So, the weekend went way too fast, of course. Had a fun time with the kiddoes as always. It seems like a lot of people either weren’t trick or treating, or weren’t home to give out trick or treats. One co-worker just noted that it might be because of the swine flu. I didn’t think about that, I was thinking more of the economy and people not having extra money to spend on costumes and candy and the like. But that’s okay, the kids still ended up with a buttload. I had to negotiate for my share, of course.
Let’s see...hard to believe it was a month ago yesterday that I came back from England. Time flies. Had some good memories. Wish I had more of them, but sometimes things happen. Oh, well! I love big cities and exploring them. I don’t know when I’ll be back, but I’ve already got some must sees planned out. One thing I did find is that the food is very bland. We ate a few pubs, and it seems like they just don’t use a lot of seasoning in things. And they sure do like their peas. Even mushy peas! Y’all know how I feel about peas. I tried fish and chips, and a steak sandwich (two different places) and they were okay, but blah. I guess blah was a good thing considering, but I really wanted some flavor going on.
I really, really, REALLY wanted to find a good Indian place, but I knew my stomach couldn’t tolerate it. I will say that we found a nice Italian place that I really liked on the last night. It was a little upscale, but the food was very good. I had the spaghetti and meatballs. I made friends with a couple from up near Manchester (I think). When we were on a break, she offered me a piece of her brie. Their brie is a lot more pungent then what we’re used to buying in the states. I found that interesting. Oh, and they do not have Jell-o in the UK. Trust me, I looked. There was a point where all I wanted was Jell-o and it was no where to be found. Well, live and learn!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Halloween in the olden days...
The geek in me likes a lot of strange things. One of those is old radio programs. Today, as it is close to Halloween, and I pretty much have this whole side of the office to myself, I am tuned into Halloween programming on Golden Age Old Time Radio, on Live365.com. Yes, I told you I was a geek. I love anything vintage; music, movies, tv, radio. You name it!
Well, anyway, I’m laughing listening to this. For one thing, the family is MAKING their Halloween candy. Can you imagine making all that candy to hand out? I bet it tasted good. Besides, the udder inconvenience, how would you get away with it these days? I mean, in between the razor blades and poison and Ex-lax, who knows what could be in there? It’s too bad my grandmother isn’t around anymore; I’d ask her about that. I also learned that housewives really loved Jell-O Butterscotch Pudding. Who knew?
Anyway, the main characters are going to cause some trouble. How? By ringing the next door neighbor’s door and run off. Oooo, there’s some trouble for ya. If it were only that simple? But, of course the old man next door has bigger problems. Someone stole his battery from car. GASP!!! He wants to know what his town is coming to. Hehe, fast forward 60 years later, I’m betting that guy is wishing batteries were the least of his worries. A simple life, indeed. What great fun to take a look back sometimes.
Today is fun, too. It is what you make of it. I’m looking forward to a traditional, yet, modern Halloween. I got the kid’s goodies ready to go. In my midst, I will have a Spock and a Dorothy, and I forgot the other two. (For shame!!!) We’ll party a little bit (well, they will, I’ll be watching the Florida/Georgia game), and then off to Trick or Treat. I must say the neighborhood is way better than the one I trick or treated in. And the candy’s way better!!!
Well, anyway, I’m laughing listening to this. For one thing, the family is MAKING their Halloween candy. Can you imagine making all that candy to hand out? I bet it tasted good. Besides, the udder inconvenience, how would you get away with it these days? I mean, in between the razor blades and poison and Ex-lax, who knows what could be in there? It’s too bad my grandmother isn’t around anymore; I’d ask her about that. I also learned that housewives really loved Jell-O Butterscotch Pudding. Who knew?
Anyway, the main characters are going to cause some trouble. How? By ringing the next door neighbor’s door and run off. Oooo, there’s some trouble for ya. If it were only that simple? But, of course the old man next door has bigger problems. Someone stole his battery from car. GASP!!! He wants to know what his town is coming to. Hehe, fast forward 60 years later, I’m betting that guy is wishing batteries were the least of his worries. A simple life, indeed. What great fun to take a look back sometimes.
Today is fun, too. It is what you make of it. I’m looking forward to a traditional, yet, modern Halloween. I got the kid’s goodies ready to go. In my midst, I will have a Spock and a Dorothy, and I forgot the other two. (For shame!!!) We’ll party a little bit (well, they will, I’ll be watching the Florida/Georgia game), and then off to Trick or Treat. I must say the neighborhood is way better than the one I trick or treated in. And the candy’s way better!!!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Just checking in...
