A Day at the Zoo and Other Tales of Extraordinary Interest

On Monday Jerry and I got Sarah and took an afternoon trip to the zoo. Our zoo has undergone some renovation this year so I was looking forward to it. We had family passes when our boys were small and it was a nice small zoo.

The weather was lovely on Monday, mid to high 70s by 3:00 p.m when we headed that way.We stopped at Mcdonald's for a late lunch and Mike left us at the park.

You now enter through what was the back entrance. It had been remodeled with a cafe and gift shop and the new Amazonia exhibit. As you walk in there are water geysers. Sarah immediately wanted to get wet. She has been in a similar water fountain this summer and knew exactly what they were. We rushed past this area quickly because I didn't pack a towel. I had no idea they had the geysers there.

The paved walkways are wide enough for golf carts and a tram so once Sarah's leash was on she could walk. We walked past the large lake in the center of the park.We saw ducks and paddle boats and at the dock, large swan boats that Sarah called ducks. We made our way around to exhibits that had been there for years but were empty and over grown with brush and weeds. I have no idea why. There were some really nice exhibits but I was surprised at how few considering how much money was spent on a new exhibit. There was no elephant! There was a children's area but no petting zoo and most of the features of the children's area were empty. We did see donkeys, ponies, and goats.

Sarah didn't know the difference. She loves walking and looked at everything with great interest. She is a very intense child when she is learning. You can actually see little wheels turning. When you pointed something out, she looked like a little scientist who had just discovered a new organism.

We stopped by the Otter exhibit. There were two but it was a smaller exhibit than in the past. However, there nicest thing about it was a Plexiglas tube beneath the pool. I could have crawled through and watched the swim underwater. Sarah was having none of that (neither did I) It was an large tube open at both ends and clear but she didn't care for the "puppies" visible in the glass. I never thought much that otters looked like puppies but in the face, they kind of do! She did like them when viewed from the top. I love watching otters and I always liked this exhibit.

Next favored sight was the prairie dogs. She called them "puppies" too. I told her she was getting closer. There was a tube for this too, a dark tube closed at both ends that she didn't mind at all. You stood up halfway through and should be able to see the prairie dogs up close. She was too short. It was too dark and close for me, although I could have fit inside easily. And the "puppies" were in a lower area playing. We did get to see them and they were very cute.

We wandered into several exhibits where they had been monkeys and there were a couple of apes of one sort or another. I found later that the monkeys were near where the old entrance used to be. That is a very long hill. It was when we reached the bottom of that hill that I told Jerry I couldn't do it. My legs had begun to hurt. As I said, this zoo is hilly.

We avoided the nocturnal house. For some reason, it didn't hold the charm it did when I had two little boys who were into strange creature things that inhabited the dark. This is a very, very dark room and very little light is in the glassed in cages. You can barely see the sloth. Sarah is really too small to be very interested in such things.

The bird and snake exhibit was boring and mostly under construction. We quickly bypassed the Burmese python. Neither Jerry or I care for snakes and these creatures are specifically malevolent. I hate them. He stands guard near the bird and snake room. Well, the bird room was always kind of nice. It is a large area that is like a closed corridor and in a three walled room it has lots of trees and bushes and painted scenery where they fly around. You stand outside the room and look in. Some even fly into the main area because there is no fourth wall. On the opposite wall they have glass boxes of snakes. Predator and prey in the same room.

Farther into the section is another python and this one was housed next to a cage of birds. He was extended about four feet up the wall of his cage that abutted the birds cage. There was probably another 10 feet of him on the bottom of his cage! I told Jerry he was so close to lunch he could smell it and he wanted in. Hideous creature.

We were now headed for Amazonia. This area had all been redone. The bears were gone but there was a Sumatran Tiger, a lioness, various birds and turtles.In one place they had water mist where we could have cooled off but I knew if Sarah got a whiff of that we were done for.

We saw emus, wallabies, and more turtles. There was a double humped camel, a Bactarian camel I think is what it was called. I didn't see the snow leopards they used to have either. That is quiet disappointing as they were lovely animals. I remember when they had cubs, long grown by now and in some other zoo.

Finally we entered the Amazonia exhibit. It is glass and the first thing you see from the back entrance are the waterfalls. It is really beautiful and with lots of greenery but the first section from this entrance is on the lower floor and is a series of glass cages and tanks. They have a Jaguar and she was lovely but very shy. And they have huge fish tanks but not many fish in them yet. Then we began to enter the "rain forest".

Folks it was warm. You move up a series of ramps and as you wind around you see a wall of rock and there is a waterfall and really lovely plants. A couple of animals that I didn't recognize until I got to the tapirs. The third turn takes you to nearly the top of the falls and just below the room where steam is coming out of the vents. Did I say it was hot? Let me tell you, it must have been 120 degrees up top! I had overheard a zoo employee below say something to another employee about having to come down frequently because they were misting "up there" but I didn't know what she meant. I was thinking that water mist we had seen earlier. No, it was steam. And for the first time I wondered how attractive it probably wasn't to visit a rain forest. The air was thick and hot, like a steam room. Very unpleasant, really. I prefer saunas and would love to have one but not a steam room. We had reached the end of the path and when we pushed through the exit, the outside felt wonderful, even though it was probably 80 by now.

Mike was to pick us up and sure enough, he had slipped in free since it was after 4 and was sitting at the cafe watching the children in the water geysers. This was it. We took off Sarah's shoes and changed her into a different outfit and let her go.

She knew just what to do and she had a blast. Mike stood nearby had as much fun watching her as we did. After 15 minutes we had to get her ready to go because they closed at 5. She pitched a fit. We put her dress back on and a fresh diaper but she cried all the way to the car and fussed for several minutes until I gave her a pacifier and she began to doze off.

A very long afternoon! Papa and I were pretty tired, too. Sarah spent the night and was in bed by 9"30 but grandma had a horrible night. Leg pains shooting up both legs and I don't think I slept a full hour all night. I dozed. Sarah was restless half the night as well. I know I restarted our sound machine (beach sounds) four times and it will play for an hour. I am usually asleep by the time it stops. So, I know I went to sleep but not how long I slept for each time and I restarted the machine four times. I was up at 8 and so was Miss Sarah. We had breakfast and both went back to bed!

We were back up at 10 and Jerry and I talked about the car problem. Did I tell you it was broken down again? It will take over $400 to fix it this time. This was the last straw. So, Tuesday found us in Henderson, KY to look at a car. I had told Jerry that morning to go to this car dealer's website and see what he could find. He found a Honda and we headed over. No, ladies, here is the difference in how a man shops and how a woman shops. Pay attention.

When we got there they said they had the car ready for us to test drive. We went out and I head for a car. I walked right past the CRV. They stopped me. This is it. I looked at Jerry but got in. There must have been something on my face because the salesman said, "Would you folks like to drive alone so you can talk or do you want me to go with you." My wise husband said, "We'd like to go and talk about it."

I said, "It is an SUV! Jerry, I can't afford and SUV!"

"It's a CRV. I told you it was a CRV."

No he did not. He just said a Honda. I pointed that out but he asserted he had told me it was a CRV. Whatever. "I'm not buying an SUV."

"It's a CRV."

"I can't afford the payment, I can't afford the insurance. And I sure can't afford the gas! We are not buying this."

We went back. When we went in I told the salesman "It was nice. It drove very good. I really liked it. But I can't afford the payments, the insurance, and certainly not the gas."

He laughed and said, "What would you like?"

"I want a CAR! That gets good gas mileage and has a reasonable payment."

"What kind of payment do you want?"

"As close to $250 as you can get it."

"You ever drive a Ford Focus?"

"No but I've seen them."

"I have several. What color you want?"

My husband said, "Red or black, anything but silver."

I said, "I don't care what color it is! Silver is fine but no black because it would be hot."

He came back with a 2007 Focus with 22,000 miles on it. It was a demo for test drives. It still had 14,000 miles warranty left on it. And it got 33 mpg on the highway.

We drove it. My husband immediately hated it. He's six feet tall. Small cars intimidate him. The salesman was the same size but was a bit bulkier, yet, he had no trouble getting in and out but my husband struggled. Yeah. Like that's gonna matter to me.

I liked it. We sat down to talk. I gave my information to the salesman and when I gave my birth date he said, "That was a very good year."

I said, "Yes, it was."

"I was born that year." He paused then laughed, "You look ten years younger than me. You must take good care of yourself."

Cha-ching.

He came back after running the credit check and I told him I had forgotten to list my student loan. He leaned on the desk and smiled, "Lady, your credit is so good, it don't matter."

Cha-ching.

Yes, I bought it. How close did I get? My payment is $299.96 but extra $50 got me a 5 year bumper-to-bumper warranty that will cover virtually anything that breaks down. And Gap insurance. I only recently heard of this. If my car is totaled, if my insurance won't pay it off, this insurance covers the shortfall. The window glass and doors are etched with a serial number that can be traced in the event the car is stolen.

So, I drove a "new" car home on Tuesday.

Wednesday? I spent the day asking what the heck I was thinking! I don't do spontaneity!

Mouse Hole

For some reason I found this hysterical. I couldn't stop laughing when I read it and even now I am laughing!

A man called 911 and said, "Someone come quick! My wife fell asleep on the couch with her mouth open and a mouse ran down her throat!"

The operator replied, "Calm down, sir. Wave a piece of cheese over her mouth and maybe the mouse will come out. An ambulance is on the way."

When the ambulance arrived, the EMT found the man waving a fish over his wife's mouth.

"What on earth are you doing?" exclaimed the EMT. "Didn't the 911 operator tell you to wave a piece of cheese over your wife's mouth?"

