~ Dusty words lying under carpets, seldom heard, well, must you keep your secrets ~

Cell Phones and/or the lack thereof

2011-11-05T19:47:00.004-04:00

I don't have my cell phone anymore. The cell phone disconnection was quite unintentional. I started by not picking it up, or knowing where it was for several days at a time. The next part of the process, toward disconnection, was leaving the phone at home when I ventured out. It was strange the first two times. Now, it feels better than the comfort of having it with me. You know the dieting phrase, 'nothing tastes as good, as skinny feels? That is what you feel like when you ditch the cell phone.

I began to notice some rude components in many group situations. Individually, people were paying more attention to their cell phones than the people they were fortunate to be visiting. I noticed the difference mostly, when I visited with my work friends. My work friends, as a whole, simply would not dismiss you, to respond to a message. There are many reasons why. Most of all, I'd like to think, we value our time together. The other reasons subconsciously create this phenom. The overall strangle hold cell phones have on our society is abhorrent. When I put the behaviour and societal conditions into the equation, it adds up to madness. Complete and udder madness.

I want to take a few more stabs at this, in presentation, before I offer some solutions. Let's compare playing a handheld game device, and the ongoing conversation that is shared by text with two people. (or more?) What person do you know would play a game device after being invited to dinner with you? Or maybe you visited them at their home and they were involved in a video game.. but didn't hit stop, pause, or off, to focus their attention on you. Well, I guess if that happened, no, please don't get up, I can find my way out. I walked you to the door, are you seeing now, the comparison between a person's intense interest in a cell phone and the hypothetical video game, or game device?

I realize this is an economical explosion for social networking, and other forms of desirable media. Shouldn't it all be taken in stride for what it is? Seriously, you want to be completely connected to everyone you know? You don't want a break from accessibility? Turnaround is not fair play. You only have to be available when it's convenient to you. This creates the loss of the mutual compromise that takes place, when building and maintaining, a relationship. One electronic tool, is increasing the shallow gene pool.

Lets look at some ways to bring sexy back. First and foremost, is always safety. The convenience factor of owning a cell phone is having the ability to call ahead if your lost or late. Maybe for distance driving, and knowing you have access to any of the options that keep you safe from harm, or inconvenience. Those things are the very real reasons cell phone connectivity has lost the luxury luster. That said, lets do an experiment; leave the cell phone in the trunk. If not always, at least 90% of the time. Not in the glove compartment box, as I know you will be reaching over to remove it, while your driving! If your late or lost, you can pull over to a parking lot to use the phone. See how the phone feels in your trunk? It's not so bad to be alone with your own thoughts, is it? Do you find, your actually doing some productive thinking? I believe the more often the phone is in the trunk, the less dependent you will become. It's empowering, let it happen.

Cell phones are crack. What someone will lie, cheat and steal to have, brings about the addictive factors. I would suspect working for a cell phone company, must be likened to a bartender? Where else would you deal with addictive personalities on a daily basis? Where the main function of your job, is catering to destructive behaviour. If cell phones can destroy relationships, and they do, it's time to turn the power off. Don't let something of an electronic nature, come between you and someone you care to spend time with. The same way I would hope you would not let prohibitive substances come between you and your reality, I would urge you to take a good look at your electronic habits.

Afterall, would you rather your cell phone be in your trunk, or up your ass?

Against All Odds

2011-10-24T12:52:00.003-04:00

If I could describe the most current emotion I am experiencing, I would state; confused. What happens on the day you decide to end your life? Maybe you have thought of it for years -then you suddenly follow-thru. What sets the gears in motion to execute the final moment? My sister committed suicide. I've never met her. She was put up for adoption by my dad and my step-mom. I was 15 yrs old. I didn't understand much of what just happened. They went to the hospital to have the baby, then came home empty handed. I remember then, being confused. What prompted that decision? How long had they known this was the plan? Why weren't we told? I sat in the backseat of the car, and asked, "where's the baby?" They didn't cover it up then, and maybe it was too painful to let us know ahead of time? It was premeditated, I'm certain. Maybe the lack of explanation was so they wouldn't be talked out of it. I believe my dad said, there's something we need to tell you. I was prepared for death. At this point maybe I was relieved the baby didn't die.

I never knew her, so I wasn't emotionally connected. My connection was only the mystery of who she was. Her name was Misty Gail. I loved the name. All of my life, until I was 35 years old, Misty Gail was missing from our lives. We wondered mysteriously where she was, and what was she like? When my brother died in 1997, we talked about her a lot. That now, if we ever met, James was gone. She missed a whole life. She will never meet, or know, James.

Then it happened. She worked in a Gov't office, and went thru some records to find her birth information. She figured it out. Suddenly we heard from her. Despite all of my memories that are so clear, I can't recall the events that took place. I'm not sure who she contacted first? At this time, my dad was terminally ill. She did manage to meet him, before he died.

She explained to us at this time, she wanted no relationship with any of us. She didn't want to know any more than, who she was, where she came from, and who was her biological family? She loved her parents and didn't want to hurt their feelings in any way. She did meet my older sister on several occasions. I never met her.

And now, I never will. I guess it's okay, she has always been just a figment of my imagination. I don't suffer knowing I will never meet her. However, I am puzzled as to what was going on, that made her take her own life? Why did she take a gun and end it all? What emotional pain could she not overcome? How long had she considered this was an option? And, most of all, why didn't she leave a note?
Did the fact that she was adopted lend to this decision? She had said, she loved her parents and never wanted them to have hurt feelings. So much for that!

I wonder was her life already taken from her, as a newborn? Is that how she felt? Or did the adoption scenario never play into any of this? Does being adopted make you feel unwanted, in any sense of the word? I would not think so. I would actually think the opposite would be true. She lived to be Thirty. She made a dramatic exit.

Do I mourn the loss of Misty Gail? No, I've suffered that loss all of my life.
She came into my life as Amy, in 1999. In 2011, she ended her life as Amy.
A few emails exchanged back and forth, was all I ever knew of her. I didn't feel comfortable getting to know her, as she was clear with her intentions. Since she was Amy, it felt awkward. I wish her name would have been Misty Gail.

This means I never met Misty Gail. She is still a baby I never held.
Maybe I will mourn the loss of her again, but I still suffer from the only emotion I have ever related to her. Confusion. I sometimes just shake my head and wonder.. what happened? What happened then, and what happened now?

Experiencing suicide twice in as many months, makes one pause. What on earth do you experience the day, you finally execute this decision? I wish I knew a little bit more of what she felt? Then again, maybe I don't.

Maybe the suicide note, is better left unwritten. For everyone' sake. After all, I was prepared for death, since the ride home from the hospital. Hearing of her suicide, really doesn't feel much different than learning she was not with us, physically. Seems to be much the same. The only thing that changed was her name.

SUICIDE

2011-08-02T13:23:00.004-04:00

I've been thinking about the things that bother me. Really, cause I can't really seem to think of anything else. I just need to get the crap off my mind. My life has just smacked me in the face as of late, and I don't know how to get out of the cycle. Work out; yeah, I know.. but my foot has been broken. It'll be awhile yet. Since I can't work out physically, I must work out my mind.

Enter, suicide. Yeah, right? This sucks. Interesting is that is sucks more than you could ever know!!! Makes you explore every single thing about the person you lost, everything about yourself, and everything about the relationship you shared, if any. It sucks. I tell ya, sucks. It hurts. The first thing I did was download a suicide grief book on my Kindle. You can't talk about it. You can't just bring it up to someone. Sure they'll discuss suicide with you. But discuss an actual suicide? No. It's too awkward and extremely isolating. I don't even know that it's proper to bring up, in this forum. I can't find anywhere that I don't second guess my option to discuss. Here I feel like I'm bringing it up to myself. That's a little better. Still makes me ache. Death is final, that's accepted. Suicide is even more final. Final and deliberate. How in the hell does one get from alive to dead?

If someone threatens suicide and you discuss it with them.. it's troubling. Yes, it is. Every day you talk to them about it, is one more day they are alive. After they're gone, they did it. Now your left with this jumble load of questions. Questions you couldn't bare to ask when they were alive. Unless it's happened to you before.. I guess if you have a little more suicide experience, you may have some questions or solutions? That sucks; suicide experience.
If it's your first suicide however, it knocks the wind out of you. Look at this; I'm talking about me. How did a subject that is supposed to be about loss of someone, become about me? You see how it works? You see how deep and confusing suicide is? How did I get to pay this price? You took your life, and I'm paying a heavy price.

I don't know what to say to anyone. I've always been one of words and actions. Now I don't have anything. I don't have normal conversation. Nothing is interesting. I feel confined to my own thoughts. I can't get out of myself to work through these complicated feelings. It's almost like being confined to a chair, or a bed.
I'm beginng to think there's another level of breaking here. Sure, at the time it was emotionally draining. It's only been two weeks, however. Maybe there comes another breaking point before I can start to heal. There were three days I remained nauseated. Now I am nervous, almost paranoid feeling. Scared it will happen again.

This knocked my lights out. I was going to say; these are the most unexpected emotions I've ever felt. But ya know, that's not fair. I expected this all along, in fact, that may be part of the problem.

Hospital View

2009-03-06T20:34:00.001-05:00

2008-07-06T10:28:00.000-04:00

H I L A R I O U S

Starbucks

2008-07-04T21:11:00.001-04:00

The first thing I gave up when the economy turned on me. Closing 600 stores.. Starbucks, I apologize. But, really, $4.00 for a cup of coffee - I agree, it's good shit... but maybe reduce your prices, I can come back - and the stores can stay open??? WE LOVE YOU STARBUCKS !!

The V-Rex

2008-06-22T17:44:00.001-04:00

Makes your Harley look outdated- huh?

