Just fragments

I got this award from Yaya. Thank you, darling. I still have no clue why I receieved it. Is it because I still make my rounds to everyone else's blogs even when I'm not writing in mine? For I certainly have not been faithful to my own blog. The decor's stayed the same for a few months now....it really needs to be refreshed.

Now, I didn't see any rules to this award...but only one name was picked (I'm flattered as Im sure there were others much more worthy). Although a good many of my readers really DO deserve this award (and if it isnt presented to you in the next little bit, please feel free to come by and snag it off my blog...I won't mind), I think all will agree that the next person this absolutely MUST go to is our darling, squirrel stalking, OCHA loving, Spongebob infatuated buddy Iggy.
The weather's been really kinda aggravating lately. It can't seem to decide on whether it wants to be cold or warm.Today we have rain and cold. I think in a week or so, we'll be bringing the fans to the storage unit for the season. I think this week's going to be the week I break out the winter gear. I am wondering how much of it is actually going to fit. I suspect, considering my love of t-shirts and other knit items, that most of it'll still fit.

Got a bag of clothing from the friend of a friend again. Seems she's lost more weight. Kudos to her. I had to laugh while I was trying the stuff on, though. The size 24 jeans wouldn't even come up to my hips. Rather depressing, wouldn't you say? Then I tried on the 20s and they came up and over the butt, but wouldn't button...yeah...that's when I started giggling too. Then I tried the size 22s...which turned out to be a smidge too big (and as of today....I can slide them on and off without unbuttoning or unzipping them). Gotta love the fact companies can't be bothered to standardize their sizes.

Heard from my most recent problem child. Things are starting to work themselves out between us. Im still mad at the situation, but I think I've figured out why certain things haven't been said. I still have to deal with the one email but I suspect this should clear up sometime before Christmas. Her and her sister will be moving to another location soon, without THEIR problem child. I suspect things will clear up soon for them once removed from that situation. Also once they're moved, my problem child will be able to finalize her divorce. In fact, I ~think~ the finalization is this coming Friday. It feels like it's been forever, Then again, mine took even longer to get done.

Hubby and I have been fighting illness all through October and the latter half of September. Well, lemme rephrase, HE'S been sick all this time, I've been fine-ish. I've also had several specialist appointments since I last dropped a serious entry. I won't go into them now because they're an entry all and on their own (the podiatrist appointment was particularly ~fun~ ...sarcasm intended). I may or may not cover them, haven't decided yet. I have another specialist appointment later this month so the medical entry may just wait until then.

I've got some pictures on one of the flash drives around here that I've been meaning to share. I caught a shot of a bird a month and a half or so ago that we don't normally see in our area. If I recall, there were quite a few in our little bloggy circle that posted the same kind of bird and I figured that I'd hold off for a bit on it.

If there's any topic that I've brought up in previous entries that you were wondering about (either I didn't an update on or just haven't given enough details on), please leave it below in my comments and I'll see about getting it addressed in this next week or two.

awards and a tour of bloggyville

Warning: extremely long entry.You'll be here and in other blogs for awhile so save me for the last read. I don't mind, honestly. Just make sure you go potty, wash hands, grab a meal or snack and drink...yadda yadda yadda...you know the drill...before sitting down. Oh and grab some kleenx just in case.


We all know what a poor bloggy buddy I've been. I didn't get my thank yous out timely and this one deals with the awards I didn't post when I should have. As much as I'd like to blame it all on the addiction to that site that I have, I suspect many of these simply got jambed up behind the Journey entry. Most of my usual readers can tell you, if I get something on my mind and I don't blog it right away, well everything else gets tossed to the back burner until it's dealt with. Usually, once I get the problem out of the way...the rest of the entries all insist on being told LIKE NOW!! However, I had a dr appointment on Thursday and it's taken til today to actually feel close to 95%. That's another whole entry though. If you have yet to have these awards given to you, please feel free to help yourself.

Anyhow, these are all the beautiful awards that were either specifically sent my way, OR the general reader was instructed to please take. Many of my friends are like that as we don't like thinking that anyone got left out. The only two that I'm sure of where I got them are the first two, because I made sure to change the name slightly while in the files so I knew who. Not sure why I didn't with the other two. Anyhoo...the first two were swiped off of Deanna's Blog. They were so beautiful that I couldn't resist.



I ~think~ this next one came from Wendy, I'm not entirely sure. I seem to remember making a comment on her blog saying I already had it....


*goes to double check*


Yeah, here we go the rules to this one are on this entry that she wrote on September 2nd.


Now, this one....I have no clue who I swiped it from. I suspect it may have been iggy's blog although I'm not really 100% certain on that. If someone could look into that for me? Thanks.

N/M I found it.

