My life as a middle age Goddess

Happy 2012

2012-01-02T12:25:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year! This is the first weekend I've actually done what I said I would do which was clean my closet. My HD cable and my computer are on the fritz so that might explain things.

I'm really disturbed by the shooting at Ranier. I was there and hiked at the scene. It was so peaceful and nice it really upsets me such evil can taint the place.

I have no resolutions this year. I'm 50 and now understand that I never keep them. I do want to be healthier and have made some eating changes and will add more exercise to my day. I also want to be more social. I used to be very social but I've become quite the homebody these days. Part of the problem is how much I've grown to hate phone calls. But texting and email should help that immensely.

Do you have any resolutions? How has your year been so far?

The perfect Saturday

2011-09-24T17:45:00.000-04:00

I think today may have been the perfect Saturday. I've had them before but today I felt it.

1. Woke up at 7 and went outside with Lucy. Bunny was at the gate. Way too cute.
2. Took Lucy to vet where she obeyed all my commands and was the perfect lady. Everyone ooohed and ahhed over her which is something with an office full of cute furry things. I take full credit for her cuteness.
3. On the way home we saw Bob the Turkey (no not my ex). There is a Turkey that lives in Woodstock named Bob. He was at the intersection and he looked like he was waiting on the light.   He's huge too.
4. Then I had a spa day at the salon..manicure, massage and facial. The masseuse really worked on my back which has been in pain since I moved into my new office.   The manicure is perfect - kind of a cross between a dark red and brown. Very fall.
5. Did I mention it was in the 70's till late in the day?   Awesome.
6. Oh and I treated myself to lunch on the outside patio of the restaurant next to the Salon. They have a garden and except for a hornet that kept hanging around it was nice. A woman walked by and saw me and smiled. I could tell she was envious of my outdoor lunch. I went by an our later and she was having her lunch by herself on the patio. Great minds.

I love being 50...eating by myself is enjoyable now. I would have been mortified years ago.
I can appreciate a day like this.

My last night in my 40s

2011-09-03T22:26:00.000-04:00


Mt. Rainer

First, I so apologize for the not posting for so long. It's been a weird year for me. Not in a bad way but I've kind of gone into myself this year and hibernated. But I'm coming out of that and ready to start interacting more.

So, first, I joined a travel group - Pink Suitcase Sisters. Great Group. My first big trip was this August ..we went to Seattle. This is a rather sentimental trip for me. My Grandparents lived in Seattle in 1928 to help my mom deal with her asthma (she was a baby)..I have a drawing of the cabin they lived in..I'll try to scan and post. My grandmother was an artist and often drew and painted. Also, one of the last times my mom saw her father was in Seattle. She talked a lot about the Space Needle..which like me is 50 this year. Way cool.

So we flew AirTran. Have to say I was disappointed. No food even though it was about six hours. The Flight Attendant was rude and was not helping some unruly unattended children. However, our tour guide complained and we were awarded some vouchers.


Both of us are 50 woohoo!


Very nice room!

We stayed at the Alexis Hotel and I had my own room. I highly recommend both the hotel and staying by yourself. I could sleep when I wanted, read, talk to my friends, talk to myself ..etc. Very nice. This is what my room looked like.

Can I say I LOVED Pike's Market? I ate my way through it..Clam Chowder, Crumpets, fresh fruit (love the cherries). The bouquets of flowers are unbelievable. I got some huge sunflowers for my friend Jo and I so wanted to bring some home. If I lived in Seattle I would have to go there all the time. Plus it was a few blocks uphill from my hotel which got me walking again. When I got back to work my office had been moved upstairs so it got me in good enough shape to climb the stairs many times a day.

Ok..I'm off to eat some birthday cake and drink some very sweet wine. I'm woosy about wine..unless it's sweet I don't bother. (Arbor Mist anyone? ) I know this will offend my wine friends but give me an appletini any day.

Have a good night!

I have been violated

2010-11-25T22:03:00.000-05:00

Yep..somehow..someway...I got a nasty virus. Twice. Actually..I think didn't get rid of it the first time.

It's one that invades your hard drive and transmits your personal information to the bad guys. Now..I caught it quick the second time and I think I've got it cleaned.

So now I'm backing up everything...buying Windows 7 this weekend and then taking my desktop to work so the IT guy can uninstall XP and put in Windows 7.

So I'll be MIA for awhile..hopefully, I won't have any long term issues.

Sorry...I've been off for awhile

2010-11-06T11:35:00.000-04:00

I've been a little down. Work is tough. Really tough.

I also live in a very conservative area. I'd like to discuss my political views but have no one to talk to.

It was really hot and suddenly it is really cold. Yuck.

Yesterday I won tickets to a wine tasting event and tonight I'm going to Cirque for the "Ova" show. So life is not too bad and I need to pull myself out of this funk.

So I'm posting. How are y'all?

Bunnies and Pink Suitcases

2010-07-17T09:56:00.000-04:00

It is so damn hot. I took Lucy for a short walk this morning (which included a visit across the street to sniff her boyfriend, a French Bulldog named Max) and we are both spent. It is at least 85 at 7 and so humid. I want to stay home but I can't. As you can see I need to replace an old table. Although that is interesting how it fell and the plant stayed exactly the same.

Bunnies are everywhere! Lucy is going nuts over them. And they are brazen. One night Lucy and Amanda's dog, Cassie, went nuts at the front door. A baby bunny was very close and eating my grass. I finally chased it away because Lucy tried to go through the glass window. Later that night, I was turning off the lights for bed and saw someone in my front yard. It was a neighbor picking up their dog poo. Not a peep out of Lucy. I guess if a person breaks in I'm toast but if a bunny robs me I'll be safe.

Finally, I'm taking a hint from Pearl..my friend who amazes me with her travels. I can no longer live vicariously through her. I joined a group called the Pink Suitcase Sisters. They are run by a travel agency and you pay your money and go. No planning (other than how you get picked up from the airport). I went to a gathering Thursday and I think I'm going to like this group. They are planning some local stuff like Zip Lining in the mountains and going to Oakland Cometary at Halloween. Next year they are going to Santa Fe and that sounds like something I could do. Plus I got a cool suitcase, t-shirt and magnet.

How are you surviving such a hot summer? Staying indoors, the pool or traveling to cooler places?

Ducks, books and 100 degrees

2010-07-08T21:09:00.000-04:00

What has happened since I last posted..well, not alot. Everyone is on vacation. Which makes work a bit slow...but frustrating because when the CEO is out everyone does their best to push the limits. I'm beat.

However, that didn't stop me from going to a bookclub meeting tonight. I got to meet a great author, Karen White, for the second time. She's the kind of woman who acts, looks and probaby is always put together. Hair was perfect, cute outfit with the coolest cuff on her wrist. And she's a really good author.

The only problem is I just found out about the club...went to it without reading the book.   And what does a book club do?   Discuss everything including the ending.   And Karen sat next to me so I had to have her sign the book that was thrust in my hand as I walked in. (I'm a co-dependent book buyer).

I also bought next month's selection "Lost Horizon".   The author won't be there because he is dead. Yes...it's that "Lost Horizon". I've seen the movie..and I think I read the book many moons ago.

I also bought September's book..but I'm too lazy to get my bag to give you the title...I'll do that soon.   Of course I have about a dozen books I need to finish.

Joining a book club for me is like an alcoholic going to a wine tasting party...not good.

My duck story is simple..I was going to work and drove past the AFB when three teenage ducks were waddling in a row into the four lane street..where the speed limit is 45 mph.   I swerved as did the people behind me. I hope they made it. But there was nothing on the other side of the road but a closed up car dealership.   I think they were better on the base.

