A Grown-up. Really?

So much had changed

2010-04-20T20:51:00.003-05:00

Wow, so much has changed since I posted last.

I left the hot dog job after 11 years and now I'm a manager at a photo job. Yep... I've taken a full-time photography job. No, I haven't given up on court reporting, but I have to earn a living while I wait between tests. So, not only have I left the comfort of the hot dog job, I'm actually the boss at the new job.

To tell the truth, I never wanted to be the boss anywhere. I like being a worker bee. However, one thing I've learned as I've looked for a full time job is that I'm over-qualified to just be the worker bee anymore. So, now I'm the manager and I get to learn how to be a boss and run a studio and manage labor and hours and all that stuff.

Beyond the new job, not much is new. Kitties and I still hanging in there. Hopefully now that I'm back to one job, I'll be in the blogosphere more often and keep everyone updated with my ever so exciting life.

The Cheerful Receiver

2009-11-18T10:28:00.000-06:00

When my job has extra samples or close-date product, I try to take them to a food pantry so that they aren't just wasted. (This was after I had to throw away an entire fridge full of product that had sat in boxes, unopened and untouched, and gone out of date. It seemed so wasteful...)

Today I made a trip to the food pantry.

There are two local food pantries that I've taken product to. One is 2 minutes from the office and when I take things to them, it always seems the donation is an imposition, like I am interrupting their day by bringing the food donation by. The other one is about 10 minutes away and every time I have taken product to them, they are gracious and thankful. Guess which one I go to when I have an option.

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't take them product for the thanks. It isn't really mine that I'm giving. My point is about being a cheerful receiver and how this whole semi-unemployed state I've found myself in has made me learn to be a cheerful receiver.

Generally, it's easy to be a cheerful giver. Giving stuff or giving of yourself feels good. Most people like that feeling, but having to admit you need help and then accepting that help is hard. It hurts to admit you need help, but it is necessary sometimes.

I guess I am finally growing up. Darn. How did that happen?

I've got nothing

2009-11-17T22:43:00.004-06:00

No, seriously... I have total writer's block. I can't think of any thing witty or even remotely interesting to write about.

I could whine about the allergies I'm fighting. (I am not sick... I am not sick... I am not...) but who really wants to read about that. Although, I do think I could blame the copious amounts of cold/allergy meds I'm taking on the brain fog I'm currently suffering through.

Anyway, I'll be back to my witty self soon.

Money, money, money...

2009-11-12T12:18:00.004-06:00

I know money doesn't buy happiness, but a lack of it surely is depressing.

I've been semi-unemployed for quite a while now. It was originally a choice -- quit my full-time job, cash out the 401(k), and live on the proceeds while I finish school. The money would last about 9 months -- a year if I was really careful. Ah, the best laid plans....

In reality, I didn't pass the test I needed to pass to become a court reporter and the tests are only given twice a year, the money ran out, and the economy sucks. Finding another full-time job has proved quite challenging. At the end of the summer, things looked promising. I went on several job interviews and several second interviews. Unfortunately, I was second choice on all of the positions, so I am still looking and there is really not much out there for an administrative assistant.

I am fortunate that I have the portrait photography to fall back on and I'm doing that part time (in a different, more healthy environment for a different company) and my old job part time. It pays the bills most of the time.

No, I'm not just whining, there is a moral to my pity-fest.

Through it all, I have learned that yes, I really do want to be a court reporter. It's not going as I planned, but the rewards will be so sweet. My perseverance will pay off. I've learned that I have lots of people who are rooting for me (as well as a few who enjoy watching me fail, but I've learned who those people are and have weeded them out of my life). I've realized that God does provide in some pretty amazing ways.

So, nearly a year off from blogging and my life is pretty much the same as it was before. Not what I expected, either. But, I am another year wiser, another year stronger. As an acquaintance of mine is fond of saying... every day above the grass is a blessing.

Veterans Day

2009-11-11T10:53:00.003-06:00

Today is Veterans day. The holiday honoring all U.S military veterans. It is known and observed in other parts of the world as Armistice Day (the symbolic end of World War I) or Remembrance Day (the day to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces specifically since WWI.)

Why November 11? November 11 is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.)

This day, in my humble opinion, should be a day for remembering and thanking and honoring the men and women who fought for the United States and came home forever changed by what they've seen. It irritates me that here in the U.S. Veterans Day has become little more than another day for stores to have big sales. It saddens me that an estimated 1/4 of the homeless in America are vets who haven't received the help they've needed when they come home. To me it was wrong that the flag-draped coffins of American Soldiers who died fighting for freedom couldn't be shown on TV because it was considered too "political" and divisive.

One of my most enduring memories of my childhood is walking into Arlington National Cemetery during a trip to Washington, D.C. and seeing all those white headstones perfectly lined up. There was row after row on a green field. As a young teenager, I was profoundly moved and awed to realize that each and every one of those headstones was someone who had served in this nation's military. It was a very visual lesson on just how many men and women it took/takes for me to live free.

So, please take the time to watch the video and offer a prayer of thanks for those who defend our freedoms. This is by a Canadian songwriter named Terry Kelly

I am overwhelmingly appreciative for the fact that someone fought for my freedom... and humbled by the fact that so many died for it. I am grateful for my grandfathers, all three of them, who served in WWII -- two in the Navy and one in the Army Air Corps. I am indebted all those who fought in WWII -- the War to End All Wars -- and for those who have fought in all the wars before and after. I am deeply grateful for those who are this country's newest veterans. I do believe they are making me safer through their service.

I want to say thank you. Thank you for your service and your scrifices. I know the sacrifices are many and yet, you chose/choose to make them. Thank you.

Oh, ye of little faith

2009-11-10T09:36:00.004-06:00

Hiatus is over.

I am back.

I am going to again submit my own brand of wit and wisdom to the cyber-world for all to see.

Let's see, what has changed since I last wrote? Unfortunately not much. I'm still single. I still suck at being a grown up. I am still trying to finish court reporting. (Darn tests only being given twice a year sucks.) Pretty much I'm still living in the status quo. I can't say that the status quo is bad exactly, but it would be nice if there were a little change.

So, for those who missed me... I'm back.

I'm not gone

2009-02-04T21:36:00.003-06:00

I'll be back soon.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

2008-12-24T00:01:00.010-06:00

I hope everyone has a happy, safe Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

Over the River and Through the...

2008-12-22T22:41:00.002-06:00

There were no woods on my trip to the Panhandle today. There were, lots and lots of highway patrol out. I didn't meet any of them up close and personally on this trip. Thank goodness.

It is very, very cold here. Okay. I realize that "very, very" is relative. It's mid-20s here and the wind is still blowing hard outside. I'm safe and sound inside, though. It was strange driving without the kitties this trip. I've left them home with a pet sitter because my cousin's hubby is really allergic (like the throat swelling, eyes swelling allergic) to them, so I volunteered to leave them home. I was fortunate to find someone I trust to keep them -- and it isn't costing nearly as much as it would have to board them or to hire a professional pet sitter. They'll be fine.

About three-quarters of the way here, I called my Gran and she said that Mom, Sis A, Miss A and Bennin all have a tummy bug. I will see them later in the week. There was no way I was going over there (as I'd planned) today. There is nothing in the world I hate worse than throwing up, so as much as I want to see them all, my desire for self-preservation is stronger than my desire to see them. I'll just have to wave from afar for a day or two.

Nothing much else going on. The Christmas food-fest has begun. I'm going to try to be good, but make no promises... especially Christmas day when I'll have dueling grandmothers making Christmas meals.

Weekly Winners December 14 -December 20

2008-12-21T01:58:00.001-06:00

The brainchild of Lotus at Sarcastic Mom... Click on the badge for more Weekly Winners.
My Weekly Winners for December 14 - December 20

This week I got to help out at the apartment complex Christmas gathering and take photos of the kiddos in Santa's lap. (Santa was OMG Hot, by the way. I wish I'd gotten his picture after he'd "shaved" off the beard.) Here are a few that I thought were cute.

It's Christmas Commercial time again!

2008-12-20T21:16:00.005-06:00

Every year at Christmas, commercials ramp up and old ones are recycled. And every year, there are always a few memorable ones that come out only at Christmas... anyone remember the Norelco one with Santa riding on the razor head throught the snow?

Or the classic one where Peter surprises everyone at Christmas? (Who doesn't remember this one?)

Or all of the Coca Cola Commercials...

Well, I have a new favorite one. I giggle every time I watch the meltdown of the little one... And dad's response of "we'll fix it."

Ahh.... memories of the Christmas season from a child who grew up on television.

Weekly Winners December 7 - 13

2008-12-14T21:41:00.005-06:00

The brainchild of Lotus at Sarcastic Mom... Click on the badge for more Weekly Winners.
My Weekly Winners for December 7 - December 13

I have taken so many pictures this week. Unfortunately, they've all been at the Photo Job and so I can't post them here -- that whole copyright and other people's kids thing... So, you'll have to do with a couple I took of the kitties and my tree.

You know it's time to turn up the heat when...

2008-12-12T07:02:00.002-06:00

I am cheap. I don't like to pay the high electric bills that come with the heating bills in the winter. So, last night I was curled up on the couch with my laptop in sweat pants, a t-shirt under a sweatshirt, warm socks and wrapped in a blanket. Buddy was curled next to me. I got up to go to the kitchen to get something warm to drink and this is what I saw...

Poor guy. I checked the thermostat and saw that it was 65 degrees, so I upped the temp a bit.

Thursday Thirteen #24

2008-12-11T23:07:00.011-06:00

THIRTEEN OF MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS I HAVE OUT THIS YEAR PICTURES!

In no particular order...

1. My Avon bisque porcelain nativity.

2. My new pre-lit tree.

3. My "Merry Christmas Y'all" snowman.

4. My six foot door hanger that says "Jingle all the way," with a snowman head in a tall hat.

5. My hand painted Mickey Mouse ornament.

6. My "real" icicles for my tree.

7. A little porcelain angel ornament on my tree.

8. A hand-blown glass snowman ornament.

9. A teddy bear santa icicle ornament.

10. My wire star tree topper.

11. This little snowflake tea light candle holder my sister got me last year.

12. My Santa Clause's cookie plate and mug.

13. All the gold and red balls on my tree.

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Yes, there will be life after court reportng school

2008-12-08T22:17:00.003-06:00

I'm still frustrated with school and the photo job and the photo job manager and life in general, but school goes on. Thank you to those who said a prayer for me. I feel them and hope you continue to keep me on your prayer lists.

It's a struggle, but this is something I want -- I really want. I'm going to start looking into other options about what to do with the career so I can earn money! This not being *really* employed is nerve wracking and adding to my stress instead of taking it away. An unexpected result, for sure!

But, after much soul searching and whining and tears and venting (thank you, Moma) I am much calmer and have rededicated my efforts to completing school.

As normal with things worthwhile, they are never easy. Two steps forward and one step back -- not only is it a great dance, it's true to life.

Is there life after court reporting school?

2008-12-05T20:36:00.003-06:00

I'm so totally frustrated with school right now. I'm to a point where I don't even want to practice because I don't see progress. I thought I'd be finished with school or at least qualified for the state exam by now. Yet I'm still struggling to pass the qualifying tests. I don't feel like I'm progressing and I don't know what to do *to* progress. I'm floundering.

I sit and watch the news and the economy is in the tank. So, if I don't get out of school by at the very latest the end of next quarter in March, I'm going to have to get a job again. But, what then? Is there a point where I just say to heck with it and do something else? But what would I do?

This is so not the life I wanted. I wanted to be married and have kids and the minivan. Okay, maybe not the minivan, but the rest I wanted. Not even past tense. Those are things I want still.

I guess I'm just at a crossroads. I can choose one fork and can continue to work toward the court reporting thing. But the other fork is to quit school and figure something else out. Ugh. Honestly, the thought of quitting makes me more nervous than I was going to Austin to take the written part. (That is VERY nervous, by the way.) I have no idea what I would do if I quit. I've been working toward this for so long because I do love it. I do want it. The question is, is it within my grasp. I mean, really within my grasp. Is this something that I can really do?

I hope so.

Thursday Thirteen #23

2008-12-04T00:27:00.003-06:00

THIRTEEN OF MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS I HAVE OUT THIS YEAR

In no particular order...

1. My Avon bisque porcelain nativity. It is just like the one my mom has. I couldn't find one I liked better, so I have purchased this one piece by piece from eBay over the past few years.

2. My new pre-lit tree. Even though one section blinks, it is still a cool tree and just the tree I wanted.

3. My "Merry Christmas Y'all" snowman. It was given to me by an ex-boyfriend's mother for Christmas (while we were still dating). It is a handmade snowman with a straw hat, red bandanna and a string of christmas lights (on his hat) holding a sign that says "Merry Christmas, Y'all"

4. My six foot door hanger that says "Jingle all the way," with a snowman head in a tall hat. My sister-in-law gave it to me several years ago as a gift.

5. My hand painted Mickey Mouse ornament. It is cool because it is a clear glass ball that was painted on the inside. I got it as a gift but I don't remember who gave it to me.

6. My "real" icicles for my tree. I bought them last year at the end of the season. They relly do kind of look like real icicles hanging around the tree.

