Sister-Friends

2008-05-19T22:19:00.000-07:00

Hi and hello again

2008-05-19T18:54:00.001-07:00

HEllO to anyone still out there. I got busy with life, wrapped up in my family and me, and left the internet for a little bit. I am still wrapped up with my family and me, but I am finding minutes, maybe seconds, here and there. Hello sister hood. Anyone wish to blog again? (((hugs))) and hope everyone is well.

It IS MAGIC!

2008-05-18T15:16:00.000-07:00

SO... Rentals are NEVER really as "clean" at the walk through with the landlord as what you (maybe it's just me?) really think they ought to be after you've signed papers, paid money, moved your stuff, and begin to REALLY look around as you re-situate to the 'new' surroundings.
For instance, I thought the bathroom of the new place looked fairly clean, if not woefully smaller than what I was leaving.
Upon closer inspection I find: the toilet "wobbles", there's scum everywhere, and the sink is being supported by a stick. (yes. You read right - a stick, I tell you!) I will not tell you, in great detail, about what I found lifting the lid of the toilet - except to say that it did involved a raisin, and, yes, I almost hurled cleaning IT up. (shudders!)
So! I've been re-situating and cleaning. I've been using those disposable disinfecting wipes. For the quick, let's-just-get-something-done-about-this NOW, thing and deal with the indepth cleaning details at a later date. These wipes are very handy for this type of deal. I won't move agian without them!
Then, yesterday I was looking around at the extremely ill-designed and old fashioned kitchen... my eye particularly landing, time and again, on the old-timey country kitchen sink. Boy was it grimey! Stained, hardened water deposits, soap scum - icky. Right beside said, icky sink was a product sample of Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser - so I pull up a chair, (I'm a 1/4 inch shy of 6' - the sink is sitting maybe a yard off the floor - I'll be sitting working at this sink a lot I think) and read the hype, er, directions to the 'Magic Eraser' ....: "Clean things you never thought you'd get clean!" it read. lol OK sink - meet Mr. Clean! ... and to my amazement, it was working! To be fair I did have to put some mussel power in, later on some of the thicker hardwater deposits that had obviously built up over, say, the last 80 years... but I'm wondering if even that was because I only had a sample size eraser to work with - (they're designed to disintergrate, breaking down over time and useage.)
Well, that's a lot of typing to say this: I'm sold on Mr. Clean's Magic Erasers and now have that on my shopping list.
If you're dealing with incredible grime - you might try one however you might want to read this report first: http://housekeeping.about.com/od/productreviews/gr/mrcleanmagicer.htm

Best Wishes

2007-12-28T07:18:00.000-08:00

Wishing all 'Sisters' a wonderful holiday season and a great new year.

Be good to you.

S

Hello?

2007-10-23T18:40:00.000-07:00

Is anyone still checking in? Is it time to retire our page? I hope all of you are busy living wonderful love-filled lives...shock of all shocks: I am! Nope, I don't have someone new....I'm back together with Butchy. She's new & improved. So much to tell you all......

Moving On

2007-07-21T17:37:00.000-07:00

Inspite of having to deal with another demonstration of my ex's cruelty & dishonesty, I am focusing on moving forward. Hate doesn't look good on me...it's just not my color! lol I'm not going to allow her to infect my new life. She is a disease & I am cured.

To change the nasty subject: How are all of you? What's new? What's old? What are you dealing with right now? Have you won any battles lately? Are you fighting a battle you're willing to share with your Sister-Friends? If any of you are willing to share stories about a nasty relationship that you overcame, I'd love to hear them!

HELP!!

2007-06-04T09:44:00.000-07:00

I'm really struggling with how to handle all of my ex's evil...I'm really wanting to be evil, too! She has no boundaries, I want to be boundaryless, as well. I don't want to be the better person....I want to swim with her in her gutter. She is refusing to return the items she stole from me....I have pressed charges for the items she stole from my house & have been advised by the nice Detective that I need to sue her to get the computer back.

I reeeeeaaaaalllllyyyyyy want to be evil....I really really do....

MP Update and Hi

2007-04-27T11:07:00.000-07:00

Hi all. I've also been very neglectful of the Ya Ya site. Not good.

Wow, wild fires in Georgia, that isn't something you see everday. Crazy.

Well things have been rolling right along w/ me.

Hubby and I vacationed in Aruba. It's our 2 year late honeymoon. We had an awesome time. Back in October of last year I decided I was going to loose some weight for the trip and started Weight Watchers..this is after I tried doing it on my own with the support of the shrinking Ya Ya's. I've gone from over 200lbs down to the 176 range.. I'm doing it healthy...portion control, common sense and going to WW meetings. (lovely photo above from Aruba)

I went through a dry spell on my own blog but have started becoming more active again. I'm glad, blogging is so theraputic.

Mom and Dad are getting old but doing well. Dad is 86 and Mom is 81. Mom decided to buy her first computer. She got a laptop through a sweepstakes program. Last night I attempted to get her all on line. We're talking about downloading Windows 98..yes you heard correctly. So she has her email address but I don't have msn downloaded correctly yet for her to go on line. She is NOT getting the link to my blog that's for sure. TMI in there.

Hubby and I are doing well, my step son is in the 1st grade but is reading at a near 3rd grade level..he's very smart and this is a problem cause sometimes I forget he's just a little kid when he's being a shithead. I tend to act like a 7 year old too.. :-)

Hope everyone else is doing well. I think it's time for a roll call. Between now and next Friday my goal is to come by everyones blog, read up and post!

Hey, Ladies! We're on fire!

2007-04-26T18:13:00.000-07:00

um.... Literally! I live in Ware County, Georgia, home of the south Georgia forest fire. Actually, about 5 miles away from it.... give or take. You might not have heard of it, considering the pathetic amount of national coverage it's gotten - despite it's being currently the largest wildfire in the US.

I'm trying to take a lot of pics and keep regular updates on my blog and on Flikr. I'll hopefully be able to go out and get some more pictures tomorrow.

Here's a view from yesterday afternoon:

My Daddy

2007-04-25T17:36:00.001-07:00

My Daddy had a heart attack last night. He's having open heart surgery tomorrow. Please keep him in your thoughts & prayers!

Where I'm at....

2007-04-18T03:08:00.000-07:00

I'm dealing with a horrid breakup on top of losing my job. All the gory details are on my blog...well actually just the latest back stabs.

I've been such a failure at managing this blog. I'm sorry.

2007-01-01T06:44:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR my sistahs!

"May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being."

Apache Blessing

The Job Hunt

2006-11-25T10:06:00.000-08:00

Hey Sisters,

I interrupt this holiday break to bring you this announcement: I have a job interview on Tuesday morning and need ALL the positive energy, well wishes, etc, that I can muster. So I am asking for a few extra thoughts that day.

I've been unemployed since I was let go in August, and Tuesday's interview is for a position that could (in theory at least) reshape my life. It's not only a career change, but a gigantic step up.

Thank you!

*************

In other news, I remembered I haven't typed anything about it here - my girlfriend and I went to Tanzania in September to volunteer. It was amazing!! We traveled over with the same non-profit, but were placed at two different local organizations. She worked with a group that specialized in vocational education for AIDS orphans, and I worked with a group hell-bent on breaking down the stigma of HIV/AIDS in both the social and political realm.

It was such an incredible journey, and I cannot wait to find a way to go back. And if homosexuality weren't illegal there, I'd seriously consider actually living in Tanzania. Whenever I'm stressed, I think of sitting under the stars and the banana trees just talking the night away with locals and friends...

*******************

Okay, I'm done babbling now. Thanks for the Tuesday wishes!

long time no blog

2006-10-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

The problem with being the sort of person who is drawn to this sort of lovely, warm, creative online community is the fact that this also means that one is generally the sort of person who is way too busy to actively contribute to it on a regular basis.

Which, to put it delicately, sucks.

Here's the part where one writes, "I'm sorry I haven't been in here lately. I've been ..." and fills in the blank with

very busy
very sick
getting married
getting divorced
graduating
looking for work
getting promoted
having a baby
having twins
having a miscarriage
not feeling very creative
writing a book

So.

I'm sorry I haven't been in here lately.

I've been writing a book.

No. Really.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ISBN=1847283039&pdf=y&z=y

I miss it in here, a lot, but I'm still very busy, and now it doesn't look like I'm going to get any less busy any time soon.

Take care, sisters. I'll be back when I can.

I know it has been a long time......

2006-10-25T06:53:00.000-07:00

Well, I want to start out by updating because it has been forever since I have.
I was trying to go into the Army but due to the history of Bronchitis I am a "medical discard".
I quit TDCJ but I am trying to get back on because working as an Instructional Assistant Substitute, is not making the bills.
My daughter is 10 yrs old now and in 5th grade.....how time does fly.My son is 3 1/3 yrs old and in Pre-K at a private school in my area.
I am currently going through a divorce. Hopefully it will stay koshure and not get messy. I am really seriously hoping and praying about that. I am pretty sure it will be final before Christmas this year if we agree on everything.
Well, that's really all there is to tell about me!
Hugz!!

Something Had to Give

2006-10-20T17:04:00.001-07:00

Okay, I decided to not do the stand up routines at this point. The invitation stands until the end of December, so I'll have another chance. But between writing letters to the Editor, congress peoples, and so on, plus trying to find a damn job, I'm too stressed to do stand up. However, I plan on doing it after my next engagement. As it turns out, I have a speaking engagement Nov.3. In fact, I am the Keynote Speaker at a statewide conference being hosted by Iowa City Housing Authority. I'm terribly nervous, but truly honored. After that presentation is done, I'll try to calm down enough to be funny. I'll let you know. Maybe post a video. Audio if nothing else. Hope all is well with the Yay-Yays. Hard to tell since I'm the only one that's posted so far in a month. Brightest blessings to all of you!

Just a Note

2006-09-14T09:43:00.000-07:00

Howdy all! Hope all is well with all the Yay-Yays. I'm debating with myself about doing these stand up comedy routines at open mic night and the No Shame Theater a former classmate invited me to do. Ish. Talk about nerve wracking decisions. No idea yet if I'll do it or not. I'll keep you posted. Who knows? Maybe I'll end up being the next big comedienne. Or maybe not. I don't know. I get stage fright. Pointers or advice anyone?