"Yes," the man replied. "But I gotta get the cat out first."


From The Good Clean Funnies List

A Lovely Day in the Neighborhood

Well, it is 10:33 p.m. here and I've followed Jilly's cleaning method all day. I got quiet a lot done and had a nice time!

I had Sarah for a few hours so her parents could go to the store. She played a bit and we just kind of hung around and watched Barney, her favorite.

The rest of the evening I spent watching t.v. My husband left for work at 9:45 p.m. and I have the rest of the night to myself. I'm doing taxes for Becca's mom. She's a bit late. LOL, by a few months.

I've taken my muscle relaxant and a good thing, too. I realize when I sat down earlier tonight that the day had caught up with me. Back was giving me some pain. I will have the whole bed and can really spread out. I can't use a pillow or anything or sleep on my side for long because of the pain.

I am feeling rather pleased with myself. I warded off all hints from people, except Becca's mom. But she paid me to do the taxes so I'm good with it.

I will go now and finish up and then to bed. Hope you have all had a lovely weekend. I still have Sunday to go but since I get Monday and Tuesday off, it won't seem so short.

The day was lovely. I should have gone out more and just sat down. It was cool all day and sunny. But my house is clean except for the rooms mentioned.

It's a Secret

I haven't told anyone by my husband and oldest son. I took Monday and Tuesday off. I've sworn them to secrecy. I've found that some people, when they find I am off, want something from me. I wind up doing nothing for me and going back to work exhausted, rather than rested. So, I am going to try and make this four day weekend work for me.

I've taken a page out of Jilly's Handbook of Household Hints. I'm cleaning in spurts. I've mopped all the floors but three. Can't get in to my room because Jerry is sleeping and it needs a through cleaning before moping. Mike's is the same but I believe I'll have him do the work. The den/dining room is cluttered and I want to get to that on Monday when I can really move some stuff around. I have to have help and Jerry will be off so that is my goal for then.

I'm doing laundry as I go. I've done most of the dishes. How can three people have so many dishes? I still have to clean the baths but it is only 12:30 here so there is still time. Between all this I am reading blogs and writing them.

Jilly, this is ever so much easier!

I hope by the time I go back to work on Wednesday, I won't care that the paperwork has piled up.

Virus, Anti-Virus - To Be or Not To Be

The last post had a comment from my friend, Cliff, regarding vaccinations. I agree with him but it is the basis for this post and I wanted to save you the effort of having to go back if you didn't want to.

"I once attended a lecture by this guy who radidly spoke against vaccinations. He was a little extreme, but his claims had some valid points. In many other parts of the world people do not get all this vaccination stuff and they are not necessarily ill as a result. The one thing he pointed out that was very obvious to me is that there has not been a recorded case of polio in the last 50 years, so why do people still get vaccinated for it?

Vaccination is like it always has been, a situation of gamble and profit driven margins. Heck you live life thinking all these things could happen to ya, well ya might just pass up on the point, which is LIVING!"

My thoughs from this are Amen, Cliff! There is plenty of evidence of people getting the virus they were vaccinated to prevent. Polio was consdiered extinct. However, people have started to get it again. A few, even after the vaccine is administered, have always got it. So, like all things, there is no sure fire fix. In this country, if you don't get vaccinated for childhood diseases, your child can't go to school and eventually, may not be able to get a job in certain fields.

An interesting note, most third world countries are not known for the same kinds of diseases we get! They get things related to starvation. We get things related to excessive eating! There is a subtle irony here somewhere.

I'm not sure if poorer nations get things like whooping cough, which has also popped up again in America in recent years in some areas of the country. That is an awful disease. Measles are still floating around, too.

When I was studying anthropology, I read about tuberculosis, which America thought they had eradicated in the early 20th century. Aids has brought it back in force. My studies said that signs of this disease can be found in bones 10,000 years old. From the studies of ancient bones, they determined that this disease lies dormant for a very long time, dropping off the radar of humans. Then, it shows back up and becomes an epidemic, only to drop out of sight again. My guess . . . every virus has been here longer than we have. When nature decrees it is time for a purge, she calls in her army. They are very efficient, silent, and frequently deadly to thousands at a time.

I also suspect that ancient people were more efficient with the bodies of their dead. They didn't do autopsies and scientific experiments to see what they could find. They buried those who died by disease quickly or they burned the bodies. Fire is a great sanitizer.

Biblically, there were certain people who could handle a body. They were also separated from the tribe for a period of time after the had done so. This was a most efficient method to prevent disease in the camp from spreading and to insure if some did catch it, the numbers were limited and the persons would die outside the larger population. Sounds cold but most cultures had such methods in practice to insure their overall survival. They were much more practical about death.

Before modern medicine, people died of some terrible diseases. They had no way to prevent the spread of such diseases, no hospitals, no medicines. So, we've come a long way. But vaccines have proven that they are no cure for anything. They simply limit the spread and delay the onset of diseases that are probably simply waiting for orders from higher up.

Incidentally, my whole family, like most Americans have been vaccinated against all the childhood diseases. We haven't had them, well chickenpox and measles we've had. I appear to be immune to mumps. Been exposed several times. But vaccinations haven't saved me from other diseases. In the long run, one isn't much different from another to me. I've probably lived longer, but I probably won't care before it is over.

HPV - Cervical Cancer Vaccine

If you are considering getting or having your daughter get this vaccine, please read this information first. Then, research, research, research. Don't put anything foreign in your body or your child's until you are 100% sure it is worth all the risks.

It isn't for me but I don't have a daughter. I do have a granddaughter and two nieces. You can bet their moms will get this information.

Cervical Cancer & HPV Information

Positive

Let me see.... I'm going to try this. Think Positive thoughts. Make Positive statements. BE postive energy!

I'm positive I am tired.
I'm positive I had a very long day today.
I'm positive tomorrow will be equally long with positively tons of work and postively hordes of people needing my postively brilliant mind.
I'm postive that I am an interesting, intelligent person . . . hold on, Jerry is snoring so loud I can't think.
I'm positive that if I go to bed now, I'll fall asleep in minutes.
I'm positive I locked the doors . . . hang on a sec . . . yep.
I'm positive I emptied the sink . . . hang on a sec . . . nope but now it is.
I'm positive I brushed my teeth . . . um . . . be right back . . . yep
I'm positive I had a point when I started this by have since forgotten it.
I'm positive if I continue, I will be positively bored.

Say, I think I'm feeling more positive now. It really works! One think is sure, I'm positive that being positive is postively annoying.

Good night!

End of a Miserable Day

I had to go to the doctor today. The pain in my right side, front and back, was horrible. I thought maybe I had a kidney infection because it was localized and all the way through. I thought at one point I was going to have to leave work for home. I called and they had me come in at 3 to see the doctor. This was my primary care doctor.

She had seen my MRI and said the same thing the RA doctor said. No obvious problems. She said she thinks this pain is all related to my back and wanted to know what I had been doing. I told her I had been flat of my back except for work for two weeks. Basically that is true. No really heavy lifting or terribly strenuous work. But anyone with a back problem knows all you have to do is roll over wrong. Lifting often has nothing to do with it!

Anyway, here is the gist of our conversation.

"You need to take it easy. Take a couple of days off from work and go home and relax."

I said "It ain't happening. I can't afford to take any days off since my husband just got us over drawn at the bank and wiped out my savings."

Then she said, "You really need to go away from your family for a few day."

I said, "I have no place to go and no money to go on."

She asked, "You have no family where you can visit?"

I said, "My family doesn't live here. My family is mostly all dead since my grandparents raised me. I have a sister in Florida but my mother lives there too. She is not a person you can relax around."

Then she said, "You should try swimming. It is easy on the joints, would be good for your back and help you relax."

I said, "I'll have to look into that." I have no intention of it since it means joining a gym with a pool!! What part did she not understand about the money situation?

So, she gave me a scrip for Darvocet, prescription M&M's. I have one for Darvon from the RA doctor I haven't had filled. Then, she said there was no use going to pain management because I just needed to relax and take it easy. I have sciatica.

Really?

Good thing I have insurance. And they told me I had a $15 credit so didn't have to pay my co-pay. I hate this doctor. That was my LAST visit to her. I'm cancelling my appointment in two weeks.

Blessings and Bites

Becca got a job! Yesterday, she was going to go back to that temp job she had on Wednesday night and she was really dreading it. It made her sick. Apparently the plant was very hot and the work was difficult on her. She was on her feet all night. She was on her way out that afternoon to look for other jobs and she got a call from another temp service. A place she had contacted about possible employment had called them and asked to have her sent out. She went today and loved it. She already has a ride and that was our next major hurdle. They have no car and she has no license if they did. So I was going to have to get her to and from work, 25 minute drive one way. The gas is already killing us all and I was dreading it. She found a woman who lives less than half a mile from her and she will let Becca ride with her. And the woman didn't even want to take any gas money!

I truly believe that your prayers about this situation have been instrumental in this situation. I am so very thankful that God still hears and answers prayers and that there are people who will go to prayer for one another in times of need. If you prayed for us, thank you. If you asked others to pray for us, thank you and please let them know that we believe God had heard and answered those prayers.

My back has hurt all afternoon and I have lain on the couch all evening. The doctor called this morning and I am scheduled to go to a pain management doctor this month on the 28th.

I hate to keep asking for prayer. Seems I've always got a problem. However, lately, my physically situation seems to have worsened. I'm wondering how long I can work like this and know that even if I am in worse pain, I can't stop working. I am so sorry I complain about this so much lately. It isn't me, you know. I've always been healthy and able to do a lot of things. Now, I'm just so tired and I hurt somewhere all the time. It is really depressing and defeating.

