JUST THINKING......

"the simple things in life are what get you through the day, and that fear and loneliness are but self-contrivances, and that life's great moments are just what Tennessee Williams always said they were: the kindness of strangers."

This is a quote from today's Chris Rose column which can be found in the Living section on NOLA.com. Its brilliant. I've always enjoyed reading Mr. Rose's columns. Before Katrina and well....after. Through his self-admitted slide into severe depression, he chronicled for the rest of us, the truth regarding New Orlean's recovery and also, the lack thereof. But this quote sums it all up. For him, for me, and for everyone else. The column was about an old eccentric cat-lady that lived next door to him. Before Katrina and well....after. A quiet simple woman of 80+ who spent her life, a life that she loved, reading and writing haiku and taking care of her beloved cats. She stayed for Katrina, and although Chris thought he was taking care of her, bringing things she needed periodically, she had done much more to take care of him. Her simple life and sweet spirit helped him to get through the his 'bad' period after Katrina. Then, in October of this year, in a grocery store parking lot not far from her home, she was mugged. Two horrible young creeps knocked her to the ground, stealing her groceries and her purse. They, also, in the process, broke her hip as she hit the ground. She was hospitalized for a time, surgery on her hip, and then, recovering nicely, she moved in with her son for awhile....just until she was able to get back to her home and her cats. But that never happened. She died recently, a blood clot in her lung is what took her life, but it was all a result of her unlucky run-in with the two hell-bent thugs that she had the meeting with in October. Although the story of her dying is one of the saddest stories I have heard in my life......I am thinking that for the time she was here on earth, she was probably happier than most of us. As Chris expertly weaves the truth of it....she lived each day for the blessings it held, never to look ahead much. And I'm thinking now that if we all could do that, we would all be better off for it. It is the future that we think we have that has lead us all to our constant emotional wanting. Looking too far ahead reminds us of what we don't have now.......and we should be looking and thanking the universe for what we do have now. For example, I am always wishing I had more money so that I could buy more things, go more places, thinking that I would be able to enjoy life more. But, when I really think of it, I already have everything I need to make me happy. I have a beautiful family....my son, his wife and my two gorgeous grandchildren. I have a nice job that I am soon to retire from and will have enough money in retirement to sustain my current lifestyle. I have a nice house with nice furniture and a nice car. I have great friends that help me laugh through good and bad times. I have a wonderful dog and a wiggy cat that also help me to laugh every day. But yet, when I look down the road, I want more. And, the real question is "Why?". I am making myself a promise today. To do better at not looking down the road. To enjoy every day for what it is. I have Chris Rose's cat-lady neighbor to thank for helping me see it. Wherever she is now, I hope she knows, that thanks to Mr. Rose's column, she has probably helped hundreds, if not thousands of people to reflect and decide to do the same. One last thought and promise.....I will be kinder to strangers. I will, at the very least, offer them a smile and when I run across the little opportunites to do more, I will.

HOLIDAYS ARE COMING!!!!!!

Well, now that Halloween is a memory.....I am gearing up for the REAL holidays! I've actually started my Xmas shopping...about half done with that. Seems, according to Russell, I will have the kids over for Christmas Eve celebrating and then off to their house for Christmas dinner the next day. Regarding Thanksgiving, I am going with the kids over to Brandi's parents, that should be nice. I am bringing appetizers, which everyone knows is my specialty. As far as Christmas presents......dance mat for Hailey, Dinosaur thingy for Evan, Victoria Secret clothes for Brandi and Quicksilver fleece hoodie and tiny key-chain digital camera for Russell. More to come.....but I have nothing specific in mind so we'll see what happens. At work, we will be going to Thunder Valley Casino for our Christmas luncheon. Some moans and groans from one or two peeps at work about THAT choice, but Kelley and I are ecstatic and can't wait to party a little and gamble a little on work time. It would sure be nice to win a bundle as I could really use it on my NOLA trip in January. I really don't have enough money saved for my trip (2 wks!) but it will all work out, per usual. After the trip, only 3 months till my long-awaited retirement!!! I'm a tad nervous about retiring.....just hoping the money part all works out. Brandi called last nite to inquire whether I was interested in joining her Bunko group. It sounded like alot of fun so I said yes. But now that I'm thinking further on it.....it will be a long drive after I retire. But thinking yet again, I've decided to go for it......it will be fun and that will make the little committment and drive worth it, I hope. This is probably all pretty boring stuff if anyone else ends up reading this...HA! That is pretty unlikely, tho! Until next time..........have fun!

