Thursday, January 29, 2009

Target wins


I ordered the Target bench ... I hope it's as nice as it appears in the picture. The cushion color matches our leather loveseat. I think it'll all look nice, especially if we can find an area rug that pulls everything together. Thanks for everyone's input!
Not much happenin in Georgia lately ... a little rain ... a little wind ... a little sunshine. I know folks to the north are gettin hit pretty hard with the cold, white stuff. Thank God we don't see much of that down here ... I got my fill of that growing up in Kansas.


Have a bit of a busy weekend coming up ... we ordered a pair of matching chocolate-colored leather Berkline recliners and they are ready to be picked up. Marty will be shampooing our carpet Friday night, moving our "chair-and-a-half" and his recliner out, making room for the 2 new ones. Maizie will be disappointed as the chair is hers right now and she lays on the back of it to look out the window. I've been on the lookout for a bench/window seat for her. I found one on HSN website last night and will show it to Marty before ordering it. I saw one at Target website as well. Any input is appreciated. :) Anyway, I'm working 4 hours of OT Saturday morning, then we'll go pick up the recliners and an area rug.

Hi-Ho .. off to work I go. Have a good one!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Sick and tired of being sick and tired ...

I am bound and determined to feel better today. That's just all there is to it. I have been "down" all weekend with some form of a bug, the worst of which is manifesting itself in my sinuses now. Over the course of the weekend, I've had nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, but mostly now it's just sinuses/sore throat ... still have some body aches, but I think that's from laying around too much.

The fact that I'm struggling for something to blog about tells me that I'm living a lame lifestyle ... I need to get off my ass and do something interesting. I drive myself crazy with this laziness I'm experiencing lately! What is wrong with me!!??


OMG, does anyone watch "The Doctors"??? Today they are doing a segment about diet trends. There's a guy on here right now who eats a raw meat diet. He just took a bite out of a raw chicken thigh and sucked raw egg from the shell! The Doctors are all over him like bees on honey! It's all they can do to even stand by and let this guy promote his theory!

OK, gotta get something going today ... Ya'll have a good one!

Friday, January 23, 2009

Contrast/Comparison



WOW ... is there any wonder why I love Georgia??????

Longing for Spring/Fall ...

Another week gone ... another week closer to Springtime!! My favorite time in Georgia is Fall, however. I have some awesome pics to share from my favorite season. It's overcast and we have a chance for rain today, but at least it's supposed to warm up just a bit.

The bumps on Maizie's back/base of her tail are still there ... unchanged ... no better/no worse, but there seems to be more popping up randomly. We have been very faithful for 2 weeks with the prescription dog food only .. no table food whatsoever ... no treats. We did a flea treatment last week also, though we've not seen any fleas and she's not been scratching more than usual. Now, her right eye is gunky (is that a medical term? I don't think so, but ya'll know what I mean). It was really gunky 2 days ago, and getting progressively better, and hardly gunky at all this morning, but still somewhat. I don't know what's going on with her. I guess we'd better consider taking her back to the vet again. Maybe we haven't done the food trial long enough to really see any improvement. She doesn't seem uncomfortable ... but I am. *sigh* Any thoughts?

I think I mentioned my 21 year old daughter moved back in with us at the end of the year ... when she was with us before, she was a SLOB. I had a brief talk with her when she moved back about expectations, etc ... I am loving this new Kayla. She makes fresh coffee every morning, makes her bed every morning, doesn't leave her stuff scattered all over the bathroom, and does her dishes. Wow. I hope it lasts!

I've decided to sell my eliptical. I paid nearly $700 for it 3 years ago ... and that's a lot of money to spend on a clothes hanger. It's gotta go. Clearly, I'm not gonna use it. Clearly, hubby is not gonna use it. It's taking up room and gathering dust. It's gotta go. A friend is coming by tomorrow night to take a look at it.

OK here's the Fall Georgia pics I mentioned earlier. Ya'll have a good day!





Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Kansas

Ahhhhh, Kansas .... where you can watch your dog run away for 3 days.















Tuesday, January 20, 2009

"There's No Place Like Home" ...



"Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore."




Left Kansas, where the temperature was in the 60s .. landed in Georgia, where the temperature was in the 20s! Brrrrr! Trip home was OK ... My parents both, I think, are depresssed ... the house is dark ... they are quiet ... the mood is just ... BLAH. I don't really know what to do for them. My dad lives for Spring-Summer because he always has a huge garden. I think deep down, he's worried he can't continue to do it because of his health ... he's really slowed down this past year ... walks slower ... less sure of himself ... stumbles. If/when he can no longer garden, he will die. This I know. My step-mom had 1 good day while I was there, but yesterday she spent most of it in bed ... she is on a lot of meds for her rheumatoid arthritis, some which cause depression ... she's also on med for depression, which needs to be changed. Hopefully that will happen at her next appointment. I think I will do a separate entry for the odd things they're doing around the house ... OMG.