And it is freaking hot here.   99 degrees..which usually doesn't happen for another month.   I hate to think what August will be.   And it will rain this weekend which means no lake or pool for me.

Yuck.

I are stupid

2010-06-28T20:05:00.001-04:00

Yep..I make the blog invite only and don't invite anyone...hahahaha

So if you are reading this I guess you got the invite. (just don't post sex page invites in another language..:)

What is going on?   Well, I'm in a bit of a rut.    It has been in the high 90's for weeks now.   I can only stand to work in the yard in the evening..and then only for an hour at a time. The pool is no help..it is really warm and doesn't cool you off.

So I stay inside, read and watch Real Housevives of anywhere. (they all become the same after awhile).

I had to go to a bunch of work functions and that is the last thing I want to do on my weekends.   However, I did go to the Royals/Braves game and while the Royals lost it brought back memories of watching them in the WS with the Cardinals.   That was exciting if you were from Missouri which I was.   Anyway I came home with peanuts in my purse. They were thrown at me by my co-workers...just because I was cheering for the Royals...loudly.

OOOOH...my big news..well for me it is.. Remember I killed my Ipod in Vegas (obviously what goes to Vegas does not survive Vegas - I also killed my cell phone) ...well, I do not want to buy another Ipod. I found out this weekend that I could transfer my whole Itunes catalog to my Droid. ..which I did and now I'm happy again.   If you have a Droid you can do this by downloading http://www.doubletwist.com/dt/Home/Index.dt
It is really easy and I'm now so happy.

So for my other exciting thing....

I scored big on Saturday. Went to my corner bookstore on the third anniversary of it's opening.   I bought two books - The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake was one and Dorothea Benton Frank's latest was the other. (I'll get to DBF in a minute) ...when I went to the counter the owner said..."Today you buy two books- you get the third free" I wanted to say "Shut UP" but I was polite and said "Wonderful" and hopped back and got my guilty pleasure - one of the Stephanie Plum books...pure summer read.   So I hop up to the counter and she says, "Wait, you qualify for either a mystery bag of goodies or a gift certificate to a local store".   Well, I was afraid the goodie bag would be bunch of books I've already read so I took the gift certificate to the local boutique.   I thank them profusely and run to Bella's Boutique.

It's a knock off purse store but the quality is better than the ones at the mall.   I go in and the girl behind the counter is even more excited than I am about the Gift Certificate.   So I find a cute purse with a rose on it and a scarf threaded through it.   It's $10 off.   The Girl at the Counter says.."Do you have your punch card?" I dig and find it and guess what...I just needed another punch to fill it!

$30 of free stuff!! So got a cool silver necklace with hearts and rhinestones on it...and some knockoff Dolce and Gabonna sunglasses (they even have DG on the side).

All that made up for the disappointment I had by missing Dorothea Benton Frank She was coming to that very bookstore that very night.   But I had to go to a housewarming that was 30 minutes away so I missed her. And the A/C was out at the party!! I had to drink a cosmos to make up for the heat.

Oh..and the dauchshound on the top?   I don't know anything about him except he was in the AJC today and made me smile.

My own international house of pancakes

2010-06-12T10:29:00.001-04:00

Ok..while I love people who read my blog, the comments left by our foreign counterparts are obviously not actually reading the blog.    They are usually trying to advertise some sort of sex trade.   I delete..they keep coming.

So I'm going to look for either a) a new hosting site or b) make my blog invitation only.    Since only three people are actually reading my blog that shouldn't be a problem...but it would keep other actual readers out.

Ah...there is my dilemna.

Now yesterday I had a bit of excitement. Walking at my local park which was descimanted by the September Flood, my beagle decided to try to give a big old snake a kiss.   I was in lala land thinking about the birds or something when I heard a hiss.   There at the side of the path was a huge black snake curled up with his head raised ready to bite my Lucy.   I jerked her away..screamed as loud as I could and we ran.   I looked back and snake was slithering off across the path which is about ten feed wide. He took up most of it.
He looked like this:

Don't worry...I didn't go back for a picture. But he had that greenish/yellow underbelly and no rattle. So I"m pretty sure he was a rat snake.   Yuck.

That was pretty much all the wildlife we saw yesterday.   Other than the couple of deaf fishermen (had to be deaf because I screamed that loud).

So drop me an email and I will let you know where I'll be posting next or if this will become a private club.

Really?? A band at my hips? Really?

2010-05-22T12:33:00.000-04:00

Went shopping for summer tops.   It's hot today, my company is tightening up the dress code and I need new clothes!

So what do I find..lots of tops with a band at the bottom...why, who, what?????   Why would I accentuate a part of my anatomy that needs no attention.    It's pretty much all Kohl's had..all Lane Bryant had...finally I went to Dress Barn...and SCORE...lots of cute tops..

I spent more than I needed but it will get me through the summer.

On another note..my college friends are not faring so well this summer.   I discovered my friend Dave passed away from a brain anerurysm in 2006.   So I emailed his old roommate Eric. But I didn't hear back. I just found out in February, he got a staph infection and his leg amputated. While recovering he suffered congestive heart failure.   He survived and is recovering but holy crap.

So I'm resolved to start taking better care of myself. I'm not ready to give this life up yet.   Wish me luck.   And life is too short to wear shirts with bands at the bottom.

Graduation or otherwise known as now I'm old

2010-05-08T20:29:00.000-04:00

23 years and two months ago tomorrow..I gave birth to a beautiful 7 lb 14 oz daughter.   It was not easy - 19 hours of labor and two hours of pushing and then an emergency C Section (I begged them to knock me out)....

So today, my baby graduated from college with a BSA in Animal Science.   She will spend the next year applying to Vet School, working at the dairy and interning with an 83 year old veterinarian.   Yep..83... and she loves it.   She has learned how to amputate, stitch up, neuter and spay, fix a hernia and give all the necessary shots.   He's large animal but he also takes in dogs and cats. She has also learned all the little diners, where the best pound cake is and other assorted 83 year old things to do.

Anyhoo.. today was the School of Agriculture graduation.   Most of the kids had decorated their caps in anticipation of the large UGA graduation tonight (we skipped)   Amanda was adorable and I teared up but didn't cry.

My college graduation was a full day event. We had baccalaureate, then graduation was hours long. Then pictures. I had the uncomfortable task of telling an old boyfriend we would never get back together in front of my father! And then I had to find Satan who was my current boyfriend so he and my dad could help move me out of the dorm. It was very stressful.

It all goes so quickly and then it is over.   Kind of like life.

Sunflowers, a storm that hasn't come and I'm really down

2010-05-02T14:51:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure how many people read this blog..I hope it is interesting for those that do...

Had a bad day yesterday. I screwed something up at work. And it's fairly large thing. A careless mistake..something overlooked that should not have been. Caused a great deal of work for others and it was never truly fixed.   I'm not afraid of getting in trouble..I deserve whatever I get.   I have no excuse just that I've been sick for two weeks and not on my game. And it really is making me angry. Whatever I have is now causing laryngitis so not only did I have to talk for three hours but it probably set me back on trying to get better.   So now I'm really down. This is the first time I've been really sick since I started this job 10 years ago. And I just can't shake it.

So this morning, I was playing with my droid and I took the picture..all my pics with this phone are out of focus. But I like this one with the sunlight and the glass vase.   Makes it softer.

And I keep waiting on the horrible storm that have been predicting for a week..it was supposed to have happened yesterday (didn't) and this morning we had clear skies and sunshine.   But it's cloudy now and they say it will happen later tonight. Yea.