7. A little porcelain angel ornament on my tree. It is a little bit of nothing ornament, but was the first ornament I bought myself when I got my own first tree. It always gets a special place near the top of the tree.

8. A hand-blown glass snowman ornament. Again, it was a gift, but I don't remember who gave it to me.

9. A teddy bear santa icicle ornament. I know it sounds strange, but you'll just have to trust me, it's cool looking. It was a gift from an ex- who was a real jerk, but did things sometimes that were so sweet -- like come home from a trip with friends with this silly ornament he got just because he thought I'd like it.

10. My wire star tree topper. I hunted and hunted until I found a topper I liked.

11. This little snowflake tea light candle holder my sister got me last year. The heat of the candle burning makes the fan thing spin and the hanging snowflakes cast really cool sparlkes on the wall and around the room. I think she got it as a stockig stuffer/afterthought, but I think it's really cute.

12. My Santa Clause's cookie plate and mug. Since I'm not generally at my own house for Santa's visit, I have it sitting on my mantle.

13. All the gold and red balls on my tree. They sparkle just right.

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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I was tagged for a meme

2008-12-03T09:25:00.003-06:00

My Aunt tagged me for a meme.

Here goes...

This is what I'm supposed to do:

1.Grab the book closest to you
2.Turn to page 56
3.Go to the fifth line
4.Type it and the following couple of lines

Since I'm sitting in my office, the book closest too me is the Franklin Covey Style Guide for Business and Technical Communication. (Hey, it was this or the phone book...)

Page 56, line 5 says: "In other contexts -- for instance, a presentation using overhead transparencies -- complementary colors are often too bright, maybe even annoying. Split -complementary colors are two colors positioned adjacent to a single color on the wheel."

Now I'm supposed to tag five people. I don't know who to tag, but I guess if you want to do this, go for it!! Just link back to me and let me know you did it.

Have a great day!

After NaBloPoMo...

2008-12-01T08:24:00.003-06:00

Well, another year, another month of blogging down. I did it again this year. Strangely, this year was harder than last year. But, I did it. I even did it without even having to time any of them back.

But beyond NaBloPoMo, life continues. Yesterday, the photo job was *not* fun. There were some really nice customers and one that made me want to rip the weave (a bad one at that) of her head and smack her with it. NOTHING was good enough. Normally I can just vent a bit and go on. That didn't seem to cut it today. THEN, I came home and cried at about every third sappy commercial.

Oh well. I've only got a few more weeks at the Photo Job. I'm counting down to my last day already. That isn't good. I totally don't want to do it anymore. It has gotten un-fun. But, I need to do it because I need the money. *sigh* I love photography. I love portrait photography. I love taking portraits of kiddos. I just need to remind myself of that more, I guess.

Sill, what is wrong with me? Must be PMS. Yeah, that is it. I'm blaming my moodiness on PMS.

Day 30: Weekly Winners November 23-29

2008-11-30T07:00:00.001-06:00

The brainchild of Lotus at Sarcastic Mom... Click on the badge for more Weekly Winners.
My Weekly Winners for November 23 - November 29

Memories of Thanksgiving 2008 -- Sorry there are so many, but I couldn't narrow it down any further. I hope you like them. The first are from the Turkey Trot and the rest are from the day.

Day 29: I love my tree

2008-11-29T21:08:00.006-06:00

It's a tree I got last year at the end of the season. It was a great deal on a 7.5 foot pre-lit tree. It as some lights that randomly twinkle. It's really a pretty tree. .

There is that bit in the middle of the tree, though. It blinks. I don't like blinking trees. Random sparkling is fine, but the whole section? I must find that bulb. It's going to drive me batty (-er) if I don't find it

Day 28: Black Friday

2008-11-28T22:00:00.002-06:00

Well, I was determined NOT to go shopping today. I don't like shopping and I hate crowds, so Black Friday is not a good day for me to be out and about. Unfortunately, through poor planning on my part, I had to go to, of all places, Target to go to the pharmacy because I didn't have enough to last the weekend. I went around noon and that was the best time to go. Must have been between waves of shoppers because I got an up front parking place and there were others available. I wandered a bit because he script wasn't ready. Not overly crowded inside, either. Got my prescription, grabbed lunch, considered going to a couple of stores and thought better of it.

Tomorrow the fun really starts at the photo job. Oh joy.

Day 27: Thursday Thirteen #22 -- Thanksgiving Edition

2008-11-27T18:52:00.003-06:00

THIRTEEN THINGS I'M THANKFUL FOR

In no particular order...

1. My family and friends who support me.

2. A young girl who made an impossible decision to give her baby up for adoption to my friends PJ&M

3. The fact that I live in this country where I can speak without fear and worship without fear

4. My contnued good health.

5. Having the ability go back to school full-time

6. I passed both of my written exams on the first try

7. School is going well

8. My cats are healthy

9. I was able to contine working at my job on a part-time basis so I am not totally without income.

10. This blog where I can vent and whine to my heart's content

11. Those who read this and comment (or not)

12. Comfy clothes (because I didn't mean to, but I over ate today... and it was soooooo yummy.)

13. Good weather today for the Turky Trot

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Day 26: What I did today.

2008-11-26T21:32:00.001-06:00

Day 25: Canned Cranberry Sauce or Fresh Cranberry Relish?

2008-11-25T22:23:00.003-06:00

A message board I participate in had a discussion today about cranberry sauces. Personally, I prefer a fresh cranberry relish.

My Granny B made one that I adored. I looked forward to it every year. Granny was not known for her cooking, but that cranberry relish was a favorite of mine. I asked for her recipe on year and she gave it to me in a Christmas card. I meant to keep that card and I think I did for a couple of years, but at some point I lost it. I could kick myself for losing it. I have been on a quest for "her" recipe for a couple of years now.

I've found one that is really close... close enough, really. Here it is...

Ingredients:

1/2 cup walnut halves
1/2 cup sugar
5 strips orange zest
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (donot thaw if using frozen berries)
1/2 large navel orange, peeled, cut into quarters

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350° F. Place walnuts in a baking pan and toast until golden brown and fragrant, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cool slightly.

Insert metal blade in food processor. Process sugar and zest until finely chopped, about 45 seconds. Add cranberries, orange and reserved nuts; pulse until coarsely chopped, about 10 to 12 times. Pulse several more times if a finer consistency is desired.

Or, if you prefer...

Day 24: Ideas for Christmas gifts?

2008-11-24T20:10:00.001-06:00

While hunting around on the internet for a couple of Christmas gifts I need to get I stumbled on this and it made me giggle. The top-ten Bacon Flavored Gifts... I kid you not.

Now, I like bacon as much as the next person, better than some, I'm sure. But I draw the line at these, I'm afraid.

1) Bacon Flavored Coffee
2) Bacon scented candles
3) Bacon Flavored Ice Cream (this place also has one called "Viagra")
4) Bacon Salt The website describes it as: "a zero-calorie vegetarian, kosher certified seasoning salt that makes everything taste like real bacon."
5) Bacon-flavored Mints
6) Bacon Flavored Chocolate
7) Bacon Scented Bubbles (if the dogs react to this like the cats did to the catnip bubbles, don't waste your money.)
8) Bacon-flavored Beer
9) Bacon-flavored Water
10) Bacon Flavored Toothpicks

Day 23: Yep, it's Christmas

2008-11-23T22:47:00.002-06:00

**Weekly Winners will be posted at some point. A day late and a dollar short. Yep, that's my life.

Every year that I take pictures during the Christmas season, I am amazed at the things parents say to their children (and the photographers) during sittings. So, as you, dear readers, head out to your local portrait studio, I would like to give you some advice. My top three tips for today...

1) It's the Christmas season, folks. Everyone had the exact same idea that you did. Yes, photos make great gifts. No, I can't fit you in right this second.

2) Remember that I am a photographer, not a miracle worker. I cannot make you miraculously lose 40 pounds. I cannot make the gray hair go away. Yes, the magazines have that capability and I am sure that you have Photoshop on your computer, but you aren't at *that* kind of studio.

3) If your child is not a "smiley" child at home, I am likely not going to be able to get "smiley" pictures. Along the same line, sometimes a portrait of a non-smiling child (even a normally smiley one) can and does make a very striking portrait.

Please keep these things in mind.

Day 22: Oh, yeah. I'm supposed to blog every day

2008-11-22T22:55:00.003-06:00

I was all ready for bed. PJs on, medicine taken, alarm set for tomorrow morning. I was laying there thinking about my day and going over all of the things I did and didn't get done today. Thinking of my sittings and the things I could do differently to make them go smoother. I realized that the one thing I hadn't done was blog today. Oops.

So, talk about dedication. I got up and I'm blogging now about the fact that I almost forgot to blog today. Now, isn't that exciting and aren't you glad you stopped by to read this? :)

Day 21: Long Day at Work

2008-11-21T21:39:00.003-06:00

Generally now I only work on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Hot Dog Place. There was a presentation that needed to be finished and since it is a "short" week next week, it needed to be done by today. So, extra hours, here I come!

But, boy was I tired at the end of the work day.

It did serve to take my mind off of the fact that Maxie was having a dental done. (The reason for the thorough exam on Monday.) For a cat, dentals include being put under -- a scary prospect for any senior cat, even a relatively healthy one.

There were no complications. He now has shiny white teeth. No extractions. That is good. I did end up with one ANGRY kitty, though. The vet techs and vet all refused to get him out of his kennel because any time anyone walked by his kennel, he hunched up, hissed and yowled like a rabid cat. The vet was amazed that I would stick my hand into the kennel with all that ruckus. I couldn't seem to convince any of them to try, though. I assured them he was all talk.

He told me how awful I am for doing that to him all the way home and for about 30 minutes after we got home. Since then, though, he's been curled up asleep.

It's funny how routine life has become and how comfortable that is. I like it.

Day 20: Thursday Thirteen #21

2008-11-20T22:54:00.004-06:00

THIRTEEN TV SHOWS I LIKE ON TV NOW

In no particular order...

1. Dirty Jobs

2. House

3. The Starter Wife (when I remember to watch it)

4. CSI:Pick any of the three (Las Vegas, New York, Miami)

5. Dr. Who (The new series on BBCAmerica)

6. How Clean is Your House (BBCAmerica)

7. Ghost Whisperer

8. Good Eats

9. Late Late Show (At least Craig Ferguson's opening monologue)

10. Sanctuary

11. Ghost Hunters

12. NCIS

13. Valentine

hmmm... seems I watch a lot of CBS

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Day 19: Just another day

2008-11-19T19:33:00.003-06:00

Nothing terribly exciting to report on today. It was just another day in the life of me.

Maxie is still in his collar. Buddy is tormenting him about it.

Day 18: Poor lampshade kitty

2008-11-18T18:37:00.003-06:00

Got the bloodwork results today and my diabetic kitty is healthy with the exception of the licked spot. So, for a few days, he gets to wear the cone. Poor guy.

Day 17: So we went to the vet today

2008-11-17T21:08:00.006-06:00

Maxie has been a bit clingy and sleepier than normal lately, so I decided it was time for a check-up. Because of the diabetes, he *should* see the vet every six months, but I'm a bad kitty's person and he only gets in about once a year or when something seems "off."

So... At the lovely hour of 7:30 a.m., I loaded a very unhappy cat into my car and off we went. I was serenaded the entire 30 minute drive. Then he sang to the receptionist and charmed everyone with his leash skills. He is a healthy 18.8 lbs. and was happy and purry until it was time for a blood draw. It took two techs to hold him down and the vet to draw the blood. The poor vet tech then had to clean herself and Maxie up because Maxie literally had the sh*t scared out of him.

He's got a spot on his tummy that he's licked raw, so I'm going to have to get him an e-collar tomorrow so that he doesn't lick it anymore and it can heal. I will get pictures of that as soon as I get them... teehee.

I'll know the results of all the tests tomorrow. In the mean time, I thought I'd share Maxie's pain and humiliation of the vet with you. Poor kitty...

Day 16: Weekly Winners November 9 - 16

2008-11-16T18:45:00.003-06:00

The brainchild of Lotus at Sarcastic Mom... Click on the badge for more Weekly Winners.
My Weekly Winners for November 9 - November 16

A few shots I took at the Veterans Memorial in Keller on Veterans Day.

Day 15: According to my sister, I'm normal

2008-11-15T20:48:00.002-06:00

Thursday evening I kinda felt bummed, then yesterday I was totally blue and weepy and just wanted to cover my head up and disappear for the day. Today, I'm all better. C says that that is normal.

As someone who has depression, I never know if what I'm feeling is a "normal" reaction or if a "just a blue day" is just a blue day. I'm glad to know that I'm normal at least in yesterday's emotions.

And now a Cheezburger, just because I'm a geek and this one made me laugh and now I have the "Time Warp" stuck in my head...

more animals

Day 14: Not much to say today

2008-11-14T21:50:00.002-06:00

It's been one of "those" days. Lots going on, but nothing much to report, I guess one could say. Maybe tomorrow I'll feel like writing.

Day 13: Thursday Thirteen #20

2008-11-13T08:14:00.000-06:00

THIRTEEN THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER

Since today is the 13th day of November, I'm going to do a history lesson of historical events that happened on each day of the month.

