Unique engagement ring

Blueviolet over at A Nut in a Nut Shell dropped an entry on the 24th of this month discussing her daughter's engagement ring and had asked her readers what their engagement rings looked like (or will look like). Try as I might, I really couldn't adequately describe mine. It's not the one I really wanted because as darling as my hubby is, he's a bit of a procrastinator, and by the time he was ready to purchase the one I wanted.... well it was no longer available. The only way I could hope to get one at this point is to have it custom made and that's rather expensive.

plastered Drama Queen wears plated gold cards

Heh. Now that I have your attention *gigglez*.



I so meant to have this and the next couple entries written on Sunday and scheduled like I'd done the week before. For the life of me I can't remember what side tracked me so badly. Maybe I need to bump the "sorta unplugged" day to Sunday and leave it as the day of rest that it's meant to be. I do know that the Comcast outage on Tuesday (nearly all. damned. day) didn't help matters in getting my blogging done.... nope not at all. Well that and last Friday's side trip which triggered a minor case of depression (where the HELL did all that time go??)....that didn't help matters either.

Monday was my day to purposefully and willfully ignore all things 'net for several hours. It's unbelieveable how long the day seems when one unplugs somewhat and just goes to find other things to do for the day. Below you'll see a pic of some of the pieces I've been working on. I know Jeannie was wanting to see them in their "rough", half-way done state. I took this picture sometime last week. I've since finished these pieces and started a new project. No, I won't be posting a picture of it in any stage until it's finished, shipped and maybe sometime after it's been received. As you can see, they don't exactly look anything like what the finished product will be like. I gotta touch up a couple of the pieces because something got on them when they were outside drying (I spray them with a matte finishing spray when I'm done. It's not enough to protect from the elements if the piece is outside, but it's enough to give the piece that "done" look ).

While we were out at WalMart this last week, I got another nail polish. I haven't decided if I like the color on me yet, but I do LOVE the name of it! Drama Queen, how very appropriate! I'll try it again in a week or so and if I'm still not sure, I can send it to my GaSis. She's living with her sister and mom and the sister LOVES pink. This week's shade that got picked up is Crimson Pearl by CQ. I definitely like it better than the pink. If I think of it, I'll post a picture of the color gracing my nails. It's much nicer than the block of color they have on their site.

While we were out on Saturday, we stopped in the local pawn shop and I saw this beautiful ring. I won't be able to wear it that often because it's not pure gold, but with a little coating of clear nail polish I should be able to get some decent wear out of it. It was sitting in the case with a $49.95 tag on it and I only had $20 with me so I was all set to put it back because I wasn't carrying my bank card that day. When my hubby says that if I want it, I can have it (waits as several of my readers say that I'm extremely spoiled) and he whips out his wallet (yes, I am, but I don't ask for jewelry that often so when I ask, I generally get what I want). So the clerk rings it up and the total with tax comes up as LESS than the display price. Seems that to make the sale, he knocked almost $10 off the price. WHOOT!

Oh! And I think it was Saturday that I got a couple pieces of "good mail". First was a package from Dorkys from over at Dry As Toast. YAY!! It was my goodies from that Pay it Forward type giveaway that she did awhile back (ya know, the same thingy that failed miserably over here with only 2 of my friends participating even though it's a really EASY contest to do...*sighs*). She sent me a hand painted postcard with a lovely note on the back, 3 handmade cards with blank interiors and envelopes to go with them as well as a nice book that I'd won from another give away she'd done. As suggested on her note, I handed the book to hubby and told him it was all for him. *giggles* Now I KNOW that the blank cards are meant to be used, however I think I have something else in mind for them.

The very same day, I had a small envelope show up from Jeannie. *gigglin* Sorry, I just thought of my poor hubby who gives a very valiant attempt at pronouncing her last name. He botches it everytime. Anyhow, the envelope had a lovely, handmade anniversary card in it. Thank you so very much. I do believe I have at least 3 Jeannie originals in my possession now.... no wait, I think there's 4 of them. Yeah, I'm spoiled. Go ahead and say it sweetheart. You know you wanna.

timing, Avon calling, ACK and a Partridge Family sighting

About a month ago or so, I'd bought myself a new purse. The one I had was simply a skoosh too small for my needs and falling apart at the strap. I bought a great one on clearance for less than $10. It's a gorgeous black and animal print totally me type bag. The bag's a bit bigger than I really absolutely need , but I love it nonetheless. Unfortunately, with extra space means I tend to say "oh I got room for this too!" and the bag gets heavier which isn't good for your back or shoulders. It isn't so good for the strap on the purse either. Last week that stud there, holding the strap together, decided to pop and my purse fell. Thank GOODNESS my camera wasn't in there. The strap chose to break just after I'd removed the camera to get shots of the clouds. I was really pissed because I'd had it just long enough that I'd thrown away the receipt for it. Hubby suggested using superglue to fix it. I told him that if superglue was involved, then maybe he should fix the purse for me for, you see, superglue and I have this love/hate thingy going. It hates to stick anywhere I want it, but it LOVES to stick on me. Anyhow... hubby fixed the one strap and reinforced the other just in case. Now if I could get him to find my leopard print sunglasses that I wanted him to repair.
Is it me, or are other people beginning to feel like they're at the DMV or deli when they're at the dr's offices or labs these days? The old clinic had the "Now serving" sign for their lab too but it wasn't until we got to the new clinic that I began to feel like I was at a McDonald's. Maybe it's their choice of a doorbell to signal that the numbers have changed that make me feel like that? I sure know it's the reason why everytime I hear it I say "Avon calling". Anyhow, who are they kidding? This sign just doesn't make sense at a lab for they certainly aren't serving us anything. If anything they're TAKING something so shouldn't the sign reflect this fact? I'm just sayin. Please excuse the above photo. The lighting simply was NOT cooperating at all. It was kinda like trying to take a picture of a screen shot with your digital camera. The picture rolls somewhat and of course it doesn't turn out half as good as you'd hope.
So a couple weeks back or so, hubby comes in and wants to use one of the cameras and I ask him what was up. He said we had a possum in the backyard so I sent him off with the Samsung to get some shots. When he was done grabbing the shots (the above is one of several), he came up and handed me the camera. He told me that the possum looked sleepy at first until he moved closer at which point it looked up at him but didn't make a move. So I flicked on the camera and the above shot is one of many that he'd just clicked. I absolutely freaked and told him to haul his ass down the stairs , grab a shovel and give it a happy dispatch and Like.Right.Fkn.NOW! That ~thing~ has NO damned business in my yard...period. I kept fussing until he went down and flipped the critter over the fence. He came back upstairs and asked why he just did that and I told him...it's a RAT hunny...we don't need something like that out there. The ciggie butt in the picture was set down to give an idea of the scale. The butt's about a half inch long. Yeah. That's what I said too because I don't believe nutria wander quite this far north!


These last 2 pix are actually off two different vehicles. When I saw the stickers on the windows in each...all I could think is "God help 'em". Oh don't tell me that you wouldn't have had the same reaction! The last one was the best of the two though. Not only did they have the requisite stickperson family stretching across the back window (and most of them were people and not pets), but they'd painted their 15 passanger van ala Partridge Family style! Great to know they don't mind pokin fun at themselves... and to be hangin at a Chuck E Cheese to boot.

cleaning out, new acquisitions,classy slippers

I saw a few comments about the crafts in the last entry. I didn't bother answering any of them via email because I knew I was covering it in this next entry.

So one day about a week ago or so, I got tired of seeing the over filled baskets in the hall closest. They were put in there to make life easier for us instead of having all this little stuff scattered in there. The system seems to work well, except when we get lazy and just toss stuff in...which is most of the time. *laffz* Anyhow, I got it cleaned up and had to re-adjust what got put with what other items. At one point, my items only took up one basket. Thanks to my mom (and a great sale at Bath and Body Works) my stuff now takes 2+ baskets. Oh my! You see, mom used to work for Gottchalk's and was forever getting samples from the girls at the perfume counters to send off to me. If that wasn't enough, she'd send perfume sets for Christmas. Some of you remember that I'd mentioned getting the same set two years in a row. You can see them in the above photo...one's still in its box. Anyhow, she's telling me that she's looking to get into a different industry and not stay in retail so I'm hoping this is the last of the perfume because as it stands, with as often as I wear it, I have YEARS worth of scents in those baskets! If she ends up in retail again, I may send her the picture and just write "Please, for the love of God, NO MORE!" *laffin* I may do it anyhow just to get a laugh out of her.