So tomorrow, I'll go in early. The people who are mad at me will be out till Thursday. And then I'll be out for Amanda's graduation.   So I can't even face this till next week. Great. Lovely.

Pomengranate Margaritas and my trip to Krogers

2010-05-01T13:06:00.000-04:00

I'll blame it on being sick for so long.

I woke up feeling better than I have for weeks. I can breathe.   No coughing, no nagging rattling in my chest..yesterday people at work thought I had pneumonia I sounded so bad - today an almost 180 turnaround.

So I go to Kroger..all I need is some melatonin.   I took the week off it and I have suffered.   So I get my melatonin.oh, wait..some cute windchimes..oh..and some tanning lotion (graduation is next week) ..oh..I need a new toothbrush...

Then, I bought the Rebecca Wells book that is in paperback...I haven't like anything of hers since the YaYa Sisterhood.   I'm not sure why I wanted this..but then I bought a new magazine called New Beauty...way too expensive. Oh and then It's Complicated was on sale. And I love that movie.   I lust for that house. But wait...I rang myself up..and

$87 at Kroger.   $87!!!

Not quite as bad as my $100 sock and shoe shopping trip at Target but I think it is time I stay home.

I got some Pomengranate Margarita frozen drink thing at Publix.   Sounds like good medicine tonight.

Chipmunks!

2010-04-24T10:29:00.000-04:00

It is raining today..cats and dogs..and I guess rodents.

Lucy chased a chipmunk in threw the front door..

I'm wet from being outside with her..I'm just awake and I have a cute little vermin in my living room. I brought Lucy in and put her in a room with the door closed. The chipmunk was at a window jumping up on his hind paws trying to get out.

So I got the broom and scooted the little guy out (after getting the attached really bad pic with my droid (I love my droid).

So all is safe -the little guy is in the bushes OUTSIDE and Lucy is running around whining trying to find the chipmunk.

Sleepless in Atlanta

2010-04-23T04:04:00.002-04:00

Here is where I am with the steroids.

1. My face is round...like a ball...everyone at work is teasing me.
2. Went to bed at 10...wide awake at 1. Now it is almost 4. I've watched Project Runway (yea Seth Aaron), made an omelette, had chocolate and some almonds..I could eat more. ALOT MORE.
3. I also laid in bed and worried about things I cannot change and then got pissed that I could not change them.
4. Did I tell you I was hungry?
5. Tomorrow should be jeans day but one of our docs is coming so I have to dress up.
6. I spent $100 at Target today and got NOTHING I needed. But I do have some cute sandals. now. I b;ame the steroids.
7. I am breathing better. So the steroids did their job. Hope it stays that way..I still have the cough.
8. Ok..I'm going to go clean the house.
9. Saturday is my last dose. YEAH...I will probably crash and sleep for 48 hours.

At Target I found the cutest slippers and put them in my basket...but they were extra large and my feet would not stay in them..the other size was small..but the steroids have swollen my feet so I couldn't be sure if they would fit.

I have to have these slippers.

My trip to Vegas

2010-04-17T13:29:00.000-04:00

This time last week I was on a plane to Vegas. It was my company's National Sales Meeting and my one trip out of town a year. I went a day early to see the sights.

First - let me say...I hate casinos. I have severe asthma and smoke really bothers me. And gambling bores me...I just don't see the point. However, I went to see everything else and I like the Bellagio fountains..this was in the afternoon and they were playing All that Jazz and I was drinking a Rum Runner and dancing down the street...perfect!

This is my friend, Carolyn and me. I'm the short one in the back...she came out early to see the sights too.

The strip from one of the crosswalks.

We were there in constant meetings (12 -14 hour days if you include the dinners).   I had a beautiful room and fell in love with the spa where we had eucalyptus steam rooms.   But my Ipod died and so did my phone.   (a bad magnet in my purse may have been the culprit).

I now have a Droid and I love it.   I had to get texting as I got 90 texts and at .20 cents a text that racked up my bill.

The weather was hot and dry and my asthma loved it.   Came home Wednesday to pollen, humidity and heat. Let's say my asthma is not loving that.   I'm on Predizone for some poison ivy I got into..that is probably saving my life right.

So, I'm glad to be home..pollen and all..but it was a fun few days.

My book recommendations for the Spring.

2010-04-04T20:35:00.004-04:00

I love to read but I can't predict the flow of my reading. Sometimes I can read several books in one weekend and then I'll go a month and only read the back of my cereal box. I have no idea what causes this and can't predict when it will happen.

Which is why I'm on the public library's most wanted list. I can never get a book back on time. I finally realized it was cheaper for me to buy from Barnes and Noble or my neighborhood book store and then sell, give or donate it after I finish. I do keep some..mainly autographed copies of books.

Ok..so this month I have devoured books..(maybe it might be the hammock I have on the porch now) I read The Help (enjoyed it..local author), Dead Travel Fast (a quick read) and Saving CeeCee Honeycutt - a very good book..some tragic moments but it has the feel of the YaYa Sisterhood in that the interaction between the women was healing. I loved it and immediately imagined it made into a movie.

Another great book was The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. A YaYa recommended it and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A mystery with an 11 year old sleuth as the heroine. Very cool.

Oh, and I read The Secret Life CeeCee Wilkes (two CeeCees). I liked it as well..but it was not a feel good book.

One last book which I have not read is Where Mercy is Shown, Mercy is Given by Dog the Bounty Hunter. Now, I have watched the show a few times but have not since his scandal. But he came to my hometown at the bequest of the best little bookstore in the world. Foxtale Books and 1000 people showed up for his autograph. He was very late..showed up in a bus with his face all over it and then instead of sitting for the signing..he came out and signed everyone's book..no pictures please. Anyway, he smelled like alcohol and looks like he's been rode hard but he did sign a 1000 books. Beth is smaller than she looks on t.v. and was very nice. So all in all it was not a bad night...

So those are my books I've read...I'm starting on the Reliable Wife...and it seems dark..

Oh..and those ladies with Dog are the owners of the Foxtale Books..if you are ever in Woodstock, GA..you must visit their store.

Follow up on Lucy

2010-02-20T18:00:00.002-05:00

Last week at this time I was crying in the middle of Petsmart. The Vet wouldn't console me, the checkout girls kept telling me they were sorry.

Now, my Lucy is running around the house like a maniac playing with my daughter's dog. You wouldn't know how sick she was last week.

I took her to the vet on Tuesday..she was somewhat better after I dumped the Science/Hills prescription crap they made me buy. I started making boiled chicken and rice and Lucy finally started eating. Well, the vet (her normal vet) looked at the bloodwork and said it was consistent with an infection. Any time we get an infection our liver gets some damage but it regenerates quickly so it's not a big deal. And only one enzyme was elevated -if it was more serious more would be elevated.

Just to be careful I need to take her in for more another round of tests in a month but the vet was pretty sure she was fine.

Thank you all for thinking good thoughts. She is my buddy. -

The pic is Lucy taking on a dog twice her size...that's my tough dog.

Lucy

2010-02-14T11:20:00.002-05:00

I've had many dogs in my life. There was Brownie- she was my birthday gift when I was nine. But no matter how much we played she was attached to my dad. I didn't realize dogs attach to the person who feeds them..and dad really did take care of her. My mom called me my freshman year to tell me she walked over to my dad, made a strange noise and just fell over. Probably a heart attack, dad spoiled her rotten. I was sad, but it broke my dad's heart.

