Joke

from Reader's Digest.

Just before a boy enters the barbershop, the barber tells his customer, "This is the dumbest kid in the world. Watch." The barber puts a dollar in one open palm and two quarters in the other and asks the kid, "Which do you want?" The boy takes the quarters and leaves. "See?" says the barber, laughing. Later, the customer passes the boy, who is standing outside a candy store. "Why'd you take the quarters and not the dollar?" he asks. "Because," said the boy, "the day I take the dollar, the game's over."

A blog to visit for a funny pet story.

I know some of you enjoy reading funny pet stories. Well I came across one today. You will be shaking your head with 'yes how true. My pet does this.' It is called 'Dear dogs and cats'. You can find it here at Eighty MPH Mom.

About my headaches & migraines

I have always gotten bad headaches. When I was in high school they were consist. All types of test were run with no results. The doctor put me on a prescription for headaches. It worked wonders. I finally had relief. Then a trip to the doctor changed that. They had to take me off that medicine because, I found out later, supposedly kill people. I learned to manage the headaches and as I got older, the less frequently I got them. Until a couple of years ago.



I remember my first one. It was summer time and I was sitting on the deck talking to my friend on the phone. I had rubbed my eyes and saw flashes of light. Didn't really faze me. I had rubbed my eyes before and saw flashes of light. I felt funny in the head, but pawned it off as me being hot. Later I went to my friends house and was sitting by the pool. That night was brutal, but I figured I sat in the sun to long.



The next one happened in work. I was working on the computer when I started to see flashes of light and then what I call the light show (aura). It was zig-zag flashes of light. This scared the shit out of me and I called the eye doctor. She took me right away and did a thorough eye exam. She said that she believes it was an ocular migraine and made me promise that the next time it happened, I would go to the doctor. She also believed that it was brought on by my period. Hormonal she said.



I went after I had the second one. He ordered an MRI just to be sure and prescribed migraine medicine. Well the medicine does shit and I don't take it anymore. He also believed that they were brought on by my period. So I kept a log. Sure enough a couple days before, I'd get a migraine.



Then they stopped for the longest time and changed their pattern. I started waking up with them. For awhile now, I have been getting more and more. They are becoming more painful and debilitating. In the winter when I get them, I become very cold. It is like a reverse hot flash. Anyone who has had a hot flash can feel it start in their core and work it's way out. Well the cold is the same. My hands become ice and I cannot get warm. My cat loves it because I turn the heat up. Funny thing is in the summer, I don't get the cold flash. I wish I would though.



I have noticed that when I do get them during the day, I start to feel funny a couple hours before it hits. Hard to explain, but I feel dog tired, limbs feel heavy and it is hard to concentrate. Then my vision gets funny. It takes a couple of seconds for my eyes to focus. Then the flashes of light. I didn't get the flashes yesterday though. It just went into a full blown light show. After the light show, I become somewhat confused and I lose some coordination and I drop things. And of course there's the headache, chills and queasy stomach.



Before I would be fine the next day. Not so anymore. I still have a headache, the weird feeling is there and the vision is still funny. I push myself and maybe this isn't the right thing to do. But things need to be done. And I am not one to sit in the house. There are sights to see and pictures to take.



It feels like every time I have a migraine it takes a little bit of me. Like losing some memory and the confusion. It's weird.



Today I was thinking about this and I can't help but wonder if this has something to due with not getting my period for a couple of months. And then starting back up again. If I'm starting to go through the change and the hormones are all wacky, is this triggering all the migraines?



I don't know, but I guess I will start another log to keep track of symptoms and duration.

Stolen Meme

While visiting blogs, I came across this meme on Mary's blog. It looked fun, so I stole it for myself.

1. Do you like blue cheese? No

2. Have you ever smoked? Yes

3. Do you own a gun? No.

4. What flavor Kool Aid is your favorite? Don't like Kool Aid

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Sometimes.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? Grilled or boiled with yellow mustard and sauerkraut.

