A Day in the Life of Marcy ...

post fire

2010-03-08T09:27:00.003-05:00

Great weekend at the lake ... till the firetrucks showed up.

2010-03-08T09:08:00.003-05:00

Marty and I went up to the lake Saturday. Marty's birthday was Thursday, so we were just having a small celebration for him ... I made his favorite cake and we cooked on the grill and sat outside around the fire laughing at/with each other well into the evening ... woke up yesterday morning and made another fire, and the laughing continued ... the gals went into the main cabin and we made a nice breakfast (more like lunch cause it was nearly 11am!) for everyone. We then cleaned up our little cabin and outside a bit ... Marty and I both admired our little abode ... we feel so blessed for wonderful friends and a comfortable little get-away that costs us very little/month to rent. We said our g'byes and drove home (about 45 minutes away).

3pm my phone rang ... was my sister in law crying saying something about a fire at the lake ... we made a flying trip back to the cabin (30 minutes away this time) and were astounded at what we saw. Apparently, one of our friends' camper had some sort of electrical short and that was it ... started at the camper, jumped to the storage building, taking with it thousands of $$s worth of tools and other things, then followed the fence over to our little haven ... went up the side and to the roof just about the time the fire department arrived, so damage to our little place is minimal compared to that of Emo's camper and the community storage building. If any of you have ever been through a fire, you will understand what I'm talking about when I speak of the mess that is left after. Will take a lot of work to get things back to the way they were ... we are sad, but thankful that no one was hurt. Fire is so intriguing ... got so hot there that it drew the sap and knots out of the wood siding on the main cabin.

I'm going to include pictures of Saturday ... then yesterday after the fire. Makes me sad to look at them, but again .... I am thankful.

Beautiful snow from 2 weeks ago

2010-03-02T09:28:00.002-05:00

This was my front yard 2 weeks ago ...

Anyone out there?

2010-03-02T09:06:00.002-05:00

Hello blogger friends ... if you have stuck w/ me during my absence, thank you ... :) I don't have any particular excuse or reason for my hiatus. I know we're all busy .. and we all have lives, so ... that will not do. Just know that I am back. I look forward to catching up on all that I've missed w/ those that I follow. :)

Let's see .... a quick update. I'm still working at home for the company based out of Atlanta. I don't like it any better or worse than I did this time last year. I'm hanging in there. :) I'm also still doing that extra shift every now and then (about 2/month) at a nearby hospital on Orthopedics. Just livin the dream! heh

It has recently been determined that I have a complex miniscus tear in my left knee .... the treatment is surgical repair through arthroscopy. Why haven't I had it fixed? (the first question everyone asks me) ... because I'm a chicken. I'm in severe pain w/ it now, so it's not fear of post-op pain ... I won't really miss any days (maybe 1) from my full-time job, so it's not a PTO issue ... perhaps it's the possibility of brief dependance. OK it's probably a control thing, too ... and there's a small fear of post-op infection, also. Ultimately, however, I will have it done ... sooner than later. I'm in that dreaded catch-22 ... need to exercise to lose weight, but .... hurts too much to exercise.

Maizie is doing well ... thriving ... but lonely for a little sister. I so want to get another terrier (scotty, westie, cairn, or rat), but Marty is saying "no", as he doesn't feel we have the time to devote to another dog ... I disagree. :) He's probably right, but .. we'll see how things go.

We are expecting some snow today .... oops, I just looked out my window ... we are getting snow as we speak. (big huge flakes!) I don't think it'll accumulate, though, because it's 38 degrees right now. We had a really beautiful snow a couple of weeks ago, which pretty much paralized our area (gotta love the south) ... will post some pics today or tomorrow.

OK, 1 more cup of coffee, then it's off to the shower to get my day really going. Ya'll have a wonderful Tuesday. :)

Marcy

Unsettled and Unsure ...

2009-04-15T08:23:00.003-04:00

Do women have mid-life crises? (plural of crisis ... don't know proper spelling and too lazy to ask Webster) If so, I think I may be on the cusp of one ... I've been through enough in the past 4 years, you'd think I'd have already surpassed it, but I don't think so. If I could describe how I feel right now, it would be ... unsettled. The job I'm in right now, I'm purely doing it for the $$, not because I totally believe in it. I don't particularly enjoy it, but then, who ever said we get to enjoy our work? Where did I come up with that idea, anyway? I don't loathe it .. it's "just a job". Being a nurse, I don't like feeling that way. As a nurse, I like to know that I'm making a difference in peoples' lives. Unfortunately, the economy is dictating things at this point.

If you follow my blog, you know I was looking into a Hospice job a few weeks back ... I interviewed, and was invited for a 2nd interview, so feel the job could have been mine, but ... I balked and backed away from it. Reason 1) turned out to be a PRN position, not full-time (though with the promise of becoming full-time eventually). Reason 2) it didn't feel right to me. SO, I'd decided to just pursue a relief position at my old hospital for extra money and stick with my current job and "make the best of it". I was OK with this ... till yesterday.

Went and filled out my new-hire paperwork at my old hospital ... I'm a "re-hire", so was able to forego a lot of the new-hire hooplah. Sat down with my old Supervisor, Ms. L, and she nearly broke down in tears, she was so happy I was back in the picture. Things on our floor have been declining over the past year, which I knew about, but apparently worsening over the past 2 months ... to the point where 2 of our busiest Surgeons have asked for a meeting with Ms. L to figure out what's going on and "what can we do to help?" ...

Now here's the part where I sort-of toot my own horn a bit. I've been gone for a little over a year ... when I worked there as the Charge Nurse, we had a pretty good flow ... the docs had faith in me .. the nurses had faith in me .... now, don't get me wrong, sometimes I felt like locking myself in the bathroom and crying, it was so busy and seemed unmanageable, but for the most part, it was good. Another Charge nurse stepped up when I left .. she was OK, but the staff and docs didn't like her as well ... she was abrasive at times, and actually refused to "go that extra step" for the nurses, as she felt that I spoiled them. Well, she left back in August to try the travel nurse thing ... since that time, it's been a disaster on that floor. Even the Hospitalists are complaining about our care. The times I've visited, I've noticed the low morale amongst the nurses. For the first time, I noticed it yesterday in Ms. L.

Everyone was glad to see me, and even more glad to hear I was returning, even if it was just 1 day/week. Ms. L asked me what it would take to bring me back on full-time ... I gave her an hourly range and she will be presenting it to her supervisor. I got caught up in the moment and really forgot my whole reason for being there ... to make EXTRA money ... if I go back there full-time, and they give me the least of what I asked for, I'll be making about the same $$/month as I'm making now ... now, I know I could pick up an extra shift/week, but we're talkin about another back-breaking 12 hours ... BUT approximately another $400/shift (after taxes). I would be working three 12s/week (36 hours) ... with most likely the option of the additional shift, if I wanted it. Not bad ... again, comes back to the money. But also, involves working only 3-4 days/week (and home by 8pm daily!) ... 36-48 hours/week ... My goal is to get these damn credit cards paid off within 5 years.

When I got home and actually thought about things, my thought was to, again, stick with my current job and make the best of it ... do 1 shift/week at the hospital, which would be around $250/shift (after taxes) and just be faithful about working on the debt. This would mean working 5 days/week (four 10s at current job, one 12 at hospital)... 52 hours/week. So .... I'm UNSETTLED. UNSURE. But thankful to have options. Just wish I knew exactly what to do.

Sorry for the long rant about work stuff ... when I started this post today, I had no idea it'd turn into such a long one! Good to get it all out, though. Actually helps to read it and see it in black and white.

As always, any input is welcomed. Happy HumpDay to ya'll. :)

Luggage is safer than patients?

2009-04-13T08:50:00.005-04:00

Ahh ... Monday .... wet Monday. We are getting another soaking rain today, with the threat of severe thunderstorms later in the afternoon. I'm doing a bit of OT today (agreed to 10a-4p) ... let's hope my connection cooperates! The grass and shrubs are looking devine! Here's a couple of shots of what it looked like as the storm approached last Friday.
We spent some time in the closet Friday evening, at my urging!!! I swear, Marty was willing to ride it out on the front porch with the camera ... not ME. I hear sirens, and it's automatic for me ... no dilly-dallying around!!! You would think I had a firecracker in my drawers ... I'm OUTTA there.

The lake this weekend is lookin great as well ... the water has nearly made it back into the cove and our neighbors' dock is actually floating again! I had a great time watching them with their 3 dogs this weekend. Looks like they have a couple of Golden Retreivers and 1 terrier-sort dog (tail curled up on it's back) Those dogs sure do love the water! We got our bed set up and the kitchen/living room painted (for the most part ... still have a bit left). It's lookin good! Built a fire Saturday night and after dinner, we all sat around singing, dancing, and laughing.

Yesterday, Kayla and I went to see "I Love You, Man" ... it was OK. The funniest parts were shown in the previews. Came home, threw some chops on the grill, and sat out on the deck and drank a beer and munched on some leftover cucumber salsa. Just a really laid-back weekend. :)

Good Lord ... on GMA just now, they did a little clip on hospital patient safety, and compared it to flying ... did you know that a piece of luggage at an airport is safer than a patient in the hospital? Have you SEEN how luggage is handled????? How it sometimes gets lost and doesn't make it to it's destination????????? Ooooohhhhhhh .... scarey. But, unfortunately, I can see it ... *shaking my head*

Happy Monday, folks ...

Introducing ...

2009-04-10T16:46:00.003-04:00

I'm about to make a batch of my famous Cucumber Salsa ... to see a recipe, please check out Maizie's blog! She's such a sneaky puppy!! heh heh heh

BIG thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes heading our way ... hope they fizzle out as they move across Georgia!

