It is hot out there

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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.