Christmas 2005 - We survived!

Despite many last minute tweaks to the plans, my brother and sis-in-law made it to my house for Christmas...through ice and snow, despite sniffles and coughs, they were here for Christmas and we had a wonderful time together. I made Schnitzbrot, an old family recipe...a German bread. My brother, who loves the stuff, said it was perfect. Maybe it was...I don't know. I do know it rose so high in the oven that the tops of the loaves burned!

My mom made her yearly Christmas cookies and they were as wonderful as always. We won't mention any more about cookies except to say that some people need to be more mindful of what they say about cookies and baking tips and who called who and said what.

My sis-in-law was sick with a nasty cough and I took her to the clinic so she could get started on meds. I felt bad that she was sick over Christmas. She was a good sport about it all though and got comfy on the sofa and watched movies with us.

My brother is always up for a good conversation on any topic and we had some interesting discussions. He also noticed that my garage door had a bunch of loose bolts and tightened them all for me. Is he the most wonderful brother or what? :-) I probably would never have realized that my garage door was about to fall apart until it was too late.

We had turkey for Christmas dinner and it turned out great. E made homemade mashed potatoes by herself for the first time and they were perfect. Cricket was as well-behaved as she could force herself to be, considering all the yummy smells in the kitchen.

Gift opening time is always my favorite part of Christmas. I love watching everyone else open their gifts. When I was little we'd all dig in at once and open our gifts. Later on, when I was dating my X I learned that some families take turns opening their gifts and I liked that idea. It's caught on with my family and we all enjoy wathcing each other open gifts. This year E made poetry books for all of us. They're beautifully done and it's my favorite Christmas present.

Politically Incorrect Christmas Wishes

I wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! If you don't celebrate Christmas that's fine. Send me your own politically incorrect holiday wishes. Anything but "Happy Holidays".

My daughter is still not feeling 100% but at least she was approved for homebound schooling. Now she's working on getting caught up in her classes so she can start next semester without having to worry about being behind.

I have so little done for Christmas. I finally have my shopping done but I still have much to do and little motivation to do it. I need to bake bread, wrap gifts, finish some gifts I'm making...

There's been a lot in the news about blogging and the law. Yeeps. Makes me almost afraid to blog. If I mention work or blog on work time (I'm on my lunch break, by the way) could I get fired? I work for the state so does this mean I can't say anything in my blog about state politics without worrying about losing my job or getting in trouble with the state ethics board? Do I need to mention that I'm blogging from my personal computer on my own internet connection...during my lunch break? Can I get the axe for just having an opinion or being politically incorrect? Will I allow these fears, real or imagined, to stop me from blogging?

No. I won't. I can blog on my own time, from my home computer and I can say whatever I want to say. Within reason. I won't blog a commentary about my boss, for example, or make rude comments about the people I work with or publish scathing remarks about how the state does business. That's just asking for trouble to come find me (assuming I had anything negative to say about those topics *looks around innocently*). My rule of thumb...if I don't want it in print so it can come back to haunt me, then I don't type it in my blog. Even positive words aren't justification for publishing identifying details and in depth information. Some thoughts are best left to verbal expression amongst carefully chosen listeners.

Beyond the common sense limits of self-censorship, I feel I can express myself quite freely in my blog. I don't like Bush and I have no qualms saying that publically. I'm a democrat and proud of it. I'd like to see our troops all come home safely from Iraq...now. I believe in being politically incorrect but not being insensitve and disrespectful. I support the GLBT community. I think my current doctor is incompetant and look forward to finding a new doctor after the first of the year. But I won't publish her name in my blog. That's where I draw the line. It's one thing to say I don't like President Bush. Everyone knows who he is and just because I don't like him isn't going to damage his already low popularity rating. But to publish the name of my doctor could hurt her both profesionally and personally. Regardless of my personal opinion about her professional competance I don't feel I have the right to publish her name in my blog along with comments that could be damaging to her career. I will just do what we are all free to do. Change doctors.

So, to all bloggers out there...think twice about the details you publish online. Don't compromise yourself in the pursuit of freedom of speech. Don't lose your job over a blog.

I've ranted enough about this subject and am now going to find a bite to eat before my lunch break is over.

Why do I blog?

I often wonder, does anyone even read this?

OH well. My daughter's been sick and missed over a month of school now. We finally found out what's wrong. She has postviral dysmotility. She's been approved for homebound instruction. I'm waiting to hear from the agency that does the homebound schooling to get it set up. I hope she starts before the semester ends.

Harry Potter Phenomena

He shot the cook! He wasn't kidding!!! Sorry, I'm watching Once Upon A Time in Mexico.

Speaking of movies, we took E to see the new Harry Potter movie for her birthday. I enjoyed the movie. The effects were spectacular. Dumbledore was not quite right. I know it's not the same actor but I was hoping the new actor would at least have some of the sparkle and charisma of the orginal actor. Of course, the story always seems rushed in the movies. I want to read the books again. I've forgotton a lot of the details.

E has been sick for 3 weeks now. She sees a GI (NO, not GI as in GI Joe) doctor tomorrow. She's been sick to her stomach for 3 weeks and missed as much school...and NO!!!! she is NOT pregnant. Next person who asks me that will be allowed to hear my primal scream of frustration! Fever, vomiting, diarhea, dizziness...and nausea. But they focus only on the nausea and ask..."ya sure she's not pregnant?" Grrr

Did I mention my newest obsession? EVP's. Did you see the movie, "White Noise"? Good. It's like that, but without the evil. Rent the movie and watch the extra features. Yeah, yeah, I know...am I crazy? No. I'm a skeptic. I'm not saying I don't believe EVP exists. I believe it does. I believe in possibilities.

Have I mentioned how much I hate being a landlord? I'm sure I have but for emphasis, let me say it again. I HATE BEING A LANDLORD!!! I'm only doing this because I have no other choice *sigh* As much as I despise the thought of going to court I WILL if necessary. Necessary is the next time the rent is late. It was on time this month but I have reasons to worry.

Blue hair issue

Wow, it's windy tonight.

I'm broke so I opted to install my back storm doors myself even though I knew they would be a much worse challenge than the front storm door. Oh boy...all I can say is I started a week ago and I'm not done yet. I ran into an "issue" that I have to work out this weekend.

Halloween party was fun. Have a few pictures posted finally. Webshots has been horribly slow lately. Check out my BLUE hair!

My newest obsession is EVP's. I haven't captured any of my own yet but I keep trying.

E has been sick...again.

My mom and I had a mother/daughter bonding experience this evening at Wal-Mart. I helped her try on bras!!!

Random firing of neurons

I feel random...