Time with my brothers was a hoot! They are just crazy ... and they love to tease and harrass me. One of my brothers, Ron, got an iPhone recently, and is totally intrigued by his latest find ... a program for the iPhone called "iFart". LOL We did get together with some old friends from high school and had a few (OK, a LOT) beers. I also got to spend some time with my eldest daughter, Kari,

and her 2 little ones, Mikey and Lexie ... darling kids, but NO DISCIPLINE.






I will post pics of my trip ... I'm exhausted at the moment and not feeling very inventive or creative, so ... sorry for the bore!




I'm SO glad to be home!!!



Thursday, January 15, 2009

Optimism vs. Realism


OMG it's chilly outside today! It's pretty bad when I actually have to leave Georgia and go to Kansas to warm up!! Maizie went to her doggy door this morning, poked her nose out, and came right back in. It's even too cold for the pair of blue birds that frequent my front yard every morning. I have my camera out in my office in hopes of catching them one of these days ... they are beautiful!

I have much to do before my trip home this weekend ... laundry ... rental car ... pack ... being the professional procrastinator that I am, it'll all wait ... except for the car ... I've GOT to do that today. My brothers are planning to get me drunk Saturday night ... we used to tie it on pretty good, but I've become wimpy in my old age! When you grow up in Kansas, there are just a few things to do for fun ... we had a LOT of fun growing up ... ;) I should have some funny pictures to share.

Daughter and I had a good talk last night ... she's so optimistic, which is good, but ... I think it's possible to be TOO optimistic. She wants it all ... and I do feel she can have whatever she wants, but the problem is, she wants it all NOW ... she just keeps telling me, "I think it'll be OK .. I'll be fine." The issue, she just moved home with us due to the condo she shared with 2 other girls sold, and she decided to come back home to save some $$ while she's deciding what direction to go with school/career. She does pay her car insurance, and has 2 credit cards (with low balances) that she's paying off. Well, she wants to get a different car ... hers isn't bad, but it's questionable how much longer it'll hold out. Now that she doesn't have rent to pay, she thinks she can handle a minimal car payment (around $300/month). What I told her is, I'm worried she's going to get herself into a financial situation that is going to make it really difficult to go back to school. She thinks "it'll be fine". "It'll all work out, Mom ... don't worry so much." It's so hard to get them to see the bigger picture. She's optimistic .. I'm real. Maybe she'll listen to me.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Patience & Faith ...


OK, so I'm what hubby calls a "band geek". I wear it proudly. I love music of all kinds and can play several instruments ... used to, anyway. Considering the fact that I am a reality TV junkie, American Idol is right up there among my favorite shows. I'm not sure how adding this 4th judge to the panel is going to impact the dynamics ... should be interesting. To be honest, I'd appreciate less panel antics and more auditions.


Today is a late day for me ... working 12:30pm-11:00pm. I heard through the grapevine that overtime is being offered again ... I'll be jumping on that! Having my office at home makes overtime a no-brainer!


Maizie is beginning day 5 with no table-food or treats ... she is not liking it AT ALL ... we are not liking it because she gives us these "looks". She mopes ... I swear, I used to joke all the time that I thought she was obsessed with our food, because whenever we are eating, she is FOCUSED. She never takes her eye off of our plate and follows the fork to our mouth with her gaze, drooling all the while. In the past, we were both very generous with our food ... and Maizie ALWAYS got the last bite. She still sits quietly, waiting ... but the last bite doesn't come ... she mopes into the kitchen, gives us "the look", then proceeds to eat her own prescription food. We have been giving her extra hugs, kisses, and games of fetch, which normally is played to exhaustion anyway! I hope this food trial is conclusive ... so far, I don't see any change in the bumps/irritated area on her back, but I know it won't happen overnight. Patience and faith ... 2 things I don't have very much of at times, for some odd reason.


Shower time ...

Monday, January 12, 2009

Flight control ... we have a change of plans


I was about to settle into hubby's chair, had my coffee, my laptop, my book, TV remote ... ready for LAUNCH in 5-4-3-2- ... in the front door walks hubby ... "I took the day off." (he's in the printing biz ... no jobs to do today) So ... I gathered my things ... moved back to my area on the loveseat ... lost the TV remote ... even lost my laptop for a while ... *sigh* I so enjoy my days off that belong to ME ... :) Now, don't get me wrong .. I love spending time with hubby, too ... and Maizie is in heaven ... has us both to herself all day long! Ya'll know what I mean ... :) Now, come 2:00pm, I WILL have my Judge Judy! Some things I just won't give up. Man, I love that lady.