Just a quick one, still have a lot of work to get out before the 15th deadline.
Still feeling in a daze. I’ve pretty much slept the entire weekend. And who else do you know goes on vacation and LOSES 15 pounds.
Okay, enough of the pity party. Just wanted everyone to know I’m still around. I will try and post more if the week allows.
Have a good one.
Still feeling in a daze. I’ve pretty much slept the entire weekend. And who else do you know goes on vacation and LOSES 15 pounds.
Okay, enough of the pity party. Just wanted everyone to know I’m still around. I will try and post more if the week allows.
Have a good one.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Fridays!
Hi y’all! How’s it going? Oh, happy, happy Friday. Been a rough week with funding deadlines, but I’m just about through it. YAY!
Spent a good part of the day chatting with old high school friends on Facebook. Amazing, isn’t it? So nice to catch up with the old crowd. One of them I was on Flags with, dates back to 2nd grade we discovered. Holy cow!! She dropped out junior year, I think, to have a baby and said baby is now 23. OMFG, I am OLD!!!!!!! Also found out yesterday that one of them had a crush on me. The things I find out. I’m actually planning a trip down in October to see mom, so I will probably hook up with a few. Gotta plan it between trips and crops and shows and football. Sigh! Too much going on now. I need a vacation from the vacation, haha.
I’ll be spending a good part of the weekend doing last minute things, a Wal-mart run, a mall run, things like that. Saturday we’ll get to see Faxon’s first baseball game, as last week’s was rained out. So excited for him, I hope he does good. Linda, if King is playing around here (Steinbrenner, Sickles, Gaither), I may have to take him out to a game and let him see how the big boys play. Maybe it will give him something to shoot for.
Actually keeping this short for once, just busy, mundane stuff, not much to right about. Mom’s surgery is today, wish us luck. Lunch with some former work buddies. Leave for England on Wednesday. Ah, I’m so broke!!! Yahoo! Make it a good one.
Spent a good part of the day chatting with old high school friends on Facebook. Amazing, isn’t it? So nice to catch up with the old crowd. One of them I was on Flags with, dates back to 2nd grade we discovered. Holy cow!! She dropped out junior year, I think, to have a baby and said baby is now 23. OMFG, I am OLD!!!!!!! Also found out yesterday that one of them had a crush on me. The things I find out. I’m actually planning a trip down in October to see mom, so I will probably hook up with a few. Gotta plan it between trips and crops and shows and football. Sigh! Too much going on now. I need a vacation from the vacation, haha.
I’ll be spending a good part of the weekend doing last minute things, a Wal-mart run, a mall run, things like that. Saturday we’ll get to see Faxon’s first baseball game, as last week’s was rained out. So excited for him, I hope he does good. Linda, if King is playing around here (Steinbrenner, Sickles, Gaither), I may have to take him out to a game and let him see how the big boys play. Maybe it will give him something to shoot for.
Actually keeping this short for once, just busy, mundane stuff, not much to right about. Mom’s surgery is today, wish us luck. Lunch with some former work buddies. Leave for England on Wednesday. Ah, I’m so broke!!! Yahoo! Make it a good one.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Fast Holiday Weekend!
Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. I kept busy around the house this weekend, but was glad I did. Of course, today comes and now I don’t want to get out of bed. Who doesn’t after being off the last four days?
Spent most of Friday and Saturday getting the house spic and span. Hard work, but so rewarding, isn’t it? Well, I thought so. Anyways, all the boys were at my house on Sunday for the annual Fantasy Football draft. Great fun as it is! Everyone seems to have a great time and come back every year.
Lots of food this weekend. Saturday, I made a turkey breast, as they were super cheap at Publix last week, with mashed potatoes and stuffing. Sunday, everyone brought something, so we had pizza and wings and burgers. I made Stacey M’s Key Lime Bars. They were a big hit. Last night we barbequed, DH had a steak; I made some shrimp, with a little chicken breast and corn on the cob. So lots of eating going on.
Lots of football this weekend too. Did you catch the Gator game? Great way to start the season, even if it was kind of boring. It was good to give some of our freshman some playing time and get them in the groove for when the hard stuff comes (Tennessee, LSU, etc.) And did I read right, that FSU lost last night? How does that happen? Oh, well!