2008-06-08T12:35:00.000-04:00

2008-04-28T01:40:00.000-04:00

RIP Heather Walker

2008-04-27T17:18:00.002-04:00

Residents say area where teen's body was found is riddled with crime
Heather Walker's body was found Saturday morning in a trash can between abandoned buildings.
WWW. MYSPACE. COM/HEATHERWALKER07
By Jim DeBrosse
Staff Writer
Sunday, April 27, 2008
DAYTON — — Police woke James and Joy Kinsler at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 26, at their residence at 2911 E. Third St. to tell the couple they had found a girl's body in a trash can just two doors away.
"They asked if I had seen any strange people in the area lately, which is kind of a crazy question for this neighborhood," 28-year-old Joy Kinsler said. "I told him if there was NOT something strange going on, that's when I would call them."
The Kinslers say prostitutes and drug dealers work the area near East Third and Jersey streets where the body of missing 18-year-old Heather Walker was found stuffed in a trash can between abandoned buildings.
Walker had lived with her parents, Robert and Tammy Marie, and her 2-year-old son, Devin, at 1748 Gummer Ave. until she disappeared Feb. 9, the Walkers said. She had been dropped off by friends at an East Third Street convenience store parking lot at 7:30 p.m. that night just three blocks from where her body was found.
The Walkers say they notified police after Heather failed to call them for several days, but police declined to file a missing person's report because Heather had run away several times as a youth. "Because she had a history of running off, they wouldn't take it seriously and blew it off," Robert Walker said.
The Walkers made up hundreds of fliers with Heather's photo, her father said, and family and friends distributed them "as far away as Springfield and Troy."
The fliers drew numerous calls, but none of the tips could lead them to Heather, her father said.
Heather Walker's MySpace page reveals a young woman whose obscenity-laced blurb mentions that she's the 17-year-old mother of a 14-month-old son.
Next to the Heroes heading, she wrote, "No one has rescued me yet!"
The Kinslers say police have been ineffective in stopping vandalism, theft and prostitution in their neighborhood. After his car was broken into for the third time and the stereo stolen, James Kinsler said he installed video cameras around his home so he would have the evidence police say they need to investigate a theft.
Paul Dameron, 71, lives on Jersey Street, two doors west of where Heather's body was found.
"I have no idea who the person is," he said. But he said that, in the last few years, nothing that happens in the neighborhood would surprise him.
"We need a gun really bad here," Dameron said. "They're likely to kick your door down while you're watching TV."

2008-04-20T18:26:00.002-04:00

2008-04-01T11:05:00.001-04:00

2008-03-15T14:23:00.001-04:00

2008-02-26T20:16:00.005-05:00

2008-02-23T23:06:00.002-05:00

These are for the questions that don't have any answers

2008-02-23T22:48:00.001-05:00

2008-02-18T19:03:00.003-05:00

MULTIPLE TORNADOS HIT MEMPHIS !!!

2008-02-05T21:51:00.000-05:00

I knew when I left for work this a.m at 0600 and it was 60 degrees- it started storming really bad... and the tv just reminded me to make an emergency kit; Guess I will. Multiple tornado's have hit Memphis -and I'm headin' down to Memphis town in two days. They have round two and round three of tornado's heading into Memphis in the next few hours. Tornados' are heading into Nashville right now -then into our area. I'm going to bed. Certainly not to rest easily. Lovely, don't'cha think. I went to bed once under these conditions before April 8th, 1999, I woke up and it was April 9th, 1999 and a tornado had hit my area.....it was ugli. Veri ugli.

and they say it's only just begun:

Windsor Genova - AHN News Writer
San Francisco, CA (AHN) - Storms and tornadoes struck Memphis, Tennessee on Tuesday afternoon causing power outages that forced Super Tuesday polling precincts to close early and damaged homes, malls and an airport hangar.

A tornado in Arlington also knocked down trees and a police communication tower. Trees were also downed and city schools were closed at 12:30 p.m.

Election precincts in Dyer, McNairy, Tipton and Fayette counties were closed early to prevent injury to poll workers. Voting was until 7 p.m. but the precincts were shut at 6 p.m.

WATV-TV reported at least 11,000 power outages in Shelby County.

A portion of the Hickory Ridge and Sears malls were damaged trapping people in debris. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

A FedEx hangar at the Memphis International Airport was heavily damaged.

A tornado watch is in effect in Nashville.

Nothing like GREAT SEATS

2008-02-03T16:28:00.000-05:00

Molly & Jeni watching Kid Rock Jan 29th

Up front on the left in the PIT

2008-02-03T15:56:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Shakes for making everything Right. Jan 29th, 2008

RIP CARMELO RODRIGUEZ

2008-01-31T20:38:00.000-05:00

The MOST DEPRESSING STORY EVAH
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

There is nothing good about this story, but it must be told. It is gut-wrenching. Nothing has ever affected me so dramatically in such a quick second. Emotionally I was drawn into this family as was most of the nation. please see picture 1 -then picture 2 We watched him die, on tv, on the CBS news tonight, Thursday evening. It was horrible. The screams of the family. So, we give him the tools to sacrifice his life? But we won't give him the tools to help him save it? The doctor wrote on his first medical report -melanoma. BUT they did not tell Carmelo-and they did not make any attempts to help him. Had they removed the mole and began any treatments, Mr Rodriquez may very well be with us today :-( I'd venture to say -there will be so much response to this story that CBS may re-run it, pay attn. They did w/the boy playing basketball that time, remember?
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/31/eveningnews/main3776580.shtml

A Question Of Care: Military Malpractice?
One Marine Who Served His Country With Care

ELLENVILLE, N.Y., Jan. 31, 2007

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Sgt. Carmelo Rodriguez III was a father, a soldier, an artist and an actor. He loved life and the Marines. But skin cancer ravaged his body, whittling it down to 80 lbs in 18 months. He died before CBS News correspondent Byron Pitts could interview him. (CBS)

.. sphereit start -->Carmelo Rodriguez was dancing with his niece just last year. By all accounts Rodriguez, a 29-year old, loved life, his family and the Marine Corps. He was also an artist, a father, and a part-time actor. He once appeared with Katie Holmes in a scene on the TV series Dawson's Creek.

An image of Sgt. Rodriguez with his Marine buddies in Iraq in 2005 shows him as a fit, gung-ho platoon leader.

CBS News correspondent Byron Pitts met Rodriguez two months ago. That once-buff physique had been whittled down to less than 80 pounds in 18 months by stage 4 melanoma. He was surrounded by family, including his 7-year-old son holding his hand. It was Rodriguez's idea we meet.

When Sgt. Rodriguez was in Iraq, military doctors, he says, misdiagnosed his skin cancer. They called it "a wart."

Eight minutes after Pitts met Sgt. Carmelo Rodriguez, and CBS News was preparing to interview him, he died.

At his family's insistence, Pitts and the camera crew stayed. With his body in the very next room, Pitts sat down with his relatives.

Pitts asked: "Why have us here for such a painful moment for your family?"

"His wish to have this known, because he doesn't want any other soldier to fight for his country and go through what he had to go through," said Rodriguez's uncle, Dean Ferraro. "To be neglected."

"He said, 'don't let this be it. Don't let this be it. Fight!'" his sister, Elizabeth Rodriguez, said. "That's what we're doing. We're gonna fight for him."

The "fight," as they call it is over what's known as the Feres Doctrine, a 1950 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that bars active-duty military personnel and their families from suing the federal government for injuries incidental to their service. In other words, unlike every other U.S. citizen, people in the military cannot sue the federal government for medical malpractice.

"When he enlisted in 1997, from his initial medical checkup - you know what I mean, physical - the doctor documented that he had melanoma, but never told him 'have anyone follow up on it,'" Ferraro said. "And that was back in '97. If we would have known back in '97, he would still be with us."

CBS News was given a copy of that medical report. The doctor notes skin as "abnormal." In further details he describes it as "melanoma on the right buttocks." There's no recommendation for further treatment.

Eight years pass. Sgt. Rodriguez is in Iraq.

"If a birthmark is about that big [she holds up two hands], and … it has a raise like that and is pussing, just let it go and say it's a wart??" his sister, Elizabeth, said. "Who does that; how does that happen? It's not right. It's not right."

His uncle Wilfredo Negron said: "Twenty-nine years old! You know all his life is good. Never into drugs, never into partying. Served his country faithfully. Served his Lord faithfully! He held on positive because he's a warrior. He's a Marine. He fought for his country and also for his family."

According to a veterans group that tracks soldiers who are misdiagnosed, there are hundreds of misdiagnosed cases across the country.

Twenty-five-year-old Air Force Staff Sgt. Dean Patrick Witt was one of them. Witt's family says his appendicitis was repeatedly misdiagnosed. After emergency surgery, Witt ended up brain dead.

He later died.

Pitts spoke with Military law expert Eugene Fidell, who is an attorney.

"You talk to military families who believe they have a malpractice case against the military and you tell them what?" Pitts asked.

"It's very very difficult when I get these calls, and I get these calls repeatedly over the course of a year. I probably get one ever couple months," Fidell said. "These people have to be made to understand that the law simply doesn't permit them to bring a lawsuit. They can bring a lawsuit, but their lawsuit will be a complete waste of time."

Pitts showed Fidell a copy of Rodriguez's medical records.

Military emails show that Sgt. Rodriguez's commanding officer, Lt. Col B.W. Barnhill, quotes a military nurse who called Rodriquez case "a major screw up."

An email also reads: "He should have been immediately seen and the wart removed and we may not have gotten to where we are now."

Pitts said to Fidell: "When he's in Iraq, the doctor says we'll have someone look at it when you get back to the states in five months."

He shook his head. "If I had a comparable condition myself, or a member of my family had, and somebody would have said, 'sorry, no one can see you for five months,' I would have fired the doctor!"

But Rodriguez didn't have that option.

"No, he didn't. I hope members of Congress are watching this show," Fidell said. "The law has got to change."

What's the military's response?

"I'm not prepared to discuss the Feres Doctrine," said Navy Capt. William Roberts, the medical officer of the Marine Corps.