Vicodin Thoughts

Yes, that's right, I am on Vicodin as I write this. Had some dental surgery on Monday, thought it would be a snap. I thought that it would likely be surgery on Monday, back to work on Tuesday. Without going into gory details, its Wednesday and I'm still not back at work. My jaw has been swollen up like a bull-dogs although it seems to have lessened this evening (Thank God!). I have been taking a minimal amount of Vicodin since the surgery and it completely takes care of the pain in my jaw. And gives me a slight buzz to boot! So lets see, what is new with me? hmmmm.....let me think...my life is pretty boring. Well, I took a jewelry making class with Brandy a few weekends ago. Since then, I have made a couple of necklaces and several pair of earrings. All turned out very nice if I do say so myself. On another subject, I managed to get past the anniversary of Katrina AND the 5th anniversary of 9/ll without any permanent emotional scars. There are many permanent memories and I am actually glad of that. Don't ever want to forget either event. Damn Katrina and Damn those frickin terrorists. Side note: its been five years, our government still hasn't found Bin Laden and I'm not convinced they are even trying very hard. They are so busy in Iraq, more and more of our boys killed every day, and for what? I'm not exactly sure. I know that the victims of Katrina can sure use the help that those troups could be giving in alot of ways. But whatever is going on over there in Iraq is much more important to Prez Bush than those victims are. Don't get me started, I could go on and on . It all just makes me sick. Next subject, please. I have been working a bit of Overtime as of late. I'm trying to save money and time for my NOLA vacation in January (two weeks, yeah!!!). Then, of course, there are plenty of bills to pay off before I retire in May. One way or the other, it will all work out. Two things are for sure. No matter what else happens, I will go on the vacation and I will retire in May. Double YEAH!!!! The weather lately certainly reflects an autumn feel. Days are getting shorter. Mornings have a bit of a chill already. I love it. It seems I am always ready for a season's change. Football season is here, Halloween goodies in the store, the kids are back at school and sweaters and boots are on my mind. Had the kids over last weekend (did I mention this in my last post? hmmm....) and we had a "Cookie Bakin, Face Paintin, Pizza Makin" party! Everyone had a great day, it was just loads of fun. Hailey is getting so grown up and Evan is cute as can be. I think Russell and Brandi even had a great time. Well, nuff for now! L8R, G8R!!!

I'm Baaaaaaaaack!!!

Wow! It's been two whole months since I've added anything to my blog. So, as boring as my life is, I must come up with something. For starters, I finally had the Summer Trivia BBQ two weeks ago. It was alot of fun, a real hit as usual. The good news is that we didn't burn the deck down. The bad news is that we DID manage to burn a giant black monster spot on it. About 2 ft in circumference. When I use the word 'we', I use that term very loosely as I was in the kitchen for the entire emergency. It was all a huge accident (alcohol involved, of course, but still an accident). I won't go into detail here because I am afraid it would seem like I was blaming certain folks, which I am not. In fact, I think the Big Black Spot will be quite a funny memory for years to come. But, to glance out to the deck and see my friends running around with a hose, and then myself running out to see what the hell was going on, was quite a bit of bad excitement. Actually, the fire had gotten inside the wood (wood composition, actually, which was part of the problem) and smoldered there for almost an hour. The whole time it was being hit by water from the hose from above and underneath....seemingly to no avail. Finally I had the idea to put ice on top to cool it down......it seemed to work.....maybe it was just through burning anyway?
So I will get a big plant or a small mat or something to cover it up...really no big deal in the end.

Lets see, what else? Hailey, my beautiful grandaughter, started kindergarten. She absolutely loves it, has made lots of new little friends and is learning lots of new little things. Great big things to her, I'm sure! Evan is doing just great....he's 7 months old now and laughing and smiling all the way. Well, that is, until something doesn't go exactly his way and then watch out! Man, can that little young'n scream!!!!! Russell and Brandi seem to be taking it all in stride. It does seem, however, that they have gotten themselves into a bit of a financial bind. About six month ago, they told me that they had decided to try something new with their finances. To my dismay, they had decided to make Russell the Money Man. He would now be in charge of paying all the bills, etc. Now Russell makes very good money but letting him take care of the bills was a disaster waiting to happen. And I guess it did. Seems he was using the tried and not so true policy of borrowing from Peter to pay Paul and by the time Brandi realized something was amiss, they were approx. $10,000 more in debt than before. In fact, Russell had even pulled out about $1,50o, I think, and tried to gamble his way out of his mess. Ouch! I am almost positive that his deceitfulness was not done in an evil manner.....that he truly thought he could handle everything. Well, at the end of the day, Brandi has flipped out and taken back the finances (Thank God!). Apparently, it all had come very close to her leaving but they have decided that if they buckle down and pay attention they can gradually dig their way out. Hopefully a lot of lessons were learned here....hopefully Russell has come completely clean and told Brandi everything. I feel very sorry for him if he hasn't. They both are quite stressed by the whole series of events (understandably). I'm hoping and praying that, together, and I do mean together, they can get over this. They have so much more going on, positively, then most of the young couples I see. However, they do have a couple of serious problems......one is the money issue...money has become quite the driving force in both their lives....not a good thing. And the other big problem I see is trust. By that I mean, lying. Mostly on my son's part, I am embarrassed to admit. But, hopefully, he is beginning to see the gigantic error in his ways. Keeping my fingers crossed and my prayers at hand for them.

