The Alphabet Survey

I saw this meme at Dusty Pages that Lori did yesterday.  Thought I'd give it a whirl. 

A is for age:  52

B is for beer of choice:  Ice cold Michelob, in a long neck bottle.

C is for your career right now:  Home health aide

D is for your dog's name:  We rent, only fish-Kirby the 3rd

E is for an essential item you use every day:  My coffeemaker

F is for favorite TV show at the moment:  I don't really watch much.  The local weather forecast, I guess.

G is for favorite game:  To play-pool.  To watch-football.

H is for hometown:  Roscommon

I is for instruments you play:  A little piano-very little.

J is for favorite juice:  Tomato

K is for whose butt you'd like to kick:  No one right now.

L is for the last restaurant you ate at:  The TeePee about 4 months ago.

M is for marriage:  Nope, once was enough.

N is for number of piercings:  7- 4 in left ear, 3 in right.

O is for overnight hospital stay:  Dec. 1986.  Had my gallbladder and its 71(yes the surgeon counted them) stones removed.

P is for people you were with today:  Bro and clients.

Q is for what you do with your quiet time:  Read and spend time online.

R is for biggest regret:  That I didn't go to college.

S is for status:  Single. Or widowed, or middle aged, or female, or employed, or all of the above.

T is for time you woke up today:  I slept in till 6:30.

U is for if you are unique:  Why, certainly.

V is for vegetables you love:  It's easier to list the ones I don't like-peppers and lima beans.

W is for worst habit you have:  Procrastination.

X is for Xrays you've had:  Right knee, head, back, left foot, left wrist, ribs, right big toe, right elbow, left ankle, fingers on right hand.  Okay, maybe I'm a clutz.

Y is for yummy food you had today:  Homemade burger with dill pickles.

Z is for zodiac sign:  Libra

Geez, I've had a lot of xrays.  But in my defense, there were only 3 broken bones discovered in all those xrays.  2 in my back from the car accident, and the right big toe, that I dropped the center leaf from the dining room table on.  I think the doctors just liked looking at my bones. ;-)  Now, if you want to count stitches, I've had 146 in my head, 3 in right index finger, 7 in my right leg, 4 in the broken big toe and 14 staples for the gallbladder. 

It was a beautiful day, today, not too hot, NACITS.  But they're predicting frost here for tonight.  NOOOOOO...... It's too early for that.  I'm not done with summer yet!  ::sigh::

Well, I'm rambling now, so I'm signing off.  As Always.........

                                      ~Thanks For Stopping By~

 

Had to go back and fix the link!  OOPS

Late Night Ramblings

Disclaimer:  Sleep deprived person just writing off the top of her head. 

Content may cause confusion, do not drive or operate heavy machinery while consuming this product. 

No refunds or exchanges. 

Not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Enter at your own risk!

There, I think that about covers it.  ::sigh::  :)  I am tired, I had a midnight shift last night, only a 2 hour nap today, and should be in bed instead of  writing here.  But this is a special occasion!

Happy 5th Anniversary to J-Land!!!

I meant to take the time to write a carefully thought out entry, wax poetic on everything this community means to me, get all philosphical, but as the days and hours slipped by, no entry materialized.  This may be all for the better, we'll just see what happens.

About 15 months ago, I discovered blogs.  I was very new to computer use, had never heard of journaling online.  I was poking around on AIM and clicked onto the blogs link, and that was all she wrote.  Okay, let me rephrase that, that's when she decided to write-online. 

Playing around with the different styles, colors, fonts, and then typing my feelings into my private blog.  I read other journals, not brave enough to leave a comment, but enjoying reading about the lives of others from across the country and overseas.  Oh, I wanted to comment, had clever comments on the tip of my tongue.  I was an outsider, a "lurker".  This was obviously a community where folks knew each other well, cared about each other. 

