Blood!!!!

Yeah, Princess and I went for our blood work yesterday AM. We both had to fast. ICK! She did a GREAT job and it only took me and one nurse to hold her down this time.

We went to Denny's afterward. We ate like people who'd been intentionally starved for over a week. It was delish!

We lamented the fact that ES couldn't come with us. He was in Scranton. (ask Princess what SHE calls it!) I heard he was at some paper factory called Dunder-Mifflin or something. I dunno.

Anywhoo, it is DONE and that is what matters. ;)

A forum friend's dad died yesterday. He'd been on hospice. It was sort of dejavu-ish. Threw me into a sleepless night...but at least I have a date with my girls tonight!!!

Speaking of which, lets make a list of reasons that Kim is lame for scrapbooking instead of drinking/eating/laughing/etc with her REAL friends.

Talked with ES and SB last night. SB had 1 glass of wine. Apparently, the size of the glass was equivalent to the size of the bottle! She was REALLY relaxed. Jimmy, on the other hand, wants to get into any number of pieces of my husband's uniform. It's a little scary, but hubby said it's ok with him...so WHAT EVER!

Also, Jimmy Eaglescout Richert for president.

That is all.

bla

I wanted to walk today. It rained off and on. I didn't get out. NGM is using the elliptical right now...and it's all kinds of sweaty! Thank GOD for Clorox wipes!!!

We are having chicken and rice for dinner. Remind me to make it for you all sometime. It's my dad's recipe.

Yesterday was my dad's birthday. I always thought it was cool that he and I shared the "20th" as our birthdays...only a month apart.

It's a blechy day.

Not bad. Not good. Just blech.
Maybe I'll make rice pudding.

h E Lp

NE ed

cH OC oL aT e ! ! ! ! !


H el P !!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


m U st R ES i St!

yeah...I went

And I clocked a new personal best for a mile at 16.40!!!

I didn't think I was hitting a good pace today either! YIPPIE! Feels good to sweat a bit and burn off a few Oreos.

The kids survived too! Believe it or not, nothing was on fire, there were no injuries, and no one even tried to break in!

☺

Today

I need to walk. I only walked 2x last week. I've eaten a bit too many sweets over the last couple of days. (Oreos be damned!!!)

NGM is on a 4 night stretch so he's sleeping. If I thought I could leave my angels alone for 40 minutes, I might consider going. It's not like an adult isn't here. He's just in bed.

Caleb is almost 12.

I know I'll get in big trouble from the master though. Jeeze...I NEED to walk...

I need some sunshine on my skin. I want to feel the cool breeze as I step up the pace. I want to look around and watch the leaves fall off of the colorful trees! There is nothing better than walking under a tree and feeling a leaf hit you. Gives me a wicked case of the smiles!!

I know I'll get in trouble. I know it's not ideal.

Ya know what? I need to walk!!!!!!

work, kids, and computers

Work the last few weeks has sucked. I didn't have all my favorite peeps there. It was boring and I had to pretend to enjoy Cha Cha's stories...over...and over...and over again!!

Last week, I got some comedy relief from Kim...but I was SOOOOoooooo bored when she wasn't there.

Between seeing Princess yesterday, and the Richert family today, I'm feeling WAY ready for the 8th!

It's funny how life seems to stand still in the absence of you all.
♥♥♥



My kids are driving me crazy a lot lately. You know, fighting, being stinky, not behaving. Don't they understand how much easier life would be for all involved if they just stopped it? Sigh.

I've put aside the whole "up for adoption" thing for now, but I may reconsider if they get into a battle again tomorrow! Trust me, I know how to find an agency that would make Annie feel blessed!
♠♠♠



I have very great friends who live inside my laptop. They talk with me when no one else is around. They play games with me and poke me on Facebook. I don't see these people any differently than the friends I have that live close. The main difference is that I can't hug them...except cyberly! This is an odd concept to many. I understand that. I know that it's hard to trust that people can become real friends over a machine. I assure you, they can.

When you take a group of people with common interests and time to feel lonely, they can connect in spite of the venue. Some of these friends, I've had for years now.

I truly love some of my internet friends. They are no less real to me than my TKD peeps. I am not a desperately insane freak because I trust some people I've never seen face to face.

Not everyone on a forum is out to kidnap my kids. Not all of them are stalkers who are lying about their identity. Not all of them are looking to have cyber sex with strangers.

Just like in real life, you can pick out the freaks from the trustworthy.

It's hard to talk about my web friends. I care about them tremendously. They have supported me through a TON of crap. They are not pretend friends. They are, at times, the most real friends I have.
♦♦♦

New list of questions.

Where is your cell phone? my purse with lots of other crap.
Where is your significant other? in bed
Your hair color? It's "chocolate cherry" according to Julie the hairdresser!
Your mother? Carol
Your father? Albert
Your favorite thing? memories
Your dream last night? being forced to eat at my crazy sister's house.
Your dream/goal? a peaceful mind
The room you’re in? livingroom
Your hobby? playing on the computer
Your fear? losing it completely
Where do you want to be in 6 years? I have no clue
Where were you last night? sleeping
What you’re not? sane
One of your wish-list items? happiness
Where you grew up? Plum Boro
The last thing you did? went for a walk
What are you wearing? tshirt and workout pants
Your TV? OFF!
Your pet? Kiya
Your computer? Compaq laptop
Your mood? numb
Missing someone? too many to list
Your car? Town & Country
Something you’re not wearing but that you love to wear? my new smaller pants!
Favorite store? WalMart???
Your summer? underwhelming
Love someone? Lots of people
Your favorite color? purple
When is the last time you laughed? last Saturday with my sister.
Last time you cried? yesterday

GREAT NEWS FOR A CHANGE!