Three weeks after CBS News' initial request, the Pentagon granted an interview with Roberts.

But he wouldn't discuss the Feres Doctrine, or Rodriquez's case, saying it was "under investigation."

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Find out more about how Byron Pitts reported this story at Couric & Co.
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As for how many cases like the sergeants?

"I do not have those numbers at all," Roberts said.

Is that because those numbers don't exist or he can't provide them?

"I certainly don't know them," he said.

"If Carmelo Rodriguez was a civilian, his family would have the right to seek damages," Pitts said.

"I am sorry but I can't comment on the legality of that type of redress," he said.

For the Rodriguez family - the best they can hope for is a final report?

"They will get a final report if they ask for it," Roberts said.

Because he was a Marine, Sgt. Carmelo Rodriquez received a military funeral. But, it was an honor his family paid for.

As it turns out, Rodgriquez was forced into retirement due to his illness. Since he was retired, the military was no longer obligated to pay for his funeral.

His son, Carmelo Rodriquez IV, was shown the gratitude of a grateful nation: An American flag - and 55 percent of his father's benefits.

For those who would say these young men and women sign that line saying I turn my life over to the U.S. Military, he willingly give up some of their rights?

"George Washington said that when a person puts on the uniform, he does not cede being a citizen," Eugene Fidell said.

Rodriguez was a citizen.

But to his family and his friends, he was a so much more.

2008-01-31T19:46:00.001-05:00

Dayton Daily News Critic

2008-01-31T18:13:00.000-05:00

Kid Rock show Critics Review
Current mood: loved
Category: Music

Kid Rock really rocked
By Ron Rollins | Tuesday, January 29, 2008, 11:38 PM

Love the guy or hate him, you have to give Kid Rock credit for at least one thing: In a world of copycats and bland pop wannabe's, there is absolutely nobody else like him.

Now, depending on where you fall on that love-hate spectrum, you may or may not find comfort in the idea of the guy's utter originality. But an original is what he is, and the sold-to-the-grungy-rafters crowd that packed Hara Arena Tuesday night knows what I'm talking about.

I mean that I've never seen a performer pay sincere homage to so many different kinds of music, acknowledge so many influences, and incorporate as many varied genres into a single act and pull it off. Not ever. And the way Kid Rock does it, with good cheer and effortless charm — for lack of a better word — makes for one darn entertaining rock concert.

Motown? This Detroit boy had it in there. Honky-tonk? Yessireebob. Rap-metal? Without a roof-shaking doubt. Old-school hip-hop? Mos def. Eagles-style country rock? Mid-70s rock-n-roll? Even a dash of Buffalo Springfield? All in there, too.

Kid Rock proudly reels off the names of his musical heros, rapping off about owing as much to Johnny Cash as to Grand Master Flash (uh-huh) and shamelessly ripping off Lynyrd Skynyrd riffs as he goes, singing in a voice that sounds like John Mellencamp before the heart attack and rapping with a slow, pre-gangsta rhythm that recalls Run-DMC.

In fact, there was Rev. Run himself — included in on the act, along with good old Peter Wolf, the WooferGrooverMamaToofer from the J. Geils Band, who bandied his skinny, leather-trousered butt onto the stage to share a spotlight with the Kid, much to the crowd's delight.

Yes, for those of you who find yourselves unable to get past Kid Rock's swaggering obnoxiousness, or his general and completely unrepentent lack of musical finesse, you may want to consider this: On Tuesday night, he displayed a marvelous generosity of spirit that one would have to call rare on a rock-concert stage. Wolf and Run weren't just there to be rolled out as oldie opening acts to warm up the drunken Shiloh Springs crowd.

Rather, they were a major part of the act, fully incorporated into the show to add credence to those acknowledged influences we mentioned a moment ago. Kid Rock came out at 7:45 and started playing a couple of his own songs before turning the stage over to Wolf. Later, they played a few old Geils songs together, when Wolf got a chance to reprise his classic "Repudah the Beauta" rap from "Blow Your Face Out."

Meanwhile, Rev. Run came out to rap with Kid Rock on a handful of songs, and they seemed to be having a blast getting everybody's hands in the air. To see the headliner share the stage this way was terrific … and frankly, I've not seen anybody do anything quite like it.

It made me like Kid Rock a lot more than I expected to, and I'd expected to like him pretty well. You think he's a bit too cocksure on "Cowboy"? Well, you're right. You think he makes a bit toooooo much of the old bad-boy pills/drugs/booze/chicks/gettin' busted shtick? Well, you'd be right about that, too. You think there's nothing remarkable about a guy who sounds like Bob Seger if he'd survived the Skynyrd plane crash and morphed into Snoop Dogg?

Well, you'd be flat-out wrong about that last one. Ask me: Was he any good, really?

No, not the way you might mean. But he was, in some very strange, last-of-the-rock-stars way, absolutely great. You might've had to be there to understand. But if you had been, you wouldn't need it explained.

2008-01-20T17:38:00.000-05:00

February

If you'd just Keep your mouth shut sometimes.....

2007-09-10T16:09:00.000-04:00

Maybe you wouldn't get hurt.......

Finally a NEW ALBUM

2007-09-10T14:05:00.000-04:00

Kid Rock - ROCK N ROLL JESUS OCTOBER 9TH

2007-08-28T21:18:00.001-04:00

Rock Star

2007-08-20T21:46:00.000-04:00

2007-08-20T20:38:00.001-04:00

Mad Mad Rico

2007-08-20T20:22:00.000-04:00

This is so funny - this is a cat that HATES to have his picture taken. Can't explain it. I figure it to be mostly that you are pointing something at him and it flashes ??? Not sure. OR possibly -the breeder may have used the squirt gun form of discipline ?? Whatever it is... once you point the camera -he SCREAMS.... it's hilarious.. I really try not to do it too often.

The weather was great and Stewart won the race!!

2007-07-30T15:51:00.000-04:00

pics courtesy of Ginger Phelps!

The Brickyard July 29th

2007-07-30T15:44:00.000-04:00

Here's my guys !!

2007-07-13T18:07:00.001-04:00

Sunday Morning Post

2007-06-24T13:28:00.000-04:00

I am listening to Classic Vinyl on Sirius. It rocks, pardon the pun. They are broadcasting remotely from the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame. Cleveland happens to be one of my favorite places, for that reason. Twice I've been to the Hall of Fame, and each time I was there longer than 5 hours. Some say they go in, see what there is to see, and are out in a couple of hours. They are also the same critics that say it's not worth it. (the price of admission) Those are the people that don't get the full depth of the experience. They may be the later mentioned sports fans, that would find Canton blissful. I'd be bored to tears in Canton!
Happily for me, both times I've attended, were with folks that love the rock 'n roll experience. Music moves me. I can be in different parts of the Hall of Fame, and you'll find me either; very serious, with goose bumps, tears in my eyes or smiling bright. The Hard Rock Cafe in Cleveland is also a joy to experience. By the way; This is where you'll find the Fleetwood Mac displays that are missing from the Hall of Fame. I'd have to investigate it a bit, but apparently The Mac had some issues with their induction. They were inducted in 1998(Jan 12th.) Why is their material at the Hard Rock Cafe instead of the H o F ?
Fleetwood Mac has to be my all-time favorite 70's band. I've seen the band together twice, and Stevie solo on three or four other occasions. (Memphis 1983, Lexington 1986, and don't recall the other places/dates, without dragging out ticket stubs.) Stevie Nicks is part of my existence. For so many years, I listened to her daily and sang her songs with the heart of personal experience. At Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati, 1987, I met Stevie and Fleetwood Mac. I was brought a backstage pass into the audience. I was invited backstage, according to this man, by Stevie Nicks. I remember so clearly that night, her and I sang all of her songs as if we were together in a room alone, full of people. Meeting Fleetwood Mac was exhilirating. Lindsey wasn't there, but I met the rest of the band.

Rhiannon is a horse Goddess and the "maker of birds," and the legend of the song of the birds of Rhiannon goes as follows: In times of hardship or pain, the song of the birds can be heard. Down the pathway will come three singing birds, one snow white, one emerald green, and one golden. The song of the birds will put you to sleep, and when you awaken, all hardship and pain will be gone.

In fact, the cities I enjoy most are music oriented. Memphis, Nashville & Cleveland. I would enjoy living in any of the three. Instead I'm somewhere south of Dayton, heading to Cincinnati. Cincinnati is without soul. It is a city of nostalgic nothing. Yes people that are true Reds & Bengals fans find it to be rich in sports history. However, I am the music sort -not the sports type, so I find nothing that soothes my soul in Cincinnati.
Dayton is rich in music heritage. There was a time when you could find much music and music history within reach, anywhere around Dayton. Much of that is gone with the lack of nightlife in the city. At times the city was strong with live bands and writers that went on to be successful in various formats.
Classic Vinyl is such a great place to be this early in the day. It has been raining, which we so desperately needed! It is overcast and perfect for finding a great place within the home. However, given the opportunity, I'd like to find myself in Cleveland today. If the miles were shorter between here and there, I'd jump in the car. Instead I'll just experience the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame that is my home.

Friday Night Post

2007-06-22T20:15:00.000-04:00

I overheard some kids talking about a vomitorium..... seriously, does that exist? They were past the point of no return. Not an ounce of fat, anywhere, but on their plates. They smelled of vomit as well. Wow. So, that brought me to this train of thought? Bulemia - more dangerous or equally as dangerous as gastric bypass ? Providing the bulemic activity stopped at your weight loss goal? I can't help but think this is normal, for a generation. When I was young, we didn't eat lunch for two or three days to lose weight -of course, realizing -we weren't fat. Friends encourage each other by saying, "I did it for a month and I lost all of my weight."
Teen validation. So much for talking your friends into smoking ?????