It took time for me to get up the courage to comment that first time.  And without going back in the archives, I can't even remember the first one.  But then, I got a couple e-mails from writers I had commented to.  I had taken the first steps into J-Land.  "Did I have a journal, could I leave the link?" 

Hmm.... I started to think about writing publicly.  But my life's pretty simple, kinda boring, what would I write about?  Finally, I screwed up my courage, set up a public journal, typed my first entry and hit Save. 

And she's still writing!  Over this last year, I've met some wonderful friends, learned about life in other corners of the world, and in doing so expanded mine.  I've discovered that I like to write.  I may never be one of the great writers here, but so what? 

When I sit down in front of my computer screen, I feel like I'm writing letters to my friends, baring my soul, sharing something of myself, and learning more about that same self.  I hope to continue to do just that for many years to come.

So, whether you've been here 5 years or 5 minutes, Happy Anniversary to us all!

I can't believe it's almost the end of summer already.  It's just gone by so fast.  I'm not ready to give up the beach and going barefoot yet, so I guess I'd better get busy and enjoy what's left, huh? 

Things have been pretty quiet around here lately.  Potsey's moved out for now.  The house stays cleaner, the grocery bill's gone down and I get to park closer to the house without someone blocking my car in!  Yay!!

The friend that bought all those necklaces at the beginning of the summer came up with the idea of having a jewelry party featuring my creations!  Just in time for holiday shopping.  Maybe combine it with a Pampered Chef party, then we'd get some goodies to eat, too.  I've been working on some designs and found some unique handmade beads to use.  It's all pretty exciting!  I'm really enjoying the process. 

My work hours are still down, except for an occassional midnight shift.  But that gives me some time to fit in some more summer fun before it all fades into fall. 

Well, if I'm going to get this Anniversary entry posted by midnight, I've got to go for now.  Besides, I need some sleep!  :-O (that's a yawn)

                              ~Thanks For Stopping By~

 

Tidbits, odds and ends-a meme

Just like the title says.  Dawn did this meme yesterday.  It's got questions you don't normally see in a meme, so I thought it'd be fun.

1. My Uncle once- told me that my freckles were rust spots from too much swimming.  I was young enough to believe him.  After that he always called me Rusty.

2. Never in my life-bungee jump or skydive.  Only fools and birdsh** fall out of the sky.

3. When I was 5- I had a pixie cut and a curly perm-before they were in style.

4. High School was- In town, so I spent my lunch money at the pool hall.  :)

5. I will never forget losing- My virginity, with the younger brother of the guy I had a huge crush on.

6. I once met-No one famous-ever.

7. There's this person I know who-Had his nipples pierced!  Really!

8. Once at a bar-I met my husband.  He said, "if you'd quit fu**ing with that Pacman game, we could go dance."  What a romantic he was.

9. By noon I'm usually-done with my second pot of coffee, and ready to move on to something cold.  Like Iced Coffee!

10. Last night-I was nice to the backyard neighbor.  I know, I'm so proud.

11. If I only had- Some spaghetti, my tummy would be really happy right now. 

12. Next time I go to church- I'll be out in nature.

13. What worries me most- my memory problems, I'm very forgetful, absentminded....

14. When I turn my head left, I see-The toaster-hmm, peanut butter toast sounds good!

15. When I turn my head right, I see-out the kitchen window.

16. You know I'm lying when-I say I'd like to bungee jump.

17. What I miss most about the eighties-my cute little cabin in Grayling.  The neatest place I ever lived.

18. If I were a character in Shakespeare, I'd be-embarrassed because I wouldn't know my lines.  I never read much Shakespeare.

19. By this time next year-It'll be July 31st, 2009

20. A better name forme would be-Hmm.. never really thought about this.

21. I have a hard time understanding-computers, it's the memory thing.

22. If I ever go back to school-I'd major in Art.

23. You know I like you if-I try to tell you my secrets.  This must mean I like you-look at all the secrets I'm telling.

24. If I ever won an award, the first person I'd thank would be-all my friends and fans.....

25. Take my advice, never-put Italian dressing in your coffee.  It was right next to the creamer, it was dark, and I wasn't awake yet.