Gotta hit the shower ... have a lunch date!


Sunday, January 11, 2009

Reflection

gold⋅en

 /ˈgoʊldən/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [gohl-duhn] Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective

5.
full of happiness, prosperity, or vigor: golden hours; a golden era of exploration.



cor⋅ral 

 /kəˈræl/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [kuh-ral] Show IPA Pronunciation noun, verb, -ralled, -ral⋅ling.
–noun
1.
an enclosure or pen for horses, cattle, etc.





OK ... I'm off to the grocery store for romaine lettuce ... gonna be salads for this heifer for a while.


Myspace Icons

Maizie

She's not spoiled at all, is she.
This suit was a little tight ...

Merry Christmas!


So attentive.



When her name is called, she looks at you ...




Each time you speak to her, she turns her head to one side ...




... then to the other ... like she knows what you're saying!






Maizie and Sissy (Erin)







Where is the sun?



I am so ready for the sun to shine. I know we needed the moisture, but enough is enough already! Weather definitely has an impact on your mood. I guess that's why the depression/suicide rates are by far higher in Washington state than most others. I've been eyeing the weather forecast for Wichita and SW Kansas, as that's where I'm headed in 6 days. Last time I flew home, wouldn't ya know it, I had horrible weather to contend with. Took me about 8 hours to go 200 miles.


I've been searching blogs of people who have listed "Scottish Terriers" as one of their interests. I absolutely love reading about others' Scotties ... and the pictures ... I don't know why they amaze me so much ... I've decided to post some more pics of my Maizie ... I love her SO much ... sometimes I think it's unhealthy how much I love her! LOL Recently, we were looking for new recliners and a loveseat. We had it narrowed down to 2 loveseats, and we actually considered which one Maizie would prefer ... "Do ya think Maizie would like this one better?" ... sheesh .. the things we do. You dog lovers know exactly what I mean .. you non-dog lovers think I'm frickin crazy. ;) Side note: the vet thinks she has some sort of food allergy. $117.00 later, we will be trying a prescription food trial for the next 2 months ... no treats .... no table scraps ... just this fish and potato IAMS/Eukanuba food that MUST have gold dust mixed in ...


Yesterday was spent doing laundry, reading (started "Twilight"), cleaning our bedroom (I hate dusting!!!), and napping. We went out to dinner with Marty's brother last night ... good ol Golden Corral. Man, I saw so many walking heart attacks there last night ... I've become so much more aware of things since taking my education job. People love to eat ... hell, I love to eat! I did try to moderate last night, though ... started with a nice big plate of salad and should have really stopped after that, but damned if I'm gonna pay $12.00 for a salad! Had to get my money's worth! I had a small piece of steak (medium rare), some popcorn shrimp, mashed potatoes/gravy, 2 chicken strips ... now to my credit, I only took a few bites of the potatoes and ate only 1 chicken strip ... had to leave room for dessert!! Off to the dessert bar I go ... HEAVEN. I ended up with an ice cream cone, turned upside down into a puddle of strawberry sauce, and some banana pudding. I finished the cone/strawberry sauce, but only had 2 bites of the pudding ... it wasn't as good as mine. ;) SO ... now, remember ... I said I tried to moderate. When you go to a buffet, are you really planning on portion control??? I'm afraid, even though the food was delicious, we won't be visiting ol Golden Corral again anytime soon.






Friday, January 9, 2009

Girl Time

Today is a "girl" day ... well, a "girl" afternoon anyway ... a girlfriend, Chrissy, is coming here, then we're going to Athens to have some Mexican food. I can't wait to take her to my favorite place. It's called "La Parilla". I'm not sure what it means, but I know it's excellent food and service. While in town, I want to find some Crocs, then I've decided to buy the "Twilight" series. I've been hearing great things about it.

Does anyone watch "You Are What You Eat"? It's on BBCA. I'm wondering what my table would look like if they put everything I consumed in a week's time on it. I'm afraid of THAT!
OMG, they also look at the subject's "poo"!!!! LOL

I'm enjoying my day off today .. slept in till 0930. (worked till 11pm last night) Got up, had my coffee, channel-surfed a bit, then started some laundry. Cleaned my bathtub/shower (including the drain ... GROSS). Figured I'd get a quick blog in while I'm waiting on Chrissy. Gotta load the dishwasher before I leave, too.