7. Favorite Christmas movie? I have a couple. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Home Alone and The Santa Clause.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee, coffee and more coffee

9. Can you do push-ups? I think I did one once.

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? the only jewelry I wear is earrings. I wear diamond earrings that my dad got my mom. She couldn't wear them and gave them to me.

11. Favorite hobby? Picture taking and reading

12. Do you have A.D.D? I think sometimes I do.

13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? Contacts most of the time. Glasses at night.

14. Middle name? Ann

15. Name thoughts at this moment? When is this headache going away.

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Coffee, water and Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte

17. Current worry? Right at this moment, I don't have any worries.

18. Current hate right now? Migraine headaches.

19. Favorite place to be? Home, Lily Lake, Jake's Landing, the list would just keep going on.

20. How did you bring in the New Year? I was asleep by 10:30.

21. Where would you like to go? Someplace that I haven't been to take pictures.

22. Name three people who will complete this? No clue.

23. Do you own slippers? Yes, but haven't worn them yet this winter. I am a barefoot girl.


24. What color shirt are you wearing? My jammies. Pink with black and grey cats.

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Never slept on satin sheets. I don't think I would like it.

26. Can you whistle? Yes

27. Favorite Color? Green

28. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don’t sing in the shower

29. Would you be a pirate? No.

30. Favorite Girl's Name? Don’t have a favorite.

31. Favorite boy's name? Don’t have a favorite.

32. What's in your pocket right now? I'm still in my jammies. No pockets.

33. Last thing that made you laugh? My cats

34. What vehicle do you drive? Honda CR-V

35. Worst injury you've ever had? I would say when I pulled my back. Couldn't stand up straight for a week.

36. Do you love where you live? Yes.

37. How many TVs do you have in your house? two.

So now that I have bored you with useless facts about me. Why not steal it from me, do it yourself and let me know. I would love to find out more about you.

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Woke up this morning still with a headache, but I am not light sensitive like yesterday. So needless to say, I going out today. I do have to food shop, but after that I am going picture taking:o)

This sucks

This morning my phone rang. As I was in the middle of something, I could not answer the phone. When I listened to the message, it was a friend of mine that I haven't seen in awhile. He said that he was going to be in the area and would stop by. Great. I looked forward to seeing him.

I got showered and dressed and began my chores. I was thinking it will be good to see my friend and catch up. I also knew he wouldn't stay long, so I could go out and take pictures.

As I was doing my chores, I started feeling not right. I figured I was tired and would get something to eat and relax for awhile before my friend came. I had just finished vacuuming when there was a knock at the door. I made coffee and we sat and talked. Then my vision started getting funny. Then the light show. Shit. Migraine. We talked for awhile longer and he left.

It was great that I saw my friend, but it sucks that I got a migraine. I could still go out and try and get some pictures, but I wouldn't have any fun. Plus the sunlight is bothering my eyes and I feel sick to my stomach. So I'll stay home and watch Titanic for the 97th time. And hope tomorrow I don't have a headache and can go take some pictures. This sucks.

*I didn't watch all of Titanic. I closed the blinds and took a nap. Well my kind of nap. Four hours. I feel a little bit better now. Only a dull headache, but I am still cold.

Remember the entry I did on cats? I got if from one of our free papers. Well today they had something else that struck me funny and I thought I would share with you.

Old People

Questions and Answers from an AARP Forum

Q: Where can men over the age of 60 find younger, sexy women who are interested in them?

A: Try a bookstore under fiction.

Q: What can a man do while his wife is going through menopause?

A: Keep busy. If you're handy with tools, you can finish the basement. When you are done you will have a place to live.

Q: How can you increase the heart rate of your 60+ year old husband?

A: Tell him you're pregnant.

Q: How can you avoid that terrible curse of the elderly wrinkles?

A: Take off your glasses.

Q: Why should 50+ year old people use valet parking?

A: Valets don't forget where they park your car.

Q: Is it common for 50+ year olds to have problems with short term memory storage?

A: Storing memory is not a problem, retrieving it is a problem.

Q: What is the most common remark made by 50+ year olds when they enter antique stores?

A: "Darn, I remember these."