I GET IT

2007-06-14T19:54:00.000-04:00

The Soprano's Final Ep

Tony leaves Jr, he walks into the diner with his jacket on.
BUT the scene shifts....and as it does, you are looking across the restaurant. You do not walk with, or as, Tony to the table, take off your jacket and have a seat. In the first shot from your view in the restaurant Tony is not at the table, another moment, and he is there, checking out the music. Realize, you, the viewer are in the restaurant. Everything is different, because you are there... you notice all the tension and awareness - the anxiety level is outrageous.
Suddenly it all goes BLACK. You NEVER SAW IT COMING. You hear no music -
IT'S ALL A BIG NOTHING !!!!
You, my friend, the viewer, were whacked. In this state, you will no longer view the Soprano's, they are dead to you.

It couldn't end with.........

2007-06-12T21:37:00.000-04:00

Remember it couldn't end with a shooting - after all, that's been done. Who shot J.R.? It had to be different than anything ever before. .......and it was. We are still talking about it -and how long will we? If Chase is successful, weeks from now, we will still. I'm anxious to receive the theory email -that has all of the psbl endings... it hasn't shown up in my mail yet....but I've heard about it.
Will this promote others to watch and buy the DVD's those that never watched -because they'll be smarter than all of us, that DID watch - and they'll have the ANSWER. David Chase said it's all in there!

And tomorrow Dale Earnhardt Jr will tie up a climatic loose end as well. Unless.... well, your tv stops working!!!

2007-06-09T21:51:00.000-04:00

Yeah man! Those are some moves!!!!

can she do it ?

2007-06-09T21:07:00.000-04:00

Anyone with, um, concerns about the feminist implications of a sexy, aggressive all-girl sport should meditate on a) the fact that women of all shapes and sizes play together and b) this article from the Dallas Morning News, which captures the contradictions nicely:

Playing a game that's punctuated with cursing and fighting might be the extreme in girl-power, but the attire the women wear seems a bit anti-feminist at first. There are a lot of splayed legs and exposed midriffs in roller derby. Not to mention penalties that include spankings doled out by audience members. But if that's all you see on the track, then you're not paying attention, say the women. Because the game is about much, much more.

For some of them, roller derby is the outward expression of a midlife crisis. For others, it's an opportunity to enjoy a sport that's intensely physical, intensely visceral and just plain fun. But most of all, roller derby is the perfect venue for a woman to explore all her polar opposites: the demure and the sexy, the coy and vamp, the good and the bad. Spokeswoman Louisa Brinsmade, aka Mau-Mau when playing with the Hellcats, puts it this way: Roller derby gives one permission to be a total woman.

"If you watch a roller derby bout you have the really ... sexy part of it, and you have this amazing physical prowess going on, and you have the real spitfire intensity of passion. ... It will come out in fights, in major plays. It will come out in the way that we relate off the track and after the bout.

"We're sort of trying out and using all of the strengths that women have," she says. "The power of seduction and the power of being sexy and the power of being strong. All of it is combined into what I think, as a whole, many women are made of."

"In many ways, this is a feminist movement," says Chola. "We're just being as bad as we want to be, doing what we love, and being ourselves."

2007-06-04T00:18:00.000-04:00

THE MAN

2007-06-03T23:45:00.000-04:00

The man - The Sociopath you can't help but love...... yeah, I know... I don't get it either... but I feel it !!

Inside the Actor's Guild Bravo Station Watch your guide for it... Next Saturday a.m. 0900

"And, of course, larger questions loom over these terrible scenes: Is
depression a whiner's malady, a genetic legacy or a part of the human
condition? Is Tony a sociopath enabled by anyone who'll listen to his
whining, or is he an ugly reflection of our culture: lazy,
self-indulgent, confused and morally adrift?"

The last Episode Ever

2007-06-03T23:36:00.001-04:00

1999 until Now - one more week. All shows run their course.
It's been a fun ride!

The greatest loss thus far.......

2007-06-03T23:29:00.000-04:00

My bff Ade - she didnt' have a chance. Then, again, in that world, you start out with the odds against you. You go in knowing full well. She was playing with fire. As we look at this picture, we remember it to be the last night of her life....

Only Paulie left to protect Tony.........

2007-06-03T23:20:00.001-04:00

Noooooooooo how did this happen ? How will it end ?? Glad to have been part of the most exciting television event ever, but my heart is heavy. One by one, I'm losing my close Sunday night associates. (of course a little twitch of the nose, Tony took care of this liability...cut your losses.... where's the love?)

Sir Elton John

2007-06-03T17:25:00.000-04:00

Maybe the only cd I don't have. Nothing by Elton John. How did that happen? If I could see one show.... if there is one concert left for me to see... it's this one.. Today I've spent the morning watching Inside the Actor's Guild with Elton John and The concert afterwards on Bravo. Lovin' it.

That's what it was all about

2007-06-03T11:04:00.001-04:00

why do you keep him ? Why do you want an animal like that ?

He's so aggressive ! Those are the questions I get, repeatedly.

Those pictures are the answers. At 2 weeks old I picked Cisco out.
I 'reserved' him; as the litter was much desired. He was sooooo cute!
At 8 weeks we went back to pick him up. He was the nosiest little guy. It was so terrificially fun to have him at home. I was so glad to be part time. This guy was so little, that I couldn't stand to be away from him. I also have 2 other Bengals, but the female, Aniko. She's wicked. So cold hearted-well, let me show you her effort to keep the cold heart warm :

so -- anyhow - we're afraid she will hurt him..... in fact, at the point we finally left them alone together while we were away..... we came home to find him frightened nearly to death. I think we may have come home in time. Oh, the guilt. He had been with us then maybe ? 4 or 5 weeks. As he grew older, his character became something out of a cartoon. If you weren't here it almost wasn't funny. As I would explain my stories to others - I would stop midstream, think -oh, this isn't funny. Lemme'splain. Thanksgiving: I made a wonderful breast of turkey. I took it out of the oven -sat it on the top of the stove, to cool. I had to leave the house to run an errand. On Thanksgiving? Can't imagine ? Speedway, maybe? When I returned-the aluminum foil was removed and remnants of turkey are all over the floor and counter. Three cats are laying about, content, on their trypto high... if they could talk, would tell me how wonderful it was. Cisco, the bad guy. Rico and Aniko had been with me already 4 years - never such an experience. What are you thinking? I'd kill such a cat. Yeah yeah, save your threats. It was hilarious. I now do not have a turkey. And, who's fault was it? Seriously - a turkey? And, him with the knowing ways of full presentation to his guests ?
His activities are non-stop. One day I took him to the vet. I noticed he growled a bit. Nah, it wasn't a bit. It was more than I'd seen in a cat before -only what I had seen in a dog. But he was a kitten, it was manageable. We laughed, tough guy he was. Tony Soprano in a cat. A few more visits -lots of visits with him -always into something...and each time a little more agressive. I had no idea. Now he is 5 yrs old. Something serious happens -the cat food poison. I had resisted taking him to the vet now for about 2 or 3 years, for everyone's safety. Realize he is fine in the household. You can pet him, he hangs around, he's entertaining. He may growl -but he's not going to hurt you. However, I'd caution you not to pick him up - not ever the brave soul that would try, he's almost 3 feet long. Now 2 or 3 years, no vet visits -but I have to take him -he's dying. I am really going to lose him. I love him - I am so totally infatuated with him. (he hates me) At the vet is this horrible experience. He turned on me. He turned on me in such a way that it was frightening. I was covered with blood. I had to go to my own doctor-I had to be treated with a tetanus shot, an a round of Cipro. It could have been worse. He is nothing short of a mountain lion. Wow. Remember I brought him home at 8 weeks........ He did not have a Danger sign on his head. But he now has one on his vet file! I love the guy. And these pictures above are the reason. Look at that beautiful beautiful marble Bengal. I love him more every day. All those days of medicine. I did nothing but concentrate on bringing him back around and these pictures show, I got him there. His coat is shining, he's putting back on his weight. Every day I love him more..... if I could just get him to love me back. Unrequited shit. Story of my life! :-) I just found the cutest baby picture - he was worn out from running around.... hahahahaah

Gone but not forgotten

2007-05-27T21:52:00.000-04:00

Oh, Black Betty bam a lam... Don't know what that was about anyhow. I'll tell ya. I wanted one of those scooters. Just the low priced, automatic transmission, scooter. I saw the Buell and I grabbed it, last October. I got out on it a few times... not really much interest. This year, again... A few times, I thought -hey -I could like this. But, no. I couldn't. I like riding on the back instead. I wouldn't mind having a VRod. Really, I would just rather ride a bicycle. If someone would spend the day with me tackling a 30 mi ride on a bicycle, I'd be just as happy as heading out on a motorcycle. Either would be equally as fun. On the motorcycle tho', I guess I'd rather be on the back.

Cat is still doing fine. He's hilarious. I want to play feather toy with him and he will for a min... I have to remember- he was pretty damn sick. He looks good -but really, he has only gained maybe 4 or 5 of the 12lbs he lost... I need to be patient. He's so daggone cute (mean) it's pathetic. I'm still getting the claims papers ready for the cat food company. I have everything together; but there was one day -where I wasn't sure if we were going back down hill or not.. so I held back. I think we're fully turned around now. I'll send them in Tues.

The swimming pool is open. I didn't realize this. Today I saw some friends -they had been at the pool. Great. I'm ready. I'll go tomorrow. I have my suit from VS. Oh, well, maybe not... forgot the top is on back-order. Ha. Can't wear the top that came with it. Well, I could, if we live in Rio! I can wear last year's tankini. Unless we get rain all day -and for that, I could be thankful....the yard looks BAD. Stay in touch friends.

Actually I prayed for this day....