Been Missing Y'all

2006-08-17T09:09:00.000-07:00

No excuses. I've been gone and I really felt the absence. Even if I can't check it daily, I need to check this weekly. Drop a note here and there about myself, encourage and sympathize with others. In general, keep a line going.

I'm sorry I've been a bad Sister. I'll have to keep it from happening again. Hope all is well for all the Sisters!

I'm B A C K!!!!

2006-08-16T20:59:00.000-07:00

O M G!!! I've been gone forever! This is what happens when your computer decides to kick it's motherboard to the curb. I was afraid I'd finally get back online and our blog would be gone. I was so relieved that it's still here....quiet, but here!

I've got lots of news to catch y'all up on and lots to catch up on with y'all. I feel like an online virgin logging on for the very first time......

So, what's yp with you? I'll be checking out everyone's blog....it may take me 6 months, but I'll be by for a visit!

Hello..is this thing on..Sister help please

2006-06-20T09:52:00.000-07:00

The believe that my 85 year old dad has Parkinson's.

Do any of you have personal experience w/ Parkinson's..

From 85 until his natural death what would progression be?

Right now he's maily shuffling his feet, does it always progress to the tremors?

Does the medication reverse the symptoms??

I'd appeciate any feedback. And Yes..I already looked at the medical websites but was looking for personal experience.
Thanks!!

Lazarus-Schmazarus!

2006-06-08T07:56:00.000-07:00

Let's raise this board! :)

I'll take a moment to post some updates in my life and my upcoming adventure into Tanzania. If anyone is interested, please continue reading...

Perhaps it was because I recently celebrated another birthday, and I am starting to realize that I'm not doing what I want to be doing. What a frustrating thing that is! It's amazing to me how, stereotypically speaking, in this society a "passion" has to be a "hobby". There are very few people alive (myself included) who are fortunate enough to get paid a living wage doing what absolutely inspires them. That's not to say I don't like my job, but it certainly is not what I think I've been called to do. Nor do I think it impacts the world or lives around me. My job pads my wallet (ha, and even that is sometimes questionable), not my heart - or my soul.

So these thoughts have been weighing heavily on me, and I cannot shake them. It's so tough to sit at my desk each morning, collecting my paycheck, buying my groceries, and just...existing. I want to live. I want to experience things! I want to help.

But how does one just pick up and shift their life? How does that work? What I feel I need to do, which is what I've felt since I was a wee lass, is travel the world in some sort of humanitarian form. Ideally, I have always wanted to be a professor at a small, liberal-arts college, and use my summers and sabbaticals to travel to third-world countries and not only soak up their culture, but use my time and skills to help improve the lives of women. So how does one get from where I am to there? How do I get to my dream?

Well, for starters I've begun applying to grad schools. We'll see where that takes me. One very stark unfortunate blank-spot on my applications is "relevant experience". My degree is in Business Administration; trying to sell myself as a Women's Studies or Sociology student is going to be tough. I'm independently versed on the topics, but I have no formal academic training. Ugh.

Also, my partner, Lisa, and I have decided that some volunteering abroad will sooth my aching soul. So we started researching organizations like the Peace Corps, but we really cannot give up our lives for 2 years at this point (see aforementioned paragraph regarding money and passions). However, we did find a very reputable company that offers volunteer opportunities on a weekly fashion. Come September, Lisa and I will hop on a plane, travel 25 hours, and park ourselves in a village outside Arusha, Tanzania for three weeks.

I've signed up to work with women's groups once I'm over there, and will be helping local women use microlending funds to establish their own small businesses. Lisa has put herself down as a "wherever needed" worker - she might wind up volunteering in an AIDS orphanage, a nursing home, a school, etc.

So this is our growth opportunity, and a stepping stone to what I feel I should be doing. And going to Africa has always been a dream for Lisa, who already has a humanitarian heart of gold.

That's my life right now. I'm eating one can of $0.69 food during the day, and pretty much pasta at night; there's a HUGE sacrifice to get the funds to make this trip work. Until 2007, I'm devoting myself completely to Tanzania - saving for the trip, experiencing the trip, and then rebuilding my life so I can make the trip again! And, hopefully, some good news on grad school will float my way in the meantime...

Hope all is well in the land of Yay-Yays!

Relay For Life

2006-04-07T11:28:00.000-07:00

On March 29th a sweet little girl, beautiful, happy and bright girl by the name of Ashleigh passed away. She was only 4 years old. Cause of death: Neuroblastoma Cancer. She died with her family close to her. In every picture I ever saw of her, she was always smiling.
The reason I have came out of hiding(I have not posted in a very long time), is because a cure has to be found for this horrible disease.
This year, I will be participating in the Relay For Life on April 28th and 29th in memory of this sweet little girl and all of the other children suffering from this debilitating disease. Please join me to help find a cure. If you can not participate in the Relay for Life, please give a donation.
Here is the donation site: http://www.acsevents.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=135016&supId=125043126

Thank you in advance for supporting this cause.
Here is Ashleigh's site:
http://www2.caringbridge.org/mi/ashleigh/
She was such a beautiful sweet little person.
Please email this to all of your friends. I am trying to raise as much money as possible before April 28, 2006.

Wake Up Ladies!

2006-04-04T15:45:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. I am giving you your spring wake up call. It's time to get excited and active again. Flowers are coming into bloom. The weather will eventually get around to being nice. Today was the first day to fly kites in the park. I decided to wait until the rain goes...but it's nice to know that I could if I wanted too. It's time to stretch and move our bodies. Remember what we are thankful for and to embrace the new. It's time for rebirth ladies. Reinvent yourself. Come alive.

I'm Back!

2006-03-05T01:57:00.000-08:00

Just a little note to let everyone know that I have finally gotten back on line full time.
I will be posting some pictures soon.

Have a great day ladies!

Oh and I will be telling about my long break shortly on my site.

Tidbit No Longer

2006-02-23T16:33:00.000-08:00

Just a brief note this time. Sad news. L'il Tidbit is no longer on the way. No one is quite sure what happened, but the end result is the same...I am no longer going to be a grandma. Both of the kids are train wrecks, understandably. I'm not sure I'm so hot myself. At any rate, just wanted to update you all.

Tax Time

2006-02-13T20:18:00.000-08:00

Yeah, Mary Pat's right. It really has gone dead lately. But I'm just as much to blame as anyone else... so what's going on in my world?

Well, I'm gaining weight *not very yay-yay*...... And I started a new job *lots of yays!*... It's exactly what I wanted, but it's hard to make the transition and still focus on everything outside of work.

Down in Texas, there's not been one inch of snow. It got cold a few times and I think we had one day in November where the snow melted before it hit the ground and only lasted for about 30 minutes. That was weird.

Oh, I do have a weird story to tell. Last Friday night, I was doing my taxes online with a very well-known tax preparation company. I ran into a difficult situation while filing the taxes and so I decided I needed some help. I decided the best way to do this (since I was already filing online) was to use the online chat for customer service. As I waited (over half an hour) for a customer service rep, I just browsed the internet. No big deal. Then the biggest IDIOT responded to my request. (I'm going to put some of my own current comments in red). Here's a copy of the Chat:

Jason C: Hello, welcome to "Enter Company Here" Live Technical Support Chat! How can we assist you today?
ME: Well, I don't seem to have the option to e-file my return... only to mail it. I need to know why and how to get it e-filed.
Jason C: I can help you with that.
Jason C: Just so I understand you can't efile your return or you don't know how you can efile your return?
ME: Well I checked the FAQs and it tells me to go to "Main Menu" etc.. but I don't see any main menu options. When I check the status of my e-file, it just says "not filed". That text is a link, so I click on it and the only checkbox available is "I want to print and send my return by mail." or something like that. I did it last year, but can't seem to get it done this time
Jason C: May I please know if you already submitted your return? (only 15 seconds pass while I'm typing AND the program even tells you when the other party is currently typing).
Jason C: are you there?
ME: Umm... when you say submitted what do you mean? I've already put in all the W-2's
Jason C: does it mean, you are still filling it up as of this moment?
ME: No I'm finished
ME: I finished it last night
Jason C: Okay but you told me you can't file your return?
ME: That's right. I want to e-file and then mail in my "OL" form. The only option I'm being given is to print and mail my return myself.
ME: It didn't ask me for my PIN or anything like it usually does when you e-file
Jason C: Yes, you have to mail your 8453 OL.
ME: Right. Within 48 hours after it has been e-filed and accepted. But it hasn't been filed.
Jason C: heve you submitted your 8453 ol?
(AGAIN, only 15 seconds pass WHILE I'm typing.)
Jason C: are you there?
ME: No. Let me rephrase. Last night I completed entering in all the W-2's. I submitted my return and saw how much my return will be. I was even charged for it. However, I want it to be electronically filed. I am not being given that option. How do I get it to file electronically?
Jason C: are you filing a federal or a state?
ME: Federal
Jason C: May I please know what is the percent of your efiling?
ME: the tax bracket percent?
Jason C: on the right upper corner, there is a percent.
ME: Right upper corner of what?
Jason C: Of the Page that you are in right now.
ME: The page I am in has nothing except "Save & Quit" in the right upper corner.
Jason C: have you printed the 8453 ol
ME: NO. I didn't even get a 8453 OL because it hasn't been filed electronically. How does knowing the percentage help?
Jason C: on the upper right corner there is a percentage of your efiling.
ME: I know. You already said that. How does it help
Jason C: it will help me to give you the resolution.
ME: I don't know where to find the 8453 OL form. I'm in a window that reads (blah blah).
Jason C: You'll be able to print Form 8453-OL - the signature document for e-filed returns - only after your e-filed tax return has been accepted. To check your e-file status: Go to (blah blah blah... lots of instructions go here)
ME: Okay here's the problem.. I started over and I logged in like you said... from (youknowwhere).com I clicked on tax client login and logged in. I am then taken to a page with no Main Menu or File Tab.
ME: I've got these options:
ME: My tax return *Federal return: review entries
Jason C: Use Take me to Button.
ME: Pay and file> Federal : Not Filed
ME: Okay hold on
ME: Take me to gives me: Main Menu, Federal Menu, Personal Information.... etc. Do you want me to click on Main Menu from here?
Jason C: yes
ME: When I clicked on Main Menu, it took me back to "My tax return: Federal return>review entries, State Return, Pay and file>Federal:Not Filed, Print completed 2005 return>print"... etc.
ME: If the percent you were asking for is the same as the marginal tax bracket percent, I know from last night what it is but... I don't know if that's what you were looking for
Jason C: are you in front of your computer?
ME: How else would I be chatting with you?