My friend, who was told by her liver specialist, that she had liver cancer, doesn't.

She has benign tumors in her liver, but the preliminary biopsy was incorrect. They had also sent her biopsy to some weird US government facility to be checked...because it was a really rare type of tumor.

They said that it's not cancer! Now, I'm not exactly sure what all that means for her yet. She's still meeting with the transplant team on the 30th. She still has to figure out what needs to happen next, but FINALLY some GREAT NEWS!!!

Autumn

I was thinking as I walked the other day, about Autumn. It's been my favorite season as long as I can remember. It was my dad's too. I started wondering why.

Well, my birthday is officially in Summer...but we all know that by Sept. 20th, it legally should be Fall. There's the pretty colors. The crisp air. The anticipation of the holidays.

Then, I began thinking about how the leaves fall from the trees. Beautiful as they are, it makes the trees barren and gloomy. I really dislike Halloween too. So, I started thinking again, "Why Fall?".

It hit me as I walked along Bruston Avenue.

It's the beginning of new things.

Spring really isn't.

FALL IS!

There couldn't be any new leaves, any new growth if the trees didn't release the old ones! There could not be any new grass if the old grass didn't die.

Sorta like Jesus.

He's Autumn.

I feel like dropping my old leaves and lying dormant for my rebirth in Spring. I need to make room for the new leaves.

The old leaves no longer work...they are dead...

Hopefully, I've used them to the tips of their worth.

Now, is a time for change.

Much like those trees that stand frozen in Winter, I'll await the new buds of life to pop up and make me colorful again.

And just like those trees, it always takes time. I have no REAL control over the process. I need to allow God to do it in His time. I just have to be open to, and embrace the changes as they happen.

Ya know what???

I'm awfully tired if icky news. I just am. I know it's part of life. I get it. Adam and Eve be damned! There are just times you wish it would ease for a little longer than it does.

I talked with my mom today after a call from my dramatic sister. She said that I needed to come and see mom soon because she's sick and basically won't go to the hospital and has her mind set on dying.

After several frantic calls and text messages to my normal sister, and my mom, I got the truth.

She has a "wicked UTI" and the doctor suspects that she's septic. She refused to go to the hospital for IV antibiotics when her doctor suggested it. He put her on oral meds and she's feeling really icky. She had an "episode" that she says felt like she was dying, this morning. She said she wasn't afraid or scared and she's ready. She couldn't breathe well and said she just didn't feel "right". But, we talked for a while and she told me that she's been ready to die since my dad did. I knew that.

UTIs can make you a bit loopy. Strong antibiotics and possible sepsis can make you feel weird.

I don't know what to expect. I do know that she has no desire to ever be treated at a hospital. At least not at this point. I understand that and I don't blame her. Ever since her strokes, she's not been able to be the person she's wanted to be.

Tonight, I found out the results of a good friend's liver biopsy, as well. She has cancer. She's 38. It's so involved that there is no chemo or radiation that can be done. It's too extensive to even remove, and you can remove up to 80% of a person's liver!!! She has to have a transplant or die. Some of her family, friends, and coworkers are going to be tested to see if they are a match to donate a portion of their liver. I pray they find a match.

My heart just breaks for her.

I'm ready for some happy news. For someone to say that things are truly ok. That there is a silver lining. That the sun still hides behind those heavy, dark clouds. I know I'm not the only one. I know there are several of us who could use a boost. I really wish I could provide it. I wish there was something great to say, or some HUGE positive story to pass along. I just don't have one. I want one, dammit!

I'm gonna start playing the damn lottery!!! Nothing wrong with benefiting older Pennsylvanians, and I could use a million or two!

Who's with me???!!!

Well...

I was walking down the street today and just GUESS WHO I SAW!!!

Welcome home Eaglescout! Please excuse my ignorant waves while I tried to keep my pace. Had I even paused, I'd have had a hell of a time regaining my stride.

Hell, it was hard enough after being totally surprised by someone waving out of their van window!!! HAHAHA

Thanks Princess, for bringing my tired boy home from TKD tonight so hubby could keep teaching. That was sweet of you.

And last but not least, YO STATE CHAMP! What did you get for your birthday??? Do tell!!

walking

I've tried to recommit myself to walking 3x/week again.

So far this week, I've already walked twice.

Today, I tried to look for beautiful and fun things since I've been feeling so icky.

Here are some things I noticed.

Leaves falling from trees. (yay)
No less than 8 squirrels. (I love when they look at you like "crap...she's comin' my way!!!")
A BLUE JAY! He was gorgeous!!
Countless flowers and berries on bushes.
The sunshine peeking through the clouds.
A chill to the air.
Monkey balls. (yeah...go ahead...)
Drops of rain falling from the trees as you walk under them...even though the rain stopped an hour ago.

One foot in front of the other...