26. My ideal breakfast is-Cold Pizza.

27. A song I love, but do not have, is-Stairway to Heaven.

28. If you visit my hometown, I suggest-we just go to the lake.  They have a Dairy Queen near the State Park!

29. Why won't people-just admit coffee's good for you!

30. If you spend the night at my house-We'll stay up late, have a bonfire, burn some hotdogs and marshmellows.  Yum!

31. I'd stop my wedding for-waking up from the weird dream.  I don't see any more weddings for me. ::phew::

32. The world could do without-Liver and Onions.  My clients had that for dinner tonight. ;-p

33. I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than-bungee jump, or get married, or eat liver and onions.

34. My favorite blonde is-????

35. Paper clips are more useful than-Bookmarks.  They keep falling out.

36. If I do anything well, it's-Listen.

    I really liked this one.  Probably some things that could be considered TMI, but.....;)~  You did notice the mood at the top, right?  That and I'm hungry, still thinking about that peanut butter toast.

   Tomorrow is my 1 year blog-iversary.  The date on my first entry actually says August 2nd, I just type really slow.  I never thought I could think of enough things to say, to keep this going.  But I am ~So Glad~ I did.  I've met some wonderful friends here.

                                         ~Thanks For Stopping By~   

Life's A Beach...

                          I think I've invented a new swimming exercise! 

   I had the whole day off yesterday.  I didn't want to say anything and jinx it, so I just kept it to myself.

  In the afternoon, I packed up to go to the lake.  I looked in the backseat and discovered that my air mattress was flat. ::sigh::  I really enjoy just paddling out and floating around till the waves bring me back to shore.  I have one of those little patch kits, but decided to save time and just go get another one.  The dollar store didn't have any left, but they did have one of those blow up rings.  Okay, that'll work-$4.00.  I got out there, deposited my stuff on the beach, and headed into the water.  What fun!  Unlike the air mattress, I could paddle around with my arms and legs.  Just kind of cruised all over the place, out into waters over my head, and back to the shallows where I could watch the minnows.  I'll bet I spent 3 hours in the water. 

   And Boy Am I Sore Today!  I have apparently found several muscles in both my arms and legs that I haven't used much lately.  I could hardly move this morning.  You know those little old ladies that just look like it hurts to walk?  Well, that's the way I was walking when I got up this morning.  Deep breath, coffee, ibuprofen and a HOT shower allowed me to make it out the door to my first client.  By 10am, I'd loosened up enough to walk without wincing.  ::grateful sigh::  I'm at the point now that it's down to a dull ache.  And glutton for punishment, I'm going out to the lake again tomorrow afternoon before my 4pm client!  I'll just float more than paddle.

   I was supposed to have this afternoon off, too.  So I decided to do something domestic.  I picked defrosting the freezer. (Are you nuts?)  I got out the coolers, emptied the freezer, started removing the built up ice, singing along to the radio cranked up really loud and didn't hear the phone ring.  I did manage to hear the beep that I had a voicemail between songs.  Yep, you guessed it, the office.  One of the girls had a fender bender on the way to a client and couldn't get there.  Could I cover?  Like, in 15 minutes?  Sure, but I'm going to be late.  So, everything went back in the freezer and I have to finish it in the morning.  Yuck.  I just wanted to get it all done.  The extra hours will be nice, and I did my good deed for the day.  "Oh, and don't call me for any extra shifts tomorrow.  I have to defrost the freezer."  ;-)~    

                                     ~Thanks For Stopping By~

 

Silver Linings

    As every dark cloud has them, the objective is to see past the gloom to that silver lining. 