I am on my way to bed shortly. I took a muscle relaxant to see if it will help. I am hoping for a better Saturday. I hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Twenty-third Psalm for Work

Psalm 23 (For the Work Place) The Lord is my real boss, and I shall not want. He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me. He gently reminds me to pray and do all things without murmuring and complaining. He reminds me that He is my source and not my job. He restores my sanity every day and guides my decisions that I might honor Him in all that I do. Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mails, system crashes, unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping co-workers , discriminating supervisors and an aging body that doesn't cooperate every morning, I still will not stop--- for He is with me! His presence, His peace, and His power will see me through. He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me. He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens to let me go. His Faithfulness and love is better than any bonus check. His retirement plan beats any 401k there is! When it's all said and done, I'll be working for Him a whole lot longer and for that, I BLESS HIS NAME!!!!!!

Good News for a Change

My daughter-in-law got called in for the temp job this afternoon. It is not an easy job. It is in a factory and she said it is very hot and it is from 4 p.m. until 1 a.m. She is very upset that she won't have as much time with Sarah. I don't like that either. Unfortunately, she has to do this. I am just thankful that they called. I have been so worried I was nearly beside myself. I'm still worried but if she can work to get ahead on the utilities, they might make it until something better comes along.

I believe that your prayers have contributed to this and I appreciate all of you who have kept us in prayers. We are praying for her to get this job with the day care. It would be such a relief on her and so much better for this little tot who loves to spend time with her Mommy. And Becca is trying to finish her schooling so this will put a hindrance in her way.

More good news - my back is better. Still very touchy and I must be very careful how I move or lift something. I can feel it when I do the wrong thing. And it gets very tired and begins to ache all across my lower back. There is a knot over the area where it hurts so I know it is inflamed. But overall, it is a lot better.

I was going to add a gripe here but decided I've had enough negative junk here for a while. I need, for myself it nothing else, to speak some positive things.

It is Thursday in about 30 minutes, so the week is nearly over. I am hoping to get some serious work done tomorrow so I don't get behind again. I've managed to get current at work and I handle that much better. One of the program assistants helped me two weeks ago and that has really put me where I should be.

I hope all of you have a great day. Thanks so much for all the encouragement and concern you have expressed. And thanks again for all the prayers. Truly, I am blessed.

Night Business

The 37th chapter of Hidden in the Mist is posted. I'm kind of at a stand still for the moment. The last two weeks have been difficult and my back problem has left me very tired in the evenings. So. it is a short one, Alice, without much action. But even Samantha has to sleep sometimes.

I promise to start on the next chapter. Things simply must come to a head soon. There are rumblings that have begun. Things will begin to shake, I think but I don't know from which direction destruction will come.

For all those puzzling over this, don't. Hidden is the Mist is a novel I've been working on for a while now (has it been two years online, Alice!!). At least another two off line! Anyway, it has some private readers, most of which have fallen away. But Alice remains faithful. She can fill you in if you like. I haven't opened it to other readers. If you are on my contact list, and interested, I will consider giving you a 30 day invite if you seem to care about reading it. I no longer post it for the public. Alice convinced me it was risky. She seems to think it a best seller. I have no confidence but it is an interesting story... I guess. She keeps coming back so there is something that draws people.

Night Everyone! Back seems to be better tonigh. Mostly. Have moments of pain but not like it last week. Thanks so much for the prayers. Continue to say a prayer for my son and his wife. They really must find jobs soon. A call came today from a temp service by my daughter-in-law was at my house and it was after five. She couldn't get in touch with the girl but will call in the early morning. There is another job she has applied for with the pre-school Sarah starts at in August. It would be the best job she could have. It is around the corner from my work, Sarah will be in a class there, and her hours would match mine. Transportation, job and child care all in one place. So, for those of you who will, keep praying for them.

Hairy Business

My son came over last night and I got him to work on my back. I had to warn him to take it easy. The boy doesn't know his own strength at times. Upper back popped in two places! It was probably out of whack because of the over compensation I've been doing with the lower back. My lower back was sensitive so he was easy on it. However, I noticed a little difference once he was done. Very little pain the rest of the evening and I slept well. This morning, it felt almost as good as new, well, as new at 51 can feel, when I got up. However, I had to put my hair up and by the time it was done, my lower back was aching again.

I have very long hair, just below my waist. I wear it up a lot for work because it gets into everything. Sometimes I wear it down but the top pulled back out of my face. Sometimes I french braid it. Some times I make a knot and pin this up into a bun or I use a hair thing I have that helps roll it into a bun. This is two thin metal strips covered in velvet that you snap when the roll is completed and it forms a round loop. Instant bun. But getting the roll right is tricky. Putting it up with the hair thing requires that I bend over and roll it onto the thingy and once it is positioned correctly, you snap it and spread the hair out to smooth it in place. Sounds simple and for the most part, it is. But sometimes getting it rolled where you can shape it is difficult. Bending at the waist seems to be very bad in this instance. So, I guess I'll have to stop that for a few days if it doesn't go up the first time.

I don't know yet what the doctor is going to suggest but I guess we will see. I would like a specialist to take a look at it to give me as many options as possible.

I do want to ask those of you who pray to pray for my son and his wife. They are both out of work and if they don't get something soon, they will lose their housing. I am very worried because I don't have any way to help and no place to put them. Please put them on any prayer list you can. I am getting calls ever day from people who can't pay their electirc bills and are on the brink of homelessness. It is very stressful when it is not your family but when it is, it is terrible.

Everyone have a great week. Tomorrow is hump day and nearly the end of the month. So, I hope August is better.

I'll be back.

Back to Work

The results of the MRI are in. Some minor arthritis in my lower back (I already knew this). Some minor bulging of a couple of disc but nothing that appears to be causing a problem. Everything else looks fine.

So, they want me to go to pain management. Which means a shot of a steroid. Waste of time since it is only a patch and not a fix.

They "may" need to refer me to orthopaedics? Ok. What's with the may?

So, what have we learned? Nothing new.
What have we accomplished? Nothing.

Moving on. . . but slowly. . .

I'm looking for input here: A woman takes a walk every afternoon. She walks the same route. But one afternoon, as she passes a house, she sees something. What does she see?

Back Out

All right, so all this back problems I've been having and have gone on about ad naseum has finally come to a head. The back went out yesterday afternoon. It left me in the laundry room.

I was doing laundry and picked up a basket of dry towels. Anyone ever pick up dry towels? Sarah weighs more . In fact, the basket was so light, I could lift it with one hand. As I turned and started to carry them to the living room to fold it happened. It felt as if someone stabbed me in the lower back with a very sharp knife.

I staggered to the living room and had to sit down. No easy feat, let me tell you. Pain with a capital P. I had trouble moving the rest of the day. Later that evening, I found a pain patch the doctor had given me for the pain in my leg. . . that had no effect whatsoever on my leg. I put that on the spot that was hurting at bed time and took 800 mg of skelaxin (muscle relaxant). I usually take 400 mg so that tells you how bad it was. I never, ever take the maximum dose of anything if I can avoid it.

This morning, pain is only slightly better and I can't move in some directions. Sitting hurts. Standing hurts after a few minutes. Walking is a bit iffy. I might be able to navigate in a strait line as long as I make no sudden moves in any other direction or put my foot down wrong. NO bending at the waist. Squat if you must, but do not bend.

So, now we know what all the build up was about.

I don't know if any of you remember but I had a similar incident last year. I even went to the ER. They sent me home with a smile and instructions to call my doctor the next day. Which I did. She gave me a shot in the back and I was better in a couple of days.

I have not wasted my time or co-pay on the ER this time. I will just call my doctor tomorrow. I am hoping the MRI results is in and she will tell me to come see her. We will see.

Taking Down the Flag

I just had this joke accepted to the Good Clean Funnies List (GCFL). It is a true story.

"My husband was serving his last few years of military service on active duty with an Army reserve unit. There were three branches of military reserve units at our last duty station. During one month, my husband and his buddy were assigned to take down the flag at the end of the day, which is a very formal affair to watch.

One day my husband and his buddy marched solemnly out to the flag pole and saluted the flag. Then his buddy begin to haul the flag down. After a minute of this and not seeing a flag come down, they both looked up.

The flag had already been taken down.

Received from Dixiegirl."

A New Thing

I am launching a new module to my page. I took a leaf out of Jilly's book and added the Review module. It is a work in progress and I don't know how consistent I'll be with it but we will see.

One thing to note, if you aren't sure you want to read a book you may be able to read a sample chapter of a novel at Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. I've done it several times. They don't always post a sample but you may be surprised.

You Know You're Old. . .

When the topic of conversation after "Hello" is a run down of youer medical condition and the various test you've had run. I know it is true! It has been happening to me!

Everyone at work asked about my MRI. Of course they all knew about it and some had also had the procedure themselves. So, I've had lost of questions.

In my last post, Happy commented that everyone she knew who had had an MRI hated it. I'm finding the same thing. I haven't had anyone who said it was a pleasurable experience or even "OK". No one likes it.

Could it be the sensation of being in a coffin? I haven't had any bad dreams or anything because I think putting that cloth over my eyes really helped. I'm certain it would have been more difficult if I had not done that. I could have closed my eyes but has anyone ever done that and tried to keep them closed? At the end, I even found myself opening them under the cloth!

I'd have to say it wasn't the closeness but the sensations I experienced inside are the main reason I hated the experience. I can't even say the sound was a real issue. I had foam ear plugs and then they put rubber pads on each side of my head covering my ears. This was to pad my head that was positioned between two post. It also helped keep it still and muffled the noise somewhat. It still sounded like someone tearing a building down with jack hammers. Having lived in several large cities and next to a railroad line, I'm not tremendously jumpy.