Anyhow, if I recall, this one was supposed to provoke some actual thought and as such became a bit of a speed bump because if you've learned anything about me , it's that anything that takes thought pretty much places my brain in traction for weeks. Well. In honor of this award I'm going to put in some links of my more popular entries as well as a few of those entries of others that really touched me in some way. Personally, I think collectively ALL of you deserve this award and should be proud to wear it on your blog somewhere (oh crap...this means I gotta get these uploaded into the Slideshow stream now...).


The most popular of my entries by far seem to be when I'm in a very dark spot or when I fail at something. Why is that? I thought for sure everyone wanted happy bloggers? *laffin* Anyway, I had two tie for the position of "Most Popular Blog Entry" at a whopping 21 comments a piece (ok, so it aint whopping, but dammit...I got a very small following comparatively speaking and not everyone leaves a bloody comment like some of y'all's entries get!). The first one was written on February 10th, dealing with my then SCSis (now GaSis) who'd called me up and left me feeling very disturbed. The entry was titled In A Dark Dark Spot Right Now . This story seemed to have reached a bit more even footing as of the end of July. However, I'm in the dark....again.... I am hoping it's just that she has no phone service and no friggin common sense to ask the boss if she could make one 5 minute phone call to assure her friend of 30 years that she's ok. I surely HOPE it's nothing more serious than that. Needless to say, it's weighing heavily on me right now. I do have an idea, but it needs to wait until tomorrow.


The next one was written on August 11th in 2008 and was entitled Itshouldabeenakodakmoment. A bitch of a title to write, but one that expressed the frustration of not being properly armed, OR while being properly armed just not having enough juice in the damned camera to get that perfect "Kodak moment". This, too, garnered 21 comments. I think this one may have actually gotten that number because I asked a question at the end of the entry (which is something I don't generally do). Maybe I need to write when I'm pissed off, sad or frustrated more often?

Some of the runners up are:

From the Home page (please remember this blog section plays music automatically BUT the player's at the top so you can turn it off):

The Committed TShirt creation that was made for iggy. This May 12, 2008 entry got 14 comments.

The Super Bowl Sunday post that debutted the new bumper sticker for the upcoming election season. This entry from Feb 2008 had 11 comments.

From the "Padded Room" entries (the Like a Phoenix blog):

The Nov 13,2008 entry entitled Tour of Duty-TRU intermission where I go into a small side track of some of the troubles occurred in the one apartment I was living in. Surprisingly, they WEREN'T caused by the jerk I was married to at the time. That one had 9 comments on it. It only got that many because I'd neglected the blog for so long though.

Then there was the 2 parter I wrote in June of 2008 called Great Escape. Both part 1 and part 2 got 2 comments a piece. Not bad considering that it's a much smaller circulation than the 2 Cents blog.

The last 3 entries come from the Journey blog. It's another that I don't exactly update frequently. Mostly right now, it's a place to whine and put things that I deem much too adult at times for my usual writings. All 3 are ones I wrote in 2007.

Interesting Read dealt with information as to why certain test were being performed and why certain medicines were being considered. We've sense discovered that the one medicine does NOT play nicely with my body. This was writen August 16th and got 8 comments.

Two days prior I posted one entitled Thursday August 2nd where I dealt with the indignity of being a woman, seeing a new doctor and having a very long overdue pap. What some of the issues were that the dr was considering placing me on. All the "Let's try and get this baby started" good stuff ya know. All that stuff that had to be placed on the back burner because hubby had to have certain surgeries to fix him up. At the time, I had to weigh things as to importance. His, which were MEDICALLY necessary.... or mine, which were just because I wanted a baby. Obviously, his were much more important.(7 comments)


The last worth mentioning in this section is I Hate This Feeling which dealt with the fact my dr stuck me on Prometrium and how the drug affected my body. This got 7 comments.

Now. Here are some of my favorites of the ones I read.

The entire Insight Series written by Dorkys Ramos, where I think I saw this reflection type post first. I like these posts because they really make me think (and then the brain goes into traction and I forget to comment most times....just know that they're some of my favs of yours).

There are a few over at Yaya's Place (whose Fragment Friday entries are the bomb all and on their own) that really get to me. Why? Because Yaya and I are sorta in the same boat right now... or at least in two like boats rowing side by side. Each wanting desperately what some women (Octomom, Kate, et al) seem to get so friggin easily. We just wanna be mommies. Her entry on Aug 10 2008 called Why I'm A B^tch goes into the side effects of the medicine she's taking to help her get pregnant and the frustration (and I suspect a bit of depression) she gets every month when the medicine hasn't worked it's magic.

Then there's her entry on March 22nd of this year that actually made me cry. I had to step away from the computer for a good long while after reading How Do You Be Happy For Others where she answers a reader's email in detail on her blog. All those same feelings that I have...right there...and someone else was feeling them too.