This little beauty I found in the local Salvation Army store. If the matching piece had been in better condition, I would have bought it too. I figured it was a great deal at $4.99 as something like that runs nearly $10 or more brand new in the department stores. That piece next to it is a dolly my mom had sent me for Christmas. The kitty will look better with some of the other "girls" but I don't have them unpacked yet. I'm hoping to get a nice lighted case one of these days so I can get them displayed properly. As it stands right now, there isn't enough room for them to come out of their boxes yet. Besides, I don't want to unpack them to simply have to pack them back up in a few months. I reminded hubby about our choices again today regarding the living arrangement we're in but I don't think he was overly receptive to that kind of conversation yet. All I got was an "I know" but no details. Men!


A few weeks back, hubby called me from work and let me know that his friend had just come back from vacation and had very generously bought all his friends a bit of beach front property. Wow. Ok, maybe a time share? That would be cool. Get outta the house for a weekend and put the camera through its paces. Then I noticed a couple days later the item below sitting on the DVD case under the thermostat:
Ok, quit ya groaning. Don't you dare tell me you didn't see THAT one coming from a mile off!

The last picture is for punkn Deanna. These are the leopard "they're classy cuz I say they are" slippers I mentioned in an earlier entry. They're my favs to wear around the house. If I could wear them out to every place else, I would. Could ya see me popping into Olive Garden wearing these?
Had a follow-up appt with the allergy dr today to discuss how the treatment is going. She's said that it seems like those that have the roughest time with the build-up shots (like I've been having) tend to have better results in the long run and the serum helps. That's good to hear. We're hoping to get me off the expensive daily pill and have me down to just the OTC meds and possibly just the one spray during peak season. That would be awesome. Good news though...all this hard work for my weight is paying off. No, I didn't get weighed...but I did have my bp checked. I came in with a beautiful 115/60 (normally I'm a 120/80 or 118/78 or so). Yeah, I'm stoked.

After the appt, we went shopping a bit. Stopped in to Burlington Coat Factory because their window advertised a HUGE clearance sale. Gosh that store's gotten rough looking. I don't remember shopping in one of them before with it looking so rough. Ahh well. Found a nice pair of jeans that fit but would feel nicer with a couple more pounds gone. Definitely NOT "that time" jeans. They don't have the stretch that my usual pairs have but I was pleased to see the 22W fit anyhow (especially after the 24W I tried on before it wouldn't even snap!). God bless the Gloria Vanderbilt lines! Best bet? The original tag price was $21.98 (which makes me suspect it was a first mark down price and they'd been much higher at one point) and the mark down price on the tag now? $9.99. Yep. A bit over $10 and I have a nice pair of jeans. Women's sizes NEVER come that cheap. I may have to pop in again another day and give a proper look around.

Went to AC Moore because I needed to replace some of my brushes. I walked out with only 3 new spotters (brushes are expensive...*sigh*) but that's ok. It'll do. I have a few more items I want to pick up but since they didn't have the canvas sizes I wanted, I didn't bother getting the rest of the supplies for the projects in mind. JoAnn's is less than a half mile from the townhouse and in easy walking distance so I'll just wait until a coupon shows up in the paper and get the stuff later. I'm in no hurry to do those projects yet anyhow. I still have plasters to paint. I have about 10 pieces that I just finished the other day. All that they need is the felt glued to the bottom so I think I'll do that tomorrow. Or maybe Monday.... I really need to consider an internet free day during the week so I can concentrate on my crafting. It might be a Sunday or Monday. I haven't decided yet which day. I do know it needs to be a day when the hubby isn't around to pester me.

Afterwards we went to Best Buy and I drooled over the toy I've been wanting. Some of you might remember that I'd mentioned it sometime before this past Christmas but never got it (if I had you KNOW I would have blogged about it). I just didn't see spending nearly $200 on an item I can get via Amazon for $150 (and if I get it during one of those no shipping costs if you spend x amount...that'd be great!). If I get the smaller one, I can get it for around $85 on Amazon. Not a bad deal, but not something I can justify after spending over $30 on Amazon already this last week.

I met a couple neat bloggers the last couple days or so and would like to welcome them to my corner of the web. Feel free to wander around all the blogs that seldom get maintained. There's plenty for everyone here. While I was checking out their sites, I found a couple that I really like and have added them to my blog roll. There's another game I may just end up playing one of these days ...actually 2 new games. With one of them I'm thinking of adding a twist to it. Maybe adding these games will inspire me to at least post a bit more often.

I think I close this for now. I have one more entry that's in draft form right now (read: the pictures are loaded, I just gotta write about 'em) that I expect to drop either tomorrow or the next day. There's yet another sitting in my email inbox and there are a few more pix in the camera to upload...I got some new nail polishes. You should SEE the shade I'm sporting today (and no it's not Adam Lambert blue!).

so a couple things didnt get done

Calories burned: 377.2
trip miles: 10.77
ave mph: 21.54

So his testing didnt get done today. I thought it was just a pop into the lab deal and it wasnt, he has to actually call for an appointment in another building. Lord knows if he'll actually do it.

Didnt get the oil changed today either because the wait to have it done was 3.5 hours....

DID manage to get to McKays Used Books and load up on Christmas music for next year. There's one more I ~think~ I saw there that I may go back for in the next day or so. I got a dvd while there too. Bought the movie Mr Deeds. Now generally I cant stand Adam Sandler, but Im discovering Im liking most (not all) of his movies....go figure.

Oh and while we were out, I saw a pretty angel in the window of the Tuesday Morning shop. On our way back to the truck, I popped in to see how much it was. When I picked it up, I noticed how heavy of a piece it is and when I flipped it over for the price tag I saw it was musical too! It's about 10" tall or so and only cost $19.99 (quality of item is in the $30 range EASILY). She's playing a flute and has music notes all over her wings.

I posted another comic in the Home page for those eating modification people in blogland and changed the decor around in here. Im considering a format change on the page as Im likin the look of the 3 column pages but I know me....just means more space to junk up. That's the last thing I want.

packages, plates and preparing for a trip

A package showed up today from my folks in California. YAY!! In it were 2 packages for each of us, one for BOTH of us and a big gold pressy with a strip of "Happy Birthday" paper across the front of it. In the emailled instructions I received a few days ago I was told that "there is one package among the shipment that you'll KNOW that you can open right away". I would gather that since all the other boxes were labelled "no peeking" and "dont open until Christmas" that the one gold box was the one I was to open right away. So, like a child, I ripped right into that package and what to my eyes should appear but a beautiful porcelain dolly dressed in blue and white. According to her tag, her name's Melissa.

I called mom and let her know the pressies arrived and we talked for a bit. We decided that since
we'll be busy tomorrow with the dr appt and travelling AND because we wont be home for Christmas Day (and we didnt want to haul all the gifts to TN and back NOR wanted to wait til we got home), that hubby and I could open the gifts tonight. He got a couple pairs of really warm lounger pants for when he steps outside to pollute his lungs and a new watch. I guess the latter will be set aside for when the one he has now (one that my mom bought him last year...) finally kills. I got a nice fleece button up jacket and a Donna Karan Cashmere Mist perfume and body lotion gift set (hmm...ummm....same exact set I got from her last year...). Also in the box was cosmetic bag (I dont wear makeup *usually*) filled with perfume samples (I dont normally wear alot of perfume and am still working on the samples from 2 years ago....), and a caddy for all our small electronics stuff (like the cell phones). The caddy is going to go upstairs on the dresser. Im sure it'll come in handy. I think next year Im gonna steer her to my Amazon wishlist. I know how some people feel about those things but it's the one way to make sure I dont end up with yet another DK Cashmere perfume set ...again. Better yet, I'll hint that I need some painting supplies....or a nice piece of jewelry...I dont have much of that. Oh wait...no not that, I'll end up with another watch...

While I was at it, I opened the package that had arrived from a dear friend in Pennsylvania. It's been sitting on my computer cart downstairs for a few days now, just waiting on an approved Christmas wrap unwrapping day. Normally, it would have waited for Christmas morning as per my usual behavior. Why? Because when I was married to The Jerkus, we never had any money to do for each other and the only presents under the Christmas tree were ones we'd gotten from family, friends and the students at the school we'd been working for. There were some really nice things in those presents. Many times, that's where our Christmas meal would end up coming from. Sad really. Anyhow, I opened the pressie from our OCHA Santa himself, iggy, and there was a small calendar (and the autographs of the people from the company he works for) and a decorative box with 2 cds of Christmas music and a dvd with a cozy fireplace! Oh lookit this! One of the songs is one I sang in choir....I dont think I've ever found that song anywhere else!!