2007-05-15T20:30:00.000-04:00

OMG He is sooo strong now. I have at least 3 more days of medicine for this cat, and there is just no way! He got away tonight -and screamed so loud !!! I'm sure the police will be here soon, to see if I am beating a child. Maybe just one day of the Amoxicillin and even tho' -it's bubble gum, he hates it most. It's pink. Ruins his look, gets around his mouth. The muscles in my neck and shoulders are killing me from trying to hold him. Damn Sam -he's a Pit Bull. The vet said -he's the Pit Bull of cats, he's not exaggerating. Otherwise - it's the last few nights of American Idol. Not emotionally attached to this. I'd like to see Jordin win however -she's great. I think she has the 'it' factor. I need to get in the tanning bed and work out with weights... otherwise nothing else to say. I'd like to get in bed early. I love some Tuesday night shows -but thas' what the DVR is for !!

catfood

With maturity comes boredom

2007-05-14T19:19:00.000-04:00

Today I read an interesting comment. It was in an article about Denny Hamlin -and that's what it said. He's 26 -getting that last bit of fun in, before the boredom of maturity arrives. SOOOOOO thats it. I thought I had lost the zest for life. Nope, that's not it at all. I'm freakin' Old.

House to myself ! Kickin' it with no distractions! It's the good stuff. Jr's gone to Vegas to shoot in the pool tournament!
I've had the bike up for sale -so today Jr cleaned it up for me. Gettin' some hits on it, but it's a sellers market around here cause I can sell it, or keep it -no matter.
It was a nice relaxing weekend. Brittany came over Saturday night and we stayed up all night- woke up early to watch Borat, Jr brought us breakfast in bed (McDonalds) and then we fell asleep again. Later we hit Starbucks- then back here so I could clean this darn house. I got a lot done and today was planned to relax. However not much of that has happened. Now it will. Get to bed early and start the work week over again tomorrow.
Interesting is that I haven't heard back from the cat food company. Natural Balance - guess I need to put it in writing another way. I'll take care of that this week. A vet tech was at my house last night, and said the pet food companies are taking care of the cats. I'm very lucky - Cisco was going into Liver & Kidney failure and we've turned him around. He is cracking me up now. He wants every piece of food in the house. I guarantee you if some neighbors start cooking out -he'll be yowing to get me to go over, and beg for some food for him !!! Seriously -he has plenty. I've gone the healthy route now. Trying to stay away from the grains that are in foods. Makes it more expensive -but they eat less and their poop stinks MORE! Whatever tho'. Yesterday Cisco was hell bent on Brittany's Starbucks - he knocked it off the counter. Then she walked in the room to find him licking it off the floor. She picked it up -and when she left the room - she came back to find it on the floor again ... only he wasn't. He was up on the cabinet, where he was, to knock it over.......as she bent over to pick it up ....he growled like 'hey little girl, you don't touch that!' He gets his message across. She just picked it up and said "brat cat!" Tis' true. I went over to her house this a.m. and put some food outside for Anubis -that is her Bengal. He likes to live outside and with everyone at school and work -he needed some food outside, so he can come and eat as he pleases. That cat won't stay in the house. He's a marble Bengal just like Cisco -in fact, they are familial -so they look alike. With a drastic difference in size however !

Oh what about the race -Denny ALMOST had it -and the Soprano's wow wee woooo wah.

pictures

2007-05-11T21:54:00.000-04:00

Click on the pictures for a closer view.

But wait there's more

2007-05-11T21:25:00.000-04:00

Want to see how this works out ? Double, triple, quadruple wrap in a throw I've had for years. Cisco is a very muscular dude -if he is not in a strait-jacket -he is going to win! He is actually very good about this. He talks. One day he said; Hell No. We laughed, and both said outloud - Hell No! It was audible to both of us. Then a few days later -2 boys were here. 16 years old. I asked them to sit and be very quiet. Cisco gets stressed easily. Quiet on the set!! So, I get started. I said Cisco "c'mon you just have one more" and he said "no, I don't" The worst part of this story, is that I promptly responded by saying "yes you do, c'mon" These boys are laughing so hard with their shirts pulled up over their faces!! There were four of us in the house - vocals audible to all four! Hilarious. Now, my mom says it's reminiscent of a 5 year old saying 'no, no, no, I don't want it' over and over again. As one day, early on -she called and I had to lay the phone down to finish. No time to talk -this is serious business. Now, however, he knows the score. He still doesn't like it -but he mumbles and grumbles -no audible words. Takes it like a man. The most interesting thing is, when he is finally set free -he doesn't run to hide. He just gets in the floor and begins to groom. Yes, thankfully - about 2 weeks in -he began to groom. That was a happy day and then days later we're doing most all of the normal things. He's going to make it! I emailed the cat food company. We'll see if they are interested in the ordeal I've been thru. Not likely, I'm sure.

Then there's this

2007-05-11T20:58:00.000-04:00

Sick cat. Cisco. Man. This has been a long hard road. He started going downhill- couldn't quite figure it out. Took him to the vet. Figured it was something my other cat had a year ago. Cisco is a very big brutus type cat; thought okay, it just brought him down. But we medicated him -didn't work. Then he went further downhill. Lethargic -and this, an extremely active cat. He started using his own private litter box. Then he started losing his appetite, drank a lot of water, then stopped drinking water -and licking concrete. googled that symptom: Liver and Renal failure - Oh my goodness -he is sick! Called the vet. They said; he's been bitten by a dog today, he's here by himself -but he'll still see you. Okay I feel bad, but my cat is going to die. I left work -as I drove the 30 miles home..... I was certain I wouldn't make it in time. I found Cisco laying in the exact same spot, as he was, 24 hours ago. I grabbed him up and off to the vet. This became quite an event. I wanted to weigh him. He was turning to a bag of bones. I did.....but something happened on the scale. As I went to pick him up (I'm in the room by myself) he turned on me. Like a Pit Bull. He's a CAT!! It was like I was breaking up a cat fight with an imaginary cat!! Terrified and all, but worried to death -the vet and his tech's rescued me. They sedated him -did the full blood work. The next day, I have to see my physician; tetanus and round of Cipro for my wounds. Wish I had a pic -it was unbelievable. He's a CAT! Lisa from the vets' office called -said Liver and Kidney values high.... dvm is doing some research will talk to me tomorrow. TOMORROW ?? !!! Yes, he had eaten a recalled cat food brand. It wasn't recalled until after the first visit.
Poisoned! I'm beside myself in anger, sadness, fear.... my boyfriend saw me driving down the road... pulled me over to say my mom was trying to call me; answer the phone.
They sent me to a wonderful pharmacist, the following day. (Doug at Medicine Shoppe.) He made Cisco's medicines into Chicken Shake's.(a word I made up-they compound the medicines with real chicken and a shake like substance) I just fill the syringes and each day - I wrap him up real good (for safety) and I get the full doses in him! 5 syringes! Plus one of pedialyte that I fill as necessary.
As of May 10th, he has turned for the better. I still have days and days of medication to go...

catfood

Tattoo's

2007-05-11T20:52:00.000-04:00

Wow - it's been a long long time. Sorry'bout that. Is there anybody out there? Just nod if you can hear me? Is there anyone at home?
Last year I finally went back to Memphis. It's been a long long time since I've been home. How impressive. Memphis has really turned itself around. Love the hometown. Before I proceed w/the current news, here's my new favorite thing. My nephew is a tattoo artist at Memphis Tattoo off Beale. This is what I came home with! Representin' the hometown!

~ Dusty words lying under carpets, seldom heard, well, must you keep your secrets ~: July 2005

2006-07-10T02:54:00.000-04:00

~ Dusty words lying under carpets, seldom heard, well, must you keep your secrets ~: July 2005

2006-07-10T02:48:00.000-04:00

Wednesday

2006-01-25T19:55:00.000-05:00

Wednesday? What? What do you do with Wednesday? I have a 3 day weekend coming up - Kid Rock Sunday night!! But the 3 day weekend makes for a long week prior. Maybe a half day Friday.... makes it a 3 and a half day weekend. I don't do tv tonight...but I did Tivo Beyond the Bull or something about Bull Riding last night. You ever watch that? You ever REALLY watch that? Some incredible stuff. Think a football player is tough? Think again. Knocked out cold -but GETS UP -doesn't wait for the medic to attend - nope it's a two ton bull with horns heading toward your gut!! I'm liking Adriano Moraes (sp?) I've watched him for years -somehow tho' not followers of Rodeo, if it's on, we stop. I'll watch that in a min after I order the nephew a skin for his new iPod. Problem; he won't call back and it's a Nano or a Shuffle - can't believe I don't remember. I retain that sort of info. I'm up to 1153 songs on mine. 200 cd's to go~ I have quite the library. I decided would be cool if I could buy iPods, and sell them with my library. Make another couple of hundred each. Then of course I heard today "they" are doing it. It's being done, I was a day too late and of course there are laws I'd dare not break. Creating a libary is pretty tedious work. Each day I load another 5, 6, 7 cd's... (from my 300 disk cd player -at least they are in order)
some days I don't load any- like today. Today I was searching something - which I rarely do. Ran across a blog found a hip chic you should check out. www.decalgirl.com need an iPod skin? Those are the way to go. Girl has a knack.
Work was better today - was a horrible Christmas. Online shopping is way up. Those that were reluctant to use their credit cards online are over it. We're exploding. Don't hate us. Won't talk about work on my blog. But man, it was psychologically damaging! We're back to normal now, and we're the best at what we do. A week ago I took a vacation to get over it. However the boyfriends mom died Christmas day. Which means they were taking apart her apt that week. I ended up, moving, throwing out, organizing etc... and I didn't grunge at all. Three day weekend coming up. Grunge city. I can white trash my look for Kid Rock, but other than that... I have a few free pay per views to download by Jan 31st and a rockin new memory foam pillow that keeps my neck in perfect condition on the couch! Oh yeah, did I tell you about my new Select Comfort -Sleep by Number bed? Think I'd ever leave... No Way.

Just another shot

2006-01-19T19:48:00.000-05:00

This is another view of the Black Guy with all the mud. What a hilariously shocking surprise to find him at the door in this get-up.