I talked with a friend at work about what I felt and she agreed with my description. There was the sense of something swirling around you. I mentioned in my previous post it was like water swirling. Another description occured to me when talking to my friend.

Imagine a cylinder of Saran wrap (clear plastic wrap) spinning around you. There was even a wind in the tube and it was colder that the room it was in. My friend agreed with that description! She said she didn't get dizzy afterward but since the girl doing the MRI said it affected her that way, I'm fine with that. It passed off rather quickly.

The whole experience is not one I want to repeat but I am always glad of a new experience to add to my repertoire. Now I am waiting for the results. I hope this week they will call me but you all know how waiting for test results is like.

Back pain is still hanging around but the rest of me seems fairly calm this morning. I have a mild headache but the weather could be a factor. If you look at the weather over the mid-west today, you'll see lots of stormy conditions scattered about.

Those low pressure systems are migraine triggers and there appears to be one headed this way. There is one centered over northern Missouri and they track east along a specific path. For some reason, southern Indiana sits in an areas that is frequently in their path. There is a reason for that but you don't really want me to get into storm tracks, and weather patterns. I loved that stuff in college and had a really good teacher. Earth science is just fun. I strongly encourage any college student to take it. It is an easy A.

Did I Pass?

O.k., I had the MRI. Just done about an hour ago. Am I claustrophobic? I think maybe a little. They ear plugs in my ears to dull the noise and put a folded cloth over my eyes so I couldn't see anything. That alone helped enormously. I thought I'd be fine but when I lay back and realized how close it was, I took their advice. And really not seeing it helped.

However, the pain intensified when I had to lie perfectly still for half and hour. I was fine until about the last 10 minutes and at that point, I was nearly ready to scream. Not from the close space but from the increasing pain in the small of my back. There is a place the size of a fist that is just so tender. I really think this is a pinched nerve.

As I lay there I had the weirdest sensations. I got slightly dizzy for one thing. But the truly oddest sensation was the sense that something like water or smoke was swirling around me in a column. I can't explain what I mean any other way. Isn't that crazy? I did NOT tell the girl that but I did ask about the dizziness and she said it made her dizzy, too.

You feel very odd afterward, at least, I did, as if I'd been hanging upside down and now I was right side up again. Lasted a minute and then I was fine. LOL, I know, that sounds nuts.

I've had all the metals in my body realigned now, so I should be just fine. Right? They told me my iron was high at the doctors a couple of weeks ago. I wonder if that contributed to what I was feeling. Don't laugh. It is a chemical iron. Start running a magnet over iron and see what happens!

Let me say, I was relieved when it was over for several reason! Now we wait and see what the results show. I can only say the pain is worse after the test that it was before.

I am going to ask my son to come over and work it out. He always helps when he works on my shoulder and neck. I used to have him do my back but it hasn't bothered me much lately.

I have to say thank you to all of you who have expressed concern and offered encouragement and prayers. I truly appreciate it. And it does help, really, to have someone say they were thinking about you. Thank you all so very much. I'm glad to have you as friend.

Testing, Testing

I will be getting the MRI tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. CDT.

I have to be there at four to preregister. You know, when the doctor's office was asking me questions to determine if I could even have one, it was scary. They asked if I had any of these metal pieces inside and I answered no to all of them but it was so freaky that late I began to wonder things like, "Did they get all the staples out? Do fillings count as metal? What about a gold crown?"

I'll be asking tomorrow, you can bet!

Not a good day today. My back has flared up again for the last two days for no apparent reason. Well, that's not exactly true. I had some problems this week and some personal things are not good. I don't really want to tell all of it this time. I'm really very tired of it all and it seems as if it won't go away no matter what.

Say a prayer for me. I'm in a bad place at the moment and I really just don't know what I can do to fix it. Nothing, honestly, but I keep trying. And I'm ready to stop.

I'm off for the shower and bed. I'm really very tired.

Feelings, Whoa, Whoa, Feelings

I'm feeling much better today. Had myself a good old fashioned prayer meeting last night. Don't laugh until you try it. I'm dead serious.

I gotta say, lately the walls have just caved in. Family issues, work issues, money issues, transportation issues, health issues. Anything and everything that could explode has and no end in sight. I have pretty good coping skills and an ability to compartmentalize so that when one area is chaos, I can function in another, at least, for a time. But when everything becomes chaos, there is just no place to go with it. So, I just collapsed in a puddle of misery.

But I woke with very little pain today. Not pain free, just haven't had as much pain today. I am going to bed early tonight because I have to get some real work done tomorrow and I just want to be rested. I have several things to get clear by the end of the week and I think I might be able to do it if I can stay on track.

I've really been worried the last two weeks. I just don't know how long I can continue to work with the pain issues I am having. I have that MRI on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. CDT so anyone who prays, keep me in your prayers. I don't want something to be wrong but I'd rather they find a simple problem to fix than find nothing and force me to have to live with the constant leg pain. I refuse to take pain pills. I certainly can't function on them and that is no way to live. I have no intention on being a zombie. There is too much living to do and to much life to live for me be enslaved to pain killers.

They should be called life slayers. I've seen what they have did to my husband when he had his back surgery. People who fall asleep in their food or in the middle of a conversation aren't living. It took over nearly two years for him to become halfway human again. He can't handle pain at all and became addicted to the pain killers.

So, pray for an easy fix to this problem.

I'm out of here, now. I hope you all have a lovely end to the week and enjoy your weekend when it arrives.

Heading for the Week

Saturday night is nearly over. At least, half over. I am headed for bed in a moment. I had a failry productive day. Got some floors swept and dishes washed and clothes washed. Began cleaning out the dinning room. . . again. Every time I do, it gets junked up. My dining room is a former breezeway that was enclosed. It isn't used much in the winter because there is no heat in there and it will freeze you to death. Oh we had a gas heater but gas is so expensive now we took it out. So, once it turns cold, that room is closed off. We eat at a small table in the kitchen and just make do.

My husband is letting his horde overflow to that room. But this week, it is all out of there. I am cleaning out the shed again and putting the crap out there. I love sitting in that room in the mornings because it faces east and on nice mornings, it is just so lovely to sit in front of the window and look out.

I have had a problem off and on with the leg for about two weeks now. When I do any work on my feet, after a while, it begans to bother me. Stairs become nearly impossible, too. Sitting is not as difficult until I've been sitting for hours and then, when I get up, it starts to hurt. When I lie down, the pain is just so difficult to deal with. I can't find a spot that is comfortable and will let me rest. I am hoping they can do that MRI.

I'm off for now. I want to do some writing before I turn in. I hope everyone has a lovely weekend, what is left of it. And I hope your week gets off to a wonderful start.

Vegetatin'

I've spent the entire evening on the sofa in front of the one eyed monster. I haven't heard it called that since my Mama was alive. I watched Dr. Who and Star Gate Atlantis. After that, I don't remember much, some forensic pathologist, a designer, maybe a comedian...not a very good one either.

I have to be up at 8:30 in the morning so I have to hot foot it to bed. Should have done hours ago but moving was just not something I wanted to do. I kept telling myself I had to get up and "do" some things but that didn't work either. I came home tired. My stomach didn't feel good most of the day and my supper wasn't good, at least to me.

Well, tomorrow is another day so we will see.

I think Alice liked the new chapter. See drooled all over my last post. It is quite flattering. Is the darn thing really any good? I trust Alice's opinion so something must be working. Or she is really one bored chick. Nah, I've heard stories. You don't get bored if you're Alice. Way to interesting.

O.k. enough chit chat. You know this is just so I can say I posted today. Duty done. Nite y'all!

Off to the Landl of Nod

I am off to bed now. I'm really tired tonight and I have once again stayed up too late. But... I finished chapter 36 of Mist. Alice will be thrilled. But I have not given much away here.

Tomorrow is Friday. TTGIF (Truly Thank God It's Friday!)

We have revival this weekend and I want to go! This guy was here several months ago and Becca and I really were enjoying the service and suddenly it was over. We were so aggravated! So when we heard he was coming back for four night, we said we wanted to be there. He has some kind of healing ministry. A lady in our church who has had fibromyalgia very bad says the last time he was there, he laid hands on her and she has not had any troubles since. We had several others say God healed or touched them in some way. He seems to just approach people as he is preaching and ask them if he can pray for them.

Anyway, I hope to be there Saturday and Sunday nights at least.

Which Way to the Weekend?

Someone give me a compass! I am already at Thrusday and already two days behind. There is always something happening to screw up my work day. Last Thursday, Monday, and Today things happened to disrupt my work schedule. When that happens, I can't get back on track.

Doctor's Visit

I went to my rhuematologist today. She is going to try and get an MRI on my lower back to see if there is something causing this pain in my leg. She doesn't think it is a herniated disk and I don't either.

She has to battle with my insurance company and said it could take a while but they will let me know. If it turns out there is a problem, I'd probably be sent to Pain Management. Meaning, deal with it. Which I already do . . most of the time.

She talked about over the counter pain meds, which don't work, and perscription meds, which I can't take and work.

So, we aren't much farther ahead. Sadly, I can see in her face sometimes she wants to offer me some advice. But honestly, I'm not stupid. I have researched fibromyalgia and Rhuematoid arthritis. There is no cure, and no relief in the long run. Everything is a patch and the patches are often harmful in themselves.