(This is just about where I lose it. I realize now, I'm not going anywhere with this guy. He takes me to a form that I don't need and this is how the conversation ended.)

ME: Now you see my problem? I need it to be EFILED, and I don't want mailing instructions. I don't want it to be mailed
Jason C: I suggest you call this number 1-888-(basically I don't want to help anymore).
Jason C: Is there anything else we can assist you with today?
ME: Wow, thanks for passing me off. I believe I wasted a great deal of time with you. Do you have a supervisor I can talk to?
Jason C: I suggest you call the customer service number that I gave you.
Jason C: I apologize for the inconvenience.
ME: Oh I will. And I'm keeping a copy of this conversation. It was very ridiculous. Thanks for nothing.

It took a total of 3 hours combining hold times for online and phone customer service. That's just outrageous. Well thanks for reading!

FYI, Heather's gone

2006-02-02T07:22:00.000-08:00

I like to go up and down the list occasionally and found out that Heather's gone. You'll see if you click on her link.

How is everyone? We've been such the dorment group lately.

We have not had a winter here in MO, guess we're in for a cold March.

I've been very busy at work. Almost 40 and for the first time in a corporate setting I'm going to be someone's boss..2 people actually. Hopefully there is a bosses for dummies book. :0)

SO how is everyone?

I think my problem is lack of excersise. I have been so sore lately. Just stiff w/ lower back pain. I think it's cause I sit all day.

Hope you all are doing great!

Critical thinking

2006-01-15T10:46:00.000-08:00

Last night I went out dancing with hubby and a girlfriend. The friend was a woman that we've known for a few years not, but have been out of touch. I thought it would be a fun way to reconnect.

I was a little disappointed with the way the evening went. I didn't realize she was such a critic. Most of the conversation on her part was how tacky people were. In her defense, there were a few instances, even I thought to myself...damn...put that way. But instead of running the person down, I smiled and moved on. Ok, once or twice my eyes got really big...but it was a very interesting night. lol.

So my thoughts are these. Why do women tear each other down? Why are we so hard on one another? Why so judging? Sometimes I think women hold other women to a higher standard than we hold the men in our lives. That behavior allows men to behave badly and sets up women to fail. No wonder we have so much dysfunction in our lives.

One Crazy Day

2006-01-12T12:14:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, we found two new kittens on my porch. Fine. They are now living inside. Then, we found a bird loose in my house. It tried to dive-bomb me several times before my recycled hubby got the poor thing shooed out the bathroom window. No idea how it got in. The superstition about birds in the house is that someone is going to die. Hmm. Hope not. However, after all that excitement, which Grasshopper found extremely funny to listen to, last I was informed that I am going to be a grandmother. As I said on my site, when I rediscover my sanity, I'll make another post. Grandma at 35? Oh yeah, it was one crazy day.

Wellness Indeed.....

2006-01-09T15:31:00.000-08:00

Good post, Dorko, thanks for passing that on. I don't make resolutions. I am attempting to not set myself up for failure as much as I used to. Instead, I am trying to make getting healthier an all year round project. To that end, on Dec 21st, when I was fully ready and prepared, I smoked my last cigarette. I will post about the details of that journey on my own blog, if you are interested, but now, since becoming a non-smoker has gone so well, and relatively easily, I am gearing up to conquer the spectre of my weight. Details on that will also be on my blog, for any of you interested.
Best of luck to all of you in this new year, whether you do resolutions or not. Here is to a happier, healthier Sisterhood! YAY YAY!

Wellness...

2006-01-09T13:51:00.000-08:00

Ok, Sisters!
Who made the resolutions to get "healthy" (healthier?) this year?
How many of us are working towards balanced wellness?
Which among us have gotten tired of just plain old being heavier than we want to be... and tired?
A cousin sent me this link to Scale the World.
It looks interesting.
I passed it along to a favored few in my e-addy book.
And now I'm passing it along to any and all of you who would be interested.
Inspiration, cheerleading, gentle prompts - for $0.00.
Yep.
I signed on for some of that!
I'll think I'll even be posting some progress reports - just to keep my rear in gear with da program!
Cheerios 2 U all ... in whatever your endeavors may be!

What is life?

2006-01-05T08:21:00.000-08:00

What is life?
It is the flash of a firefly in the night.
It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime.
It is the little shadow which runs across the grass
and loses itself in the sunset.
...........................Crowfoot ~

(Just came across this. I love Crowfoot's words, here. He speaks of the blessings of being alive and aware.)
Cheerios 2U all!
-D. ~

Happy New Year

2006-01-01T07:34:00.000-08:00

To all Sister-Friends everywhere:
Here it is again!
Another opportunity: to start anew, to freshen, to build, to achieve!
May Love, Joy and Strength to endure any adversity, be your gifts - both received and shared - in this New Year! =)
Hugs!
Dorko

'C' Day

2005-12-29T11:05:00.000-08:00

(Repost from my blog)

It's been awhile, hasn't it? There's been a lot going on. Too much to go into right now. Big things, smaller things, just lots of things. That discussion is one best saved for another time. There are more important things happening today.

On Christmas Eve my Aunt Judy (my father's sister) told me my paternal grandmother has cancer. This is her fourth. She's had cervical cancer, melanoma and a tumor in her inner ear. There was a growth in the side of her nose. My aunt took Grandma in and had it removed. It was malignant. Since the removal, it's been spreading inside her nose. The side of her face has begun to hurt and her hearing has been affected. Today she got her second appointment. I have no idea what they do during this one, but I assume it's when they find out how far along the cancer is.

My grandmother is also an insulin-dependent diabetic. What this means is in the event that they have to give her radiation or chemotherapy (either of which is highly likely), she will have to be very closely monitored in a hospital setting to ensure her blood sugar doesn't drop, among other things. Cancer treatments make patients very ill, so she would need IV's for glucose and hydration.

But we haven't gotten that far. We're still at that stage in which the rose-colored glasses are still covering our eyes and we can pretend that everything will end up just fine.

I'm not cynical, I'm just tired and angry and frustrated and hurt. I'm praying, but it's a selfish sort of childish and begging prayer. What I really want is a time machine. I'm tired of the merry-go-round of shit that's been happening these past few years. I'm angry that I missed it all, that my younger brothers and older sisters grew up never knowing me. I'm frustrated that I had to live with so much abuse and fear with a mother who despised me, when my father truly wanted me and would have given me a better life. I'm hurt that I am being given so little time. I already missed the important parts! What the hell is so wrong with giving me a little damned time?

In my mind I'm four years old, sitting under the picture of Jesus in the dining room and crying that I want to go home.

Merry and Bright

2005-12-24T21:04:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all the very best life has for you. Be good to you fellow sisters. S

Kudos to the Yay-Yays

2005-12-21T12:46:00.000-08:00

Thank you one and all! My Virtual Community assignment was great! I got an A- on it and terrific comments from the instructor. So thank you! Thank you for being a great group, for prayers and advice whenever I've asked, and just for being around. Happy Holidays, Season's Greetings, Happy New Year, whatever wishes or blessings you seek, I hope they are bestowed upon you! May you always keep dreaming, gaining insight, have all that you need, and a desire for inspiration.

At GSPTC be home soon

2005-12-18T11:52:00.000-08:00

Just a note to say I have been in a training academy for the last three weeks. I have one week left! The hard week. We will be doing defensive tactic's. Woohoo. Anyway. Just a brief update to let cha all know where I am. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all!

Poland or Bust!

2005-12-13T08:38:00.000-08:00

Hello Sister-Friends! I need some help, anyone care to dish out their $0.02?

I'm part of a Sister-City organization between Seattle and Gdynia (Poland). I joined this group in an attempt to get to know my Polish roots a bit better. I was able to travel to Gdynia in September, and, to be honest, didn't have the best time in the world.

I've been offered a chance to go again. This time on the City of Seattle's dime. The city of Gdynia is hosting events to celebrate their 80th anniversary of city-hood, and the mayor of Seattle was going to travel...but he can't make it, so we then started to turn to Officers in my Polish group -- and I was nominated.

Why me?!?!?!

Logistics of the decision beside, I now have until 5pm (PST) today to accept or deny the offer. And, I need some help making up my mind!

PROS:
**Great opportunity! It's all-expense paid, it's a quasi-diplomatic trip, and it could (potentially) look great on a grad-school resume if I need any sort of extra pizazz.
**How often will I take a cross-continental trip on someone else's dime?
**Will I look back in 5 years and regret not going?

CONS:
**I'm terrified because I don't know the language.
**I doubt that I can be 'professional' enough to meet / wine / dine politicians from Gdynia.
**I hate chit-chat. Now add chit-chat with a language barrier and it sucks even more.
**I can't even go to the bathroom alone at a bar, what makes me think I can brave Poland all alone?
**Ha, as pathetic as this one is...I'll miss my girlfriend!

Soooooo, do I say no because I'm scared? Or, do I take a chance on myself and get out of my comfort zone?

Insight and opinions are VERY much welcomed. Thanks!

What's Going On??

2005-12-08T10:06:00.000-08:00

I must say we've been in a sorry state lately. Is it the holiday's or what?

Kat..how's the new job.
How are our impending births, divorces, loves, hates?

How is holiday preparation going?

Any funny stories? Anyone need any prayers? Something you need to get off your chests?

Me: It's snowing today, it looks pretty. I bet the drive home is going to be a bitch. We don't do snow well here in St Louis.

My mother-in-law is starting to crack due to the upcoming holidays. I'm sure it's a control thing. My first wedding anniversary is Sunday, we're going to see Neil Diamond!

Work is crazy nuts. Jeremy has the flu (hubby). He has almost all our Christmas shopping done, I avoid that.

Here is a lovely pic of how St. Louis deals w/ the first snow!

Calling all Yay-Yays!