Next we're going to visit iggy's blog entry called Trees Are Like People (June 3rd) was stunning and thought provoking even in its simplicity. I haven't seen a tree the same since. A real shame that no one thought to include this gem in their choices. Oh look...it was HIS blog I first saw the award on...awesome.

Oh look...THIS is where I got the award (*whew* I really would hate to think I swiped yet ANOTHER award!) so I actually EARNED this one too!! I got the award from over at Deanna's Blog in August. I am going to agree with iggy on his selection of He Had Curly Hair and a Crooked Smile and I Loved Him Very Much as one of the best entries. I'd say that a close second would go to Change Your Thinking entry. That one got me to thinking of an idea for an entry which I have yet to post but I think I'll stick in the drafts for the next appropriate moment as they seem to hit every year at least twice...

.....7th inning stretch.....

Put down the food for this one. This one is from Marmy's blog and the entry is called Laff Me Red Stripey Sock Off. Actually, most times it's inadvisable to be drinking or eating while reading her posts. It's much too messy and I'm sure the monitor and keyboard don't appreciate getting splattered. This is one of her shorter entries but gives you a good idea what she's all about.

Then there's always a trip to Razors and Vines blog. I suggest reading the entry entitled Ever. I love the quirky writing style. I just may need to adopt that style considering both sides of my personality like to fight for control of the keyboard.

do not

Do so.

And the last stop on this entry is going to be in Shan's blog. Her entry, An Apple For the Teacher? Nope, School Supplies which went into how little teachers get for supplies for their classrooms. Every word of what she had to say was true. Actually, things are much much worse for the private schools... or at least it was at the private Christian school I worked at in Louisiana. I was there for about 3-4 years and I can tell you the average there wasn't even the national average for teacher pay. They were alotted ~maybe~ a grand total of $50 per semester for stuff for the classrooms (visual aids, decor, standard supplies like chalk and erasers were supplied by the school if extra was on hand) and dickyboy's salary never topped $24,000 for the year.

She also wrote one called We Are Women...We Must Backstab that I think should be required reading for everyone. Thankfully, I don't believe I've seen any of my bloggy readers saying stuff to purposefully hurt another around here. Now sometimes, there's the errant question that gets misread, misinterpreted, whatev... but that happens because of the medium. If we could only HEAR what the heart and mind of the writer is writing, then there wouldn't be nearly the hurt feelings.

Well, that completes our 3 hour tour...

Holy shit it took me that long to write???

Yep, it did (thanks to the contant stream of emails that came in while I was writing and we all know I just can't let 'em sit there when I'm at the computer....).

an award

On June 20th, Queenie Jeanie gave out a new award. I'd kept the entry clicked as unread because I wanted to make sure I didn't forget to thank her for this pretty bit of bling. Unfortunately, time got away from me as we had that trip and I've been trying to get the pictures all taken care of AND I've been trying to get some posts up. ... instead of going on the perpetual dandelion break, like I'm prone to do.

Anyhow, I wanted to be sure to pass it along to those that are following me. There's 23 of you listed in my followers and it'd be awfully swell if you'd go ahead and help yourself to this pretty award.

awards and a minor whine

Damn. I loaded these pictures 3 days ago and have yet to write the entry. *sigh* Maybe it's time for a nice long dandelion break and totally unplug for a week or so? All I know is when the power shut off at 730am and woke me up (the buzzer on the air purifier went off and THAT is what really woke me), I was really annoyed that I may have to sit in the dark stuffy house most of the day with no electronic stuff to keep me occupied. Oh granted, I could sit in the sun and do my needlework (I really could use the free Vit D) or drag the crafting table out of Harry's Closet (Cupboard) .oO(wait...is that where I put it?) and paint in the sunshine. The one problem with that is that I tend to get sun poisoning if I'm out too long (which I would be if I got into painting or stitching). Yeah, and people wonder why I like the night better for the most part.

So inside I stay. However, thanks to that low-life freakazoid I was married to the first time around, I have this slight problem with my ears. You'd think that if I had ear problems, that the quiet that results from no power in the house would be a welcome thing. It's not. You see, with the fans going and the hum of the computers and the other equipment acts as a "white noise" and the ringing in my ears (which were fine until The Freak decided his hearing wasnt what it should be so he blasted things like the tv and radios at the highest possible levels instead of going to a dr and having his ears checked) isn't as noticable. When it's super quiet though, and not even the hum of a PC to offset it, well it becomes unbearably loud. It makes it near impossible to go to sleep when the power's out. Just another thing to add to my ever growing list of stuff to check at my yearly physical in August.

Anyhow. I got the following couple awards over the last week or two (or 3...) and need to get them posted. This first one I received before but I've now I seem to have received it twice over again. I don't mind, it's a very pretty award! This time I received it from Razors and Vines. I'm really thrilled she thought of me to be honest. My writing doesn't hold a candle to the way she expresses herself. I also snagged it from Yaya (who also bestowed the next award to all her followers as well)!