• I like Halloween. It's fun. It's not evil *rolls eyes*
  
• Debt sucks
• Blog trolls are annoying pests who leave comments just to promote their own site/service
  
• I'm addicted to the Sims2
• My computer needs fixed. At least it's still under warranty!
• I have a headache
• Why can't I keep my Boston fern healthy? What am I doing wrong???
• I prefer working with electricity rather than plumbing
• What is that smell in the 2nd upstairs bathroom? I've scrubbed, I put in a new shower curtain...nothing helps!
• I've a stye on my right eye (and it hurts)
• My boss is nice and easy to get along with
  
• E will be 16 the 20th of November
• E will get her drivers license soon
• I feel old!!!
  

Email Etiquette out the Roof

Never mind what got me on this subject but I just want to say...if you don't want to share your address book with everyone on the internet then DO NOT forward emails without either using a distribution list or the BCC field! More on this here along with ettiquette guidelines for other email situations.

I will soon have a reshingled roof over my head. I'll be dirt poor and broke when it's done but at least I'll have a good roof! I'm seriously considering a second job to pay off my debt.

Some radom thoughts since it's been awhile since I've listed any...
Fake nails are fun...until one breaks off
My doctor is a moron (yes, I'm changing doc's)
Forced password changes every month lead to unsecure, easy to recall passwords
Halloween is my favorite holiday. I'll probably burn in hell for that one.
Pandemic flu is a real possiblity and scarier than anything any terrorist could dream up.
My roofer complimented me on the quality job I did hanging my storm door. Pressure is on for the back storm doors!

Up on my rooftop

You won't find Santa Claus on my roof (yet) but you will find curling shingles, improperly installed boots and other things I didn't have a clue about until I became a homeowner. In preparation for Santa, his heavily loaded sleigh and 8 tiny reindeer, with a collective total of 32 little hooves I am getting my roof reshingled. Expensive you say? *I laugh hysterically* What's another charge on my already overloaded credit cards, I say. *SIGH* How about a 2nd, part-time job serving up Frappachino's at the corner Star Bucks or mindlessly scanning bar codes at Wal-Mart? Or credit counseling...or my renters could pay their rent...or my X could help out with kid costs without acting like his daughter is taking advantage of him. Imagine that...his daughter is taking advantage of him when she needs or wants something. Hello? Isn't that what being a parent involves? Isn't that what all kids do...ask for things, need things? Oh, wait, I forgot. He has his OTHER family to worry about. The @$$. I took E over to her dads house last night so she could get her dress shoes for a dance this weekend. I lived there??? The house and the neighborhood looks like trash. He did the roof himself a few years ago and since I'm foucused on roofs a lot lately I noticed that his shingles are lifting up in spots. Hmm...cheap materials? Poor labor? Both? But that's not my problem or my roof. It's nice to look back and compare where I used to be to where I am now. I can see all the positive changes that resulted from a bad time in my life. I can definately see that I own a house that's worth a lot more that my X's house. It just looked so drab, dingy and the entire area has a white trash atmosphere. I used to miss it...when I still lived in the trailer. Point of view is everything.

Biloxi - maybe

Today I was offered the chance to go to Biloxi but I can't right now. I probably can in a few weeks but now just wouldn't work out...unfortunately. I really wanted to go but I can't just leave my daughter alone for a few weeks. Going to her dads is out of the question as far as she's concerned and I wouldn't force her to go for something that's not an emergency. Anyway, I hope I get another chance to go, if not to Biloxi then somewhere else...maybe in response to hurricane Rita. Who knows?

I had a headache last night and took a nap. When I woke up the house was decorated for Halloween. Even though she denies it I KNOW my daughter came into my room at one point dressed up in the witch costume and a mask and tried to wake me up.

Dog finds $$$!

Took my mom home over the weekend. On the way we stopped to give Cricket a potty break and the dog found $10!!! I never would have found it if Cricket hadn't been along. I took her over to the grassy area at a gas station and she nearly peed on a $10 bill! I looked around but it was the only money lying around and of all the spots she could have picked to relieve herself she chose the money! Good Dog!

My mom's decided to sell her house and buy one in the same neighborhood I live in. And then she's not...and then she is...and then she's not...and then she is.... She's feeling torn, overwhelmed, worried and all the things I felt when I decided to move. While at her house I installed new light fixtures on the outside front. They look SO much better! The old one's were the originals and were looking sad. The new ones are perfect for the house and really perk up the front. I have 2 more to install on the side and back but it was getting late and we had to get on the road soon since it was Sunday afternoon.

Small Saturn Thinks Big

I said I wanted to do more to help the people affected by the hurrcane, beyond donating money and I got the chance. Last Friday I was asked by the head of the division I work for to pick up some medical supplies in my local area and deliver them to him in Indianapolis so he could get them sent on their way to help the hurricane victims. I jumped at the opportunity despite the smallness of my vehicle. When I arrived to pick up the med supplies the women just looked at my car and at all the boxes they had gathered up to send south. They didn't think I'd get half of them into my little Saturn. Well, I proved them wrong and got EVERY box in my car. It was nice to do something that I knew would become part of a bigger cache of med supplies that would travel south to help those in need.

And speaking of helping the hurricane survivors, someone I work with has been in Mississippi since a few days after the hurricane. She's a nurse and has been working hard for the past few weeks selflessly spending her time helping others.

I've been doing more home improvement projects lately, thanks to the handyman I called. He's never returned my calls and has saved me a lot of money. Over the weekend I installed my first ever storm door on the front door! Getting the door home was interesting. In the box it was too big to shove into my car via the trunk so we took it out of the box. It hung out over the trunk about a foot and all I had to secure the trunk lid was a bungee cord. I knew from previous experience that the trunk lid would go bouncy-bouncy all the way home so I folded up the box the door came in and shoved it between the glass and the trunk lid. Every time the trunk lid bounced I thought my mom was going to faint from fear the glass was going to shatter! The door made it home safe & sound and with my mom's help I actually installed my storm door and I have to say that it is PERFECT! *pats self on back*

My next project, thanks to the unhandy-man, was the trim around the outside of the french doors to the patio. The trim was rotting at the bottom and needed replaced before I install the new storm doors back there. The first piece of trim I removed was held on with screws. Easy. I took it off, sawed off a small piece and took it with me to the lumber store. Yes, I had to haul something else in my car that stuck out the back. The trim took a minor beating from the trunk but I knew I'd cut the top part of it off anyway so it didn't matter. Once I was ready to tackle this job I got out my trusty hand saw because I'm afraid if I use the power saw that I inherited from my dad that I'll cut off more than just a piece of the trim! The first piece was perfect! My first piece of wood that I've cut and installed onto my house! I'm so proud. On the other side of the doors the trim was nailed to the house. Oh boy. That took some sweat and elbow grease to pry that one loose. I beat up the door frame a bit, unfortunately. I cut the other piece of trim and it installed just as perfectly as the first.