1. November 1, 1966 - NFL awards New Orleans its 16th franchise (All Saints Day)

2. November 2, 1993 - Dow Jones hits record 3697.64.

3. November 3, 1948 - Chicago Tribune reports: "Dewey beats Truman"

4. November 4, 1994 - San Francisco: First conference that focusses exclusively on the subject of the commercial potential of the World Wide Web.

5. November 5, 1872 - Susan B Anthony fined $100 for trying to vote for Ulysses S Grant

6. November 6, 1975 - 1st appearance of Sex Pistols

7. November 7, 1492 - The Ensisheim Meteorite, the oldest meteorite with a known date of impact, strikes the earth around noon in a wheat field outside the village of Ensisheim, Alsace, France.

8. November 8, 1965 - "Days of Our Lives" premieres on TV

9. November 9, 1888 - Jack Ripper's 5th & last known victim, Mary Jane Kelly, found

10. November 10, 1775 - Congress forms US Marine Corps

11. November 11, 1918 - Armistice Day-WW I ends (at 11 AM on Western Front)

12. November 12, 1946 - A branch of the Exchange National Bank in Chicago, Illinois opens the first ten drive-up teller windows.

13. November 13, 1990 - The World Wide Web first began.

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Day 12: Why can't my neighbors pick up after their dog?

2008-11-12T20:40:00.002-06:00

more animals

Day 11: Veterans Day 2008 -- A Pittance of Time

2008-11-11T00:02:00.010-06:00

Today is Veterans day. The holiday honoring all U.S military veterans. It is known and observed in other parts of the world as Armistice Day (the symbolic end of World War I) or Remembrance Day (the day to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces specifically since WWI.)

Why November 11? November 11 is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.)

This day, in my humble opion, should be a solemn day for remembering and thanking and honoring the men and women who fought and died or those who fought and came home forever changed by what they've seen. It irritates me that here in the U.S. Veterans Day has become little more than another day for stores to have big sales. It saddens me that an estimated 1/4 of the homeless in America are vets who haven't received the help they've needed when they come home. To me it is wrong that the flag-draped coffins of American Soldiers who died fighting for freedom can't be shown on TV because it is too "political" and divisive.

One of my most enduring memories of my childhood is walking into Arlington National Cemetary during a trip to Washington, D.C. and seeing all those white headstones perfectly lined up. There was row after row on a green field. As a young teenager, I was profoundly moved and awed to realize that each and every one of those headstones was someone who had served in this nation's military. It was a very visual lesson on just how many men and women it took/takes for me to live free.

So, please take the time to watch the video and offer a prayer of thanks for those who defend our freedoms. This is by a Canadian songwriter named Terry Kelly and called a Pittance of Time.

I am overwhelingly appreciative for the fact that someone fought for my freedom... and humbled by the fact that so many died for it. I am grateful for my grandfathers, all three of them, who served in WWII -- two in the Navy and one in the Army Air Corps. I am indebted all those who fought in WWII -- the War to End All Wars -- and for those who have fought in all the wars before and after. I am deeply grateful for those who are this country's newest veterans. I do believe they are making me safer through their service.

I want to say thank you. Thank you for your service and your scrifices. I know the sacrifices are many and yet, you chose/choose to make them. Thank you.

Day 10: My attitude today...

2008-11-10T20:04:00.002-06:00

I'll see you tomorrow.

more animals

Day 9: Weekly Winners November 2 - November 8

2008-11-09T11:49:00.007-06:00

The brainchild of Lotus at Sarcastic Mom... Click on the badge for more Weekly Winners.
My Weekly Winners for November 1 - November 8

I didn't take many pictures this week, so I'm going to share some of my favorites from previous weeks. I hope life gets to a point soon where I have (1) time to go take pictures of fun things or (2) a life where I have fun stuff to take pictures of. I guess they're really one in the same. Anyway, enjoy...

My Buddy...

My Maxie...

Flags...

Mr. B gives me flowers...

Miss A relaxing after a mani/pedi...

Day 8: Hmm... another day, another something

2008-11-08T15:52:00.002-06:00

I got cut from the Photo Job for today. I don't know yet if I work tomorrow. I really hope I don't because I really want to spend more time on my steno machine. But, going and playing with other people's babies also has its appeal.

That is about my day. I've played on Facebook. I've practiced (not nearly enough). I've fed the cats (because they can get very insistant when they feel they should be fed *NOW*). That's about it for my day.

Sorry it's not more exciting.

Day 7: One of those days

2008-11-07T17:59:00.004-06:00

Have you ever had one of those days where you should be doing something but you do everything *except* what you need to do? Yeah, it's been one of those days.

So, now I have to go do what I put off all day instead of relaxing this evening. Procrastination stinks... except when you're doing it.

Day 6: Thursday Thirteen #19

2008-11-06T09:23:00.003-06:00

THIRTEEN THINGS I'VE DONE SINCE I LAST POSTED A THURSDAY 13

Okay, I know it has been a while since I last posted one of these, but October was crazy busy. I know, it is no excuse to shun blogging, but, well, it was on my to-do list, if that counts for anything! So, without further ado (and in no particular chronological order)...

1. I voted

2. I took the national written exam (and passed)

3. I took the national machine exam (and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be)

4. I passed the state exam. Yeah, you remember the one I whined heartily about... the trip to Austin... That one. Well, 43 people took the exam and 12 passed. See, I still stand by my opinion that it was a bad test. But, I passed it. Yippy!!!!

5. I have been to Houston.

6. My sister came to town

7. I've gotten over a nasty cold/allergies

8. I have scooped the litter box 1,340,234 times (it seems)

9. I have gone back to work at the Photo Job so I get to play with babies of complete strangers and coo at them and talk to them and all without mothers yanking the baby away from me and walking quickly in the other direction from the crazy redheaded woman.

10. I have planted flowers (mums) in my planters for fall

11. Most of those flowers have now died because we had a 14 hour cold snap and it got below freezing and the planters are up in the air unprotected and I didn't think to bring them to a warmer spot.

12. I have agreed to walk a 5K on Thanksgiving day in Ft. Worth (The Turkey Trot)

13. Did I mention that I passed my state exam?

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Day 5: Addendum I feel I need to post

2008-11-05T11:45:00.010-06:00

I feel like I need to say something about the election.

Those who know me, know my Christian beliefs. Those who don't, well, I hope they know I'm a Christian by my words and actions. I try not to get "preachy" in my blog. I don't feel, in general, that it is the place to be preachy.

Still I feel like I need to say something.

Over the past few days I've gotten several e-mails concerning the elections and the fact that we need to pray that God will turn the election around and that the "right" guy would win -- if we prayed. One last night especially disturbed me because it was specifically asking for a miracle in the election and that the election would turn in the "right" way.

I did pray. I prayed that God's will would be done. I still pray that God's will be done.

I am so worried that there are now those who will feel that God got it wrong. That God has somehow foresaken our prayers. That is not true at all.

I so want people to step back and realize, now espcially, that God is in control. God will use this for his glory. Nothing has happened that isn't God's will.

As Christians and Americans we need to continue to pray for our country. We need to continue to pray for the political leaders here in the U.S. and around the world. We need to remember that everything is God's. He has a plan and even if we may not understand it, we need to remember that it is there.

Edited to add: Not only do we need to pray, we need to take action. Write letters to your Congress. Speak out against what you don't agree with. Prayer is great. Prayer is powerful. But I also believe that prayer without action on Christian's parts is not as great and powerful as it could be.

This is Stephen Curtis Chapman's song Yours. Listen to the chorus.

I walk the streets of London
And notice in the faces passing by
Somthing that makes me stop and listen
My heart grows heavy with the cry

Where is the hope for London?
You whisper and my heart begins to soar
As I'm reminded
That every street in London in Yours
Oh, yes it is

I walk the dirt roads of Uganda
I see the scars that war has left behind
Hope like the sun is fading
They're waiting for a cure no one can find

And I hear children's voices singing
Of a God who heals and rescues and restores
And I'm reminded
That every child in Africa is Yours

And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
You're the Maker and Keeper, Father and Ruler of everything
It's all Yours

And I walk the sidewalks of Nashville
Like Singapore, Manila and Shanghai
I rush by the beggar's hand and the wealthy man
And everywhere I look I realize

That just like the streets of London
For every man and woman, boy and girl
All of creation
This is our Father's world

And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
You're the Maker and Keeper, Father and Ruler of everything

Here is the new verse Steven wrote following the death of his daughter, Maria
I've walked the valley of death's shadow
So deep and dark that I could barely breathe
I've had to let go of more than I could bear
And I've questioned everything that I believe
But still even here
in this great darkness
A comfort and hope come breaking through
As I can say in life or death
God we belong to you.

And we are Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
All the greatness and power, the glory and splendor and majesty
Everything is Yours
Yeah, it's all Yours
We are Yours
The glory and honor is Yours, everything is Yours

Day 5: Today is the first day of...

2008-11-05T08:00:00.008-06:00

Well, it's going to be an interesting few years.

I can hope that his socialist bent can and will be tempered by conservative values.

I can hope that he is what the country truly needs.

I have to trust that God is in control and remind myself of that often.

I will pray for him, just as I have prayed for Bush and for Clinton and for each President before them.

Day 4: Election Day

2008-11-04T08:58:00.008-06:00

Make your voice heard. Vote.

Vote your conscience. Vote your ideals. Vote your morals.

Your vote can and will make a difference.

(Besides, if you don't vote, you don't get to complain when you don't like the outcome.)

Day 3: Public Service Announcement: How to Vote

2008-11-03T00:01:00.003-06:00

Tomorrow is election day. If you want the right to complain about the government if "your" candidate isn't elected (or even if he is), you have to vote. If you do't vote, you don't get so-called "bitchin' rights."

No, I'm not going to tell you *who* to vote for. I'm not even going to tell you who I voted for, although those who know me know who I likely voted for. (I early voted last Wednesday to avoid the lines on election day.) This post is a guide to how to decide who to vote for.

You see, I have noticed an alarming trend in recent years, and in this upcoming Presidential election especially. That trend is a movement toward moving away from voting actual issues and instead voting on pure emotion. In other words, people are voting for charisma or gender or simply against someone they don't like. Personally, I think this is a lot of what's wrong with politics today.

Anyway, this is simply my take on how voting should be done.

First, don't look at the candidate as a person. What!? you ask. No, seriously. If you look at the person, emotion gets involved. You might vote because he's "old and wise" or "young and charismatic."

Second, write out a list of your "hot button" issues. Yes, with a pen and paper (or a computer and keyboard if you're more inclined) sit down and think about what is important to you. Are you pro-choice, pro-family, want lower taxes, think strong borders are important? Well, write those down, then rank them in order of importance. I recommend at least 10 "hot button" issues, but you can have more.

Third, with list in hand research where the candidates stand on these issues. Don't just rely on sound-bytes from network media. Don't rely on what you hear on the news. Go to unbiased websites (or even somewhat biased ones) that have answers to questions from the candidates that are on you "hot button" list. Read what the candidates acually believe on certain issues, look at their voting records in the Senate, think about what they really stand for and not just what the media makes them out to be.

Finally, go to the polls tomorrow and cast your ballot based on your own study and opinions and thoughts. Don't rely on friends, family or (*shudder*) the main stream media for your information. Read and think for yourself. Please?

Day 2: Weekly Winners October 26 - November 1

2008-11-01T17:35:00.011-05:00

The brain child of Lotus at Sarcastic Mom... Click on the badge for more Weekly Winners.
My Weekly Winners for October 25 - November 1

In honor of Halloween, this week is photos of my black cat, Buddy -- or as he's known on his birthday, October 31, Count Bud-ula. (insert evil laugh here) I can't believe my furry little guy is 12!

I wanted to get a portrait of him for his 12th birthday with the pumpkins I had on my porch. Here is the series I got.

Hey, what are these things?

Oh, too slow...

Way too slow...

I'll lay here, but I won't be happy about it.

Please, please, just let me go back in...

If I sit pretty can I go in?

This one will have to do.

Cropped and edited a bit it isn't so bad, I guess.

Day 1: November is here again...

2008-11-01T15:57:00.006-05:00

Well, it seems that it's NaBloPoMo again.

So, I'm catching up with blogging. Let's see, since my last post, I took the RPR written exam. I passed it. It wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. I think the bad state exam had me scared that the RPR exam was going to be just as bad.

I've been to Houston. The Women of Faith conference was amazing. As always, it was good to see Moma and Daddy. But, at the conference I got to see Sandi Patty. I love listening to her sing. Daddy took care of the cats... and he didn't even turn them lose.

This morning I took the machine portion of the RPR exam. I kind of just looked at it as the "dress rehearsal" for the machine part of the state exam in January. The lit and jury charge parts were good. The Q&A portion blew me away, but that was honestly expected. I typed up the tests and felt really good about the lit, okay about the jury charge, and not hopeful about the Q&A. So, if the theatre addage of a bad dress rehearsal leading to a great performance, I'm set.

I think tomorrow I go back to work at the photo place for the Christmas season. I think that will be fun again. I've had a break and I miss it. I'll be done with it by the time the end of December, though. I have to qualify for the state machine exam by November 26. Oh, yikes, that is two weeks earlier than I thought. Okay. I guess I have to buckle down even harder.