Abbey Cat was feeling poorly this weekend, sick to her stomach a lot. I couldn’t figure it out at first, but then I did. I’ve been feeding her Purina ONE Mature Cat formula. Now, keep in mind, she has a delicate system to begin with, always has. I could never feed her too much wet food, she’d get the runs (TMI!) So, we’re cleaning up Saturday and DH says “does her food look different?” So, I run and look at the bag and it said “New and Improved, now with Kibbles.” Kibbles??? OY! Don’t these manufacturers know that you can’t change a pet’s food abruptly like that? Especially when you have a cat that’s sensitive to food to begin with. UGG!! So I had to run to Target and get the Sensitive Systems formula (since Publix doesn’t sell that kind) and she seems okay now. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.
Did some shopping yesterday. Bought a few shirts and a pair of pants at Dillards. Had a Yankee Candle coupon to use. DH and I were going to go to Chik-Fil-A, as you got a free sandwich if you wore your team gear, but that place was a mob scene. So we went home and had leftovers. Oh, stopped at Bed Bath and Beyond, too, for a new frying pan. Did you know they make Iced Tea cups for the Keurig? I picked up a box to try. I will let you know how they are.
I’ve gotten lots of info for the London trip this weekend, along with emergency contacts and that good stuff. Only two weeks from tomorrow until I leave! WOWZERS!! I have no idea what I’m packing. I’ve got to get ready. EEKS!!
Our Tampa show is Oct. 17th, and it will be big! The same show we do in London, btw! I can hook you up with the Tix if you’re interested. Unfortunately, it looks like I’m going to miss Creepover this year, a first. I’m bummed, but what can you do? Luckily, it’s close by (San Antonio), so I may be able to swing by Friday night to say hello, as the Friday night rehearsal is usually only for soloists. I’ll be playing it by ear.
I got errands galore this week. Have to return something at Bealls, and have a couple pants to drop off at the tailors. I’m going to run to Int’l mall tonight to get a few things from Sephora/BE, and check out their Dillards as well. Next week, I’ll get to the bank to exchange money, and call my cc companies and let them know I’ll be out of the country. So much to do, so little time. Oh, yeah, guess, I’ll be getting work done too!
Speaking of being out of the country, make sure to check out Kip’s blog with all the pics and adventures of her, Jill and Barb in Spain and in the Mediterranean. How gorgeous! They are three lucky ducks, let me tell you! Some day I’ll be R-E-T-I-R-E-D too and can make trips like those. Yahoo!!!
Thanks for all the well-wishes for my mother. She called me last Friday to tell me the surgery is scheduled for the 18th. As long as the lymph nodes are unaffected, then that should be the end of it. Otherwise, she’ll have to start a round of chemo. Then she calls me yesterday to tell me the surgery is scheduled for the 18th. Uh, yeah, you already called and told me that last week. “I did?? Well, I wanted to make sure you knew.” Yeah, uh-huh. She also told me my step-dad (former, I guess) is coming down that week to stay with her. She says he’ll call me when she gets out of surgery. Great, just the kind of drama I need. I’m trying to see past all this bullshit, but you know, after almost 40 years of it, it’s hard to be anything but jaded.
Oh, well, whatever. I am just going to get my errands done, and look forward to the next few weeks.
Spent most of Friday and Saturday getting the house spic and span. Hard work, but so rewarding, isn’t it? Well, I thought so. Anyways, all the boys were at my house on Sunday for the annual Fantasy Football draft. Great fun as it is! Everyone seems to have a great time and come back every year.
Lots of food this weekend. Saturday, I made a turkey breast, as they were super cheap at Publix last week, with mashed potatoes and stuffing. Sunday, everyone brought something, so we had pizza and wings and burgers. I made Stacey M’s Key Lime Bars. They were a big hit. Last night we barbequed, DH had a steak; I made some shrimp, with a little chicken breast and corn on the cob. So lots of eating going on.
Lots of football this weekend too. Did you catch the Gator game? Great way to start the season, even if it was kind of boring. It was good to give some of our freshman some playing time and get them in the groove for when the hard stuff comes (Tennessee, LSU, etc.) And did I read right, that FSU lost last night? How does that happen? Oh, well!
Abbey Cat was feeling poorly this weekend, sick to her stomach a lot. I couldn’t figure it out at first, but then I did. I’ve been feeding her Purina ONE Mature Cat formula. Now, keep in mind, she has a delicate system to begin with, always has. I could never feed her too much wet food, she’d get the runs (TMI!) So, we’re cleaning up Saturday and DH says “does her food look different?” So, I run and look at the bag and it said “New and Improved, now with Kibbles.” Kibbles??? OY! Don’t these manufacturers know that you can’t change a pet’s food abruptly like that? Especially when you have a cat that’s sensitive to food to begin with. UGG!! So I had to run to Target and get the Sensitive Systems formula (since Publix doesn’t sell that kind) and she seems okay now. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.