So you don't think my head will get too big for my shoulders let me share with you one of my less successful home improvement ventures. It involves a toilet, lots of water and my dining room ceiling. Let me just say that when working with water make absolutely sure that all things that should be tight are tight and that when you turn the water on you wait, check, feel around and generally assure yourself beyond any shadow of doubt that there are NO leaks anywhere. That was my mistake. I was on my third toilet and sick of replacing potty parts. I got lazy. I didn't stick around and check carfully enough. So later, when my daughter yelled from the dining room that the ceiling was leaking enough time had passed since I'd finished working on the toilet that I didn't make the connection. She had enough sense to run upstairs and check things out and yelled that the toilet was leaking. Yikes. I goofed and put something in upside down so it wasn't making a tight seal. I hate working with water. Electricity is so much easier. It's either on or off. It works or it doesn't. It doesn't leave an ugly stain on my ceiling or a little hole the size of a quarter that I punched in the ceiling to drain the water. In the end it's all fixed but it was not a pretty sight at the time!

Pertussis

That's what my daughter has. Pertussis is commonly known as whooping cough. Yes, she was vaccinated for it but there have been local cases cropping up in people who were immunized. It's nasty stuff, and very contagious until after being on an antibiotic for a few days.

Katrina survivors are NOT REFUGEES!!!

Hurricane Katrina survivors are NOT REFUGEES! Look up the definition of refugee. Refugee's are people fleeing from other countries, seeking refuge from war, religious persecution or political oppression. Hurricane Katrina survivors are AMERICAN CITIZENS! They are SURVIVORS of a natural disaster. They are our own people, not citizens from another country. Stop talking about them as if they're not U.S. citizens and implying that the effects of the hurricane were more than a natural disaster!!! *kicks soapbox violently*. I'd like to know who the first person was who used the term refugee in reference to the survivors...the MORON!

New house pix!

Finally, new pix of the inside of my house.

I wish I could do more to help the hurricane survivors beyond donating some cash. I'm changing the name of my Yahoo! group from Born Again Virgins to Born Again Women and inviting anyone affected by the hurricane to join. My hopes are that it will be a safe, supportive forum to discuss whatever members want to discuss. Flames will be extinguished quickly and flame throwers will be discouraged.

I've lived in my new house for a little over 3 months. I'm completely unpacked and settled in. It's as though we've lived here for much longer. The downside of this is that until today I had not explored my neighborhood beyond the short stretch that I walk my dog. Today I drove through the entire neighborhood and was speechless. I hadn't realized how nice of a neighborhood I moved into. I knew it was nice but it's REALLY nice! It's the kind of place I used to drive through and think "I'll never live in a neighborhood like this" or "I'll never own a house as nice as these". I was so focused on my goal of buying a house that I failed to realize that I'd achieved a dream I believed was unattainable. I also don't know many of my neighbors yet. I plan to get out there and walk more and meet the people in my new corner of the world.

My mother's vent & rant

Opinion expressed by Gloria U. White (my mom) and published by me

I am shocked and ashamed of the leaders of my country, America. They have treated the people in New Orleans as third world refugees. This is as bad as the Sudan. These people have been without food, water and medical attention for over 5 days. I saw a reporter of Fox News on TV. He asked A woman at the convention center her age. She was 90 years old and sitting in a wheel chair without food or water for 5 days. These people could NOT get out of New Orleans. They did not have the means. We have to deal with the problem now. Busses have passed these people and they have not picked them up! They go to the dome and they bypass the people at the convention center. It's as though they don't care; as though these people aren't human beings. It's true there's chaos there, but these people are desperate. Desperate people do desperate things.

However, our great president who was on a notoriously long, 4 week vacation did a walk through in Biloxi, Mississippi and looked like the jackass that he really is. After seeing his image on TV I turned it to CSPAN and saw the negro Democratic delegation and was shocked to hear that our great president has asked for 28 billion dollars to be sent to Baghdad to build an embassy and employ 5000 people. As an American citizen, and I do love my country, I feel that the time has come that this incompetent man should be impeached. He is NOT fit to be the leader of the United States of America; the greatest country in the world.

Sick in so many ways

I'm trying to get rid of a cold
I have a sick sense of humor
I'm sick about the devastation from hurricaine Katrina
I'm sick & tired of high gas prices

Hard Hat Area

Site renovation in progress. Please excuse the broken links, dust and disorder.

Righted a wrong

The person who plagarized my stories has removed them from fanfiction.net. After a few email exchanges I got a sincere apology from her. I hope she learned something from this.

It was amazingly easy to find out information about her. I've never tried to find out information about someone I know nothing at all about. Her big mistake was putting her first and last name in one of the stories. With that information, her hotmail email address, Google and Anywho I was able to find out the where she lives (city and state), the high school she attends and a phone number for her Aunt and Uncle. I probably could have found out more if I'd tried. It's all out there people. Privacy is an elusive concept at best. If you think you've got it...think again.

Plagarized!

I found out today that someone on fanfiction.net STOLE two of my stories and posted them as her own. GRRR! What is it with people, thinking they can just steal someone's work and claim it as their own? If you're interested, the stolen property is here at fanfiction.net. If you scroll to the bottom of Night Worest's page the stolen stories are Zorron's Return and Illusion. The actual names of the stories should be Labyrinth of Illusions and Illusions of Reality. The wench copied them, word for word and even put her name in Illusions of Reality as the author! Calls herself Cindi Adkins. I did a search for Cindi Adkins and all I found was an honors student in Wisconson. This gal doesn't present herself as honor student material. I imagine the name she put on the story is as fake as her claim that she wrote them. Now I'm on a plagarist hunt and I won't give up until those stolen stories are removed from her page.

Dogster!

Dogster is a neat site! Cricket has her own profile and even her own blog/diary. Too tired to say much else.

I'm so fickle...

I just can't find a look for my blog site that I'm happy with so don't be surprised if it looks different next time you visit. I'm not happy with this inline frame, for one thing. It has it's advantages but it can also be a big pain. I like the background image but I don't like the layout.

I need to write thank you's for my party.

I'm enjoying cooking in my new kitchen. It has a much better layout than my previous kitchen and I'm finding it easier to actually cook stuff in it.

School starts tomorrow.

I can't believe the price of gas!!!! *Faints*

New blog on the block

I've started a new blog called Coffee Talk. Not to worry, I'll still be blogging here. Coffee Talk is going to be web site reviews. Nothing fancy or any specific type of site...just whatever catches my interest.