Busy, busy life I have!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2008-10-31T10:53:00.000-05:00

LIfe... or something like it

2008-10-20T08:56:00.003-05:00

Wow. I didn't realize it had been so long since I wrote a post. Life is a little nuts right now and unfortunately, blogging has become the last thing on the to-do list and has just not gotten done.

Let's see, since last we spoke, I've had my sister C for a weekend visit, started the new quarter in school, worked a little, gotten over the cold/allergy thing, and probably more things that I can't think of right off the top of my head. Upcoming events are just as hectic. I will take the written portion of the national court reporting exam, go to Houston for the Women of Faith conference, take the machine portion of the national exam, work a little, go back to work at the photo place for the Christmas season, attempt to qualify for the January machine exam for the Texas state court reporting license... Yep, life is crazy right now.

My weekend with my sister was great and relaxing. I know she was a little disappointed in not getting to see a couple of friends, and honestly, so was I, but we got to spend quite a bit of time just shopping and visiting and just spending time together. I know it's a bit selfish of me, but darn it, a part of me was kind of glad I didn't have to share her. She flew back to Albuquerque early which meant we had to go to the airport at the butt-crack of dawn, but other than that, it was a wonderful few days.

This week, I have to really buckle down and get a bunch of school work done in a short time and prepare for the national written exam. I'm very frustrated about it because I can't seem to find out what is ON the exam. The NCRA website lists the exam as having : reporting (48%), transcript production (44%), operating practices (4%), professional issues and continuing education (4%). I don't think they could be any more vague as to what exactly is going to be on the exam. Oh, wait, I could buy their study guide for a couple hundred dollars. I've talked to others who have and was basically told it is a waste of time and money. Oh, well. I'm pretty sure I have an idea of what to study. If I pass it with a 70, I'll be happy because in the grand scheme of things, if I need to know it, I can look it up when I'm working in the "real world."

So, blog posts may be pretty sparse for a bit, but hopefully, once the craziness that has been October is over, I'll be back to my fun-loving, sarcastic self regaling my 7 readers with tales of singledom and my cats.

Weekly Winners September 28 - October 5

2008-10-05T11:25:00.001-05:00

The brain child of Lotus at Sarcastic Mom... Click on the badge for more Weekly Winners.

My Weekly Winners for September 28th - October 5th

I have been fighting a nasty allergy attack and cough that goes with it, so I haven't gotten any pictures this week. These are some pictures I took last March during our "Girl's Weekend" with my old camera.

Miss A and Grammar Giggling at the Fort Worth Zoo

Miss A and Baby Bonnie's Statue

Flamingo

Colorful Primates

Miss A relaxing after her first Mani/Pedi

Bluebonnets in March

Thursday Thirteen #18

2008-10-02T07:33:00.000-05:00

THIRTEEN RANDOM BITS OF USELESS INFORMATION ABOUT ME

1. I like coffee with cream to drink, but not with breakfast. I prefer something cold to drink with breakfast.

2. I sleep on the left side of my bed. (Okay, so I end up in the center, but I start out on the left side.)

3. I drive a silver car.

4. I don't really have a favorite flower, but if forced to pick, I'd pick gerbera daisies because they come in so many colors and are cheerful.

5. I remodel and redecorate people's homes in my head when I visit them. (I think I've watched too much HGTV.)

6. I'm not so much afraid of heights, but I'm terrified of falling.

7. My favorite color is green. I don't have a favorite shade of green, I just kind-of like all greens.

8. I can't watch horror movies because they give me horrible nightmares.

9. I do not like clowns. It isn't the costume because people in a clown costume don't bother me, it's the makeup in combination with the costume, I guess. Clowns are just creepy.

10. Fall is my favorite time of the year with the leaves changing and the weather (supposedly) getting cooler. I don't like the allergies it brings, though.

11. I am allergic to many, many things, but surprisingly not ragweed. (At least according to the scratch test I had done a year or so ago at the allergy doctor's office.)

12. I love the noise and chaos that being with my family entails, but it is always so nice to go back to my peaceful, quiet home even if I'm a little sad to not be with them anymore.

13. Strange things will make me all weepy... some commercials, small children singing (especially if they're singing the national anthem or church songs). I cry way too easily.

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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My Facebook looks like High School

2008-10-01T14:12:00.006-05:00

Is it just me or does everyone's facebook look like your high school year book? Other than a few relatives, the only people I know on Facebook are people from High School. I guess a big part of why the majority of people on there are high school is my upcoming high school reunion. Twenty years... um, yikes!

It isn't that big of a deal that the only people I know on Facebook are people from high school, except it brings up all those feelings of insecurity and inadequacy again. I mean, I have literally hesitated to ask someone to be my friend because I'm afraid they'll not remember me or turn me down/ignore me because they don't like me/didn't like me. I'm not sure which would be worse!

It is strange to me that we never get over how we felt at certain times in life and how certain people or situations can make us revert to a person we were "way back when." I am not at all the person I was in high school, nor do I want to be her again. I feel I've grown into a heck of a person and I like the me I am now. I can't say the same about the person I was then.

I said after my ten year reunion that I wouldn't ever go back to another one. I felt like I was in contact with the people I wanted to be in contact with and that was enough. I'd seen what I needed to see at that reunion and that was enough.

Time has mellowed my attitude toward going to the reunion. I still don't know if I'll actually go to it, but Facebook and time passing has made me curious. I have until next May to decide if I'm going or not. I guess we'll see if curiosty gets the best of me between now and then.

And $200 later it's just a really bad cold

2008-09-30T15:15:00.003-05:00

Of course it is complicated by the allergies that have "overwhelmed" my allrgy medicine. Yep, that is what the doc said this morning. I have overwhelming allergies, but fortunately, at this time he doesn't think it has turned into bronchitis.

The doctor gave me a new allergy med prescription and a steriod shot. He told me to rest for today and then return to normal life tomorrow. Whew!

The cats are being all lovey today. Of course, I'm not totally coughing up a lung today. I'm coughing quite a bit, but not nearly as much now. Steroids are amazing things.

I'd like some cheese with my whine...

2008-09-29T22:11:00.003-05:00

I am sick.

I hate being sick.

I am totally whiney and miserable when I'm sick.

Even the cats don't want to be around me when I'm sick.

Ugh.

Weekly Winners, September 21-27

2008-09-28T19:08:00.006-05:00

The brain child of Lotus at Sarcastic Mom... Click on the badge for more Weekly Winners.

My Weekly Winners for September 21 - September 27

Toesies

Miss A

Mr. B gave me a flower

And we all fall down...

Mr. B in the grass

I'm home again

2008-09-27T20:02:00.000-05:00

Well, the trip to Austin for the test wasn't all I wanted it to be.

I studied my study guide and felt good about my knowledge for the test. I woke up feeling awful on Saturday morning. No, let me rephrase that. I didn't sleep on Friday night because I felt awful AND I was nervous. I don't think the lack of sleep had any effect on my performance on the exam. The exam was the reason I think I didn't do so well on the exam. It wasn't what I expected and some of the questions were very poorly worded. Honestly, if I passed it, I'll be thrilled.

I had planned to hang around campus after I got finished taking the test and going to the LBJ Library and maybe going to the Capitol building. I was so frustrated and disappointed after the test, I just wanted to come home.

Now I wait for six weeks for my results.

Live from Austin

2008-09-26T19:53:00.004-05:00

I woke up the morning with "allergies" (that's what I'm calling it until tomorrow afternoon) and so I don't feel exactly 100%, but I'll be fine. I slept in a little this morning for the extra rest and felt a little better when I got up again. I got stuff packed and the cats fed and a few little things done around the house. I didn't get on the road exactly when I wanted to, but was still able to avoid the worst of the traffic in both Fort Worth and Austin.

Anyway, I'm all checked into the hotel and settled into room #2. I came back from dinner only to hear how much my neighbors liked one another. I just asked to be moved. Now, I'm in pajamas, on the bed ready to do a little refreshing of my memory.

My text is at 9:00 in the morning. Well, I have to check in at 9:00. The test is 9:45 to 10:45. I'm nervous, but not overly so. A little nervous is good, I think. I have three alarms set for in the morning so I KNOW I won't oversleep!

So, off to refresh study...

Thursday Thirteen #17

2008-09-24T23:20:00.008-05:00

THIRTEEN PICTURES I TOOK IN AMARILLO

1. Sis A's Roses...

2. More Roses...

3. The reason for the trip to Amarillo & Dumas... PJ's Little guy.

4. Chubby little legs...

5. Mr. B

6. Miss A

7. Walking away

8. ...we all fall down!

9. Grandmother & Granddaddy B

10. You should have seen Sis A's face when she heard about this!!!!

11. Four O'clocks

12. It's strange to see someone you went to high school with on a billboard (I've blown up the person I know...)

13. You thought there wouldn't be a picture of the kitties?

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Busy, busy week...

2008-09-24T19:08:00.004-05:00

It's the last week of school and my written state exam is on Saturday in Austin. I'm nervous, but not overly so. But, because of the test, I'm not going to get weekly winners done for last week. I'm also not going to be able to get many (if any) pictures this week. So, I'm going to cheat a little and show off PJ's little guy and my Miss A and Little B for this upcoming Sunday's Weekly Winners. I promise, I got some really, really cute shots. :)

The visit in Dumas and Amarillo was fun and bittersweet all at once. Friday night, I stayed with Grandmother and Granddaddy B. I had a great visit with them, but also saw how confused and frail Granddaddy B has become. It is heartbreaking to think that the man I've always seen as so strong has become so... old. Grandmother, on the other hand, is feeling better and better with the pacemaker. She said she wants to start walking for exercise even.

Saturday I had breakfast with G&G B and then was off to Dumas to see PJ and A. He is a cutie. It was a good visit with her and her family. It is always surreal to go to her parents' (mom and step-dad) house where I spent so much time as a youngster. The neighborhood looks the same, sort of. The trees are bigger. Her dad and step-mom are still weird and act like I'm an imposition on them. Oh well. I don't have to see them very often.

When A went down for his nap, I headed to Sunray to see G&G B again. Grandmother wanted me to come to the house. She wanted to know the things I wanted from the house. She said things like, "when the house sells..." and "when we move..." which are things she's never said, to me at least. I know she has her hands full with Granddaddy and that the this would come, but it is the bittersweet part of the trip.

Sunday I spent with A&D and their kids. Sis A and I went shopping for an outfit for D's sister's wedding. We found an awesome dress and shoes -- ON SALE. You can't beat that! When Sis A went to handbell practice at church, Miss A and Little B and their daddy and I played at the playground for a while then went to have ice cream. I got to put them (or help put them) to bed. I even got to read Miss A a bedtime story.

Little B and I got to hang out at Gran and Grandaddy C's house while Sis A went to a meeting. We played and played and had a great time. After Miss A got out of school, Sis A, Little B, and I went to pick out Little B's Lighting McQueen cake for his third birthday. Then we went back to Gran and Grandaddy's and shortly thereafter I had to leave to come back home. The trip home was uneventful. I didn't have any unplanned stops this time. (It had been YEARS since my last 'unplanned stop' by the way.)

I so want to move back up that direction. I miss everyone and wish I cold spend more time with them -- especially the grandparents. Well, I guess the test this Saturday is one more step in that direction.

Road Trip!

2008-09-20T08:34:00.003-05:00

I made it safely to Amarillo. I didn't expect otherwise, honestly.

There were a couple of planned stops and one very unplanned stop. It was one that involved flashing red lights and ended with a grumpy local sheriff telling me to "slow it down." *sigh* I hate it when that happens. I was going above the posted speed limit -- not flying by any means, but above 70. Evidently, Maxie didn't like the interruption in the trip because he hissed at the cop. I was trying not to giggle about it. I figured it might be bad to bust out laughing as the cop was writing me a ticket.

G&G B were at Uncle J's so I got to visit with them last night and again this morning. Later this morning, I'll be heading to Big D to meet up with PJ and her mom and Little A. I will come bearing gifts for the little guy, of course, like any good aunt should!

I will also have my camera, so this week's Weekly Winners won't just be the cats! Aren't y'all excited?

On the road again...

2008-09-19T08:28:00.002-05:00

I'm off to Amarillo! I'm so excited to get to meet PJ's little guy that I had trouble sleeping last night.

Oh, okay, so not sleeping had little or nothing to do with my drive today, but it sounds better than I just am not sleeping much these days because I've got insomnia again. I got a good four and a half or five hours last night, so I'm not going to complain too much. It's better than the two and a half I got the night before!

Anyway, the cats and I are off. Hopefully, I'll see happy kitty faces or sleeping kitty faces in the rear view mirror and not have a car sick kitty in Maxie. Here's hoping!

Thursday Thirteen #16

2008-09-18T08:40:00.003-05:00

Thirteen Totally Random Thoughts

1. Why? I mean, seriously-- huh? I am a big bacon fan. I love bacon. I think it should be a food group all to itself with a daily minimum requirement, but bacon flavored Spam? *shudder*

2. Facebook is oddly addictive and voyeuristic. I'm learning things about people I haven't even thought about in the past 20 years.
3. I am going on a cruise in like 8 months and need to lose a bunch of weight before I do. Um, yikes.