-and-

My Dad is cleaning out my grandmother's house (she died in December) and he brought me an old Royal Crown Cola bottle. In the bottle top was a stopper with a bunch of holes in it. I knew immediately what it was, but my daughter had no idea. She thought they had tried to make it a salt shaker or something. I knew it as the bottle that sat on the end of the ironing board to 'sprinkle' clothes with because we didn't have steam irons. Man, I am old!

So there you have it. I hope you got a chuckle from these.

Broken pipes and the cops

Yesterday afternoon after I got done my chores, I sat down to read. Yes, one of my many books to read. Anyway, something hit me to check next door. Next door is my mom's house. I ignored it and continued to read. It hit me again to check next door. Again I ignored it. It happened a third time only stronger. Okay I got the message. I went next door. As soon as I opened the door, I heard the pump. Uh-oh. When I got closer to the bathroom, I heard it. Water. Then squish. Broken pipes in the bathroom. I turned the heat off, but the dumb broad I am, never thought to have the house winterized. The sink and shower were just shooting water. The shut-off valve to the sink was broke, but I was able to turn the shower off.



To the breaker box I went. Nothing was marked. Oh great. There is a scanner there that I left on just for voices. You know that if someone came around they would hear voices inside the house. Anyway, I hear the dispatcher dispatching a cop to my street. A quick mental note and it was the house across the street from me. What now. The teenaged girl who lives in the house has ran away several times. I have seen her shove her mom. What a treat she is. So I was walking back to my house when the cop pulled up. The girl was outside and she said, "I'm sorry to bother you, but my mom is freaking out." My first thought was what did you do to her.



I called a plumber friend of mine, but it went to voice-mail. Called another plumber. No answer. Called yet another and he was sorry for me, but he could get anyone out until tomorrow. Called the fourth and explained to him what was going on. He asked if I turned the breaker off. I told him I didn't know which one it was because it wasn't marked. He told me to flip breakers until the pump turned off. Well duh. He then proceeds to tell me to drain the rest of the pipes until they can get here. He said it would be awhile until he can send someone out. I asked him when someone could come. He said 'not for at least an hour and half to two hours.' That's it. So how do I drain the rest of the pipes? He starts to tell me, when another cop car pulls up. Me, just talking out loud to myself as usually say, 'huh. Another cop car pulled up.' I guess he thought I had called the cops for broken pipes and said, 'why don't you ask them if they can drain the rest of the pipes.' I say, 'Oh no. I didn't call them. There is a problem across the street.' He said, "oh. I thought you called. Well anyway we'll be there is a little while."

They came about two hours later. I let them in to do their thing. They were there for a couple of hours doing their thing. Apparently it wasn't just the bathroom, but also the outside hose and possibly the kitchen.

During this, I had the scanner on to see what I could find out about what was happening across the street. Yes I am a nosy bitch. The cop did say that there was a family dispute. The mom has calmed down. They are in counseling and will talk about this with their counselors. There was another issue, not bad, but I don't feel right talking about that.

I was talking with Bobbie and had to laugh at one point. Our new neighbor moved in the day before. After the owner telling her this was a good neighborhood, she had two cops cars across the street. Wonder if she was wondering what kind of neighborhood she really moved into to.

So that was my day yesterday. Some excitement and expense.

Today I just felt like I am just keeping my head above water in work. I need to speak with my boss, but he is avoiding me. He probably thinks I am PMS'ing and want to bitch about something. He should know by now I don't have to have PMS to bitch. Well I do need to speak with him, but it is all about work. Before I left today I told him we really need to talk tomorrow.

Oh and did I tell you I fell in the parking lot. I wasn't really paying attention when I was leaving for lunch and slid on ice. My boss was walking behind his car. I don't know if he seen me or not. I told him I fell. He said, "Yeah. I almost fell over there too." What a guy. Hurt my hand and my back is bothering me. I'll see how I feel tomorrow. If I still hurt, I'll make him do something.

So I guess I am just in a streak of bad luck right now. What can you do, but go with it till it passes. The good thing, tonight is yoga night. I think I really need it right now.