We have Erin, my stepdaughter, this weekend. Not sure what we have planned, but I need to put some office-cleaning time in. I'm sure she won't think that's "fun". Somehow, she has it in her head that everytime she comes here, we HAVE to do something fun, or go somewhere fun ... I think her dad started that after he divorced her mom ... now she expects it and is disappointed if we just have a regular weekend at home doing odd things that have been put off throughout the week. My thoughts? Marty can go do something fun with her ... :) Will the step-mother unconditional love ever kick in? I know it's possible, cause I had a stepmother from age 12 on ... it took a while, but we have a lot of love for one another now. I told her, not long ago, that when I was young and she was new to the household, I hated her and flipped her off behind closed doors. She surprised me by telling me she was on the other side of the door, giving me the same gesture ... LOL

OK ... dishwasher time. I procrastinate SO MUCH. I hate it. I don't know how to stop it. Anyone?

Ya'll have a lovely day!

Nap time


I absolutely love this picture ... it was taken right after Marty finished my office. I was sitting at my desk, getting all my things set up and ready for my first day of work@home. I looked over and this is what I saw ...


Thursday, January 8, 2009

Can of biscuits

I worked yesterday (in Atlanta) from 12:30pm till 11:00pm ... left my house at 10:30am yesterday morning, got home at 12:30am this morning. Of course, I had to stay up and watch Nancy Grace (god, she drives me crazy with her over-dramatic antics). WHY did I volunteer to do 2 late days/week for a while???? Usually, I'll be doing them from home, unless they spring a meeting or class that requires I go into the office. It WAS good to see other work@home folks, though ... made me not wanna get on the phone .. I just wanted to visit!

Being gone all day yesterday, I got behind on reading my blogs, so most of my time has been commenting this morning on ones I'm following. Everyone is so unique ... yet similar. I'm so glad I've come here.

A quick funny before I jump in the shower ... I am going to Kansas a week from Saturday for 4 days to see my parents. 2 of my brothers have decided to meet me there for a "reunion" ... LOL when we get together, it's like walking onto a SNL set! Does anyone here have a brother in his 40s who still lights his farts? Anyway, this particular brother is always giving me a hard time because I've gotten a bit "greener" with age, and was telling him about the economy car I'm renting to drive from Wichita to my parents house ... he told me I should just get a Smart Car. We had a good laugh about that because ... I could stand to lose about 75 lbs. He said when I pull up into Dad's driveway and open the door, it'd be like opening a can of biscuits.

Have a great day! :)

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Hasta la vista, Prozac.

Tuesday ... set my alarm for the first time in a while, because I've been sleeping too much and missing my "down time" before work ... I like to pour my coffee, sit in hubby's chair, and watch
"Regis and Kelly" for the 1st 30 minutes before my shower. Lately, I've been sleeping to the point where I get up and right into the shower, coffee later. Well, I hit the snooze, then turned the alarm completely off. Woke up 30 minutes later to Maizie licking my hand. So, got up.

Feeling much better in the mornings ... overall, really. My doctor wanted to try me on Prozac a couple of months ago because I'm a worry-wart. She also thought it might suppress my appetite some, which it did, by making me feel this underlying nausea nearly 24/7. I've managed to drop a few pounds (no double digits) since starting it. Well, this past month, I've felt like CRAP. Over the past week, I weaned myself off the Prozac and am off of it now and feeling better. (DISCLAIMER: Folks, do not try this at home ... do as I say, not as I do!) Incidentally, I plan to call my MD and inform her of my action. Pinkie swear!

AirTran has flights from Atlanta to Wichita for $64.00 one-way!! I've talked it over with Marty and am 99% sure I'm going home a week from Saturday for 4 days. What I'll save in air fare, I'll spend on a rental car, as Wichita is 4.5 hours from my parents' house. Let us pray for NO BLIZZARD. :) Just gotta let my brothers know in case they can coordinate a visit for the same weekend at this short notice. I can hear one of them grumbling already.

This'll be ... wierd .... I'm sure I'll be seeing ex-hubby ... still having "those" dreams about him ... had another one last night. Better pull out that Divorce Decree before I head home to remind myself what a cold bastard he is.

Boo, you have me craving Pumpkin Spice coffee and I don't even like pumpkin coffee!!!! :)

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Template Shemplate

I want a fun look to my blog. I've come across some really fancy, unique layouts. After doing a google search, I found a site that supports Blogger ... picked out a nice layout ... did the copy and paste, per the instructions, but it didn't work ... error ... I gave up. :) but only for now.