I don't know if I have mentioned before but I am retiring in May. Very scary stuff. I have figured everything out and I won't exactly be rolling in cash but the way I've figured it, I will make it. I am just sick of working. I like my job and the people I work with; its the schedule and the having to get up every morning and the having to plan my life around working...its all that part that I hate. My immediate problem is that I need to start working a little overtime very soon. They tell me that some will be available for me very soon but, as of yet, not much has presented itself. The thing is that I have to pay for two weeks in New Orleans in January (about two grand?) and I have about $1300 of furniture I'd like to pay off before I retire.
Wish me luck!

I think that is about it for now. Like I said....pretty boring stuff. Aw, life goes on......

Friends or Not Friends..........

My blog tonite shall be about a friendship, or as it turns out, an aquaintance-ship. First, a little background so that I remember why I came to writing this. My annual Summer Kick-Off Trivia (trivial?) BBQ was planned for last Saturday. I had been planning it for weeks, per usual, invitations were sent and about 15 friends has decided to join me. I 'pop' for all the food and then, after that, it BYOB. Its always a fun day. I go way out of my way preparing food, trivia game with a PRIZE EXTRAVAGANZA, making my yard perfect, etc. Well, things started falling apart on Thursday. When I called Larisa on Thursday, she was crying hysterically and told me she would have to call me back. About an hour later I found out that she and her boyfriend, Noah, had gone over to his brother's apartment and found him dead. Apparently, he suffered from Epilepsy and had seizured out. It was so extremely sad. He was only 24 years old, and he and Noah were very close. To make matters worse, he had been gone for quite some time (days) when they discovered his body. At any rate, they would not be coming to the BBQ, of course completely understandable. Larisa's brother Steve and his girlfriend, both from Tahoe, were not going to make it either. Because Patti had already cancelled (she had been sick and off work all week) and my neighbor was also sick, I decided to, at the very least, postpone the festivities til a later date. After all, there were only 6 people left so I began the cancellation by calling Staci. Upon hearing that I was cancelling, she implored me to not do that. Her (loser) boyfriend from Chico, Michael, had said he would come to Sacramento to attend. So, naturally, I said that we would have to do it then! I explained that it was going to be a very small BBQ, not exactly what I would call a party but that I would do my best to show everyone a good time. She also promised me during that phone call that if her boyfriend ended up cancelling in the end (a mere hunch on my part), that she would "absolutely" be there, no matter what. So, after not sleeping well Thursday night, I took Friday off and cleaned house, and deck and cooked and prepared. I called Katie and Larry and Carrie (coming with HER boyfriend) just to make sure they would all be there, too. I even talked to Staci one more time around 5:30 pm and she assured me all was a go. (Actually I prepared the food AFTER that 5:30 Staci call.) To make a long story even longer, Staci called me at 9:30 Friday night and began the conversation by telling me "Please don't hate me." And I knew. Of course, her stupid do-nothing boyfriend who puts out no effort in her relationship at all, had cancelled. And (I should have known this), of course, Staci was cancelling because she was going to Chico to see him. She had some weeny excuse that things had turned out that he was going to have his daughter for the weekend, which I don't believe for even a tiny second. The reason I said that I should have seen it coming, was because Staci has let her low self-esteem derail all her friends many times over. All of her friends have really made an effort in the last few years to build up her self-esteem at every opportunity. But, seriously, I don't think it has done any good. I was sincerely hoping and believing that she would not let ME down. But, alas, the "poor me" part of Staci kicked in, as usual. At this point, I don't know if her biggest problem is low self-esteem or just plain good old-fashioned selfishness. I will guarantee you one thing, tho. I will not make the mistake of ever counting on Staci again. After her phone call, and I admit I wasn't jumping for joy upon hearing her news, I decided to cancel the BBQ after all. I was nearly in tears, myself, and my first call was to Carrie. All I had was her cell number and I had left a message there. But I decided I needed to try her home phone, which I didn't have. I called Staci back to get it. After giving me Carrie's #, Staci decided to lecture ME because she said I was laying a big guilt trip on her. I basically told her that I am not into guilt trips, receiving or handing them out, and if she felt badly, as well she should, she shouldn't be blaming it on me.
Anyway, I proceeded to call Katie and Larry, who were very understanding about the whole thing and we made a date to meet for drinks at the Rave the next afternoon. I was upset and went to bed. The next morning, when I spoke with Larisa, she told me that she and Noah were taking off to Donner Lake for the day and nite, meeting friends, since he needed some time away from the face of his family's tragedy. That's when I got an idea. I had them stop by on their way out of town and I loaded them up with hotdogs, hotdog buns, potato salad, Mardi Gra Dip, Onion Dip, asparagus, chips and corn chips, etc. etc. They were both thrilled and the food did not go to waste, after all. As for Staci, I will get over my disappointment and anger, but as I said, I have learned a lesson. I will never count on her again for anything. I know she's young, but she's not a child and she should know by now, that blowing off friends generally results in blowing off friendship. I sure hope her stupid boyfriend turns out to be worth it (NOT!).