This next great award was received from Yaya and Queenie Jeannie (oh heavens, in looking for the link I see Jeannie gave the prior award to everyone too). Isn't it the cutest? There are rules and regs to this one but since everyone probably seen it already, I won't bother posting them. The one rule I WILL follow is answering the "Why do I blog?" question.
So, why do I blog? It started out as therapy...trying to get myself past the Decade from Hell. Then it kind of evolved into an account with several blogs attached to it. It turned into a dumping ground for jokes and Inspirational items that get emailled to me, a place to put sellable items, and a format to keep everyone informed. I got so sick of people saying "I didn't know". I still get that one now and then, but now I can say... "well if you'd read my blog, you would have known!" Well at least I could when I was updating regularly ~smiles~. Unfortunately, someone manages to grab me in the IM or on the phone and by the time I realize I hadn't actually posted about it...well days/weeks have gone by.

So I'm still having a problem now and again with certain blogs. Yes, iggy, they seem to be the ones with scads and scads of advertisements on them (you know who you all are!). Somedays I can read them via the usual method (IE) and other days I pretty much have to lurk or visit with my new friend FireFox. It's rather frustrating to have to jump between browsers to be honest. Really frustrating.

over 90 days

I really meant to have this up yesterday but I lost track of time... again. Anyhow our friend Jeannie has been free of her addiction of cigarettes for over 90 days now. I am so proud of her. Even in the face of adversity (and with ALOT of support from her darling husband from what she says), she managed to "Just say no"! Congrats hun!!

Over-due award postings and thanks

Got the following 2 awards from Wifey's site.
The first one was received from her entry entitled It's Raining Awards.

The one below was received (snagged?) from her entry of Six Word Saturday .

Neither of those have any rules (*whew* thank goodness...I hate rules!) other than to enjoy and share. As you can see, I enjoy them alot and now I'm sharing. If you havent received or snagged either of them yet....please do so now.

This next really pretty one was from Beeandrose in her entry called We all fall down the tale of Gimpy . Again, I see no rules (thank YOU!!! Someone up there really likes me today) other than to take it and enjoy...pass it around. So if ya don't have it, grab it. Don't make me find a way to stuff it in your comment boxes!



This one is from Yaya via her post Friday Fragments Focus Friday. Again, no rules (y'all love me!!).

And finally this one from Rae Ann over at Critical Mass via her entry Queen of Alll things awe-summm. Oh NOES! This one's got rules!! *sigh*


The rules:

List 7 things that make you Awe-Summ and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers you love.

Make sure to tag your recipients and let them know they have won!

Also link back to the Queen that tagged you.

Ok, in fairness...I don't know if she even has time to read my blog as I'm having trouble remembering who does and doesn't comment. Maybe it's time to weed my reading list down to just those that visit? No worries. Since I hate being tagged, I wont be tagging anyone. If you want it and are willing to follow the rules, then have fun.

Ok, 7 things about me? You really want me to let the Leo loose?? You asked for it....

01) I love to work with the graphix programs on my computer. Personally, I don't think I'm that good but I've been told otherwise by many. Nine times out of ten, the artwork you see in the banners and backgrounds on my pages have been done by me. In fact, the stuff I have up now, I snapped those pix and made any adjustments by myself.

02) I used to stream for a chatsite (this aint the awesome part). Actually, I've streamed for several different ones at one time or another and in most of them was deemed good enough to be a trainer for the newbie streamers. It was said I could train a monkey to run the program when others couldn't (this is).

03) If anyone has been watching that bar up there, you'll notice I've lost OVER 40 pounds now. I think I'm plain ol' AWESOME just for keeping up with this because I simply do NOT normally have the drive to do anything like this.

04) I make a MEAN lasagna, well as mean a lasagna as a non-italian can muster. I don't make it anymore because this hubby won't eat it and I simply cannot have a pan of that stuff sitting around here!

05) I paint plaster pieces rather awesomely, the camera just doesnt capture the true beauty of them. However, if you were to ask me in person....I'd tell you they aren't praiseworthy (Im just that awesome).

06) I learn most things quickly; it takes very little time to train me on anything. You show me, then talk me through a few times and as long as I use the skill daily....I'll be able to do it (like those codes putting the links in....got it memorized now thanks to this entry so I'll be able to type them in from memory).

07) I was smart enough to walk away from a hateful marriage before it went completely bad and someone got hurt. I'm the type that can make a great friend and will stand by your side as best as I can in times of need, but piss me off and you'll regret doing so.

If you dont have any of the above....PLEASE help yourself to them with my blessing.

Catching up part 4: Bloggy bling!!!

