Happy New Year

So I decided to stay in tonight. I could have met up with friends, but I just am not in the mood to deal with crowds or stupid drivers or anything like that. And because I have to get up so early tomorrow - I need a quiet night. Plus, I still have a killer headache that I've had since Saturday. So I'm just hanging out at home, not even drinking anything. I'll go to bed right after midnight, just to close the door on this horrible year. I'm so hopeful that 2008 will be much better than 2007 was.

I'm just about done packing - just the last-minute things. So tomorrow I'll get up, do my measurements, finish packing, and head out the door.

Happy New Year!

2007 Goals - How Did I Do?

So these were my 2007 Personal Goals. How did I do??

Creative Memories
* Build customer database - kind of did this
* Strive to have 1 new event a month and 1 regular crop - had my monthly crop. Had a few new events, but not enough
* Send out monthly e-mail updates - for the most part I did this
* Send out quarterly newsletters - slacked off here
* Weekend Crop - March - did this
* Memoranzia - April - did this
* Croptoberfest - October - did this
* Open House – November/December - tried to do this, but it was a bust
* Recruit - didn't do this

Family/Friends
* Monthly e-mail updates to family - didn't do this at all
* Try to keep in better contact with friends - did this
* Write more letters to Grandma and Sarah - didn't do this
* Monthly get-togethers with local friends - for the most part, did this

Health - Lose weight and tone up
* Develop a work out routine – keep it varied - got better here
* Eat healthier, and more consistently – no more skipping meals - varied
* Monthly measurements - sometimes
* Start doing fun activities – biking, hiking, etc. - on occasion
* Train for triathlon - did not do

House Improvements - didn't really do any of this section
* Redo backyard
* Buy shed for backyard - got 1; need 1 more
* Replace front door
* Paint guest bathroom and bedroom
* Go through every room and declultter
* Clean out and organize storage area
* Replace carpet in living room/hall/steps/bedrooms/downstairs
* Replace cabinets in kitchen
* Buy new stove and dishwasher

Photo Albums
* Stay current with yearly album - current through Christmas
* Finish Disney album - just have to journal 2005 and 2006; started 2007
* Update Holiday album
* Finish College albums
* Work on state quarters album
* Football album – 2006 and 2007 - finished 2006; started 2007
* Organize rest of pictures - did 1/2 of this

Professional Development
* Recertify for CCP – need 5 credits by end of February - did

Travel
* Budget in trips to Tech for football - did this
* Budget in Trips to other locations for football games - did this
* Day trips throughout DC area
* Las Vegas in January - cancelled due to Dad
* Maine in June - cancelled due to Dad
* Minnesota in August - did this
* Girls’ scrapbooking weekend?? - didn't do this
* Disney trip - did this

Personal
* Date
* Pay down home equity loan - did this some
* Pay off credit cards - did this


So all in all, I didn't do too well. I'll have to revise these for 2008 and hopefully can do better next year.

It's Almost Over

Finally - the year from hell is almost over. Yippee!! I just want it to be done. I hope that 2008 will be better. In one way, it will. This is the first year in many that the football crew won't be together. And I'm glad. Every year there have been issues with everyone together and I'm sick of it. So we're not meeting up until the next day, and who knows who will be there. The marrieds and I will be together and the singles will be together. Who knows if we'll meet up. I don't even care if we don't see them. It'll be better that way - we don't need their negativity.

Now I just have to shake this mood. I'm not sure why I've been in a funk lately - I think it's just because I want this year to be over. I need a big change in things.

Christmas was good. It was nice being away from everything. I got to spend time with the people I wanted to see. And we got snow!! Grandma is doing better. Everyone looks good. And we relaxed. What I needed.

But now to decide about tomorrow night. Do I go out or stay in? I'm not even sure at this point. One of the girls from work is going to Ned's and I might go with her. But since I have to leave the house at 6 a.m., I'm inclined to stay home and celebrate later. So we'll see.

Blah Mood

I'm in a blah mood. Not totally sure why. It could be the holiday blues, or the weather, or who knows what. I know the holidays will be hard not having my dad here. I'm prepared for it, so I hope this isn't the start of that. I just want to get away from the blahs and find some happiness and joy again.

Update on things

Let's see, where do I start?

1. Talked to MB#3 today. He told me that at their company meeting on Friday, my old boss made a statement to the office praising the admin staff for having to work by themselves for most of the year without anyone managing them. WTF? MB#3 almost raised holy hell about that since I had been there for 7 months, working my tail off.

2. MB#3 - we talked for the first time in over a month. It was a nice talk; we might try and get together for a happy hour this month. But apparently the wife found out that he had been texting me a lot earlier. She was looking at the bill and saw the numerous texts that we had. He didn't want to say anything to me about it, but finally did. So as I told him, nothing can happen. And that's why. He felt bad, but finally understood.

3. The football crew. It looks like there will definitely be a split at some point. So many people are noticing Eric's childish moods and frankly, it's getting on everyone's nerves. He is acting like such a spoiled child. So most of us will probably start tailgating with AnotherDamnYankeeHokie and Chicken Boy. The other two will stay with Eric. And it's sad that he has to be that way. He's still holding his grudge against me - and I don't even care anymore. Kim is the same. Half of the time she was looking and acting annoyed at Eric, which was part of my conversation to Eric. But wow - let me say anything and it's like I committed the cardinal sin. I'll be glad when I'm not spending time with them anymore - it's too stressful.

4. So Repete wants me to come down to Tampa and spend New Year's with him, then fly down to Tampa on the 1st or 2nd. But it's too expensive for me to do that. I asked him to come to Miami and visit me there - it would be much cheaper for him to do that. We'll see what he says. It would be fun to see him again.

5. MB#1. He's trying to figure out if he can go to the Charlottesville show with me. Don't think anyone else will be going. He doesn't want Frenchy going to that show. And we're trying to figure out when we can get together again. He's got some CDs to get to me. I just wish we didn't have these feeling for each other.

Latest Update

So grandma is going home today. They're still not sure what happened, but they ruled out her heart. Which is good. She has to go see a spine doctor and see if there is anything wrong there. And they think she had a really bad muscle spasm. But that makes no sense - would that cause them to take her via helicopter to the Mayo Clinic?

In other dealings, I got an e-mail from RK today. He's down in Florida, trying to get me to come to Tampa when I'm there over the weekend. But there is no time to do that this trip. It would be fun to see him - it's been over 10 years since we've seen each other. I wrote him back - we'll see if he answers.

When Will This End?

So my stepmom calls me today - before my time to call her. To tell me that she's in Rochester with my Aunt because my grandmother is in the hospital (Mayo Clinic) and they don't know why. She had to get helicoptered there. Something about her heart, but they ruled out a heart attack. So we're playing the waiting game. Again. And it's frustrating. This year has been an ongoing struggle with people's health, and it's annoying. I think we've had enough trauma this year - actually more than enough. My poor stepmother - she's barely keeping it together. Between Dad's death, her mom earlier this year, my brother's death, my uncle's brain struggles, and now this. How much more can she take?