RETURN FROM THE BIG EASY

Back again from my heart's home. It all seemed much better in the Quarter. More shops and restaurants open. More people.....of course it was FrenchQuarterfest weekend. But it almost seemed like normal. People were smiling again....that was the biggest difference. New Orleans was more than happy to see tourists again. We really didn't make it to much of the Fest, we couldn't seem to get out of the bars that we usually haunt.....LaFittes, The Monteleone, Yo Mama's, and on and on. Anna and I decided after the first day that we had to visit at least one bar we'd never been in on each day....just to keep us from getting stuck in a comfortable loop of decadence. And we did it. One such bar was Johnny White's, the supposed only bar that stayed open throughout The Thing. Interesting little bar....small, dark with lots of characters. Funny bathroom in that place, too...you'll have to go check it out, yourself. Of course, Kenny at LaFittes kept us entertained throughout the week.....we ended up there every night....a "must do" for me. Joe wasn't exactly friendly this time. Seemed VERY pre-occupied which isn't surprising, considering all that he must be going through. Poor guy. Even Kenny, who was brilliantly sarcastic and always the tough guy, seemed a bit haunted by anxiety. Very obsessive-compulsive about straightening bottles til they were perfectly aligned on the shelf. Insisting on using only 'his' cash register. Stuff like that. I don't remember Kenny doing that last time, in January. But, all in all, everyone seemed to be doing a little better actually. On pins and needles a bit, not knowing what to expect from this hurricane season. Everyone, including me, has their perverbial fingers crossed. Oh! I even attended my first crawfish boil. At Yo-Mamas. They taught me Crawfish 101 first and then I just went for it. Turns out I can suck heads like a pro! And, jeez, were the crawfish yummy! Ate them twice while I was there. Really, really good. Came home and immediately started checking into early retirement.....I'm meeting with Phil, financial advisor, on the 26th (?) and then I will decide. I know if I was smart, that I would stay for another year. And I probably will. But, dayum, I'd love to do it at the end of THIS year. Then move to New Orleans in January for at least 6 months. I want to help New Orleans in any way I can. But I also want to just live it. Live New Orleans. And those people who get what that means, know what I mean. In the meantime, I will pray that all my friends and everyone else in New Orleans will catche a break this hurricane season. God, you know she needs one.

MY PLEASANT LIFE CONTINUES......

Nothing really special this time. Painting is about 99% finished. A little touch-up tomorrow and then I'm finally done!!! YEA!!!!! I'm smoking. I'm still dieting and to date have lost 13.5 pounds. I weight on Mondays (2 days from now) and I'm hoping I hit the big 15 pound mark on Monday.
Planning my trip to New Orleans for Frenchquarter Fest. Can't wait. Hope all my friends there are doing better, I've got my fingers crossed constantly for them. Hurricane season is just 2 months away and all I can hear is the news peeps telling me that New Orleans isn't going to be ready. Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing them all and looking forward to Frenchquarter Fest, too. I've never been but I've heard its wonderful. A local flavor to it, rather than the world wide acclaim and big names of JazzFest which starts one week later. Lots of good local music on stages throughout the Quarter and lots of food booths, too. And we aren't talking hotdogs and cotton candy, cher. I expect to gain a couple of pounds but will go right back on my diet upon my return to Sacramento. I have worked two mornings OT this weekend (we had Friday off - Ceaser Chavez Day). I'm working for CTO because I don't have enough vacation time to cover my trip. Easter is just around the corner and Hailey is very excited, of course. I have picked up a few toys for her and one big toy for Evan. Got Hailey walkie-talkies and this egg plant thingy (plant in an egg? I'm not sure, myself). Evan's is a cloth tunnel thing that he can crawl through when he starts crawling which I'm sure is a bit of a ways off. Also, got lots of candy, etc., for Hailey. I'm planning on buying them each a couple of outfits, too. S0 all will be nice on Easter morning (two weeks away). Today is April Fools Day and this morning the kids called me at work to tell me that Brandi was preggers again. I was thrilled, although Brandi acted like she was in shock. She had told her mom, too, and apparently her mom wasn't too happy about it. Turned out it was an April Fool's joke anyway, but its sad that her mother couldn't be more positive about something like that. They even got Hailey in on it. "The stick had two lines!" It was all very funny but I have to say I was a little disappointed to find out it was a joke. My money is on a third child somewhere down the line.

INTRODUCING ZIGGI....or "that darn cat!"

