I love watching the bachelor!

And I have friends (who I won't call out) who love it too. I really don't watch much TV, so why do I have this obsession?? Maybe ....

Vicarious dating; so much easier than the real thing.

It is just funny! And crazy, seriously, can you really get that emotional after a single one-on-one date?? And Brad, can you really "have something special" with that many girls??

Make-believe travel to exotic destinations. Very affordable!!

Play fashion police: From the comfort of my own couch, far from the public eye, wearing black sweats, lime green ZTA tee (one of Maria's vast collection), a Chapin basketball sweatshirt (Ian's middle school reject) and brown socks that have no business being worn with tennis shoes ( in such a hurry to get to one of my anonymous friend's house, they were the first pair I grabbed). We don't judge each other, just those ridiculously thin, perfectly made up, VERY high heel shoe wearing girls who seem to cry on command.

And I don't even like Brad Womack!!

Mermis is not a common name.....just me and these creepy things!

Out of curiosity and a love of google, I typed in mermis.....and I am sure sorry.

The name originated when my awesome niece Katie was very young and called me Aunt Meremee. Many years later, and I am not sure why (do you KNOW Katie?) she modified it to Mermis.

So, it was an easy decision when Annie was born what my "grandma" name would be.

Mermis has replaced Ms. Mary, Aunt Mary, and Great Aunt Mary (heaven forbid Mary Kate and Henry actually call me that!!) Some of my friends even call me Mermis, and Ian throws out an occasional Mermdog.

A regrettable google for sure!!!! Who knew??? Hopefully not Katie!!

Mermis: Genus of long, opaque nematodes; larval stages passed in the hemocelic cavity of insects, particularly grasshoppers, whereas adults are free-living in the soil. Accidental ingestion by humans causes infection.

Read more at http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/medical/mermis.htm?ktrack=kcplink

A whole new world!

After THREE trips to the Sprint store, I have a new phone!!

First trip: I tried the "guy" thing as recommended by well, guys! "Tell them you are switching services and they will offer you a new phone, car, life, the whole deal, all for maybe $5 a month"!! So, I swaggered in and inquired about my contract as I was considering switching carriers! Of course I knew damn good and well my contract is up, I have had this same phone for THREE years! After looking at my bill and surely noting my Sprint loyalty since bag phone days (before some of you were even born) I was told "Yea, it's up, you going to Verizon?" So much for that! I left and went to see Country Strong, highly recommended, and much better than phone shopping.

Second trip: I tried a different Sprint store. Here they were a little more helpful; immediately switching my plan ($20 cheaper) according to what I am actually using! Now we're talking, and I am the only customer in the store (has that EVER happened in a cell phone store?). SO, I spend no less than an hour deciding what I need, can actually operate, and how much money I am willing to spend. After an agonizing decision, I was told "It will take 3-5 days to get here and actually we no longer carry that particular phone." What?? Turns out this is a faux store, some sort of third party posers, which explains why I was the only loser in there! So much for that too!

Third trip: Back to store number one! This time I asked for a manager, ready to give the ol "guy" thing another whirl! I explained events one and two and although he was somewhat sympathetic, he did not offer a new phone or car, or even a free car charger (yes, I was groveling but frankly just tired of the whole thing!)

SO, I have a new phone and the nice young man who I side-stepped initially for a manager, turned out to be the most helpful of all. This guy was in awe of the fact I had the same phone for so long!! Told me I definitely didn't need insurance, who does that? (I know, I know, now I am going to need it!) And found me a discount, taking another $7 off my monthly bill, bought my old phone back for $5 AND set up my email. He was genuinely concerned as he kept inquiring "are you going to be OK with this when you leave here?" And my equally genuine response? " Of course, that is why I had kids!"

Note to kids: JK, or with my new phone....JUST KIDDING!!

There is a reason it is not called sweeping snow!

However lovely, this stuff is HEAVY!!!

Yep, South Carolina is in the midst of a mega snow storm. With this much snow, I was a little concerned about the weight of the snow on my back porch.