Did some shopping yesterday. Bought a few shirts and a pair of pants at Dillards. Had a Yankee Candle coupon to use. DH and I were going to go to Chik-Fil-A, as you got a free sandwich if you wore your team gear, but that place was a mob scene. So we went home and had leftovers. Oh, stopped at Bed Bath and Beyond, too, for a new frying pan. Did you know they make Iced Tea cups for the Keurig? I picked up a box to try. I will let you know how they are.
I’ve gotten lots of info for the London trip this weekend, along with emergency contacts and that good stuff. Only two weeks from tomorrow until I leave! WOWZERS!! I have no idea what I’m packing. I’ve got to get ready. EEKS!!
Our Tampa show is Oct. 17th, and it will be big! The same show we do in London, btw! I can hook you up with the Tix if you’re interested. Unfortunately, it looks like I’m going to miss Creepover this year, a first. I’m bummed, but what can you do? Luckily, it’s close by (San Antonio), so I may be able to swing by Friday night to say hello, as the Friday night rehearsal is usually only for soloists. I’ll be playing it by ear.
I got errands galore this week. Have to return something at Bealls, and have a couple pants to drop off at the tailors. I’m going to run to Int’l mall tonight to get a few things from Sephora/BE, and check out their Dillards as well. Next week, I’ll get to the bank to exchange money, and call my cc companies and let them know I’ll be out of the country. So much to do, so little time. Oh, yeah, guess, I’ll be getting work done too!
Speaking of being out of the country, make sure to check out Kip’s blog with all the pics and adventures of her, Jill and Barb in Spain and in the Mediterranean. How gorgeous! They are three lucky ducks, let me tell you! Some day I’ll be R-E-T-I-R-E-D too and can make trips like those. Yahoo!!!
Thanks for all the well-wishes for my mother. She called me last Friday to tell me the surgery is scheduled for the 18th. As long as the lymph nodes are unaffected, then that should be the end of it. Otherwise, she’ll have to start a round of chemo. Then she calls me yesterday to tell me the surgery is scheduled for the 18th. Uh, yeah, you already called and told me that last week. “I did?? Well, I wanted to make sure you knew.” Yeah, uh-huh. She also told me my step-dad (former, I guess) is coming down that week to stay with her. She says he’ll call me when she gets out of surgery. Great, just the kind of drama I need. I’m trying to see past all this bullshit, but you know, after almost 40 years of it, it’s hard to be anything but jaded.
Oh, well, whatever. I am just going to get my errands done, and look forward to the next few weeks.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Goings Ons
Why is it when you think things are going your way, something happens, and it kicks you right in the shins? I think that is how my life is going right now. Like someone kicked me in the shins...or the gut...or something...
I get an unexpected phone call on Thursday evening. It is from my mother. She’s calling to tell me she has breast cancer. Just like that. I should be shocked, but I’m not. After all the years of all the poisons she’s put in her body. She has almost no heart left, she’s on Nitro for that. Has been for almost 15 years. It amazes me she’s gotten this far. But she has breast cancer. A very aggressive type. It’s deep, too, making surgery the only option. There are also two questionable lymph nodes, so chances are, it’s spreading. It may only be a matter of time.
Then she had to find a surgeon. One that will work with Medicaid. Good luck with that. The Medicaid system is totally broken, especially here in Florida. The plan is broken, the doctors are all broken. I as sooner go bankrupt than let one of those quacks look at me. But she’s been in this system for over 20 years. When she had cervical cancer, it took over two years to realize she should have a hysterectomy, never mind the fact she was bleeding every day. And let’s not even talk about mental healthcare when you are on Medicaid. That’s a flippin’ joke all of itself. That’s why I’ve been hesitant to come all out on a gov’t healthcare program, because I’ve seen it first hand. It’s not pretty. But something has to be done. But, I’ve gone off on a tangent...
So she found a surgeon, and sees him on Friday. Nothing like rushing things along. I also wonder in the back of my mind, is she playing me? It wouldn’t be the first time. She says she has calcifications which never showed up before. Sil, who works an imaging system says that is very unusual, calcifications form slowly and would have shown up previously. Unless the last mammogram was read wrong. This is Medicaid we are talking about here. I just have to take it at face value for now. And so it goes...
That’s not the only news. My A/C died on Sunday. I heard a strange noise coming from outside the bedroom window. I thought it was the pool pump, but it wasn’t. Turns out the Fan Motor died. $422 later....OUCH! We had some odd power surges on Friday and Saturday, the a/c man says that could have caused it. Who knew? This just a day after DH fixed the a/c in my car (thanks to a $14 can of Freon) so now, I’m cool everywhere.