The party was great yesterday! Lots of good friends, good conversation and good food. Got a nice hug too from a friend I'd never met in RL until yesterday. So...if he's reading this, thanks for the hug, the gifts and for coming to my party!

And thanks to everyone else who came to the party! I enjoyed everyone's company. And thank you for the cards & gifts too.

Today...was bleh so I made veggie soup, set the table and lit the candles.

I got E a window A/C for her room because it's the hottest room upstairs. I'm hoping she sleeps better in a cooler room.

School starts Tuesday. Scares me to think that's she's going to be in 10th grade.

Something fishy

I got soaked at Wal-Mart! I never knew buying a few fish could be dangerous but the algae eater attacked! The gal was bagging the little bugger and having a hard time of it then SPLASH, the bag slipped from her hands and I was doused with fishy water all over my shirt and shoe. The gal was mortified but E and I had a great laugh about it.

Cleaned house bottom to top today for the housewarming party. Went out, bought food and stuff for the party, picked up another $100 from my renters. Ran into the X when we got to Wal-Mart. I'll be nice and not make any public comments about his size, thinning hair or IQ.

After we got home I put the goldfish in the turtle tank and watched him chase them until he caught one and ate it! I have such an exciting life.

When you least expect it...

...life throws a curve ball. I'm stunned. Floored. Speechless. I just heard from someone I never expected to hear from again. Not much takes me by surprise any more but, *deep breath* I don't know what to say. I admire the courage it took for this person to contact me, considering the falling out we had. Ugh. Good memories, bad memories, ashamed to recall some memories. Wow...

On to other things. I've been dog sitting my friends little dog this week while she's on vacation. He's such a cutie! His name is Taz and he's a Terrier but I don't remember what kind. He's spunky, sassy and has a bizarre obsession with light. I've enjoyed having him here. Cricket plays more when Taz is around. It's a riot when they follow me around the house, up & down the stairs, into the bathroom and everywhere else. Of course, Cricket is insanely jealous if I even talk to Taz!

Speaking of dogs, I am considering an electronic fence for Cricket since I can't afford a "real" fence. I'd like a wireless fence but they're expensive! But the thought of burying all that wire for a cheaper fence is exhausting to even think about.

It's Fixed!!!

I fixed what I broke on my toilet! Woohoo!!!

Adventures in Landlord Land

Once upon a time a single mother living in a mobile home wanted to buy a real house. Naturally, she tried to sell the mobile home but alas, no one wanted to buy it for the housing market was booming and mobile home sales were in the gutter. Undaunted by this setback, she searched for someone willing to rent the mobile home. She also found a house she wanted to buy and made an offer. The suspense was agonizing as she waited for someone to agree to rent the mobile home. At the very last second she found renters and they seemed to be responsible people who would pay their rent on time everymonth. And at first they did. Until this month.

This month the rent was late and the excuses and promises to pay by tomorrow" were as plentiful as spam emails in an unfiltered Hotmail account. Finally, she resorted to a "Notice to Quit" which is legalese for "pay up or get out...in 10 days or less". Miraculously, they came up with 2/3 of the rent payment and promised to have the rest by Monday. Monday's on her weekly deathbed and the remainder of the rent is still MIA. Will they call? Willthey have the money?

Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of "Adventures in Landlord Land"

Home Improvement

I've done a lot to try and improve my new house. I've hung new light
fixtures in the dining room, above the kitchen sink, in my bathroom and
outside. I put in a new doorbell button outside. I've worked on the yard,
recaulked my tub, and tried to fix my toilet. I put a new door knob and bolt
lock on my French doors (not as easy as it should have been!). Every single
time I do something it seems to go WRONG! Tonight I tried to put new insides
in my toilet. Now I have to replace the water shut-off valve because I broke
off the pipe from the shut-off to the toilet. Yikes! At least the caulking
went ok...so far. I can't use the tub until Tuesday afternoon. That will be
the true test! Tomorrow I have to get the replacement part for my toilet and
hope I don't break anything else in the process of fixing what I broke
tonight.

Updates

If you came here via my blogspot address please use the www.niteflytes.us link to get her so you see the entire template. I made some changes so the scrolling is easier, the text is larger and there's also a link to E's web page...which I designed for her.

Back in the blog of things

I've been away. Busy with house, work, dog, life

I'm back now! New look to my site. Has some rough spots to work out. Need to get my other sites working again. Need to get E's site finished and published.

More to come but it's 2 AM and I'm tired. YAWN

Macular Degeneration

Went on a field trip with my daughter's English class today. Her English teacher is blind, they are going to read The Miracle Worker soon and the field trip was to the schools for the blind and the deaf in Indianapolis. I learned a lot and I know the kids learned a lot from the experience too.

I enjoy learning about new things but I have a special interest in learning all I can about macular degeneration because my mom has it. It tends to run in the family and there's a chance I could develop it some day.

I learned today that there are many ways that low vision is experienced and that most people who are legally blind are not totally sightless. They may have only peripheral vision, they may have tunnel vision, or they may not have any clarity of vision, just to name a few.

I'm most interested in understanding how people with macular degeneration see the world. I searched the internet and found a free macular degeneration simulation program you can download to your computer. Install and run it. Click on a picture and then right click on the image with your mouse to change the options. You can see what the early, mid and late stages of it look like as well as wet vs dry macular degeneration. If you do a Google search for macular degeneration simulation you will find links to many site that have examples of how macular degeneration affects vision.

St. Joseph statue

It's said that burying a statue of St. Joseph in your yard will help sell your house. Out of desperation I ordered a "kit" that came with a little plastic St. Joseph statue. The instructions said it didn't really matter what you do with the statue...that it was all about faith, so I put him on my desk. Coincidence or not - it doesn't really matter - I found the nicest people to rent my house. So, I can't say the statue (and my faith in it) didn't work and I do believe it at least helped me keep a positive attitude and have hope and faith that this would all work out. As is considered tradition, I will display my St. Joseph statue in a special place in my new house.

My daughter just perplexed my gadget oriented mind by announcing that it looks like it would be fun to use a typewriter. A typewriter??? When I was her age I had a typewriter and thought typing my papers on a computer would be fun. Go figure...

Ran into my X today at Menard's. We had a pleasant conversation in the parking lot and I actually asked him if he'd help us move. I have no shame when it comes to recruiting moving help!

I have too many house plants. I'm going to have to move some of them into my office while we're in temp housing, especially since my mom is going to be staying with us while we're at Homewood Suites. I'm glad it's only for 4 nights!

My friend, JC, has graciously agreed to let me borrow her big van when I pick up my mom so I can bring back two chairs and a stand I can use for the aquarium. Thanks JC!

I'm feeling the need to redesign the look of my web page. I have an idea...