Tossin it around

2009-04-10T09:36:00.002-04:00

Happy Good Friday!!!

I've been reading a lot more blogs lately ... and am pleasantly surprised to find all these talented blogging dogs! I am sure Maizie has some writing talent, if I could just get her to slow down long enough. She still has quite a short attention span, unless it involves human food, then she is FOCUSED. Perhaps she could start her very own recipe blog. Hmmmm ... she may be on to something here.

Toilets and a Ceiling

2009-04-09T11:36:00.007-04:00

I got this email yesterday at work and thought it was worth sharing here ...

Awesome Toilet
THE LADY IS GETTING READY TO ENTER!!
This is a picture of a public toilet in Houston

Now that you've seen the outside view,
take a look at the inside view....

It's made entirely of one-way glass!

No one can see you from the outside, but when
you are inside it's like sitting in a clear
glass box!

Now would you... COULD YOU....???

BATHROOM
PAINTED FLOOR!!!

IMAGINE YOU ARE AT A PARTY .

Tenth floor of a hi-rise building.....

AND THEN YOU HAVE TO VISIT THE BATHROOM....

You open the door...
NOW, REMEMBER THE FLOOR IS JUST A PAINTED FLOOR !

KINDA TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY.....
DOESN'T IT?

Scroll sloooooooowly.
.....

Would this mess up your mind??? Would you
be able to walk in To this bathroom???

THIS IS A CEILING MURAL IN A SMOKER'S LOUNGE.

Happy Humpday, ya'll ... :)

I love this ....

2009-04-09T00:24:00.002-04:00

Georgia Gumbo

2009-04-05T14:09:00.003-04:00

Well, wasn't too time consuming throwing this together ... I'm gonna let it simmer all day long, then we'll have it over some rice tonight. Smells delicious!

Gumbo Sunday

2009-04-05T10:35:00.003-04:00

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**UPDATE** I dislike how the order of photos are displayed here ... they post them backward from what you upload them, so ... to see the progression, please view from the bottom picture upward.
Trying out a new recipe today ... One of my patients (at work, we refer to them as "members") who lives in Louisiana told me how to make it the other day ... let's hope Quality Monitoring weren't listening to THAT phone convo ... anyway, I'm gonna try it today ... there are many different "meat" variations (*snap* minds outta the gutter) for this recipe, but today I'm gonna use chicken and polish sausage. I'm a bit unclear about the roux, though, but I am gravy-savvy, so .. surely I can figure it out! Will let ya'll know how it turns out.

Yesterday, we finished painting our bedroom at the cabin and Marty laid the carpet ... in the pictures, you'll be able to appreciate the contrast of "before and after", as the former renters were big John Deere fans, as you can tell by the current colors of the kitchen. THIS will be changing as well. Any suggestions for colors? Next weekend, we'll get our bed at Round Barn and get the bedroom finished, then start on the kitchen/living room area. We're all planning a big cookout up there next weekend, complete with a big, nice fire to celebrate Springtime and the lake levels being better this year.

Gumbo time!

Moles and Interviews

2009-04-02T10:32:00.003-04:00

Marty's moles are shaved/biopsied ... they did 4 instead of 3 ... told him, "If you don't hear from us within 2 weeks, give us a call." HEALTHCARE ... in what other business could you get away with this kind of practice?? Say, your car is "clanking and clunking" .. you take it to the Mazda dealership and they agree to take a look at it ... "if you don't hear from us in a couple of weeks, just give us a call." UH NO, YOU CALL ME AS SOON AS YOU KNOW SOMETHING, @#$#@!. Ahh, in a perfect world ... and I'm in the healthcare field.

Interview Monday was very informal ... the gal liked me, I liked her ... couldn't quote me a wage, but could tell me it would not be what I'm currently making, but felt confident that the paid mileage would "more than make up for the difference". Hmmmmm ... also, "they" were only allowing her to fill a PRN position (as needed/relief) with the hopes of it morphing into something more steady. Again, hmmmmm ... I already have a PRN-of-sorts job in the works at my old hospital. I have since been called by the gal for a 2nd "formal" interview, but have not completely decided for or against moving forward with this. The hesitancy, which is also my gut-feeling, is a sign ... over the years, I've really learned to pay attention to my gut, and will most likely call her today and decline the 2nd interview. In this ecomony, it's reassuring to know that there are options for a nurse ... thank god I went to nursing school, that's all I've got to say. For now, though, I've got to "cowgirl-up", or as my daughter puts it, "put my big-girl panties on" and settle back into my current job and find a way to make it work for me. It's a good job ... pays very well ... I'm able to work from my own home ... and I'm good at what I do. So, there it is ... :) OH, by the way, the audit this week at work went well ... we represented our company in a very professional light, so the supervisors are breathing a sigh of relief yesterday afternoon, as were we. Who would have thought that RNs could actually save the day!? (can you tell I'm punchy today?)

OK enough ranting for the moment ... Kayla is home from work w/ flu symptoms ... even though she's 21, she still wants her mamma. :)

Ya'll have a good day!

2009-03-29T19:17:00.002-04:00

Finally, I'm seeing the sun ... it's been DAYS. I was beginning to think I'd fallen asleep and woke up in Seattle. My parents, who live in SW Kansas, are dealing with 6 foot snow drifts! Glad I don't have to deal with THAT anymore!

Tonight we're having spaghetti and meatballs ... I met a friend in Atlanta for lunch today at Chili's (as if I don't go to ATL enough as it is!) Had to get a few clothing items, so we made a lunch date out of it.

Tomorrow's my interview at the hospice place. I say "my interview" ... the director asked me to come in to fill out the application, which must be done on the in-office computer, and she is going to "try" her best to be available to talk with me. We'll see what happens. I'm not getting too excited about it, as I have a distinct feeling the pay is not going to be what I need, so I'm probably going to have to find a way to refresh my outlook on my current job. :) If you haven't figured me out yet, I like to do this .... I set myself up for disappointment, so that when I get disappointed, I'm not shocked or ... well .. disappointed ... and if it goes the other way, well ... bonus! I know ... I'm twisted. ;)

Marty has to have 3 moles biopsied Tuesday ... he's worried as he has a history of cancer (leukemia as a child, and thyroid cancer 4 years ago) ... we were really hoping to make it to the 5 year mark for "cancer-free", which is a GOOD thing when you're looking into life insurance ... so, please keep him in your thoughts, if you would. :)

Tonight, we're watching "Nights in Rodanthe" ... last night, Marty and I watched "Australia" and "Twilight" .. both decent.

Mmmmmm spaghetti time!

Adam and A Fork in the Job Path ...

2009-03-26T11:34:00.004-04:00

OK ... not sure if this is short-lived or not, but I have a new found love for Adam. He is by far proving to be the most original, versatile artist in AI history. I'm not overly fond of his screaming rocker voice, but he definitely can sing ... absolutely loved him last night.

I am possibly approaching a job decision this next week ... I have been fairly dis-satisfied with my current job for some time ... even though I "work at home", this translates out to "we-still-watch-your-every-move-virtually" ... and I am a nurse ... I take care of sick people ... I take care of people who NEED me ... yes, some of these people need ... something ... motivation ... a little bit of education ... but they, for the most part, don't call for me ... I'm calling them ... intruding at all hours of the day into their world, expecting them to be as excited as I am (yeah right) about this program which, when it comes right down to it, will save their insurance company money in the long-run if they take my wonderful advice. *deep breath* Another bottom line (and I don't know why this surprises/bothers me) ... these corporations don't really care about people ... they care about numbers ... especially the ones with the "$" in front of them. I don't give 2 shits about numbers anymore ... I just want to make a difference in folks' lives, like I used to in the hospital setting ... sure, I don't miss the aching back, throbbing feet every night when I get home, but ... I miss the respect and appreciation (for the most part), and the sense that I'm actually doing something good here ... I miss my relationships with fellow nurses and doctors.

One of my old nurse friends took a job about 1.5 years ago with a local hospice company. We've kept in touch and she loves it ... she called a few weeks ago and told me they had an opening. After a very tough week last week, I decided to throw some bait out and dropped my resume off at the office in Athens ... got a call yesterday from the director asking when I could come in for an interview. It's happening Monday. Hospice ..... hmmm ... something I've never really done (one experience, needs a post of it's own). I'm such a sap and tend to get attached to my patients fairly easily ... we will see. Hopefully the wage is comparable to what I'm making now. I guess maybe the bottom line for everyone these days is $$.

Cemetary experience & Maizie's friends

2009-03-23T10:49:00.005-04:00

Cemetary visit was interesting ... went well. We ended up walking through the entire grounds, which was good because we had just consumed a meal riddled with carboyhdrates and fat! (good ol Georgia BBQ!) Saw some interesting graves ... I noticed that the oriental folks adorn the gravestones with what I think is the deceased's "favorite things" ... saw some little matchbox cars on one ... saw an opened Heineken beer on another ... saw a lemon pie, which had been removed from the box and placed on top of it on another aside an opened can of root beer. A common item I saw was a bowl of fruit. (I did not take pics, as ... not sure it was respectful). Sure did make me wonder.

Maizie had a fun visit from Zoe. She is much more aggressive and forward than Miss Zoe, however, so I think Zoe was done with the visit much sooner than Maizie.

Maizie has a new friend who has been coming to see her daily ... I know he belongs to someone, but his tag does not identify him or his owner. We have named him "Mr. Shitz". He comes to the gate and we let him in ... if dogs had a WWF, Maizie would be a champion. Poor Mr. Shitz gets rolled often, but doesn't seem to mind it. They chase each other to the point of exhaustion. So funny ... at first glance, Mr. Shitz is cute, but up close, not so much ... and he appears to possibly be blind in one eye, but not sure. He could have used some doggie braces at some point, as his underbite is significant! His tail sure wags when he visits. The first time, he was constantly trying to mount poor Maizie, but he doesn't try anymore ... she moves much too fast for such nonsense!(good for you, Maizie!!!)