2005-11-30T08:35:00.000-08:00

Beg your pardon, ladies! Not only am I waay behind in my blogging and reading, but now I need to ask for a giant favor on top of it. Shame on me! One of my courses' final project is to do an analysis/study of an online community. This group meets the requirements. I would really like to do my project on us. I have prepared a short survey for willing participants and will post a copy of the assignment sheet on my blog for perusal. However, if you all say no, I will respect that. If you have any questions or are willing to take the survey, please email me at daffodillie@sheknows.com . I will also make available the final copy of my project, along with my received grade, via email or blog posting as soon as they are returned. Please let me know what you think! Thank you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2005-11-24T14:02:00.000-08:00

To my American Yay-Yay Friends....

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Thankful

2005-11-23T22:56:00.000-08:00

I have so much to be thankful for! For this year's Thanksgiving Resolutions I'm committing myself to an Attitude of Gratitude. No, I've never done Tgiving Res' before...it's a new tradition! So, to get me started on my new attitude here's the beginning of my list of grats:
In no particular order....just how they pop up in my head:

I'm grateful for.....
.....my family. Including: immediate {Butchy, & our fuzzies}, extended {my Parents, Bubba, his wonderful wife, Dawn & their 4 amazing little women, Butchy's loving Parents, my heart-sister Misty, my new heart-sister Jill, the Sister-Friends, work-associates, online buds, & anyone else I've adopted over the years who touch my heart}
.....my health. I've finally gotten my wheelchair! I'm back to work and loving how incredible my associates are to me. I can honestly say I love my job & my co-workers (at BofA they're called Associates). I may be a gimp....but, I'm pretty healthy.
..... my job/associates (see above)
.....Katrina. It brought my Bubba and his family home to Washington.
....chocolate....does that really need an explanation?

That's the beginning of my list......I'm feeling so thankful right now that I may just burst! I wonder if Ben & Jerry's Dave Matthews Band's Magic Brownie ice cream is a cure for bursting? This I must investigate.......

Update - Accident I witnessed

2005-11-23T06:22:00.000-08:00

On July 15th, 2005 I came to the sisters for support. I had witnessed a horrible accident and was very traumatised (you can go back in archives to read that). You were all extremely supportive and assured me that it was a very traumatic experience and I had every rite to be so upset.
Well last night on our local news they did a story of "love". It was about a young girl fighting through rehab from a horrible car accident. Of course it peeked my interest, I've been thinking about this accident for the last 5 months. Sure enough, it's her, the girl I saw in the silver car!
You can read about it at www.lauralaughlin.com

I feel like I have a sense of closure, I now have a face to that person I've been praying for! I hope you'll join me in sending some good wishes her way!

The Holidays Are Upon Us...

2005-11-21T21:53:00.000-08:00

And I can't seem to get rid of this damn morning sickness! Ladies, does anyone have ANY remedies to get rid of the barfy-ness? It's almost Thanksgiving, and saltines and ginger ale just aren't working. I'm making a turkey and stuffing and all the fixings, and I'd LOVE to be able to eat it. Just a little of it.
Speaking of which, Have a Yay-Yay Holiday!

Thanksgiving week.

2005-11-21T06:15:00.000-08:00

Ready, set, go! This is the week the madness officially begins. I know that I'm getting a little crazy. I drop over and see who posted then go on my merry way, yet I haven't posted either!

Work is crazy, I think I'm getting promoted w/ employees "under me". Offically they said, "OK Mary Pat you're going to head this up" but didn't hear a new title or $$ increase. Oh well patience.

I hope everyone has a great thanksgiving and we all remember to not bitch about what is wrong but be thankful for what we do have. i.e...mother driving me NUTZO...but she's alive, someday I'll long for her annoying phone calls. Breath, breath...

I had a 20th high school reunion Saturday, about 20 girls showed up. All I have to say is Damn I look Good! A little too heavy but at least I don't look 39, some of these gals look 45.

I should end up w/ some picks eventually that I'll put on my blog.

So enjoy the beginning of crazy season, hope we can all find time to enjoy it too.

Update from a Sista

2005-11-11T09:16:00.000-08:00

My husband and I seperated in October. I am living in a trailor about 9 miles out of town(I lived out of town before but, about 1/2 mile so it is a really big change for me).
The kids are with me because after I cheated on him, yes I know what I did was wrong and I have asked God to forgive me, my mil changed the locks on the house(her house, legally she can do that) and kicked me out.
He is in rehab now.

I am loosing weight to go into the Army in March.

Well, my mom is at the library with me and she is getting antsy to leave so, gotta go but, pray for me please!! Email me if you want at flowryname@yahoo.com I would love to hear from anyone of you!!

((((Hugs to you!!))))

BIG hugs for Mary Pat!!!

2005-11-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

Mary Pat...I am SOOOO SORRY!!!! You can beat with me with a wet noodle, it's ok, I deserve it. Just cuz I didn't read my email doesn't mean I don't love ya! It just means I'm a worn out-limpin'-drugged up loser.

Mary Pat turned 39 on Thursday!!

Happiest of Belated Birthdays!!

Or....Happy Birthday super early for next year!

It's been sooo long!

2005-11-08T11:50:00.000-08:00

My Mom gave me the book, Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach. She wanted me to be thankful everyday. The path I chose in my early adulthood was not an easy one, alienated from my parents, living in Youth Homes,not finishing my education, having babies, marrying a man that was older and also uneducated, well you can imagine! Things were bumpy. Divorce was soon to be followed by Single Parenthood. With that my pride would not allow me to "feed from the public trough" for very long and social assistance was not a long term answer for me. So back to school to get educated with 2 babies requiring care...dam what was I thinking. I grew up, my babies grew up and frankly we are all doing quite well today! All that being said I just wanted to share with you that although things get busy in our everyday lives and keeping up is sometimes a struggle! Postings/comments become few and far between but I am thinking of all of you!

Continue to give thanks my Sister-Friends!!

"You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you."
~ Sarah Ban Breathnach ~
Simple Abundance

Have a Great Week!

Long time no... type...?

2005-11-07T23:45:00.000-08:00

I have some crap going on, but it'll be resolved over the next couple of months. I can't really go into great detail here. Most of you know where to find me if you need to know more...

Well, THAT was quick....

2005-11-07T16:30:00.000-08:00

On Halloween, the hub-unit and I decided to stop smoking and get down to the nitty-gritty of trying to have a baby.
That was last Monday.
As of Friday, I am WAY pregnant.
So much for time to let it sink in, huh?

A Yay-Yay Birthday!

2005-11-06T12:53:00.000-08:00

Yay-Yays, it's Cyli's Birthday!
Woo Hoo!!!
Happy Birthday Cyli!!
Birthday Girl's Blog

Here's hoping none of you get this!

2005-11-04T04:09:00.000-08:00

I will seek and find you

I shall take you to bed and have my way with you

I will make you ache, shake and sweat until you moan and groan

I will make you beg for mercy, beg me to stop

I will exhaust you to the point that you will be relieved when I am
finished with you

And when I am finished, you will be weak for days.

All my love,
The Flu

How NOT to Study for a Midterm

2005-11-03T19:06:00.000-08:00

1) Fall behind in reading the assigned novels.
2) Devote the entire day prior to test to catching up.
3) Take until 3 a.m. to do so due to spending 4 hours on the phone with Grasshopper.
4) The morning of the midterm, skip first two classes because too tired to move, plus need some extra time to review notes for exam.
5) Curl up under snuggly blanket on couch with notes in lap, Mt. Dew and smokes on end table, and full stomach with Good Morning America on tv.
6) Wake up at 11:58 a.m. when test is scheduled to begin a twenty minute drive away at 12:20 p.m.
7) Arrive in classroom with 1 minute to spare wearing Betty Boop pajama pants, no bra (nipples tucked into pants), blue tank top (no shaving lately), slip-on tennis shoes, and a sweater to hide the tucked-in nipples. Forget to brush hair, comb teeth, Listerine the armpits, or Secret the mouth.
8) Stare at test with sinking feeling and numb expression.
9) Scribble answers in 20 minutes.
10) Leave immediately and chain smoke for an hour while obsessing over who Percy Grimm was...refusing to look in notes to find out.
11) Ten days later, discover that you somehow fooled your instructor into giving you a B-.
12) Celebrate by talking to Grasshopper for another four hours instead of working on your midterm project (in lieu of exam) that is due in two days, must fill a blank boughten journal, was assigned at the beginning of the semester, and must cover each poet read in class(3) in each area discussed (10).
13) Call Grasshopper the next morning to complain about the project...for several hours.

I Need Help Today.

2005-11-02T08:16:00.000-08:00

I need help today. It's as simple as that. Very hard to admit, but there it is.

My family has been sick. 3 kids and husband. Everyone is taking turns. I am just skirting it...which means I feel like crap...but have not been over come yet.

I do not remember the last time I've shaved or had sex. Those are big things for me...and I've lost track.

I have a yeast infection. The fact that my throat is sore and my stomach is upset and I'm exhausted doesn't help. Now my whoha feels like it's on fire.

My kids refuse to obey simple instructions so I am at the point of becoming a screaming monster...fuel by the above mentioned issues.

To top it off, my heart is breaking. For someone I don't even know. Actually a mixture of emotions. A family was nearly wiped out in a car accident yesterday. A father and his five children. The children ages 2-10 are dead. They were not using seat belts. I can't tell you my anger about that. The father sounds as though he will recover. The mother was not in the accident, but is home...6 weeks until their 6th child will be born. I think about this and it makes me want to vomit. I can't imagine the devastation. I am not a praying person per say, but I am sending what love, compassion and strength I have to them.

My wish for today. I hope everyone finds someone in their life and let them know they are loved.