Then I had Ginger. She was a cairn terrier that I got from a pet store. I was just out of college and had no idea how these dogs were treated. She was way over bred...she had an allergy to everything and was a little off. No matter how vigilant I was I could not get her completely house trained. And she was cranky. I finally had to have her put down and though it made me sad I was not heartbroken.

Maggie came next. By then I knew a pound puppy was the only way to go. She was a black lab/german shephard mix. She grew to over a 100 pounds at her heaviest. Maggie was a bull in a china shop if there ever was one. But once she got over her adolescence she was so smart. She took commands easily - she was housebroken till she was a very old lady and she was so embarrassed then. When the vet and I had exhausted our options I held her till she was gone. That broke my heart. I vowed..never to go through that again.

Then my daugher insisted I get another dog..she was at college and she didn't want me to be alone. Finally, I agreed to go look for dogs. But I knew it needed to a dog that chose me. And finally we went to the Paulding Animal shelter and this little brown dog wagged her tail when she saw me. I took her out of her cage- she gave me one kiss and put her head on my shoulder. That was Lucy. Since then she and I are as close as you can get. We go to the park, for walks, to Starbucks (they have dog bones)... she is always excited to see me.

Friday, she got sick- during the largest snow storm Atlanta has seen in years. She was sick all night and I was so worried she would get dehydrated. So yesterday, I called all the vets in the area to see if they were open. None were. I finally decided once the ice melted off the roads I would take her to the emergency clinic (terrible reputation) but luckily, I remember Petsmart had a clinic in the store- they had just opened and told me to bring her in. I thought what she had was respiratory since she was breathing heavily and her nose was running...but it was not. In fact, after many tests it turned out that her liver is not functioning properly. The Vet (who seemed better with animals than people) that it was very serious. She said she didn't think it was failing - yet- but we were heading in that direction. She sent us home with antibiotics, some serious de wormer treatment (just in case) and instructions to take her to my regular vet on Tuesday. I broke down right there..the nurse said not to worry that Lucy will be ok and then looked at the vet who said that she couldn't be so sure. (again, better with animals than people)

So I'm waiting. Lucy is no longer throwing up. And she has eaten a bit. But she is still lethargic.

She is only three. This just hurts.

My virtual vacation part deaux

2010-02-07T15:20:00.002-05:00

Looking at my bank account I realize my dreams of going anywhere futher than Canton, Ga may not be realistic at this time. I also would not be spending the night in Canton which is five minutes away.

So please dream with me as I go to exotic locations that many of you have already been to...

First, lately I've been wanting to go to Rio as in de Janeiro ... however, the reviews from tourists don't give it glowing terms...for the money I should just go to Florida.

But isn't it pretty?

I love the ocean, the beach, fruity drinks and fun music. Nothing beats a hole in the wall bar on the beach with music and a rum drink on a full moon night.

On the other hand I love the mountains, cold air and the bigness of it all. My parents took me to the Colorado and Wyoming when I was 14 and I loved it. That's why I think I'd love Alaska..

Isn't that pretty? I used to live in Florida and I loved watching dolphins..I think it would be even cooler to see the whales. I don't think I could live there..even if you live in the city the cold is way too cold. But I would love to visit.

Ok..that is enough dreaming for me today...tomorrow maybe I'll go to Greece or Italy....

Where I have been and where I will be...

2010-02-06T12:02:00.003-05:00

I apologize to those who read my blog. It's been a long time since I felt relaxed enough to write. I'm not sure how I got that way this morning...maybe because I'm so tired I can't get stressed.

Work. That's it. Nothing else. We have not only been busy admin wise but also sales have been through the roof. We really don't get it...the economy has not really recovered...but no one is complaining. Unfortunately, for me...this time of year usually affords me time to get all the admin stuff done..but not this year. I can't breathe. I get over a 100 emails a day, calls, voicemails and people who walk into my office and close the door because they need to vent. I try to protect myself some but so many people depend on me for answers that not much gets protected. To catch up with the emails I'm responding at night in my pajamas. I'm dreaming about our products..when I should be dreaming about anything else.

Oh...but I do have a dream...I want a vacation and I think I have found a spot. The Salish Lodge...I love the Pacific Northwest and dream of living in Portland someday. Anyway...it is quiet, beautiful and they welcome dogs ...hello, Lucy!

I really want to get all my debt paid off so I can start really saving and traveling. The only way I can truly get away from work is to get away...somewhere remote. I don't want a repeat of my NOLA trip where I was talking to a sales rep on the phone while trying to enjoy a a cafe au lait at Cafe de Monde.

Oh, and I finally I finished South of Broad..I promised JoJo I would let her know what I thought. Well, here is my impression. Conroy is a lyrical writer. He can weave a story like no one else...however, this was one was crammed with too much..too many tears, too many psychos, too much of everything. I adored Leo's father, I love Leo's relationship with the cranky antique dealer and I thought the friendship with Ike was a great story. However, the twins and the orphans were over the top and made the story seem crowded. The Hugo story with the porpoise was very nice. I love the group as kids..not so much as adults. I can't say I hated the book but I didn't love it either. Conroy is like our Anne Rivers Siddons from Atlanta...they are very talented but sometimes they try too hard.

Ok..I'm off for the day..tomorrow I need to work again..perhaps a quiet day at the office will allow me to catch up so I don't tear my hair out in frustration...I'll leave you with a pic of the falls by the lodge...

Sorry I have not posted lately

2009-12-15T22:00:00.001-05:00

I'll be back this weekend with a Christmas update and pics of my black tree.

A beautiful fall, Cows and the Angel of Death

2009-11-08T09:37:00.004-05:00

It is absolutely glorious this weekend...temps in the 70's and no clouds in the sky. I went to Trader Joe's yesterday and picked up the most amazing sunflower bouquet...I put it in a sunflower pitcher I got years ago at Target. I took a gajillion pics and the only one that caught the beauty of it was the one I took on the fly this morning. I need to edit out my hair holder but other than that it is really pretty.

So, I've been working hard..pre-inventory cleanup was this week and while it was successful, I'm beat. So I've been flaking out with books (I discovered Karen White who writes supernatural mysteries based in Charleston) and I went with some friends to see Men Who Stare at Goats. I should have loved it but I didn't. I didn't laugh once and Clooney was not all that hot. I probably should have stayed home.

Two weeks ago I went to see Amanda show a cow. However, the cow decided it was a race and not a show and galloped through the arena with Amanda in tow. This is Buffy and Amanda. Buffy is the cow. And she is certifiable. Then earlier this week, there was a shooter on the loose in Athens in the end of town that was near the Ag farms. Amanda assured me all was fine.

This week the neighbors finally took down their Halloween decorations. This is was a bangup year..we had cemetaries, inflatable pumpkins but the best was the Angel of Death across the street. They left him up long after they took down their other decorations. I took this the other morning..because it was so weird...

So that was my odd week. I'm sitting here with the bundled up with the windows open. Pretty soon, I'll go mow my leaves and mulch and then I'll put the hammock up and read another mystery.

Fall, knitting and plants

2009-10-19T17:07:00.008-04:00

I've been so busy at work I've neglected me. So this past week I've been fixing up my house with flowers, arrangements and today I took the first really pretty day off in forever to plant a bunch of shade plants.

You may not know it but Atlanta has had record rainfall for the past month. A few weeks ago it flooded and homes that have never had water were soaked. Many homes are gone. My area is still affected. Businesses and parks are closed until further notice.

But another problem was the gray skies. By Saturday I was in such a funk. It was pretty yesterday but cold and windy. Today was in the 60's and pretty. I went out at 8 and just now came in. But my attitude is so much better and I'll sleep well tonight.