That's Ziggi!!!! She is a very beautiful yet somehow eerily wierd cat. In fact, she has been officially diagnosed as "neurologically impaired". She is just darn different. Afraid of things she shouldn't be and not afraid of things she should be afraid of. Examples? Not afraid of fire and actually tries to climb in a fully engulfed fireplace to play with the wiggling flames. Afraid of sky and sunsets. When the sun is going down, she gets down in a huddle by the sliding glass door and keeps a wary eye on the sky as it gets darker and darker. If you disturb her in any way during the every evening ritual, she jumps sky-high and scrams away in fright! She is not even the least bit cuddly but she will sleep about 6 inches from where you are sitting on the sofa but don't make the mistake of trying to cuddle or she's gone. Just recently (she's about 1 1/2 yrs old now), she has allowed me to lightly stroke her back as she is sleeping beside me. But if I get carried away and try to pick her up to bring her to my lap, she's gone. She does love to play with Princess but only on her terms. She is always up to something as she is a slow learner regarding the word "No!". I found the need to keep a loaded water gun on the coffee table. As she hates being squirted (she keeps an eye on the squirt gun's location most of the time), she is sorta getting the idea that to avoid being squirted, she might avoid (sometimes) certain activities that annoy me (like jumping to the kitchen counter right in front of me!). But , all in all, she is a great cat to have around because she is so totally entertaining. I have to add that there are times when she is so afraid and freaked out by something so innocent that I really feel sorry for her . She looks so worried sometimes that I swear she actually feels 'worry' and actually frets. Or is it just her delicate face and special eyes that make her look like she's worried? Either way, with that and all her special 'needs', she pretty much rules the roost at our house.

Saturday Night - Alone Again, naturally!

Okay, then. The title pretty much sums it up. But, alas, no worries!!!! (It was sort of meant as a joke, k? )

I have had a bad cold since Thursday, two days off of work...and the cold is still winning. Dayum.

Last weekend, I painted my bathroom a gorgeous cranberry color (Cranberry Splash to be exact)! If you remember, I painted my bedroom just before that. I was going to paint an accent wall in my family room this weekend but my cold has put that off for a week. Still have to do trim on everything, too, but its all coming right along. Looks great, too! Been shopping for a curtain for the bathroom, no luck so far. I want something kinda sexy and lacy but something you can't see through. I don't need the yucky Russian guy that lives behind me to get an eye-full, right? I'll keep looking. It looks just lovely now with the old raggedy towel I have hanging up there.

By the by, that is Princess, my wonderful pooch. I call her a Shelter Shepherd when people ask what kind of dog she is. Well, I did get her at the shelter and, obviously, she does have shepherd in her blood...... And Princess is a perfect name for her, because she is such a big princess. At least now she is.....when she was a puppy, she was horrible. We won't talk about that. No sense diggin up old bones....hehehehehehe!

I have, as of last Monday, lost 11 pounds on Weightwatchers. Hurray for me. I am anxious to weigh-in this Monday. I had lost 4.5 lbs last week, but I think it was sort of bogus. I had been eating asparagus all weekend and we all know that asparagus is a natural diuretic, right? Also, I admit to cheating a little this week. So we will see on Monday what the scale says.

One more note. I had bought tickets so Hailey and I could go see The Wiggles at Arco Arena next month. I was pretty excited about it until I figured out that I bought tickets for the wrong nite! I can't go on the nite I ended up with. So that is almost $90, well, not exactly wasted since I will give the tix to Brandi and, hopefully, she or Russell will take Hailey. Or, who knows, I wouldn't put it past those two, to sell the tix....money is everything to them. Which is sad, don't ya think?

Gotta go, sniffle, sniffle.

PAINTING FOR PRESIDENTS

Yep, I've been painting all weekend. See, its like this. I really HAVE to paint my bedroom before I think about putting new carpet down. Better to drip paint on old carpet than new. Besides, its alot more fun to paint when you don't have to worry about getting the paint on the carpet, ya know?? So all weekend, starting on Saturday, my main focus has been painting my bedroom. A very barely there green. My vision is roses. Romantic and feminine. So I have painted all 3 days and I'm still not done. My bedroom has one extremely high wall and, of course, a sloped ceiling too. All thats left to do is about a foot at the top of that high wall and then 3 feet out from there on the ceiling. Also, corners and touch-up. After that its all the trim, which won't take long. So next weekend, I will finish. I bought a long extension for the roller but its heavy and with my bad shoulder, I decided to wait to finish til then. After the bedroom is finished (I bought all new rose-themed comforter and pillows online, too!), I will tackle the attached dressing area and bathroom. I have chosen a rich and bold color called Cranberry Splash. The gal at Home Depot told me it will take a primer coat (bought it!) and, at the very least 2 complete color coats. Fortunately, no high walls in there. My vision is that it will look nice from the light green w/roses in the bedroom. I'm thinking cream colored towels in there and a vintage fashion poster on the wall, if I can find one. So that will have to wait til the following weekend but I think I can finish in just one weekend. I will take a pic and post it here when all is done.

Tomorrow is our annual International Potluck at work. I just got done making Swedish Meatballs. At least I am calling them Swedish Meatballs. Used pre-cooked meatballs, mushroom soup, fresh sauteed mushroom, and sauteed onions. I will add sour cream to it all just before its served. Sounds good to me! I hope everyone remembers to bring there food tomorrow. I'm worried that since its a 3-day weekend, some will forget. But not my problem.
I got mine, so I know I'm eating. I will have to be careful, still on WeightWatchers. Its been two weeks and I am going to go weigh myself right now...hang on.........yippee! I lost 3 lbs this week!!! Congrats to me!! I want to lose 40 lbs, at least.....so this is an excellent start!

Well, I'm off to cook a Lean Cuisine meal.............