I'm so glad I decided to blog ... I have a few following me now, and I'm following a few ... you're all so nice and supportive. We all share a frame of mind in being here, don't we.

I've been craving rice krispy treats, so made some tonight ... now that I have Mindy's famous chocolate wafer cookie recipe, I'll have to try those out next weekend! My mouth is watering already.

This week, I'm working Monday - Thursday, and have to make a trip to Atlanta for meetings on Wednesday. ugh ... sure do dread that. Once I'm there, it's OK ... good to see everyone in the office ... it's just the drive and traffic. I'm so thankful I don't have to do it 4 days/week anymore ... did that for 8 long months last year! Can't believe I've been with the company for nearly a year ... I do miss bedside nursing some, but my knees and hips and feet don't miss it AT ALL.

Well, I promised hubby I wouldn't stay up till 2am again tonight, so ... off to bed I go!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Saturday night at the movies ...

I could really get lost in these blogs. It sure beats watching anything that's on TV tonight! Hubby is currently watching some B movie called "Grindhouse" ... good Lord. Hello, Rottentomatoes.com? Speaking of ... I ordered from Netflix a movie called "88 Minutes" ... we got all settled into our chairs and put the movie in ... only it wasn't "88 Minutes" .. it was some twisted flick called "Mind Hunters". Proves one thing, though ... humans do work at Netflix ... Lemme tell ya, don't waste your time/$$ on that movie.

Slept in till 10:30 this morning ... I stayed up till nearly 2:30am last night/this morning talking on the phone with an old high school friend. Her dad was recently diagnosed with what sounds like an aggressive form of cancer, which has completely occupied 1 kidney, and possibly some lung involvement. She made me promise before she told me that I would listen without my medical ears on. Do you know how hard that is? I did it ... just listened ... didn't offer any opinions or really even ask any questions, though I had about a dozen. She didn't need to talk to a nurse ... she needed to talk to her old friend, so ... that's what I was. I tell ya, the medical field has made me one cynical bitch. God, I can remember when ignorance was bliss. Anyway, despite how the call started, we actually had quite a few laughs before saying goodnight.

My girls ... all grown up.


Friday, January 2, 2009

It's Friday ... again??

Well, it's Friday night ... feels like the last 2 weeks have been full of Friday nights ... I was so disoriented today that I spent the first 1/2 of it thinking it was Monday! Don't get me wrong, I'm glad tomorrow's Saturday ... just sort-of ready for a full week without a holiday in it.

I looked at flights to Kansas or Texas again today ... it's been 6 months since I've seen my eldest daughter/grandkids, parents and brother and I'm getting antsy. The problem is ... where my parents live is 3 hours from Amarillo, TX, and 4.5 hours from Wichita, KS (the closest airports), so I'm looking at flight PLUS rental car for 5 days. Have to decide soon, as the timeframe is nearly 2 weeks away.

Maizie has some bumps on her back, just above her tail ... not sure what they are, but she's beginning to bite at them and try to scratch them. Looks like we'll be making a trip to the vet in the AM.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Jan. 1, 2009

Wow ... 2008 went fast. Maizie and I managed to stay awake to see it leave, but just barely. I channel-surfed between Times Square celebration and ESPN where some idiot was attempting to jump a ramp in his big-ass truck and do a complete flip and land on his tires ... well he did, but ... rubber is bouncy, especially when 50 tons is involved. He did not drive away. Doesn't take a physics major to see that shit comin. Incidentally, hubby went to bed at 10:30pm and Maizie was asleep on the ottoman when the clock struck midnight.

I slept in till 10am ... and was thankful to not wake with a hangover. I only drank 1 beer last night, so ... I didn't expect to be hungover, just thankful I'm not stupid anymore ... only took me 40 years to learn that damn lesson ...hahah Hubby had cooked a nice, big breakfast of biscuits and sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, and hash browns. Hmm, what about my resolutions? I'd better refigure my confidence and conviction!! It was delicious.

Not much happening today ... I found an awesome website this morning. I go through these phases once in a while where I follow a high-profile criminal case. Now when I say "follow", what I really mean, possibly .. probably, is I obsess over the case. This case is the one involving the little 2 year old girl who disappeared in Florida while in her mother's care, yet was not reported missing till 1 month later. Anyway, this website has transcripts of interviews with witnesses, copies of cell phone records, actual court documents like search warrants and complaints, among other documents. We have the Georgia/Michigan game on, but I can't wait to get back to my new find!

Happy 2009 to whoever happens to wander across my blog. :)