Ice makers and other random thoughts

As a favor to a good friend I took video and still pics at her niece's baby shower. SP plans the nicest parties and is so creative with her ideas and decorations. The party was a beautiful celebration. Now I get to have the real fun and take all that raw footage and putting it together into a video story the family can all enjoy. It's time consuming and tedious but I love it.

Finally got the chandelier I wanted for my new dining room! Meijer had the light on display but it was never in stock. After talking to the department manager last week he said he would bring one back from another Meijer store and call me Thursday afternoon. No phone call. I called every day to catch this guy and he was never in the store! Today I went there to get the numbers off the tag so I could find the chandelier at another Meijer store. I walked into the lighting aisle and what do I see on the shelf? Yep...the chandelier. I was irritated and happy at the same time.

I've decided to sell my 27" inch TV and ET center. E is getting rid of her desk for a more functional, practical desk for her needs. I have several issues with my TV and ET center...as in I bought them with my ex-friend, you-know-who. Nice as they are I just don't want them in my new home. Instead, I'm going to mount an LCD TV over the fireplace in my new living room. This will allow me to put the furniture in the optimal arrangement for the shape & size of the room and will elimiate the competition between the fireplace and TV as the focal point in the room. Uh...I think I've been watching WAY too many shows on HGTV!!!

Oddly, the one thing KC and I bought together that doesn't bother me is my queen size bed. I guess because I did all the work to pick it out, get the loan, etc. And I paid off the loan, so I guess it feels more like it's mine. Although I DID pay for the TV all myself. Ok, I admit it, I'm gadget gal and want the new fangled TV because it's cool, sleek and can be mounted over the fireplace. And it will also be Jordy compatible.

I need the oddest things for the house. I need a toaster because I'm sick of the toaster oven which outlived it's usefulness as soon as I had the oven fixed. I need curtain rods, furnace filters, light switch and electrical outlet covers that are NOT chrome, a different light fixture in my bathroom becuase the one there screams cheap hotel room lighting, perhaps a floor lamp for the living room, and maybe a plant or two (just kidding!!!).

A not so odd need is an ice-maker in the freezer. Why on earth would someone buy a fridge...a major appliance with an equally major price tag...and not spend the comparatively insignificant little extra it costs for an ice-maker???? Why would anyone want to wrestle ice out of plastic trays and into a container, tote the little nuisances to the sink, fill them with water, get them too full, dump out the excess (a waste of water, I might add), drip water across the kitchen floor, slosh them into the freezer, wait wait wait for ice, and then repeat the process several times a week, year after year??? I have better things to do with my time! Like...watch HGTV! Of course the ice-maker does take up prime freezer space. So I'll get a small freezer and park it in the garage. Duh. If I were picking out the fridge I'd get one with a freezer big enough to take an ice-maker AND still have space for more than a half gallon of ice cream, the friut cake from two Christmas' ago, a bag of unidentifiable brown stuff and some concoction brewed up by a group of teenage girls at 3 am that I'm afraid might be considered toxic waste.

It's 2:30 am. I have a love/hate relationship with prednisone. This is the hate part. Breathing clearly is the love part. I'm so wired and tired at the same time that I'm punchy. Going now...

I BOUGHT A HOUSE!!!!!!!!

Closed on the house yesterday! It was a lot of signing, but went smoothly. Met the seller and he was very nice. His wife wasn't able to be there. Actually got $ back at closing...about $600, due to the earnest money I put down as well as too much money having been put in escrow for the taxes and insurance. E and I went out to dinner at Red Lobster, her favorite place that she's been asking to go to for months. I celebrated by drinking about half of a strawberry daquari. It was way too sweet though. Then we went to some craft stores and got some basic acrylic painting supplies and a canvas for each of us. We've decided we want to use our own art to decorate the house so I thought we'd try out painting. Acrylics are nice to use because they clean up with water and don't have the fumes like oil paints. It's fun playing with colors, textures, shapes but my favorite way of expressing my creativity is through digital art...manipulating my own photo's in programs like Adobe Photoshop and exploring fractals.

When we got home I crashed and didn't want to do anything except lounge in bed and watch TV. It felt like the end of a long roller coaster ride and I just wanted to do nothing.

Big Blue House

Current house status: closing is Friday the 22nd at 3:00. Moving day (stuff into the garage for storage) is Saturday, May 7th since I have to be in Indy all day on the 6th. Hiring someone to clean the trailer after we've moved out on the 7th. Only 4 nights in the temp housing. May 11th - first night in the new house. Paint, paint, paint. May 14th, move the furniture in & unpack.

Big surprise to E when Culligan showed up this afternoon to remove the water softner. They were supposed to call me & schedule the removal...not just show up!

Met my mom's Jordy today. It's not a person...it's a really cool device to help her see things better. Click here for more information.

Keep on swimming...

Of all the utility companies I've had to contact in regards to moving (that would be about 10) Verizon DSL is the absolute WORST of them all, and their residential phone service is a close 2nd! *kicks Verizon in the shins*. I resorted to telling the Verizon DSL rep that I talked to after being transferred about 5 times that if I was transferred one more time I'd get my internet from my cable company instead of from Verizon. He was very helpful and even gave me a discount on my DSL service for one year.

New News as of today...renters arriving May 8th or 9th so we don't have to move into temp housing until May 6th, making things much easier for us. We are now moving out of the mobile home on May 6th.

Just heard from my mortgage broker and my loans have been approved (the previous approval was a pre-approval). And yes, I said loans as in plural. I'm getting an 80/20 loan. It has to do with avoiding mortgage insurance (not to be confused with hazzard [homeowners] insurance) and tax benefits.

New News as of yesterday...Received the signed lease from my renters...who seem to be VERY nice people. I can't wait to meet them in person! Things have worked out so we can store our stuff in the garage at the new house. This means no storage facility rental, only one move AND we can start living in the house on May 11th since all our stuff will be right there in the garage!

Closing has been moved to Friday afternoon on the 22nd.

Nutshell update

I have boxes everywhere. Closing is the 21st. Move into temp housing the 29th. Renters moving in May 1st. Move into new house May 14th. Busy busy me

My life in a box

Finally, an update! I found a renter. I have a signed lease. I'm pre-approved for a loan. The sellers and I have signed a purchase agreement. I'm $500 poorer due to the earnest money. By Monday night I'll have shelled out another $300 for the whole house inspection and a radon inspection. My house is a chaotic mess of boxes, wrapping paper, stuff everywhere. My mom is visiting this week and my kid is on spring break. I've been taking my mom shopping for things she needs such as a new scanner, a new calculator, a new watch, and other items that she needs that are bigger and easier for her to see & read.