Jake's Landing

It was cold, but not windy. There were only five of us tonight. Another five with the people from the bird observatory. One of the girls had a Bald Eagle in the scope when I got there. That was enough for me. I love those birds. So majestic.



But tonight was active with harriers and short-earred owls. I spied something in the water and asked one of the guys what it was. I believe they said it was a short-billed grebe. However, I could not find that on my bird identifying site that I use. I probably have the wrong name, but I know he said grebe.



They now charge $6.00 to attend one of these watches. I'm not too happy about this. Last year it was free. Maybe this is why not too many people showed up tonight.



While there it started snow flurrying. I stopped to get milk and ran into someone I know. We were talking outside and it was snowing pretty good. I just went out alittle while ago and we have a coating of snow. Check the weather and we may get one-inch of the white shit. Oh sorry - one-inch of snow. I'll let you know if the were right or not.

Just more ramblings

Yesterday I went up the road. That is what us locals call, 'going to the mall.' The ride is about 45 minutes. Sometimes more depending upon traffic. Or in my case, quickly pulling over to the side of the road to take a picture.

I did pull over a couple of times. There were a couple of does in the center median. They could have cared less about all the cars travelling by at 65 mph past them. But let a weird looking lady with a camera stop and they take off into the wooded area. I could see them moving around in there and could just hear them saying, 'can you believe she stopped? Can you believe she wanted to take our picture? Is she gone yet? The grass was greener there.' So I wasn't able to get a picture of them. Oh well.

My first stop, Yankee Candle. Couldn't help it. The car sometimes has a mind of its own. Oh my. SALE. Large jars more than half price. I walked out with three jars. I would like to say that my goal setting part of my brain kicked in because I put that fourth jar back. Well luckily I don't go to the mall that often.

I said that I have a candle addiction like I have a book addiction. One day I decided to count the candles I have. 82 votives. 92 tarts. And now 23 jars. I need to work on this goal.

Went to the mall and first stop, the pet shop. There was a little fence area with two of the smallest dogs I have seen. I thought they both were Chihuahua, but only one was. The other was a rat terrier. They were jumping around and playing. Being me and not being able to resist, I reached in and picked one up. It was the terrier. Oh my. What a cutie him was. I put him back in and picked up the other. An immediate change. He was so full of himself in the pen, but being held, he stiffen right up. I was talking to the lady next to me and asked her if she wanted to hold the puppy. Of course she did and I picked up the other. We were kidding each other about how much our pups like us and wanted to go home with each other. Okay time to walk away. Next stop an African Grey. Damn thing tried to bite me. A worker came over and said he was a sweet heart. Oh yeah. That sweetheart tried to bite me. He didn't believe me. I tired petting him again, and the thing latched onto my finger. I said to the kid, 'See I told you so. Now can you get him off my finger before he draws blood.' Nasty bird.

Went to the camera shop and told the guy what I was looking for. He immediately went to the Nikon. It was a beautiful camera, but is way above me. I don't know enough to buy a $600.00 camera with interchangeable lens, filters, etc. I want a point and shoot with a good zoom. So I'm still looking for a camera.

Went to Sam's and picked up some things. While standing in line, this lady comes at me from the side to move in behind me. Then I turned and seen a guy behind me. Ah we have a line butter here. Me and the guy got talking. He said this should be fun and he should have went to Shoprite. While I was putting my items on the conveyor belt, my cart kept moving forward. The line butting lady was pushing on my cart. Bad move on her part. I put my bulk against the cart and adding a little push myself. I walk forward a little and she started pushing again. Next my foot went on the bottom of the cart and a nice little push back with a dirty look. When the cashier was ready for me, I maneuvered my cart so the guy behind me was able to go next. The nerve of some people. Stand in line and wait your turn like everyone else. Can't stand line butters.

So that was my day yesterday. Got more candles that I didn't need. Oh yeah. I forgot to tell you that I also bought three more books. Ugh. Didn't get a camera, but I did get a couple pictures. Don't know if they turned out or not. I haven't put them on my computer yet.

