierra/Impressions Games have decided not to include a paper manual, but instead give it to you as a 150 page PDF. Since I wanted to read through it, I've spent the last three hours printing the bloody thing and I'm still going to have to three-hole punch it and put it in a binder. How freaking annoying! For most games I don't usually bother with manuals, but for strategy/city building games, they can really come in handy. I hope this doesn't become a trend amongst game publishers.

.: 160 words at 02:06 AM in Rants :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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It's Monday, so time to start the week out right with Jess's Participation Positives!

• My picture, "Hellcat," is still number one in Photojunkie's Photo contest - "Movement" category
• My Tivo can record probably about 100 hours on medium quality now and it's working perfectly
• Stephen King's new book, From a Buick 8, comes out tomorrow
• Tori Amos's new album, Scarlet's Walk, comes out tomorrow and I've already pre-ordered from CDNow with gift certificates so it was free
• Bella has a doctor appointment so maybe we can finally figure out why she's peeing on the floor and fix the problem
• On the Blockbuster receipt was a coupon to buy Blade II for $9.99, so I'm going to get it for Steven (we rented it Saturday night and loved it)
• I think some positive changes are going to be happening at work soon
• I found a bunch of cool new blogs since I started Discovery Fridays
• I love and am loved

.: 162 words at 01:53 AM in Participation Positives :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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I was super busy Friday and gone almost all of yesterday, so here's the Friday Five!

1. Would you say that you're good at keeping in touch with people? Not really. It takes me weeks to get back to people by e-mail and I never call people first. I stay in contact with a few people, but that's about it.

2. Which communication method do you usually prefer/use: e-mail, telephone, snail mail, blog comments, or meeting in person? Why? E-mail and comments. They're easier to make and I can leave them at any time of the day, including after midnight when I'm always up.

3. Do you have an instant messenger program? How many? Why/why not? How often do you use it? I do, but I mostly use it for work. I use Trillian so I can have my AIM and my MSN on at the same time in one program.

4. Do most of your close friends live nearby or far away? Fairly close by (by Texas standards).

5. Are you an "out of sight, out of mind" person, or do you believe that "distance makes the heart grow fonder"? I think it really can depend. For some people it's one, for others you miss them so much it's the other.

.: 213 words at 06:04 PM in Friday Five! :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Even though they're late, I liked this week's Saturday Scruples, so here they are!

1. You dream that friends die in a plane crash. The next day they announce a trip to Greece. Do you mention your dream? Yes, I probably would. I think I did this once when my brother was going on a trip. Needless to say, it turned out to be just a dream.

2. Your spouse offers to let you have an affair if s/he can. Do you accept the offer? No way. I think this opens up a can of worms that will cause nothing but trouble.

3. You're a collage teacher. one of your students plagiarized an essay and should fail the course. She's from a disadvantaged minority. Do you make an exception? No, cheating is cheating. No exceptions.

.: 136 words at 05:54 PM in Saturday Scruples :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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Back from party at boss's house. Drunk and have hiccups. Must lay on couch with Steven and cat and watch tv. More later.

.: 23 words at 11:59 PM in Daily Ramblings :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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Riddle me this, Batman: why would Bella go take a big dump in her litterbox, all on her own, and then, ten minutes, later pee in the hall? Why won't she pee in the litterbox? WTF? Argh!

.: 37 words at 07:25 PM in Kitty Tales :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (3) :.

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Today is also Say-say's birthday, so go give her some birthday loving. Happy birthday, Say-say!

.: 15 words at 05:06 PM in Linky Love :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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Indication that I am a huge geek: I am giddy with excitement because Jeff, our wonderful tech guy, hacked my Tivo today (I should have like fifty more hours of time), my copy of Emperor: Rise of the Middle K