My primary care physicaion gave me an extra BP med. Isn't working terribly well as far as I can see. I am supposed to take my BP every day at the same time. Right. Like I have an organized day with times set to do certain task! I do what has to be done and I do it when I get to it. If I can't get it done, it isn't because I'm slow or unorganized. It is because there was too much crap to begin with.

I've been shooting for about 5:30 p.m. and I've hit that about twice in the last week. But I've taken it at other times too and sometimes it seems fine and other, not. So, I'd say that is a no?

Ok, now you have my very well educated opinion of my medical condition.

Funny about that. My aunt called me the this week. She said, "I had to call Dr. (my last name) and see what you thought this was." She told me that she always calls me before she goes to her doctor. She said, "Everytime I've done that I have gone to the doctor and he told me exactly the same thing you told me was wrong." She laughed and said, "So, we always check with you first to be sure the doctor is right!" Then she told me she wanted me to go back to college and become a nurse practicioner. She's old.

Of course, I laughed too. Physician, heal thyself.

I am not a doctor nor do I have a medical degree. Every thing your doctor knows is in a book somewhere. He had to read it and he has to research your problems if he doesn't know. There is no reason you can't be educated about your condition. But please be warned. Some doctors don't like it when you know more than they do. My current doctor is a woman about my age but she has the degree. When I question her about my meds she gets annoyed. I see it in her face, even though she struggles to not show it. She's not a good actress and doesn't have a good bedside manner. I don't like being patronized.

Since I started using that office, they have made an error on dosage of one med and I may have found a second error. I discovered they increased the dose on one of my meds but she didn't tell me she was doing that. So, tomorrow, I have to call about it. The last time they ordered quadruple the dose on another one. They had not discussed it with me so I checked. When I caught it they corrected it. What if I trusted that? They told me someone had entered it in the computer wrong! So, now I have a second increase I was not told about.

My philosophy: It's my body and I am PAYING you to treat me. I will be told what is going on. I will be informed before you change something. I do not have to take something I think is bad for me. I don't have to believe your mouth is a prayer book even if it does open and shut. And, if you don't want me as a patient, I can find another doctor. I have excellent insurance.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

This was in my daily joke email. How very profound!

My grandson, Justus, age 10, and his sister Taylor, age 13,
were always teasing each other. One day, Justus was getting
"sensitive" about things his sister was saying to him. I
reminded him that he had said the same types of things many
times in days past.

With quiet reflection, he spoke a gospel truth: "But it
doesn't hurt as much coming out of my mouth as it does going
into my ears."

Idiot for Sale

Oh, I loved this! ROTFL!


Two businessmen in New York city are sitting down for a
break in their soon-to-be new store. As yet, the store isn't
ready - only a few shelves are set up.

One says to the other, "I bet any minute now some tourist is
going to walk by, put his face to the window and ask what
we're selling."

No sooner are the words out of his mouth when, sure enough,
a curious southerner walks to the window, has a peek, and in
a Southern drawl asks, "What're y'all sellin' here?"

One of the men replies, "Oh! We're selling idiots here."

Without skipping a beat, the southern gentleman says, "Well,
I see y'all're doing really good. You only got two left!"

A Misty Mess

Alice will be happy to know that chapter 35 is done and posted in its entirety. As many of you know, I have been working on a story, Hidden in the Mist. It is a private blog on Blogger and Alice has been reading it. She nags me, often, to post the next chapter. It's a good thing because I doubt I'd ever progress if she didn't.

Before her sister, Nancy, died, she also was one of my friends and between the two of them, I made a lot of progress. Mist was on the verge of death when they got hold of it. Now, I actually think I am getting to the point. There are 60,641 words in the blasted thing! More than two years of work. Well, it isn't the only thing I've worked on. I did NaNoWriMo in 2006 and 2007. I didn't reach the coveted 50,000 words for NaNo in '06 but I did in '07. So I don't feel guilty about Mist moving so slowly. And, if you read all the post here, you will see a lot of life has been happening.

And a lot of procrastination. But I am trying to imporve.

Unfortunately, this November is again National Novel Writing Month. I want to participate again in NaNoWriMo. Once you've done 50,000 words, you are truly hooked. I also have a women's conference I want to attend the 13-15 of November and then there is Thanksgiving. So, November is a bbbbbad to the bbbbone month. Still, I am impressed with all I've done with Mist.

I owe a lot of it to Alice and Nancy.

I Work, I Work

Saturday is no day in the park for me. I usually spend it cleaning because it is the only day I have that doesn't belong to someone else. So, there is a week of laundry, a week of floors, and a week of bathrooms. No, other family members do not help. Since it is only my husband and my oldest son (28), you'd think it would be lite work. My son keeps most of his mess in his room, which we just finished cleaning out together.

My husband is the worst. He has become a horder. I have no idea why but in the last 5 or 6 years he is suddenly hording ever piece of crap he touches. Receipts, plastic bottles, boxes things come in, flyers he reads, old clothes.. . even if they are't his. I have no idea what is going on but I'm getting pretty tired of it. We talked, argued and shouted about it. I've told him that as soon as Mike get a place to go, I'm taking his room for myself and my spouse can live in his squalor. Don't suggest a shrink. He won't go. There is nothing wrong with him. He doesn't have a problem. I do.

Never mind you can no longer get in my garage or storage building. You can't walk on his side of the bed. Several years ago I put him on the wall side because I got tired of wading thorough every pair of shoes he owns. Now he wades through them and his laundry. He won't put it in the hamper in the bahtroom. I stopped doing everyone's laundry because it was taking two days to do it. I also refuse to cook if I come home to a sink of dirty dishes. I don't own a dishwasher and if you can't wash up your mess, you don't need to be eating here.

By the time Saturday gets here, things are pretty bad. The floors have no carpet and haven't for years. My dog died and we had gotten rid of the carpet because it wore out and she was a horrible shedder, a long haired terrier... like Benji. Anyway, I have to sweep or vacuum the house.

So, now that I've vented, I'll go get to work. I will probably pop back in later. I'm doing a Jilly cleaning. Clean a bit, sit a bit, clean a bit, read a bit, clean a bit.... you get the idea. She should really write a book. It works so well!

New Friends and Old Bugs

I added a new contact today. Susan's Site. As most of you know, I am VERY picky about my adds. I've got several posts that go into great detail. So, I don't usually add on the first meeting but her first post simply stunned me. It was so touching and so real that I just added her on the spur of the moment! I encourage you all to drop by and read it. And welcome her to Multiply. She's a newby all the way around and is just learning how things work.

Welcome to my site, Susan. I look forward to getting to know you.

On a darker note, I've caught an old bug. I've been sick all day with some kind of stomach bug. I wish that when someone is sick they'd stay home from work or at least sterilize the restroom. I got sick at work today and couldn't leave but what annoyed me was I was told one of the girls had this stomach virus and came to work with it for two days. If I had known she had it, I would NOT have used the restroom she was using, which happens to be right outside my office!

We have two staff restrooms and the nearest to me is just a tiny, maybe 4x4, single toilet and sink on the end of the building. I used to be almost the only one who ever used it but gradually, a lot of the staff walk down to use it. Probably for the privacy when they have a problem. That means if any of them had a bug, I am 10 times as likely to get it. It tics me off no end. There is nothing I can do about it but I don't have to like it. But please, for heaven sake, sanitize your hands, stay out of my office, don't touch my pens or anything on my desk, and use Lysol!

I knew yesterday when I went in there someone was not well. I had to leave and go get air sanitizer. However, I suspect as soon as I touched the door knob I was done for. Had I know it, I'd never have used it.

This is gross and I apologize but my stomach has hurt all day and I feel terrible. It is the weekend and I will probably spend it on the sofa. She's probably over it in time for the weekend!

I hope you all have a good one. Again, sorry for the disgusting half of this. Don't forget to say hi to Susan!

Proud Airman

One day, at the dry-cleaning shop of a local air force base,
I overheard a young airman describe in great detail how he
wanted his uniform cleaned and pressed.

When he finished, the counter clerk asked, "Are you getting
an award, or do you have an important military function to
attend?"

"Nothing like that," the airman said. "I'm going home on
leave, and my little brother is taking me to his
second-grade class for show-and-tell."

Midnight Approach

The witching hour approaches. I am not going to stay up until then but I wanted to stop and drop a line or two in before hitting the sheets. I am still having that pain in my legs. Most of this night has been spent in a chair with my feet up, watching television. Most of you who have read my blog for a while now, know I don't watch a lot of television. It didn't help. I can't stand pressure on my calves. It hurts.

Arkangel mentioned in the comments that some people are prone to clots. That is true. However, my doctor did a check of my circulation because I complained of this pain before. So, I don't think it is that. I do think it is either part of the fibromyalgia or a pinched nerve. The fact that I can't lie on either side for very long without severe pain in my legs makes me think it is a pinched nerve. On my back, the pain is lessened.

So, I've dilly dallied long enough and it is now nearly midnight. Hope you all have a great remaining week and a wonderful weekend. May cool breezes and sunny days reign in your world.

Laugh A Minute

Every weekday, I get an email from the GCFL j(Good Clean Funnies List) with a new joke. Sometimes I have heard it before and sometimes, not. Sometims the joke is funny, sometimes it is not. This one was hysterical to me for some reason.

Captain Can't Swim

I worked in the biology department at Buffalo State College
in New York. The Great Lakes Laboratory, also stationed at
the college, employed a licensed boat captain to man its
research vessel. It was common knowledge that the captain
couldn't swim. When newcomers learned of this, they would
approach him about it.

"Is it true?" one of them asked incredulously. "You, a boat
captain, can't swim?"

"No, I can't," he replied. "Can pilots fly?"