Friday, I did something I almost never do. Paid full price!!! Well, that’s not necessarily true, I did have a 20% off coupon. So my $58 jeans were actually $46. But they fit beautifully, just what I needed. Skinny Jeans!!! Seems like an oxymoron to call a size 18 skinny, but they are. The legs anyways, not the waist. I have the perfect apple shape, the experts would say. Totally round in the middle, with these skinny legs. Pants, especially jeans are impossible to find. Oh, and I’m short, too. A triple whammy! I found another pair of TH jeans for half price + 20% (around $30) and TH shorts for half price + 20% (around $20). I also got a pair of black Sketchers, for $37, plus half off a second pair, so I got a pair of work/dress shoes for about $10 (this was after coupons, too.) And I put a bunch of Hallmark ornaments on layaway. About 10, I think. The manager says they have cut production and will not be ordering more when they run out, so get them now or never. So nice of them to do layaway, so I don’t have to shell out all the cash at once.
Spent some time with the neighborhood folks Saturday night, between dodging rain and mosquitoes. While fun, it was short-lived. That’s okay, a bunch of us are going to the Tampa Yankees game on Friday, for free, courtesy of Dawn. And of course, today is the first day of school. Where did the time go? Sigh. Well, back to a daily routine for now.
I get an unexpected phone call on Thursday evening. It is from my mother. She’s calling to tell me she has breast cancer. Just like that. I should be shocked, but I’m not. After all the years of all the poisons she’s put in her body. She has almost no heart left, she’s on Nitro for that. Has been for almost 15 years. It amazes me she’s gotten this far. But she has breast cancer. A very aggressive type. It’s deep, too, making surgery the only option. There are also two questionable lymph nodes, so chances are, it’s spreading. It may only be a matter of time.
Then she had to find a surgeon. One that will work with Medicaid. Good luck with that. The Medicaid system is totally broken, especially here in Florida. The plan is broken, the doctors are all broken. I as sooner go bankrupt than let one of those quacks look at me. But she’s been in this system for over 20 years. When she had cervical cancer, it took over two years to realize she should have a hysterectomy, never mind the fact she was bleeding every day. And let’s not even talk about mental healthcare when you are on Medicaid. That’s a flippin’ joke all of itself. That’s why I’ve been hesitant to come all out on a gov’t healthcare program, because I’ve seen it first hand. It’s not pretty. But something has to be done. But, I’ve gone off on a tangent...
So she found a surgeon, and sees him on Friday. Nothing like rushing things along. I also wonder in the back of my mind, is she playing me? It wouldn’t be the first time. She says she has calcifications which never showed up before. Sil, who works an imaging system says that is very unusual, calcifications form slowly and would have shown up previously. Unless the last mammogram was read wrong. This is Medicaid we are talking about here. I just have to take it at face value for now. And so it goes...
That’s not the only news. My A/C died on Sunday. I heard a strange noise coming from outside the bedroom window. I thought it was the pool pump, but it wasn’t. Turns out the Fan Motor died. $422 later....OUCH! We had some odd power surges on Friday and Saturday, the a/c man says that could have caused it. Who knew? This just a day after DH fixed the a/c in my car (thanks to a $14 can of Freon) so now, I’m cool everywhere.
Friday, I did something I almost never do. Paid full price!!! Well, that’s not necessarily true, I did have a 20% off coupon. So my $58 jeans were actually $46. But they fit beautifully, just what I needed. Skinny Jeans!!! Seems like an oxymoron to call a size 18 skinny, but they are. The legs anyways, not the waist. I have the perfect apple shape, the experts would say. Totally round in the middle, with these skinny legs. Pants, especially jeans are impossible to find. Oh, and I’m short, too. A triple whammy! I found another pair of TH jeans for half price + 20% (around $30) and TH shorts for half price + 20% (around $20). I also got a pair of black Sketchers, for $37, plus half off a second pair, so I got a pair of work/dress shoes for about $10 (this was after coupons, too.) And I put a bunch of Hallmark ornaments on layaway. About 10, I think. The manager says they have cut production and will not be ordering more when they run out, so get them now or never. So nice of them to do layaway, so I don’t have to shell out all the cash at once.
Spent some time with the neighborhood folks Saturday night, between dodging rain and mosquitoes. While fun, it was short-lived. That’s okay, a bunch of us are going to the Tampa Yankees game on Friday, for free, courtesy of Dawn. And of course, today is the first day of school. Where did the time go? Sigh. Well, back to a daily routine for now.
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