Finding Peace

So today I went down to Blacksburg. Really didn't want to go. I'm getting sick of the crap that is going on and really can't wait to get away from it all for awhile. It's just so stupid. Anyway, the main reason I was going was because I was supposed to meet up with Atlanta Boy. I haven't seen him in quite some time and I wanted to see him. So we met at one bar and had a beer, then went to our favorite place for dinner. Then he walked me back to my car. It's nice how we can still be friends. I'm the only girl that he's ever dated that he's still friends with. And I think it's because we went out for so long. He's the one that I call when I really need to just hear a familiar voice. When my dad was dying, he's the one I was crying to. He got the first phone call when my dad passed away, and he got the phone call when my brother passed away.

But, he usually pulls away when he's dating someone. He feels like it's not right to be friends in that case. And it's frustrating because he and I are just friends. Nothing more. And we'll never be anything more than friends. So there is no reason to pull away. So imagine my surprise when I find out that he's dating someone. Totally surprised since we spent part of the evening together, we're spending most of tomorrow together, and we're sitting together at the game. So it's good to know that he's finally over that stupid quirk of his.

And honestly, I feel at peace with it. I'm glad he's finding someone who can make him happy right now. And that we can still be in each other's lives. He's very special to me and I'd hate to lose that over a relationship.

And MB#1 called me tonight. He wanted me to meet him at the bar by our house, but as he was calling me, he remembered that I was out of town. But if I wasn't out of town, I'd meet him. I'm still thinking about Monday night and what happened and how to deal with that. I really wish our timing would have been better and we could have been at the same point in time together.

MB#2 didn't bowl last night. And that was good. I don't know how much more I can tell him "no, I'm not going out with you and I don't want to sleep with you." I like him as a friends, but that's it.

And nothing from MB#3. He's mad at me because I've told him that there is nothing going on. We haven't been e-mailing like we were before because I've been so busy. I don't have time to e-mail. And I haven't been home to even be on the phone. He just doesn't understand that I can't be there for him all of the time.

ACK!!

I was very bad tonight. Very bad. We went to the Springsteen show - it was me, my friend Lisa, my friend Frenchy and MB#1. We always go to a show together during every tour. And we were flirting around a lot, but that's how we are.

Anyway, afterwards, he dropped me off at my house and came in for a bit. And when he was getting ready to leave, we started kissing. A lot. He's just such a good kisser. And I know it was wrong and he knew it was wrong, but we have this pull towards each other. And we started fooling around a little bit, but stopped ourselves. But man, it was very hard to stop. We had to; it wasn't the right thing. I just wish our timing was better when we were dating.

And he knows my feelings on this subject and he felt bad. But I told him that I never stopped it either. It's so tempting to want to sleep with him. That was never one of our problems. But it sucks that we can't.

Stupid People

Man, people can be really stupid. So I sent out an e-mail today regarding the tailgate, asking people to post what they are bringing. So the married folks respond. The ones that aren't talking to me don't. So now we don't know if there is enough food. Finally tonight, Football boy responds that he's bringing oatmeal for himself, and if anyone wants any, to let him know. So he's bringing oatmeal. But he'll still eat breakfast and lunch. And he's bringing oatmeal for himself. WTF???? Then NC Girl responds that she's bringing corn cakes. Now, she's got 4 people coming and she's bringing corncakes? Another WTF????? Meawhile, 7 of us are bringing enough food for 16 people. We have to, since these stupid people won't respond.

How junior high is this??

I'm glad that that all this is going on. It really has made things easier for me. I don't have to deal with all of the stupid crap that I was hearing for years now. But they really need to grow up. Oh, well, it's their loss.

It's November

I haven't felt much like writing lately. I've been sick for about a week - I'm doing better except for the coughing. That's so annoying! It felt good to have the weekend at home, but I lazed away too much of it. So I'll be spending portions of every evening cleaning instead of doing fun things. Oh, well. C'est la!

Bruce is next weekend - Sunday and Monday. Yippee. I can't wait for that. It'll be a busy few weeks - hair cut and meeting this week, along with bowling. Football Saturday. Concert Sunday and Monday. Bowling the following Thursday, football over the weekend and my open house, which I'll need to get ready for. I'm hoping to get my village out (for the first time in years) in time. I did finish my EDD Countdown for Christmas. I need to get the calendar done - if I like how it looks, I might make some for the holiday bazaar that I'm doing. They would be cool to sell. Then I'll do some more countdowns (Valentine's day, Easter, July 4th, Thanksgiving, Halloween).

Need to start thinking about Christmas and how that's all going to work. We're heading to MN, which'll be hard but at least we'll be together. Now to figure out what gifts to get everyone.

More later.

I Hate Being Sick

Man, being sick sucks big time. I have no energy to do anything. I have to go to work tomorrow since I'm off the rest of the week. But I can barely stand up for a long amount of time to do that. So we'll see how it goes. I haven't felt like this in quite some time. Hopefully the antibiotics will kick in and make me feel better. And get rid of this nasty headache.

Ugh!

No Solution

So the weekend came and went with no resolution. We went to happy hour on Friday, and it was pretty hard to sit there while he's tm'ing his wife. I can't get involved in that situation. I don't care what he says. He's still married and he loves her, and I'm not going to be in the middle of it. I think he's realizing that he can't do this as well. I got a few tm's on Friday night, but nothing else all weekend.

So MB#2 called me Saturday to see how I was, and it was hard to talk to him as well. I'm just not into him. It would be nice if I could be, but the chemistry just isn't there for us. At least I won't see him for 2 weeks since I won't be at bowling.

I need to meet a new man, preferable a single one.

I'm So Confused

I meet MB#3 this afternoon for a quick beer. We're just shooting the breeze and he wants to talk about the situation. But I don't want to right now. He gets a call from the wife and he has lied to her about what he's doing. I can't deal with that. I don't want this to happen. Not like this. Even though they're not always getting along, I don't want to be the other woman. He even now says that he shouldn't have told me. And he's right. No matter what our feeling are. This just can't happen. So as we leave, he wants me to come by his truck. He got me a dozen carnations and 6 red roses. OMG!! I can't believe this! I'm so confused on all of this. He wanted to give me a kiss, but I said no. We can't do this.

Meanwhile, I have MB#2 calling and TMing me, and I can't deal with him. I'm just not interested in him and I've told him this several times. He's not getting it.

Why can't I find a nice, SINGLE guy??