A Little Laughter

I think I'll start a joke tag box! Sometimes I just need a good laugh and once in awhile I find something I want to share. Rather than forward it, I'll just put it in a tag box.

Here's the christening joke for my new tag box

My therapist told me that the way to achieve true inner
peace is to finish what I start.

So far today, I have finished two bags of chips and a
chocolate cake.

I feel better already.

Under the Weather

A difficult thing to do at the moment. The weather is pretty rotten. Rain all evening with a bit of thunder and lightening. I like storms but all weekend, I've been having rotten pain, too. I did some yard work Saturday and I have paid dearly for it. My arms and hands hurt and my leg has really been terribly painful for several days.

The arms and hands are because I used the electric hedge clippers. It always makes my arms and hands sore but not as sore as I'd be if I had to use the old fashioned ones. Just as I was working on the very last hedge, I cut my electric cord in two and had to go get another one. Yes, with the clippers. No, I didn't get a shock. The body of the clippers is high density plastic. I just heard a small pop and fizzle and then the clippers stopped. Nice clean cut they make, too.

But those cords are expensive. Jerry had bought two 80 feet cords so I could do the hedges and they just barely reached the last hedge on the far side of the yard. He can fix the one I cut but at the time, I had hedges to finish and he was asleep. I bought one 100 feet long.

So, I have 180 feet of heavy duty electrical cord and 80 feet of a cut cord. The 180 feet will reach easily from the back corner of my house to the back fence. I might actually have 10 to 20 feet to spare. Yes, that's a big yard. Believe me, every time I cut the grass I realize just how big it is. I suspect all three would reach from the street in front to my back property line. Since my yard is wedge shaped in back, I have no doubt that I could find a place where any one of them would reach from one side to the other.

The leg? Well, that's another story and I don't know why it hurts. The muscle in my calf just feels absolutely terrible. Sunday night night I lay in pain half the night. I finally got up and got a pain patch that my mother sent me and put it on my calf. It helped a bit I think but in no way has it stopped. I can't lay on either side because then it hurts from my hip to my foot. I am just so tired of this.

Tonight, I am really tired, possibly because of two nights of bad sleep. I could have lain down and gone to sleep as soon as I got home at five. But I didn't because I knew if I did I'd be up at midnight and unable to get back to sleep the rest of the night.

I've sat on the sofa all evening or in my desk chair writing. I do find that sitting for too long is making this worse so I try and get up here and there. But walking hurts, too. Pshaw! Can't win for losing!

I've been visiting the blogs that are updated. I always like reading Jilly's blog. She just makes you feel as if you've had a nice visit with her and heard all the news from home. And she has such a NORMAL family! It is quite refreshing.

Jilly is actually the one from whom I found out about Multiply! We were both on Yahoo 360 and when all the ruckus started, I decided to try this. I'm glad I did. And I'm glad she added me here.

Lately, it seems as if I've just been such a little ray of gloom. Every post seems to be a whine and dance session about my aches and pains or my gripes about my family. Although, I do try and keep my complaints about them to a minimum. I think I'm just so exhausted that everything is blown out of porportion and I focus on the bad side of things.

A lady who I've worked with for the last 10 years retired this past week. She is just such a nice woman and I really liked her. Her last day was to be Monday but her mother died during the early hours of that morning so she didn't work. Today she dropped by and I was asking her about how she was doing. She said she was very happy with the retirement. She said the first thing she did was take the clock out of her bedroom! And she said it was the best thing she ever did. Listening to her talk about it one would almost wish to be retirement age! I am quite looking forward to it now. Well, in 10 years. Although, I think Martha is older now than I will be in 10 years. I just hope I last that long.

It is time to stop, children, so I can get my raggedy self to bed. I am just worn out. Have a good week. I only have to work three more days this week! Thank goodness!

Late NIght with Dixie

As you can see from the time on this post, it is reeeeeally late. I've just finished posting to a NEW blog! Yes, a new blog. The Most Dangerous Kind of Madness. Well, actually, this is just another paper I had sitting on my computer gathering digital dust. I won't be making any new entries to it. I just posted it as a paper and opened it to the public. You will find the link in my Links section.

Although, I've posted a few of my college writings here, this is a rather long research paper that took an entire semester to research and write. It is a rather detailed analysis of three communal socities in America. I like to say it is three of the sickest individuals in American history. One is known as the largest mass murderer in America.

So, if you like social history, or just history in general this will probably interest you. If you like tales of madness, murder, and misconduct this will definately interest you. If you just like reading about sick Americans, you'll love it.

I must warn you, some of the information is disturbing. During the research for this particular paper, I would get terribly depressed and overwhelmed by what I was reading. There were days I actually had to walk away from the research and leave my house. I can remember one really beautiful Saturday morning, I simply got up and walked out and got in my car and drove away. I stayed gone for hours. You can't read some of the reference material without feeling a bit filthy afterward. At least, I couldn't. I was glad when it ended.

Part of my problem was I had some personal issues I had to face during the research phase. One of the references is a book called "When Good Enough is Never Enough" by Steven Hendlin. This is an excellent book about the concept of perfectionism. It and writing the paper was my Waterloo. I can't give you details here but let's just say all perfectionist are pretty much alike. So, when you are studying the men I was studying and you realize you share some of their traits, you can become a bit distraught. It was frightening, emotionally devastating, and exhausting. I was happy it was my last semester of college.

I can only say it taught me some important lessons. I hope you'll read the paper.

Saturday at Home. . . or Somewhere

We went to the riverfront last night and watch the fireworks. We sat in the same area we usually sit, up on the Levee. As soon as we got there we realized it was very windy and cold! At least 10 degrees cooler than my front yard and I'm only 10 minutes from the river! We had to call Mike, who had decided not to go, and ask him to bring us a jacket for Becca, a blanket and a sweatsuit for Sarah. He forgot the jacket and Becca insisted I use the blanket. I tried to share but it was a small one and our legs would freeze but she wouldn't do it. It did warm up a bit about halfway through.

Sarah seems to have a good time. We walked a bit before and she people watched while it was still light. Once it got dark, she watched the fireworks but I think after 30 minutes she was getting tired of it and wanted to walk again.

I took photos but I don't think they will be very good this year. The humidity in the air kept the smoke hanging close to the ground so some of the display was not very good. You couldn't see it through the smoke. They also had the barge in a different location so they were father away. Usually they are close to the outside bend of the river, (Indiana side) and pointed upriver. This year, they were more into the center of the channel and pointed toward the bank. The river is wide at that point.

I have to say it is always pretty to see the river on the Fourth. There are hundreds of small boats all along the Kentucky shore and they will have dim lights that for the most part go out when the show starts. But until then, they are lit up and sparkle in the water. As darkness falls, the city lights show up and it becomes even prettier. We really do have a nice little riverfront. I took photos and will try and get them up this week. I really ought to invest in a digital but I truly do enjoy my Canon film camera. I am afraid the facility of digital may stop me from using film and that would be a shame. My camera repair guy, Henry, says film is here to stay but one never knows.

Today, I am supposed to do some other stuff at my sister's place. So much for a weekend off. I have told them all that tomorrow is God's and Monday is MINE. I have to get my yard mowed and get some bug poison down. We have chiggers terribly. I've been overrun twice with them and now Sarah has a case. I was miserable so I know she has been. Her mother has been using Calamine lotion with a antihistimine in it and I've told her to wash her in a salt bath. For some reason, salt stops itching. Really. If you get a mosquito bite, wet it and rub a bit of salt on it. The itching stops immediately. I figured this was a remedy to try on chigger bites. She also gave her Benedryl but anyone who has taken that knows you can't take it often.

We've lived here 20 years and the boys and I have spent hours in this yard and in the grass. We've never had chiggers before. Now, suddenly, this is their vacation spot. They are all over. I've hesitated putting out poison because I have lots of rabbits and birds and squirrels but we can't even sit in a chair in the yard now because of the chiggers. So, now, we have to do something. I found some granules of stuff to spread and I am hoping it will be effective on the chiggers and not cause a lot of damage to the ecology. I will have to keep Sarah out of it for a week, but as things are now, she can't go out anyway. She loves the yard and I just have to fix it so she can play.

Well, that's it for now. I have to get busy and do something that looks productive. I hope you will all have a nice weekend and those for whom it is winding down, have a great week!

Late Again

As usual, it is late, nearly eleven. I have had a hectic evening and I am annoyed by that. More crisis and who gets called to solve it.

I'm not going to go over it. It is just too aggrivating and I am tired.

After work, Jerry and I went to Wal-mart where I bought a new keyboard. My new computer came with a keyboard but it is cheap. The letters are already wearing off. Jerry suggest I call and get them to replace it and I probalby will but I bought a Microsoft keyboard for $20 and it is much nicer with more features that the Dell crap. I don't know why they've started sending out this tiny keyboards that just wear out. Mike's did, too. He bough an HP keyboard but the letters are wearing off that as well. How silly. What kind of stuff did they use on the old keyboards that the letter NEVER wore off. You wore the machine out before the keyboard was worn out.

Anyway, I think I am going to quite like this one. It has a curved key pad. It will take a bit of getting used to but actually, it is easier to type. I found myself trying to pull my wrist into line as if I was using the old keyboard and it was hurting! This feel much more natural and I like it. I don't make as many errors either! Wish I could get one at work. Well, I cold if I would pay for it. I may do that at some point and put my name on it in case they give me the boot.