Every time I run into my builder, he inquires about the back porch. He says he is a little worried it will crack if there is a lot of weight on it. Several tests have been made in the form of summer late night dance parties; so far so good.

FYI: A broom simply will not work. See my attempts at sweeping snow in this last picture?

Hope all this snow doesn't weigh more than a dance party.

Ten means ten, for ten, of course!!

That's how much these fingerprints cost, one of the steps required to change your name. It is time alas to return to Mary Trivisonno. My kids gave me the gift of name change for my birthday last year, and getting these prints was the final step before submitting the legal paperwork. OK, Ian submitting; thank you Ian!! I really should have had more kids, they are so damn helpful now that they are adults. Had I considered this role reversal, I may have had more. Could have spread out all my SOS calls. But as always, I digress!

The prints are made at Lex. County Sheriff Department, a large complex just a tad intimidating. Three buildings: Court, Detention, and Administration. Obviously, I chose the latter. Nervously, I explained I needed fingerprints FOR A NAME CHANGE, in case anyone in ear shot really cared. I was told "over to detention" (fondly conjuring up high school escapades and the repercussions).

Here, the guys stay behind glass, wielding weapons. Again, nervously I explain I need fingerprints FOR A NAME CHANGE. And here is the scenario between heavily armed man (HAM) and little old me (LOM). Bear in mind HAM is strictly monotone.

HAM: I need your license and ten dollars
LOM: Here you go sir (smiling as I handed him my license and a twenty)
HAM: No change
LOM: Oh, well, OK maybe I can make ten (counting my loose bills and change I only come up with $9.50)

Needing only 50 mere cents, I panhandle attorneys visiting their clients and other fingerprint seekers, with no success--- oh yes I did.

LOM:Um sir, I hate to have to drive here again, I will go look for more change in my car (to which he does not reply!)

I find some change, return, get back in line. I am not sure why everyone else needs fingerprints; normally I would be mildly curious but now I just want to get it done and leave, I am starting to get a little nervous in the detention center for this long.

HAM: You are back
LOM: Yes sir (as I hand him my license, a five, three ones and two dollars in change- change he knows I have been scrounging to get!!)
HAM: We don't take coins, bills only.
LOM: You have got to be kidding, what the hell, take this money, you KNOW I have been looking for change, make my fingerprints...NOW!!!! (OK, not really, but I thought it)

In actuality, I again implore my fellow detainees for help.

Mercifully (a bit dramatic but I am tired of loudly explaining NAME CHANGE, bumming money, and it is getting crowded) someone comes up with two one dollar BILLS and I get fingerprinted!

Ringrazi il dio! A little closer to Mary T.

Just how much these women have in common?

Mary, Sherri & Sherri (or as we call ourselves, the ARIs)

This was our annual Christmas party! Delicious meal courtesy of host Sherri S. We even had three guests; two daughters of Sherri S. and a friend of Sherri R (who agreed to come, as she "doesn't have a life right now"). Hmmm, trying not to take tooooo much offense!!

I decided to bring that sweatshirt out of it's 20 + year retirement.........I know, I am not sure why either. Nor am I sure why I still own it; that thing survived two moves AND numerous closet purgings. The pony tail just added to my 80's look!! I made that awesome original back in my sweatshirt painting days. I wish I had a scanner so I could show you an old family photo where EVERY woman and child was sporting the fruits of my labor!! Yep, 12 of us in wearable art!!! But as usual, I digress!

Just how much DO we have in common, besides of course our rhyming names??
1. We know first hand just how hard divorce is and the impact on our kids.
2. Single, fifty-ish; divorced within a few years of each other. Understand the perils of dating at our age.
3. Were all stay at home moms.
4. Saw the same counselor to maintain some sanity. Questionable results.
5. Hired the same divorce attorney.
6. Hurt and commiserate in a way few others can, especially when our exes mess with our kids!
7. Love and adore our poodle mix dogs! Took dogs trick or treating one year: dogs dressed up, we did not.

I love these girls! We will drop everything for an emergency ARI meeting! Sometimes these meetings make Original Bob look pretty good....... assuming of course I am not the one to call the meeting to order!