Well I guess I better go. I have to get a shower and get packed and clean up the kitchen and and and...well you get the idea. Oh! Before I forget, I got another one of my license plates posted over at http://horriblelicenseplates.blogspot.com/2008/12/sorry-about-your-inferiority-complex.html . Thank you for the honor Mr & Ms HLP!

Oh and today's ride is the last for about a week as we'll be headed outta town tomorrow, unless the obgyn decides I MUST be sent somewhere the day after Christmas, then I wont be going anywhere. We should be back by the 28th or 29th.

Today's ride was a nice comfortable ride, not overly working it (like yesterday) but not exactly lazing off either.
Calories burned: 373.8
trip miles: 10.68
ave mph: 21.36

Everyone have a Merry Christmas, Happy Yule or whatever you're celebrating this time of year and I'll see you next week. Oh and steer clear of the inflatocrap whenever possible.

Today was a busy day!

Last night, we had some great temperatures. When I went to bed at around 10pm (three nights in a row now and last night I went willingly AND it wasnt because I was exhausted! Yeah...I'll wait for a minute while the shock wears off), it was 61 degrees out. You didnt even need a coat to sit outside. When we got up, however, Omigoodness!!!! It had dropped over 20 degrees overnight! Brrrr The low 40's aint bad when the weather has been slowly sinking over a few days, but a 20 degree drop in 10 hours or less???


Today started a little early than usual. No, we didnt have a new schedule for hubby... just a few things to do. The mini-hoover (aka: da pooch) has been doing alot of clicking while walking on tile floors lately so we decided to take her in for a grooming.

While we were out we got some breakfast at IHOP (Im seriously addicted to the blueberry-lemon coffeecake pancakes) and then headed over to WalMart to get this week's shopping done. May as well because neither of us likes to be out in the stores on Saturdays as it's too busy. In addition to the usual stuff, I popped over to the men's department to check out the coats. A couple weeks ago, I'd looked at the ones in the ladies department and found one I really liked at a very nice price. I dont want to spend a great deal considering the fact Im losing weight and it's likely that anything I get this year will not fit come next winter. The one I liked was a good length (past the butt...gotta keep the glutes warm!), a wonderful color (a deep purple) and had a hood (which is the most important thing right now). However, when I tried the size that *should* have fit on......it fit everywhere BUT in the upper arms (Im kinda meaty up there). Do you think they'd have that coat or any other in the ladies section in a size larger ?? Nope. Infact, even though they sell other clothes in sizes up to and including size 5x....their winter coats do NOT go past a size 3x!! I mean WTF?? Why the hell would you increase the range in sizes for everything BUT winter coats?? If ANYTHING, that should be the ONE thing that is actually SOLD in a size larger than the standard range of sizes!!! *sigh* Needless to say, I found it discouraging and very depressing....especially since I've lost at least 10-15 pounds.

So the last few days, Ive been checking out the different stores that cater to the larger woman. There were a few coats I liked, but didnt like the price on. I mean why spend $80-120 for a coat that will last only the one year? Today, I popped into the men's department in hopes to find something that will "do" until next year. Something with a hood and that was long enough to keep the important stuff warm. Hubby found me a nice one in a chocolate brown with a hood in a men's 2x (which fits just nicely) for $40. Top things all off, I had a $10 gift certificate for WalMart that I got from Classmates for enrolling in their Gold Membership...so the coat only cost us $30.

After WalMart, we decided we may as well go to the Shopper's and get the groceries bought for the week too. We've gotten everything but the bananas and hubby's bread (he's still eating white while I've switched to wheat), but we get all those over at the Bottom Dollar store in the mall just behind us. We'll pick that up tomorrow when we come home from the dr's office.


While I was in the blogs today, I popped into Cassandra's blog at Momma Needs a Time Out! (http://mommaneedsatimeout.blogspot.com/2008/12/check-out-this-giveaway.html) and she had a heads up about a give away. I generally dont bother with the give aways but this one...I cant resist.

http://ravingsofamadhousewife.blogspot.com/2008/12/its-fiesta-giveaway.html

FIESTAWARE! I used to have 2 place settings of this stuff courtesy of a secondhand store in Pennsylvania and of all the dishes I've ever owned, they were my favorites. Personally, I'd love to replace all my dishes in the cupboards with them but at $50 a place setting...and I like to have at least 6-8 settings available....you see what I mean. Ka-chingville. I'd settle for a 4 place setting of it to be honest and if it comes free...well that would be even better.

I think that's it......I didnt miss anything did I?

















oh yeah...I got my ride in
Calories burned 403.6
trip miles: 11.53
ave mph: 23.06

I dont know if I'll even top that....but yeah, I was really workin it today.

a little of this and a little of that...

Calories burned: 386.7
trip miles: 11.05
ave mph: 22.10

Feelin lazy today. Im so tired. Started back to my 3 doses of Metformin today. Im going to give it a couple days and see how I feel. I need to remember who told me this medicine was going to make me lose some weight and smack em stupid because ever since I been on this crap, I've bounced back and forth over the same 5 damn pounds....even WITH staying on my "eating modification and exercise plan". Got so depressed that I fell off the wagon and dove straight into a calzone. I'd been craving pizza for a week and the calzone was as close as I'd get at the time.

Im so disappointed. I thought with the loss of weight that maybe a new jacket was in order. The wool one I was given will not be good enough as it's too damn big and the one my folks bought in January still doesnt fit well enough and it's not warm enough anyhow. So I thought maybe one of the nice ones at WalMart...they were a decent price, long enough (over da bum) and had a hood. Unfortunately, even with the 15+ pound weight loss, the arms are too tight, even in a 3x jacket. I mean WTF?? And do you think think they had a size larger? Of course not. Carry everything else in sizes up to a 5x....but not a decent coat. *rolls eyes* I guess I'll need to make due with the one I had in Texas (which doesnt have a hood but is long enough) and just put a lined hoodie underneath it.

We got the 10 by 13 we ordered of the picture of us today from Sears. I got it put up in the dining room to replace the Christmas one from '05 or '06. Looks nice...I think the frame needs to be replaced though as I think it'll look nicer in a black frame instead of those brown wood ones.

We got a call from the UPS Store yesterday. Meant to go by today and pick up the delivery. I suspect it's the gifts for the kids. At least that's the impression I got because they'd asked for me and I heard hubby say "this is her husband". I guess we'll pick it up tomorrow and I'll get it ready to be shipped for next week. I hope the stuff doesnt look too cheesy.

Hubby's arm seems to be doing better today. He aint complained about it once and he's been on the puter most the night so I guess that's a good sign.

After going for my shot, I popped into the Hobby shop next door to the dr office and bought the kit I'd been looking at. It's not really the pattern I've been wanting but I havent seen them get any more in. My luck, I'll actually enjoy doing this art and then have trouble finding kits...*again* (like the pre-print canvases of butterflies I'd done). Anyhow, the price in the store was about $5 less than the price online AND they had a sales tax free special going on so I went ahead and got it. Here's the link: http://www.woodscape.ca/store-assembled.asp ...Im pretty sure I grabbed the Old Mill one, but I could be mistaken. Im not thinking so well right now. I should get to bed....

biking, back, shot, pix promises, CD!!!,

Calories burned: 348.8
trip miles: 9.96
ave mph: 19.92

Back is slightly better and the one pain that prompted me to slow down yesterday was not present (and NO Marmie, it wasnt cuz I was bouncing on the mattress with me man LOL...now under ....is another story! LOL). Legs just didnt want to go today but then we were out walking some today as well.

Graduated to the new vial for my shot today. Even with a full belly Im having a more than usual reaction. With any luck, it wont last more than 24 hours...

Got some pix to share but Im too tired to deal with the camera right now. I'll get them loaded to the puter tomorrow. I got a plate on "film" today. Didnt have the camera at hand for another...*sigh*. The one not captured on "film" said USPEEDUP. I guess the driver's prone to tailgating (and I aint talkin beer and BBQ in his pickup at a ball game...). The one I DID get on film Im going to share with that other site....I hope it's funny enough.