Handsome Hunk I Met In Italy

This is the perfect man I ran into in Florence in October. Rock solid. Nice butt. Great hands. And jeez, talk about a six-pack! Okay, I'll admit, he is a little short in the woo-hoo department. But you can't have everything. He's quiet. Oh, and he never leaves his clothes on the bathroom floor.
I mean, if you ever saw him in person, you would agree that he is frickin gorgeous!

Valentine's Day Reflections

Yes, today is Valentine's Day. I have read about a million articles and seen about a million items on TV about the millions of singles who hate Valentine's Day. Well, I'm single and I've been single for quite some time and I don't mind Valentine's Day at all. I like chocolate so I buy my own and remember that I can. I like flowers so I buy whatever flowers I like. I went shopping after work today and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Spent as much as I wanted and didn't have to 'clear' it with anyone. I came home and fixed myself din-din (ate whatever I wanted) and right now I am thanking my lucky stars that I'm single. I listen to many of the women I know that have a husband (or symbolism there-of), and, for the most part,with just one or two exceptions, most of them are not exactly jumpin up and down about the way their lives are going. I'm not exactly jumping up and down either (I worked today and shopped today, etc, and I'm tired!). But, on the other hand, I'm not spending any of my time crying. I am not sitting around wondering if my life could have been better if I chose differently. I can honestly say that I truly am enjoying life. I go where I want when I want with who I want. I spend what I want. I eat what I want. I watch what I want and I get the remote. I have a great house, a great car. I go on outstanding vacations. Most importantly, my son has provided me with outstanding grandchildren who are always a joy. My pets love me and I love them. They never say mean things that make me cry and later say they didn't mean it. Now, if truth be told, I would love to meet someone special. But, honestly, at this point, he would have to be pretty damn special. Richard Branson, perhaps. Now that is my idea of a sugar daddy! He could, literally, fly me to the moon! So on this Valentine's Day, I choose to sit home, and enjoy MY life. To reflect on all MY blessings. And to remember to be very careful of what I wish for.

Life goes on......

Nothin special. Signed 're-fi' papers yesterday. Money should be in the bank within a week. Time to start cleaning those closets for the BIG carpet job. I'm procrastinating on it a bit, it seems like such a huge job. Made a deal with myself (ha!) that I can't actually go shoppin for carpet til those closets are done!

Tomorrow its SuperBowl at The Rave. Lots of people are bringing food. I'm not. Usually do but I'm just lazy this year. Hope I win that dayum 43 pool. I've been affiliated with said pool for years and years and years and have never won a frickin dime. This year its my turn!!!! My plan is to leave The Rave at halftime, therefore not drinking too much. Got to go to work on Monday, no matter what.

Annette of Annette and Rapheal called and left a message on my work phone. Guess that means we are still on for Savannah in the Spring afterall. Don't know for sure just HOW I will afford it, money or timewise, but I'm sure I will go. Savannah in the Spring sounds tooooo cool.

Well, I'm rambling........L8R, G8R!

FUN DAYS ARE COMIN' !!!!!!

Yep, that is what I said. More fun days are on their way. Made reservations today for another week in The Crescent City!!!! I am going to my first Frenchquarterfest in April. YEAAAA!!!!
I always feel better about everything once I have secure reservations to another trip to my favorite city. Anna is going with me again. And as long as I stay about 3 ft away in the mornings, she is great fun to travel with. She's just not a morning person. Perks up after noon or so. So really no big deal!

Doug, the loan guy, says my 're-finance' will close soon. Probably Friday, but no later than Tuesday. So that is, literally, money in the bank. Once I actually have the money, I will start shoppin for new wall-to-wall carpet. That will be a HUGE undertaking for sure! I have to clean all my closets so they, too, can be re-carpeted. Haven't really cleaned them thru and thru since I've lived here (15 years!). Yikes. I mean I've cleaned them occasionally but never have I pulled everything out at the same time. Should be interesting. Then to stack everything in the garage or in areas (bathroom maybe?) where there is no carpet. Also have to empty all hutches and wall units so movers can move them without breaking anything. Almost everything will be stored in the garage, I guess. And I am having alot of trouble deciding what color of carpet I want. I would love to do the ballzy thing and go with color but will probably, like almost everyone else on the planet, go with a neutral color. Thinking about a short kinda shaggy type of carpet. That, at least, will be a little bit different. So sort of a short shaggy-ness in boring beige or tan with little specks of color? hmmmmm.......well, I'm getting a little ahead of myself since I don't even have a penny yet!

Starting Weight-watchers on Monday (after SuperBowl - - party, party!). I bought the books today. I'll be doing it on my own, no meetings. I've really never caught the concept of having to go to meetings in order to lose weight. Always, when I put my mind to it, have never had a problem with dieting. Going the slow route....hope to lose 20 lbs by my vacation in April.

Smoking? Still working on it.....the good news is that I'm smoking half of what I used to smoke....the bad news is that I'm still smoking.