Ahh Monday ... well, today will be spent in my office ... I have some things due today. We have an audit at our company by one of our big clients, and I am on the dedicated team for that client, so ... we have to make things look pretty for their visit (3/31 and 4/1). The days leading up to and the days of are very stressful. I will be glad when it's behind us.

Blowin in the wind ...

2009-03-22T10:37:00.004-04:00

Happy Sunday!

I had to work yesterday, so after that, we met in Commerce, GA at Longhorn for a celebratory dinner for my friend, Brenda and her husband, Merle ... married for 40+ years. (she's my friend who was recently diagnosed with lymphoma and bone cancer) A good time was had by all! OH and Brenda and Merle are stopping by in a few minutes with their white miniature schnauzer, Zoe ... Maizie loves Zoe! I should have some good pictures for later.

Today, Marty, Erin (my step daughter) and I are headed to Atlanta to have lunch with Marty's mom and step-dad, then we're going to Marty's dad's gravesite. Marty has not been since his dad was buried 24 years ago. I asked him why it's been so long ... he doesn't know, just hasn't. I guess it's been quite a while since Marty's mom has been also. It has been several years since I've been to my Mom's gravesite (she died when I was 12 from cancer). Even when I go "home", I still don't make a point to go "out there" ... and I now have a few friends "out there" as well, but I still don't go. Recently, I made a decision (and told Marty, because I don't have a Will) that when I die, I want to be cremated. I don't want people feeling guilty for not coming to my gravesite. I want to be everywhere .. in the wind ..... in the trees .... in the water.

Time heals all wounds ...

2009-03-18T23:28:00.003-04:00

Things have settled .... time is a wonderful thing. I probably over-reacted a bit ... Mom responded to my email by assuring me they are planning to come to Georgia in late-fall ... :)

Glad I didn't send that hateful email to my brother .... sure did want to!

Thank you all for taking my side ... ya'll are GREAT!

Throwin a pity party ... ya'll are invited.

2009-03-17T11:45:00.003-04:00

**Update** in response, Boo, I brought up a long weekend, but my Mom insisted that "if we're making the trip out, we want to stay all week", which I was fine with ... that conversation happened back before she got sick. After my thought, I emailed my mom, telling her how happy I was that she's feeling good enough to consider traveling again ... and reminded her that the offer to bring them out here still stands. No point in her knowing how I'm feeling about this, as I don't want to damper her mood and excitement. Now, I'm fighting a BIG URGE not to send something hateful to my brother ... I know nothing good would come of that that would be worth the few moments of satisfaction I'd feel ... :)

What started out as a decent day went south earlier ... I'm sure once I put this all down in words, it's going to seem less significant than it feels right now ... here goes.

I've been trying to get my parents (from Kansas) out to Georgia for a visit since I moved here, which was over 3 years ago ... my dad is retired and my mom retired this time last year. Timing was an issue, so several times when it looked like I could get them out here, something always came up that made it impossible. Also, my dad plants a huge garden every summer and it completely occupies his time from mid-May through mid-September ... also, until my mom retired, her job kept them from travling much. Well, once she retired, they agreed that Fall, 2008 would be when they would visit .. we talked about it at length, made pre-plans for how many days, what all we would do, etc ... then she got diagnosed w/ Rheumatoid Arthritis w/ an extreme depression component ... there were days when she couldn't even get out of bed. My dad, consequently got depressed and started drinking more ... well, with lots of med adjustments, she is now on day 10 of "having a great day" .. I am so happy and relieved about this ... looks like she's on the upswing of things and she's so excited. I'd held off mentioning anything about resuming our plans for a trip out, just to make sure that this was for real, and was honestly waiting for them to bring it up.

Called them this morning and she was so excited to tell me something .. asked me if I'd spoken to Ron, my brother, lately .. told her no (which, when I thought about it, was a bit odd). Turns out my brother has offered to fly my parents out to Vegas in May. While I'm glad she feels good enough now to even consider traveling, my feelings are hurt. I've been trying to get my brother out here as well, but he always tells me he travels enough for his job, doesn't wanna do it on his days off, blah blah blah .... yet he sure doesn't mind going to Vegas "on his days off". Granted, Georgia vs Vegas is a no-brainer, but I just feel they are all being inconsiderate of me. Please don't get me wrong, I'm struggling with how I'm feeling right now ... very thankful for her feeling better .. very thankful that my brother is so generous with them to take them somewhere nice ... just feel kinda left out in the wings here.

OK .... I'm pitiful ... just read back what I've written. Plus, Marty just called and I told him and he doesn't really understand why I'm so hurt. Maybe it's hormones ... maybe it's more.

Gonna go shower and do some thinkin ... if anyone wants to tell me what a selfish person I'm being, have at it ... if anyone can empathize or has advice for me, I'm open ...

Name Game ... this was fun!

2009-03-16T09:41:00.002-04:00

1.Your rock star name (first pet, current car) - Maizie Mazda

2.Your gangsta name (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe) - Neopolitan Flip Flop

3.Your Native American name (favorite color, favorite animal) - Blue Dog

4.Your soap opera name (middle name, city where you were born) - Jane Hugoton

5.Your Star Wars name (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 of your first name) McGma

6.Superhero name (2nd favorite color, favorite drink) - Pink Corona

7.NASCAR name (the first names of your grandfathers) - Ernest James

8.Dancer name (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy) Mambo Laffy Taffy

9.TV weather anchor name (your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Calvert Chicago

10.Spy name (your favorite season/holiday, flower) - Fall Gardenia

11.Cartoon name:(favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now) - Green Grape Sweatpants

12.Hippie name (what you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) - Nothing Yet Magnolia

13.Movie (or porn) star name (first pet, first street where you lived) - Tiger Jefferson

man I WISH I looked like this!

2009-03-15T22:36:00.002-04:00

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home sweet home

2009-03-15T22:33:00.002-04:00

Just got in from Norfolk ... man that is a long drive ... 8 hours. Kayla makes that drive about every other weekend ... she must really love him, that's all I hafta say. It rained ALL day yesterday and today.

Found a funny website ... thought I'd share my find!

Hopefully I can figure out how to get it here!

Adam who?

2009-03-12T10:47:00.007-04:00

I consider myself a very good judge of music character ... I can usually pick-em early on (audition stage) every year ... this year, I have my pick ... but I simply don't get the hype over Adam ... I mean, yeah ... he has a very unique look ... and when he's not SCREAMING and wagging his tongue like Gene Simmons, he's not a bad singer ... but I just don't get it. The judges loved him Tuesday night ... WTF??? ... apparently, America doesn't mind him either.

My pick? Danny ... not just because of his story ...

pic of back yard

2009-03-12T10:04:00.003-04:00

Poppy, I have, somewhere, a whole folder of pics of my back "yard" at different times of the day/year ... think I can find it? NOPE ... this is the best I can do for now, and it's limited ... there is a huge hay field behind our house with a thick treeline in the background ... the trees pretty much stay green year-round ... the hay grows, the neighbor brings his tractor in and cuts it, then places random round bales ... that's my FAVE look. WAIT, if I can find my wedding pics ... ok might have a good one to post yet!

Uh oh ... can't find THAT folder either ...... did find a random shot that shows a bit of what I'm talking about, though ......

Beginning of a new habit??

2009-03-12T08:43:00.004-04:00

**UPDATE** By the time I finished this posting, the sun is glaring and I'm having a difficult time seeing my screen regardless of where I relocate myself out here ... is there some sort of ... shield for the screen for situations such as this?

OK so ... did not really plan to enjoy today. I worked in Atlanta yesterday, so didn't get home from work till 10:30pm last night (job is not going so well ... if I can bring myself to talk about it, I may post) ... Kayla was waiting for me ... DVR remote in hand, TV frozen on Ryan Seacrest's face ... he was mid-sentence, "THIS ...... is Amer ..... ican Idol!" Watched that (totally agreed w/ the vote-offs), then we had to chat for a while .. Kayla is really wanting to get a different job ... I think it's silly w/ the job situations as they are everywhere, but .... she's 21 .. what do I know? Anyway, didn't get to bed till 0100 this AM. I knew I had to get up and have Maizie at the Vet for grooming between 7:30 and 8:30am today. I rolled out of bed .. put a pot of coffee on ... even managed to load and start the dishwasher, take Maizie to the Vet (15 minutes one-way), and am now back home (it's 8:35am) and decided to take my cup of coffee and laptop out on the back deck ... have my favorite Atlanta radio station playing in the background ...

I am LOVING this. It's a bit chilly, my fingers are not functioning at 100%, but the air is fresh ... before it got completely sunny out, I hear the neighborhood roosters doing their thing ... I think in the coming weeks, the mornings won't be quite so crisp and I won't have to stop and hold my coffee cup for thawing purposes. I've been looking for a new habit ... I may have just found it. I have always loved the view from my back deck ... everything is getting green ... YES!

*Note to self: get insulated coffee cup from top of cabinet so coffee stays hot longer than 5 minutes.

Happy Thursday, everyone ... don't think I mentioned it, but Marty, Kayla and I are headed to Norfolk, VA tomorrow when they get home from work ... Kayla's boyfriend, Drew, is putting in new kitchen cabinets and asked for Marty's help ... Kayla and I will spend the weekend ... well ... doing what we do ... eating ... shopping ... ;) We'll be sure to bring the guys some food here and there! Maizie's going, also ... that is unchartered territory for her . . LONG car ride. Hope she does OK.