Sunday's List of Things to Do - Results

Get crap off of bedroom floor - DONE
Clean spare room and get ready for next weekend - DONE
Clean up makeup pile - DONE
Dishes - DONE
Clean kitchen table - DONE
Clean coffee table - 1/2 DONE
Clean behind couch - 1/2 DONE
Clean off scrapbooking tables - 1/2 DONE
Set up for GG/Croptoberfest - 1/2 DONE
Mail out catalogs - 1/2 DONE
Get 5 packages ready to mail - DONE
Laundry - DONE
Clean out car - DONE
Grocery shopping - DONE
Make list of food for Saturday - DONE
Post for sale items - DONE
List tickets on E-bay - DONE
Order pictures of 2 games
Organize rest of pictures
Persona order
Framing order
Send handbook template to work e-mail - DONE
Reach through assignment 2
Read through assignment 3
Read through assignment 4
Assignment 4 discussion questions
10 rows - DONE
Get caught up in album
Expenses for September
September write-up - DONE

Men! Part 2

Gosh, they drive me crazy!!!

I'm meeting MB#3 tomorrow for a quick beer - only because I'll be over by his office. We need to talk. Part of him is ready to leave his wife for me. And I don't want that. He still loves her, and he needs to work things out with her. He says he's been in love with me for 2 years now, but didn't want to say anything while we worked together. But now that we're not working together, well, it's a whole other story. And it really sucks because he's married. He's just someone that I click with and can talk to him about anything. And while it's nice to think about what might be, it's not going to happen. Not right now. I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

MB#1 called me again tonight, to talk about Springsteen. But we talked for over an hour. I'm not sure where the wife was - probably asleep. Of the three, he's the one I miss the most. If our timing was different, we'd be together now. But I've never been known for my timing. We were trying to figure out when Bruce sang his favorite song (Candy's Room) - I thought we were at the show together when he played it back in 2003. But we weren't - I was in Atlanta and called him and played the song for him. Of course he laughs that I can pull out the set lists since they're all in my scrapbook, LOL! We'll have fun at the concert - we might do the limo thing - it would just be easier.

At least nothing from MB#2 this week. But that'll change tomorrow when I have to see him at bowling. He's so sure that the day his divorce is final, we'll be a couple. And that's not going to happen. I'm just not into him that way. And he doesn't get it. He has now decided that he wants to go to a Tech game with me. I told him that it's expensive to get tickets (notice I didn't offer him any of mine) and he would have to find his own place to stay. I would not have fun with him at a game. And I don't want him coming with me.

So where are the single men??

Sunday's List of Things to Do

I have so much to do today I need a separate list!

Get crap off of bedroom floor
Clean spare room and get ready for next weekend
Clean up makeup pile
Dishes
Clean kitchen table
Clean coffee table
Clean behind couch
Clean off scrapbooking tables
Set up for GG/Croptoberfest
Mail out catalogs
Get 5 packages ready to mail
Laundry
Clean out car
Grocery shopping
Make list of food for Saturday
Post for sale items
List tickets on E-bay
Order pictures of 2 games
Organize rest of pictures
Persona order
Framing order
Send handbook template to work e-mail
Reach through assignment 2
Read through assignment 3
Read through assignment 4
Assignment 4 discussion questions
10 rows
Get caught up in album
Expenses for September
September write-up

Men!

Man, things get so confusing. I'm still confused about MB#1's phone call. I don't know if the wife was around or not, or if he was lonely. I'm not sure why he called - he never really said.

Then, MB#2 - he really wants to date me, but I'm not that into him. We did go out last night to dinner and a movie. But nothing happened. I don't mind hanging out with him, but as of now, he's still married. His divorce is final in November. And I told him that he needs to be by himself for some time after his divorce. And that I didn't want to be his rebound person. And that we have to think about our friendship as well. So he seemed to be fine with that. I don't know - we'll see. He really wants something to happen with us and I'm not ready and I don't know if I'm interested.

Then, MB#3. this is the most confusing one. If he wasn't married, he would have asked me out, wined and dined me. And he wants to know what will happen with us. The sad thing is that I would go out with him if he wasn't married. But he is. He's just a lot of fun, and he's pretty sexy. But he's married! We're going to happy hour on Friday, with some former work folks. And I might see him Thursday after my dentist appointment. But he's married!!!

So why is it that I only seem to be interested in people who are taken? And then when they're not, I'm not interested? Or is it easier for me to be interested in them because I know it won't go anywhere and I then won't get hurt? That's something to think about.

This Scares Me

We received notice about the University of Minnesota's memorial service for dad, but we decided that it was too soon to deal with another memorial. The university invites us for 2 years, so we'll go next year. It's also a rough time for everyone to be heading to MN, so this works out for the best. My stepmom just didn't feel ready to do this. My oldest sister is still having to take care of her husband. They were in a really bad car accident the week before Christmas, and he has had problems with his back ever since. He just had surgery again, and is still recuperating, but he is still house-bound. So she couldn't make it there.

And my middle sister is having all sorts of issues with my niece B. Apparently my niece's boyfriend (M) has a bunch of psychological issues and they're getting out of hand. We didn't know that he was so mentally unstable. Last week he ended up in the emergency room, and then the hospital. Apparently he tried to cut himself, but the cut marks look like they were made by a claw. He said he didn't cut himself - the Devil did it. He is saying that he is part of a cult called The Order, and that the Devil was telling him to kill his mom and B and he was trying to get away from the Devil, but the Devil grabbed his wrist and that's where the mark came from. The police had to be called because the hospital considered this a threat to his mom and to B. They ended up admitting him to a psychiatric hospital, and we're finding out all sorts of things that's he's said and done. So my niece is having a very hard time dealing with this (her previous boyfriend had some psychological issues as well and was just admitted to the hospital the previous weekend), but she's also not fully understanding how serious this is. She thinks that they have some sort of connection and she is an empath for him and they can communicate telepathically. My sister has her talking to a counselor, but all of this has been very emotionally draining on the whole family. We're really worried about B now and what she might be thinking and feeling and we don't want to take any chances with her. My brother-in-law has tried to let her know that she needs to let this guy go. He's not coming back to school, at least not anytime soon, and they don't want her waiting around for him. They won't let her see him right now, and she can't talk to him. She was allowed to write to him, but his mom read the letter and that was a bit disturbing. I'd love to take her away from all of this for a few days, but with her school and her band competitions, I can't do that. I just wish I could do something for her. I did send her a bouquet of smily cookies, but that's not the same as being able to take care of her.

I'd hate to be in her shoes right now.

A Funky Mood

I'm in a funk right now and I'm not sure why. I'm not very motivated to do anything and that's not good. I need to clean my house, really clean it, and I come home and sit on my butt. I need to get some motivation, some energy. I don't know why I don't have any.

I think part of it is I'm now getting lonely. I miss having someone to talk to or do things with. There is MB#2, but I don't want to lead him on since I don't want to date him anymore. He's fun to hang out with, but I don't want anything more. And he knows that for now. But once his divorce is final, I think he'll try harder. And it'll be hard to let him down. But I've seen how he is with his ex, and I don't want to deal with that. But I do want to meet someone new; someone who doesn't have the drama in them. It would be nice to be in a drama-free relationship.