ALL RIGHT I will post

2005-10-30T10:59:00.000-08:00

Lets see here is the kind of week I've had...
Fell in love, and possibly out of it....
got a job offer at the dept of corrections (THANK GOD) ((CAN WE USE THE WORD GOD HERE??))
Been sick every darn morning, freezing to death in 70' degree weather, gassy, got annoyed when I realized period is late, bought an EPT test knowing I was jumping the gun and found out I am preg.
:O
I am what?
OH MY.
I pro-offered my feelings to the man I've been seeing (omiting the fact that I am preg) and he stated that he was not sure he wanted a relationship but he was fond of me (yes sir I know I am good in bed, But I want to be loved too) anyway... I got kinda edgy on the phone with him and he states "I know thats not what was bothering you, all day today (we'd gone to a flea market) you acted like you had something to say to me and you kept looking at me like I did something wrong to you, what in the hell is going on?"
Me (in an indignent and borderline teary voice with the over hand of impending doom and distraught) "My period is more then 10 days late"
him "Well that may change things about how I feel about a relationship, that accounts for the look now why were you generally annoyed"
me"I took a home test and well... I'm scared, I'm 33 and your 40 and you already voiced how you feel"
BLAH BLAH BLAH
after about an hour of this that and the other thing he gives me the (false?) reassurance that I am not going to go through this alone (emotionally I can't, I can not raise another child alone)
yadda yadda yadda
Anyones week been better? And despite it all (the terror, the uncertin lover, the damn job offer... can I take a job as a CO going in preg?)

.... is it ok to feel this unyielding Joy inside?
Because, believe it or not, I am kinda happy.

The Wolf

2005-10-27T07:55:00.000-07:00

Hey ladies, I got this passed to me as an email this morning. I really like the message and thought I would share.

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about abattle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between 2 "wolves" inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy,sorrow, regret,greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith." The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

O. Baby. It's Cold...

2005-10-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

(Sorry I haven't been posting. I'm trying to get the hang of studies + work + home after being away from any formal schooling for a looooooooooooooong time.)

That's right!

O. Baby. It's cold... Inside and out.

My main "cuddle"-partner these days?

*sighs*

The CAT!

She, (her name is Dr. Suess. Dr. CLAUDIA Suess) snuck pass the pile of text books I was climbing through this weekend, settling into the comforter I had stretched across my lap, lapsing into a soft purr.

I was so into the written word I failed to even look at her as she nested.

When I did give her the half second of attention she'll tolerate outta me, I noticed she was sporting a 'spider-web' bonnet.

*Sigh2*

Seems like all creatures great and small are lookin' for a little extention to comfort and warmth in the relay-hand-off of youthful Summer to that fickle-dandy, Autumn...

I can't help but wonder when old man Winter will come screaming in??? I'm hoping he'll hold off until November and let the little kids have their tricks and treats.

Meanwhile... Note to self: Spider safari with Dr. Suess - a.s.a.p.!!!

Echo....Echo....Echo....

2005-10-24T17:35:00.000-07:00

WOW! This must be a Yay-Yay record....one week with no posts! I just can't allow this to go on any longer....I must have something new to read when I open our blog. Therefore, I must write something worth reading over and over and over and over again. Oh, the pressure! It's a good thing I'm on some good drugs....there's no way I could face this challenge without them. (by "good drugs" I mean hydrocodone....prescribed by my wonderful Dr for whatever it is my knee is doing. For the full story, read my blog....it's not exciting enough to retell on here.)

I give up....I can't come up with anything worth reading repeatedly. I'll just ramble on and on about whatever pops into my drug-addled brain.

First of all, I just finished reading The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. Can I just say, "Huh?" Parts were interesting....but, I had a hard time getting into all the mini-bios. Remembering who everyone was, etc. It was too much work.

Speaking of work...I've been off work for ages now. I was planning on going back to work today....problem is I can't handle the pain in my knee without hydrocodone and I can't do my job while knocked out on my chubby-bubby butt. Therefore, I'm home....keeping myself drugged and full of chocolate. I should be finding out in the near future what's up with this stupid knee of mine. One very nice thing is that I'm still getting paid while sitting at home drugged up and full of chocolate! YAY!!

So, I've got a new cell phone. Only bad thing about having a phone is people calling me. It's not the people I know that bothers me...it's all the wrong numbers. At least, I have unlimited air time! I love the calls from my 4 gojus neices! Love it when I answer the phone and hear, "Hi, Auntie Kathy!" (yes, my family calls me Kathy....they are the only ones allowed to do so. All others will be viciously ignored.)

Butchy is talking about something...no clue what. I think it's about something I asked her, but I'm not sure. I need to eat something and take more drugs...my knee is starting to holler at me. Funny how chocolate doesn't make my knee feel better....I thought it was all powerful. Now I'm sad.

So, what silly, stupid, funny, moronic things have your family members said/done lately? I need to be entertained....sure beats trying to keep up with whatever Butchy is talking about.....

My Dilemma

2005-10-17T11:19:00.000-07:00

I have a dilemma. I've wanted to start this home based business. A friend has been talking to me about it for about 2 weeks or so. He hasn't been with all that long. Every time I have asked questions, he has answered them, but the answers were just very to the point and that was it. I'm sure he is, but he doesn't show a lot of enthusiasm. He doesn't force himself on anyone. Now, I ran across someone else’s website while doing more investigating about this company. These people are in Nashville (pretty close to us) and they are National Directors). That alone speaks volumes to me. I looked at their "Special Package" (for the same money) and it included twice as much as what my friend could offer. Well of course, National Directors are in a position to offer more. I've been involved with home based businesses before and I know that whom you sign up does affect your success. Well I decided o try it one more time since I have never dealt "directly" with National Directors before. Now my dilemma is how to tell my friend. I would try not to tell him at all and I could get by with that for a while, but I don't want to start out on the wrong foot by being dishonest. On the other hand, I don't want to hurt him or make him angry. I don't want to lose another friend. After going through that this past summer (I'm sure some of you remember reading about all that), I don't know if I could handle that again. I even thought I'd make up a little contract and give him half of my first bonus or sale because he showed this to me in the first place. That way he wouldn't be out completely. What do ya'll think? I'm really stuck on this one.

Have you ever wanted to throw your computer out of the window?

2005-10-15T08:11:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Ladies,
Question of the day: Have you ever wanted to throw your computer out of the window? I do, right now! Some days it just drives me up the wall. I have a blog on Typepad which ya'll know. I tried to make a simple little post this morning. It should have taken all of 15 minutes from beginning to end. Here we are almost an hour later. Do we have that post, NO! Why? well, I assume it's Typepad, moving Slooooooooooooooow. Then right when I think it is going to finally post, I get this "Gateway Timed Out Notice", AHhhhhhhhh! I gave up and came over here to vent so I wouldn't throw it out. Other sites including this one are moving along just fine, it's just Typepad. So I guess I'll wait and work on that later tonight.
A friend of mine has called and wants me to go to Nashville with him. He has a homebased business and he wants me to look at it today. I said I'd go. I'd like to have something to supplement my income, but I have gotten into things before that didn't work out (or I didn't work out with it), in any case it was a waste of time and money. Maybe this will be different, we'll see. I'll let ya'll know when I get back, so wish me luck.
Oh, one more thing, I asked a very close friend to be the execetor of my will last night. She was stunned. She didn't say no, she needs to pray about it which I understand. Please say a prayer that she will accept. I do need someone like her.
Well, that's it for right now. I'll catch ya'll later. Have a great day today.

Sydney (aka Patty-as I told Princess Kat, I don't put my real name on the net)

Happy Birthday!

2005-10-13T23:59:00.000-07:00

Well, all, we have a couple of birthdays to celebrate today! Kat and Anita were both born on this day 39 years ago! Happiest of birthdays to you both!!! :-)

midnight scuffle

2005-10-13T18:47:00.000-07:00

Ok now I gots your attention, I don't have a darn thing to say except HELLO! Havn't been blogging. Been dealing with my child and the buracracy (SP) of the school systems. (eye roll) oh and I went and got a boyfriend (now why would i do a crazy thing like that?) well i did anyway. Hmmm, whatelse. Cool damp weather is setting in so we started back on the sweet feed for the horses. (which means pain in the neck at least twice a week hauling feed to the barn feed shed) What an exciting life I live. Well I guess I will have to go and view the toys at pabo.com and make my christmas wish list!

Sorry, Girl!

2005-10-13T12:03:00.000-07:00

As most everyone already knows....I'm a dork! Butchy brought to my attention that on my "Welcome" posts I had the same blog url link on both of them.

I've seen the error of my ways and have made the necessary correction.....so, Yay-Yays....go give a big warm welcome to GIRL!

Book Recommendation

2005-10-13T11:48:00.000-07:00

I finished reading The Tender Bar this week. I LOVED it. I have always been a fan of fiction, usually crime dramas, sometimes romance. I read The Tender Bar since the authors cousin is a local radio guy who I love to listen to. It's a non-fiction memoir by this guy, J.R. Moehringer who is in his early 40's. He tells a story of growing up in Long Island, single mom, not alot of money and an Uncle who owned a bar that he ended up on spending ALOT of time in. The story of J.R. became a real page turner, the guy knows how to tell a story.
I like reading Kim's blog..not just cause Kim's a cool Yay Yay but because she is also a great story teller. You put your Thin Ice story along with the skinny dipping one and others into a published memoir..you've got yourself a book just like J.R. on the best seller list.
My recommendation; if you like to read and like stories like Kim tells on her blog you will LOVE the Tender Bar.
FYI: My hubby went to the book signing, got an autographed first edition for me and mailed it as a surprise to my hotel while I was there for business in Chicago. Major brownie points.

Say Hello to Sydney!

2005-10-12T15:29:00.000-07:00

Please welcome Sydney to the Sisterhood! 2 new members! YAY-YAY!!!

Tidbits & Other Crap

2005-10-11T18:49:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting at home on my ever-spreading ass, watching dvds, eating anything I can find that doesn't have the words healthy, sugar-free, low-carb/fat/calorie/salt/taste on the label AND...I'm getting paid for it! God, I love America! ::insert God Bless America here::

In case you haven't been by my blog lately....I don't blame you, I haven't been either!...I still love my job. I'm meeting new & interesting people, more new than interesting. The cross-dresser is someone you could consider interesting. Whatever you do....DO NOT insinuate that he's gay! God forbid! By insinuate, I simply mean don't tell him that when you saw him walk through the lobby while waiting for your horrid group interview and noticed how the employees accepted him that you really wanted to get hired there......you know, cuz you're gay and saw diversity in action.....yeah....don't tell him that story, cuz he will assume you are saying he's gay.....gay? No....sweetie, just different. Different is ok. Gay is not. Weirdo. His fashion sense is finely tuned....whoever taught him how to do his makeup and hair....it's not funny. The joke is over. Please, give the guy some tips!