Change of habit?

2009-03-10T09:25:00.002-04:00

Here's what I've been thinking that I'd like to develop ... not sure what to call it ... habit? ... routine? ...

First of all, I would like to get up earlier (like around 7am) ... thinking of subscribing to either a couple of daily local newspapers (probably Jackson County and Athens Banner Herald), or to the daily Atlanta newspaper. I'm not even sure what it costs, but I'm about to find out. THAT may nip idea #1 right in the bud.

Then, I would start the coffee. I have a fancy coffee maker with a timer and everything, but ... those were not made for procrastinators. They should have put a warning on the box. My idea of a Procrastinator's Cofee Maker has 1 button ... "on/off". Marty had good intentions ... :) Now, I'm fine if HE wants to utilize all those fancy options.

While my coffee is brewing, I would like to either get on my eliptical for 20 minutes or go for a 30 minute walk. Grab the newspaper on my way back up the driveway.

Then, either plop down on my back deck porch swing, or inside in my recliner w/ GMA on for background sound, sip my coffee, and read my newspaper(s).

Let's see, it'd be around 0800 by this time. If I had a personal chef, he would have my breakfast waiting for me when I came in from my exercise, but ... since I am the chef ... screw it ... cereal again, cause I'm now realizing I don't have time to leisurely read my paper(s) AND eat a nice little breakfast ...

Looks like I'll either need to get up at 0600 or stick with my current routine .... sleep in till 0830, get up and put coffee on, turn on TV, fire up laptop, get coffee, sit in recliner, check foxnews website, followed by facebook, followed by gmail, followed by blog. 0930, shower, 1030 work till 9pm. :)

Oh well ... in my next life, maybe I can change my habits.

Marty's birthday pics ... better late than never!

2009-03-09T23:36:00.004-04:00

Marty just DID NOT believe that I had nothing to do with Logan's staff embarrassing him with a "YEEEEHAWWWWW!!!"

Kayla and her liter 'o beer!!

Marty was thrilled with his DVDs ... "Wild Hogs" and "Tommy Boy / Black Sheep".

If you look closely, you will see "what could have been" had Marty and I reproduced ... turns out it's a GOOD thing we can't!!! We named him "Cletus" ... LOL

Random pics

2009-03-09T09:40:00.004-04:00

Here's just a few random pics from this past week. Marty's birthday pics are on Kayla's camera, so gotta remember to get that from her.

Cabin pics

2009-03-09T09:29:00.004-04:00

As you can see, the water is a ways back ... usually it comes right up into the cove ... I'm hoping it makes it back up this summer!!! That is our view from the back deck. Note the little back deck on our little cabin ... we have big plans to clean that up soon and make it functional ... I have visions of us sitting out there, watching the squirrels chase each other through those tall trees. Also, note on the big cabin the cedar siding (they did that about 3 months ago) ... gonna do that to our little cabin as well so it matches. Will take some "before" shots of the interior before we get started.

Maizie loves Brodie

2009-03-09T09:14:00.004-04:00

Yesterday literally FLEW by ... I nearly put off my tater salad for too long! I made a little tub for my step daughter to take home (she says her mama doesn't make tater salad ... "she doesn't like it" WHAT?!) We had SO much food to take to Brenda and her family ... Gigi stopped in at a restaurant (Brooks' sis in law owns a country buffet kinda place) and Sue just started piling the containers into Gigi's car ... country steak and gravy, chicken strips, fried okra, corn, mashed potatoes, homemade biscuits ... it was obscene!!! Plus, Brenda got her ribs from Gumlog. While we were carting it in, I wish we'd planned to stay for dinner! In hindsight, we really should have. I was thinking "in and out quickly" as I didn't think they would be up to company, but in the end, I think they wanted us to stay longer. I know Merle (Brenda's husband) did ... followed us out the front door and kept talking. We will stay longer next time. :)

Kayla's friend, Jordan (former roommate) and her dog, Brodie (a Yorkie, in BAD need of a haircut!), came to visit last night ... Maizie was in heaven!!! "A friend, Mommy!!! A friend came to play!!!" Needless to say, between going to the cabin Saturday night, and Brodie's visit yesterday, Maizie is moving SSSSLLLLLOOOOOWWWWWW today. (I am too, but that's nothing new!)

Happy Monday to everyone!

Redneck Yacht Club

2009-03-08T13:29:00.005-04:00

We have a family friend who has a cabin at the lake up by the GA/SC state line ... we are welcome there anytime and he goes every weekend, as does my sister in law, Gigi. We named ourselves "The Redneck Yacht Club" because in the summertime, all tie our boats together and party it up at one of the beaches on the lake. Last summer, the lake dropped drastically, so most of our time was spent at the cabin. When Brooks built the cabin there, he built a small little cabin behind it and that's where we usually stay when we're up there, unless there's a lot of folks gathering there, then it's "first come-first served". He offered to rent it to us for $75.00/month, unlimited use, and it's up to us who we let stay in there when we're not there. (reason, some people were not taking care of it, trashing it, letting their dogs pee all over the carpet, chew up the blinds, etc) It needs some time and attention ... and some paint inside. For some odd reason, the interior is 2-tone ... about 2.5 feet up from the floor, it's a olive green .... white board separating, then upper part is YELLOW. Hello, John Deere? Well, we'll be changing that .... getting our own bed and linens in there ... it'll be a nice little retreat! Went there last night .. tried to have a campfire outside, but someone didn't cover the wood, and it got saturated with the snow last weekend ... :( We usually have a fire every weekend, especially in the cooler months.

My friend, Brenda (a member of the "Redneck Yacht Club"; she and her husband introduced me to Marty) was recently diagnosed with Stage III Lymphoma, promptly followed by bone cancer (ribs, spine, pelvis). She remains optimistic on one hand, but she is a nurse. My sis in law, Gigi, and I, as well as Marty and Brooks are throwing a meal together to take to them tonight. My job is the potato salad (referred to as "tater salad" here in Georgia). My tater salad is requested frequently ... I put egg, bacon and cheese in mine .... ;) Rest of the meal includes ribs from Brenda's favorite restaurant up at the lake, Gumlog, chicken strips, and mac 'n cheese. Typical southern heart attack food ... :)

Blog friends .... please welcome one of my dearest friends in the whole wide world ... we have been friends for over 30 years, and I decided to introduced her to this site and hope she finds therapy through words as I have ... http://vintulapop.blogspot.com/2009/03/day-in-life-of-vintulapop.html

Happy Sunday, everyone ... :)

Maizie loves snow

2009-03-06T09:01:00.007-05:00

We got over a foot of snow last weekend here in Georgia ... at first, it was very wet and became slush when it hit the ground ... within 2 hours, we actually saw some accumulation ... turned out to be a pretty nasty storm for us ... 19,000 people in N. Georgia were actually without power for several days ... and I was without internet for 2 whole days!!!!! (I know ... my priorities are screwed lol)

Maizie LOVED the cold, white stuff falling from the sky ... LOVED it. We let her out in the backyard to "potty", thinking she'd gingerly find her a place, do her business, and come back in ... WRONG. 15 minutes later, Marty had to go out and get her ... she had clumps of snowballs stuck to the fur on the back of her legs and belly and beard .... had to dunk her in the warm tub to get it all out!!! She literally sat at the window all day long watching it snow ... no nap ... very few outside breaks ... hardly any eating ... so funny!

The snow is all gone now ... they're forecasting 78 degrees tomorrow! Ahhhhh ... Spring is right around the corner!!!!

My nose started hurting last night ... way up inside. I'm worried a bit because I'm a bit congested on the right side today and have a bit of a sore throat .... I'm about to call my ENT.

Ya'll have a great Friday ... :)

Popping in ...

2009-03-04T08:24:00.002-05:00

OK faithful bloggers ... I'm off to Atlanta for the day for an "important meeting". Kinda sucks cause today's Marty's 44th birthday and I didn't even get to see him today (it was dark when he kissed me g'bye this morning and he'll be in bed by the time I get home tonight). However, we celebrated last night ... Kayla and I took him to his favorite eatery, Logan's Roadhouse, in Athens. The wait staff got wind "somehow" it was his birthday, made him stand in the middle of the restaurant, and invited the entire crowd to join them in a big "Logan's YEEEEEEEEEHAAAWWWWWW!" ... he could have died and blamed it all on me, but I swear, I didn't ask for it ... they must've seen him opening his gift bag and cards at the table. ;)

I was offline for several days, literally ... I think it's Boo's fault .. I swear that wench made it snow like a bitch down here in beautiful Georgia ... we were without power for a while ... but that didn't even hurt me as bad as being without my internet!!! Damn ... where are my priorities? Well, Boo got hers .... by the time the storm got up to her, it intensified ... that'll show her! ;)

Ya'll have a good one ... I have tons of pictures of Maizie in the snow (she LOVED it) and some of our birthday celebration last night ...

I've missed ya'll ... you'll be getting comments from me soon. Thanks, by the way, to all the well-wishers during my recovery!!!

I can breathe!

2009-02-24T13:17:00.003-05:00

Well ... got my nasal packing out yesterday. Man, I think it was up there so far, part of my brain came out when it was pulled ... god knows, I can't afford to lose any brain! Gotta treasure what I haven't killed off with alcohol over the years. Anyway, my nose is much straighter ... no more deviated septum, and the best part .... I CAN BREATHE! Marty says I haven't snored at all since I had the surgery, even with the tons of packing I had over the weekend. I still have a bit of swelling, but it's not bad ... nor is the pain. I finally am feeling human again ... amazing what a little make-up and septoplasty can do for an old gal!