Got my Cookie today. Gonna get the cd ripped tomorrow to my computer. ~grinz widely~ Also bought a pretty wreath to replace the spring one that was beside my door (I took that down a couple weeks ago because it was just too cold out for it to make any sense in being there). I'll take a picture when I get it put up which wont be until after Thanksgiving. We also got the Christmas cards for this year, mostly because neither wanted to dig them out of the storage unit. All I have to do now is get the ones for family (parents, grandparents, etc), get them filled out and ready to send the first week of December (I hope I have all the addies I need...prolly not though...maybe I'll hear from the others via email before then).

Well the snow showers that they were promising us? It was a tease for sure. There was just enough in the air to see there was precip coming down BUT not enough to stick or show up on my camera for a video...*poutz*

Well

Yeah that's all I gotta say for now. At least until later after my sleep cycle and biking. Looks like Im not alone though because I found these online:

http://www.printfection.com/verbalfoundry/Is-it-2012-Yet/_s_42287

I wonder how much business this site is going to do. Oh look at that....a few dollars extra and I can get one in my size. I'll have to keep these in mind....


Hang on ya'll, Im thinking this term is going to be a VERY VERY bumpy ride.

Oh and Chicago? In answer to your comment on another's blog? The answer is alllll the way at the bottom of my page....past all the blogs I read stuff....just under the site meter.

burning rubber, civic duty and other schtuff

Calories burned: 368.9
trip miles: 10.54

ave mph: 21.08

Not as good as yesterday , but still burning rubber. Oh and YAY!!!! While I was getting my shot today, I wandered down the hall to where my dietician's office is to set my appointment. I was supposed to set it right after my appointment with her but I was so disgusted with myself that day that I didnt bother. Since 2 weeks have passed, I told the receptionist to set it for somewhere between 2-4 weeks. I have an appointment on Dec 1st (*checks hubby's schedule...oh dang Im gonna have to reschedule that because he has class that day*). I got talking with the receptionist and was telling her I couldnt wait to get on the scales because I KNEW I'd lost weight. She told me to just pop on back and use the scales now if I like. I was sceptical about if I really should because I'd already had a full meal today (3oz steak, 2 eggs, a bowl of oatmeal and an English muffin)....unfortunately, this cant be helped because it looks like I really do need that full meal before my shots. Laugh if you will, but the reactions arent as bad if I've eaten a full meal beforehand (as opposed to a small snack). I got on the scale anyhow. Since I started riding my bike and adjusting my eating habits I've lost 6 pounds. Better yet, since the "non-appointment" in August..... *whispers excitedly* I lost 10..... SQUEE!!!

So I went out and did my civic duty today. I had to laugh though. They had volunteers out front of the polling place doing their last minute shovingoftheliteratureinyourface dances as is typical for election day. They had both sides staked out so there was absolutely no where to go but straight down the walk between the two of them. We were slightly closer to the one so I manuevered hubby so he was between us as a buffer. I was right to do so because not only was that one the first to approach us, but he was also the Democrat. Considering the problems we've been having with the excessive harrassment from that party, we can all agree that it was a very good idea (not to mention damn lucky) that I put hubby there because it would have gotten ugly....very Very VERY ugly. The laughing part comes here....the Republican, seeing that my husband had waved off the Democrat hauled ass over to perform his dance only to get a firm wave off from me. That's right, I made my choice. My choice more than likely wont win but the choice was MINE....not because someone killed a tree to shove litter in my face and NOT because I got harrassed on the phone (and yes, all those calls amounts to harrassment).

I do feel sorry for anyone that got turned away today because

they didnt have the proper documentation. This poor little PCHA was evidentally turned away after waiting several hours in line. Someone failed to tell him the early voting for the non-residents was yesterday. Poor guy.

We took a drive into Gainesville today to buy some stuff for hubby's hobby and boy were the leaves out that way extra pretty! It's too bad we had a grey day with light drizzle because I think they would have been fantastic with the sun out. Im posting just one of the shots I got. I chose this because it had the leaves of one of the bright red trees in it as well as the yellows and oranges in the back. Seems I caught another green-boxy alien lurking about as well. The only touch ups I did to any of these pictures is run them through an auto correct in a picture program so yeah, those leaves were really that bright even in the grey gloom of the day.

We went to WalMart after the dr's office as per normal and I found this really cute hooded zip front sweat jacket. The one that caught my eye was hanging in the wrong location and was a size too big but I was too lazy to go see if they had any more. The way I figure it, this way I can layer something else underneath and not worry about it getting too tight. Besides the print was just way too cute!!!
Oh...and when we got home....we found ANOTHER flier from the same friggin political party in the door. Mind you, we threw the one from this morning out so this is TWICE today they visited. Maybe it's a good thing I wasnt home.....

new tension, feeling good, Christmas wishes

Tension increased to level 2
Calories burned: 319.4
trip miles: 9.12
Average mph: 18.24

A nice modest beginning if I do say so myself. That half step up I really felt though for the first few miles. The bad knee complained a bit more than usual, the arches and another muscle located elsewhere on my body took to grumbling some but no more than they did the first several days of riding so they should be fine in a bit.

Before I started riding, moving around was extremely uncomfortable. Just a short walk in WalMart was enough to make the bad knee attempt to go out on me, the sciatic nerve would pinch up, my ankles and feet would complain (loudly) and the small of my back would bother me. Actually, just getting up and doing household chores would get all that to flare up. I've noticed in just the two short weeks or so that I've been biking that none of that is quite as bad. The knee hasnt given out not once although it grinds some still...especially while pedalling or taking the stairs. The sciatic nerve hasnt flared up and neither has the back...it's all a bit tight after riding but after it feels fine. Neither act up while Im out shopping and I find Im not leaning on the shopping cart as much (if at all). All in all, Im feeling pretty damned good considering Im twice the weight I really should be. Im really not missing the sweets as much as I thought I would.... Oh my, maybe I shoulda warned a couple of you to sit down before I said that....Im sorry, my bad. Dont get me wrong, I miss them..just not as bad as I *thought* I would.

So...what else ya'll wanna talk about? Let's see...we've had entries on wishes and being thankful. Oh how about Christmas? Dont groan...it's only a few weeks ago and any good shopper either has it done or is out getting odds and ends now. So today's questions are:

What item(s) are topping your wishlist for Christmas?

Now...unlike the wishes meme, this is your chance to go ahead and get materialistic. What would make you squeal like a little kid if you found it (them) under your tree this year?


Which of the items you are pretty sure will arrive there and which one(s) are just a pipedream?


Topping my list are:
01) A Bamboo by Wacom. Ohhh that would make me ~SQWEE!~ in a way that only a Bo Bice or David Cook cd could (oh forget the cd...gimme the dude in the flesh!!). Considering how much I like making banners and such, this would be a good investment too. Im pretty sure this one is going to arrive this year....even if I have to get it myself with the money that gets sent from his folks.

02) A new digital camera. Not sure which one I'd like to have. I do know it's gotta be better quality than the one I have now with a higher pixel count and better zoom. It's gotta fire up faster too BUT it still needs to be very easy to use. Im almost certain this will arrive but if it comes down between this and number 1....wel number 1 better be the one that shows up!

03) A Bowflex gym. Ok, considering the lack of space Im going to say this is a no...nevermind the cost of it which makes it a pipedream. Oh but it would be so nice to have one to add on to my exercise routine!


Ok...your turn!

monthly totals, biking, note from a friend, quiet night

Ok. I've hit day 14 now and Im doing rather well. Starting tomorrow I'll be putting the tension on level 2...a half step up from where it was set. It'll all depend on how my knees are fairing whether or not I keep it set at that level though. My right knee's always been a mess so any pain there is pretty much expected but if I develop any stiffness or pain in my presently ok left knee , I'll have to back it back off and mention it to the dr.

I got a Thank You note from my gal in NJ that got married back in August. Seems I made some points with the new husband with the gift card I chose. You see, in July I'd asked her where she was registered so I could get a gift or if she was pretty well set householdwise. She said she was set there and had gone on to say how she wished everyone had thought to ask that. Considering I'd been through 2 weddings of my own and had attended a couple others, I just figured it'd be a good idea to ask, especially since we're not living in our mother's or grandmother's eras and for the most part pretty much already have households set up before we get married. Well she gave me a list of places they like to shop at including GameStop. I figured...if the bride's gonna give me a left of center, off the wall, non-traditional place to get a card from then that's gotta be something they really really WANT as opposed to kinda sorta need right? So that's the option I took. From what she was saying, when they opened the card and her new husband saw that $50 card from GameStop sitting inside it.....his eyes just lit way up. I dont think he was expecting something like that...not at all.