Tommy Lee

2006-01-19T19:23:00.000-05:00

So... to catch up the story... the last kitten left has been named Tommy Lee. He is quite a good cat. He is fed daily and overweight. He doesn't wander. He is a tom-cat but he doesn't leave the yard. Guess his hormones aren't raging! His dad still comes around from time to time (*picture.) Daddy has gotten mommy pregnant again and we have two of those kittens left. I'm so done with this. However it has not been warm enough to take them to the no-kill shelter. The no-kill shelter has outside cages where you place the cats...but then they are exposed to the weather all night long. I'm sorry, I just can't do that. I'll wait for a break in the weather. I'll also have to take the cats on seperate trips, because I'm not sure how they would all get along confined? The momma cat, not sure there is a way to catch her, other than trapping her. However, she has to go! Daddy isn't paying child support and she's not on the pill!
Now the pic; this is the daddy cat showing up after he had been missing, maybe 4 or 5 days. Take a look at this! As I walked past the door I really couldn't figure out what kind of animal was outside my door. Then I walked closer and thought that some mean children had dipped him in bleach-I was fuming before I could get even closer. That is when I realized... It's MUD! He was completely covered in mud. It was in his ears, nose, and 3 inches deep into his fur. He had literally saved his own life fighting out of a mud puddle (apparently!) I have never seen anything like this. Thought I'd share. He must be 14 years old, he has some grey hair and is one of the friendliest cats I've yet to meet. Sad note that they have to go. But, I'm over it.

The Sole Survivor

2005-07-24T02:50:00.000-04:00

The last kitten. He is the guy posted thru-out the blog. Such a sweet, friendly guy -and the only one alive. We've lost all of them. Even the daddy isn't around much anymore....think the last he was around was about 3 days ago - the sibling; gone. The momma cat comes and goes at spaced out intervals. Can't figure out what happened to the sibling. It was here, it was fine, so it seemed.... then one day, it didn't show up for the breakfast bunch. Never been seen or heard from again. The night before both were climbing my Charlie Brown tree, playing pretty hard. It was enjoyable to watch.

Vacation is almost over. I have a ton of homework to do tomorrow, and must get out to see Donnie tomorrow night. He's been in town from Nashville for about 3 or 4 weeks, and I've yet to get out there. I've done as much as I expected I would during vacation week - except ECheck. Forgot about ECheck. I still have two more days before back to work....could possibly get the ECheck Monday. Didn't get a haircut, needed that badly.

this class I am working on, is as hard as math! This is a class regarding research studies. My favorite subject, but definitely the most challenging!

top of mind thoughts:

The best proclamations of love are the ones that are equal parts practical and romantic.
(my sentiments exactly)

Horse Riding?

2005-07-19T00:02:00.000-04:00

I could go Horse Riding this week? Haven't done that in ages? Wonder how that would feel? Free? Not sure it would bring about any passionate resources, but could still be something different and worthwhile. Let's see... where do you start?
I do need to go for a walk tomorrow. I'll start with the bike path -may take my roller blades? THEN there's the fact that I need to lay around the house ugly all day. Not getting dressed, on the couch with a blanket and a pillow -if it storms, I'll do that. Otherwise, I'll get out, and get busy. It's late now, I'll get to bed early so I don't miss much.

Think the mid-life crisis is real? It's always been said that the mid-life crisis brings about unusual events... divorce, puchase of a convertible, cavorting with people half your age? But what is it really? Could it be where you find the things that interested you while younger transform? They either change, or go to a higher level? I'll have to read up on some of those philosphy's. I've just began to experience what I find is a change of mind-set. It's time to find things that I can't wait to get out of bed to do. Of course after being injured so many years, it was all I could do to get out of bed. Now that I'm functional -I have to find some things that don't really push those points. What a freakin' puzzle.
Billy Bob Thornton is on tv-I like this guy. gotta go... ha Billy Bob just said what excites him now is sitting at home on his a**. He said hotels are just about paying lots of money to sleep in a bed that is not as good as his at home! Boy, I'm there with that. I knew I liked this guy. Think I'll go in the other room and watch Bad Santa; it's been recorded for mos and I've yet to watch it. We'll see if I can get thru it before I fall asleep.

I get to stay home alone now several nights a week. The boyfriend's mom is ill -so he spends time staying the night at her house. For safety purposes, and because, well, he should. He'll regret it, if he doesn't. Hate to capitalize on it, but I like this time. Especially while on vacation, and the 5 a.m. alarm clock not waiting on me!

Monday

2005-07-18T23:46:00.000-04:00

Blah, Monday.
Yesterday ELEVEN hours of homework. What a drag. I must've gotten behind at some point, I didn't realize there would be so much to do, on due date. Yuck, I hate it. It's a degree I must have, again, I hate it.
The weather isn't nice, so I'm not missing much. The sun isn't out, the weather is muggy -I could stand a good storm or two. I LOVE storms.
Today I caught up (a little) on housework, then did the dreaded 3 mos dr's appt. Not much else accomplished. I have a week off work; several things I plan to do. Need to write a list to make sure I get them done. ECheck. Yeah, that sucks, the last year of ECheck -my car is what? only three years old and I have to get a freakin' ECheck. Whatever. It's the last one. I'll do that, then order my tags... after all my b'day is next month -which is the 20th anniversary of my 21st b'day.
Sounds more attractive than turning 41.
I remember when I was, oh say, 24 - I hung out with people that were in their early 40's and man, they hung out all night long with us. I can't imagine! How on earth did they do it? I couldn't. No way I could stay out til 4 in the morning and get to work by 7. I could do it at 24 -but at 41 puhleeze! It'd take a lot of passion to do that. That might be it. The passion is not there. You know passion can get you buy on 4 hours sleep. Lack of passion requires a good 10 hours easy!!
Passion; that's a entirely different subject. My Nashville friend and I have discussed it at length. Bach when, we were passionate about so many things. Things that drive you, and keep you moving forward. So, what's different now? Do you have to find other things you are passionate about -cause life changes? I've ventured around looking for things that might bring that sort of energy. Working out-yeah, it's good. But it's a requirement. Music; sure, but nothing new draws me like it did before. It's got to be out there, and I have to find it. This is my passionate pursuit. It may require moving. Maybe it's a geographical handicap? I've done so much, been there, done that -not easily entertained... maybe I need to be where the entertainment is fresh and new? Not sure, just something I'm pondering. It's not hobbies and interests I am referring to- it's passion. There is something very different about passion. Passion was when I was in radio -and I could work 24 hours a day. I never stopped working. You know, that leads me to a subject of interest-radio would put me back there. The way radio has transformed makes it that much more interesting. You can track out of your home, with a home studio and broadcast on 24 stations across the U.S. Set down tracks, upload to the respective cities - that, does start the creative juices flowing. But how do you get the news anchor job on Fox News?? That's what I really want !! Yeah, forgot to pave that path.

Saturday Jul 9th

2005-07-10T04:13:00.000-04:00

The boyfriends' b'day. Busy day at work. It was one of those days where I performed just as to what is expected of me...Then sometimes, I was in the 'don't push me around mode.' Like your threats do not make you get what you are not entitled to. That's another story. Then I came home -we did the b'day dinner. However the gifts I ordered didn't come in. We picked up his son-no card, no gift. I'm feeling for the guy. No cards or gifts from the other two adult children either. He's 55, guess you don't expect much at this date. We have a mantel full of cards. After we get home from work, I decided to do some watering when I noticed a terrible smell. I've smelled it before. Once when I was 14 yrs old, a lady was laying dead during a heat wave in my neighborhood in Memphis. It was 113 degrees average for more than 14 days. The smell was incorrigible, sickening - news alerts advised to stay indoors, because of the heat primarily -but the smell !! You could puke at a moments notice.
So, back to 2005 - I smell this, only on a smaller level. I realize, it is the kitten the boyfriend named Frizzy. The only one he named. (these are stray kittens, see pics below.) We removed the skirting, used the flashlight and there he was. Oh, our feelings of guilt. But we must remove him. We wonder, had we checked sooner? Or was he intended to die? One less stray. The boyfriend grabs the shovel, changes clothes and crawls under the house. It's up to me to get it into the bag and tie it up, after we scoop up a mouse, the others have brought home as a prize. It is just sickening. It is sad. We are carrying away one of our own, it seems. We decide to take him to the dumpster, of my former employer. It's only 3 miles. That sad moment is over.

Came home, fed the other kittens and cats. BUT ....Later in the night Knock, Knock, Knock- on the sliding glass door. The boyfriend opens the door at my vocal protest to not answer it, this is not even the front door -but the sliding glass in the family room. The crack head wants to use the phone. The boyfriend hands it to her, I take it back !! He dials the number, no answer. Now I'm on their caller id. Later the police call, she is missing now for hours. She was pretty beat up. That was disturbing. Needless to say, I'm still awake. The police said they may want to speak with us later.(because they have my number/caller id)
IF we happen to be the last ones to see her. Crack heads will shoot you or rob you. I'm mad at the boyfriend for his indiscretion. AT the same time, not surprised.
It has been a long day. Not one I'd choose to do over. Lots of events within a few short hours. AT the same time people calling to get us out of the house. Sorry we're busy, we live here! On that note I'll go to bed. Tomorrow when I wake up-it's plenty of homework, and much laundry as well. I'm off til Wednesday....ah life can be good. Broke, but good. I took the day off without pay. Priorities. School needs attention. More later... oh, one of the strays came to my lap, it's a first. The Spunky one. (if you respond to a post, it comes to my email.)

2005-06-26T21:24:00.000-04:00

what a pretty pretty kitty!

2005-06-26T21:18:00.000-04:00

Momma and babies sitting outside, I could only get one in the pic.

2005-06-26T21:10:00.000-04:00

Daddy cat, Scrappy Doo. The most beat up cat, I've yet to meet! Needs a good loving home.

2005-06-26T21:08:00.000-04:00

One of the kittens, the bravest of the bunch and so far what I believe to be the prettiest. I don't get to see them that often. They are a bit skittish, just like their mom.