Relaxing Not So Rainy Sunday

On the stop-smoking campaign.....still working on it. Doing okay but I have cheated and smoked occasionally. Keep ya posted.

I worked OT yesterday for 3 hrs and was suppose to work again today for 3 hrs. That didn't happen. I'm just having a relaxing Sunday, cleaning house (big appraisal tomorrow) and watching TV. It looks like it should be raining outside but isn't yet.....even still it is a great day to stay cozy. I did my taxes this morning...getting almost a grand back...so its off to New Orleans again. This time for Frenchquarterfest in April. At least that is the plan...need to find someone to go with. Shouldn't be a problem. I called Linda and asked her, she will let me know tomorrow, but I am not holding my breath. Talked to Tricia in New Orleans as soon as I decided to go again...just had to tell someone...it was nice to talk to her. She probably thinks I'm nuts. oh well, wouldn't be the first time someone thought I was nuts. Tricia told me that she is finally going to get a FEMA trailer....I'm happy for her!

Ran into Robbin, Christy and Mikel at The Raven Friday nite. Great to see them and it sure seemed like old times....by gones are gone by, I think. I will be having Raven Mafia party next month and we are all going to try to get together once a month. Larisa is home from Jamaica and told her the plan...she's up for it, too, so should be fun. It will be a Raven Mafia party and poker nite. Everyone is going to be invited but those that come who are not charter Raven Mafia members will be deemed Mafia B (sorry about your luck ) and will be required to wait on charter members hand and foot, thus hoping to make it to Primo Mafia spot. hehehehehehe, and good luck with that!

Well, have to finish cleaning house. Going for my 4th refinance, appraisal tomorrow.....if they approve my BIG loan, its new carpet and living room furniture! Hip, hip, hooray!!!!!

First Sunday No Smoking

Hi there! Bad news. I have been sick since I got back from NOLA, which means I haven't been able to go over and see my new grandson!!!! Aaaaaaargh! I miss Hailey a bunch, too! Oh, well, in a few days, I will be good as new. Must have caught this dreaded cold from someone on the plane?

I had promised myself that when I return from NOLA, I would quit smoking. So no more ciggys for me! I ran out yesterday and haven't gone to the store to buy more. And I won't. I admit that I took a tour through my house looking for cigs and then a stroll out to my car to hunt for long butts (found a couple, too! HA!). But now that is done and the only nicotine I will get for the rest of my life will be from these little Committ lozenges. They actually help so I will use them for the first month or so. I have sworn myself to a semi-diet at the same time, so I'm hoping I don't gain too much weight in the process of quitting smoking. I will report on my progress periodically. I am determined to quit. I have smoked for far too long as it is, I am lucky I haven't ran into any health problems already and don't want to see any. Also, my grandaughter, Hailey, has already started telling me how bad smoking is for me and, of course, she is absolutely right. When she asked me to quit because she doesn't want me to die, that did it. She is only 4 yrs old and shouldn't have to be worrying about her 'Gigi' dying. So Hailey, here it is, my promise to you that I will not ever smoke again. I'll report back later on this. Film at 11.

Back to work tomorrow after Italian vacation in October, then the holidays, and finally my trip to NOLA, things will be back to normal. Normal is good sometimes. I am looking forward to enjoying my daily life and paying off vacation bills. I will work as much overtime as I can to accomplish this. It won't take too long as I don't intend on going anywhere else for at least a year. (Then, after pay-off, I will begin to plan my next biggee......safari in Africa!!!!)

BACK FROM NEW ORLEANS

I'm baaaaaaack! Had a great time in New Orleans. Pardi Gras was HUGE fun, ya'll should go next year! Having said that, my trip to New Orleans was very different from my usual jaunts to The Big Easy. The Big Easy has become The Small Hard. Here we are, 4 mos after Katrina (that bitch!), and The Crescent City is still hurting......badly. The media does not do it justice.
Even the French Quarter, which we all hear is doing wonderfully......absolutely is not. On Bourbon Street, itself, about 75% of the businesses are open and those are only open on limited schedules mostly due to lack of 'crew'. Step to the other French Quarter streets and the percentage goes down....way down. About half the hotels in the Quarter are up and running but are filled with either workers (construction crews, insurance adjusters, FEMA employees, etc.) or displaced families. Not much room for tourists yet. They have all brought their cars and pick-up trucks so traffic and parking in the Quarter is horrendous. Frustration and Depression levels are rising. Tempers are barely being held at bay. One bartender I chatted with does not look forward to Mardi Gras at all. He told me in the 6 years he had been working in the Quarter, he had broken up only 5 or 6 fights. Since Katrina, he breaks up that many every week. He says it has alot to do with the influx of construction workers, the military, and everyone in the Quarter, residents and workers alike, are living under extreme daily stress. Same bartender says Mardi Gras will be ugly. The laid back, just enjoy life, attitude of New Orleans is very hard to find on the best day post-Katrina.