So, at the beginning of this month, there were a couple awards that were given out that I need to get posted and say thanks for. The first one came out of Queenie Jeannie's entry Some New Awards. So far I've only received it the once, but I sure hope I get it again. It's such a cool award. Jeannie? Back atcha hun! Now you've gotten it twice! Im going to take a page from her book, if you follow here or at least read my entries AND I've been to your blog to leave bloggy love, then Im a fan of your blog. Go ahead and grab this for yourself.

This next award came from iggy in his Brand New Award entry. I was really surprised that I got this award as Im very careful and generally dont post pictures of my feet. Why? Well because I have Fred Flintstone feet and thaty're really rather ugly. Anyhow, in his entry I was reminded that I had posted this photo in a much earlier entry :

Who knew a moment of silliness on my part would win me that award??

Now, for another brand new award. I'd like to thank those who have endeavored to put a smile on my recently gloomy face. Please take this award as a token of my thanks.

Winners of this award are:

intenseguy : There is no way in hell I can narrow down how this dude makes me smile. Between the OCHA entries, that new pet of his, and the silly stories he comes up with...you never know what you're going to find on his site. He also gets this for dropping the occasional link in some of our email inboxes that sparks ummmm some unusual, twisted conversations.

Chicagolady: I'd like to thank her for a couple of her entries that really made me LMAO. Yeah, I know I instigated a little bit the topics of For Your Reading Pleasure and Tough Choice but she was the one who put it all together. Definitely some tear-jerking (from laughter), side-splitting moments there.

Queenie Jeannie: For that beautiful card I mentioned in the last entry. Ok, ok...I'll stop about it now. It's just that I cannot believe the care that went into this card! Right now her blog is rather card centric but that is what's most important to her (well that and Thomas & Bella) these days.

MarmiteToasty: For the box of scrummies. Chocolate cures just about everything... especially a case of the blues. Im so jealous that you have such a variety of Cadbury items!! If you havent visited her blog, you may wanna pop in from time to time. She's an experience and a half.

Yaya: Most especially her Friday Fragments/Focus Friday entries. So friggin random and so much fun to read. You never know what's going to be in that entry. Ok, so you have an idea of topics as many carry over from week to week, but just not what exactly will be said. It's like a week's worth of Twitters in a convenient condensed newsletter form. Awesome.

Tori: For her Furkids Friday entries that have taken on a decidedly funny twist as her darling Westie, Kero, has tweaked her JAWS program to translate his barks to English. Once he got that tweak working, he started taking over writing the Friday entries. Very funny. It always brings a smile to my face.

And

..Pooba..: Her's is another of those blogs you want to make sure you're not eating or drinking while reading....fair warning. I am constantly having to wipe my monitor or keyboard because of some off the wall comment she makes in her entries.

For the rest, if I recently left a *snortle*, *giggle*, *chortle* or anything close to that in a comment on an entry on your page (Punkn, RedPen, babyrocasmama, and MsHLP this would mean you ladies) ...please take this award and feel free to post it on your site. No rules to it, just a thank you for my friends who continually find ways to put a smile on my face. Feel free to pass it along to those that make you smile.

feelin creative for the first time in a while

I see on my friend's blog, Jeannie's Happy World , that she's successfully made it over 30 days smoke free. Congrats!! I whipped up this award for her tonight and sent it via email because she'd mentioned taking a break from blogging and I wanted to make sure it didnt get lost in all the reading she'll need to do to catch up. Congrats Jeannie! Im so very proud of you!

lil brain blurbits

I've decided that Im addicted to Blue Bunny Light Personals icecream. Each little tub has is supposed to have (*blushes*) two servings in it, but Im usually really bad and snarf eat both servings in one sitting. Considering there's only 5 grams of fat for the whole tub and 200 calories (some flavors have a bit more), Im not completely killing my diet.

They have a delightful Super Fudge Brownie flavor that is to die for. However, I found one flavor I like even more. I am seriously addicted to the Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake flavor. It's a really good thing I only buy the personal sizes (only 1 a week) and not the larger sizes as Im sure I would have eaten an entire half gallon of it tonight. Normally, I do really well on my eating modification, but tonight...well Im gonna blame this on Jeannie. If it wasnt for her entries of Jeannie's Happy World: Tastefully Simple Giveaway!! and Jeannie's Happy World: Chocolate Bliss 'n Stuff! (which shows her adorable little girl enjoying some Chocolate Bliss...), well let's just say my sweettooth couldnt handle it any longer!

Saturday night while we were headed out for supper, I noticed the first sign of spring in my yard. Unfortunately, the flash washed out the bloom...I was really hoping that the purple streaks in the flower would show up. Ah well. It'll be a matter of time before the front yard is flowering again.

We've also had some buds show up on the trees.

Here's a picture I've been meaning to post. It was taken on the evening of February 26th. We'd gotten to the traffic light at the entrance of our sub-division and the light was peeking over the trees across the road from us near the mall. It took 5 attempts to get it just right. I zoomed right in so I didnt have to crop much of the traffic out.