Tonight's been quiet here. I half expected with all the kids in this subdivision that I'd have rugrats beating my door down for goodies tonight but it's been silent. I have a hunch that several had parties to attend because I havent heard the video game next door for more than 20 minutes all night (thank you Lord) .

Guess I'd better let this go for now. Now that Im writing daily, I want to make sure I have something to write about so it's not just all biking stats.

A little of this, a little of that

After an emotional Sunday (and a fairly equally charged up Monday with the letters back and forth), things have "slowed down" some. I think between the blast from the past (ok...so what DO I call her?) and myself , we've figured out how she managed to find me. Let's just say with what she described that a certain Someone above had to had His Hands in it because I certainly do NOT have an explanation for it. As I was told... she'd checked out the prison website to make sure her, in her own words, "wonderful uncle" still had his butt behind bars. When she was done, she hit the back button in the upper left there. In her letter I think she may have had a typo so I can only guess where she was headed back to. I suspect it was Google, and sweetie if that is the case let me know. Well something happened and some, as she put it, weird websites came up. Something made her click the first link and damned if it wasn't my page that came up. The only way I can see this happening is if it brought her to one of my first entries here. Well first entry with the second go around through here....does that make sense? Anyhow, the only way it would have shown up is if it brought her to that first entry because I had put the web link to the prison in the entry. If that's the case...she must have done a LOAD of reading to get to the entry where she left her comment. Anyhow, I've been in contact with the older sister for a few days and she's been added as a friend to my LadyStyx MySpace page. I've yet to get an invite from the second sister (the one that commented on the blog). Maybe she's busy, maybe she changed her mind...who knows. I figure if she wants to stay in touch she'll send one through. I'm not going to send one though...just in case it'll cause problems with the family. Oh I know I was assured by the one that her branch of the family isn't mad, but still....just on the off chance.

Tuesday afternoon was my third shot. *UGH* This one burned to high heaven going in. The nurse suspects that it's because she didn't let the alcohol dry long enough before giving me the injection. GEE ya THINK!!? Yes, I'm very very sensitive in matters like this. Sheesh. This shot tired my arm out big time. I don't mean the "I'm tired, I think I'll nap off cuz I didnt sleep well last night" kinda tired. I mean the kinda tired you get where you've been lifting boxes all day or scrubbing the house down for hours...that kinda tired. It was the weirdest feeling. My body must be getting used to it though because it didn't lump up as bad as last week (this week it was only the size of a skeeter bite) and didn't itch as much either...even though there was more serum that was injected. When we were done, we went to Dairy Queen for a treat (because I was "so good and didn't cry during my shots"...yeah right...hubby just wanted a custard/soft serve ice cream cone) and then over to Dress Barn to find a shirt I could live with for the wedding. Most of their stuff doesn't fit as I'm just a tad too large but I did find a nice sweater-look sleeveless blouse to go with my skirt. It's a lovely shade of pink and doesn't have wide armholes like many sleeveless blouses for my size do (no one wants to see my bra when I raise my arms thankyouverymuch!!).

Yesterday, I made another unsupervised excursion. Granted, I don't go far but I actually did more than the usual trip. I went to go get my hair freshened for the wedding...4 weeks and the roots were already becoming slightly obvious. When I got there, the poor guy that did my hair the last couple times already had his hands full and told me it was going to be a bit of a wait. That's the problem with liking the most popular stylist in the salon! I asked him how long because I planned on making a couple other stops before going home. When he said that I'd have time for to go do them I asked if we were talking an hour or so. He said to call in an hour and he'd have a better idea. LOL. Shows me to just pop on in eh? So while I was waiting I decided I'd do some shopping. There wasn't much sense going home because if I did that I'd probably want to just stay home and I did need a few of the items I ultimately purchased.

My first stop was to Catherine's. My main purpose was to find a pair of biker shorts to wear under the skirt I'll be wearing to the wedding. I wanted biker shorts because they're longer and do a fairly decent job of keepin the ol "thunder thighs" from causing total discomfort while I'm dressed up. It's a trick I'd picked up in Louisiana in the hot summer months. It would get hot and sticky due to the heat and humidity and of course at the time all the female staff members at the school I worked for HAD to wear skirts. Well fat thighs pretty much cannot take that type of weather and anyone in their right mind wore knit shorts underneath....well unless they didn't mind the Cub scouts chasing after them with marshmallows on sticks hoping the friction would start a campfire. Oh...and you needed them for modesty sakes because we had a few perverted students that liked to hide under the metal staircase around back and look UP as the girls came down the stairs. Mostly it was a comfort issue though. Of course they didn't have any so I'll have to see if I find something that'll work when we go out later tonight. It's either that or I'll have to find another way of dealing with it.

While at Catherine's I picked up the knee highs I was going to need (thank GOD for long skirts!!). I also found a couple shirts on the clearance racks that I liked. I have this pair of jean shorts that fit but don't fit and I really needed something better in the top department to wear with them. Ya see, I'm built strangely. I'm short in the inseam but the trunk is long and of course the manufacturers of the clothing nowadays make their clothes to fit the trends. If I buy shorts (or even pants) that fit around my natural waistline, then many times they don't fit nice in the seat or the thighs. If I buy a pair that look nice while I stand, then usually I cant sit in them and if I buy so I can sit then they slop all over. I rarely find pairs of pants that fit off the rack as at 5'4.5" I'm too short for the averages and too tall for the petites. Shorts are another trial because I like mine longer...so they hit the knee. Why? Because of the thunder thigh issue. I walk and normal shorts start to ride up and then I have those cub scouts chasing me again. Top things all off manufacturers are still on the waistbandonthehips kick. Man do I ever hate that. I managed to find some shorts several weeks back at a decent length...however I have to keep pulling them up some. Why? Because I want them at my NATURAL waist and not down around my hips. Unfortunately, when I get them where I want them (so my butt and my hips are covered) the front part dips to below the belly button. Top things all off the pocket liners keep creeping up and poking out of the pockets and I think it looks tacky. So here I am constantly adjusting the shorts because they wiggle down to where they're made to be and at the same time have to pull the shirt down a bit because tends to move up a bit as I'm moving. Perfectly normal for a shirt and since it's cut at the appropriate hip length...well the belly has been getting a little flashnpeek action. If this isn't bad enough...hubby's discovered the back pockets... Anyhow (where was I..oh yeah the shirts), I was wearing said shorts yesterday so I figured to try a few shirts out and see if there was anything I liked. I found a couple that were long enough to cover everything that they should and allow me to move comfortably without worrying about looking overly tacky. The good news on those shirts (other than they fit well and hide what should be hidden) is that they were on the 50% off rack. WHOOT! Both shirts cost less than the piece of costume jewelry I bought to dress up the outfit I'm wearing to the wedding. YAY ME!

After Catherine's I went to Payless. If there is one thing I hate with a passion more than attempting to find pants or shorts to fit me is shoe shopping. I was reading in someone's blog today (in one of their earlier entries...not sure whose blog...was someone who's a blogger friend of a blogger friend I'm sure) that they were sure they missed the girly/shoe lover gene. Well I'd like to let them know, they ain't alone. I hate looking for shoes. Again...I'm hard to fit. Across my foot (especially my left one because I jacked it up badly a few years back), I'm a 9 wide. From toe to heel, however, I'm only an 8. Mom always called them Fred Flintstone feet....short n wide but got me where I was going. If the sizing wasn't already difficult, I also have narrow heels. In sneakers, this isn't a big issue as they are tied to your feet and for all people know, your feet really are that big. Dress shoes, are another matter. I can't wear heels anymore as they hurt my feet and ankles (so they MUST be flats), pointy toes pinch, round and square toes are ugly and most times I end up in these plumfk ugly-assed shoes that look like a guy's dress shoes that tend to slip off my heels (and yeah, I've tried "heel grabbers"...they dont work for me). Shoes that would look on a guy or with a pantsuit....which I'm not wearing. I am wearing a beautiful, flowy, chiffon(?) skirt with that pink shirt I mentioned above. So I opted for comfort over looks and will more than likely kick the damn things off as soon as the ceremony's over with. I'm tempted to find some black ballerina type slippers and wear those buggers instead. She did tell me to wear what I "feel comfortable and pretty in".