Plus, I'm still in love with Atlanta boy. I know I shouldn't be, and the relationship will never work. But I can't help it. Whenever I talk to him, everything just comes back. And I need to get over it. He's there and I'm here, and that'll never change. And you would think that after all this time, I'd be over it. He definitely knows the right buttons to push. He calls me for the most stupid reasons, but half the time he won't return my calls. It's his way of controling this relationship. Ugh!

And this stupid "fight" with the singles, well, it's just annoying. The funny thing is that I don't really miss Kim or Eric. It's comical that they go out of their way not to say anything to me. Kim sent a picture out to everyone but me - Jayne forwarded it to me and thought that Kim was being too petty about everything. But I'm fine with it. It's almost a relief not to be dealing with all of that hassle. But I do miss Bill. And it's stupid of him to not be talking to me. This conversation had nothing to do with him. But if he feels like he has to choose sides, well, I can't do anything about that. I don't plan on seeing him until the FSU game, since Eric won't hang around us for the Georgia Tech game, and I don't know if he's coming to the BC game. So in a way I'll be glad when football season is done with this year. Too much drama still going on.

And we did win the football game!! We came out fighting and we so did it!! Well, our defense and special teams did it. Our O line wasn't quite there yet. But they're getting there. Next week is Duke, then a week off. So hopefully that'll help get them back on track. #12 baby - gotta love it!

Another Football Weekend

So I'm down in Greenville for the football game. Hopefully we can do well. Clemson is favored by 5, which sucks for us. But we can beat them - we've done it before.

I drove down yesterday, but I got a late start, and didn't get out of DC until 2:30, which put me on 66 traffic. Then I hit some in Lynchburg and Roanoke, and again in Statesville. That was the worst - it ended up taking me an additional 2 hours to get to the hotel. So needless to say, I was exhausted after a 9 1/2 hour drive, working 6 hours, and doing 3.5 miles at the gym. Plus no real food. Ugh. I'm hoping to get in about 30 minutes of studying before packing up the car and heading out to meet some of the folks.

Kim and Eric are supposed to be at this game. For someone who didn't want to go to anymore games because of Eric, she sure has changed her tune. He is spending the weekend at her house, and she's been to 2 more games since she said that. Whatever. He refused to talk to me last week, and it was pretty funny, and childish.But part of me thinks they won't even come join us since it's a small group (only 5 of us without them). That would make things nice - then I wouldn't have to deal with either of them for a few weeks. I'd hate to think what they do when someone really sets them off. This was just a conversation!

My "little sister" and her fiance set their wedding date - the end of next June. They're doing it at Nagshead, so I'll be heading down there. I haven't been there since the summer of 1983 when I went with Buckeridge and his family (oh, what happy times!). So that'll be a lot of fun. But that gives me an incentive to keep losing weight and get down to my target so I can hit the beach and look decent!!

I signed up for a 12-week program at the gym. I made it through the first week, and by yesterday, I was pretty exhausted! But it's good. We have to write down all of our food, and it makes me realize that I really eat horribly! No fruits and barely any veggies. And not that much protein. So I really need to work on that. I am drinking more water, which helps. So we'll see how next week is.

Let's go Hokies!

MB#1

So Married Boyfriend #1 calls me tonight. Not really sure why. We talked for about 40 minutes, a lot about nothing. He's one of those guys that actually likes to talk on the phone. We're going to one of the Bruce shows together, so that'll be a lot of fun. And the wife isn't going to that show - they can't get a babysitter two nights in a row. I don't know if she knows I'm going.

Just very strange. He hasn't called me at home in quite some time. If we do talk on the phone, it's usually during the day at work. So this was kind of strange.

Me and My Married Men

What is it about me that attracts the married ones?? I swear, I can't meet a decent guy since they are all married! I got an e-mail from a co-worker from my last job. He was one of my favorite people there and he's the one that I miss the most.

So here's what Army Boy had to say:
"I'm sorry that we missed each other last week out west. I'm glad to hear that you are doing well and love your new job. I honestly can say that I do not remember making the phone call with Mike. I don't think that I had had too many beers by that time of the night. They were micro brews, so I'll blame the beer for that.
I do have something to tell you that I told Mike, so don't get to mad at me. I told him that I had a major crush on you the whole time that you worked there. You are smart, intelligent, beautiful, sexy, sensual and I could go on and on. I like you more than you know and miss you a lot.
Anyway, I hope that you had a good time at the game this weekend and we'll definitely have to all get together. Maybe dinner one night out in Chantilly, so that all of us could meet."

The sad thing is that if he wasn't married, I could see us dating. But that's neither here nor there since he is, indeed, married.

I told MB#1 this story and thought it was pretty funny and that I should feel flattered. I guess he's right, but still, why couldn't a single boy be saying this???

So I'm going to the Bruce concert with MB#1. We always try to hit one show together with every tour. We're both going to both shows, but for the second one, we'll be sitting together. That'll be fun.

And It Keeps Getting Worse

So I finally talked to Kim today. Well, she chewed me out. Apparently I made things worse for everyone because of me talking to Eric. And this makes me really think. How is my telling him that they need to talk because they obviously think different things make everything worse for everyone? I think Kim really likes having all the attention from Eric (and Bill) and if he were to stop that, she would be upset. She apparently is very happy with being miserable, or complaining all the time. So it makes sense that she keeps putting herself in those situations. So let her be unhappy. Honestly, I don't care any more. I just think it's ridiculous that she is being such a bitch about this. It should be a wake up call. If you don't like the guy in that way, then don't go on vacation with him, or sleep in the same bed with him, or anything like that. Really.

So I'm going to the game, but I won't be around them at all. And actually I wasn't planning on being around much because of my fraternity's homecoming, but I would have liked to see F&J. But I'll see them another time. I sent D an e-mail telling her that I won't be around this weekend. What I would like to know is if they will be using my tent and stuff. Hmmm, I wonder who will be getting the tailgating spot now. I kind of hope that the other people take over the spot.

Okay, that's mean. I don't mean that for D&G or F&J. But for the others, I do. They need a good dose of reality. Life doesn't revolve around them. They need to realize that.

So I'll get a hotel room for the night and just stay there. And it'll be better - I won't have to get up so early. If Mark and Missy weren't coming down, I probably would just stay home.

I think this will be the last year of trying to go to all of the games. It's just not quite as fun anymore. I love hanging out with D&G, and R&M, but not the others. They remind me of little kids. Who need to grow up!