Over the last few days, I've gotten some more bling for my page. The first one came from Jeannie in her entry Jeannie's Happy World: A New Award!. Ok ok, she didnt exactly specify me by name but she did say it was for her readers so I took it. Pbbt!

The other comes from Yaya in her entry Just Another Weekend Of Nothing . Again, the entry doesnt specify but since I was invited to take it, I did. Any of my readers that have yet to receive these awards, please feel free to take them from my page for use on yours.

Happy St Patricks Day!!!

Awards and a reminder!

Did ya remember to change your clocks?

This was over at Jeannie's entry Jeannie's Happy World: A new award! and she said to grab it. I think it's just darling so I did just that! For those of my readers that haven't gotten this award yet, please help yourself to it!

And just so the guys don't feel left out I whipped one up special just for you. No, the drawing in the background isnt mine (before anyone gets any ideas, but damn I wish I did draw that!!!), I found it online and liked it. Just tweaked the colors (the original was in yellows and oranges), cropped and fonted it... nothing really special. Just didnt want y'all to feel left out. *HUGZ*!

update, apology and a plethora of awards

As pretty much everyone here knows, I've been down with a nasty bug. It's lasted a bit over a week now. So I went to the doctor yesterday. The good news is that I dropped another 2 pounds over the course of the week (266.8 now). The bad news...my bp is up to a 142/77 BUT this is pretty much normal when I have a sinus infection. The doctor has me on a 10 day course of Avelox , she says it's the best thing out there right now. Unfortunately, if you read that link, you'll see that there is a SLEW of side effects. One of them has already hit me (even though I only had the one dose so far) and according to the reading, Im not allowed to take anything to fix the problem. *sigh* Also, because of that same side effect, I dont dare stick to my eating modification nor get on my bike. The last thing I want is to be caught in a position where I cant get to where I need to be quickly.

Anyhow, as the doctor was peeking in the ears, nose and throat with that little light thing, she says to me...."You could stand to lose a little weight". WTF? Excuse me? Ok...credit, yes I do. But please look at the file before you make a comment like that! What is the sense of having our files on a computer so every doctor in the circle has access to them in the blink of an eye and then NOT REFER TO IT??? Even with the hard copy files that my last dr dealt with, she could tell when there was a weight loss or gain just at a glance, no matter HOW much time was between visits (shoot, she'd remember something we discussed nearly a year prior and ask me about it at a later appointment). Well, of course I opened my mouth and informed her I was down 2 pounds from the week before at the dietitian's and down about 30 from August (when I weighed 298). What do I get for the hard work? "Oh, well I guess that's ok then". *inserts a HUGE eyeroll* Man I miss that doctor...

Due to the problems I detailled out in my last entry, I havent exactly been keeping up very well with posting the awards. Since I got no response to the inquiry of who all had recently sent awards for me to pass, I did a little digging into the blogs of the usual suspects and emailed the links to myself (I hate a junked up email inbox and it's the only way to be sure I at least give a second look at things that I found interesting initially).

Here are the awards I've received over the last month (give or take a week or so). If you havent gotten any of these awards yet (most that I follow have though), or just wanna swipe them, please feel free to do so:

The following were received from wifey:

< http://wifeoriley.blogspot.com/2009/01/i-answered-your-questions-and-i-got.html

The above was also received from Chicagolady in her entry http://makingsmallthoughtfulblogentries.blogspot.com/search?q=awards

AND by Jeannie in her entry http://happy-jeannie.blogspot.com/2009/01/another-lovely-award.html

http://wifeoriley.blogspot.com/2009/01/awards-and-games.html

<<(both of these from this entry)>>

http://wifeoriley.blogspot.com/2009/01/colder-than-witchs-you-know-what-in.html

AND in Jeannie's entry http://happy-jeannie.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-hug-award.html

The next was received in Queenie Jeannie's entry
http://happy-jeannie.blogspot.com/2009/01/really-great-
award.html

From iggy, I received this one (this is a brand NEW award so I know many of those that are reading this more than likely DONT have this one yet!!!): http://intenseguy.blogspot.com/2009/02/650-kilogram-metersminute-lbe.html I dont recall if we made any rules for this one so if there's a blog that gives you the warm fuzzies (like Jeannie, Cassandra, Babyrocasmama.. and the rest of you that are just joining this particular circle of friends) then feel free to hand it out. Nothing like a nice warm hug especially on these chilly late winter days!!

The lemonade award was received from babyrocasmama in her entry http://mylastshredsofsanity.blogspot.com/2009/01/i-got-another-award-this-one-is-really.html

And this last one, I've received twice now! It was given to me by Cassandra in her entry http://mommaneedsatimeout.blogspot.com/2009/01/some-bling-meme.html

Thank you all for the wonderful bling. I really do appreciate them, honestly.