Maizie running from her daddy in our back yard

2009-02-24T13:05:00.001-05:00

Luck helps those who help themselves

2009-02-20T09:19:00.008-05:00

Just so I don't frighten you followers away, I decided to post a much better pic of myself, rather than the immediate post-op one! These were taken Monday night at P.F. Chang's ... my daughter and I met one of her friends for dinner and a movie ... we saw "He's Just Not That Into You" ... funny movie. I'm so glad I don't have to go through that anymore. :) Ben Afflect sure is dreamy in this movie.

I'm feeling better today, but nose is very tender and still HUGE. I get my packing out Monday. Have mixed feelings about that, as I know it's gonna hurt like hell, but feel so much better once it's out! I hope this was all worth it. Time will tell.

Just kicking back today ... no strenuous activity or bending over ... using my feet to retrieve things, which is quite challenging and I'm realizing how truly inflexible I am!!! Marty took the day off, too "just in case", but ... I'm pretty self-sufficient. I have surprised myself, actually. Maizie sure does love having her "people" home. I'm attaching a couple of new pics of her as well ... sure do love her.

Happy Friday, Friends .... :)

I'm alive and kicking ... really I am.

2009-02-19T16:47:00.005-05:00

Sorry for my absence ... between my stress about my upcoming surgery and the stress related to the fact that Marty informed me they're "cutting back hours at work soon" ... I've had my head in the sand for a while. Gonna start picking up a day or 2/week back at the hospital in March, most likely ... tryin really hard to be thankful I have that, as I realize some don't have job 1, much less "extra job opportunity". I have to gear my mind to "no alternative, no choice, something I've got to do". I'm gettin there. :) Marty feels bad, of course, because he's been a printer, and only a printer for the past 25 years. Unfortunately, the printing business is doing about as well as any other business these days. It just sucks. If it weren't for our stinking credit card debt, we would be absolutely fine without his full income. I hate credit cards. HATE them. He is looking for handy work ... he's very good at construction and has actually built 2 of his own houses in the past. But again, unfortunately, that is slow as well.

Well, I finally did it this morning. Septoplasty, turbinate resection, and polypectomy. It was on my list of "Oh Hell No, you're not doin that to me!" surgeries. All in all, I'm feeling OK .... just feel like I have a couple of metro newspapers lodged in my sinuses ... originally, I said "Denver Post" ... I'm about to change it to the "New York Times". OH ... let's make that the Sunday edition while we're at it. I will try to add more as my recovery progresses. My packing comes out Monday, and I'm hoping to be back to work a week from today.

I will be catching up on everyone's back-blogs and commenting ... I've missed you all!!!

TGIF? ... not.

2009-02-06T22:30:00.005-05:00

If I didn't have to work tomorrow, I'd be saying "TGIF", like most of the world is doing. It's my own "fault" ... I was sick yesterday, so tomorrow's a make-up day for me ... these sinuses are killng me ... I don't know if it's anticipation, therefore I feel worse right now ... or if my sinuses are actually getting worse by the day. My surgery is 2 weeks from yesterday ... 2/19/09. It's funny, septoplasty, aka rhinoplasty, used to be on my list of "Oh No You're Not EVER Doing That To Me" ... (right between cystocele and rectocele repair). Now, 2/19 can't come soon enough. I just hope it's a cure, and not the beginning of many sinus surgeries. Gotta think positive!

Here's some pics of our new recliners and area rug. The middle picture was taken by hubby a few minutes ago ... he caught me blogging in action!

G'night, all!

Acrobabble

2009-02-05T14:48:00.004-05:00

Back in the 90s, I used to play an online game called "Acrophobia". I LOVED it ... the more creative and quick you are, the better! Well, like most web-based games in the 90s, it lost it's funding and disappeared. Well, I've found another one similar to it!! It's called Acrobabble. Go on over and check it out. Here's how it works: players are presented with an acronym between 3 and 7 letters long and their task is to concoct the funniest, whackiest, witiest acronym expansion in the alloted time. Players then get to vote on the best entry and points are awarded based on the entries. www.acrobabble.com ... I played a while last night and this morning. Warning: the un-rated rooms means "anything goes" ... some people have very dirty minds! If you're easily offended, pick one of the "clean" rooms.

I'm "marcymcgee" there, if anyone wants to find me.

Things that make ya go ..................

2009-02-05T13:24:00.003-05:00

I wonder if this guy's name is "Richard" ... hmmmmm ...

see more pwn and owned pictures

I wonder where the Exit is .... hmmmmmm ...

see more pwn and owned pictures

Something for everyone? ... hmmmmmmm ...

see more pwn and owned pictures

If the match doesn't do the trick ... hmmmmmmmm ...

see more pwn and owned pictures

Go ahead .... ask him .... hmmmmmmm ...

see more pwn and owned pictures

I SWEAR! I've uhhh ... never uh ... done this ... hmmmmm ...

see more pwn and owned pictures

2009-02-04T10:18:00.004-05:00

I have figured out how to customize my blog, thanks to Tori ... I'm not quite sure if my current look is what I'm lookin for ... I'm sure I'll change it a few more times before I'm satisfied! heh And then I'll change it some more ...

It is so cold and windy outside today ... poor heating unit outside just can't quite keep up today. I know, I know ... I can hear you Northerners grumbling, "she don't know what cold IS!" Well, I remember what cold is .. I just don't LIKE it! Anything below 40 outside is unacceptable to me these days. I'm SO ready for Spring. Screw the groundhog, anyway.

Today and tomorrow are my late days at work ... it's my understanding that they are "trimming" late staff and possibly changing my late days to Tues and Wed instead of Wed and Thurs. Doesn't really make much of a difference to me since I work from home, except when they require me to come into the office, it always seems to be on Tuesdays, and I REFUSE to drive to Atlanta to work till 11pm ... I don't get home till nearly 1am when I do that. Not sure what the solution to this one is, but I'm sure I'll figure it out.

I just read the following article on foxnews.com:
SAN FRANCISCO — With an upgrade to its mobile maps, Google Inc. hopes to prove it can track people on the go as effectively as it searches for information on the Internet.

The new software to be released Wednesday will enable people with mobile phones and other wireless devices to automatically share their whereabouts with family and friends.

The feature, dubbed "Latitude," expands upon a tool introduced in 2007 to allow mobile phone users to check their own location on a Google map with the press of a button.

"This adds a social flavor to Google maps and makes it more fun," said Steve Lee, a Google product manager.

It could also raise privacy concerns, but Google is doing its best to avoid a backlash by requiring each user to manually turn on the tracking software and making it easy to turn off or limit access to the service.

What's next?

My Goofball Husband

2009-02-03T20:51:00.001-05:00

Just to give ya'll an idea of what a character I'm married to ...

2009-02-02T09:40:00.005-05:00

Awesome MySpace Comments & Myspace Layouts

Monday ... off today. Had a busy weekend. Marty has become like a slave-driver on the weekends! He starts talking Friday night about how "we're not gonna sleep in tomorrow; we have too much to do!" ... now me?, I love to sleep in on the weekends ... granted, compared to Marty, I sleep in EVERYDAY. But I love waking up, knowing I don't have to work that day, then dozing back off without worrying about oversleeping. Well, Marty has a bug in his shorts these days, so, I was up by 0800 both Saturday and Sunday.

Graphics & Myspace Layouts

Saturday, we took some items to storage, then went to the local furniture store, "Real Deals", http://www.realdeals.net/AA/flash/index.html which is basically a refurbished factory full of ... well ... real deals! heh Most companies have a Mission Statement. Real Deals has an Obsession Statement. Check out the link. They have a rug building with thousands of rugs of all sizes and prices. We picked out an area rug for our living room, then headed over to the furniture building and picked up our recliners. They looked different than I remembered. I could have sworn we ordered the Berklines ... Marty reminded me that we contemplated buying them, but ultimately decided on the Ashleys because they looked to be put together more sturdily. Beautiful, regardless ... I love them! With the area rug, it all ties in nicely.

After we got the rug laid and chairs in their places, we decided to try one of the new restaurants in Jefferson, where we live. Jefferson is a very small town in Georgia, so anytime a new restaurant opens up, it's a big deal. Anyway, I was leary, as I love food and I am easily disappointed with sub-par eating experiences .. but I'm always willing to try new things, so, we walked into "Fusion on the Square". WOW. It used to be "Ingenio's Pizza", which I thought was decent, but the inside was BLAH ... I felt like I'd walked into a ritzy, Atlanta pub Saturday afternoon ... they had redone the inside completely, using rich browns, dark woods, burnt oranges, and wrought iron fixtures. Their menu is not overly broad, but offers enough to appeal to everyone. Marty had a club on sourdough with steak fries ... I had the chicken tenders with steak fries. Everything had a unique flavor, and VERY tasty. The service could not have been better, which is also a "biggie" with me! Fusion also offers a Sunday brunch, and the menu ranges from shrimp and grits (a delicious Southern tradition) to french toast. The dinner menu is much more elaborate; I was trying to think what exactly was on it, but I know they do have some seafood dishes, as well as several different cuts of steak, which I'm sure would melt in your mouth! Their dessert menu also offerred some fresh-made peach cobbler and molten lava cake! We passed on dessert, though. Oh, also, they have a full coffee/espresso bar, literally ... We WILL be going back there.

Graphics & Myspace Layouts

Saturday night, I had a couple of work-friends come over for grilled hamburgers and some Wii. They were so funny, as they'd never played Wii before ... after a couple of daquiris, they were ski jumping, hula-hooping, and bowling like pros! It was good to have them over, cause we got our house really clean in preparing for visitors! SECRET: I will sometimes invite friends over because we always go nuts deep-cleaning the house! heh It's nice to have it done, but sometimes takes a little push like "company" to get us in gear!