I started out this morning with my ugly backyard. No grass..just mulch and trees. I went to Starbucks last night and asked for some coffee grounds as I was planting azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons. They gave me a garbage bag full!!

Well, several hours later, several callouses later..I have my bushes. I also added a aucuba bush which needs no sun and is so pretty...the one at my old house was over six feet tall..nothing bothered it. Well, I'm off to order a pizza (no cooking tonight) and sit, knit and watch How I Met Your Mother and Big Bang Theory...two of my favorites....

Rain, Birkins and Julia Childs

2009-09-20T20:43:00.004-04:00

Let me say we are on day 5 of rain. Not soft rain...hard storms with lightening rain. Cars are washing away...homes are ruined. I feel lucky that only my landscaping has been harmed. Lucy, on the other hand, does not realize she is blessed. She is royally pissed that I make her go outside at all. But the rain has given me an excuse to do little but read.

I finally finished Bringing Home the Birkin and Julia Child's My Life in France. Both are set in Europe..both feature people who are delightful. I fell in love with both books.

In honor of Julia, I watched a video on YouTube (I love that site!) where she makes a real omelette. Turns out I had no clue. I've been making tough, leathery omelettes all my life. I made it her way with butter and only 20 seconds in the pan..and it was so good. Light, fluffy...just delicious. So I tried a modified Beef Bourginion tonight. It turned out fine..except it did burn a little. But I caught before any real damage could occur. Now I long for a larger Le Creuset French Oven. I have the 2 quart..which is fine for small serving dishes. But for BB..you would need at least the 5 quart which is 3 times as expensive.

Did y'all watch the Georgia O'Keefe movie on Lifetime? I really want to discuss with someone. It was really a very simple movie but had a few moral issues I want to discuss. It did make wonder why Jeremy Irons is not in more movies. Joan Allen was wonderful as O'Keefe.

My so called vacation

2009-09-03T21:34:00.002-04:00

Yep, those are my toes. I have rule about not having foot pictures as my feet are not that pretty. Although I do have some great sandals.

Anyway, these are my feet after a day of answering calls, emails, faxes, etc. And I'm on vacation. It's a busy time for my company and I have no problem helping out. I just need a vacation for my vacation.

I will be 48 tomorrow. I can't believe I'm that old. I don't feel that old. I don't look that old - ok, maybe I do. But I definitely do not feel it.
I'm realizing that the last 48 years have been kind of a blur. Things have slowed down for me the past three years. I've been in this house and had no real crisis or disaster. And for that I am grateful. I had enough the first 45 years of my life. I've also realized that I'm pretty much on my own here on out (have been for 10 years but I kept thinking I'd meet someone) and I better make my life around that and not keep waiting. I have my own social group of friends who I go to dinner with and movies, etc. I go to the gym - for my health not my looks....and I have my cute little house. All in all it's not a bad life.

Ok, that is my rambling...where are you in your life? Are you happy? Are you yearning? Are you in a bunch of drama? Remember, it isn't bad or good..it is just is.

Finally, I'm taking a break this weekend from the internet. I have my daughter coming into town to celebrate my birthday and I need a break. My sister and I have called a truce on the whole Glenn Beck thing (have you seen what he is saying about Rockefeller Center? KooKoo) Facebook is becoming not a place to play.. it's becoming a political minefield of people. It's getting ugly in a short time and I got sucked into it and I need to pull back.

So hasta la vista...I want to see what you post...I do care and enjoy reading them....

Healthcare, rain and eating clean

2009-08-02T16:26:00.002-04:00

The talk at work is all about healthcare reform. I work for a medical device company and it has hit us. Hospitals are holding tightly to their dollars in anticipation of losing Medicaid funds. I'm so drained about the debate...I want reform but I think congress needs to slow down and think this thing through. It's too huge to rush. On the other hand, I'm tired of the Canadian Health bashing going on. My Canadian friends will tell you that while it is not flawless, it works a lot better than critics will lead you to believe.

Rain..Rain...Rain...ok, you can leave now . I'm done with you for awhile. I like my porch..I'd like to use it.

Finally, I'm looking into Eating Clean. I've decided to use Tosca's book http://www.eatcleandiet.com/about_the_diet/the_books.aspx#The+Eat-Clean+Diet+Cookbook and do a Julie/Julia thing where I try the recipes and let y'all know how they turned out. It will encourage me to eat better while reviewing whether the food is ok to try.

I'm starting tomorrow with a Turkey and Egg scramble. However, chicken was cheaper than turkey so I'm already modifying it.

Oh, and I'll post more. Please fell free to comment. Then I'll know y'all are out there!

The adventures of Lucy the wonder dog

2009-07-25T21:09:00.002-04:00

That is my Lucy. Part Beagle..part something else. She's so sweet and so onery. That pic is from the other morning when I left her in the backyard for ten minutes. I have to put a barrier up because she can fit through the slats and she'll go across the street and poo. Then I get a letter from the HOA telling me to keep my dog in my yard.

Well, the orange fencing worked. It's not pretty but I have no one next door so who is going to complain?

Then last night we were walking on a leash. She saw a rabbit. Lucy is fast..faster than any dog her size. She pulled so hard that I fell face down and lost the leash. She ran around the corner of the house and I heard a scream..maybe more a squeal. I ran..and she is pooping in the neighbor's front yard. So I'm guessing the handle of the leash swung around and got her which resulted in scaring the poop outta her.

But tonight she's curled up on the bed...and you would think she is always an angel.

Zumba, mosquitoes and the power of Oxyclean

2009-07-09T18:58:00.002-04:00

Wow, what a wild few weeks we have had. We lost Farrah and Michael on the same day. Farrah we expected...most did not expect Michael. I did. The last pictures I saw of him were bad. He was frail..his hands were blotchy...he did not look healthy. What did shock me was Billy Mays. He may have had a paunch but he seemed healthy. I was hoping the cause of death was the bump to his head but no..his heart gave out. 50 is way too young.

I can't go outside without a swarm of mosquitoes going after me. I finally got a fan to blow on me when I want to read outside in the hammock. But they still get my back.

Finally, I have to share my new passion - Zumba. It's a mix of salsa, hip hop, etc. It's high impact so I have to modify it...but I'm beat when I'm done. My goal is to look like my instructor (well, 20 years later anyway). I hear people lose tremendous amounts of weight doing it. So tonight I got Nikes that are highly recommended for Zumba. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks JoJo and Grits for posting. I love that people are actually reading my blog.

One last thing (I know I said finally two paragraphs before)...I just want to say Roger Federer (not Federline!) is the best player in the world!!

Oh, and JoJo...they are calling Federline K-Fat now that he is so big...

Federer, weight lifting and summer

2009-06-07T15:06:00.003-04:00

I'm still on my quest to get healthy. I'm pretty happy with my progress. No weight loss which does surprise me as I'm eating so well...but I since this is NOT a diet..I'm ok with that.

I'm drinking more water, little to no soda and my coffee is way back. I'm eating more natural..less meat..no fried food. I have more energy (except when my allergies kick in) and today I got back in my weight lifting class. I haven't been in a year and it literally kicked my ass. My arms are jello. My legs were ok but my ankles were burning.

What I do need to do is get back into tennis. I love the game..I love how I really lose myself to the moment when I play. Nothing else gets my full attention. Did y'all see my man, Roger play today? It was kinda sad his opponent really didn't try. I hope Nadal is better for Wimbledon so I can see a real match.