Weekend in New Orleans, part 2

Boy, did the trip go sour pretty quickly. We were all at Ryan’s watching the games on Sunday. I had been annoyed with Kim since I had been waiting for her for an hour so I could give her shirt to her. Apparently she forgot about it and she and Bill went to get breakfast. Totally annoying. So I left to go to Ryan’s and saw the two of them eating at a restaurant. I basically threw her shirt at her and kept walking. Get to the bar and a bit later get a tm from Bill wanting to know where we were. I told him at Ryan’s. So they show up. I told Kim why I was frustrated and she apologized. No big deal. She had to leave around 4:00 to get to the airport. Eric and I are sitting at the bar just drinking. He was pretty toasted, well, we both were. And we were talking and I told him that he and Kim needed to clear the air. There is so much confusion between the two of them. He was upset by that because he thought he did that in Hawaii, but I said that she wasn’t getting what he was trying to tell her. And he was okay with that. I mean, he was upset, but he was handling it. Me, him and Bill started playing pool, then E just left. Bill was outside on the phone and E just blew past him. I didn’t think much of it – I thought he was on the phone. Apparently he was more upset (translation – very drunk) and was wandering and wouldn’t tell Bill where he was. So then Ed comes in and is all pissy wanting to know what happened to his brother and when I said that we were talking and something I said pissed him off, he went ballistic on me. And Bill just sat there and listened to Ed berate me. So that pissed me off as well. What I tell Eric is between the two of us. Ed left, went to find Eric. I left the bar and tried to get Ed to talk to me, but he was ignoring me. So I sent Ed a tm saying that our conversation was between the two of us, but basically here was the jist of it. And he went off on me for that. So now I’m pissed off as hell. So I go back in the bar and Bill is just sitting there. He wants to know what was going on and I tell him a bit and he’s just saying that Eric and Kim’s deal doesn’t bother anyone and I should be a big girl and get over it. Okay – it is a big deal since it does affect people because we have to hear about it. But I guess the difference is that I don’t want to hear about it every time and he doesn’t mind since it doesn’t affect him. But in a way, it does since he’s listening to it. So I finally left. Just walked out.

Now, they still have my shirt, and Ed has the key to the room, and neither of them would give me those things. So I’m pissed about that. Later on I met Debbie, Greg, Rex, Marianne, Sue and Sandy out by the pool and gave them the lowdown. They all agreed with me that this crap has to stop and that it does affect others. I mean when Kim says she won’t come to anymore games because of Eric, well, that’s affecting people. Right?? I also told them that I was fed up with the fact that I get the room and Eric and company just assume that someone could sleep in my room with me. No one asked, no one bothered to find out if I was okay with that. I was nice about it, but that’s the last time. I’m totally sick of it. I don’t deserve their treatment. And I told the guys down at the pool that I was fed up with it. So I’m done. I’ll hang out this year, but to be honest, I don’t know how much time I’ll spend with Bill or Eric. Bill and I were supposed to share a cab to the airport, and he wouldn’t even do that because I was leaving too early. My flight leaves at 6:00 and he wanted to get to the airport at 5:30 since his flight leaves at 6:15. I hope he misses his flight! It would serve him right.

So now I have to figure out how to play nice when I don’t want to be anymore. I’ll organize the tailgate this week since I said I would do it. But I won’t be sending any messages or calling Bill anymore. I’ll just do my own thing. I have a birthday gift for him which I’ll give him, only because I already bought it. But that’s it. As of now, we don’t have a friendship because I’m sick of this game playing. We’re not in high school anymore, and these people need to grow up. Kim and Eric need to get it all out, but then they need to follow their actions. Kim will tell Eric that she just wants to be friends, but then she’ll do things that makes him think there is something more. And that’s not right nor fair to Eric. We’ve all seen it. And Bill needs to quit sucking up to Eric and just deal with him. If he has a problem, he needs to talk to Eric about it instead of pussy-footing all around it (case in point – having to leave the tailgate last week to get Eric when he didn’t want to do so; having to sell the LSU tickets when he didn’t want to). Quit complaining about it and speak up.

So I’ll just be hanging out with Debbie and Greg, and Fred and Jayne for now. No more of this other shit. I haven’t slept all night and I’m exhausted. I wish I could just go home and sleep, but once I get home, I have to get ready for work. Maybe I’ll get lucky and my flight will get cancelled or something! But it’s okay – I can come home and sleep. I need to get some e-mails out and that’ll be it for the day.

And on top of all of this, my uncle had a stroke at the Iowa State game on Saturday and had to be airlifted to the hospital. And according to Bill, I’m not supposed to be bothered about this.

Weekend in New Orleans

This has been a very interesting weekend. Debbie, Greg, Marianne, Rex and I flew down to New Orleans Thursday morning. It was hot as the dickens!! Or rather humid as all. So we went to the hotel and checked in. My room was ready – theirs wasn’t, so we put everything in my room. Then we started wandering downtown, looking for a place to eat. Most things weren’t open yet (it was pretty early), but finally we found a place and got food. The food wasn’t that good. I just had a burger and fries, and the fries weren’t quite done. Then we tried to get beverages, but most of the places weren’t open yet. We went over to the casino for about an hour – Greg was probably the big winner there. I was playing craps and did okay, but didn’t play any bigger bets. Then we went back to the hotel and rested for a bit before heading out again. We hung out on Bourbon Street, mainly at a place called Razzoo’s – where Greg did Karaoke to Kansas. We met up with Sandy and Sue and did some drinking. Eric and Ed sent us a text message when they were at the brew pub, so we met them there. They all had dinner and we were watching the Saints/Colts game (for the record, the Saints got clobbered). Then we headed back to Bourbon Street and met up with a guy from Greg’s work at the Absinthe house. That’s where Kim met us when she finally got in.

They were filming part of the show “K’ville,” which stands for Katrina-ville, on Boubon Street, so it was kind of interesting to see that. We asked if we could be in a scene, but they said no. We were trying to figure out what the show was, but no one could remember it.

After a while, I was tired, so I headed back to the hotel and read for a bit before going to sleep.

Friday, I had a conference call at 8:30, so I got up and hung out in the room until then. My call lasted about 5 minutes (the guy who is filing for unemployment didn’t make the call), then I headed downstairs. I ran into Debbie and Rex, and they said that Kim, Eric and Ed were at Café du Monde, waiting on Bill. I got a bit annoyed about that. They didn’t invite me to meet them or anything. I know – pretty childish of me, but that’s how they are. Debbie was feeling a bit hung over, so I asked her to let me know when she was mobile. So I went out walking. I walked over to the Farmers Market, but that wasn’t open. I walked for about an hour, then went and had breakfast. And after that (maybe an hour and a half after Bill landed), I got a text message from Ed. He said that they were at Café du Monde and asked where I was. I replied that I was wandering around. I was near them so I headed over there, to find them leaving. So that got me a bit pissed again. If I hadn’t been so near, I would have gotten over there and they wouldn’t have been there. Then Debbie called and she was right behind me. So we came back to the room.