Comments & Myspace Layouts

Sunday, we went to Home Depot and got some wood blinds for the living room, kitchen, and dining room. We also picked up a couple of lamps/tables for our recliners. The bench I ordered from Target should be arriving sometime this week, so ... I will send a finished picture once everything's done! It's looking really nice! Next on our list is our bedroom and bathroom.

All for now ... guess I had more to say than I thought today! Gotta get tax stuff together in hopes of heading to H&R Block when Marty gets home from work this afternoon, otherwise we'll have to wait till Saturday or next Monday.

Ya'll have a good one!

Comments & Myspace Layouts

UPDATE: After looking at my blog, I need help . .. my graphics are choppy ... I want a nice header ... even a better template (other than what's offered here) ... how do I do this? Most of the blogs I follow are SO nicely put together ... I'm on a quest! Help!!!

Target wins

2009-01-29T23:34:00.003-05:00

I ordered the Target bench ... I hope it's as nice as it appears in the picture. The cushion color matches our leather loveseat. I think it'll all look nice, especially if we can find an area rug that pulls everything together. Thanks for everyone's input!

2009-01-29T11:44:00.007-05:00

Not much happenin in Georgia lately ... a little rain ... a little wind ... a little sunshine. I know folks to the north are gettin hit pretty hard with the cold, white stuff. Thank God we don't see much of that down here ... I got my fill of that growing up in Kansas.

Have a bit of a busy weekend coming up ... we ordered a pair of matching chocolate-colored leather Berkline recliners and they are ready to be picked up. Marty will be shampooing our carpet Friday night, moving our "chair-and-a-half" and his recliner out, making room for the 2 new ones. Maizie will be disappointed as the chair is hers right now and she lays on the back of it to look out the window. I've been on the lookout for a bench/window seat for her. I found one on HSN website last night and will show it to Marty before ordering it. I saw one at Target website as well. Any input is appreciated. :) Anyway, I'm working 4 hours of OT Saturday morning, then we'll go pick up the recliners and an area rug.

Hi-Ho .. off to work I go. Have a good one!

Sick and tired of being sick and tired ...

2009-01-26T10:02:00.003-05:00

I am bound and determined to feel better today. That's just all there is to it. I have been "down" all weekend with some form of a bug, the worst of which is manifesting itself in my sinuses now. Over the course of the weekend, I've had nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, but mostly now it's just sinuses/sore throat ... still have some body aches, but I think that's from laying around too much.

The fact that I'm struggling for something to blog about tells me that I'm living a lame lifestyle ... I need to get off my ass and do something interesting. I drive myself crazy with this laziness I'm experiencing lately! What is wrong with me!!??

OMG, does anyone watch "The Doctors"??? Today they are doing a segment about diet trends. There's a guy on here right now who eats a raw meat diet. He just took a bite out of a raw chicken thigh and sucked raw egg from the shell! The Doctors are all over him like bees on honey! It's all they can do to even stand by and let this guy promote his theory!

OK, gotta get something going today ... Ya'll have a good one!

Contrast/Comparison

2009-01-23T09:41:00.004-05:00

WOW ... is there any wonder why I love Georgia??????

Longing for Spring/Fall ...

2009-01-23T09:12:00.008-05:00

Another week gone ... another week closer to Springtime!! My favorite time in Georgia is Fall, however. I have some awesome pics to share from my favorite season. It's overcast and we have a chance for rain today, but at least it's supposed to warm up just a bit.

The bumps on Maizie's back/base of her tail are still there ... unchanged ... no better/no worse, but there seems to be more popping up randomly. We have been very faithful for 2 weeks with the prescription dog food only .. no table food whatsoever ... no treats. We did a flea treatment last week also, though we've not seen any fleas and she's not been scratching more than usual. Now, her right eye is gunky (is that a medical term? I don't think so, but ya'll know what I mean). It was really gunky 2 days ago, and getting progressively better, and hardly gunky at all this morning, but still somewhat. I don't know what's going on with her. I guess we'd better consider taking her back to the vet again. Maybe we haven't done the food trial long enough to really see any improvement. She doesn't seem uncomfortable ... but I am. *sigh* Any thoughts?

I think I mentioned my 21 year old daughter moved back in with us at the end of the year ... when she was with us before, she was a SLOB. I had a brief talk with her when she moved back about expectations, etc ... I am loving this new Kayla. She makes fresh coffee every morning, makes her bed every morning, doesn't leave her stuff scattered all over the bathroom, and does her dishes. Wow. I hope it lasts!

I've decided to sell my eliptical. I paid nearly $700 for it 3 years ago ... and that's a lot of money to spend on a clothes hanger. It's gotta go. Clearly, I'm not gonna use it. Clearly, hubby is not gonna use it. It's taking up room and gathering dust. It's gotta go. A friend is coming by tomorrow night to take a look at it.

OK here's the Fall Georgia pics I mentioned earlier. Ya'll have a good day!

Kansas

2009-01-21T08:06:00.007-05:00

Ahhhhh, Kansas .... where you can watch your dog run away for 3 days.

"There's No Place Like Home" ...

2009-01-20T23:01:00.010-05:00

"Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore."

Left Kansas, where the temperature was in the 60s .. landed in Georgia, where the temperature was in the 20s! Brrrrr! Trip home was OK ... My parents both, I think, are depresssed ... the house is dark ... they are quiet ... the mood is just ... BLAH. I don't really know what to do for them. My dad lives for Spring-Summer because he always has a huge garden. I think deep down, he's worried he can't continue to do it because of his health ... he's really slowed down this past year ... walks slower ... less sure of himself ... stumbles. If/when he can no longer garden, he will die. This I know. My step-mom had 1 good day while I was there, but yesterday she spent most of it in bed ... she is on a lot of meds for her rheumatoid arthritis, some which cause depression ... she's also on med for depression, which needs to be changed. Hopefully that will happen at her next appointment. I think I will do a separate entry for the odd things they're doing around the house ... OMG.

Time with my brothers was a hoot! They are just crazy ... and they love to tease and harrass me. One of my brothers, Ron, got an iPhone recently, and is totally intrigued by his latest find ... a program for the iPhone called "iFart". LOL We did get together with some old friends from high school and had a few (OK, a LOT) beers. I also got to spend some time with my eldest daughter, Kari,

and her 2 little ones, Mikey and Lexie ... darling kids, but NO DISCIPLINE.

I will post pics of my trip ... I'm exhausted at the moment and not feeling very inventive or creative, so ... sorry for the bore!

I'm SO glad to be home!!!

Optimism vs. Realism

2009-01-15T10:20:00.004-05:00

OMG it's chilly outside today! It's pretty bad when I actually have to leave Georgia and go to Kansas to warm up!! Maizie went to her doggy door this morning, poked her nose out, and came right back in. It's even too cold for the pair of blue birds that frequent my front yard every morning. I have my camera out in my office in hopes of catching them one of these days ... they are beautiful!

I have much to do before my trip home this weekend ... laundry ... rental car ... pack ... being the professional procrastinator that I am, it'll all wait ... except for the car ... I've GOT to do that today. My brothers are planning to get me drunk Saturday night ... we used to tie it on pretty good, but I've become wimpy in my old age! When you grow up in Kansas, there are just a few things to do for fun ... we had a LOT of fun growing up ... ;) I should have some funny pictures to share.

Daughter and I had a good talk last night ... she's so optimistic, which is good, but ... I think it's possible to be TOO optimistic. She wants it all ... and I do feel she can have whatever she wants, but the problem is, she wants it all NOW ... she just keeps telling me, "I think it'll be OK .. I'll be fine." The issue, she just moved home with us due to the condo she shared with 2 other girls sold, and she decided to come back home to save some $$ while she's deciding what direction to go with school/career. She does pay her car insurance, and has 2 credit cards (with low balances) that she's paying off. Well, she wants to get a different car ... hers isn't bad, but it's questionable how much longer it'll hold out. Now that she doesn't have rent to pay, she thinks she can handle a minimal car payment (around $300/month). What I told her is, I'm worried she's going to get herself into a financial situation that is going to make it really difficult to go back to school. She thinks "it'll be fine". "It'll all work out, Mom ... don't worry so much." It's so hard to get them to see the bigger picture. She's optimistic .. I'm real. Maybe she'll listen to me.

Patience & Faith ...

2009-01-14T11:18:00.003-05:00

OK, so I'm what hubby calls a "band geek". I wear it proudly. I love music of all kinds and can play several instruments ... used to, anyway. Considering the fact that I am a reality TV junkie, American Idol is right up there among my favorite shows. I'm not sure how adding this 4th judge to the panel is going to impact the dynamics ... should be interesting. To be honest, I'd appreciate less panel antics and more auditions.

Today is a late day for me ... working 12:30pm-11:00pm. I heard through the grapevine that overtime is being offered again ... I'll be jumping on that! Having my office at home makes overtime a no-brainer!

Maizie is beginning day 5 with no table-food or treats ... she is not liking it AT ALL ... we are not liking it because she gives us these "looks". She mopes ... I swear, I used to joke all the time that I thought she was obsessed with our food, because whenever we are eating, she is FOCUSED. She never takes her eye off of our plate and follows the fork to our mouth with her gaze, drooling all the while. In the past, we were both very generous with our food ... and Maizie ALWAYS got the last bite. She still sits quietly, waiting ... but the last bite doesn't come ... she mopes into the kitchen, gives us "the look", then proceeds to eat her own prescription food. We have been giving her extra hugs, kisses, and games of fetch, which normally is played to exhaustion anyway! I hope this food trial is conclusive ... so far, I don't see any change in the bumps/irritated area on her back, but I know it won't happen overnight. Patience and faith ... 2 things I don't have very much of at times, for some odd reason.