It is hot, muggy and buggy outside. I have some great books including American Lion ( I LOVE presidential biographies) but even when I spray myself with Deep Woods Off the bugs still bite..only they bite my eyelids and other weird places. When I lived in Florida, we went on a turtle walk (my favorite thing) and these weird fly/beetle things were biting everyone even though we were covered in bug spray..they even bit in the ear. And these big blisters would form..it was horrible. I never had that again...no matter when we went to the beach. I remember seeing pics of settlers from the turn of the century and they would bury themselves in sand to their neck at night.

It is hot out there

2009-05-31T12:20:00.002-04:00

I just came in from laying in the hammock. I also just finished Jen Lancaster's Pretty in Plaid. I just love her. She completely lets you in on what makes her tick. And I found someone who loves polos and pearls as much as I do. She struggles with her weight same as me. And she loves dogs.

Ok, what else is new. Well, I'm not doing well on the working out. I do need to just start walking. When I was going through my divorce and after..I walked all the time. My neighborhood is not big enough to walk through and the street my subdivision is on attracts sketchy people. But it would help.

Work is fine..a little slow right now but I think the summer will pick up as the government does most of it's purchasing this time of year. I dread the last quarter. The experts keep saying things have bottomed out..but I'm not seeing it.

Well, not much else to say. Got to do some laundry and clean the house now that Amanda has returned to Athens.

Portly, plump, fat

2009-05-17T09:44:00.002-04:00

Yep, today I'm starting a new regime. I'm not going to diet because that never works.

I've lived healthy a majority of my life. I've never been slender or slim but I've been extremely healthy. I think that may be why even though I've gained 50 lbs in the last five years my cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar are all smack dab in the normal/healthy range. It freaked my doc out..she just knew she had some health reason to get me to lose. But no..fit as a fiddle.

Except, I have to buy a new size every year..(my closet is bursting at the seams with clothes I no longer can wear..I have a few of every size).

So today, I'm starting again. I used to eat low fat, healthy meals...not because I wanted my weight down..but because I enjoyed eating that way. But since I've moved into this house, cooking or preparing food has not appealed to me. I'm going out for lunch every day (just to get out of there) and that has not helped at all.

So I'm changing. I know what to eat. I know what to do with exercise ...I just need to do it.

Well, I'm not telling you what I weigh. I'll tell you what I lose and maybe when I feel good about me again..I'll tell you what I lost. Hopefully, I'll lose eating healthy and exercising more. If I don't...well, at least I'm trying.

Off to take Lucy for a long walk. It has cooled down by ten degrees and should be quite pleasant and since the dog park is out (worms are going around there) I have to find exercise for my munchking.

Wild Kingdom in Woodstock, GA

2009-05-11T21:54:00.002-04:00

The last 48 hours have completely wiped me out. I have:

1. Found a dead chipmunk in my front yard. I'm guessing it is the cute one I see scamper away on my porch. I even thought it might be staying in my grill which did not bother me. I threw (I used a paper towel to pick it up) in the trash and then realized the trash guy wouldn't be here for a week...dumb Idea. So I got the shovel...picked it up with that and went to the wooded area and threw it in the woods.

2. Lucy was sniffing the grill..figured I needed to clean above chipmunk's nest. Bad idea...big rat in grill instead. I threw the lid of the grill back..breaking it and the rat just sat up and sniffed at me. I resented that cheekiness and slammed the side of the grill..yelling get out of here. Lucy chased it threw the yard...I yell "Get the rat Lucy"...I then look up at the McMansion that is right behind my house and a realtor is showing the house. Oh, and I'm in my pajamas.

3. Then today...I was talking to my CSR's and I see something in the trees outside. I look and it's a hawk. It was huge and beautiful. It swooped down and got something small and brown. I'm pretending it was a rat and not a chipmunk. We ooohed and ahhhed and then an hour later he/she was back. This time she went to a robin's nest and ate the babies while momma squawked loudly. I ran outside but I fear it was too late. The hawk flew off with the robin in pursuit (but not too closely).

4. Lucy will not stop whining to go outside to track the rat. I've bleached the grill and I'm replacing anything he/she touched. Yuck.

I've had enough Wild Kingdom. I'm a city kind of gal.

Sangria, Rain and Shawn Mullins

2009-05-09T09:42:00.005-04:00

Sorry, I haven't posted in awhile. Work has been emotionally draining lately and the 25 anniversary of my mom's death was May 1st. I just have been doing a lot of nothing.

Anyway...last night I decided my department had enough stress and I took them out for Tex-Mex and drinks at Pappacitos. Good food, good company and the weather was awesome. We sat on the patio and it was sunny, a little breeze and about 78 degrees. I went home and for the first Friday in a long time I was decompressed when I got home. I need to go out more often. Or I need to drink Sangria more..I'm not sure.

Tonight, I am so excited...Shawn Mullins is actually playing about a mile from my house at the town square tonight..for free! However, the weather man is predicting BAD STORMS about that time. You know the ones..tornado sirens, hail, damaging winds..the kind we've had every week this spring. You find your neighbor's roof in your front yard. So while I'm excited I'm being very cautious to keep a lid on it in case it gets canceled.

What is going on in your world?

Edit to say...I got to see an hour of Shawn..then the heavens opened up and the rained poured and the lightening, while beautiful, caused me to hustle and not in a disco manner. Now I know I need to go see him again..preferably indoors.

Here is a video of Shawn singing Cabbagetown :

Killers, lost friends and pollen

2009-04-25T20:11:00.003-04:00

What a beautiful day. Temp in the 80's and only a few wispy clouds in the sky.

Too bad it was ruined.

First, I wanted to work on the yard and porch. So I start with the porch and my cabana covering. Then I moved to mowing and edging the yard. I come in and I'm covered with the yellow icky powder which makes me sneeze. When will it end?

Then I check on friend on facebook who I emailed about a pending visit. She had not answered me and I find we are no longer friends on Facebook. I emailed her and no answer. I find from a mutual friends that she is hanging with a new crowd that do not like me. Even though we had never spoken about these other friends and our friendship was pretty casual..I guess she felt she needed to choose sides. I wish her well. Ok...I wouldn't mind if she got an annoying case of poison ivy this summer..but other than that I wish her well.

Finally and this is by far the worst thing...a professor from UGA murdered three people near campus. The rumors have been rampant. First it was three students..now it looks like none were. One was his wife. He is still running loose through Athens and tonight is a big bike race downtown. All the kids are there..including mine. Even though they have had snipers on the rooftops and swat teams driving around in pickups..she is in the thick of it.

I need a drink.

Welcome to my pity party...

2009-04-21T19:50:00.003-04:00

That is Brigadier General Larry. He was the Commander over Kosovo last year. My senior year he went out with my roommate after I set them up. It didn't end so well even though it took them an hour to say goodnight (I know cause they were outside our room and I couldn't get to sleep.)

Larry and I were both poli sci majors and we had a bunch of the same classes. He is a complete success..what happened to me?

Oh yea..I dropped out of law school and I still have decided what I want to be when I grow up..of course Larry knew what he wanted at 18..

This is Terry ..he's President and CEO of Edward Jones Trust Company. He and I used to punch each other after making smart ass remarks to each other.

Terry, "Suck my right ball"
Susan, "I would if your girlfriend hadn't cut it off"
Then the punching would begin...

Again...a complete success (ok, after this year..I might have more in the bank than he does)

These are just two....there are doctors, lawyers, politicians, writers, business leaders...all my classmates in high school and college. I made the same grades, participated in the same groups, clubs, fraternities and sororities.

I gotta quit looking at my alumni magazine.

Dallas, Tequila, tornadoes and friends

2009-04-11T10:19:00.006-04:00

Last Sunday I boarded a plane to Dallas and went to my company's NSM. Now, this is about the only time I get to travel so please let me tell you my story.