I have another large entry coming up on Monday, Im in the middle of writing it at this point. With any luck I'll get it squared away to have it posted on time.

Catch up, stats and a pic

It seems (even though she knows better than to do this) that my dear friend Chicago over at I Don't Care What You Say Anymore, This Is My Life has decided in her infinite wisdom to TAG me. *sigh*. So anyhow, the object is to go to the 4th folder on my computer and pick the 4th picture. However, since I have several folders within folders both on my computer and in my Photobucket, it can be rather awkward trying to figure out which one to pick. Thankfully, I do most of my non-American Idol day to day blogging on the laptop that's in the livingroom. It makes selection a bit easier as there arent so many folders that would contain pictures on it. The above photo was snapped last January while we were still living in the corporate apartment. We'd just finished supper and hubby had spoiled the dog *again* with scraps so she was very full (proof was a huge belch from her later) and ready for a nap, so that's what she did. He stretched out on the sofa to watch tv, put her up with him and she fell right to sleep....belly up.

ride stats:

January 23, 2009
Calories burned: 360.40
trip miles: 10.29
ave mph: 20.58

January 24, 2009

Calories burned: 354.6

trip miles: 10.13

ave mph: 20.26

January 25, 2009
Calories burned: 369.70
trip miles: 10.56
ave mph: 21.12

I seem to have won this award again. Third time. Somebody upstairs must be trying to tell me something.... Actually, I suspect I know why it keeps showing up.

Anyhow, thank you to Melissa over at The Scholastic Scribe: The Bling That Refreshes for the lemonade award. Pretty much everyone I read has received this awards already so Im not going to issue it out. If you read this blog and have not received this wonderful award, please feel free to grab it for your very own. We all have our own problems and deal with them in our own fashion. Sometimes we share, sometimes we dont but in any case...we all make lemonade out of the lemons we're given.

Im gonna close this out for now. I *just* got an email from my SCSis and the news aint good there. *sigh* I do have a few more entries that I've got bouncing around in my brain...I've emailled the links to myself and I'll eventually get them posted. This is just a very tough time of year for me and with all that's going on in my loved ones lives....well it isnt conducive to my emotional well being.....

more bling

Now here is a new one. I'd like to thank Queenie Jeannie for this very lovely award and the reason she gave as to why she was issuing it.

"LadyStyx & Chicago Lady - These wonderful ladies are acknowledged together because in the bloggy world, where you find one you can almost be guaranteed to find the other!! These lovely ladies inspire me to be better about truly FOLLOWING blogs I "follow". No matter what drivel I post, they both read every post, every day, and always post a comment. I mean ALWAYS!!! It's really nice to know that you aren't just talking to yourself! Big hearts that really care about people, that is who these women are!"

I am truly flattered at the compliment and honored to be paired with such a wonderful person! I'm with Jeannie as I'd hate to leave anyone out and generally will share the awards I receive with everyone. However, if I read this correctly, it narrows down my choices just a bit. So here are my choices:

Intenseguy. Iggy always seems to know what to say and when to say itto make a person smile. He has an INCREDIBLE way with words and his blog is AMAZING. You never know if you're going to laugh, cry, get a history lesson or simply have something to ponder.

Chicagolady. Yeah, I know Jeannie already gave it to her, but I cant think of anyone that I chat with regularly that is closer to my thoughts than she is. I mean, for crying out loud we often have to tell each other "get out of my head!!" LOL!!!

Tori. Tori's another that deserves this award. She and I are so alike at times that it's scary. For a real treat, check out her poetry page.

I measure up to a second Lemonade and a best blog!

In answer to Maki's question in the comment section of one of my entries...yes, I like bling! Sometimes it gets a bit much with several flying around at the same time though and with several of us reading some of the same blogs, well it gets a bit hard finding people to hand them out to. My blog got named in no fewer than 4 blogs this last week. *BLUSH* I am totally honored that you all thought of me.


This award came from Maki over at Posh Mom’s Diary . The rules are simple but I think Im going to have to tweak one of the steps for one of my choices. The rules are:
Rule 1 - Say a nice thing to a man in your life.
Rule 2 - List at least 6 ways you measure success in your life.
Rule 3 - Assign 5 other worthy blogs


Ok, rule #1 is easy. Im always telling hubby how much I appreciate everything he does and the way he puts up with me and my unpredictible emotions.

Rule #2: Well Im going to leave this one up to my readers. Why? Because I havent found a way in my life where I CAN measure success yet. In my eyes, I am and always have been a failure. I've had one failed marriage and havent managed to do anything worth while in my life. Shoot, I havent even finished that one blog area writing about it! The only thing I can even think of that I managed to do right was get away from that jerk and get the divorce done (with the ex dawdling and in prison the entire time).