4. Even after all these years, I still think Rick Springfield is yummy.

5. I would rather be home in bed asleep than at work today.

6. Cold coffee when you're expecting hot coffee is yucky, yet cold coffee when you put ice and milk in it is yummy.

7. I have loads of things to do before I go to the Panhandle this weekend.

8. I am excited beyond belief to get to meet PJ's little guy!

9. I am also exited that I get to see Miss A and Little B and hear all about Miss A's school.

10. It is weird to me that a person I went to high school with is Miss A's principal and that he refers to Miss A's mother as "your kid sis."

11. If you had asked me three days ago who the top five people I least expected to hear from ever again, the person that added me as a friend on Facebook last night (and subsequently messaged me to see how I was doing/let me know about him) would have been in that top five list.

12. I got my confirmation/instructions for my written CSR exam yesterday.

13. I really should be working, but this is more fun.

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And Just Because it Made Me LOL

2008-09-16T09:01:00.001-05:00

more animals

(In case you're wondering why it made me laugh so hard... my dad is "Robert" not "Bob.")

I have a life?

2008-09-15T23:35:00.010-05:00

I have never actually needed a calendar before now. I mean, in general, for the past several years, my schedule has been M-F Work from 8-4:30, M,W,Th school 6:00-10:00, S&S Work at Photo Job. If I did anything out of that routine, it was so exciting (and rare) that I wasn't about to forget it.

Over the past few weeks, I've realized that I've got several things going on in my life and need to remember them. Let's see, I've got three test dates to remember in the next couple of months. Don't want to schedule anything on top of those! PJ and Little A are going to be in the Panhandle for ten days this month and I'm going to go see them. (While I'm there, I'm sure I'll see the grandparents and Miss A and Little B and their parents.) My sister will be here (maybe) in October. Fun stuff!!

You see? I mean, this is more than has gone on in my life for a long time! My calendar was from 2004... no kidding. I found a lovely (and free) template for a calendar and printed off the months I need and now, like most households, I have a calendar stuck to my fridge with my upcoming events marked on it.

In other news... can I just say finding health insurance is a total pain in the hiney? I knew leaving my job would also include leaving group health insurance, but I'd looked at different companies and policies online and done quite a bit of research, so I knew it would be expensive, but I figured it wouldn't be too bad.

What I failed to take into account was the fact that health insurance companies are evil. They can and will "uprate" you for having a hangnail anytime in the past 5 years. Heaven forbid you actually have any kind of health thing. I found out that because I have been diagnosed with depression I can't get mental health coverage. That didn't surprise me, to be honest. What totally ticked me off, though was the fact that the one company that would insure me uprated me for it -- didn't cover it, but charged me more.

I was also uprated for having seasonal allergies. I'd dare to guess that maybe 75% of the people in the U.S. have some sort of seasonal allergies and take something for it, yet, it was another excuse for the insurance company to uprate me. The policy was originally quoted to me for about $155 a month. By the time I got uprated for everything, it was going to cost me $245 a month and I would have a $750 deductible for prescriptions and a $3500 deductible for health/doctor's visits.

Thank goodness for COBRA insurance. I will actually pay more to keep the insurance through my job, but it is better insurance and I can get coverage for my hangnail!

Weekly Winners

2008-09-14T14:42:00.009-05:00

The brain child of Lotus at Sarcastic Mom... Click on the badge for more Weekly Winners.

My Weekly Winners for September 7 - September 13

Before the storm:
This was taken as Ike rolled in to the Metroplex.

Ducks and Roses:
A nearby park.

Patriot Day:
Flags lined the road I live on.

Welcome:
The wreath next to my front door. It's made from barbed wire and wood from the barn and farm my daddy grew up on.

Toesies:
Buddy's Toes

My Favorite Pink Nose:
Maxie's cute pink nose.

Thursday Thirteen #15 -- I Hope We Never Forget

2008-09-11T08:48:00.004-05:00

Since today isn't a "normal" Thursday, my Thursday 13 is going to be a bit different today. I hope each and everyone will take a moment to remember.

"Where were you when....?"

That seems to be the question of the day each September 11. I was at work. The boss was out of town and so the office was more relaxed than normal and we were all standing around chatting before we started our day. It wasn't even 8:00 a.m. (Texas time) yet.

A co-worker's husband called and told us to turn on the TV because a plane had hit the World Trade Center. We scoffed and thought it must be a mistake... an awful accident. It wasn't and we, like the rest of the world, watched in horror as the second plane hit, the towers fell. None of us cried. I think it was just too shocking, too unbelievable to think that airplanes had hit the Pentagon and the World Trade Center -- and then hearing about the plane that had gone down in Pennsylvania.

At about nine o'clock that morning, my boss' boss called and asked me to find everyone. She asked me to call each of my sales reps and find out where each person was (many were traveling and now stranded) and assure each of them that the company was there for them. I remember thinking that my brother-in-law was on his way to Baltimore (I don't know why I new that) and hoping, praying that his plane wasn't affected and had landed safely somewhere because at that point, it was still unclear where the planes had originated or were going.

September 11, 2001, like December 7 for my grandparents' generation and November 22 for my parents' generation is the day that will always be that "where were you when...?" day. I hope that none of us ever forget the fear and outrage we felt that day because if we forget we become complacent.

As I sit here today, watching a flag flutter in the breeze, there are so many things about that day that I will never forget.

I will never forget seeing that second plane turning and heading toward the World Trade Center and then watching in horror as it hit.

I will never forget watching the towers fall.

I will never forget the images of people, covered in dust and soot, walking away -- just walking.

I will never forget those who ran in as others ran out.

I will never forget the Falling Man.

I will never forget the rush of patriotism in the days following 9/11/2001.

I will never forget sitting in church surrounded by many, many people yet still feeling utterly alone and afraid.

I will never forget the sound of all those planes flying over trying to land at DFW Airport as American airspace was closed.

I will never forget the sound of utter silence at night in my apartment (that was in the DFW landing pattern) broken by F-14s doing flyovers.

I will never forget the seemingly unending sound of bagpipes playing Amazing Grace at the funerals of those who died.

I will never forget I am honored and blessed to live in the United States where I have the ability to pray and worship without fear.

I will never forget those in the military who even now fight to keep America free.

I will never forget that no matter her flaws, America is still the greatest country in the world and a beacon of light and hope to the world.

I hope none of us ever forget....

Eh, I was bored....

2008-09-09T23:54:00.010-05:00

Weekly Winners

2008-09-07T19:28:00.005-05:00

I've decided to return to my hobby... photography. Lotus at Sarcastic Mom has inspired me.

My Weekly Winners for August 31 - September 6

My Buddy:

Beauty on my Porch:

He can stay and eat all the bugs he wants:

My Future:

Bird Watching:

Public Service Announcement: How To Vote

2008-09-05T10:40:00.004-05:00

No, I'm not going to tell you *who* to vote for. I'm not even going to tell you who I'm voting for, although those who know me know who I will likely vote for. This post is a guide to how to decide who to vote for.

You see, I have noticed an alarming trend in recent years, and in this upcoming Presidential election especially. That trend is a movement toward moving away from voting actual issues and instead voting on pure emotion. In other words, people are voting for charisma or gender or simply against someone they don't like. Personally, I think this is a lot of what's wrong with politics today.

Anyway, this is simply my take on how voting should be done.

First, don't look at the candidate as a person. What!? you ask. No, seriously. If you look at the person, emotion gets involved. You might vote because he's "old and wise" or "young and charismatic."

Second, write out a list of your "hot button" issues. Yes, with a pen and paper (or a computer and keyboard if you're more inclined) sit down and think about what is important to you. Are you pro-choice, pro-family, want lower taxes, think strong borders are important? Well, write those down, then rank them in order of importance. I recommend at least 10 "hot button" issues, but you can have more.

Third, with list in hand research where the candidates stand on these issues. Here, I'll help you with a few online resources to get you started: On the Issues, Free Market Foundation, Project Vote Smart. (In the interest of full disclosure, I've not read any of these three websites for information, yet. I will, but I haven't yet.)

Finally, make your decisions based on your own study and opinions and thoughts. Don't rely on friends, family or (*shudder*) the main stream media for your information. Read and think for yourself. Please?

Thursday Thirteen #14

2008-09-04T08:51:00.006-05:00

It has been a quiet week in my world. Nothing new and exciting to report, so instead of regaling you with the boring parts of my life, here are
THIRTEEN RANDOM THINGS THAT MADE ME GIGGLE THIS WEEK

1. Mythbusters on Discovery Channel did an episode on viral videos. Part of it was about fainting goats. I laughed so hard at this, I almost cried. I'm giggling now just thinking about it. (It doesn't hurt the goats, by the way.)

2. I got this one via e-mail a few weeks ago, but it makes me giggle to the point I have it bookmarked...

3. Me... no, seriously, I crack myself up quite often.

4. My cat Buddy who feels it necessary to run at top speed from the litter box like his tail is on fire when he is finished. Then he must run laps around the house.

5. The fact that the company I work for (now part-time) has spent the last couple of months "redoing" all of the company's employee titles. Now the person who was the Senior Systems Analyst is now Senior Analyst, Systems. The Quality Assurance Manager is now Manager, Quality Assurance. My favorite is my boss's "new" title... he was the Division Vice President Eastern Division. NOW, he's the Division Vice President, Eastern Division. Yep, the only difference is the comma. I'm just left to question... why did it take 3 months to agree to these changes and what difference does it really make?

6. The SciFi Channel's show Eureka.

7.This picture of Mr. B.

8. This Blog Post

9. This joke which was a response to my saying I was born in Texas:
Insurance Guy: Do you know Paul?
Me: Huh?
Insurance Guy: You know, Paul of Tarsus. He wasn't a Texan and the Bible has proof that he wasn't.
Me: (hesitantly) Okay?
Insurance Guy: Paul said to the Phillipians that "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content..." no Texan can be content in any state but Texas. (Phillipians 4:11 in case anyone wonders.)

10. One of the tests I took for school. It was so impossible that it was laughable.

11. This picture of PJ's Little Guy

12. The fact that there is a Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure...

13. This blog post because I have giggled again as I've posted each one!

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

The Universe is Laughing at Me

2008-09-03T09:06:00.002-05:00

I have been complaining about feeling old lately. The reading glasses thing for some reason bothered me and I'm feeling old.

So yesterday morning, I stumble to the bathroom (I'm so not a morning person) bleary eyed and yawning and look in the mirror. To my horror, I have not one but two big zits on my nose... so much for old.

So, if you want to complain about being old and feeling old, be careful what you ask for because the Universe just may zap your nose, too!

To Me...

2008-08-29T11:41:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, I went to lunch at a local fast food restaurant. As I was walking in, a young gentleman was pushing a loaded trash can out the door. I stopped and held the door for him and then opened the outside door and held it. As he passed me, I noticed that he has Down's Syndrome. We made eye contact and he said, "Thank you for being nice to me."

Now, I would have held the door for anyone who was coming out of the restaurant. It wasn't something I did special for just him. That's just the kind of gal I am. And, him thanking me really came as no surprise. Actually, if he had just said, "thank you for being nice," I wouldn't have thought anything of it, but he added those two little words at the end that caused a catch in my throat -- "to me."

It made me stop and think how many people hadn't been nice to him, or judged his abilities simply upon first appearances. Heck, how many times have I done it to others? He was very articulate, polite, and obviously a hard worker. As I sat at the booth and ate my lunch, he stopped by and chatted for a second. It was nothing obtrusive -- asked if I needed any dipping sauces or ketchup or maybe a refill. He did the same thing at other tables, too.

As I was leaving, he came over to the door and held it for me. He said he wanted to return the nice. That made me smile. After Wednesday's horible experience with so-called customer service at Bank of America, I needed someone to return a little nice and renew my faith in the world even just a little bit. It also made me all the more aware of how my actions can affect others and it reminded me how something as simple as a friendly smile or someone holding a door for someone else can brighten someone's day or even her week.

Oh, and on another note: Something else made my day and week that much easier. My bank, Capital One, released a portion of the money into my account for use. Yep, it is a huge relief and help to me. It may be a general practice or it may have been just for me because I told them my situation, either way, it is good customer service. I just wanted to put that little shout out for Capital One because sometimes good service should be rewarded with a good word on the Internet.

Also, I've decided not to send the e-mail to Bank of America. As my sister, A, pointed out, it won't do any good. I wrote it and it was theraputic. I also told all 7 of my readers what a lousy bank they are and that probably did as much or more as an e-mail to an Administrative Assistant would have done. I may still call them, but I doubt it. Why waste my time and energy on a futile cause?

Thursday Thirteen #13

2008-08-28T00:02:00.000-05:00

I went to the eye doctor on Wednesday and found out I needed either bifocal glasses or contact lenses and reading glasses. Now, I wasn't totally surprised by it, but a little taken aback, because isn't it old people who need reading glasses and/or bifocals?

Thirteen Things I've Discovered Since I got Reading Glasses

1. My computer monitor is really, really dirty

2. I was squinting to read a whole lot and didn't even realize it until I'm not doing it

3. I'm actually really vain (not that there's anything wrong with that, right Moma? )

4. There are some really cute reading glasses in the world and some really, really ugly ones.

5. Words on pages don't have halos

6. When wearing reading glasses, it is hard to watch TV and be on the computer

7. I can make the size of the font on my computer screen smaller and still see it

8. The view screen on my digital camera is really, really dirty

9. When wearing reading glasses, don't pull them way down on your nose so you can look over them because you look like a dork

10. My cell phone screen is really, really dirty

11. It isn't impossible to put the screw back into the temple of my sunglasses to fix them I just couldn't see it well enough before to fix it

12. COBRA coverage is really expensive! (I know that doesn't have anything to do with the reading glasses, but I got the letter in the mail today and it was the first thing I read with my new reading glasses)

13. It is hard to come up with 13 things about Reading Glasses.

Grand Theft Donna

2008-08-27T21:53:00.004-05:00

I finally got my check for my 401(k). Whew!