And there is a whole new storm brewing in New Orleans. Racism. Racism has always been alive and well in New Orleans but it has been held to a quiet background noise. As of late, with the arguments ongoing regarding whether the 9th Ward should be rebuilt, the comments of the not-so-savvy Mayor Nagin, the federal governments anti-help, a dangerous bubbling hot racism is very close to exploding, in my opinion.

But, again, I have to end by saying, that we really did have a wonderful time. We were treated like royalty by all the wonderful people of the Quarter. Many could not believe that we were actually there just for vacation. Just to give back a little. Most newcomers to New Orleans right now are not on vacation. They are there to work in one form or another. Actually, in the entire week I was there, I did not meet anyone who was there simply to relax and have a good time (with the exception of the 3 days of Pardi Gras). So, please, consider New Orleans in your vacation plans. I guarantee you will have a good time. New Orleans needs you, your laughter and your money, just as much as we need New Orleans and her warmth and charms.

I KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO MISS NEW ORLEANS

Yes, I sure do know. I will be leaving on Thursday to visit New Orleans for the 10th time. I am in love with the city and all her people. I have shed many tears since August 29th of last year. I have watched attentively through the hurricane, through the flood, through the anti-help which is still happening. I really believe that most of America is unaware of what is NOT happening in New Orleans. It is hard for me to believe that if this tragedy had happened in Florida or in Manhattan or in Beverly Hills, that the response would be the same. Or should I say the lack of response. Anyone wishing to know the real story, please visit NOLA.com which is the website of The Times-Picayune, the local newspaper. And while you are at that website, please read a few of Chris Rose's columns which you can find under "Living". Quite eye-opening for those of you who believe that all is being taken care of. I am sooooooo tired of hearing that the 'footprint' of New Orleans will be smaller. Or of hearing "Well, they had a chance to get out and they ignored the warnings"(most of the dead were senior citizens). Or "The French Quarter came through unscathed"(oh really.). Or they won't have Mardi Gras this year. (Right. Thats like telling someone they won't have Christmas). Don't get me started. Just stick with NOLA.com and Chris Rose and find out the truth of it. I am going to New Orleans on Thursday, knowing that everything has changed forever. With hopes that good decisions will be made in the near future to get back as much of the heart of the city and ALL of her people as soon as possible. Do you know that New Orleans was once a city of about a half million and is now a city of under 100,000? Do you know that tourism provides the life blood of New Orleans? But that right now, nearly half of her hotels are still closed? And the hotels that are open, are being used to house clean-up workers and displaced families. Which I'm not saying that is a bad thing. I am just trying to point out the jam that the city is really in. I will go with the promises that I have made to myself......I promise be full of hugs and love when I'm out and about.....if I cry, it will be in my hotel room. I promise to be a good listener. But most of all, I promise that I will always love New Orleans, forever. Because I get it.

Evan Has Arrived!!!!!!

Such a happier note to talk about today. My first grandson was born today. Got a call at around 7:30 this morning and off I went to the hospital. He was born at 2:20 this afternoon and wow! Is he gorgeous or what!!!! Actually, he looks exactly like my son when he was born who looked exactly like his dad when he was born. The whole fam damily was there for the event. Well, not exactly THERE, meaning the fam damily was in the waiting room. Russ, my son, kept us informed of events by text messages to the waiting room. First "dialated 9.6 centimeters". Then, "delivery lights down". Next, "baby's warming bed being warmed". Until, at last we recieved a final special delivery text message: a pic of my new grandson, Evan! Baby Evan is doing wonderful. Brandi, my daughter-in-law, is having a minor complication, nothing serious, and will be good to go by tomorrow, I hope. Little Hailey was sooooo excited, right along with the rest of us. She will be a wonderful big sister. Having grandbabies is so much fun. Well, welcome to the world, E-diddy!!!!

Wrong Again

Yep, I sure had that screwed up, didn't I? Me and everyone else. How the misinformation could have gotten soooo far for sooo long, I have no idea. But the miscommunication must have made a horrible tragedy even worse for the families and friends and the entire community of those courageous miners. Courageous? Of course. Apparently, in their final hours, they had done everything they were suppose to do to save themselves. And, at the end, did they still have hope of rescue or did they know it was over. It is just so sad. For them. For their families and friends. And, yes, even for those jounalists covering the story. Everyone, at a time when hope was almost lost, at a time when weariness had blended with fear, had rejoiced at the wonderful news that their loved ones were alive.....a miracle. Only to learn, hours later, that it had been a mistake. And that is when the weariness and the fear had grown into a real anger. Hope was gone, replaced by grief and unknowing and how could this happen, oh lord. In a day and age when communication technology is at an almost unbelievable high, a very big (yet tiny) miscommunication had occurred. Everyone wanted to hear that piece of good news and they heard it, even when they didn't.

My First Post

My first post. hmmm....and what to say? Well, I am just hearing on TV that they have found the 12 miners that have been missing in the coal mine (in Pennsylvania?) for 3 days. Wow, I was so hoping it would turn out this way but never really thought it would. Even when I heard people being interviewed (like the governor, etc.) and they said they still thought the men would be found alive...I just thought they were all in denial. But, it just goes to show once again, you never know what you think you know.