I have to move out of my house on the 29th so my renters can move in on the 30th. I don't know exactly where I'll be moving to when I move out on the 29th. We may have to live in a hotel for a few weeks if the sellers can't get their renters out of the house early. Their renters are moving out on May 1oth. After they move out the sellers have to have the carpet cleaned because the renters have a cat and that was one of my contingencies on the offer I made. If we have to live in temp housing it will be in a hotel called Homewood Suites. My mom and I went to see the place tonight and it's really very nice. I got to see one of the rooms and they are like mini apartments. It would be perfect for such a short time and I wouldn't have to mess with utilities. I'd have to put my things in storage for a few weeks and move again but that's a minor inconvenience considering I'm finally getting out of this trailer.

When I'm not working, dealing with the house stuff or shopping with my mom & kid I'm either sleeping or trying to figure out how not to go broke and still fix up the new house. There's a few things it needs...an ice maker in the fridge would be nice, doors to the master bathroom so it doesn't look like a hotel room, a new light fixture in the master bath, and a few other odds and ends. Then I also need to get some curtains, and a few other things. On the free side, someone gave me rug in trade for my old laptop computer. This is a BIG rug...9 x 12, and very pretty. Here's some pics of the rug. Rug1 and rug2. I'll need to have it cleaned but that's a small price to pay for a rug like this!

...and all the Saints above

Actually, I'm appealing to St. Joseph for help in selling, or even just renting, my house. I've ordered a St. Joseph house selling kit and will bury my little statue as soon as it arrives.

I've missed my last 2 WW meetings, unfortunately. I hope to get caught up on that this week.

I'm still stressed. *sigh*

STRESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! I'm going INSANE! I AM SO STRESSED OVER THIS HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!

I visited the blue house today. It's still there.

I've put for rent and for sale ads all over the net...paid ads. I've put ads in the local newspaper and the Purdue Exponent. I put flyers up all over Purdue's family student housing today. I even bought some boxes today so I can get a jump on packing and hopefully get out of here in a short time if someone needs to move in quickly. I'm so nervous & worked up about getting rid of this trailer that I feel ill, nervous, jumpy, scattered and scared.

Six years ago today...

It's been six years ago today - St. Patricts Day - that my divorce was final. I lost my house in the divorce. St. Patricts day is supposed to be a day of luck (and I've got a bit of Irish in me) though I wasn't so lucky 7 years ago; at least I didn't feel lucky then. Looking back, maybe it was luck in disguise. Last night I made an offer on a house. Today I accepted the sellers counter offer. I hadn't thought about it being St. Patrick's day today or that I accepted the sellers counter offer on the same day I lost a house six years ago. I didn't plan it. Coincidence? Maybe...

Now I'm waiting to find out if the seller signs the purchase agreement. I asked for some allowances in my offer, which the seller agreed to. I want the carpet and ductwork cleaned since the people living there have a cat and I'm allergic to cats (the house is being rented out right now). The stove doesn't have a hood above it and I asked for a hood with a microwave. I asked for the two sinks that are chipped to be replaced. I also asked that the wood floor in the dining area be refinished since the finish has worn off. I also put a contingency on my offer: purchase is contingent upon selling or renting out my mobile home within 30 days of the date the seller accepts the offer. When the seller counter-offered they were hesitant about that so I accepted their offer with the condition that they agree to the 30 days. My realtor is confident that the sellers will agree.

The lease for the renters in that house is up on May 15th so I couldn't move in before then...assuming everything goes well and I get the house. This means that if I find a renter for my house that we may have to move into an apartment temporarily (yuck). But I'll do what I must to get out of here.

For more information on the house I've made an offer on go to it's listing HERE

I built and furnished the house in the game, The Sims 2. To see it go HERE

Keep in mind that it's not to scale and I had to work within the limitations of the game. But it's a fairly good model of the house.

And lastly, but most importantly, if you know of anyone who might be interested in renting or purchasing my house direct them to my house web site at www.house4u.info


HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY!!!

Rent a cough

Landlord: You must pay the rent!
Tenant: But I CAN'T pay the rent.
Landlord: You MUST pay the rent!!
Tenant: But I can't PAY the rent.
Landlord: You MUST PAY the RENT!
Hero: I'll pay the rent!
Tenant: My hero!!!

I've always wanted to have my own business but I never thought I'd be a landlord. How things change. I found out today from the park managers that they just changed the rules. We are now allowed to rent out our mobile homes! It's my ticket to MOOOOVE!!! *does happy dance*

Weight Watchers success! A total of 15 lbs lost as of today! Now to get rid of this cough. It's draining all my energy. I haven't felt like indulging in any of my favorite obsessions. I've been watching TV! HGTV and TLC. But now that I can picture a future beyond this trailer park I can take in all these design & decorating shows as educational; information I can use in a REAL house!

Coughing up a lung

I'm sick again, this time with asthmatic bronchitis. Yipee. I hurt all over from all the coughing.

Last evening while shopping in a craft store I ran into an ex-coworker from my previous place of employment. We must have chatted for an hour about everything under the sun. It was a pleasant end to my day.

Went to WW this morning and the news wasn't good. I gained 4.6 pounds. I don't do well with eating healthy when I'm sick plus the doc put me on prednisone. After WW I cruised the resale shops for odds & ends to make a couple of tote bags out of a skirt and men's swim trunks that I found at Goodwill. Then I stopped by a health fair where my friend, JC, had a booth set up for where she works. We chatted awhile but I was wilting from my busy morning & bronchitis and didn't stay long. After I got home I took a nap, then worked on some craft projects, mostly decopauge. And while doing the crafts I actually WATCHED TV...for HOURS!!! I seem to watch TV the most when I'm sick. Everything else takes too much effort. Except decopauge. It doesn't take much brain cell exertion to past pieces of paper onto something. Tomorrow I plan to work on the tote bags. Right now I'm tired but can't sleep, probably due to the prednisone.

A Woman Obsessed

My newest & current obsessions...

• Weight Watchers. Lost 13 lbs so far!
• Reading. Rereading Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books. Also reading anything else I can find that sounds interesting.
• Tarot cards. Don't cringe! It's not like in the movies. Tarot is just a tool for inspiration, introspection, finding new approaches to obstacles, problems, and challenges just to name a few uses. It has nothing to do with magic beyond the magic of imigination.
• Purses. They fascinate me. Bags, purses, wallets, pocketbooks, tote bags, organizer bags, trendy, classy, sophisticted, whimsical...
• Hello Kitty. It's personal. It's pink. Did you know that Hello Kitty was originally targeted towards senior citizens?
• Faeries/Faery art. Primarily the art of Brian Froud but there are many other talented artists of faery and fantasy art.
• Owls...this grew out of my Labyrinth obsession.
• Computers & electronic gadgets. Call me gadget gal or geek. I answer to both.
  