Today is cloudy. Surprise. But it is a bit warmer. Today also is the first owl watch at Jake's Landing. I can't wait. Hopefully there will be owls. If not I certainly hope there are eagles.

Well that's about all the ramblings I have in me now. I hope everyone has a great Sunday.

Yoga & still cranky about basketball thing

Last night was the first yoga class at our local rec center. I was surprised that 21 people came. I don't know why I was surprised really. When a new class starts, there are always a lot of people who come, but over time, the numbers decrease. Because there were a lot of first time people, the teacher just did a stretching routine. I surprised myself with how well I did. Meaning. I didn't fall over. Wobbled a couple times. But maintained my dignity. For my size and age, I am still pretty flexible and limber. And the stretching felt good. I have to say that I slept well last night. I always sleep good, but I was so relaxed, I had a nice deep sleep. So I guess for the next seven weeks, I will partake in yoga.

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Now it's time for Ms. Cranky to come out. When I was leaving for work the stupid basketball thing had fell over. See picture below.

The two bags close to the base are sandbags. The bag by the pole is a bag of concrete. Obviously this is not enough weight to keep this thing secure. And yes, it is block half the street.

I believe they are called 'portable basketball hoops'. The key word, 'portable'. When you are done playing for the day, move (portable) it back on your property. If it should fall. Well. Why go there.

Well I think Ms. Cranky will have to work on her zen.

Weather, Mary and more....

Well the weather people were wrong. Again! Yesterday afternoon turned out to be beautiful. The sun shined:o) The temps were comfortable. Later in the day, it did cloud over (surprise) and it did rain for awhile. My comfort food, (see post below) still hit the spot.

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My neighbor decided to get his son a basketball hoop thing. You know the one that is portable and placed on the street. Oh joy. Just what I need. Yes I am a cranky young person who hates hearing a pouncing basketball. It wasn't too bad yesterday, but still got on my nerves.



This morning I noticed they had placed it on the property next to the street with a bag of sand and a bag of concrete securing it. The winds picked up. Hearing a bang, I went to investigate. Yup. The stupid basketball thing fell over into the street. Another reason to not like the things. If it had fell the other way, it would have hit the next door neighbor's car. Let me do some what ifs here. What if someone had parked their car closer to the thing? What if a car was driving by? What if someone was walking or pedaling by? What if the other neighbor had her granddaughter out in the stroller? These basketball things do not belong in or near the street. They should be totally on a property. Or even better. Take your kids the short walk to the rec center. Yes I'm cranky.



Just looked and they uprighted it, but now it is totally on the street. Wonderful. Now when it falls, it can block the road even more. Still cranky.

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Went food shopping this morning. Shoprite's can-can sale is on. Gotta love it. Can stock up for decent prices. Saved over $30.00 today.

When I was putting away the groceries, my vision was funny. Then the light show, as I like to call it, started. Migraine. I haven't gotten a migraine while awake in a long time. I have been getting them while asleep. Don't know what trigger this one. My left eye has been twitching since Wednesday. I don't know if this have something to do with it or not.

So far this has been my day. Listening to a bouncing ball, basketball thing falling over and migraine. Maybe there's the connection.

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Yesterday afternoon while outside, I watched a hawk soaring. I am not good with identifying the big birds. Well this one turned and the sun hit it just right. Red-tailed hawk. Exciting. I watched him soar around for quite awhile.

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Speaking of birds. I don't know if you all read Mary at Mary's View, but she won the Vagabird Magazine 2008 Best Amateur Photographers. I am so happy for her and this is well deserved. I have admired her photography for awhile now. She is passionate about wildlife, life in general and 'The Licker Sisters', Bella and Chloe.

She takes us on her adventures and you can't help but smile and laugh. She will stalk a bird or whatever she has in her sights for the picture. For this I can't help but laugh.

Stop over her place. Enjoy her photos and her words. You won't be disappointment.

Congratulations Mary!! I look forward to many more of your entries and photos.

Good day for stew

As per the norm anymore around here, it is cloudy, dreary, damp, cold and we are expecting snow mixed with rain. Oh joy. We are sooo sun deprived.