Next subject: Who made the rule that if a woman is wide then her shirts must be short? Showing off my midriff is NOT on my list of things to do before I die. And for the record...I don't have a mid-riff.....I have a maxi-riff! Noone wants to see it...including me! Lucky for me, if I'm not in front of a mirror I can't see it....but, what about all those poor folks walking towards me?!? It's just not pretty.

Speaking of maxi-riffs.....mine will soon be changing. I'm really gearing up to go back on my Katkins Diet. I'll be posting on Shrinking Yay-Yays as I get closer to taking that final leap. I've already bought a big box of meat....it's just sitting in the freezer waiting for me. If we can't find my vitamins that I have somewhere in a box....I'll be buying vitamins at Costco out of my next check. I refuse to start my diet without having all my poop in a group.....without the vitamins I won't have any poop to group, I'll be one constipated cranky ass. Not a very happy fat Kat.

Our Sisterhood is growing. We have an approved new member that will be added to the roll as soon as she accepts our invitation. I'm sure y'all will enjoy getting to know her.

Did you notice the new header? Slowly, but surely, our look will be changing. Why? Because I'm bored with our look and it's time for a makeover. Nothing too drastic....just some nips & tucks. You'll still recognize our page. As soon as I learn how to do the "table thing".....watch out! This is my vacation project....I still have 3 days to work on it.

Ok...I'm done. That's about enough out of me!

Absentia

2005-10-08T06:01:00.000-07:00

My eldest son has moved into my mother's temporarily. After two times of running away within two weeks, all the macho tough-guy attitude, and a flurry of implied threats, I was at wit's end. So, now he's absent from the house, over two hours' drive away, and I hope to god it helps. He just isn't my son any more. It doesn't help that he has Senorita Psychopath so far up his ass that he's growing boobs. I know, I know: he has his own mind and makes his own choices. However, this girl puts most con artists to shame. She is apparently taking a short leave of absence from her home too, which I'm desperately hoping becomes permanent, but I can't turn her into 'forbidden fruit'. Made that mistake already. It doesn't help that he has low self-esteem and his own bipolar disorder to deal with on top of all the usual teenage crappola. All I know is, he's normally a pretty good kid (lots of attitude) and that kid is gone. Even the one who's taken his place is gone. I'm just hoping and praying I get them back. Okay, I prefer the original to this doppellganger, but I still miss him. And I worry about him and what's going to happen when he comes back from mom's.

Popping in...

2005-10-07T12:42:00.000-07:00

We've had the first of probably many court dates against Jeff's ex today. She got the house in the divorce, but never took the mortgage out of Jeff's name. We found out she moved in with her fiance a month before the divorce was final, so she never needed the house, anyway. We'd asked her to sign the house over to us, but she said only if we paid her for the house plus paid her all the equity and 5000 down. There is just no way we could have done that. The house is 90,000.

We took her to court, and we got a little breathing room. But it has to go to a higher court next month. We'd thought this would all be over by now, so we put in our notice on this place over two months ago. The landlords are already finding renters, so we can't even get an extension.

We found a house for 75,000 (it's a foreclosure), and we've checked it out and contacted the realtor, but we'll need a co-signer. We can affor the payments (less than 600 a month), but not a downpayment. We've asked his mother, but she's already paying for the lawyer. The vehicle we have is a loan from one of our clients. My aunt is giving me a van, and I'm forced to consider either taking out a loan on it in order to come up with funds for a rental, or even to sell it. Problem is, we don't know how long we have the loaned van.

I've even been reduced to ask an old boyfriend to either co-sign the house, or to buy it and land-contract it to us. It's very humiliating, believe me.

Whatever does happen, we have three weeks to move. We don't know where, but it does mean I will be offline for awhile after that. I'll try to check in from the library once in awhile.

Good afternoon ladies!

2005-10-05T12:08:00.000-07:00

I too feel like I need to check in. I've been half ass good about bloging on my own blog..bad about doing it here:

Updates in the land of Mary Pat:
Thought I might be pregnant, found out this morning that I'm not :0( not really trying but it would have been nice.
We got really in the grove on fixing the kitchen but w/ Drew off school (year round school, cycle break) and over alot we've slowed down a bit..need to still get measured, although we've paid and have our design etc.
Husband being extremely nice and sweet, I like it alot.
Husband needs MRI after high BP kidney scare in the hospital. Little spot in there, they think maybe just a fatty tumor, but that want to make sure.
Work going good, been extremely busy, a little slower this week, I have time to breath and blog :0p
Parents getting way to old; 80 and 85 this month.
Both cars have issues, may need to get rid of little white car. Bummer.
Really looking forward to Fall. Cool front may come through tonight, I don't want it cold enough I have to wear socks but cool enough for sweaters.
I'm totally psyched for the playoffs..want to see the Cardinals win it this year, last year was truley Red Sox destiny.
If you are looking for a great book, pick up the Tender Bar. It's in the non-fiction..but reads like fiction.
We got the equivilant of Tivo on our Dish..too cool.
We're playing Fall Bocce at Milo's. (corner bar/family place katty corner from church). Had fun last night.
Got an internal stye, it burns.
Diagnosed w/ Adie's Pupil. I have one pupil that doesn't dialate properly. If you look you can tell I have a freaky eye. It's like halloween everyday when you look at me. I'll live..no change as of now to my vision. Your body natually learns to adapt.
Stupid woman that took our dog dropped it back in our yard the other day. NICE...bitch. Now we have to drive over an hour and a half on Saturday afternoon and take him back to shelter. Don't you all remember I just dealt w/ this 5 months ago!
OK...so that's about it for me. The extremely mundane is on my blog!

I need to pee

2005-10-04T11:59:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't posted here like I should. I haven't posted anywhere like I should. And right now I really really have to pee. But before I go....I have one question that is bugging the shit out of me.

WHY OH WHY MUST MY 9 YEAR OLD SON LEAVE HIS DIRTY UNDERWEAR ON MY COUCH EVERYDAY????????

Okay I'm good. Potty time.

Happy Tuesday everyone!!!!

Not dead neither.

2005-10-04T08:15:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh, ladies. It's been so long and I vomit apologies profusely. I haven't been really busy, so I have no excuse. I just went into a phase where I didn't care to post. Not even on my own blog. But....! I went so long without it, I ended up spewing crap all over it. I really do need my blog to even things out. Anyway, I've got to go to my crappy-assed job, but I can't wait to start reading all your blogs again and catch up with what ya'll are up to.

Alot Has Happened

2005-10-03T00:05:00.000-07:00

Well, since I have last posted, I have been living with friends and seeing the kids whenever I can.
I am working but, I have taken the last 2 days off because I am worthless at work.
I just got my own trailor this morning and will be picking up essentials from the house around 5 this evening.
My mother-in-law has changed the locks on the house and told Keith that I am not welcome there. Of course, it is her house and, I pay rent but there is no proof that I pay rent.
Though if the kids are there, I will be over there in a flash no matter whenever I take a notion because they are my children as well, and she will NOT keep me from my children.
So, Keith and I are getting a divorce and I should have alot of things out of the house by Thursday of this week.
Sorry I have not posted in a while.
I hope everyone is doing fine.

Blessings Abound

2005-10-01T20:47:00.000-07:00

Wow! I seemed to have missed a lot! I'm glad that Jordan has been returned and is doing so well. I cannot imagine the terror. Brightest Blessings for you and yours, Kim!

As a brief update, my eldest (16) has decided to run away from home twice int he last two weeks. I'm waiting for the next one. There's a psycho bitch involved. I mean, really! Of course, there's absolutely nothing I can do short of chaining him up in the basement. Which is sounding better all the time. Other than that, school is going well, my other two kids are growing faster than I can buy clothes for them, my recycled hubby is still ticking me off on a regular basis, I have a workstudy job and a writing internship that I love, and I've been meeting and greeting Katrina evacuees over the past two weeks. I'm also hoping to pitch in helping recovered pets find their dislocated owners. I'm just glad to help.

Blessings to you all! I'll try to keep up from now on!

UPDATE ON JORDAN...

2005-09-30T04:52:00.000-07:00

WE HAVE JORDAN!!!

Thank you all so very much for your love and support!

Jordan is safe, Nancy is in jail, and we can all breathe again!

I'll post more later...

Love you all, Kim

Child in Danger!

2005-09-29T12:54:00.000-07:00

We have a Yay-Yay who needs us!

This is not a drill...I repeat, this is NOT A DRILL!

Let's do all that we can to get Kim's grandbaby home where he belongs!

Heavenly Father, protect & keep little Jordan safe from ALL harm. In Jesus' name, Amen.

I've linked to her post on my blog....let's create our own Yay-Yay Jordan Alert!

I'm going to send everyone that has ever sent me an email, or even thought about sending me an email, a link to her post......

She's Alive!!

2005-09-29T12:04:00.000-07:00

Hello my name is Kat. It's been way too long since I last posted, so I felt it necessary to reintroduce myself. Yes, I have a Dr's note for my long absence....well, it's not really a Dr's note. There was no Dr....nor was there even a note for that matter. Ok, I suck.

The brutal truth is that after working on a computer for 10 hours a day, I have no interest in being on a computer when I get home. My work schedule is only now settling into something resembling a regular schedule. I've been working some overtime. When I'm not at work I'm either eating, reading or sleeping.

My new schedule is: Sundays off, working Mon & Tues 11:30 am - 10 pm, Weds & Thurs off, working 11:30 am - 10 pm on Fri and Sat. Only this Fri I'm going in an hour early....an 11 hour day....I just ain't right! I do love those overtime hours on my check, though! What is sooooo cool is that I still love my job!

Family update: my brother, Bubba, his wife, Dawn, & their 4 gorgeous daughters (I may be a biased Auntie, but they're still gorgeous!) are now living with my parents. They are Katrina Evacuees. They left Mississippi with all their pictures and some clothes. The rest of their items were either sold or given away. Even though their home didn't experience much damage, there was nowhere for them to get food, gas or even money. They went to Wal*Mart to buy food and the shelves were bare....they waited in line for 5 hours for a couple of gallons of gas....there's no electricity, which means no access to cash. No cash access meant they weren't able to rent a trailer.....so they arrived at Mom and Dad's with basically nothing. The Red Cross, FEMA & other Gov't agencies are really stepping up to the plate in helping with their transition. When I call home I'm continuously blessed to hear the stories they have to tell about people hearing about them and doing all they can to help get them settled. They are settling into the Tacoma area....a veterinary hospital in that area has adopted them. Bubba & Dawn are working for the same company.....an elderly in home care agency owned by a friend of theirs.