    On the drive from home to the clients home on Lake Huron(about 70 miles), I was simply observing the scenery going by when it hit me.  There are a few silver linings to the dark clouds that seemed to smother  my weekend.

    First, when I got off the expressway to head across the state, I glanced over at a gas station to check prices-$3.95!  That's the first time I've seen it under $4.00 in weeks-meaning that the trips to this client just got a little bit cheaper.  Yay!

    I'd driven past several homes that had vegetable gardens visible from the road.  Fenced in to keep the deer out, they were green and lush, obviously well cared for.  They brought back memories of the gardens I grew every summer in Ohio.  I smiled.  There were farms with acres and acres of corn, wheat and soybeans.  Some huge dark blue silos at one farm, horses and cows just going about their business as cars go whizzing by.  There was a little roadside park with a river down in a gulley.  I didn't know they still existed(the parks).  There was this little cafe-closed now for who knows how many years, but the sign is still there.  A big 55 with the words double nickel written down the outside edges.  Clever name-as the highway it's on is M-55.  There were some old abandoned roadside vegetable stands-one, Sam's corn, looked like a good wind would knock it ovder.  Garage and yard sale signs populated several intersections, and a cute little sign advertising "The Little Red Craft Shack stands on tall posts, pointing the way.  I saw Sarah's Bloomers and drove through Reno(township),  I passed The Green Turtle, not "a" green turtle, but a lounge. 

    Just a glimpse of the sights along your average Michigan highway.  So familiar, yet so individual.  Oh and one more little silver lining?  I was traveling east so the setting sun was behind me and not shining in my eyes.  B-)  this is a sunglasses smiley! 

   I'm glad the weekend is behind me.  Now I can concentrate on other things, but I wrote this entry on Friday night and just wanted to share my observations on life, from the weekend that had all the dark clouds.  (actually it's been pretty sunny and not too hot!)

                                  ~Thanks For Stopping By~

And the winner is....

Canoe #01-Steve Lajoie and Andy Triebold. 

At approximately 11:09:06am.  The announcer on the radio said it's one of the top five finish times of the 61 marathons raced.  The second place canoe should be arriving at the finish line in about 5 minutes, while I'm writing this.  The team I'm rooting for is canoe #14, in 4th place, about 15 minutes behind the second place team and 2 minutes behind 3rd place.  I bet they're paddling their tired butts off. 

Since I can't be there, I'm listening to it on the radio, at least the country music has stopped...they're interviewing one of the winners. 

I have another entry ready to go, but had to take a nap and will get it posted this afternoon or evening.  Work is interfering with my online time...::giggles::...

I did get some rough drafts for entries started.  There's not a whole lot to do on midnights, so I read and write.  And last night, I had my little portable radio on, to catch the updates on the race.  I actually toyed with the notion of driving up to one of the dams that they portage and watching for an hour or so(only about 20 miles from where I was working) but I was so tired this morning and chose to be logical and responsible and came home to nap.(grumbles) 

Well, the 2nd and 3rd place teams have finished, and canoe #14 is due any minute.  I've got to go get ready for work.  I'll be back later...

                                       ~Thanks For Stopping By~

One of those days(night actually)...

     I just haven't felt much like writing lately.  I couldn't think of something to say that wasn't depressing or boring.  Or that wouldn't sound like I was whining.  Which is exactly what I feel like doing right now!  Before this entry is over, I may actually whine-just to get it out there!

    A few entries back I mentioned the backyard neighbor that just drives me to violent thoughts of her demise.  Well, this seems like a good time to discuss her, as she came over to visit last evening and I didn't have the chance to escape to my room before she walked in the door.  She's the type that doesn't hesitate to tell you how you should live your life, because this is how she does it, has seen it on TV, or heard it from her friend the "guru of life-screw anyone who doesn't want you to tell them how to live, tell them anyway!".  I know she means well, but honestly, her life is more screwed up than mine.  Walk a mile in her shoes?  Nah, then I'd have to wipe my memory banks or go slowly insane. 