So anyway, figuring if I had to be cooped up inside yet again, I would make some comfort food. That comfort for today is crock pot beef stew and I am sharing the recipe with you. It is an easy recipe and if you decide to make it, let me know what you think.

Crock Pot Beef Stew

2 lbs. beef cubes

1/2 cup flour

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. Worcestershire

1 1/2 cup beef broth

1/2 clove garlic (minced)

4 carrots

2 onions (chopped)

1 stalk celery

3 potatoes (diced)

1 bay leaf (optional)

Combine flour, salt, pepper and paprika.

Add beef cubes and mix.

Add remaining ingredients and mix well.

Cover and cook on low for 10 to 12 hours. Or 4 to 6 hours on high.

If you use the bay leaf, remove before serving.

As per my norm, I made the recipe as given to me (above). Then I changed it around some. First the full recipe was too much for me so I halved it. I don't use the bay leaf. I add more carrot, celery and potatoes then the recipe calls for. Half way through the cook time, I add peas. That's all the changes I have made.

I have also found that cooking on low is better then high, so if you are going to make the stew, start it early. Take into consideration the peeling and dicing time.

I hope you enjoy this recipe. If you make it, let me know what you think and if you changed it around or adding anything.

Sunday ramblings

An update to my previous post regarding goals I have set for this year. One was focusing on one project at a time. Getting it done before moving onto another. I said that I didn't think I would be able to achieve this one and I was right. I have tried these past couple of days, but it's just no use. So this is one I must give up.

Another goal was working on taking better pictures and upgrading to a better camera. You know one with a better zoom. Well I wish I had that better zoom this morning. I was going food shopping and stopped at the ATM first. When I got in my car, I looked across the street to see a Cooper's Hawk hunting for a meal. He was hot on the tail feathers of a little sparrow, but the sparrow won. The hawk flew into a tree. Getting my camera ready, he decided to fly onto the steps of the house. I zoomed in as much as I could and this was the best I could do.

If you look closely and to the left of the window, you can see the hawk on the brick wall. I really need that better zoom camera.

I am working toward the other goals I have set and am making progress. I know it is only four days into the new year, but one must continue working each day.

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Last night before bed, my baby was bugging me to go out. She never really wanted to go out at night time before and I figured what the hell. So I put on her collar and out we went. Yes, when my baby goes outside, she is on a leash. She was never a fighter and can't defend herself. So I keep her close to me. Ralphy was in a playful mood and was enjoying the company of his two favorite girls. My baby and I started walking to the other side of the house when Ralphy went running by and around the corner of the house. When we finally made our way to the corner, he came jumping out from behind the propane tank and quickly ran back behind it. He jumped out a couple times, I guess trying to scare us. Hey buddy. We are braver then that. We started walking back and he went racing past us. He was loving this. So was I.

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Bobbie and I will be getting a new neighbor this week. When I got home from shopping, my previous neighbor was there showing her the house. Our new neighbor is recently divorced, apparently not a very nice one, and her 15 year old daughter. She is around my age and her name is Kim. Didn't want to pry too much. There will be time for that.

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Well that's it. Nothing interesting, just ramblings about nothing.

I hope everyone had a good weekend.

A New Year

I hope everyone had a fun safe New Year's Eve. I also wish for everyone a very happy, healthy and safe 2009.

My New Year's eve night was uneventful. It always is. My choice. I choose not to go to parties. I will not risk getting pulled over and possibly losing my license. I will not risk going to a party, not drinking and coming across someone else while driving who choose to drink and drive. My night was spent in the comfort of my home. It was a very cold windy night. I was in bed by 10 and asleep by 10:30. If anyone in the neighborhood shot off fireworks or firecrackers, I did not hear them. If there were people banging pots and pans, I did not hear them. I woke up a couple of times to a sore arm, only to find my baby under the covers laying up against my arm keeping warm.