Now, here’s the room setup. We have 3 rooms. Debbie, Greg, Rex and Maryanne are in one. Eric, Ed, Kim and Bill in the 2nd. I have the third. I was fine with that – that was mostly Eric’s doing. The beds aren’t big enough for the four of them to all sleep there. Everyone knows that. I was asked a few times if Kim was staying with me, but she had not talked to Eric about that at all. Bill had asked me one time if I had room for him and I said yes, but when I found out that Eric did reserve a room, I told Bill that Eric was probably expecting him to stay with Eric. Eric get really picky about things like that. He has to plan everything for himself, but he won’t let anyone know about it. Friday night, Kim and Eric shared one bed and Ed took the other one, and Kim wasn’t happy with that at all. I still didn’t say anything – that’s their deal. I was taking care of myself.

So later in the day, Ed asked who was in my room – I said just me. So he said he would come stay with me. And I think Eric was expecting that. I said okay for this time, but that’s the last straw with all of that. First of all, if I’m not good enough to be included in the initial planning of rooms, then why should I give up my room to help him out. I was totally fine with having my own room – I like that because I can be on my own schedule instead of someone else’s schedule. And he shouldn’t assume that I want to share my room. But he did that with tickets as well. He bought tickets for the game for the 4 of them for $175 each, then was able to get other tickets for an additional $45. And he was expecting all of them to pay $210 for the tickets. Unless Bill could sell them. How bogus is that? Bill wasn’t happy with that – he always has to do that leg work for Eric, and he never committed to buying 2 tickets. I told Bill that I had sent a message to Eric asking if he had extra tickets because I needed one and he never responded to me. So I bought one of Jeff’s tickets, which was a better seat.
Anyway, back to Friday. We were at the hotel, sitting outside while Bill got his stuff in the room. Then the 4 of them decided to roam, so they (finally) asked if I wanted to go with them. I was a bit snarky and asked if I was invited and both Kim and Eric said yes. So they knew I wasn’t quite that happy with them. We wandered all over, and ended up at The House of Blues for lunch. Again, not the greatest. Had the same thing – burger (overdone) and fries (overdone). I gave my fries to Ed. His burger was cold! Then we roamed again and went over to the casino. I was trying to explain to Bill how to play craps and poker. I had won at poker, but then lost it when I as explaining it to Bill. No biggie. Then we went back to the room to rest and freshen up before going out for the night.

We went to our bar from last time – Ryan’s to watch the Rutgers game. Kim and I got pizza for everyone for dinner. We were having a good ole time, drinking beers and watching Rutgers play well. Everyone ended up meeting us there, even Randy and Steve (the guys next to our tailgate). So that was cool. After the game, we left and headed over to Bourbon Street for another drink before heading back to the room.

Saturday, I met Rex, Greg and Sandy in the lobby and we went to get the 2 minivans. We then went back to the hotel and on the way, I ran into Jon and Pam on the street! So that was cool. They were also heading to the game so we tried to make plans to meet up later. We picked everyone up and headed to Baton Rouge. The couples were in one van, and the single folks were in my van. Bill was helping to navigate.

We got into Baton Rouge and met up with the people we were tailgating with. Kim and I finally got to talk and she was pissed at Eric again. Apparently Thursday night he kept trying to put his arm around her in bed and she got pissed at that. So Friday night she slept in the bed with Bill and Eric got mad. This just seems so high-schoolish! But she’s decided she’s done with football after next weekend (her nieces are coming to the game). Eric wasn’t talking much to her for part of the afternoon. It was so frickin’ hot outside. It rained a few times, but that just made things worse. At one time, me, Kim, Ed and Bill went back to the car and sat there for about 30 minutes, trying to cool off. But as soon as we got outside, it was extremely humid again. We hung out at the bar nearby a few times trying to get cool.

I won’t even talk about the game except to say that it sucked and we were royally outplayed. It was the worst loss in Beamer’s history as a coach. Enough said.

So going home is where I was getting mad. I was driving (Bill had offered but I was fine to drive). Because of the humidity, the windows kept fogging up. And the only way to get them unfogged is to keep the defrost on, but when I did that, I would get yelled at because it was too hot. Hello – isn’t it more important that I see outside to see where we were going?? It took over an hour before I could finally actually see outside. It was a long drive home – it took us an hour just to get on the freeway out of town!

So everyone basically sleeps most of the way. Fine, I can handle the drive, but I’m also getting tired and it would have been nice to have company. Then as we were nearing New Orleans everyone seemed to wake up. I asked if anyone knew where to get off and no one did. So we took one exit and that lead us downtown, but then I couldn’t remember how to get back to the hotel. So I turned on one street and I shouldn’t have. But no one said anything until after when I was asked why I turned where I did. I said that no one said anything else and then I shut up. Debbie called to see where we were and I told her the same thing – We got on one street and I made a wrong turn but no one said anything about it. So we finally got to the hotel. Rex and Maryanne took the first minivan back to the rental place, so Bill came with me to meet them.

As we were driving back from the game, Bill asked about the minivans and I said that I would drop them off at the hotel then go return the vehicle. He asked how I was getting back and I said either a cab or I would walk. He was the only one to volunteer to come with me. The only one.

Anyway, so we get to the rental car place and we’re cleaning out the van and of course my bag is there. You would think that the others would have taken it in – especially Ed, but no. So that made me mad. And I don’t know if one of them grabbed one of my shirts since it wasn’t in my bag. I didn’t check the back of the minivan when we left, but I don’t think Bill would have left it in there. But you never know. So I might be out a Tech shirt, which doesn’t make me happy.

Maryanne also was a bit upset because no one in the other van would call a cab for us. It would have been nice for someone else to do so, but…

So we got back to the room and I went out in the hall to read again (I did that the night before). And it was frustrating me again because why am I having to make a sacrifice when I got the room for me? But no, the light bothers Ed, so I leave. UGH!!

So here’s what I’m wondering. We’re trying to make our Georgia Tech plans. And it’s been a pain in the ass because we can’t get answers from people if they want to stay longer and go to the UGA/Troy game. So finally, Debbie got a reservation for Thursday night – for the two of them, me and Bill. But guess what happens – Eric finally tells us that he’s going to the game as well. So I told Debbie that and now we have to decide what to do about rooms. I think Eric should be getting his own room. We made these plans and he decided to join us after the fact. But no, I’ll be the one in my own room again. And I’m getting sick of that. I made the hotel reservation for Clemson – do you think he offered? No. But he’s staying in the room that I got. But he’s sleeping on the couch. I’m not giving up my bed for him.