By the time I found a pair of shoes I could somewhat live with and the trip to Catherine's, I went back to the salon. I get in and the poor dude was up to his elbows with another client. Considering how warm and sticky it was I pretty much decided to sit and wait this time. I knew he wasn't too much farther until he could stop with that one client anyhow. She was having her hair colored (highlights and lowlights) and if memory served me right from the last trip in (I sat and watched another stylist working with the foils while my stylist worked on my hair), it looked like he was pretty close to being at a stop point anyhow. He got her moved over and told me to take a seat while he got my coloring. When he got back, I thought to myself...."does he have enough colorant in that bottle? I think not". Wouldn't you know, I was right. Guy forgot it takes 2 bottles even though my hair is short because I have so much up there. For the next hour or so he was running between the two of us getting things done. When one was at a point where the solution had to set, he worked on the other. Hers took a while though and I ended up spending a great deal of time at the sink waiting. He made sure it was worth my while though as he added some services that I do not see listed on my receipt. After he'd rinsed the color out, he put in a shine treatment (cold!) and let it set while he worked on her hair a bit...then he ran back after a while and rinsed it out, then placed in another treatment of some kind (VERY COLD!!!). Whatever he added, all I know is that the tight itchy scalp (thanks to the fact I don't drink enough water I'm sure) I normally have hasn't bothered me at all yet today. He must have been close to being done because he came back one more time to rinse and added a deep conditioning treatment to my hair and set me under the drier for a bit while he finished and caught a quick break. Yet another rinse and then my hair was blown dry and trimmed. This stylist seems to have an aversion to cutting hair at times. He has, however, managed to find a style I can live with. It's short enough to keep down year round and has enough volume to it so I don't look like I've had my head shrunk. Once my hair was dry he trimmed sections of it so the volume stayed and didn't weigh the rest of the style down.

When I got home, I started the laundry and checked my emails. Hubby wanted to know what was for supper. The last day or so, I haven't done much cooking because I don't want anything left in the 'fridge just incase something happens when we're gone. *knocks on wood* He's supposed to only be working a half day today but I haven't heard much from him since this morning. I suspect things have gotten busy and he'll be later than he planned getting home tonight....*ears perk up* oh wait...I hear him now. I'd better scoot as I have a few things to do before bed tonight.

EDIT: 1018pm: Got that friend request today from the next sister. After I accepted, she left a comment and wouldnt ya know...she called me aunt. ~smilez~

a semi-busy-nothing-important-but-alot-getting-done kinda week pt2

Tuesday, while we were heading to run our errands, we saw a sign in the window of the local Hollywood Video store...Buy 2 Get 2 free dvds. Oh hell. If there's one thing I cannot resist (other than copious amounts of chocolate in any form, music, stuffed animals and plaster crafts) it's dvds at a good price. My biggest problem is that there were several movies I had (read as left behind because of the dumbass that shall remain nameless) that I'd love to replace. The hardest problem is remembering which I have now and ones that I HAD....which means I get confused alot and have to ask hubby if we have it or not which makes me feel really damn stupid. Anyhow, sales like this are tremendously dangerous for the both of us. We can easily pop down nearly $100 and that's AFTER weeding out several titles that are simply not "must have nows". Among the titles we bought are: The Other Boleyn Girl, The Water Horse, The Producers, Mad Money, The Bucket List and John Tucker Must Die. I've watched three total movies since last weekend and I'm half tempted to throw another in for this evening as there's nothing on but the NCIS marathon on channel 35 (but then again....Mark Harmon's always a pretty nice distraction ;) ). I've watched John Tucker Must Die (very funny movie...especially with some of the dirty stuff they pull on him and how that dog turns it around to his benefit...), Mad Money (not a bad movie...Katie Holmes is absolutely adorable in this movie but it isn't exactly Dianne Keaton's finest work) and the Phantom of the Opera. The last one, I've listened to the original soundtrack to and so I was very familiar with it. The movie helped clear up a little confusion I had towards the end of the soundtrack as well as gave new perspective to a couple other areas (back flashes where I wasn't aware there were any..). The singing wasn't bad but I much preferred the original soundtrack over what was presented in the movie. No one sings the leads quite like Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. Although, I do have to admit seeing Minnie Driver in the part of Carlotta was a hoot and a half. It takes some real skill to appear to sing that badly and still stay in key.


Tuesday...I know there was more. Oh I think it was Tuesday when we went shopping too. We headed over to the UPS store and picked up our mail (before the dr appointment I think..we got alot done before that appointment for sure), then we went to GameStop and bought a gift card for my friend's wedding gift. Hey...she gave the store as an option! Like I told the clerk, everyone else is gonna buy house type stuff and if anyone is gonna buy her something a little left of center...it'd be me. After that we went to WallyWorld for a few items and it was here I made that decision on the window treatments. I got the curtain rods and the tiers...then hit up the electronics department to see if they had a certain cd. *grumblez* nope. We got home to unload before going to the dr and I realize *DAMN!* I got the wrong size on one of the rods. Left the rod in the truck on our way to the dr's. Went to the dr and then to the WalMart (the one closer to our place). While at this WallyWorld, I check to see if ~maybe~ that cd showed up here yet. Nope. Damn what the hell....WalMart's not gonna carry the Ace Young cd? I thanked the clerk that tried to help me and said I'd hit Target for it because I KNEW they'd have it. LOL. Yeah, Im all for telling peeps thanks for making me not feel guilty shopping your competitor (and no...I still dont have it...I think I'll be heading to Amazon in a bit to get it). Luther's was lunch...boy it was sticky enough outside I wanted a beer so badly but I wasn't allowed to have one (no alcohol 4 hrs before and 4 hours after those damn shots). Our last stop was at the Bottom Dollar for the few groceries we needed. About two weeks ago I had a fit with how cluttered the cabinets in the kitchen and the freezer were so I've basically said no shopping unless it's NEEDED...milk, bread, eggs fine...anything else ain't needed! We've cut our food bill in half the last couple weeks...I'm so damn proud. Go us!


I'm not sure what all we did on Wednesday. I think we kinda just stuck around home as it was due for one of those stupid storms again and I hate being caught out in one. Hubby finished up the catch-all room that day and we can move around in it comfortably now....but then I mentioned that in the last entry. After he was done and cooled off some, (and after I had an unexpected nap) I went downstairs and got his hair cut. I think he'll be all set for next week as it takes a while for his to grow back in. I usually end up cutting it 4-5 times a year at best. Now mine, well it'll need a bit of sprucing up next week before we go. Since we won't be able to check in until 3pm, I may hold off and get it done that morning before we leave. Then it'll be semi-fresh for when we get there and minimal work will need to go into it on Saturday morning to get it to look nice.


It did definitely storm on Wednesday. About 45 minutes after I got his hair cut, the storm warnings started up. There was a tornado watch until after midnight and flash flood watches until after peak traffic time on Thursday. Surprise surprise...the warnings on the television actually showed up IN A TIMELY MANNER! Wow. Color me shocked. Was that dripping in enough sarcasm? I hope so.


Thursday I heard hubby get up and get ready for work. I felt him give me a kiss and heard a see ya later just like every other day. A couple hours later I had a surprise that I wasn't expecting when I heard the front door being opened and the dog getting all excited. Considering the noise she was making, well I KNEW who was home and wondered how I managed to sleep the whole day away. I rolled over and it was only about 8am-ish. HUH?? When he got upstairs, I asked him why he was home so soon....not that I minded...I miss him lots when he's gone. Well he told me that they wanted help the next few Sundays because one of the other workers is going to school and needs Sundays off for one reason or another. When they asked hubby to help out this coming Sunday, he told them so long as he could go home for the day. It was a fair enough trade I guess. Only problem is that he has classes on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning so he won't really be getting a day off until Friday.... *bah*. Once I got up and got going, we decided to go out and take a run to yet another comic shop that's closer to our townhouse. We managed to wipe that shop clean of boards and bags too (did I mention he has ALOT of comics? oh I did?). With any luck he has enough supplies to finish up the boxes he has HERE. I stress here because he's got about 12-15 of the long boxes back at his folks' home and Lord knows if he has them bagged correctly yet.