Friday is the 4th of July, American Independence Day. And our Executifve Director gave the whole agency Monday off so it is a four day weekend for us. She also gave everyone their birthday off this year. If you already had a birthday you can take another day but mine is in October so I am taking it in November for a conference I want to attend. She did this as a reward for the agency raising our scores to High performer. This is HUD jargon to say we are doing what we are supposed to be doing. You are rated on whether you get your reports in on time, process records on time, spend your money on tiem, etc. High Performer is a coveted title and you must have your scores above 94 I believe. I'm just glad for the two extra days off.

I am on my way to bed now. Everyone have a great day tomorrow and I will catch you later.

Messing Around

Miss Sarah was here tonight and we just got to messing around with the webcam and took a few photos. I'm sharing because it was such fun and she is just too adorable. I must warn you, we both agreed her hair was a mess!


She saw the webcam and you can see that she became interested.










The tug to discover was just too great!








Then, she saw herself on the screen. Oh, will you look at that, Mawmaw.

She was captivated by seeing herself on screen. A star is born!






Is that ME!










































So, then we had to sing the ABC song! To celebrate, you know.










I don't have a microphone right now but I am going to get one. We did a couple of videos without sound.

Winding Down

Ah well, the weekend is winding down and so am I. I am rather tired tonight. Haven't really felt well today. I had lots of plans but got up feeling unrested and uncomfortable, not exactly terrible pain but just difficult to move well. My right calf has really been bawling all day and simply didn't want to walk at all. Very stubborn and would be better named a mule.

Sorry about my little attempt at humor. I didn't even get up until nearly 9 and sat on the couch reading for about two hours. I spent the next couple of hours working out Jerry's nightmare of a bank account. He had three statement that had to be balanced and I simply let the software do it. No wonder he was overdrawn! I can't handle his account and mine! He never puts things in the register and then when he runs short he doesn't know why. We've had more arguments about this and I've told him I am not going to do his statements anymore. So, he just left them and got overdrawn last month and it cost ME $200! It is our joint account but about three or four years ago I opened a personal account when we kept having over drafts. He kept saying it wasn't his fault but I have no problems since I did that but he keeps having them. I never touch the joint account so we both know now that it isn't me. But since I am on the joint account, I could be placed in Check Systems if he doesn't get the overdraft corrected. I think my next step is to withdraw from the joint account and let him figure it out. Honestly, I think he is just so tired he can't keep up with it. He is not using the machine to keep him from snoring anymore and he is constantly sleepy.

This bank business has been a problem for 33 years. He simply can't handle the bank accounts. A long time ago, after much trouble, he handed the finances over to me and we did well. In 1988 we were debt free and had perfect credit. In the last five or six years, he has suddenly started messing with the accounts and we keep having these problems. I'm too tired to deal with it anymore. So, I suspect we are in for a rousing storm at some point.

We still have perfect credit and are nearly free of all the credit debts. Living expenses are sky rocketing. We just have the house, car, and computer and my student loans. The computer will be done in six months unless that accursed car breaks down again. The student loans and car paid off in about two years. The house. . . well 14 years unless I come into a windfall that allows me to pay it off sooner. Not gonna happen.

We have been so financially strapped and he has had such catastrophic illnesses that the house has gone downhill quite a bit. I am probably going to try and put in a floor in the kitchen in the fall if I can save for it. I have cabinets in the garage to refinish and put up if they haven't rotted! But it takes more energy than I have at the moment to consider it. I will have to take at least a week off if I have it. Dave said he'd give me a hand ripping out the floor once we get to it. It will be a nightmare job because there are three floors down there. The there are countertops to figure out. That is something I haven't done. Wonder how that will work?

Tonight, I have taken my muscle relaxant. I didn't last night and we see where that got me. I had hoped to be able to work on my story, Mist, but I've just been so tired. I have been round catching up on reading new post by several people. Jilly is posting photos of her new grandbaby and he is so sweet. I had little boys and they are just so cute in their little pants and shirts. I don't know what her security level is but pop around and take a look at her little man. Babies are just so wonderful.

I've had a fun time with Sarah today, too. That little minx is talking up a storm! She is talking in sentences and it seems she doesn't stop. Mike was with her online tonight at her favorite website, www.Starfall.com and he had gone into where you can teach them to read. He was playing the story for her and in the story the dog was telling the cat to go away because he did not what her there. The cat asked, "Why not?" Sarah answer, "Because." Mike nearly flipped out. He called everyone down the hall and reran that section of the story and she did it again. It was so funny because he was just flabbergasted. But she does that all the time.

In the car today she pointed to the driver's seat. Her Daddy was driving and she said, "That's daddy's seat." Then to the passenger seat and said, "That's mommie's seat." Then she pointed to me and said, "That's Mawmaw's seat." We all just cracked up. Last week I told her hair was a mess and she repeated it. Now, when her hair is all in her face after a nap or when she gets up in the morning, she pushes it back with both hands and says, "Hair's a mess!" We never know what is going to come out of her mouth.

Well, I've done the grandma thing until I am sure you are all sick of it so I'll go. I have another book to read and I may just lie in bed for a bit and start it. Everyone have a lovely Sunday or if it is already Monday, have a great week ahead.

Things I've Done

I picked this up on my friend, Riete's blog. It looked interesting but let me tell you, I've had a difficult time with it! I'm really rather average!

Here's how it works. First, post 3 things you've done in your lifetime that you don't think anybody on your friends list has done. Then, see if anybody else responds with "I've done that. Finally, have your friends cut & paste this onto their page to see what unique things they've done in their life.

My three things are:

1. Climbed on top of the neighbor's house when I was three years old. (Got a spanking for that.)

2. Nearly jumped off a mountain in Bavaria. It was a lovely green hillside and I wanted to run up it. I decided I'd look foolish and decided to walk. Just at the top of the rise I stopped and found myself looking out into a valley. I looked over the edge. It was a long way down to a rocky ravine. Had to sit down for a bit. I was just 21.

3. Lived in two European countries and five American states in 15 years.

Reflections of My Father's Love

I always like to post things that are uplifting and encouraging. We live in such a darkening world, where the negative things are blared at us continually, from every media source. To find something positive takes a lot of effort.

This video was sent to me by my church's assistant pastor. It so eloquently defines the depth of a father's love for his son that I was stunned. And the clarity I felt as I relized that God loves us just this much. There is nothing He will not do to help us reach our potential. As you watch this father's efforts to complete this race, remember, you're in the chair and that's your heavenly Father behind you.

I can't post this in the video section because it is not hosted at one of the sites that Multiply has listed. You can read about this father and son team by following the second link.

Team Hoyt Story

Congratulation

Everyone pop over and wish my friend, Jilly congrats. She is a grandma again for the second time! A little boy.

Best wishes to your family, Jilly and God's blessings on Evan!

Weekend End

Here is is a rainy, cloudy Sunday afternoon. I have spent the morning in church. Jerry and I went to lunch and since I've been home, I've been on the phone with my Aunt. My mother is in the hospital again. Has been since Friday I believe. Seems her body became toxic and from her heart medicine. Never heard of this but they put her in with a heart rate of 20. It was 50 yesterday, after they took her off all meds to detox her. She is a diabetic as well and they started her on insulin to manage it until she could start taking her other medicine again.

I thought I'd drop by and read up on a few blogs.

Yesteray afternoon, Becca and I took Sarah to the park. She climbed the play ground quipment to slide down the spiral slide. That thing is about 10 feet tall! She peeped through the bars at the top of the platform and grinned at me and said, "Here I comes!" And she did, giggling all the way. Then climbed right back up.

She had never been in a sand box and the equipment is in this huge sandbox. She got interested in the texure and eventually, she got it in her hair and on her clothes. She likes to go barefoot so she tried digging her feet into it and found it fascinating that they disappear in the sand. When we got her home and in a bath, she had sand in her diaper.

We put her on the swing and she liked that, too. She also found it very funny that Maw Maw and Mama could both swing. To tell you the truth, I found it unpleasant! I always loved swinging as a child and a young mother. I could swing so high and I loved it. Not anymore. I got so dizzy and couldn't look at the ground at all. What a sissy! I don't love it less but it apparently doesn't like me. Still, only a few minutes was enough to impress Sarah.

The swings were stationed in a big box too but oddly, this one filled with tiny rounded pebbles! They were miserable to walk on with shoes and without, at least for me and Becca. Sarah acted like they were nothing. I told Becca it was probably because Sarah is light as a feather and probably floats on top of the things.She only weighs 20 lbs.

She had a great time at the park. After we went home and got her cleaned up, we all went to supper where she had center stage at Bob Evans. They brough our drinks and I order iced tea with lemon. (I forgot about the lemon video warning I have posted in the videos!) Becca took a slice of lemon and let Sarah taste it. She had the funniest look on her face. At first it was that look that says SOUR, but then, she had this funny puzzled look that said, "What in the world is that?" She began pointing and saying , "Pickle, pickle!" She loves pickles and they finally brought her some. But I am telling you, she would have eaten the lemon. Honestly, I love lemons, too. I sprinkle sugar on them and suck the juice out.

So that was my weekend. I'm very tired this afternoon and I really need to take a nap before church. I have a pot roast in the slow cooker that I put on last night. Becca said she will come over after church and fix some vegetables and we can eat a late supper. I had planned to eat it for lunch today but no one went to church but Jerry and I and we had half off coupons on our each of our meals so, I decided I could skip kitchen duty this afternoon. It was nice because some other folks from church asked us to join them and we had a good time.

So, here I am, looking outside at the gloomy day but the breeze blowing in the windows is absolutely wonderful. Thank God, I have not had to use the air conditioner for over a week now. I've been praying for the weather to stay mild so I could save on my energy cost and well, think what you want. I've managed nearly half the month with no air at all. Right now it is 76 F. on an overcast day with a breeze. I have two fans going and all windows up. It was storming when we came home after our lunch but that has stopped.