    Anyway, I was sitting at the kitchen table with Bro, discussing some things that need to be done and what my schedule is for the weekend.  This is the weekend I was supposed to have off to go to the Canoe Marathon, which I'll explain more about later.  I had gotten over the fact that I had been scheduled to work, decided to make the most of the time I did have to go and see at least part of the race.  Then on Wed. I got a phone call from work, they need me to work a couple midnight shifts on Friday and Saturday nights.  Good-bye race, entirely.  I need the hours and money right now, and there would be the issue of my having refused work, if I have to file for part-time unemployment. ::sigh::  So, I'm working....

    Sorry got off track there.  I see Ms. Busybody come walking through the yard, and can't just get up in the middle of a sentence and run to my bedroom to hide.  So, I'm stuck at the table discussing the fact that I drink too much coffee at night and that's why she always sees my light on at night and early in the morning....NO, it's because I only sleep about 5-6 hours a night, I get up early to get ready for early work shifts, and leave my coffee alone or DIE!  And what are you doing up so late and early, if sleeping 9 hours is what you deem the proper way for ME to live?  The conversation moved on and she said she had never seen a picture of my husband.  So I dug some photos out.  In one from near the end of his life, she made the comment that-it looked like I must have loved him very much....well, by that time, no.  By that time I was burned out, depressed, and emotionally abused.  She said, "Well, he was sick, I'm sure he couldn't help it."  No, he was just miserable and figured I shouldn't be left out of the fun!  It was all I could do not to throw the stack of photos in the air and run screaming from the room. 

    Then she proceeded to tell me how to go about losing weight, and that the way "she does it, is the only way".  From what she described, she starves herself-lives on SlimFast and toast.  Earlier she had made the comment that she felt tired all the time and needed to mention it to her doctor.  Well, I made the suggestion that maybe she wasn't getting enough nourishment from the way she was eating and that's why she felt tired.  Oh no, it has to be more than that.  Okay, sure, you go run to the doctor and see what he says.....

    She suggested that we walk together, as it's such good exercise.  Well thanks, but I walk and swim at the State Park 4 or 5 times a week.  Yes, but you should walk more than that, I'll go with you.   ARGHHH!! NO!!!  But then, I got the thought that it might be even more beneficial, as I'd be walking as fast as possible, just to get away from her "advice".  I banished that thought and got up to get things picked to go to bed.  Good night, you're safe from my wicked thoughts of murder for one more night!

    Okay, more information about the Canoe Marathon I was talking about.  It's a canoe race that lasts 14 to 19 hours.  It's 120 miles from the start in Grayling, MI to Oscoda, MI on the Lake Huron shore.  They begin the race at 9pm and race all night.  They have to portage hydro-electric dams, paddle through the dark for most of the race, although they do have a little light on the front of their canoes.  There are viewing points at many of the bridges that cross the river, and following the race to the finish is an eventcalled "Chase the Race".  You pack the car with snacks, coffee, warm clothes, cool clothes, flashlights, and whatever else you might need.  You drive from bridge to bridge and wait for the paddlers to pass under, spending the night driving, and cheering these amazing atheletes on.  The youngest participants are 15 years old this year, and the oldest is 83.  Yes, you read that right, 83 years old.  He's participated in 36 of the 61 marathons that have been held. 

    Anyways,  here's the website, check it out, this is an amazing race, www.ausablecanoemarathon.org . 

    Since the last time I posted, I've cried, pouted, moped, and just generally been miserable.  I've had enough of that and have decided to make some changes-serious changes-in my life.  I'm working on a new journal project to share with you.  I'll have been writing here one year on August 1st,(technically, I started the entry on the 1st) and in going back to read my first entry, I see that I've let this stray from what I had originally intended.  The changes will help get me back on track here.  I'm off to work on that new project, so as always....

                                    ~Thanks For Stopping By~