On Thursday we also went out to Bob Evan's for lunch. Mmmm Italian Sausage and penne...yummy! Well...usually yummy. They seemed to have over cooked the pasta a bit more than I care for (I love it el dente). After we ate we went to the local library and donated about 6 months worth of magazines and 2 books. Boy were they ever happy to see that donation come in. While we were there, we got ourselves library cards. I don't see that we'll be there too often what with the Internet for research and all the books we have here to read (not to mention the dvds for viewing...). It's always nice to have a library card just in case though. I wanna say there was another stop after that,but I don't think there was.


Not much else...I worked on my page some yesterday. The dandelions were pretty much iggy inspired and I'd hoped to get them up before he got back from his "dandelion break" but I couldnt get it to work out the way I wanted. At least not until I found the busy bee for my banner. I think I kinda like it. Well I suppose I should scoot....I've got a load of laundry in the washer that needs to go to the dryer and a steroid rat that really should be set outside for a bit before she messes in my house. While downstairs, maybe I'll get those curtains up as well.


Oh...before I forget (again)...Iggy wondered in the comments section of part one how many different things each of my readers collect. So everyone put your thinking caps on.....dont answer it in here though. I'll be devoting another entry for just that type of conversation. Oh....and those that I sent that questionnaire to via email...if you havent done it yet, if you could get it turned in....I've got something planned for the answers I got (yes, I'll be giving the "correct" answers)


Everyone have a wonderful day!

Busy busy busy

Boy has the email inbox ever been busy today thanks to the wonderful questionnaire that iggy sent along. I'm sure we all got it a few times over today. Between that and the back and forth communications with my gal in NJ regarding her wedding in a couple weeks and hubby checking in on me. *whew* It took me most of the morning to get through my edjumakatshunalz (got a few of those to post in another post or two...so Tori you could probably skip those when you finally rejoin us), then the blog entries (there's a couple out there that need to be working on theirs too.... :P~~) and a last minute suggestion about a bumper sticker idea (I sent him 3 and now he has trouble choosing! LOL Careful whatcha ask for hun...). On top of that I'm in the midst of doing laundry so I'm up and down the stairs more frequently than I'd really care to be doing. Anyhow....

Taking it back to the 2nd of July...I made another unsupervised excursion out of the safe confines of my town home to the Haircuttery. It had been a couple months since the last cut and it was really beginning to need it desperately. I also opted to spend a little extra (OK...alot more)and have them color my hair as well. Every time I try to do it the color doesn't look quite right...at least not how I imagine it to look. It's either to orangy or too dark and I look all washed out. My stylist opted for a blend of two colors that looks great on me. It's closer to my natural color but it still has some of the red hi-lights that I love so much ( I HATE the blond ashy hi-lights I got naturally). I'll have to get hubby to take a pic the day I go back in for a touch up. Gotta make sure the metallic hi-lights are still gone for the wedding on August 2nd ya know. Especially since I know my gal was showing them several years back so if she hasn't taken to coloring....well I'll look younger than her and her sister. ~grinz~

On July 5th, I got to spend time with my SCSis. Boy we had a wonderful time. They were due in somewhere around 1130 and 1pm. Yeah I know according to Mapquest it's about a 40 minute drive at best BUT it doesn't take into account how horrid the traffic can be...plus they had a couple other stops they wanted to go to before they got here. On the way in they noticed the Air and Space Museum, so when they got here she pointed out that Bull Run was just down the road. Ummmm...I know I don't get out often but I'm pretty aware of what kinda historical crap is around me and I don't care too much about it thankyouverymuch . Well...that's the look she got when she point out Bull Run was close. Then she mentioned that the Smithsonian Institute's Air and Space Museum was there. OK, not my thing but she was trying to find a way to spend a bit more time than just lunch with us so OK, I guess I'm game.

Since hubby and I hadn't eaten yet, we all went to lunch first. The place was OK. I'm not in any real hurry to go back to it again but I wont complain if we do. The food was good but I don't really think it was worth the price (ka-chingville). After we went to the Museum. We were hoping to catch an IMAX movie while there but the machines that print the tickets went on the fritz and Lord knows when they'd come back up so we decided to just hit the museum and more than likely will go back another day when they visit. Like I said before, this place wasn't really my type of thing so I was merely aim n shooting my way through. Here I am, the slowest member of my party because my knees are whack and I'm so heavy that being on my feet for long periods can be quite bothersome to not only my feet but my sciatic nerve, just cruising through and making better time through the sections than the rest of them. It allowed me to get some really neat pix of the planes, satellites and such though (not to mention some "alien" pix for iggy's enjoyment). After I get this entry posted, I'll put the links for my Photobucket accounts over to the right on the homepage so ya'll can see the pix if you care to. The folder on Photobucket is 2008-07-05 Air and Space Museum or something like that. Make sure you get the right year as I have 2 Air and Space Museum trips in there...the other's from a Dallas trip. There's more than a hundred of that museum trip with SCSis...fair warning.

When we were done with the museum, SCSis decided she was ready for an adult level beverage so we carted ourselves off to a sports bar in the area. The idea was to have a drink or two out on the patio and then go to the restaurant we had in mind for supper. After our first round, we pretty much decided it might be a good idea to just stay there. We brought our drinks in and were seated. They had a trivia game going with these electronic answer pads so SCBro grabbed one of those and we played as a team. SCSis had a bit under her belt already and when her hubby asked for a team name she decided on the FluffBunny. *shakes head* Of course the name wouldn't fit and he starts fishing for a new name ....to which I blurt out (thanks the the second daiquiri) yes it does FlfBny. *shakes head again* Yeah, it don't take much....not at all. We had supper and played 4-5 rounds of trivia, winning all but the last game.

They brought us home and wouldn't you know, there wasn't a space to park ANYWHERE in a 4 block radius of the townhouse. Thank goodness they'd been driving and not us because after a long day if I'd gotten home and our spot was taken I would have been pissed. It happens way too frequently for my liking. Now if the vehicle is in and the flashers are on, more than likely it's an emergency. However, it's generally someone that's come for a visit and obviously cannot read that it's reserved. Many of the people in this cul-du-sac have been here a while though and should know to instruct visitors to not park in the spaces with numbers on them. Shoot, I've been here since March and all my friends and family know where to park. *inserts eyeroll*

From the blogs I'm seeing a couple of my fellow bloggers are in the hospital so have them in my thoughts today . I am happy that Tori's getting her eye taken care of and will be outta pain soon. Looks like it may be in time to be healed nicely for the wedding she's going to in August. Marmy's back in for her knee. I'm a little worried about her because it shouldn't be taking this long to get it sorted out. I hope they get it fixed up nicely so she's got one less thing to worry about. She seems to be keeping her chin up from what she writes in the blog but I know it's ~gotta~ be frustrating to say the least when something that was supposed to fix a problem does nothing more than generate more troubles. My thoughts are with both of you two today as you get things taken care of.


As many of you know, I've been having fits getting my allergy stuff sorted out. The allergist had assured me that she did, indeed, write the script for the Manassas Clinic. I got an email on Tuesday morning from her stating that the serum was in the refrigerator at her clinic and that she'd send it to where it needed to go. That email arrived around 9:30am. Hubby had a 3:50pm appointment at the dr's so I figured while I was there that I would ask and see if it came in...maybe get my first shot taken care of . Well, when I got there...the serum hadn't shown up yet (they called and it was in transit) but I was brought back to meet the nurse who would be giving the shots. I went through with her a basic scheduling. The shots are administered on Tuesdays and Fridays. Because hubby works Fridays (and the fact it's $15 every time I go in for the shots), I told her it'd have to be once a week ...it didn't much matter if I could get the shots twice a week. The only way Friday works right now is if I take a cab in and that's extra money out of pocket. Once hubby goes nights in September, I may be able to come up with a second trip in a week but right now I just don't see making a special trip by cab if I didn't have other business up that way already ya know? Oh well....so I set my appointment for next week...the 22nd.