Kim is also annoying me. She never offers to help with this kind of stuff. Lately Debbie and I have been doing all of it. Bill was supposed to make the Georgia Tech reservations but he flaked out on that. If we gave him enough grief, he would have made some, but we decided just to do it. But Kim never offers to help. She never offers to drive, or make plans or anything. She doesn’t have tickets and expects to get them from either Eric or me. And that’s getting a bit annoying as well. I think everyone should pull some weight. When I was asking for drivers for the game, Greg, Rex, and Sandy all offered. Then when we got here, Bill offered, and later on Eric offered. But nothing from her. Now, it was fine that Maryanne, Debbie or Sue didn’t volunteer because their husbands did. But both Ed and Kim should have offered. Just to be fair.

Oh, well. That’s the way it goes. Most of the time it is pretty funny to watch the dynamics. But things will have to change before everyone starts getting pissed off more than normal. We’ll see how long that takes.

Now I’m off to get food and wait for the rest to wake up to we can watch football. Hopefully today’s games will be better than last night’s games.

Oh, and I did get to spend time with Jenie! Now we have to make plans for our next girls’ weekend.

ARGH!

Argh! Football Boy is driving me crazy! I just can't figure him out. He's playing these headgames, and I just don't know what they mean. If I call him, he won't answer his phone. Doesn't matter if he can talk or not - he just won't answer. And if I TM him back, he won't reply. So he'll do that for awhile, then he'll switch it up and will be very communicative. He'll do that for a bit, then back to the old ways.

I wish I knew what was going on with him and his GF. I just don't understand why he feels the need to keep her a secret from me and SC Girl. And he does that with us since we're single and the others aren't. Is there a reason for that? Maybe if he gave us the chance to get to know her, we might like her. But he doesn't want us to do that. In my book, that means there's something wrong with that relationship that you feel it must be kept hidden. Heck, when I was seeing the jerky boy, I didn't tell anyone about it - it wasn't like we were BG/GF or anything. It was just sex. So there was no need. She won't move away from NJ and he's got too good of a job to move back to NJ. So I just can't see why they're wasting their time with each other when there is no future there.

He needs to come to his senses and see what's in front of him.

My Goals for August 20 - August 26 - Results

My results - not too great, but...

Fitness
Cardio – Monday - DONE
Strength training – Tuesday - DONE
Cardio – Wednesday
Strength training – Thursday
Cardio – Friday - DONE
Strength training – Sunday
Track on Spark People daily

Personal
Fix fence in back yard
Clean bedroom
Hang plate holders
Thank you notes
Take out all trash - DONE
Send book to Bill - DONE
Send package to Laura - DONE


Football
Make Georgia Tech reservations
Reserve car/van for LSU game
Food list for ECU game
Send out information for Tech football pool - DONE

CM
Swap – All Star Music - DONE
Swap – Caribbean Beach
Work on Goals album
Start downloading CDs for retreat
Schedule Phyllis’ GT - on hold
Send pics out to family
Formulate plan for promoting to UL – send to Saundra
Up-to-date in 2007 album
Showcase 2007 album
Mason GT - DONE

Class
Sign up for new CEBS exam and waive out of other two - DONE

Work Stuff
Review Jessica’s handbook
Review SLACPA handbook
Review SLACPA job descriptions - DONE
Review payroll - DONE
Sign up for Recruiting conference - DONE
VSCPA Luncheon - DONE

My Goals for August 27 - September

My latest to-do list!

Fitness
Strength training - Mondays
Cardio – Tuesdays
Strength training – Wednesdays
Cardio – Thursdays
Strength training – Fridays
Cardio – Saturdays
Sundays - make up day
Track on Spark People daily

Personal
Fix fence in back yard
Clean bedroom
Hang plate holders
Hang pictures
Thank you notes
Bank
Post office - mail 2 swaps, Christmas in July gift
Library
Put license stickers on license plate
Water plants
Out with Bridgete

CM
Finish swap – Caribbean Beach
Work on Goals album
Finish CD lists for retreat and start downloading
Clean scrapping tables
Formulate plan for promoting to UL – send to Saundra
Schedue September crop through Evite
Meet w/Pat re January retreat and finalize
Send out new catalogs

Class
Read Chapter 1 for Employee Benefits

Work Stuff
Review Jessica’s handbook
Review SLACPA handbook
Finish SLACPA audit
Recruiting plan
Put together 3 new hire packets
Exit interview
Prepare paperwork for 2 exits
Finish UE for Ryan
Submit expense report

Football!!
Reserve cars for NO
Send out food list for ECU game
Make deviled eggs for game
Pack coolers, clothers for game
Load car!!
Meet w/Diane for trade of tickets

Senior Moments 1984

In honor of the new school year, think back to your senior year of high school, and answer these questions accordingly
1. Who was your best friend? My best male friend was Paul Rodgers. He and I dated for a few months when I was in 10th and he was in 11th. After we broke up, we stayed friends. And we're still friends to this day. My best female friends were Bonnie Carter and Darlene Couchenour. I met both of them at Hardee's, and we just instantly clicked. I was like their big sister. We're still in contact today.

2. Did you play any sports? I was a cheerleader for basketball season. I couldn't do football because of soccer - I also managed the boy's soccer team. That's where I met Steve B.

3. What kind of car did you drive? Dad's 1978 Buick Stationwagon. The day my sister got her license was the last day dad got to see his car until I went to college. We didn't care what kind of car we had - we just wanted transportation.

4. It’s Friday night. Where were you? Out with Steve. We would go cruising around town with friends, be at a party, or be at his house, fooling around. Or I'd be out with my girlfriends, hanging out.

5. Were you a party animal? Yes - Seve and I went out every weekend night, and half of the week nights. I was pretty good about sneaking out of my house if needed. But usually that wasn't an issue.

6. Were you considered a flirt? Yes, especially since I hung out with the soccer team.

7. Were you in the band, orchestra or choir? No, but Steve and Paul were.

8. Were you a nerd? No

9. Were you ever suspended or expelled? No. I knew a secret about our security guard, so she let me get away with everything

10. Can you sing the fight song? Yes. Unfortunately it was the same song as the Redskins song. "Hail to the Panthers, Hail Victory. Hail to the Panthers, Fight for old P.B."

11. Who was your favorite teacher? Dr. Davis - my architectual drawing/drafting teacher. He understood students and what it was like.

12. What was your school mascot? a Panther

13. Did you go to the Prom? Yes - all 3 years in a row. The first year was the best - I was with Paul. We had dinner at his house with 3 other couples, and just had fun. Steve and I went the next year, and that was also good. My senior year, Steve and I had just broken up and I couldn't go with him - it would have been too hard. So I went with my friend Richard instead. But he liked me more than I liked him, so it was a bit difficult.

14. If you could go back, would you? Maybe. I actually enjoyed high school. I'd love to see some of the people again - the ones that don't go to the reunions.

15. What do you remember most about graduation? A relief for being done, since me and BF had just broken up. I left a few days later for the west coast.