So, today, after my eye appointment (where I found out I needed either bifocals or contacts and reading glasses...), I trotted on down to my bank with the check in my hot little hand. I discussed various account options with a "personal banker" and decided on the one I think is best for me. As I went to deposit the check, she mentioned that it would be a 7-(business) day hold on the check. Ugh. I kinda need the money sooner than that since rent is due in like five days. So, in order to maybe speed up the hold process, she suggested that I take the check to Bank of America (bank the check was drawn from) and ask them to verify it, then convert the check to a certified cashier's check. The cashier's check would cut the hold time down to three days (or less).

Off I go to BoA. Now, I used to bank with Bank of America. We had a difference of opinion on how much of my money I should actually get to keep in my account each month. They seemed to want a rather large portion of it for the honor of saying I was a BoA customer. I took my measly little sums to another bank. I'm sure they didn't miss me, and I certainly didn't miss them. I digress....

I walked into the branch and spoke with a gentleman who greeted me and explained what I needed to do. He told me that, "we don't do that, but I'll check." I'm thinking, how negative is that!? He escorts me up to the tellers and passes me off to a teller.

The guy briefly explains to teller #1 (I'm numbering them, can you already see that this is not going to be good?) that I need a cashier's check. Teller #1, stares at me blankly and I explained further what I needed and he continued to stare blankly at me while holding my check. He really didn't say much to me, but turned to Teller #2 and asks if they can do that. Teller #2 took my check from him and looked at it, then me and told me that they can't normally do that for non-customers and then wandered over to a computer with my check in hand and entered something and in "hushed" tones just loud enough for me to hear told Teller #1 that they won't do that.

At which time, they both come back to the counter and tell me that as a non-customer, it will be a $15 charge for the cashier's check. I said that was pretty steep, but to go ahead and do it. To which she replied that they don't normally do that for non-customers. (Huh? If you've got a fee schedule for non-customers surely it's a service that's offered! Maybe it's because non-customers don't normally request the service?)

Teller #3 finished what she was doing and wandered over and gets in on the action. The three of them now are back at the computer discussing the account that the check was drawn on and looking at the amounts of money each of the checks had been written for. Still, they were talking just loud enough for me to hear. Teller #3 says to #1 and #2, "we don't even know if it's a real check." I think my eyes bugged out a little at that point. What do you mean you don't know if it's a real check? You're accusing me of trying to pass off a forged or fake check?

From my spot at the counter, I asked if there was a problem. Teller #3 comes back over to me and says that they can't verify the account. (But, wait, weren't they just looking at the account and discussing how much previous checks were for?) I pointed this out. She said that since it is on a California bank, they can't even verify that it is a valid check. Her words were "real check." So, to my face, she just basically accused me of trying to pass a forged or fake check. (That's felony theft she's accusing me of because the amount was well over the $1500 that makes it a felony in Texas! Then, she asked me if it was from the sell of stocks. I verified that it was from my 401(k). The she said that they're not connected to Bank of America in California, so they can't/won't verify the check. Huh? What does that have to do with the sell of stocks?

I was livid. I told her to just give me my check back and I'll deposit it at my own bank. And proceeded to say (just loud enough for everyone to hear) that this is why I'm a "former customer" of Bank of America.

There are so many ways she could have said that they couldn't do the cashier's check. The first teller (or the second or third) could have just told me that they can't do it and not wasted my time or theirs. They could have nicely said that they can't verify the funds and not that they can't verify the account number.... excuse me, you're looking at the account and discussing the checks written on it.

The whole experience was so negative. From the "can't do, but let me check" to the can't do that for non-customers, their customer service is sorely lacking in something.... oh, yeah, service!

On my way home, I had to drive past the branch, so I stopped back in. I was angry and wanted to write a letter, but I needed names. I decided as I walked in that I would just speak to the Branch Manager first. Turns out, Teller #3, the one who accused me of the fake check, is the branch's manager. Yep... how's that for customer service? So, when she said that, I didn't even try to hide the look of shock and disgust from my face and simply said that in that case, I was going to need her boss's name and how to contact him. She looked a little taken aback, but just printed it out for me (his admin's e-mail actually, but I wouldn't have given out my Boss's, either.)

So, e-mail written. It isn't sent yet, because I was still angry when I wrote it. I'll go back and proofread to make sure it sounds professional (something they could learn from) and then send it to them tomorrow.

London or Bust

2008-08-24T21:09:00.004-05:00

Maybe it's just me, but as overwhelming as the opening ceremonies were, the closing ceremonies were that much underwhelming. Even the fireworks were less, in my opinion, than the Sydney games. The performers the closing ceremonies looked like they were just kind of going through the motions. (And actually, so did the performers in the opening ceremony.) Well, except Jackie Chan... but he always has a goofy, fun-loving grin on his face.

I watched a great deal of the Olympics (darn live streaming video on the Internet and gobs of cable channels). I watched more than I probably should have given I'm supposed to be dedicating my time to school... ah, well, the Olympics only happen every 4 years. (Okay, okay, every two years since they split them up after the 1992 games.) There was one thing I noticed through it all was a distinct lack of joy on the faces of the Chinese people I saw in the crowds. None of them looked like they were actually having fun.

Oh, there were exceptions to this of course, but for the most part, the smiles looked forced. Now, maybe it is a cultural thing and we Americans are a bit too exuberant at winning, but it wasn't just our athletes who looked really excited, and genuinely so, at winning medals. Still, the only real emotion I remember seeing was when the Chinese women's doubles team won gold in badminton. (I told you I watched too much of the Olympics.)

Thursday Thirteen #12

2008-08-21T12:32:00.005-05:00

Thirteen (Random) Things
1. At lunch I used my Chik-fil-A coupon for 8 nuggets free with the purchase of a large Coke... I tried their new Chik-fil-A sauce (at the insistence of the *REALLY* chipper employee at the window).... it is totally yummy.

2. I have watched an insane amount of the Olympics since I discovered that MSNBC, Oxygen, and several other NBC stations also carry the games. Dressage is amazing to watch and Michael Phelps -- can anyone say wowza!

3. Rainy days really do make me want to curl up in bed and stare out the window at the rain. It seems Rainy Days and Mondays really do get me down.

4. I want people to go HERE and leave comments supporting Zee. (Come on lurkers -- de-lurk and let her know she's doing a great thing!!)

5. No matter how "fair" they try to make the rules, events like diving and gymnastics in the Olympics that have to be "judged" will always have controversy. I say they should have given both girls gold medals for the uneven bars.

6. This year has FLOWN by, it seems.

7. These two kids are adorable... I think.

8. I like blog comments and even though it shouldn't be an ego thing, it is.

9. This picture makes me giggle every time I see it and just screamed for an LOLcat-type caption. I can't wait until Thanksgiving when I get to meet the little guy!

10. I love vanilla ice cream best of all.

11. I have a tattoo of the Texas flag in a heart on my left ankle. I want another one.

12. I have known my best friend since third grade.

13. Sometimes I think I like my cats better than I like most people in the world.

And Cue the Panic...

2008-08-20T11:28:00.004-05:00

When you wake up in the middle of the night thinking, "oh crap what have I done..." you can pretty much assure your day is not going to be the best one you've ever had.

So far, things have gone pretty much as I expected with school. I'm progressing, but it is slow going. Lots of time on the machine is the fix for the problems I'm having, though. Hmmm... I think that is why I quit my job.

I have called all of the firms in the areas I want to move and now they are all telling me that business is slow and they aren't hiring. I realize that January is quite a while away, but having something like an available job is good motivation! Okay, so Texas may not be where I practice. I am going to qualify and sit for the (then pass the) Texas CSR exam in January, regardless of whether I practice here right away or not.

So, now it looks like New Mexico might be my best bet. I've spoken with their CCR Board a several times and read and re-read their website and rules and I was/am a bit confused by it. The person I spoke to at the Board assures me that the pesky "and" in their rules will be changed or deleted at the October meeting (then it has to be aggreed upon and approved by the State Supreme Court) and I shouldn't have any problems considering I'm sitting for the RPR in November. They also have a Provisional License where I can practice for up to two years under a Licensed Reporter while I'm continuing to practice and sit for the RPR.

Also, as I've looked at various job boards, it looks like I can move to Kentucky if I want or Montana. Both have lots of job openings, but since the goal is to move closer to the Panhandle not further away.... well, I think I'll pass on those. (Caveat as always: Prince Charming comes along and sweeps me off my feet.. :) )

So, between the disappointing job outlook in the area I'd prefer to move, this not getting a paycheck thing (still waiting on the 401(k) payout) has me a bit stressed. I know it is coming, so I'm not just totally wigged out, but paying for things knowing that on Friday the money I'm spending isn't going to be replaced is scary. Watching my bank account dwindle while waiting is hard. This month's bills are about due andmy $233 electric bill was a bit of a shock. (I live in a 20+ year old apartment complex, on the second floor, with a vaulted ceiling, and while I had them do maitenance on my AC before it got hot, 26 of the 31 days in this billing cycle were 100+ degrees... ugh.)

I'm trying to remind myself that it is all a means to an end and I am doing what is necessary and it will all work out. I have a plan. It is a good plan. I am acting on that plan to reach my goals. I can do this.

But mostly, I'm just telling myself I have to breathe.... and practice.

KEY:
RPR = Registered Professional Reporter. Certification given by the National Court Reporters Association
CSR = Certified Shorthand Reporter. Texas' state certification
CCR = Certified Court Reporter. New Mexico's certification

A post about "BEWBS"

2008-08-19T09:16:00.005-05:00

They are in front of women all the time and ~~always~~ often front in the minds men. They are at the same time symbols of femininity and motherhood. Some are large and others not so much. They are perky and in your face and others are droopy and at your waist. But they are always there, out in front for the world to see.

There have been many, many blog posts about "The Girls" and "BEWBS" and "the rack" and so on and so forth. Heck, Lotus over at Sarcastic Mom has had contests to choose the best rack and sent her rack to BlogHer with a friend. A Google search for "blogs about bewbs" returned 6,720,000 hits. Obviously, we're breast obsessed. Quite a few of them were silly, light-hearted posts in blogs, but one of the top five was this blog called Boobs on Ice. Her tag line, I wasn't supposed to be a candidate for breast cancer. And then I was diagnosed., really caught my attention. How many who are diagnosed say the exact same thing?

The past few months, "bewbs" have been up front in my mind also. You see, in the past three months, I personally know two people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and just this morning received a prayer request from my cousin about a lady she works with who has been diagnosed with very aggressive breast cancer. I don't know of anyone who hasn't been touched in some way by this awful disease.

So, what can we do about it, you ask? Well, there is an event called the Breast Cancer 3-Day. The 3-Day is a 60 mile walk over three days and while it is not part of the Koman Foundation, 85% of the proceeds go to Koman and the remaining 15% go to the National Philanthropic Trust for Breast Cancer.

Each participant is asked to raise money in order to walk. It's an event that has always intrigued me and something I've always wanted to be involved with in some way. When one of my Blogger Friends, Zee, decided to walk, I decided that I would donate to her 3-Day. I don't have the ~~time~~ energy to train for the event. Okay, I'll admit it, I'm just flat too lazy to train for it. But Zee is walking and is blogging about it at her One Step at a Time blog. Her event will take place on September 12-14. That's soon, folks! But the kicker is, she's only 83% of the way to her goal of $2200. So, she's raised over $1800, but still needs that other 17%. That's roughly $375.

So, bloggers, let's help Zee reach that goal. Just click here to go directly to her donation page. If you can't donate (or even if you do) leave her words of encouragement in my comments and I'll make sure she gets them. We can do this together... let's do it for the boobs!!!

Thursday Thirteen #11

2008-08-14T10:51:00.003-05:00

I've got nothing. I mean it. I had no idea what to thirteen about his week, so you're getting the cats. The striped one is Maxie and the Black one is Buddy. Enjoy!

Thirteen Pictures of My Cats

1. Maxie riding in the car...

2. Buddy glowing...

3. Buddy in the grass...

4. Together...

5. Checking out the new Kitty Pi...

6. Maxie in his kitty Pi...

7. Buddy in his...
(you can order your own hand made wool Pi HERE)

8. Buddy in the blinds...

9. Sleeping like Super Kitty...

10. Snuggled together at home...

11. Maxie close up...

12. Buddy not quite as close up...

13. Playing with the catnip...

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Are there such things as Summer Doldrums?

2008-08-12T11:28:00.004-05:00

I am tired of hot, dry weather. I am tired of 100+ degrees days. I want rain. I want cooler weather. I want to be able to sit on my front porch for more than three minutes without sweat dripping off my brow. I'm so over summer.

Torch Lightings through the years...