I miss my old neighbor Sally. Every New Year's Eve she watched her grandchildren, while her kids went to a party. Whenever Sally saw me after she would always apologize. I would always asked for what. The grandkids and her would go on the back deck and bang pots and pans together and she was always sorry that she woke me up. I would laugh and tell Sally that it would take more then that to wake me. And if it did, Oh well. It was a New Year and the kids were having fun. No harm. No foul. I do miss her.


New Year's day was spent taking down Christmas decorations and putting them in the attic. I left the outside for another day as it was still chilly. Before closing the attic steps I made a sweep of the house. Scanning every room for that stray decoration. Satisfied that I put everything away, I closed the steps and took a shower. Needing milk, I went to Wawa. When I came home, my baby met me at the door. Looking down at her I started laughing. Missed something. Actually missed two things. Two Christmas mats. I scanned all the rooms, but I didn't look down. Well it wouldn't be me if I didn't forget to put something away. Well those mats can stay until I take down the outside decorations.

I really don't make resolutions for the new year coming in. I have one resolution that I keep every year, "do unto others as others do unto me." This has serviced me well in the past. So instead of making resolutions that I know I will not keep, I have decided to set some goals for myself. I seem better at reaching a goal than keeping resolutions. So here are some goals that I will try and achieve in 2009.


1. I will try to read the books I have in my closet and not buy many new books. I fear this will be a hard goal to achieve because of my book addiction, but I am going to try my best. Does anyone have the number for book hoarders anonymous?

2. I will try to reduce the number of tarts, votive and jar candles. (Another addiction). This will probably be an easier goal to achieve. (Unless Yankee has a good sale or a new scent. Right now I love Autumn Wreath)


3. I will try to be more patient. Lately I find myself growing impatient with people and things. Being sick for three weeks prior to Christmas and trying to get everything done that needed to be and totally exhausting myself in the process. Trying not be be rude when declining an invitation for Christmas or New Years, but trying to express that these are my days to rejuvenate myself.

Maybe it was the horrid work conditions I endured toward the end of 2007 and all of 2008. Having to file a formal complaint against another employee because he threatened me. The sleepless nights, headaches, stomach problems. People who were my friends and co-workers for years finding their version of politics and stabbing me in the back and trying everything they could think of to make my life miserable to the point of trying to make me quit or even ways to try and get me fired. I am not talking one or two people. I am talking six people. Six against one. Nice odds, huh? I am a strong stubborn person who is not in the habit of giving people what they want. This abuse did effect my health, but I have endured. With the local election, politics will now be turning. The tides have changed. 2009 will be better. I will never be able to be friends with these people again. But I will be able to get through the work days and go home happy. I will work on my patience. I will work on trying to trust people again. It will take time.


4. Keeping focused on one project. My brain has been so scattered of late. I start one thing, stop for no reason and start another. When I catch myself doing this, I stop that project and go back to the first telling myself to finish. So this year, I will focus to finish the first project before starting another. (I don't think I will be able to achieve this, but I will try.)


5. Working on taking better pictures. I am happy with how far I have come in my photography. Yes I have upgraded myself from picture taking to photography. This is a hobby that I have enjoyed this past year or so. It has been a great release and source of exercise. I will be looking into upgrading my current camera, an HP Photosmart R837, to something with more mega pixels and zoom. Any suggestions would be appreciated.


6. Continuing with my weight loss. I keep ping-ponging between 20-25 pounds weight loss. Now with the holidays over, and most of the goodie's gone, I can concentrate on getting back to a normal healthy diet. And throw some exercise. My line dance class with be starting soon. Our local recreation center will be starting an 8 week yoga class I will try.


7. Just trying to be an all around good person. I will treat people the way I want to be treated, which I do already. I will think before I talk. I sometimes say something innocently, but after it is said, I realize from the expression or the silence that I have offended or hurt that person unintentionally. I would like to say that I will work on my temper, but that would be impossible.

So these are some goals that I would like to achieve this year. I hope that I can achieve all of them and more.

There will be a lot of changes this year for everyone. Some good. Some bad. Together will and can get through the good and bad.

Happy New Year

Wishing everyone a wonderful, healthy, prosperous and

Happy 2009.

(This was a card my boss received last year.)