School Starts

2005-06-19T23:19:00.000-04:00

Started school last week. Online, and a little cumbersome. Just takes a little getting used to. However, I am really enjoying the classes. One is ECommerce, which is the sort of class I've wanted to take since I started school, two years ago. The best part is the text book refers to FedEx.com every few pages -and how we've led the industry in that capacity. ECommerce relies on companies such as ours to make it work. My desire is to work at this level, and I'm not having to make comparisons -it's spelled out in textbook form. Also, perks my Purple feathers. In the first two chapters, I've already gained a new level of comprehension. The other is a Research course -and I have a topic! I must use a topic with scientific knowledge to back it up. Great!, that happened just by coincidence. (See: being old, getting in shape.) I have bloodwork from the beginning -the books to reference, that coached my pattern of resolution. Tomorrow, bloodwork to provide a 6 week progress report. Since low carb dieting has been stated to reduce insulin and cholesterol, we'll see... Control those things-and lose weight...cool !! -and I'll have scientific evidence to prove such. Low carb controls my low blood sugar, which in itself, is half of my battle.

It is nice to come home, grab the laptop-get started on assignments, throw a load of laundry in -and be able to study without leaving home, thus getting behind on what needs to be done at home. There is another aspect... 'Open book' allows use of your resources (real-life)thereby not relying on memory to cram for testing. Memory is after all, ram, you go to sleep and lose most of what you gained, by rebooting as you awake in the a.m. Not to mention spending 5 hours in school several times a week takes away from everything your required to maintain your schedule. And, we all have 'those' schedules. This is the way to go -so far. Classmates all over the U.S. Intelligent, new acquaintances.

Did I mention going to the gym 4 to 5 times per week? Nice for stress levels and I've lost 19 lbs !! Love the Elliptical! (with online courses I don't have to forego the gym, in lieu of commute time.)
Lots of people from my work use the same gym, since it is across the street. Kind of the old line from a sitcom, you like to go where everyone knows your name. I love the neighborhood -it was my neighborhood in 1997 -which was one of my better summers-giving it a nostalgic feel. Remember Texas? friends getting signed with Sony records?... that was a good year. Tons of girlfriend time, and a lot of great memories.

2005-06-19T20:11:00.000-04:00

Today was the TICA cat show at Hara. This was a lot of fun. We spent the morning having breakfast at Cracker Barrell. Then off to the show. We spent the entire afternoon, cuddling with cats, and watching the judging rings. Top left a real bobcat - ( see www.heavenscorner2003.com ) The other pics are winning cats. Top right is a friend from my last work location holding a $600 Burmese kitten. After we left Hara, we went to an interesting little Antique/Crafty type shop, in a barn setting and enjoyed time talking w/the owner. She had a lot of creative type things -I plan to go there again. It is great fun for me to go to a cat show that allows Bengals. Quite interesting -they have varied temperaments which do not allow them in the Cat Fanciers Association -which also leads to quite an entertaining cat show! (click the pictures for a larger view)

2005-06-19T19:58:00.000-04:00

Cisco asleep. What a cute, crashed position!

2005-06-19T19:56:00.000-04:00

Junior's girlfriend Aniko!

2005-06-06T14:24:00.000-04:00

The couch as a Kawasaki !

2005-06-06T14:17:00.000-04:00

This is the gas grill I purchased. I'm doing a research study with face moisturizer. It pays $120 for six visits, of about 7 mins each time. The grill was $129! It assists me in nutrition, and cost 42 minutes of my time !! My first gas grill, I've only had charcoal before -this is sooo much easier !! I'm learning marinating techniques, and will try the briquets for flavor soon.

Summer Kicks In

2005-06-06T13:33:00.000-04:00

Whoa! It's hot outside !! Our community pool won't open for two more weeks, so either I suffer, or go to the public pool. I'm laying out in the sun to get my daily dose of Vitamin D! Plus maybe if I'm real quiet, the new stray kittens living under my house will come out. I think they are about 6 weeks old now. Gotta get them healthy and beautiful, so I can give them away. Yes we seem to be running a brothel here. Stray females visiting and the one big stud black cat donating his sperm for the cause. There were several pregnant females running around, and we were so blessed (joke) to have her decide to have her young within our surroundings. I love cats, especially kittens, so as long as I find homes -this is okay with me.

As of this week, I'm at a 17lbs weight loss. I go back to the dr next week to do the bloodwork, am anxious to see if the insulin levels have dropped-and the cholesterol... I'm sure they have. I've gone to the gym every working day, so the weightloss is terrific. I'm wearing all of my jeans comfortably, and I'm ready to take it down a size! I make the workout part of the work day, and this is working into my plan quite nicely. It seems to be the structured way to do it, and I need structure. I eat what I am allowed on my breaks and at lunch. The weekends are a little difficult. However, since purchasing the new gas grill, all meals are fairly easy. Last night I made a barbecued pork chop salad! That was delicious!! Celery, vidalia onions, tomato, yellow pepper, lettuce and a little bit of ranch! Like I said before, I can make some interesting salads. I sliced up Brats this week and made fake pizza. No crust! I used a low carb pizza sauce, brats, onions, peppers, etc.. That was sooo good.

School starts next Monday. I'm doing the at home courses. This will be my Bachelor's in Technical Project Management. I'm pretty darn excited! My books have shipped and should arrive any day now! The course of my day is long, with the gym, and a full day of work -so I am only taking two classes the first quarter to make sure I can get it all in. I will increase to full load -one more course, after Christmas. I'm too busy at Christmas, with the company I work for, to take much more than this. Plus my health is equally as important and I'm not going to quit going to the gym each work day. The gym is across the street from my job. That makes it very accomodating.

My yard is looking very nice, but we sure need the rain. I just purchased a sprinkler for my yard I've been wanting about two years! It is expensive, but I had gift certificates from Amazon, so I paid $3.99 for it !! yay!! OHHH that reminds me, I need to list my first book on Amazon to sell. My first best friend from Junior High School, tells me this is the way to do it. She made $46 on three books in one week. The time spent; was time to list them, and take them to the post office to mail. According to her it is great fun. Since I accumulate so many books -this will be great for me. It will justify my continued purchase of books I want, and give me a good outlet for getting them back out of my house! Plus everyone and their brother is doing some kind of online selling of personal items, I need to get on this bandwagon!

I'll list the book after I get back in from laying in the sun - will let you know how fast it sells, and how that is working for me. That said, I think I'll list my Dr Phil books. So I may list three. I'll keep the weight loss book to read over for some other motivating tricks. I don't feel like I need the motivation, but it may reinforce some of my thought patterns, and make them stronger. By the next time I head off to visit my Nashville friend, I want her to really notice the difference! We spend quality pool time together, now with her children -so I want her to say "WOW Way To Go!" We are firm believers in the power of Yoga, so we have similar interests in how to keep fit. I haven't done any yoga this go 'round. I've been doing mostly cardio and weight lifting. I'll get back into Yoga when I feel some burnout coming thru.

Okay, now I'm off of here, to the lawn chair in the bikini, with the Bose headphones! Hope your having a great day as well !!

Turning into Good Health

2005-05-22T20:04:00.000-04:00

After the dr's appt several weeks ago, when the prognosis was that I was old... I've made several changes. First I've lost 11 lbs. Not stopping there, of course. I've been to the gym every day with the exception of last Wednesday, Monday the week prior. (but I did walk the neighborhood.) I've eaten with moderation and discretion at each meal. I'm on a sample the salad kick. I make different salads at night, with chicken, or steak.... and whatever else sounds good. I also visit resturants to purchase speciality salads, that are within my set guidlines. You see I was blood tested 2 weeks ago, I know my numbers. I'm going back in 4 more weeks to see if the numbers have changed. I'm doing what I know is right, and that is limited carbs. Yes, I have them -salads are carbs.... but no cake, ice cream, or pizza.

My Cubicle friend and I at work, have this mindset. IF you go workout... then you have an added bonus to your life - you can go home, veg, and suffer no guilt !! You can do anything you want after you get home -cause you've already put in a full days work, and done something good for yourself ! It does make the evenings more pleasant. Not to mention the energy lift that working out brings around, You don't veg, even tho' it would be guiltless!

I discovered another well touted piece of information to be 100% accurate this past week. When I went to the gym Thurs, I could make it only 10 mins on the Elliptical. I didn't think I would be able to accomplish that. A few hours earlier, I had said to the Cubicle friend, "I forgot to drink my water." Since the dr's appt, I have filled my 64 oz jug with water, ice, lemon -sometimes a splenda packet and drink it down!! I have no problem working out. The day without water however, was really different. I feel sorry for ya, if you continue to work out, but have yet to discover how beneficial it is, to be fully hydrated. People say "I drink water," sure you do, but do you drink enough?

2005-05-22T19:59:00.000-04:00

Cisco what a beautiful cat, and what an interesting look on his face! Not unusal tho', he is often deep in thought.

2005-05-22T19:57:00.000-04:00

This picture may not have the greatest clarity, but it sure caught the personality and charm of Cisco. DO NOT TOUCH ME ! See where he grabbed my hand with that huge claw! What a dirty look.

2005-05-22T19:49:00.000-04:00

This is my nephew Taylor in Mississippi. What a handsome young man! He is 12 years old, and I've just discovered his presence. This was one of the most pleasant surprises I've experienced in years. My sister, his grandmother -went to meet him this weekend. She was pleased to say, he is extremely well mannered, inquisitive and genuine boy. He plays baseball, and the drums for the school band. He rocks!!

2005-05-22T19:46:00.000-04:00

Different picture of the same tree. It has a nice Hosta around the base. That's the only thing attractive about this tree.

2005-05-22T19:45:00.000-04:00

This is the most pitiful thing about my yard. This tree was the one provided on my lot when I moved in. It is the most Charlie Brown type tree. I can't do anything with it, but hope for the best.