2008-08-09T23:45:00.005-05:00

Okay, so the greatest of all time Olympic torch lighting wasn't 4 years ago, it was 16... Here are the last few torch lighting ceremonies embedded from YouTube. If you've got time to kill, give them a watch.

Los Angeles 1984 -- Ronald Regan opened the games and another pretty good cauldron lighting with the ignition of the Olympic Rings first.(And the fact that he made it to the top of those stairs without passing out!)

Seoul 1988

Barcellona 1992 -- Best ever in my opinion

Atlanta 1996 -- I remember the build-up and the secrecy as to who got to light the cauldron

Sydney 2000

Athens 2004

It's that time again...

2008-08-09T20:18:00.007-05:00

I love the Olympics. The Opening and Closing ceremonies (especially the closing) have the power to reduce me to tears. Last night's opening ceremony was spectacular. I can't believe that there were something like 15,000 people who were involved in making the Opening Ceremony spectacular. I also loved the lead-up to the torch lighting, but the lighting itself was just so-so. (Then again nothing is going to really be able to beat the archer from Athens in 2004.) Boy, I don't envy Great Brittain in 2012 having to follow China.

My favorite part of any Opening Ceremony, however is the Parade of Nations. This year's non-alphabetical entry was fun because some small countries who preceed (or follow) large countries in alphabetical order didn't get cut out by a commercial break. To me it's just fun to see people and countries who know they have no chance to win a medal, but are just thrilled to be there. The pride on their faces as they follow their country's flag and wave and smile to the crowds is fun to me.

Another favorite part is getting to hear national anthems from various countries. Of course, my favorite is when I get to hear the U.S National Anthem, but getting to hear other countries' anthems is neat, too. And the hard-luck stories of how some of the athletes got there... and seeing the people who come in dead last but wave and smile when they cross the finish line because they are competing at the Olympics. To me, it's all just a special time when we get to see the very best of people and the world if only for a few weeks.

So, for the next two weeks, you will pretty much be able to find me watching some sporting event or another of an evening. I'll be cheering and rooting for the U.S., of course, but also cheering for the underdog who is just thrilled to be competing on the world stage at the Olympics.

Thursday Thirteen #10

2008-08-07T08:35:00.006-05:00

Thirteen Things I've been doing instead of blogging...
Okay, I realize I've been a bad blogger for the past week or so. Life has been hectic and then there is the whole *change* thing in my life... even good change throws me for a loop. So, here is a list of the top 13 things I've done instead of blogging and none of them good excuses (except school).

1. "Going" to school -- this online school gig is great. There's no driving, there's no traffic, it can be done any time day or night and in your pajamas. It's also a lot of hard work and discipline, I'm learning.

2. Watching television -- for the average person, that may not sound like such a big deal, but with going to school and working 2 jobs for the past (I'm not admitting how many) years, I haven't seen much television and there are some interesting programs on cable these days.... Dirty Jobs, Deadliest Catch, Mythbusters, just anything on Discovery Health.

3. Actually cooking dinner instead of heating something up.

4. Reading -- I've been catching up on reading my JCR (Journal of Court Reporting) magazine that I've gotten for the past year and have only skimmed a few of them.

5. Attempting to fix what a virus on my computer wiped out -- people who create malware and viruses should be taken out somewhere and drawn and quartered for all the frustration and chaos they create.

6. Cleaning my house -- Okay, so this was only one day last Thursday when I thought my Dad was coming to spend the night, but I did clean.

7. Playing with my cats.

8. Being (enter negative emotion here) and then very, very excited about my BFF and her hubby's adoption of a gorgeous baby boy. It is hard to watch the world getting what you so want and also knowing that the friendship will change again (I am still getting used to the married bit!) I don't, however, worry about the friendship slipping away.

9. Talking on the phone.

10. Going to dinner with friends and then to a movie because I wasn't ready to go home.

11. Disassembling my VCR because it died when I put in a workout tape and I wanted the tape back.

12. Repotting some plants that needed it desparately.

13. Nothing -- and I do mean just doing nothing. Sitting on the couch staring blankly at the TV with my brain shut down except for the vital breathe, blink things.

So, this is how the other half lives...

2008-07-30T17:19:00.003-05:00

Day three of unemployment (that is only scheduled to last for a week) and full-time school. It's crazy to not have to get up and GO to work. I am still trying to get up on time (around 7:30) and clean up and get ready for the day and then start school. So far, so good. I think this is going to work well. I feel good about it and my ability to progress in school.

Today, though, I needed to run an errand and did it at about 2:00. It was so nice to be able to just go like a SAHM would and not have to worry about getting there before they closed (not that I am in any way comparing myself to a stay at home mom by way of the work they do, just that I also am at home during normal work hours) only without the kids in tow.

Still, all the best laid plans have fallen aside. I was going to get up, get dressed, work on school stuff, clean my house, excercise... well, unfortunately, I've fallen victim to the siren call that is afternoon television. I do my get dressed/school routine of a morning, but by afternoon, I need a break and the couch/remote combo calls to me like the sirens did sailors.

"Come, waste time here... who needs a clean house...." Oddly enough one of the shows I've "discovered" is on BBC America and is called How Clean is Your House? These two shrill-voiced British women go into these houses that should be condemned for being so filthy (all of which make my house seem clean by comparison) and teach the hoarders and filthy housed people to clean their houses and (along with the people who live there and a team of cleaners) clean and organize the house. Still, by comparison, my house doesn't look so bad.

I've also fallen victim to the computer... it is amazing how much time I can waste reading blogs, doing random Google searches, etc. All of which have nothing to do with my goal of a clean house or buns of steel.

Ah, well, my week-long unemployment ends next week. I am planning to go in and work all day Tuesday and Thursday and if necessary half a day another day of the week. For now, just Tuesday and Thursday. I have discovered that I will need to get up, get dressed and go to the library or some other such place to practice.

As for school. I have created a list of goals and I am going to print a small one to put on my machine and another to put on my bathroom mirror. Supposedly, by writing them out, posting them where I practice and in the bathroom and reading them to myself, it will help me to achieve them more quickly. Here's hoping!

Oh, and the cats have just about quit staring at me like I'm interrupting their day by being here. Now, they just ignore me.

Melancholy is a good word for it

2008-07-25T08:30:00.001-05:00

I was reading blogs from my blogroll and this one really made me stop and think and realize that Granny's death has hit me a lot harder than I ever dreamed it would.

When I was a kid, I used to say that I had "spare" grandparents. I often volunteered to share my spare set with people. I was never really close to my step-father's family as a child. They were just kind-of there.

I grew up with my grandparents, all six of them, in the same general vicinity. Two sets of them lived in the same small town. I went to my spare grandparents' house on holidays and then went to my "real" grandparents' house as soon as possible. Even as a teen, I didn't see them much more than necessary. I had other grandparents, afterall.

When I was a young adult, I moved away from home. I didn't see much of my grandparents, any of them. I tried to stay in contact with my grandparents, my mother's parents and my natural father's parents, anyway. After Granny got sick, I asked about them more often, but didn't make an effort to really see them much. I did see Granny several times over the past few months. I made it a point to go see her when I was home for my internship.

I realized as I sat and spoke to this frail and very ill woman that she thought of me as her granddaughter. I got to know her a little bit while chatting during the commercials during Walker, Texas Ranger (one of her favorite shows along with Monk) and realized that though her body was weak, her sense of humor was intact.

The spunk that was Granny was still there. For an example... my favorite Granny story from the past few weeks is one told to me by my sister and mother today. It seems that my Aunt C kept telling Granny that she needed to stop watching Walker and Monk and instead talk to Jesus. Granny's response was simply that she would be able to talk to Jesus for eternity, but she didn't have much time left to watch Monk.

Now, only as an adult, do I realize the family dynamics that caused the lack of closeness and, while I don't pretend to understand or to like it, I do accept it for what it was. I had two other sets of grandparents, anyway, so my "spare" set were often an afterthought in my childish mind. It's only now as an adult and now especially after Granny's death, I realize how much I did love her and how special and lucky I was to have not one or two sets of grandparents who loved me, but three. They weren't spare, afterall.

Thursday 13 #9

2008-07-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

13 Things That Have Happened in the Year Since I Started My Blog
My blog is 1 year old today. Boy what a year it has been... Here are just a few things that I've done or experienced this year. (They aren't in chronological order.)

1. I gave up on eHarmony

2. I was afraid I was going to lose my nephew after a really bad car accident, but it in answer to prayers, he survived.

3. I have quit my job.

4. I did my court reporting internship and LOVED it!

5. I tried eHarmony again.. hope springs eternal, I guess.

6. I participated in NaBloPoMo which was a month long challenge to blog every day in the month of November -- I did it!

7. I got a new car.

8. I've had a bad haircut.

9. I turned 37.

10. I whined... a lot (sorry).

11.My cats went on their first car trip that wasn't to the vet... I found out that Maxie gets carsick. Since that trip, they have traveled quite a bit and are getting better about it but Maxie still gets car sick.

12. I gave up on eHarmony... again.

13. I had poo dumped on my doorstep.

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And I really want to go back?

2008-07-23T08:46:00.003-05:00

I came home from the Panhandle with a yucky surprise... allergies or maybe a cold. I guess some crop must have been doing something (likely corn) and on Monday morning I woke up with a sore throat, stuffy ears and an alternately runny/stuffy nose. Oh yeah. I just keep thinking... and I really want to move back to that? Well, yes, actually I do, but I just don't look forward to that part of it. I'm much better by today. It's amazing what Allegra and ibuprofen can do for you.

In other news: Officially I have only 2 days after today at my job. Boss is at the Home Office this week, traveling next week, and on vacation the week after. Since I'm being re-hired to work part time, it is kind-of anticlimactic. I sent a sneaky e-mail yesterday letting everyone know that my "replacement" had been found and that she's wonderful and helpful and that they would notice little to no change other than "she" would only be at the office part time.

I will have to now quit the photo job. I'm a little sad about that, but it came down to economics -- $14.50 an hour or $9.00 an hour -- and having Saturday and Sunday off. Mainly, I wanted to have Sunday off. I miss going to church... I miss the fellowship of being part of a church family.

Anyway, I'm excited. This change is going to be for the best and it isn't REALLY that huge of a change (or so I keep telling myself). I will have the time and most importantly the energy to devote to school and can speed up my progress considerably because I will not be exhausted and brain dead when I "go" to school. I am so looking forward to being able to practice and build speed and getting out of school.

Speedy Me

2008-07-22T12:04:00.005-05:00

70 words

Speedtest

I took it a few times just for giggles... I got 70 twice and both times had no errors and 65 was my slowest time. I guess I am a pretty fast and accurate typer, but at one time I typed 75 to 80 words per minute.

Home Again

2008-07-20T18:02:00.004-05:00

I am home again. To be honest, the weekend wasn't as bad as I assumed it was going to be. The funeral was actually very nice. I know that is an odd thing to say, but it was. In lieu of a eulogy, my cousin compiled a video slide show of Granny's life. It was nice... a little too long on each picture, but nice. Eulogies tend to sound disingenuous sometimes, but the slide show allowed everyone to see Granny at some of her happiest times. The graveside service was short and a bit wet because it started sprinkling so after a couple of prayers, someone said, "Let's go eat." and that was the end of the graveside service.

After the funeral things were over, we all went to my brother G's house. Most of my immediate family was there -- all but my brother in law P who had to work and wasn't able to get away. It was kind of a precursor to the big family vacation next summer for my parents', our parents', anniversary. It turned into a big cookout, reunion-type thing. We rode the 4-wheelers and played volleyball and generally just enjoyed spending time together.

It is strange how a death in the family brings out the worst in some people and the best in others and how even the smallest items are claimed by one family member because that family member feels entitled to them -- like the others have no emotional ties to anything. I would like to have something of Granny's to remember her by. I mean, I don't want anything big or valuable, just something small and useful like a jewelry box or trinket box or something like that. I just want something that I can look at and smile because it was hers and remember the lovely lady she was. I will leave the valuable items and the big stuff to the blood grandchildren. (Not that I don't think I'm important because I'm step, and it would be different if I had been closer to them.)

In the end, life does go on. We are all sadder for the loss, but as the chorus to Steven Curtis Chapman's song "With Hope" says:

We can cry with hope
We can say goodbye with hope
'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no
And we can grieve with hope
'Cause we believe with hope
(There's a place by God's grace)
There's a place where we'll see your face again
We'll see your face again

An Unexpected/Expected Trip to the Panhandle

2008-07-18T11:59:00.001-05:00

I got a sad phone call on Wednesday letting me know that Granny had passed away. She had emphysema and was diagnosed with an aeortic aneurism several months ago. She died peacefully at home. I'm sad, of course, but I am also relieved for her. She was ready to go. She was tired. She went peacefully which is all anyone can really hope for, I think.

So, after giving notice of my resignation on Monday, I took Thursday and Friday off to get ready to come/come to Amarillo for the funeral. I don't know what Boss thought about it. I don't really care, to be honest. I was coming to this funeral. I wasn't especially close to Granny, family dynamics being as they were, but I did love her and more importantly, I love my dad and wanted to be here for him. Funerals aren't for the deceased anyway, they are for those left behind.