Shower time ...

Flight control ... we have a change of plans

2009-01-12T10:18:00.004-05:00

I was about to settle into hubby's chair, had my coffee, my laptop, my book, TV remote ... ready for LAUNCH in 5-4-3-2- ... in the front door walks hubby ... "I took the day off." (he's in the printing biz ... no jobs to do today) So ... I gathered my things ... moved back to my area on the loveseat ... lost the TV remote ... even lost my laptop for a while ... *sigh* I so enjoy my days off that belong to ME ... :) Now, don't get me wrong .. I love spending time with hubby, too ... and Maizie is in heaven ... has us both to herself all day long! Ya'll know what I mean ... :) Now, come 2:00pm, I WILL have my Judge Judy! Some things I just won't give up. Man, I love that lady.

Gotta hit the shower ... have a lunch date!

Reflection

2009-01-11T15:02:00.004-05:00

gold⋅en

/ˈgoʊldən/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [gohl-duhn] Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective

5.
full of happiness, prosperity, or vigor: golden hours; a golden era of exploration.

cor⋅ral

/kəˈræl/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [kuh-ral] Show IPA Pronunciation noun, verb, -ralled, -ral⋅ling.
–noun
1.
an enclosure or pen for horses, cattle, etc.

OK ... I'm off to the grocery store for romaine lettuce ... gonna be salads for this heifer for a while.

Maizie

2009-01-11T10:30:00.010-05:00

She's not spoiled at all, is she.

This suit was a little tight ...

Merry Christmas!

So attentive.

When her name is called, she looks at you ...

Each time you speak to her, she turns her head to one side ...

... then to the other ... like she knows what you're saying!

Maizie and Sissy (Erin)

Where is the sun?

2009-01-11T09:10:00.004-05:00

I am so ready for the sun to shine. I know we needed the moisture, but enough is enough already! Weather definitely has an impact on your mood. I guess that's why the depression/suicide rates are by far higher in Washington state than most others. I've been eyeing the weather forecast for Wichita and SW Kansas, as that's where I'm headed in 6 days. Last time I flew home, wouldn't ya know it, I had horrible weather to contend with. Took me about 8 hours to go 200 miles.

I've been searching blogs of people who have listed "Scottish Terriers" as one of their interests. I absolutely love reading about others' Scotties ... and the pictures ... I don't know why they amaze me so much ... I've decided to post some more pics of my Maizie ... I love her SO much ... sometimes I think it's unhealthy how much I love her! LOL Recently, we were looking for new recliners and a loveseat. We had it narrowed down to 2 loveseats, and we actually considered which one Maizie would prefer ... "Do ya think Maizie would like this one better?" ... sheesh .. the things we do. You dog lovers know exactly what I mean .. you non-dog lovers think I'm frickin crazy. ;) Side note: the vet thinks she has some sort of food allergy. $117.00 later, we will be trying a prescription food trial for the next 2 months ... no treats .... no table scraps ... just this fish and potato IAMS/Eukanuba food that MUST have gold dust mixed in ...

Yesterday was spent doing laundry, reading (started "Twilight"), cleaning our bedroom (I hate dusting!!!), and napping. We went out to dinner with Marty's brother last night ... good ol Golden Corral. Man, I saw so many walking heart attacks there last night ... I've become so much more aware of things since taking my education job. People love to eat ... hell, I love to eat! I did try to moderate last night, though ... started with a nice big plate of salad and should have really stopped after that, but damned if I'm gonna pay $12.00 for a salad! Had to get my money's worth! I had a small piece of steak (medium rare), some popcorn shrimp, mashed potatoes/gravy, 2 chicken strips ... now to my credit, I only took a few bites of the potatoes and ate only 1 chicken strip ... had to leave room for dessert!! Off to the dessert bar I go ... HEAVEN. I ended up with an ice cream cone, turned upside down into a puddle of strawberry sauce, and some banana pudding. I finished the cone/strawberry sauce, but only had 2 bites of the pudding ... it wasn't as good as mine. ;) SO ... now, remember ... I said I tried to moderate. When you go to a buffet, are you really planning on portion control??? I'm afraid, even though the food was delicious, we won't be visiting ol Golden Corral again anytime soon.

Girl Time

2009-01-09T12:33:00.003-05:00

Today is a "girl" day ... well, a "girl" afternoon anyway ... a girlfriend, Chrissy, is coming here, then we're going to Athens to have some Mexican food. I can't wait to take her to my favorite place. It's called "La Parilla". I'm not sure what it means, but I know it's excellent food and service. While in town, I want to find some Crocs, then I've decided to buy the "Twilight" series. I've been hearing great things about it.

Does anyone watch "You Are What You Eat"? It's on BBCA. I'm wondering what my table would look like if they put everything I consumed in a week's time on it. I'm afraid of THAT!
OMG, they also look at the subject's "poo"!!!! LOL

I'm enjoying my day off today .. slept in till 0930. (worked till 11pm last night) Got up, had my coffee, channel-surfed a bit, then started some laundry. Cleaned my bathtub/shower (including the drain ... GROSS). Figured I'd get a quick blog in while I'm waiting on Chrissy. Gotta load the dishwasher before I leave, too.

We have Erin, my stepdaughter, this weekend. Not sure what we have planned, but I need to put some office-cleaning time in. I'm sure she won't think that's "fun". Somehow, she has it in her head that everytime she comes here, we HAVE to do something fun, or go somewhere fun ... I think her dad started that after he divorced her mom ... now she expects it and is disappointed if we just have a regular weekend at home doing odd things that have been put off throughout the week. My thoughts? Marty can go do something fun with her ... :) Will the step-mother unconditional love ever kick in? I know it's possible, cause I had a stepmother from age 12 on ... it took a while, but we have a lot of love for one another now. I told her, not long ago, that when I was young and she was new to the household, I hated her and flipped her off behind closed doors. She surprised me by telling me she was on the other side of the door, giving me the same gesture ... LOL

OK ... dishwasher time. I procrastinate SO MUCH. I hate it. I don't know how to stop it. Anyone?

Ya'll have a lovely day!

Nap time

2009-01-09T10:34:00.001-05:00

I absolutely love this picture ... it was taken right after Marty finished my office. I was sitting at my desk, getting all my things set up and ready for my first day of work@home. I looked over and this is what I saw ...

Can of biscuits

2009-01-08T10:59:00.004-05:00

I worked yesterday (in Atlanta) from 12:30pm till 11:00pm ... left my house at 10:30am yesterday morning, got home at 12:30am this morning. Of course, I had to stay up and watch Nancy Grace (god, she drives me crazy with her over-dramatic antics). WHY did I volunteer to do 2 late days/week for a while???? Usually, I'll be doing them from home, unless they spring a meeting or class that requires I go into the office. It WAS good to see other work@home folks, though ... made me not wanna get on the phone .. I just wanted to visit!

Being gone all day yesterday, I got behind on reading my blogs, so most of my time has been commenting this morning on ones I'm following. Everyone is so unique ... yet similar. I'm so glad I've come here.

A quick funny before I jump in the shower ... I am going to Kansas a week from Saturday for 4 days to see my parents. 2 of my brothers have decided to meet me there for a "reunion" ... LOL when we get together, it's like walking onto a SNL set! Does anyone here have a brother in his 40s who still lights his farts? Anyway, this particular brother is always giving me a hard time because I've gotten a bit "greener" with age, and was telling him about the economy car I'm renting to drive from Wichita to my parents house ... he told me I should just get a Smart Car. We had a good laugh about that because ... I could stand to lose about 75 lbs. He said when I pull up into Dad's driveway and open the door, it'd be like opening a can of biscuits.

Have a great day! :)

Hasta la vista, Prozac.

2009-01-06T09:16:00.005-05:00

Tuesday ... set my alarm for the first time in a while, because I've been sleeping too much and missing my "down time" before work ... I like to pour my coffee, sit in hubby's chair, and watch
"Regis and Kelly" for the 1st 30 minutes before my shower. Lately, I've been sleeping to the point where I get up and right into the shower, coffee later. Well, I hit the snooze, then turned the alarm completely off. Woke up 30 minutes later to Maizie licking my hand. So, got up.

Feeling much better in the mornings ... overall, really. My doctor wanted to try me on Prozac a couple of months ago because I'm a worry-wart. She also thought it might suppress my appetite some, which it did, by making me feel this underlying nausea nearly 24/7. I've managed to drop a few pounds (no double digits) since starting it. Well, this past month, I've felt like CRAP. Over the past week, I weaned myself off the Prozac and am off of it now and feeling better. (DISCLAIMER: Folks, do not try this at home ... do as I say, not as I do!) Incidentally, I plan to call my MD and inform her of my action. Pinkie swear!

AirTran has flights from Atlanta to Wichita for $64.00 one-way!! I've talked it over with Marty and am 99% sure I'm going home a week from Saturday for 4 days. What I'll save in air fare, I'll spend on a rental car, as Wichita is 4.5 hours from my parents' house. Let us pray for NO BLIZZARD. :) Just gotta let my brothers know in case they can coordinate a visit for the same weekend at this short notice. I can hear one of them grumbling already.

This'll be ... wierd .... I'm sure I'll be seeing ex-hubby ... still having "those" dreams about him ... had another one last night. Better pull out that Divorce Decree before I head home to remind myself what a cold bastard he is.

Boo, you have me craving Pumpkin Spice coffee and I don't even like pumpkin coffee!!!! :)

Template Shemplate

2009-01-04T23:25:00.002-05:00

I want a fun look to my blog. I've come across some really fancy, unique layouts. After doing a google search, I found a site that supports Blogger ... picked out a nice layout ... did the copy and paste, per the instructions, but it didn't work ... error ... I gave up. :) but only for now.