My 2 older neices are settling into their new school. The school counselor has been incredible with them. He's aware of the trauma these girls are dealing with and he's doing all he can to make their being at a new school a little less traumatic.

I have so much to be thankful for: my family is safe, sound & healthy, I have a job I love, and....I'm part of an incredible group of women that allows me to be away for a time without feeling any pressure to contribute while I'm dealing with life. What more could a gal want? Well, other than more chocolate and a kick ass figure? I know, those 2 don't really mix....for now, I'll be happy with more chocolate!

Pushing the Envelope

2005-09-29T08:45:00.000-07:00

Alright, we gotta break this non-posting cycle! I'll type a little somethin'.

I play guitar. Once upon a time, when I lived in San Francisco, I was in a punk band. After that band fell through, just about everyday I've said, "I'm going to join another band." It's like my own personal slogan. All my friends know it, my poor girlfriend knows it, and I wonder how many people roll their eyes at this point when I mention it...because it's all talk. It's one of the many things in life that I love to verbalize, but rarely actually put into physical motion.

But, in a vain attempt to save face, I contacted a band last week. It's an all-gal punk band. Their ad called for a "wild and crazy second guitarist. Please have an exciting look and be between 21-28 years of age. Ability to collaborate on songwriting a plus."

And, I'm terrified. Not only am I sweating bullets because I'm out of practice AND I sold my good equipment for second-rate crap, but because I only fit ONE of the FIVE requirements above...maybe two. I'm pushing the envelope, and I'm pushing my luck.

I don't know whether to ask you all to send me some positive vibes so I get in the band...or, if you can send me positive vibes so that I, like, break a finger or something before 7:45pm tonight.

Either way, I appreciate the thoughts. :)

Not dead!!

2005-09-23T15:01:00.000-07:00

It looks like I'm not the only one who has been B U S Y! I hope everyone is doing well!
I have a question for you mommies... how do you make a 3 year old SHUT UP? I have TWO 3 year olds, and I've seriously been taking tylenol and motrin for 2 straight weeks, I know that cannot be healthy! I can't help it though, between a back ache, and the perma-headache from my two babble-asses, I'm going NUTS!! They honestly talk from the moment they wake up until the moment they go to sleep... ALL DAY, EVERY DAY!! My BIL has been staying with us, and even he's tired of hearing them rattle on all the time! Does this phase pass soon? If not I'm resorting to duct tape and earplugs!!
Thanks for letting me vent that, I needed to!

So, what has everyone been up to? I've been working on various crafts, tryingt o keep busy and sane. You can find pictures on my site. I've got the itch for a new tattoo, though we're putting off any ink until we get back to TX, to our friends' shop. I've also got baby fever, so let's hope this is the month! Kepp your fingers crossed for me!!

Two Years And Counting...

2005-09-22T11:22:00.000-07:00

I've been married two years today.
Just thought everyone should know, because this is truly my greatest accomplishment.
Of course, I made a game out of it on my own blog, but here I'd just like to make the announcement, because I am blissfully happy.
Thank you for listening.

Life is Happening!

2005-09-22T06:33:00.000-07:00

Life Happening proves your alive! I have had some crazy days at work, one of the gals has been out ALOT..no one is very happy w/ that.

Life is crazy at home...school, soccer, kitchen remodel PLUS I have a business trip to Chicago next week.

I haven't been blogging much but kept coming by to read..and it was the same post. We needed a spurt of activity!

I got my hair trimmed and colored last night. Hubby said it's the best I've hade done. Cost $90 bucks..I bought Sexy Shampoo too..lots of money but I feel good!!

Well gotta get to work!

I need a Spanking

2005-09-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

Okay admittedly I would like that way to much. hehehehehee (insert evil grin here) But I have been bad about posting here. Hell I've been bad about posting on my own blog too. Sometimes life gets in the way of what we would like to do.

Still struggling with the school, about my son. I think I might have that most the way fixed now.

Stressed out over the job my husband has been trying to get. He's been a reservist for the fire dept for almost 12 years, and they said they wanted to hire from in the department, but they are going out of the dept for the last two positions. My husband has tried for a job there three times now, and has more than qualified. But for some reason they just keep ASS FUCKING him about it. It's really pissing me off. To the point I want to get a lawyer. Because the chief and assistant chief on all three occasions, have "promised" him the job, then they give it to other people. Gigantor doesn't want me to get a lawyer, but I'm so fricken pissed I wanna slap a law suit on them. FUCKTARDS!!!!!!!!

Okay I feel much better now.

Also my mother ended up in the hospital again. Hopefully she will be out on Friday. Pneumonia in her left lung and fluid around her heart this time. I know it's just a matter of time before she goes in the hospital, and doesn't come back out. She has been in 5 times in the past year. She just turned 60 in July too.

Well, with everything that has happened this year. I like to think of it a way like I posted on my blog. You can't stop living life just because bad things happen in it. It's up to you how you live your life. I choose to live mine with a beer in one hand, screaming WHHHHHAAAAAAAAA HOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay ladies, I'm outa here, Happy Hump Day All!!!!!!!!!!!

Enough

2005-09-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

I have had enough. It is time to get off my ass and do something about this. I should not be wearing two pads, a tampon and a towel over my sheets. I hate periods. And now I've had enough. I know Kat swears by the shot. I don't know that it's the solution to me, but I do know it's time to call a doctor and say, "Let's take care of this". Wish me luck please. Thanks. S

Busy Busy

2005-09-21T06:12:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I saw Sandi's post this morning and realized how long it's been since I've posted here or visited. School has started, both for my kids and for me, and I have little extra time to even post to my own blog. Besides my classes, I've got thesis hours and I'll be student teaching. Yikes!

I hope everyone is doing well!

IS ANYBODY OUT THERE?

2005-09-20T11:52:00.000-07:00

Is everybody just extremely busy or what? Not many are posting anymore. Well I hope all is well with everyone, and have a great day, or week if I don't get time to post anymore this week.

I haven't been able to get out and get any pictures in the last two weeks so you ladies will just have to do with one from the archives.

Hello!

2005-09-18T21:40:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry, I am just now posting for my first time, I have been wrapped up in getting divorced and moved and I haven't even been able to keep up in reading, but I plan to start to keep up now. Just wanted to peak in and say hello! Love you all! Have a great week!

Ahh... Helloooo?

2005-09-18T13:08:00.000-07:00

Hey ya'll!

It's been a while since I have had the pleasure of posting. I am still so so so busy that my head is spinning in every which way.

Today's question....... Who in the hell gets married on a freakin' Sunday???

So here I sit waiting to get all dressed up for a Sunday evening wedding for a good friend of mine and I keep saying over and over in my head... WHY?

Oh well, I am sure it will be beautiful and I am sure I will have a great time... but SUNDAY?

Ok, I am done bitching!

Hope this finds all my Yay-Yay Sisters well and I really miss seeing the posts come rolling in.

Tootles for now.
xxooxxoo
~C~

Alive

2005-09-16T19:00:00.000-07:00

That I am. I've had an incredible month and am still absorbing everything that has happened. Huge life lessons that I don't know if I still see it fully. I will tell you this. Every day is getting better. Even the crappy ones. I just wanted to check in and wish you all the very best in life. Be good to you. S

a loot point

2005-09-16T14:36:00.000-07:00

Okay.

I've been, as have we all, very busy with life and, at the same time, very sad about current events. But I have a second and I would like to use it to say this about Hurricane Katrina:

I will not make morality calls about looting.

If I needed diapers, food, drinking water, or first aid, and couldn't get it by going into a store and paying for it, bet your ass I'd break a window and take what I needed.

The question that's been raised is, where do you draw the line? Because some people broke into stores and stole plasma TVs and stuff, too.

I'm not going to make morality calls about them, either.

But I will say this: in a city that's underwater, with no electricity, let alone cable and/or satellite service, how were you planning on watching that bad boy? Huh?

I said I wouldn't make a morality call, but I do think it's a pity the electronics stores didn't have brain cells on the shelf for these people to take, as long as they were in there anyway.