So, tomorrow I put on my funeral dress and go be there for my daddy. I will do my very best not to get irritated at anyone or irritate anyone. Still, I'm taking my car to the little town where the funeral is being held so I can come home when I need to. The cats (yes, I brought them, too -- that is a whole other post, though) may be my excuse to leave. We'll see. I may have to adopt the philosophy of Paula Dean's son... "I love you, I'm not above you, but I've had enough of you. Goodbye."

Thursday 13 #8

2008-07-17T08:27:00.006-05:00

Thirteen Tips for Your Child's Next Portrait
Just as a public service to all those mommy bloggers out there... here are my top 13 tips for the next time you take your child to have a portrait made -- from the photographer's point of view.

1. If I ask you to sit in a certain spot, it isn't so you can't be involved in the sitting, it's likely for the safety of your child.

2. Remember I'm the photographer and I do have some inkling as to what I am doing and what I am doing is attempting to get the best pictures of your child/children that you've ever had. Let me do my job for you.

3. If the child is being difficult (i.e. acting his or her age, generally) don't threaten the child with a spanking or taking away a favorite toy/passtime. That tends to make them cry thus ruining the pictures for everyone.

4. Bring something special to have a portrait taken with. Kids generally have a favorite toy, doll, stuffed animal that is a constant companion. This favorite toy changes as kids get older, or sometimes just looks very well loved ad the kids get older. Why not commemorate this item and its place in your child's heart by including it in a portrait?

5. It is okay to reward your child with gum or candy for doing well in a portrait sitting, but remember if you give it to him/her before or during the sitting, it will be in the picture or it will get all over his/her clothes.

6. If your child is the type that hates to change clothes (this is especially true, I find, for really young kids) don't expect to have a clothing change during your sitting.

7. If you like something specific or want something specific (you're trying to match an heirloom pose) let me know ahead of time and do bring a sample of what you would like me to create.

8. If you don't like something I'm doing, speak up. But, please do so in a respectful manner.

9. If your child has a skinned knee, scratched nose, or other booboo, don't necessarily reschedule. Unless you are looking for a formal portrait, these little booboos are actually kind of cute in pictures and capture a time and event you'll likely remember and be able to laugh about later. Some of the cutest pictures are ones where the contrasts of childhood are seen...pretty Sunday dress with a little skinned knee or where a baseball uniform and a black eye will always remind you of the game he (or she) caught that fly ball.

10. One of the most often asked questions I get is what should we wear. My question to you is what do you want the portraits for? Is this a formal portrait to go in the formal living room or a cute portrait to commemorate a time in life? If it's a formal portrait, more formal, dressy clothes. If it is a portrait just because she/he is turning four, then I recommend just a fun, cute outfit.

11. If it is a family portrait, you don't all have to match, but you should all blend. Avoid everyone having contrasting or conflicting patterns in shirts. For example, that plaid shirt may be adorable, but if everyone has on plaid or bold prints and they are all different, it is distracting when you look at your portraits. I recommend solids in complimentary colors

12. Don't automatically dismiss a portrait because it isn't a smile. Look closely at the expression and realize that the frown or wrinkled nose is an expression you see often. I agree that your main portrait may not be this pose, but the "emotion" shots are sometimes favorites later.

13. Help me make this fun for your child. A happy child means great portraits!

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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This is SO my cats

2008-07-16T08:49:00.002-05:00

This guy is just hilarious -- and obviously has a cat. I get this tag-team style!

Ch-ch-ch-changes...

2008-07-14T14:25:00.006-05:00

I have been struggling to juggle school and two jobs for quite a while now. The further I've gotten in school and the closer to qualifying for the state CSR exam, the more stressful and frustrating it has become.

Since December, I've been biding my time waiting for Boss to close the office and lay me off... waiting for a severence package to hopefully carry me through until I finished school. It all came to a dramatic and teary peak last Friday. Boss told me that the office isn't closing, and my job will remain as a part time position. By my job remaining, I'm not eligible for severence or unemployment benefits but, and here's the kicker, I can't afford to stay on a part-time basis.

So, you may wonder how I'm going to swing it without a job? I'm going to "invest" my 401(k) into me. It's not making me any money in this economy, but if I cash it out (and yes, I know it's 20% in taxes and a 10% penalty for early withdrawl) and use it to live on for the next 4-5 months, I should be okay. I figure it will at least then be earning me money in the long run when I finish school because I'll be able to afford to rebuild it and build on it. Besides, it's not like I'm going to go buy a boat with the money!

There is a CSR exam being given in September. I figure if I quit my job now and really concentrate on qualifying to take the exam for the three weeks between the end of my job and the qualify-by date in mid August and then really hit it hard for the September 27 exam, I'm sure to pass. If I don't (a) qualify or (b) pass the exam, there is another one being given in January, and I will pass that one.

So, the girl who despises change of any kind and will hold on to the status quo until her fingers fall off is jumping into change with both feet and no net. I'm truly terrified. I'm also excited. I guess you could say I'm terri-cited! Nah, don't say that. It sounds silly.

Time to give me a little TLC

2008-07-11T08:23:00.005-05:00

After all the angst and tears yesterday, I decided to pamper myself a little and I wanted ice cream.

I went to Sonic and got an ice cream then came home and decided to "treat" myself with a home spa night. The eyebrows had grown to one again, the toes and feet were in need of some serious pampering and the hair on my legs was beginning to really need attention.

Last time I was at Target, I got a home waxing kit and decided to put it to use -- legs, bikini area, brows, the works. Before you laugh and say I'm insane, I've done this before. No, seriously, I've done a leg and bikini wax at home before without incident. I do it because I'm too ~~scared~~ ~~embarrassed~~ cheap have it done at a salon. The eyebrows, well, I have done those successfully and not successfully, but decided to give it a go. I was feeling brave.

I got the package from under the bathroom sink, read the instructions and gathered the necessary stuff. It is important to note at this point that in the instructions it said (and I quote) "Lavender Spa Body Wax is the perfect wax to remove hair from your delicate, sensitive skin." I followed the instructions for heating the wax, got the tongue depressor-looking application sticks and the removal strips all ready and set to work on my legs first. I quickly decided that (1) the hair on my legs is too fine or (2) the hair on my legs was too short. It wasn't working well, so, undeterred, I moved to the eyebrows.

My skin is very pale and sensitive, so it was no surprise to me when I turned REALLY red around my brows. It always does, even when I go have it done at the salon. I got my eyebrows done with little fuss, but afterwards noticed that the skin around my left eyebrow was stinging a bit. I applied the "Post Treatment Soothing Azulene oil" to the area and moved on to the bikini area. I had no plans to, and didn't go "Brazilian." I wanted to remove just in enough that I could wear a swimsuit if I were 50 lbs. lighter. I won't go into the gory details, but suffice it to say that uncomfortable is an understatement, but excruciating is ~~a slight exaggeration~~ about right. I didn't remember it hurting that badly before. At this point, I was beginning to wonder if I had really made the correct decision for my choice of pampering.

I got in the shower to clean up afterwards and was greeted with searing pain of water meeting raw flesh. I think I ripped half the skin off of my eyebrows and the bikini line.... oh my!!!! It only got about half of the hair on my legs, but all the skin around my eyes!! Remember the quote from above... it should have read: "Lavender Spa Body Wax is the perfect wax to remove ~~hair from~~ your delicate, sensitive skin." I did it just like they said! I kept the strip close to the skin as I pulled it off and didn't pull up! I applied only a thin layer. Brand new kit meet trash.

It wasn't until later that I realized I'd always used a product called Nads before. It's water soluble, it is gentle, and was lovingly created by a mother for her hairy daughter. Yeah, the stuff I got was really, really sticky and so NOT water soluble. I was also not so gentle and obviously created by someone who is evil.

Fast forward to this morning. I trudged into the bathroom this morning around 6:45 (I showered last night, so got a precious 15 extra minutes of sleep.... ) and looked in the mirror. My left eye, the one with very little skin around it any more, is all swollen. I look like I have been in a fight and didn't come out on the winning end. The bikini area is still red, but thankfully not raw still and my legs are just polka dotted (every hair follicle that had hair removed is red) and I have cat fur stuck to the wax that I didn't come off in the shower after using their special oil and baby oil and soap. REALLY attractive.

Oh, and I never did get to my toes. Maybe another night.

Stress? What stress?

2008-07-10T14:13:00.005-05:00

How many people want to not have to go to work at their current job ever again? I see most people out there nodding in agreement. I figured I would get quite a few who would see themselves in that question.

Now try these on for size: How many people's bosses mentioned in December during their annual review that their office *might* be closing at the end of the fiscal year? How many people's bosses have yet to mention it again, yet the company's Henchman is calling the office returning Boss' calls? How many people have a boss that says things today like "if you hear from {insert leasing company name here} let me know because I need to see if they're going to leave the rent the same." leading me to believe he's now NOT planning to close the office?

Oh, just me?

Add to all of that the fact that I need to be qualified for the machine portion of the state CSR (Certified Shorthand Reporter) exam by the middle of August that is going to be given at the end of September and it's getting pretty darn close to the middle of July! The online school has also added hours to the weekly requirements and the instructor has taken away some of the "cheater" hours we used to have and isn't giving us as much hourly credit for other things. The result of those two things is I have to come up with an extra 5-6 hours a week in my already too tight schedule. No pressure there.

It is really odd to consider the fact that I really WANT/NEED Boss to close the office and lay me off. To be honest, it makes financial sense for the company to do so. With the changes that they've made in recent months, this entire fiscal year, really, my job is no longer actually necessary because the sales reps can either do the presentations/research by themselves or just call the Marketing Department to do it for them since there is a whole section of people there to do it for them. I'm redundent as it stands now. I even already have a plan as to how I would spend my day being "unemployed." Now I just need Boss to pull the trigger and fire me already (but give me a good severence package) so I can get it all done.

In the mean time, my schedule looks something like this on weekdays:

6:30 a.m. Get up and start my day
7:30 a.m. Leave for work
8:00 a.m. Arrive at work and start to "look busy"
10:30 a.m. Finish actual work I need to get done for the day (sometimes the week)
11:30 a.m. Go to my 30 minute lunch
12:30 p.m. Return from my 30 minute lunch to continue to look busy and hope that there's something for me to do all afternoon.
4:30 p.m. Leave for home
5:00 p.m. Arrive home to relax/clean/feed the cats/do laundry/take care of anything that needs to be done before I "go" to school
5:30 p.m. Start school (this used to be at 6:00, but I had to move it up 30 minutes because of the additional hour a day requirement)
10:00 p.m. Stop and "come home" from school and finish relaxing/cleaning/feed the cats again/doing laundry/taking care of anything I didn't get done before school (this used to be 9:30 until the additional hours requirement)
Somewhere between 11:00p.m. and 1:00 a.m., I generally go to bed and hopefully go to sleep.

My weekend schedule:
Sat:

9:00 a.m. Get up
9:30 a.m. Leave for work at Photo Job
10:00 a.m. Arrive at Photo Job and prepare myself to 'act a fool' all day in order to make small children smile and capture the essence of said children
Somewhere between 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. I get off of work. If I get off early enough, I go home and take a sweet, sweet nap. If it is after around 3:00, I go home and "go" to school again to make up for any hours I missed during the week and to complete my Saturday hours.
Between 10:30 and 11:00, I go to bed

Sun:

9:00 a.m. Get up, try to do a Bible Study of some sort
10:00 a.m. Get ready for Photo Job
10:30 a.m. Leave for Photo Job
11:00 a.m. Arrive at Photo Job and prepare myself to 'act a fool' all day in order to make small children smile and capture the essence of said children
Somewhere between 1:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. I get off of work, go home and finish up any missing school hours and get weekly log turned in
Fall into bed... nay, collapse into bed and get ready to start the whole thing over again.

(Oh, and if you're wondering what generally falls through the cracks and doesn't get done. It's cleaning. My house isn't DIRTY per se, but clutter.... that is another story.)

Wow, if you made it this far through this whine, I'm impressed. Okay. I've got to go look busy again.

Thursday 13 #7

2008-07-10T08:25:00.003-05:00

Thirteen Things You Should Always Have With You if You're Female (and I Rarely Seem to Have on Me When I Need Them)

In no particular order...

1. a hairbrush -- sometimes your hair just goes crazy

2. lipstick -- you always feel better when you have on lipstick

3. pen and paper -- you never know when you'll need it

4. a "feminine product" -- sometimes you get surprised!

5. tissues -- sometimes that potty stall doesn't have any toilet paper

6. a mirror -- hey it comes in handy when someone cute is sitting behind you... you know, pretend to check your make-up and all

7. cell phone

8. asprin/Tylenol/Advil

9. a camera -- some of my life's funniest moments are never documented because I forgot my camera.

10. a list of a few important phone numbers -- invariably the cell phone runs out of battery, you have to make a call, but you have NO idea what the number is

11. your ID/driver's license

12. breath mints or gum

13. tape -- it is amazing what clear tape can fix in a pinch.

New and Improved!

2008-07-09T17:31:00.003-05:00

So, I got the new layout all set up. I took a basic format from one I found online and rewrote the HTML code to my liking. There are a few widget elements to add to the side bar and a few tweaks to the layout I'm planning, but for the most part I'm happy with the new look. What do y'all think?

Mom has already pointed out that the color scheme is one I've always favored -- plus the brown. It seems I've always been partial to pink and turquoise. Who knew! (Evidently everyone but me!)