For Rule #3 Im going to pick (in no particular order):

Chicagolady @ I Don’t Care What You Say Anymore, This Is My Life
Punkn @ Punkn’s Place
Marmite Toasty@ TWADDLE everyday rubbish
ToriZ @ Torizworld
Intenseguy @ Intense Guy

Modification on Rule #1 for those without a special man in their lives....Choose one person (man or woman) that means the world to you and say something nice to them.

All of them much more deserving of the award than I am.


Babyrocasmama @ Last Shreds of Sanity nominated me for the Lemonade award. This is the second time I've been awarded this. I cant tell you how thrilled I am because now I not only can make lemonade, but now I can also make sugar-free lemonade for those readers that are dieting or have diabetes! As I already issued it out the last time, Im going to just say that if you have just joined my readers in the last month or so AND have not gotten it already (well shoot...those that want it again, go ahead and grab it too)...please by all means swipe it. *points at all the n00bies, like MsHLP, Pooba and the like*

The final award I have I received from Punkn (link above) and received as an honorable mention in Intense Guy's (link above) blog. Thank you. I am extremely humbled. There are several that are very much deserving of this award (namely every blog Im following) so Im going to pick 5 and just hope that they'll get the ones that I missed. I mean we all pretty much read the same blogs anyhow.

The winners are:

Pamela @ The Dust Will Wait. She participates in a few of the memes out there so you never know what you'll find on her blog from day to day.

Mr&MsHLP @ Vanity Plates Creepiness in 8 Characters or Less . Some of those submissions are extremely funny. Funnier still are some of the comments that come up.

Dorky @ Dry As Toast. Whether dealing with a serious topic or just being her sweet, goofy self, her's is a must read.

Queenie Jeannie @ Jeannie’s Happy World. You want blog bling, she's probably issued it to you, you want to know what giveaways are going on...she's probably entered it (or is giving it away with that adorable assistant of hers, Bella).

Melissa @ The Scholastic Scribe. She's another you never know what you'll get. Definitely a recommended read.

Oh...and my ride:

Calories burned: 392.9

trip miles: 11.22

ave mph: 22.44

Awards

I was awarded bling over the last couple weeks. Cant remember where all from though. Im pretty sure of these two coming from Jeannie. If Im wrong (whether it be whom they came from or if I missed a couple other awards) someone please let me know and I'll make sure to credit where it's due. Im also meant to pass them along so if you 01) follow this blog (or any other of the 10 blogs on this account) AND 02) havent received them yet ...then by all means grab them for yourselves and spread the love to others!

another award!

So I recieved another award the other day. I know that Tori (http://ziglernews.blogspot.com/2008/12/lemonade-award.html) wouldnt have given it to me if she felt I wasnt deserving of it. I *still* have no clue what I did to deserve it. Looking back on several off my entries I do nothing but whine and complain (or b!tch) for the most part, but hey I'm not gonna look a Blinghorse in the mouth. There are many others that really do deserve this more than I do. Unfortunately, I think most that I follow have already received it. So Im not going to name anyone. I am, however, going to invite those that have yet to receive this award to go ahead and snag it for their very own.

Another award and medical update

Look at this, more bling! This one is courtesy of Queenie Jeannie over at http://happy-jeannie.blogspot.com/ . Thank you very much hun. She didnt leave me any rules to play by in her entry though so I tracked it back to Dorky at http://dryastoast.blogspot.com/ , who had these rules posted:

The rules for this one are as follows:

1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.

2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.

3. Nominate 5 blogs.

4. Put links to their blogs.

5. Leave a message for your nominees.

Well we know what a rebel I can be when I feel like it so Im going to totally ignore the last 3 rules! :P~~ If you read this blog, it's highly likely that I follow your blog so consider yourself nominated (Alice, this means you too). You are all so encouraging to me in your own ways and Im thankful for each and everyone one of you!

Update on medical. I got an email from the dr's office yesterday evening, shortly after I posted my entry. The response was from the RN on duty. Seems the dr is on vacation this week and the nurse didnt want me to have to wait on my answer. Considering Im having such problems (or as she put it I was feeling "weird") on the 3 pills a day that I should back off to 2 pills a day again. She let me know that some people have difficulties adjusting to Metformin so to take the 2 pills a day and slowly work up to 3. Personally, I suspect I'll have a message from the dr come next week when she gets back to work. Im hoping that she decides to try something else to be honest.

feeling creative after a good burn

Calories burned: 406.8
trip miles: 11.62
ave mph: 23.24

Today's ride courtesy of the music on my Home Page.

Pictured left is the new bike Im wanting for Christmas....it's perfect for the Sci-Fi geek.

Unfortunately, I've run circles around the Nascar one and it's gone belly up....

Earlier today I made an adjustment to my page. You'll notice all the awards have pretty much gone missing. I've put them in their own entry and back-dated it to when I restarted this blogspot. The one that is on the page will the the most recent one received. In the awards entry, the most recent ones will be to the top and I have the link to the entry where I received it.