I'm so glad I decided to blog ... I have a few following me now, and I'm following a few ... you're all so nice and supportive. We all share a frame of mind in being here, don't we.

I've been craving rice krispy treats, so made some tonight ... now that I have Mindy's famous chocolate wafer cookie recipe, I'll have to try those out next weekend! My mouth is watering already.

This week, I'm working Monday - Thursday, and have to make a trip to Atlanta for meetings on Wednesday. ugh ... sure do dread that. Once I'm there, it's OK ... good to see everyone in the office ... it's just the drive and traffic. I'm so thankful I don't have to do it 4 days/week anymore ... did that for 8 long months last year! Can't believe I've been with the company for nearly a year ... I do miss bedside nursing some, but my knees and hips and feet don't miss it AT ALL.

Well, I promised hubby I wouldn't stay up till 2am again tonight, so ... off to bed I go!

Saturday night at the movies ...

2009-01-03T20:37:00.005-05:00

I could really get lost in these blogs. It sure beats watching anything that's on TV tonight! Hubby is currently watching some B movie called "Grindhouse" ... good Lord. Hello, Rottentomatoes.com? Speaking of ... I ordered from Netflix a movie called "88 Minutes" ... we got all settled into our chairs and put the movie in ... only it wasn't "88 Minutes" .. it was some twisted flick called "Mind Hunters". Proves one thing, though ... humans do work at Netflix ... Lemme tell ya, don't waste your time/$$ on that movie.

Slept in till 10:30 this morning ... I stayed up till nearly 2:30am last night/this morning talking on the phone with an old high school friend. Her dad was recently diagnosed with what sounds like an aggressive form of cancer, which has completely occupied 1 kidney, and possibly some lung involvement. She made me promise before she told me that I would listen without my medical ears on. Do you know how hard that is? I did it ... just listened ... didn't offer any opinions or really even ask any questions, though I had about a dozen. She didn't need to talk to a nurse ... she needed to talk to her old friend, so ... that's what I was. I tell ya, the medical field has made me one cynical bitch. God, I can remember when ignorance was bliss. Anyway, despite how the call started, we actually had quite a few laughs before saying goodnight.

My girls ... all grown up.

2009-01-03T16:22:00.001-05:00

It's Friday ... again??

2009-01-02T23:10:00.000-05:00

Well, it's Friday night ... feels like the last 2 weeks have been full of Friday nights ... I was so disoriented today that I spent the first 1/2 of it thinking it was Monday! Don't get me wrong, I'm glad tomorrow's Saturday ... just sort-of ready for a full week without a holiday in it.

I looked at flights to Kansas or Texas again today ... it's been 6 months since I've seen my eldest daughter/grandkids, parents and brother and I'm getting antsy. The problem is ... where my parents live is 3 hours from Amarillo, TX, and 4.5 hours from Wichita, KS (the closest airports), so I'm looking at flight PLUS rental car for 5 days. Have to decide soon, as the timeframe is nearly 2 weeks away.

Maizie has some bumps on her back, just above her tail ... not sure what they are, but she's beginning to bite at them and try to scratch them. Looks like we'll be making a trip to the vet in the AM.

Jan. 1, 2009

2009-01-01T13:08:00.000-05:00

Wow ... 2008 went fast. Maizie and I managed to stay awake to see it leave, but just barely. I channel-surfed between Times Square celebration and ESPN where some idiot was attempting to jump a ramp in his big-ass truck and do a complete flip and land on his tires ... well he did, but ... rubber is bouncy, especially when 50 tons is involved. He did not drive away. Doesn't take a physics major to see that shit comin. Incidentally, hubby went to bed at 10:30pm and Maizie was asleep on the ottoman when the clock struck midnight.

I slept in till 10am ... and was thankful to not wake with a hangover. I only drank 1 beer last night, so ... I didn't expect to be hungover, just thankful I'm not stupid anymore ... only took me 40 years to learn that damn lesson ...hahah Hubby had cooked a nice, big breakfast of biscuits and sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, and hash browns. Hmm, what about my resolutions? I'd better refigure my confidence and conviction!! It was delicious.

Not much happening today ... I found an awesome website this morning. I go through these phases once in a while where I follow a high-profile criminal case. Now when I say "follow", what I really mean, possibly .. probably, is I obsess over the case. This case is the one involving the little 2 year old girl who disappeared in Florida while in her mother's care, yet was not reported missing till 1 month later. Anyway, this website has transcripts of interviews with witnesses, copies of cell phone records, actual court documents like search warrants and complaints, among other documents. We have the Georgia/Michigan game on, but I can't wait to get back to my new find!

Happy 2009 to whoever happens to wander across my blog. :)

Confidence and conviction

2008-12-31T09:02:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking about what my New Years resolutions should/will be. In my job, I have to ask folks about "confidence and conviction" based on a 1-10 scale. (you know how we nurses love those 1-10 scales!) "How confident are you that you can make these changes?" ... "How convinced are you that you need to make these changes?" I'm really not sure why we ask these, because we proceed regardless of their answers. These are great questions. Now, how do I answer them for myself? Well, let me list them first .... here goes.

1. Make a better effort to keep in touch with family/friends.
2. Take my health seriously; get my cholesterol #s down/up; lose 50 lbs this year
3. Stop ignoring my finances (because I'm scared shitless of being broke again) and take
control of them.
4. Be more organized, especially with mail/bills.
5. STOP PROCRASTINATING.

Confidence: 10
Conviction: 10

Nearly time to shower and get to work (which just involves stepping out into the garage, and into my office). Not looking forward to making phonecalls after about 7pm tonight ... no plans for tonight ... lame. Looks like I'd better add another resolution.

6. Be more social. (like I used to be)

Happy New Year, all. So long, 2008.

t-i-r-e-d.

2008-12-30T09:23:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, my 21 year old daughter moved back home. I think we all have mixed feelings about it ... I love it when she's around, so I'm OK with it ... Marty (hubby) loves having her here also, but finds her lack of housekeeping frustrating (as do I, but not as much as him) ... even though she hasn't said it, I know she is disappointed. The condo she was sharing with 2 other girls sold, and she didn't have adequate time (or desire) to find an apartment she could afford on her own, or suitable roommates. This is temporary.

I had another vivid "ex-husband" dream ... the one where he taps my shoulder from behind and when I turn around, he kisses me so passionately, my knees feel like buckling ... WHY do I have these dreams? I guess having been married to him for 20 years, that might explain it ... but these dreams ... I wake up wanting him ... I'll be glad when enough years have passsed and the dreams stop.

Looks like a crisp day outside .... not a cloud in the sky ... no breeze ... but I know it got into the 30s last night. I have to work today. I will be so glad when the holidays are behind us. It's kinda hard to talk with folks about diet and exercise when their families are waiting at the turkey feast for them. Tis the season for New Years resolutions though, so ... THAT is on my side ... Next year, I'll be sure and take vacation the day before Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve day ... not a good day to motivate someone to eat right and get some exercise. Did I mention I'll be GLAD when the holidays are over???

Speaking of work, gotta hit the shower and get busy ...

a blog virgin no more

2008-12-29T09:50:00.000-05:00

I have read others' ... I have wondered what I'd say if I started writing one of my own ... do I have anything to say? Do I want others reading it? Will anyone care what I have to say? Do I even care if others care? Well, my conclusion is apparent .... here I am, writing my first blog. I encourage others to "write down their thoughts" for stress management. It's about time I took my own advice. Now, if I could just start exercising!

I was totally NOT into Christmas this year. I'm not altogether sure why, though. I think I may be going through some sort of depressive era in my life. I have much to be thankful for, and things could be a whole lot worse, so, of course I feel guilty feeling depressed about things. Hell, I feel guilty if the wind blows sometimes. Is this a woman thing? ... a nurse thing? ... a mother thing?

I live in beautiful Georgia, 20 hours from my aging parents, who's health is quickly declining. I get frequent, sometimes comical but mostly pissy updates from one of my brothers as to the most recent "circus activity". My step-mother, who I will refer to as my mother cause that's really what she is after 30 years, worked 2 jobs most of her life and retired Feb, 2008. Since that time, her health has turned 180 degrees. She was recently diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, but moreso I think her problems are undiagnosed depression (and possibly mania thrown in there at times). My dad, who has always enjoyed drinking, has really been enjoying it lately ... to the point where he's fallen twice in the past week, the last being at my brother's house Christmas night while showering, where he proceeded to tear down the shower curtain, and while trying to get up, pulled the toilet tank from the wall AT THE PIPE. After my brother had to pick my naked dad up off the floor, an argument ensued. My dad wanted to drink more before bed ... my brother said NO. *sigh*

My brother and I used to joke about "who gets who" when the time comes ... he always said he'd take his mom, who was going to be pleasantly confused and funny in her final days ... and I was going to get my dad, who was going to be a pissed-off man, who's body has failed him. Sheesh ... I keep trying to get my brother to trade me ... he won't even hear of it. It's not a joke anymore ... I'm afraid the day is coming sooner rather than later. Not sure what will happen, but I do know my brother resents that I'm way out here. Or maybe it's just my guilt kicking in again.

I know people go through this ... it's not just me/us. Everyone's parents get older. It's heart-breaking sometimes, isn't it? They have worked so hard all their lives ...

I'm not sure what I expect from blogging ... do I feel better after having written this? A little ... will anyone respond and let me know that I'm not alone? Maybe ... hopefully. I am going to make an effort to write something everyday ... even if it's just a few lines. Maybe I really do know what I'm talking about. :) Hey, I do feel better.