My long-time obsessions. Some things never die...

• David Bowie.
• Labyrinth (starring David Bowie, conceptual art by Brian Fround and Terry Jones)
  
• Star Trek
• "Weird Al" Yankovic
• Magazines. I'm more into books right now but magazines are great for trips to the necessary room.
• Pink. Anything pink. It's my favorite color.
• Aquariums. Fishies are cool. I'd like a saltwater aquarium someday.
• Plants. I have a jungle in my house.
• Cameras. Been taking pics since I was old enough to hold a camera.
  

A few of my fleeting obsessions...

• Beads. Making bracelets, mostly.
• Scrapbooking. I have the stuff...just never put it all together.
• Knitting. I have a scarf to make for someone but she took her yarn home!
• Painting. I painted houses on rocks for awhile, among other things.
• Various other crafts such as cross stitch, needlepoint, embrodery, sewing, etc.
• The Sims.
  

Dead obsessions...

• Bells. I used to collect them.
• Oil lamps. Used to collect these too.
• Crocheting. I used to crochet all the time.

Office Screecher

E has been sick...again. Sore throat, fever. Somehow she manages to keep up with her homework though. She's doing great with driving and finished the classes tonight. All she has to do is get in her driving time and she'll be done with driving school.

I've been busy with work and enjoy the freedom to work at home. It's a challenge. Lots of distractions. Dog, dishes, laundry, books (but not the TV). I'm considering moving the desk that's in my room into the guest room and using that as my home office. It will be easy enough to take the computer out of the room when my mom visits.

Weight Watchers is still part of my daily life. I lost .2 pounds this last week, which I declared a miracle at my weigh-in. Although I was careful how I ate last week I wasn't as good as I had been. This week I'm getting back into it and I plan on cooking stuff this weekend to have handy throughout the week. That seemed to help a lot.

I'm considering writing again. I may start a seperate blog to post things that I write. Not sure. Might incorporate it into my Writings webpage. It's a thought.

I think I'm going to find myself a Screecher alarm clock. Nothing wakes me up these days!

Braille Soup

I've been busy driving all over my district, meeting with the local public health coordinators. It's a lot of driving, but I like it. Keeps me busy!

A friend is having back surgery tomorrow. Lots of luck, hugs & prayers to Dan. His mom's going to call when it's over to let me know he's ok.

I received the nicest letter from one of Elizabeth's teachers. I wanted to write a thank you note because the letter was so personal and special. I didn't want to send an email as a thank you for her gift of kind words. Sometimes an email just isn't appropriate. I wanted her to have a note she could hold in her hands and read in private. She's blind and I didn't want to send a handwritten note that someone else would have to read to her. That takes away some of the personalization of it, I think. So, I found a Braille letter service that allowed me to compose a letter that will be transcribed into Braille and mailed to her within 24 hours of receiving my order! Isn't that amazing? Who would have thought that I'd ever have the need to communicate in Braille? What's even more amazing is that the letter cost UNDER $2.00!!! The ability for someone like me, a sighted person, to communicate in Braille would have been nearly impossible without the Internet.

Weight Watcher's update...
I went to a meeting today and lost 4.8 pounds! Last week I'd gained 2.8 pounds but it all works out over time if you stick to the plan. Today I got a red ribbon for losing a total of 10 pounds so far!!

I've been cooking a lot more since I started WW, making healthy stuff ahead of time that I can warm up after work when I'm starving and want to EAT NOW. My favorite snack this week is the zero point soup. It's hot, which is perfect for this cold weather, and filling.

Over the weekend we didn't have water due to a broken water main. I had to use bottled water and venture into the expensive world of the laudromat. I didn't want to cart home wet clothes so I splurged and fed quarters into the dryers as well as the washers.

Telephone Cobra

I hate to answer the phone. I ignore it. I like talking to people on the phone, when I answer it. I cringe at the insistent ringing and resent the suddent interruption of whatever it is I'm doing at the moment. Not that what I'm doing is usually that important. Sometimes I can't get to the phone in time. Many times I wait for my answering machine to screen the calls. If the caller doesn't say anything I don't pick up. If I know the caller I'll answer. People who know me have caught on and they beg me, through the answering machine, to PUHLEEEESE pick up the phone. I'm almost as bad about making phone calls. I think it's the transition from solitude to being sociable that I have trouble with. Another factor in the equation is a friend who used to call and demand that I answer the phone NOW and then wouldn't let me off the phone. Do you know how hard it is to end a phone call with someone who want to keep you on the phone at ALL costs? If I didn't answer she'd call over and over and over and over...you get the picture. Yeah, she can be a bit obsessive, but she's not like that anymore. And I'm still wrestling with my telephone demon.

Read another good book...in less than 24 hours. The Cobra Event, by Richard Preston. He also wrote Hot Zone and Demon in the Freezer. This one was fictional but based on fact and science. I haven't decided what to read next. I seem to devour books in place of food now that I'm keeping my eating under tight control.

I have a paperclip chain with eight paperclips (in different colors). It's my weight loss chain and hangs above my desk. It helps me remember why I don't want to pig out on whatever's in the fridge.

Losing it

I lost 4.4 pounds my first week of Weight Watchers...which ended up being about 10 days long. I couldn't get to a meeting again until Saturday. I'm still counting points, trying out new recipes and trying to eat sensibly. I've found I like unsweetened applesauce with a packet of equal added. It's as good as a sweet dessert.

My life is SO exciting...not. To overcome the dullness I like to visit Bored.com. They understand me. Check out their virtual bubble wrap for some excitement.

Some people are stupid. It's a fact of life. Give them a computer and you've got Computer Stupidities.

Happiness is finding something you thought was gone forever. I found a story I wrote and then lost during a computer meltdown about a year ago. I found it posted in a mailing list archive. I knew I'd posted it somewhere but never had any luck finding it until now!

Everything you know is wrong

I ate apple crisp. I ate cake. The first hour of the training was torture. I stayed up WAY too late reading and couldn't keep my eyes open. Then I got hungry (had oatmeal for breakfast) so I had a little apple crisp. Yummy. Felt more alert and was able to pay attention. Lunch was Subway instead of greasy pizza, which was a plus. Had a bit of cake for dessert. Ignored the cookies. For dinner I went to Cracker Barrel again and had lemon pepper grilled trout. It was SO GOOD! If I weren't on WW I never would have tried their fish. It was the best fish I've had in a long time. I had the steamed baby carrots and grean beans with it, which I felt was a healthy choice. For dessert I had the fried apples, which actually don't have a lot of points. I ate both corn muffins though and I'm still stuffed from dinner.