Flying was easier this year. I checked in online, was able to park close to the terminal, security was a breeze (but not as nice as the Dallas folks) and my seat partner slept the whole way.

I love the fact that my CEO loves the Four Seasons. You can't ask for nicer rooms. This is my view:

Of course I had the cool bed, the marble bathroom..just wonderful.

I then got to meet some Dallas YaYas...Sarah, Bandala and MedPrincess all came out to meet me...They were a hoot and I wish I had more time with them. Thanks MK for the boa!!!

We had a great meeting and there was a touching moment during the awards banquet where a rep when accepting his award thanked me for all my assistance. The reps then gave me a standing ovation. I cried.

Then I drank four shots of tequila and tottled off to bed. 47 is way too old to being shots.

Enough said on that..

I then did my presentation with the help of Red Bull (thank you whoever invented that)...packed up and flew back.

Dallas has the nicest airport. You get off your plan..your baggage is right there and then a few steps and you can get a cab. Hartsfield makes you walk about a mile to everywhere...and they are rude!

Anyway..I'm home..I've recovered from the Tequila incident and tomorrow I get to see Amanda and get my Lucy back. Lord, I've missed that dog.

Oh..one last thing. We had another night of tornadoes...I took these pics when the sirens went off. Normally, the sky would be bright at this time...

I got a new roof from the last round..I don't need anything else.

DMX, Depeche Mode and George Michael

2009-03-29T15:40:00.004-04:00

I'm listening to Up in Here and I want to ride around with my windows down and let everyone wonder why an overweight middle aged woman is listening to rap.

I like to do that while listening to Riding Dirty...the Woodstock Police need something to stir em up.

I just downloaded Wrong by Depeche Mode. I LOVE the video even though it is so disturbing...

Last night I was listening to George...he had such a beautiful face...what happened to him? I saw him on Eli Stone ( a big reason for watching the show) and I just couldn't get over how much different he looked...bad plastic surgery? Meth? Who knows. His voice didn't sound the same. Growing old sucks.

A pretty Saturday morning

2009-03-21T11:06:00.002-04:00

Madeline Peyroux, a blueberry bagel...and a red headed woodpecker.

Yep, that's my morning.

TOP CHEF-WHO WILL WIN?

2009-02-25T19:16:00.001-05:00

I'm torn tonight...more so than any other season.

Carla - I thought she had more to her than she showed in the beginning and she has not proved me wrong. She has earned the right to be where she is and is sweet to boot. It would be great if she won.

Stefan - He's hot. End of story.

Hosea - who?

So it's a toss up between Carla or Stefan..the big question is...can this 47 year old stay up that late?

Wife Swap and Stephen Fowler

2009-02-23T19:43:00.002-05:00

Everyone is in a snit about this episode. As it happens for only the second time in my life I watched this show...the first time I watched it...it was so obvious it was fake I swore I wouldn't do it again.

However, Amanda was home, I was tired and there was literally nothing else on t.v.

So, we settle in and immediately I'm horrified by the Missouri couple. I'm from Missouri and people do not eat fast food cause "it's the American Way" or wear wife beaters or call housework skirt work. I thought, great..here we go again..let's beat up on Missouri.

Then they showed Fowler and he presented himself as the stereotypical arrogant euro trash. He didn't disappoint. He called Mrs. Long names and berated her in front of the kids (Alan Long did the same but not as bad so it has been forgotten)

By the end I like neither family. And realized why I don't watch Wife Swap.

Now, Fowler is getting death threats and has had his house "egged" There are seriously angry websites dedicated to harrassing him.

Why is no one going after ABC? They allowed this garbage. They allowed the stereotypes and the hate. See..I think everyone is missing the point. They are promoting separation of classes. They are saying..hey, educated people hate uneducated people.

While Fowler should apologize and has as much as he can under contractual obligations..I hear nothing from the company owned by the Mouse.

And the Longs? Well, I've dug a little and they actually live in the suburbs of K.C..near my brother. Their country bumpkin act is probably just that. An act...

And we have all been taken in.

Ok, I'm back.

2009-02-22T15:27:00.000-05:00

I've not stayed on top of this blogging thing but I'm promising to do so now. I was so stressed by the election and the economy that I couldn't think straight. I'm better now.

Ok, what have I been up to:

1. Knitting. Yes, knitting. I'm a klutz and I can only do simple stuff but I've made a few things.. I made that purse for Lynnie. I truly hope she likes it.

2. I've gained 50 lbs. Yep, my doctor had my blood tested..something had to be wrong, right? Wrong..nothing. I'm healthy as a horse. Guess I'll need motivation somewhere else

3. Furline's PR agent. Not easy. I feel for Mickey Rourke's pr agent as well. Those two are two peas in a pod. She's gone a little wild since Dick left office. Obama is too busy for her. Sigh.

4. Working. What's new there? The warehouse manager calls our company my husband. He's almost right.

5. Hanging with my Lucy. She's still full of energy at two.

6. Got a new roof..we had tornadoes...wind and such...knocked enough shingles off ...that Allstate paid for it.

7. Worrying about the economy. My house has lost 10K in equity and the worst hasn't arrived yet...and I lost 10K in 401K. I'm luckier than most but feeling mighty poor right now.

8. Reading. I'm going to do that list thing so you can see what I've read.

9. Went to the Cirque show - fun. Work took us. I have a good husband..lol.

10. Hanging with my meetup groups. So far we've seen movies, had dinner and went on a ghost tour. Nice people.

Ok..if you read my blog..it's your turn..what have you been up to in the past six months?

Another vacation

2008-08-31T18:51:00.000-04:00

I'm taking this week off and I really am ready for it. I really am breaking away from work. I need to find other things to worry about.

anyhoo...yesterday Amanda and I did voter registration at a local park. It went well but I know they really want me to canvas and I really don't want to. I don't like people to come to my door.

And today I was down at the arts festival in Marietta and there was a McCain booth...but no Obama booth. Now my group is a different county but I think the Cobb contingent should have a had a presence since it was a rather large gathering.
We then went to Barnes and Noble and I couldn't find anything that would interest me. I'm just kind of in a funk.

Now I'm watching Mad Men and trying to keep intersted in it. I'm not sure what is wrong with me.

As I wait for Obama to tell me his V.P. choice

2008-08-22T21:18:00.000-04:00

I sit and read the AJC and find this gem...

http://http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/08/22/boyfriend_confronts_couple.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab

Ramson told police that she and husband Lee were having sex in her bedroom,
while Reed was sitting in the living room, the report said.
Apparently that
didn’t sit well with Reed. He got angry and demanded that Ramson and Lee let him
in the bedroom, the report said. Reed somehow got into the bedroom and pushed
Lee, the woman told police.
Lee returned the favor, pushing Reed onto a table
lamp, the report said.

Now this has the potential to get ugly and soon knives were produced. End of story...woman kicks both their sorry behinds out.

See it doesn't pay to have your cake and eat it too.

I need to get motivated

2008-08-17T12:08:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was the first day of Doggy Day Care. Lucy did her temperment test and passed! They said she was definitely an alpha female but got along with everyone. She came and slept hard.

Tonight we going up on the trail and walk. I need the exercise.

Amanda called and is sore from riding the coasters at Six Flags. She tenses up so much she hurts herself.

I need to go out and work on the yard but I did a lot yesterday and I'm just not in the mood. I wish I like this yard as much as my old one. I really miss my azaleas, my butterfly bushes, my roses. For my yard to be a 10th of my old yard I'll need to hire a landscaper. It's just too small, rocky and weird. Yuck.