A Brief History of Injury

2005-09-16T07:10:00.000-07:00

Ah, feels good to be back on the ol' Blogger saddle again.....
Last weekend I suffered some kind of freak injury to my right shoulder (read: Mouse arm) that prevented me from raising said arm more than a few inches. I was unable to type or click for little more than few minutes before having to hang my arm dead at my side and wander abou the house looking very much like a stroke victim. However, I am very positive that stroke victims have a shiteload more dignity than I did.
Example:
Sunday I went to the bookstore, having depleted the MASSIVE pile of books I had acquired from Amazon about a month ago, and I was a wreck. You see, the bookstore I frequent is a used bookstore, and I have to scan ALL the shelves in the fiction section to see if there' anything new. Three shelves into it I already had a huge pile, cradled precariously in my left arm. My right arm was hanging dead at my side. I couldn't raise my arm to look at books, so every time I saw something interesting I had to crouch down, set the pile on the floor, and use the still-usable appendage to grasp.
It was HOT in that store. I mean CRAZY hot. I was wearing a sweatshirt because it was a wee nippy outside, but inside I was sweating, and my bangs were sticking to my forehead, and my fucking new and improved awesome hairstyle kept slipping into my face and I had a stack of books in the arm I COULD use to brush it out of my face and oh my god WHY did I cut it so SHORT?
The hub-unit, in case you're wondering, was at the far end of the store in the sci-fi section, casually browsing because he for some reason thought I could handle myself with a dead arm and achy shoulder and a growing stack of reading material.
So I'm sweaty, my hair is in my face, and every three seconds I'm setting down this ginormous stack of books so that I can read the back of some shitty seventies horror novel. The books start slipping. The pile I am now carrying and setting down every three seconds is now slipping from my grip every TWO seconds, and books are falling everywhere and making a very irritating noise and I am having to bend my head in a very bizarre manner to pin the pile between my chest and my arm and there are books squirting everywhere and I look like I'm having a seizure and where the FUCK is my husband who could so obviously be helping me? And the little twerp behind the counter? Is just staring at me. Not offering to help. I was seriously debating whether or not to just fall to the floor and start screaming and see if she would still just stand there.
In this store, they have to offer for you to put your books on the counter. If you put them there before someone offers you space? You will be looked at from down their nose. And they will make sure that EVERYONE ELSE in the store has been helped before you while your pile or brain-expanding goodness sits alone and neglected at the head of the line.
Suddenly, a ray of hope! The hub-unit shows up, carrying a duo of books and bug-eyed at my predicament.
HU: Want some help?
Me: No, I got it.
Why? Because it is TOO FUCKING LATE to be offering me help. He just needed to HELP without asking, because my sweaty face full of hair and dead arm and pile of willy-nilly squirting books should have been REASON ENOUGH for him to read my mind and take the pile and I was NOT about to ask for his assistance because he should KNOW, dammit.
So he walks off to fetch me the new Wizard, and I head to the counter because I am hot and jeez I feel like I am going to pass out because I had nothing but soda for breakfast and I dehydrate fast and everything is going grey.
Just at that moment, the hub-unit runds over with the Wizard and a BASKET. A basket? When did this run-down mildewy gift from the used-book god suddenly stock BASKETS?
And of course, it was too little too late.
After that slightly embarrassing experience, I shut myself in the house until I regained the use of my arm. Which means yesterday. Which means that I have to style the CRAP out of my hair, because it has been greasy and tangled since MONDAY and is icky. I also have to make a shopping list for the next week. And work on the Book, because I meant to set aside at least six hours last Saturday, but my arm died. I woke up at FIVE AM to get my chores and hair done and be fully dressed and ready to fucking RAWK by nine so that I could work on the Book, and at 830 AM my arm dies. I got up for nothing but a dead arm.
But damn, my hair did look fabulous that morning.

I just started really exersising today

2005-09-12T15:53:00.000-07:00

When I say I just really started I mean that I am exercising like I did when I was a teenager. I am 31. No longer a teenager but, it worked for me back then to loose weight so I am going to be realistic set a realistic weight loss goal and go for it. Wish me luck!
Everyone have a great day!!

Patriot Day 9/11/05

2005-09-11T08:43:00.000-07:00

Silence and respect.

Resolve.

Way too many people have forgotten already. Maybe because I'm a born and bred New Yorker, maybe because my husband was on a plane that morning.

But I haven't forgotten.

One image will bring back all of the emotions of that day; the tears come easily, the pain still there.

When he finally called me and told me he was ok, I laughed and I cried. But the surreal images on the television stay in my mind.

They don't play the scenes on television anymore. They say it's too "painful".

I think that they should show them every hour on the hour. They should be broadcast on billboards in every town.

Maybe then people would remember. Remember how they felt that day. Remember how it didn't matter whether you were Republican or Democrat. Liberal or Concervative. Catholic, Baptist, Hindi, Athiest.

We were one as a nation. We had been ambushed and sucker punched, and we circled the wagons.

But it didn't last long.

Please remember how you felt that day. Remember for every single person who died. Remember for every single person who had a friend or family member die. Remember for yourself.

I'll never forget.

Watch this video. Look at the faces of 9/11. Remember how you felt that day.

Thank you Beth at MVRWC. Thank you www.gunstuff.com for the video.

"A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve."
George W. Bush
September 11, 2001

Hellllllll-ooooooooooooo....

2005-09-11T03:04:00.000-07:00

Sorry Sisters! I've fallen off the face of the earth, but I'm back and kickin' once again.

I have been sick, sick, and more sick, my bed and I have become one...

But thankfully, I'm finally getting better. I had a lung infection that wouldn't go away and almost landed me in the hospital. I say almost because technically, I probably should have listened to the doc and been admitted, but I have a severe case of hatred for all things medical and couldn't be bothered. Besides, do you have any idea what my fucking house would have looked like when I got home? It would have likely killed me.

Speaking of killing me, MARY PAT... Let me make this perfectly clear.... NO MORE BABIES, REAL, IMAGINED, OR DREAMED. AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, TRIPLETS? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND? WAS THERE A TALL BRIDGE IN THE WINGS FOR ME TO JUMP OFF OF?

Ugh.

Anyway, thanks for all the well wishes and sorry for not getting back to anyone. Love you all!

Rumor Has It...

2005-09-10T20:22:00.000-07:00

So classes have started and I'm already feeling the pressure. When will it end? Prob'ly never, but that's okay. Besides, I have this really cute...okay, really hot instructor that I've had for class before for two of my classes this term, so life is good. At least in that respect. And, as a bonus, he likes to flirt. He's flirted with me before. Of course, I flirt with everyone. I can't help it...it's genetic. I think. At any rate, rumor has it that this instructor was actually seen smooching a former student at a bar one evening. I don't give a rat's ass if she was a current student, so long as he graded her solely on her work not her 'workouts' as it were. My real problem, bad girl at heart that I am, is where do I sign up for this?!

Ok. So, the thought is nice...very nice. I wouldn't really. Well, maybe one smooch. Or four. But nothing out of hand. But, oh man! What a pleasant fantasy! So am I truly horrid or what?

My Dream - Kim has triplets

2005-09-09T10:12:00.000-07:00

I have the goofiest dreams, I remember many of them. Last night was the first dream that included a Yay Yay sister. Kim...mother of many was in this one. We've never met but I just read her latest blog yesterday...so I guess she was in my thoughts. This is a dream now..I'm sure a nightmare to Kim.

Aldi's or some discount grocery store was having a contest. Three pregnant woman could go into the store... you could either come back out w/ zero, one, two or three babies. Kim being pregnant..was hoping to come out w/ zero (seeing that she already had 10)..low and behold out comes Kim with all three babies. One though she didn't care for so like the movie "Face Off" Kim changed that babies face. I was holding that baby..it was a girl..2 boys and 1 girl. The face off girl just had a little scar. She was SO cute!

SO...that was my dream, I just had to share... Kim, in my dream you were estactic! You let me hold the one..put the others in a buggie and headed over to the liquor section in the store.
Have a great weekend everyone!

BWTP

2005-09-08T13:54:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know what the BWTP is you should stop by and say hi. Chase is the manager of the worlds very first Blog World Trailer Park and I must say, being a newly added resident of this fine park, it is a great place to live with skeet n tha kids. You will laugh at some of the posts and/or comments on there. For those of you who don't read HillJack reel gud, yew mabee shud take sum lessuns frum me n kim. We dun lernt et at difrunt skools but et awl meens tha same. An iffin yew stop bi, downt bring yer kritters cuz skeet luvs thim a littul tew much iffin yew node wut i meen.

Onto other news. I haven't stopped by much lately because we have been SO busy at home and at work. Kevin's business has been booming and with trying to hold that down, work my job at the firm, hold down the fort at home and clean out the garage, backyard, shed and finish ripping down the old drywall and hanging the new we haven't had much time to blog.

I hope this finds everyone well. And I want everyone in the Gulf to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all!

Yay-Yay!!

Cyli!

2005-09-07T22:44:00.000-07:00

Have you all been following Cyli's blog since she's been down in New Orleans rescuing the hell out of everyone? Her man David has been keeping things going at her blog, and he's been telling some great stories about her. Go check it out. Right now. Go on. Go.

checking in

2005-09-07T19:51:00.000-07:00

hey everybody!!

i just wanted to check in...school has started again...and once again i am feeling overwhelmed....

jonah (my 19 month old) has got to go back into the hospital for some dental work...he has to be hospitalized because he has a heart defect and since they are going to have to put him to sleep...his heart will have to be monitored by his cardiologist...i am pretty scared about that...

i watched the hurricane coverage nonstop all last week...now i just cant watch any more...i have so many mixed feelings...but mostly i just feel incredibly sad...for all of those people...

well..that is about it...i could write pages...but i guess that is what MY blog is for...hehe

just wanted to say to my sisters!

New Kitchen and Bathroom

2005-09-07T14:16:00.000-07:00

YAY! I'm so excited. By next Tuesday I'll have a chunk of chage from a refinace on my house and I'll be able to get a NEW kitchen and bathroom. I'm so psyched. I have had dreams about storage space and food prep areas to create my feasts!! YAY!!

Monday... erm... ummm... what?

2005-09-06T12:04:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it's Tuesday. I know that INTELLECTUALLY, just not internally. My little internal clock is saying "no! ITS MONDAY YOU TWIT!". Oh well. It has definitely been a Monday type of day. Started out with a vicious, slanderous (libelous) attack on some friends and continued with Oberon tearing apart my desk. Yes, he is feeling better! By Saturday night, only 1 full day on the meds, he was back to being a pain in the patuckus! I was quite pleased, but now.... just kidding. Im glad he's back to being healthy, even if he is throwing pictures all over the office.

Weekend events were great fun. I didn't get 90% of what I wanted to accomplish accomplished, but otherwise was a blast. I was introduced to geocaching on sunday with Queenie and her HubUnit and we had a ton of fun. Scampering around on rocks and sand with my video camera... :-) w00t!

I went to church on Sabbath, and then slept before heading out to see Transporter 2 after sundown. Ignore the reviews, it was a great little movie! Hmmm, what else. Well, on Monday I did nothing of import. Played a video game, read a couple books, watched a movie... the only thing that was of any consequence was loading the dishwasher and sorting the piles to be filed on my floor. :-)

Im not feeling too newsy, as you can tell. Am off to eat lunch, shower, edit a product profile, and run to a salon with Queenie. Have fun.

Too Blessed to be Stressed

2005-09-06T10:18:00.000-07:00

Hi there, happy Tuesday that feels like Monday.I got this email today and thought I would share. I like the message.

Someone will always be smarter. Their house will be bigger. They will drive a better car. Their children will do better in school. And their partners will fix more things around the house. So let it go and love you and your circumstances. Think about it. The prettiest woman in the world can havehell in her heart. And the most highly favored woman on your job may be unable to have children. The richest woman you know - she's got the car, the house, the clothes - might be heartbreakingly lonely. So, love you. Love whoyou are right now. Tell yourself, "I am too blessed to be stressed."