Today wasn't quite as interesting as yesterday but still good. We broke off into groups this afternoon to work on a group exercise. My group had this overbearing woman whose passion in life is to bulldoze her way through a group of people with a "My way or the highway" attitude. After a short while everyone gave up trying to voice their opinions because she argued about everything. She even argued if someone agreed with her! By the time we were done I was about the only one left who would say anything.

The book I'm reading, Demon in the Freezer, is a chilling reality check about smallpox. All I can think of is a Weird Al song called, "Everything you know is wrong" because that's how I feel after reading this book.

A few points in my life

End of WW week one. I won't know how I did until Saturday when I finally have time to attend my 2nd meeting. Points wise, I did fine. Today could have been a challenge if I had used up my extra points. I'm at a Weapons of Mass Destrution (bioterrorism) training until Thursday. It's not easy to stay within points when at the mercy of a limited budget, a pathetic continental breakfast and greasy (but free) pizza for lunch. I brought some snacks and even some soup to warm up. I got this little pot that has a hotplate in the bottom just to warm my soup. It died the first time I used it and didn't even have the decency to warm my soup to a reasonable temparture before it broke! I ate dinner at Cracker Barrel. I didn't think too much about points since I had a crapload of them leftover and they can't be carried over to a new week. I wasn't able to eat all my dinner. I think my stomach is shrinking. Tomorrow and the rest of the week on the road will be more difficult for staying within points.

I'm enjoying the bioterrorism training. It's intereseting, exciting and frightening. It's like the stuff of science fiction...but it's real. It's real in it's potential to happen. I bought two of the recommended books tonight. Both books were written by author Richard Preston. I'm reading The Demon in the Freezer first. It's about the eradication of smallpox and it's potential as a bioterrorism weapon. Everything in the book is factual information and the characters all real people, but it's written like a novel, making it a compelling book that's difficult to put down.

A friend is watching my dog. I should know better than to read emails from friends in the middle of meetings & training since I inevitably have to stifle my laughter. It seems my dog, who never plays with toys, tore into the toys at SP's house like a possessed poochie!

Crap. I'm getting hooked on X-files (yes, I know they're all reruns).

Unclaimed Baggage Center

Unclaimed Baggage Center

Ever wonder what happens to baggage that's never claimed?

Bean me over

You can always click the coffee bean next to the date to bean over to the large print verison of this blog.

WW - Day 3

Kid had a dentist appointment at 7:30 am and a 2 hour school delay. IHOP has 2 pages full of high fat, high calorie breakfast choices. The challenge was finding something I could eat AND like. I chose an Egg Beaters omlette filled with veggies and it was actually really good. I'll be ordering that again next time I'm there for breakfast.

With a large breakfast of unknown point damage along with starting the work day late I skipped lunch. Had a WW snack bar on the way to pick up E for driving class. The snack bar was frozen from being in the car since yesterday. Halfway to the driving class, which was a make-up class (necessary because she changed to the later class time which only meets Monday through Thursday), she realized she didn't have her folder and decided she can make the class up another day. I left work early for this. Tired and by now hungry I decided to stop at the grocery store for some spray butter and yogurt. I saw the cop car too late. It could have been worse though. I was only 11 miles over the speed limit this time. REALLY hungry by the time I got home. Cooked one of my meals in a box and had yogurt for dessert. Five points left, which is a lot. I used it for a sudden chocolate craving later tonight and had a Smart Ones dessert and a cup of hot chocolate. I'm full and I don't feel deprived of anything. What I've learned is that I don't drink enough water, I don't eat enough vegetables or fruit, and I'm used to mindlessly snacking in the evening.

My schedule is getting CRAZY! I have out of town trainings coming up this month and had to make arrangements with the X to take E to her various activities, classes and appointments while I'm gone. I found a new solution to an old problem. I used to send him emails with dates for school activities & such. Yesterday it hit me like a brick. Share my calendar with him! He can find out what he needs to know just by looking at it. Seems to be working. He already emailed me with a question and I updated my calendar to clarify things.

NEW!!!!! A LARGE PRINT version of my blog. What does this mean? It means that if the print here is too small you can hop on over to the eye strain friendly page and read in comfort.

What happened??????

I got bored with the brain in the box.

First day of counting WW points was hard. I was full and still had points to use. I ate a can of cream corn. I have 4 points left for a bedtime snack.

AN ICE STORM! The dog won't leave the deck to do her bizness and we're hoping the tree that hangs over the house doesn't break under the weight of the ice. School was out 2 hours early today and tomorrow there's a 2 hour delay so far. Driving school was cancelled tonight.

I've spent all evening revamping my site and it's actually 1:17 am. I didn't change the time stamp on the post I made earlier...just edited the content. Appreciate my efforts by using my new SHOUT BOX!

Weight Watchers 101

Tonight I went to my first (in 10 years) Weight Watchers meeting. I felt welcome by all the women there...everyone was chatty & friendly. There was one guy. The leader, Mary, is full of energy and wit. So, I waited in line and then had to fill out a registration form and get weighed. It's different than 10 years ago. The scales were right there at the check-in counter. They're electronic. Step on the scale and a little screen facing the receptionist shows the weight. You can't see the screen. The receptionist writes it on your card and gives it back to you. The others still in line stand back from the counter to give everyone their privacy. It's all VERY confidential. It's actually more confidential than getting weighed at the doc's office. I know some people are freaked out by the thought of being weighed in but there's nothing to it. Stand on the scale, take your card and sit down. Simple!

The meeting was fun and I felt at ease speaking up and sharing how to hide our low cal treats from the kids. My daughter used to hide her favorite flavor popsicles from me by putting them in the ice bin for the automatic ice maker. I didn't know she was doing it until one of the popsicles got caught in the mechanism and all our ice came out blue!

E went to the school today to make up some finals. She has 2 more weeks to make up her math, THANK GOD! She got a B on her science final. She was a little behind in her math assignments from being sick right before the semester ended. Eight math assignments was taking her longer than she thought to complete. She was up until the wee morning hours last night trying to finish them...and didn't. I'd like to hug her math teacher for allowing her the max amount of time to make up everything for her incomplete.

On the road to gray hair

Happy new year, everyone! I did NOTHING! I didn't even watch the countdown. I forgot *cringe*.
My grand entrance into 2005 is a COLD! All I've done today is sneeze and sleep. I wish I didn't have to work tomorrow.

I got a discount on my Weight Watchers membership dues by paying online. I am now oficially signed up. I'll attend my first meeting on Tuesday.

My daughter is old enough to learn to drive! *faints* Her Christmas gift from her dad was an all expense paid driving school, starting January 3rd. I should buy stock in Clairol.