So I sat...waiting on hubby to come outta his appointment when a delivery showed up. The receptionist laughed when she saw it grab my attention and said "No...it's not for you". LOL She sounded like me talking to the dog when she acts up as I'm handling food! Not a few minutes later, the nurse poked her head out of reception and called me back...it had arrived via a different carrier at the other entrance. YAY. I was brought back and she explained what the shots were going to be. Each of the 1st 3 vials would have 4 shots a piece in it. Each shot more of the allergen would be injected....each vial would be 10x stronger than the vial before. When I start a new vial, the smallest possible dose is given. She gave me my first shot...hardly felt it. Well at least hardly felt it until it started reacting to the serum. It got all pink and itchy but no bump which is good. I was sent to the waiting room to fill out a questionnaire while I waited for the serum to start working into my blood stream (they like you to wait for 30 minutes in case a bad reaction happens). Another 20 minutes later, hubby came out from his appointment and was surprised to find me sitting with paperwork. I told him I had another 10 minutes or so before I could go so he stepped out to pollute his lungs (man I wish he'd quit). The nurse called me back again and asked me some questions (which I didn't have an answer to...I've sense gotten the answers and written her via the medical site with the info) , then checked on the injection site. Told her it itched ...like a skeeter bite but wasn't too bad.

Not much more happened after that. Went to the Dairy Queen for a late lunch/ early dinner and then grocery shopping. Didn't need much , just the staples. About an hour after the injection I ended up with a slight reaction...runny nose and coughing, almost like I had a cold but it cleared up after a while.


Oh...my desk! We got the room torn down, carpet vacuumed and shampooed and the desks put back up. As you can see there's a bunch more room now. I took the pic from the doorway and as you can see, I'm not blocked in anymore! There's pretty much space for everything now too. We had to get that cart on the right near the trash can for the printer but it didnt fit where it needed to be so we moved my file cabinet to the left and put the cart near the window for the phone and other small equipment. At least it gives room for the one project that was hogging my desk, namely his box of pictures. I'm working on scanning them and putting them in a photo album. I'm liking the cubby holes for all the little stuff, I was tired of digging around for things when I needed them.

I guess that's about it. It's time to go downstairs and get the load outta the dryer and folded.

*HUGZ*

Not much going on around here. Just the usual. A couple thought provoking blogs have pretty much kept me quiet the last few days as I ponder the subject matter. I think I pretty much said all I had to in the comment on the one though; if I dissect the topic it'll just result in a long rambling entry (no surprise there) as my mind freely wanders about the subject matter and doesnt come to a definite decision on anything (I hate seeing both sides of issues...it really sux and makes me feel like Charlie Brown at times)...much like my MySpace blogs on Wednesday mornings during American Idol season. No definite answers just alot of why it'd be right ifs. Now many of my readers will know exactly which topic Im touching on but my other readers, that dont share that particular aspect of my life, are scratching their heads believing that they finally found proof I went off the deep end. In any case, events like that seem to happen in that particular world a few times a year and once a year there's always a blow-up of nuclear proportions so this was no real surprise. The only surprising things were 01) the time of year it happened in (from what I noticed they usually happen in the autumn) and 02) for the first time in 4 years, I wasnt involved in it in any shape or form (whether it be the stirrer or the receiver) so Im mighty glad of that. Dont get me wrong, I dont like knowing my friends went through this problem....not at all. It was enough to have me decide to pull down the ads from all my sites. If another site goes up that I feel good about, then I may just be convinced to put another ad up. Until then, however, I'll be staying out of chat for awhile. Sorry. Anyhow...on to other things.

The other one that got me to thinking was Tori's. In one of her entries she asked which Harry Potter character we saw ourselves as. Im going to quick apologize to Tori for hijacking the comment section to ask a few of my friends who I seem to liken. It wasnt right and I should have brought it over here if I wanted to ask it. Anyhow, I went and found a bunch of those quiz thingys you find online and most of them place me in with the Hermiones but I also got Luna and Ginny as results also. What I didnt admit to in her comment section but I will here is that I actually got a Dumbledore result too. I've always said I had a bit of an old soul. I guess that just proves it. Iggy was quick to point out that I had gone through alot in my life and as such really couldnt be classified as a student and had suggested I was more like Lily Potter with a little Proffessor McGonagall and Proffessor Sprout put in the mix. If I recall he tossed in some Firenze and Rolanda Hooch. I know a reference was made about how I'd fit into the HufflePuff House and I have to agree as I most closely resemble the character traits of the house. On the otherhand, with the comment that I was much like Lily places me firmly in Gryffindor. Why? Because every result in those quizzes (with the exception of Luna...who was a Ravenclaw...which house character traits closely fit me as well) were all Gryffindors...as well as many of those that were suggested (Lily Potter and Proffessor McGonagall....Prof Sprout was a HufflePuff). The only question is which houses Firenze and Rolanda Hooch would fall in. I know he was a Centaur (very cool choice by the way Iggy) but I dont recall what house Rolanda was in. All I recall was that she taught flying and was the ref for the Quiddich matches. I suspect with the traits she displayed that she was more than likely a HufflePuff too (loyalty, honesty, fair play, and hard work). Oh and yes Tori, from what was said in the last book...Hermione and Lily sound an aweful lot alike. I suspect that's why the Harry and Hermione characters were never intended to become a love interest for each other as she was too much like a mom. So, if Iggy's going to place me predominantly with Lily Potter (it was due to her fiercely protectiveness of her child right?) then I have to guess that I have a bit of Molly Weasley (nee Prewett) because she was just as fiercely protective and a pinch of Buckbeak as well. Anyone who's seen me working in a chatroom will probably agree that if you get on my bad side it's like getting Fluffy, Norbert(a) and Buckbeak rolled up in one mean-ass critter (Karla for sure can confirm this one). So Im going to ask in here (just in case you've missed Tori's blog)...who are you in the Harry Potter world?

*gets sidetracked* Oh look, their emblem was the lion and the element is fire....hmm Im a Leo with an element of fire...I guess that settles it. *gets back on track*

I know Iggy's already said he's much like Hagrid and I really have agree with that and I know Tori's said she's Luna/Hermione. I dont know Tori as well but from the way she writes, I'd say that's pretty accurate.

While we were out last week, we stopped off at McKay's Used books and after not finding something I'd like in the music section....I wandered into the youth books. I've pretty much decided to get some of the books I'd read as a child. It would be nice to be able to read them when I like and not have to pop into a library to borrow them...especially since most of the books take less than a day to read if I read straight through. I bought The Secret Garden (19th edition from July 1982), The Black Stallion's Filly (Im guessing the 2002 printing as that's when the artwork is copywrited for) and King of the Wind (the latest date is 1976 but the cover looks like it's in way too good condition). I've got all but the garden one read right now. I've also decided to make a list of all the books of each of the horse series that I need for the collection and plan on getting them all eventually. While writing out the list I looked up a couple of titles and found out they were actually each book 2 of a 3 book series. Well then, I just added those down as well . It'll give me something new to read as well as the old stories that I loved so well.

While we were getting ready to go out last week, I got an interesting shot from out my office window. You can just see it in the center there. It's not often you see the moon out as late as 930am.....

This coming weekend my SCSis is coming for a visit. Her and her hubby will be travelling to DC to see the fireworks for the 4th and want to take us out to supper. Originally it was supposed to be them seeing the fireworks and then coming afterwords but we all decided it'd be too late to do anything on the 4th, especially since it's nearly an hour drive in bad traffic between us and the Capitol. It was decided that she and her hubby would come in on Saturday instead and we'd do lunch or supper that day instead. I cant wait, it's been almost 2 years since I saw her last. I wish they lived a bit closer. *laffz* Actually she says the same to me when she and I get on the phone. Im considering getting my metallic highlights covered this Wednesday. I know that if it looks like crap, SCSis'll be honest enough to tell me so. This way I have time to get it fixed before the wedding I have to go to in August.

I may be offline for a couple days this coming week, so heads up. Hubby decided he doesnt want his desk any more because it's too big for the spot it's in. Im using an old pic because I want to spare everyone the chaos that's our office. What you cant really see in this pic is that there's ~maybe~ an inch between those two desks. His is the one with all the cubbyholes (something that I could really use with all the "projects" on my desk...) on the left. To the left of his desk is the closet. There is just enough room for a file cabinet between him and the closet. The closet door doesnt shut because all the stuff he has crammed in there....or is it because he needs things handy so he keeps it open?? Anyway. He's got little to no room over there. Less, actually, because since this pic was taken he's bought a new computer which has a larger tower (less leg room now) and a bigger monitor (less desk space now). He's decided he wants a smaller desk , so we'll be moving his one with the cubbies over to my corner and moving the one that's presently mine to the other room. Not sure if he's going to buy a new one or use the small one that's in the bedroom (the one that used to sit in our guest room for my sewing machine while we lived in Texas).

Well, Im gonna scoot. Hubby wants to watch a movie....