Rainy night in Georgia

2008-08-03T10:54:00.000-04:00

Horrible storm last night. Power finally went out about 6:30 p.m. and while it was cooler...it was also humid.

Called GA Power...too many calls for a live operator. Then I see a bunch of shingles on my front porch. GREAT! WONDERFUL!

I see my neighbors out walking and I go out and look and it doesn't appear that those shingles are mine.

About 10 I call GA Power again...still no operator...just a recording.

Lucy and I go to bed. I have nightmares all night about work. I wake up at 2 a.m. and call GA Power (I'm sweating and hot flashing all over the place)

I get an Operator!! Yea!! She tells me my power will be restored by 5....a.m. I ask? No, pm!

I go back to sleep and dream about work and not nice dreams either. I wake up to the dishwasher running! It's 7:47 a.m.....and Lucy wants to go out.

A few hours later...I'm pooped. I hope the fridge didnt' spoil and I worry someone has a leaky roof. I'm going to take a nap. Hopefully, I dream about Mike Rowe and Sharks and not my job.

I did something stupid

2008-08-02T10:57:00.000-04:00

The other day I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond with Amanda to look at curtains. On our way to the back, I see a really cool looking scale at half price. I do the unthinkable...I get on it. Of course it is one of those that tell you not only how fat you are but your BMI and water weight. I have to take off my sandals and put in my age.

I won't share the results...except to say I'm much, much, much bigger than the day I gave birth to Amanda.

This puts me in a depression. A Dove Bar, Pirate Booty, Quesadilla with extra cheese depression.

Then this OCD chick at work who blurts out things tells me I have blue lips. No, I don't. But then I noticed I do have a purple tinge at the corners of my mouth. Probably asthma....but it is scaring me.

So this week...I'm back to the gym ( I sweat like a pig y'all) and I'm making an appointment for a physical where they will tell me to lose weight...duh...

So wish me luck. And I'm not telling you what I weigh. At least not till I reach my goal. It's gonna be a journey...wow, what a journey.

Books read: I've finished the Jen Lancaster Trio of Laughs..Run to your bookstore and look in the biography section...she is way too funny.

I'm now reading Valerie Bertenelli's Bio. I hated her in middle school. She was the epitome of cute and nothing I did made me look like her. Instead I looked like Bonnie Franklin...and I still do. I'm posting a pic of Bonnie. For all of us Bonnies out there...

I'm loving Angels instead....

2008-07-12T12:50:00.000-04:00

I'm listening to Robbie Williams. I really don't understand why he isn't a bigger deal in the U.S....he is just so talented.

I'm having a low key weekend. Went to the dog park. Lucy has a boyfriend, Leo. He's a beagle with a capital B. He howls if Lucy plays hard to get which is what she did today. Saw a guy I used to work with...he got fired for lying about some stuff. I tried to say hi but he ignored me. Hey, I didn't fire you asswipe.

It's hot, muggy and the air is full of mosquitoes. Think I'll go to B & N and get some more books...then I'll hibernate.

Many good things...as Martha would say

2008-07-07T22:01:00.000-04:00

Yes, I finally got off the hammock and went for a walk yesterday. Well, more like a hike. 2.5 miles to be exact. And most of it was being pulled by my 25 pound Beagle mix who can snap a leash meant for anything less than a St. Bernard. Yes, I finally bought the 100 lbs + extended leash and she hasn't broken that yet.

I'm sore today. Like power lifting and lunging sore. Like moving your house sore.

BTW, Amanda moved to her new house today. She is not as nervous about the neighborhood as I am. I want to put bars on the window.

She got it done prior to the gates of hell opening up in the sky. Not as bad as the night the tornado went through but almost. I finally had to turn Animal Planet on really loud so Lucy would be distracted. Who knew Beagles like to watch other dogs get amputated? Lucy was mesmorized.

Work was not so bad. We had ice cream cake for a birthday. Everyone was in a relaxed mood. Let's see how it goes by Friday.

Oh, and one final thing...Jess Riley found my blog! How exciting is that? I get all fangirl about these kind of things.

Think I'll mention Mike Rowe a lot and see if I can get lucky. Bwahahahaha

Wow, I forgot about this account!

2008-07-06T09:13:00.000-04:00

I've been wanting to post as myself for awhile now. I love my other blog but it can be a little prohibitive at times.

Anyway, I'm back. Now that I've gotten the hand of blogging maybe I'll keep this up.

I was on vacation this week. Since I'm somewhat broke, I stayed home. And read...a lot. I read the following:

Driving Sideways - Jess Riley - Very funny. The main character had a kidney transplant and decides to go on a road trip in her SATURN. As a Saturn owner I can tell you that would not be a comfortable trip.

Such a Pretty Fat - Jen Lancaster - She's just funny.

Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea - Chelsea Handler - Again, I can only wish I was this funny.

Hot Zone - Kevin Sites- Read the book, watch the DVD. I don't care which side of the fence you are on - this will move you. I truly believe that there is a wonderful good spirit in the human race but the evil, dark side really is there too.

Lean Mean Thirteen - Janet E. - Took me three hours to read it. I still laugh. It's like going home to your wacky NJ family.

Swapping Lives - Janet Green - I like her stuff. Predictable but sweet.

Land of Mango Sunsets - Dorothea Benton Frank - Slow in the beginning. Had to force myself to go on. Then Miriam goes to see her mom the book gets a soul and moves quickly, and made me cry. If you are missing your mom...well, be forewarned. This one will get you.

Life's A Beach - Claire Cook - She wrote Must Love Dogs. It's a love story/finding yourself at 40 story. I can totally see Diane Lane in this one as well.

Ok, I didn't read all of the them this week but I did read them all this month. I'm a little tired of reading...(gasp...I can't believe I said that). So today, Lucy and I are going out for awhile.

Tomorrow is work. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'm just starting to relax (I'm very tightly wound).

Fall is around the corner and I'm so ready

2007-08-27T20:00:00.000-04:00

It has been a long hot summer. I think we are all tired of it. I'm ready for some stress free, bill free time.
It seems everytime I turn around something is breaking. A. wrecked her car..then last night the washing machine kicked the bucket.

I'm getting a new washer and the car is fixed..but I think I'm laying low and no shopping for this mom.

Anyway..this is what I'm looking forward to seeing..but with the dry hot summer I'm afraid it is not going to happen...

Lazy Sunday

2007-06-24T16:10:00.000-04:00

I've been on vacation for five days and I'm ready to get back to work. The steroids for my asthma have kicked my ass. I'm jittery, I have acne, I can't eat but I'm gaining weight. Tomorrow is my last day. Yes, I can breathe but is it worth it?

Just watched Shaun of the Dead. Amusing...I like Hot Fuzz better but it is good.

Tonight it is meatloaf and then off to the dog park. I can't wait till I get paid....enough of the free stuff. I want to shop!

My last blog site is gone..but I'm back!

2007-06-23T13:17:00.000-04:00

I've missed blogging. I went through so much in the past year, I believe this will help me sort out my life and I can continue in a positive direction.

Ok, in the past year, I've:

1. Sold my house in one day.
2. After a frantic two months found a cute little cottage house but the owner's son was a jerk and made my life hell for an additional month.
3. Had lasik (the best decision ever!)
4. Had my 16 year old Lab put to sleep (I'll miss you forever, Mags)
5. Adopted a beagle mix pound puppy who is just trouble.
6. Hired not one but two new staff members.

That's a lot. And I'm a little anxious to have my life in as little turmoil as possible. I want to build up my friend base and I really want it to be people outside of work.