2005-05-22T19:43:00.000-04:00

This is my Magnolia tree. I bought this last year while visiting the Nashville friend. It is actually growing new leaves all over it. I guess it is a tree that doesn't come around as of this time of year. This tree is my most important tree. The Magnolia blooms soothe my soul. Something about being from Memphis. I'll get a picture of this one later in the year.

2005-05-22T19:39:00.000-04:00

The tiger-lillies across the front of the house. These were planted my first year. I have Day Lillies planted in btwn each - after the yellow blooms, the orange blooms will come into. I wish I had planted the tiger lillies all around the house. The make for a very nice border.

2005-05-22T19:37:00.000-04:00

A very nice Hosta. The most common of the Hostas I believe. This one is in a perfect spot. My others were planted last year, this was one about 3 years ago. It was very small.

2005-05-22T19:36:00.000-04:00

Another picture of the bush, then the porcupine grass that I love sooo much. I'll get a picture of that later in the year. Before I split it -that is my favorite.

2005-05-22T19:34:00.000-04:00

This is hilarious. My favorite plant, closest to us. The Sum & Substance Hosta. I LOVE that one. Then the bush, I'm not sure what that is. This will be it's second year, so it should turn out a little better. You can tell I almost lost it as well. I had to transplant this at the wrong time of year.

2005-05-22T19:32:00.000-04:00

I planted these Hosta last year -& the dogwood tree. Are you able to see it? It may look slim, but it LIVED. I was so very afraid. I've lost several dogwoods, and this was my last shot. As you can see, give the Hostas a few years, and the dogwood... that should be a really nice area.

The gym, the food, the lifestyle

2005-05-15T23:59:00.000-04:00

My first day at the gym - first day on a regimented schedule.... Oprah was on Tv. We watched the whole show while on the elliptical. That was a major workout for me! Which was the basis of her show. I've been back every day, but today -and today -I walked the neighborhood for about an hour, then 2 hours of yard work. I've stuck to keeping the bad stuff out of my diet. This means chosen snacks, and planned meals. Guess what? 8 lbs. Yes, I've lost EIGHT lbs. Oprah said you could do it... just do it right. Quite motivational that day, and on the day I needed it so much. I loved walking today -at first wished I had someone to walk with, but there is something to be said for walking alone. Another thing that is very good for you is to walk in the elements. Maybe even do it on purpose! Builds character. When I worked outside all of those years, I realized the elements were my friends. The hot made me appreciate the cold and vice versa. (liked the cold better) There was so much to experience by going outside every day, no matter what the weather. On that note; Maybe that could be a good plan for those that need to experience a change in life. Let's say your in a rut, but don't really have a plan to get out of it, or are facing restrictions. Start there -go outside and walk every day -NO MATTER what the weather. That's a thought. If nothing else, it gets you off the couch and out of the house without spending money. I'd offer to walk someone's dog, but I'm not much about picked up poop!

2005-05-15T23:45:00.000-04:00

Lemme' Help -Cisco ALWAYS participates in projects.... He loves housework, or any other project you may undertake. He helps, and hinders...

Cisco & Rico

2005-05-15T23:40:00.000-04:00

An unusual moment, Rico and Cisco together. They usually maintain the rules of their restraining orders and keep their distance. This picture does a good job of showing their gloss/glittered pelts. However, the eyes didn't come off well. Those are my boys. The reason they are together.... The past 4 days Rico (right) has been following me around talking to me. He also wakes me in the night and is quite persistent in doing so. Wasn't sure if there was something wrong, or if he was just being friendly. Sometimes he does become rather attached to me. Instinctively, I felt something was wrong. Tonight he came out of the room with his ear bleeding inside. He had scratched it to destruction. Must've been bothering him for days. (chronic wax buildup) So, I grabbed the ear medication and he stayed away -til I cornered him. (That's hard on me.) This picture is about 30 mins later. His ear is no longer red, and Cisco is checking him out to see if he's okay -cause well, medicine smells, and he had to know what the problem was. Wasn't like Rico was going to tell him, those two have zero communication skills.

Officially Spring

2005-05-15T21:38:00.000-04:00

Nice weather, Nice yard, Hello Spring. It is finally not winter! Our yard seems to be even colored and very green. Wish it would stay that way all year. It is always nice this time of year -so I thought it'd be a good time for a picture. Long way from the picture below in December!

2005-05-14T23:45:00.000-04:00

Shadow box my sister created for my Aunt June.

Sedentary Lifestyle

2005-05-10T15:55:00.000-04:00

Well, here it is. 40 years old. The Sedentary lifestyle. The time of life when everything you do, you think to yourself, "wow I haven't done this in years."
Let's take swimming for example. Went to the gym, decided to swim enough laps to reach a milestone of some sort. I realized within a few days. First the chlorine zapped my 40 yr old skin! But, more importantly that it takes 33 full laps to swim a full mile!! At first I could do one lap. I can do 5 now. There was a time and not nearly a decade ago, that I could swim as many laps as I wanted.

Bought a hula-hoop yesterday not for exercise benefit, it simply looked like fun. Again something I haven't done, except this example; 20 years ago. Found that it has some exercise benefit, as well.

Recently I started feeling really bad. This is unfortunate as I had a very physical job. In technical terms an Industrial Athlete. A series of events that have taken place, do not allow me to be athletic enough to do the job. My mistake, I chose to do desk duty. (I won't do it long.) I decided to take the knowledge path in life, where I became paid for my knowledge. Now I'm rethinking it. Getting paid to stay in the best athletic shape possible might've been the good life key.

I'm laying around, just can't get up. Sleepier than I've ever been, not really seeing an end in sight. I make periodic trips to the gym. I do 3 days this week-then 2 weeks later I might go twice more. Nothing consistent. I also don't work very hard when I'm there.

So, said to a friend -going to the dr. Something is wrong. As I thought about what was wrong, I was starting to clue in. I go to the dr and he suggested a full physical. The results were exactly as I expected. You don't eat right, and you don't exercise enough-and if you don't do something about it, your heading down an inevetible medical path.

I know beter. I love Yoga, I love swimming, I love walking in the woods, and I even like going to the gym, but what I really like is sitting on the couch !! Napping on the couch...

My insulin is too high, my cholesterol was just under 300, my heart wasn't at it's best, and my weight is out of hand. Came home from that appt, motivated, not disappointed. She gave me 6 weeks to make changes. This is my chance to put the diet I know works for me, under the test. I will follow it to the letter. I will exercise. In 6 weeks we'll recheck my numbers. Here's to something good !

Cleaning Day/Mother's Day

2005-05-08T23:47:00.000-04:00

Sunday, Mothers'Day. Cleaning Day, for me. I have 4 days off of work. I had a week of vacation, just over a week ago-but I didn't clean like I should. It was raining. As you can see from my decided name, rain appeals to me. Which means I withdraw into self absorption. Don't really take phone calls, don't really make phone calls -I do email however. I sit around online, listening to Fox News -oh, for 12 hours at a time. Yep, that's what I do on grey days. If it's actually raining, likely I have a blanket and a pillow placing the laptop on the table near the couch. Living where I live with approximately 240 grey days per year, you can imagine the need for Spring Cleaning, and the 'suddenly unexplained weight gain.'

That brings me to cleaning day. I chose the living room. Not sure that I consciously did that, as much as it's the ONLY room in the house that is not lived in! I likely thought, altho, not out loud, -this'll be easy. (reference lazy side above.) Well it's turned into quite a job. This is the living room that represents myself living alone, or with a roommate, and all of the things I acquired and cherished dearly during that time. I am sure of that emotion, because these are the things I will not part with.

I was cleaning the Entertainment Center, as they were called then. Hence this day forward; the Media Center. I was marveling at HOW DIRTY it was. It has not been cleaned; the everything removed and replaced cleaned, since last year. My Nashville friend refers to me often as someone that likes to clean. Whoa! She should see this. Oh there ya go, see how perception works. I was under the impression, that if she said I liked it, that meant she thought I was good at it. No, that's not it necessarily -she may have just meant when you FINALLY get around to doing it, you seem to enjoy it.

Well now I must refrain from typing any random thoughts I would put down. As it is time to remove ALL of the books from the bookshelf, dust the shelf and all of the books and put them back in. This means that I must also go into decision making mode, as to what books I may donate or put in the box designated for books to sell, yes...the entrepreneurial word of Amazon Used Book Sales... ?? Talk soon, my brain needs me.

2005-05-08T23:28:00.000-04:00

Cisco discussing blog options with me. He's not sure the whole cleaning day blog was of much interest. Aniko is just bored at this point. Actually I thought this picutre captured their colors well.

2005-05-08T23:25:00.000-04:00

Rico doing his yang stretches before bed. We've all had a full day. With only two rooms left to clean, I've kept us all busy today. This is why I do not need a 4 bedr house. What's the point? I will downsize for the next move.

2005-05-08T20:03:00.000-04:00

Trying the new collage option from Picasa.com. This is my 40th b'day -this is actually grid. Collage makes the pictures look like poloroids and I'm not quite sure what to do with them.

Reelfoot Lake (front)

2005-05-08T19:29:00.000-04:00

While we're here I'll show you the other side of the house at the lake.

Reelfoot Lake (back)

2005-05-08T19:26:00.000-04:00

My Grandmomma's house at Reelfoot Lake. She sold this in 1974-75. I sure miss it. Sunkist beach was across the lake, Life was good.

2005-05-08T19:12:00.000-04:00

Close up.

2005-05-08T19:10:00.000-04:00

As I said earlier, I could catch the polishing of the chrome later today. It was a given on any day. However, here is the new bike -it's pretty. Bronze pearl

Tattered & Torn

2005-05-08T16:00:00.000-04:00

Cisco enjoys a day at home hanging out as well. This bag, he enjoys better than any other brown paper bag. It is made of a different type of material. As you can see it's been destroyed in combat... he still finds purpose with the battered toy. Such a pretty guy. Not sure if I'll get Rico today, he's a bit skittish when things are being moved around, packed, unpacked -he isn't fond of moving.