I am going to close for now. I want to lie down and relax before I have to go again. All of you take care and have a great week.

Worry, Worry, Worry

I wish I had a tonic or a charm that would just make all worry disappear. Really. I worry so much over every little thing and I know when I am doing it that it is not helping or fixing the problem. I just don't know how to stop it.

Despite the fact that I have used LESS energy this month, my bill is ridiculous. Gas for the car is costing me about $75 a week. I do not know how, once winter gets here, I am going to be able to keep cost down if the utility is getting a 50% rate hike. This is insane. It's natural gas, for heaven's sake. We don't import it! We have virutally an unlimited supply in this country because we take it right out of the ground! And the gas company vehicles are fueled by NATURAL GAS! They don't have to pay to ship it!

At this point, I'm about to get rid of the dryer. I can't afford it any longer. I'll just have to hang laundry out at night and take it in when I get home the next day. I turned off the air conditioner for most of the last month. So how is my bill higher? How could I possibly have used MORE electricity? I've changed all my light bulbs to florescent bulbs. I have virtually no incandesent lighting.

And if I'm going under, what's going to happen to my kids? I live in a small house and we can't all fit here but I can see it coming if something doesn't happen soon.

O.k., I know everyone has problems. I am sure everyone else is suffering, too. No wonder the Bible said that in the last days that men's hearts would stop because of fear. I can't imagine what the elderly, handicapped and low income families are going to do.

Maybe that isn't my problem. But I can't imagine my Sarah without heat in the winter or being too hot in the summer, or without lights or water.

Iguazu

For those who have seen the Indiana Jones movie, here are a couple of sites that shows the scope of the falls in the movie.

Iguazu Falls
Iguazu National Park

Welcome Back!

I have been kind of worried about one of my contacts and today, she popped back online. I am so glad she is back. Seems she was very ill for a while. She is one of my old Yahoo contacts who left before the ship began sinking and we kept in contact here and there. I was so glad when she showed up on Multiply. And I am really relieved she is all right.

So, welcome back, Annie!

Drop by and welcome Annie back at Grandmother's Home

This Place Looks Familiar. . . Oh, Right, Monday!

Yep. All day. Tomorrow is my "speech" day. Someone keep their fingers and toes crossed and say several prayers. I don't have a clue what to say to 100 people I don't know.

What a busy day I've had, too. I am so far behind on paperwork that I can't think straight! I stayed over an hour after work just to get 60 minutes of uninterrupted work done. I will take it off at the end of the week if all goes well. They won't pay me overtime and that's fine. A bit longer lunch hour or getting off a bit early is fine with me. I just need to get my work done.

I am really tired. I had plans tonight but the kids showed up and only just left 10 minutes ago. I really wish they wouldn't do that. I do enjoy having them around but I'm so tired I just wanted to relax and then go to bed. Now, I'll go to bed but it is late and I didnt' have any down time.

Storms are heading this way. I've shut off the air and opened windows with fans on each end of the house. We have to save whenever we can on the utility. Sarah found her one ring pool in the den and said "Cool, my cool." We took it in the back yard, poured about 8 gallons of warm water in it and she had a late night swim. Loved it. Sprinkle were falling but not enough to worry about. the air was a bit cooler but still warm. Thirty minutes in the "cool" then a dry off. I took photos but these are with my film camera and will need developing. I only have 10 rolls! I've decided to put them on disks so I can save on developing and utilize them in my albums. Far too many to get developed but this way I can pick the ones I like best and get them developed.

Well, bedtime is here. Hope you all have a great day, when it arrives in your part of the world. Remember at 9 a.m. central daylight time, I will be standing in front of 100 stranger to give a speech.

I'm pumped!

This was very alarming to me.

This  was sent to me by an online aquaintence. It is frightening. It is not a joke. Watch. And warn.

 

http://www.eyeblast.tv/public/video.aspx?RsrcID=2036

 

A New Chapter of Mist

Alice, you will be happy to know that I put up the chapter tonight. You can go read it and smile. I was closer than I thought to being done with it. See, I did work on it while I was on vacation. I must have done more than even I realized on it. I don't actually remember writing it.

For those not in the know, Mist is a novel I've been writing. . . well, for a while. Alice and her sister, Nancy were reading it online. I have it posted in a private blog on Blogger. Nancy passed away last year but Alice has stuck with me. I've been otherwise occupied or else in too much pain to write for several months. Summer is here though and my pain seems to have become much more bearable. Anyway, I posted a chapter tonight.

You may find post on this blog talking about Mist. I believe there is a tag regarding it. Sorry, but the blog is private and by invitation only. I have limited it, at Alice's urging last year, due to copyright concerns. My original reader were 10 people on 360. Most of them no longer read it and are no longer even contacts. My dear Alice is no fair weather friend and she has stuck with me, prodding me every step of the way, as Nancy did. I miss Nancy and I know Alice does, too.

I would like to bring Mist to a close and I think I am almost there. I'm beginning to see throught the mist to the other side. In a perfect world, I'd be done before the next NaNoWriMo. If you aren't clear on that, please look for the tag regarding it. I believe I go on, ad nasuem about it somewhere in here. The tags for this post will bring up others.

Another Blown Saturday

I woke with a terrible headache this mornning. I took an Imitrex and waited for it to work. I ran over to Dave & Becca's and we went to get something to eat around two. We thought about a picnic in the park but it was so hot! It got up to the 90's today and this just the first week of June! I shudder to think of July and August. Afterward, I kept Sarah for several hours. I was so sick though, that I couldn't really enjoy her much. She played until she got tired and went off to sleep. I hope she sleeps tonight.

To top that off, we heard yesterday, that the power company is going give rate hike of 50% to consumers! The reason? A pay raise for their employees of $1 an hour. How nice for them! Power bills are running $300 and $400 for some families in 2 & 3 bedroom units! That means they will pay $450 & $600 after the hike! My God, these people are criminal! That is higher than the rent on some of their apartments.

We have people who can't pay the power bills and get their power shut off. For people on the housing assistance program, if that happens, the regulations say we must take their housing assistance away! I don't have a choice in the matter. But I can't imagine taking housing away from families and the elderly and disabled. They are on such small income, smaller than their power bills. I am so upset over the thought of it. Never mind how I will pay mine! I worry about David and Becca and Sarah. They have so little as it is and it is frightening. I can't continue to support everyone with the expenses getting so bad. And fuel for the car is just as bad. It is almost to expensive to go to work.

And still the oil companies reported profits in the billions, three digit in the billions! Greed. Raping of the poor.

Has no one at the top thought of what is going to happen when you wipe out the middle class? Who pays most of the taxes that support the government? Who provides stability to the economy? The instability we have is because those who used to spend, no longer have it to spend because we are giving it to the oil executives. Anyone reading history knows that these are conditions that have led to revolutions throughout time. You can't continue to make the rich richer and increase the number of poor.

Of course, Mr Obama is going to save us all and make us rich. Right.He's making the same promises that every democrate in history has made. Just wait for the tax hike to hit.

Ok, that's enough. I can't fix any of it.

Friendly Reminders

In light of the fact that I've been getting a lot of mail on Multiply, I feel it only fair to refer those sending invitations to the related posts. I do so merely as a convenience to me since I find repetition boring and time consuming.

I suggest reading them in the following order:

http://dixiegirlsplace.multiply.com/journal/item/133
http://dixiegirlsplace.multiply.com/journal/item/134
http://dixiegirlsplace.multiply.com/journal/item/1234

I hope no one is terribly offended afterward. Those on my list got here because of their quality or because I am related to them. Those who have left, I haven't missed.

And those who have been rejected were rejected because you simply didn't meet my criteria. It isn't personal. How could it be? I don't know you.

Good Night, Ladies and Any Sweet Princes

Sarah just left and she was not happy to go home. Maw maw is such a nice playmate, it seems. But she is so tired. Becca said I had huge circles under my eyes. Well. I usually do have circles under my eyes. Some kind of genetic thing I inherited but when I am this tired, I acquire the racoon look that was so popular in the 60's.

I'm off to bed and to work in the a.m. For those of you who pray, I'd be sincerely grateful for your prayers. I am really not rested enough but I do have to go back to work. I love the kind of work I've done this week but it is the work I go to tomorrow that draines me the most. So your prayers will be very much appreciated.

I am going to play catch-up this week on other blogs. Some of you have been mysteriously silent and have forced me to reconnoiter and see what has happened to you.

Sunday, Sunday...Comes Monday

O.k., it is all done. Vacation is over, building projects are over, and children have moved all their "stuff". I kept Sarah last night. We stayed up until about 11:30 and finally, we were just give out so, I got her to sleep and Jerry came in and I had him sit by her while I got my shower. She and I both went to bed.

Around 1 a.m., Jerry said Becca called and was going to pick Sarah up but he told her she might not want to do that since we had both crashed and were sound asleep. She told him no, she'd just get her sometime today. I called her around 11:00 and she said they had finally gone to bed about 8 a.m. this morning after having put all the kitchen stuff away.

We went to lunch but I'm so tired that I just wasn't very hungry. I am NOT doing anything else this afternoon. I'll be paying for this week for at least another week. The one good thing I came away with is I am confident that now I can refloor my kitchen and any other room I want. I now have the skills to work in complete home remodeling... I just don't have the energy!

How does one get one of those home makeovers they keep showing on these stupid shows?

Everyone have a great week and I hope to be back in form after I get a good rest. Tonight I'll have my bed all to myself... well, Jerry will be there but as tired as I am I doubt I'll notice so much.