16. Where were you on Senior Skip Day? Out with my friends.

17. Did you have a job your senior year? Yes - I worked at Hardee's with many of my friends. We had a blast!

18. Where did you go most often for lunch? We weren't allowed to go out for lunch, so we all ate in the cafeteria.

19. Have you gained weight since then? Yes, but I needed to. I maybe weighted 90 pounds on graduation day.

20. What did you do after high school? Went to college, moved to where I am now, then went and got my grad degrees.

Boys

They are so frustrating. Monday, MB#2 calls and wants to go to dinner. I felt bad since he's been trying to get together for about a month and I haven't had time. So I said yes, but a later dinner so I could work out (good for me). So we meet at Arties, and basically all he wants to do is talk about his divorce/issues with soon-to-be-XDW. But I don't know what he wants - does he really want my advice, or just someone to talk to, or what? Because he doesn't take my advice. I sent him an e-mail on Tuesday thanking him for dinner, and haven't heard anything back from him.

So Monday I call Football Boy, just to talk. We really haven't talked in several weeks, with the exception of when he called me after Rick passed away. And as usual, I just got his voice mail, so I left a message. And surprise of surprises, he called me back last night. But I was on the phone, so I had to call him back and he actually answered the phone. Total shocker since he almost never answers his phone anymore. So we were talking about the game and he wanted to know if I still was planning on buying his ticket. He wasn't sure how many he had to sell. I told him that I did need to buy his ticket, but if he wanted to sit with someone else, he could and I could sit by myself. But he said no, he just wasn't sure what I was doing. So we still plan on sitting together, which'll be nice. And, that also means that the girlfriend isn't coming, yippee!! Now he can have more fun. But I just don't know why he won't talk about her to us. Maybe if he did, we'd think more of their relationship. But I have to wonder what type of relationship they have. If anyone would have seen us that weekend in April, they would have thought we were together. We certainly acted like it. We were holding hands, hugging each other, walking with our arms around each other. I just don't get him sometimes. But I am glad to spend time with him without her around!

The Weekend

So the weekend is over. I now have one more free weekend before football starts. I can't believe it's almost football season!!

So Friday night, Hokie Chick, Car Driver and I went to the Styx, Foreigner, Def Leppard concert. It was a lot of fun. It's funny to see these acts that I was digging 20 years ago. And to see the people that still are in to them. Then Saturday I was a slug. MB#2 had hinted at getting together but I just wasn't in the mood. All I did was run some errands and clean my house. And today I was scrapbooking with some friends. I finished the album for Football Boy, so I need to get that to him. I left him a message - I wanted to talk to him - just to see how he's doing. The Virginia Tech Memorial was dedicated today, and I wanted to see how he was taking it. But as usual, he won't answer the phone when I call and he won't call me back. Stupid boy!

Atlanta boy called me the other day. He got his football tickets. He's on the opposite side of the stadium from me. Kind of a bummer. He promised to come see me at the tailgate - I wonder if he'll really do that. And I wonder who he's bringing to the game. I wish I could just get over him once and for all. You would think that after so many years, it would be easy to. But because of our tangled history, it isn't. And sometimes I think that's what is holding me back in getting with anyone else. Or why I tend to go for guys who are not right for me - those who don't want to settle down, or who aren't interested in me, or who are only in a relationship for the sex. That's been my pattern since AB and I broke up. Ugh!

Anyway, this'll be my first full week at work - I hope it stays good. I have to still figure out what I'm doing and get my work plan in place. Then I can really start making progress.

My Goals for August 20 - August 26

Fitness
Cardio – Monday
Strength training – Tuesday
Cardio – Wednesday
Strength training – Thursday
Cardio – Friday
Strength training – Sunday
Track on Spark People daily

Personal
Fix fence in back yard
Clean bedroom
Hang plate holders
Thank you notes
Take all trash
Send book to Bill
Send package to Laura


Football
Make Georgia Tech reservations
Reserve car/van for LSU game
Food list for ECU game
Send out information for Tech football pool

CM
Swap – All Star Music
Swap – Caribbean Beach
Work on Goals album
Start downloading CDs for retreat
Schedule Phyllis’ GT - on hold
Send pics out to family
Formulate plan for promoting to UL – send to Saundra
Up-to-date in 2007 album
Showcase 2007 album
Mason GT

Class
Sign up for new CEBS exam and waive out of other two

Work Stuff
Review Jessica’s handbook
Review SLACPA handbook
Review SLACPA job descriptions
Review payroll
Sign up for Recruiting conference
VSCPA Luncheon

My Goals for August 13 - August 19 - Results

Fitness
Cardio – Monday
Strength training – Tuesday
Cardio – Wednesday
Strength training – Thursday
Cardio – Friday
Strength training – Sunday
Track on Spark People daily

Personal
Fix fence in back yard
Clean bedroom
Hang plate holders
Hang pictures - DONE
Thank you notes
Bills - DONE
Unpack from showcase - DONE
Post office - DONE
Go through mail - DONE
Library - DONE
Water plants - DONE
Emissions test - DONE

CM
Finish my football album – title page, Boston pictures - DONE
Finish Bill’s football album - DONE
Swap – All Star Music
Swap – Caribbean Beach
Make border for Erin’s page challenge - DONE
Work on Goals album
Start downloading CDs for retreat
Unpack products - DONE
Clean scrapping tables - DONE
Pick up pictures - DONE
Make albums - DONE
Set up for crop - DONE
Schedule Phyllis’ GT - on hold
Schedule GT for Mason - DONE
Send pics out to family
Formulate plan for promoting to UL – send to Saundra

Class
Call about test and making it a different one and waiving out of this one, along with Comp

Work Stuff
Review Jessica’s handbook
Pack up for work - DONE
Review SLACPA handbook
Review SLACPA org chart - DONE
Review SLACPA job descriptions

Just Another week

Boy, what a crazy week it's been. First of all, I've been talking to Forest Lawn, which is where my father had bought 2 cemetery plots. My mother is buried in one of them. Now, my father didn't mention anything about the plot in his will. So I call FL to find out what we can do since he won't be buried there, and it's doubtful that any of us will be buried there. So we can do 1 of 2 things - we can either leave it as it is, or we can sell it. But to sell it, I have to get paperwork from all of dad's children stating that we all agree to sell it. And since Rick has died, I would have to get it from his 3 kids as well. And then we would have to sell it ourselves. Ugh! I don't even know how to do that. So I need to talk to the siblings and see what we want to do. And then we need to deal with how we divide the monies from the sale. Do we divide it between the 4 of us, the 7 of us, or just the 2 of us. I think it should be me and Sis 2, since we're the only children of my mother and dad bought it to be buried next to her. But what about Bro 3? Should he have any say in it, even though he's mom's son, and dad's stepson (he has no say in the sale of it)? I'm just afraid that if we talk to the kids about it, they'll want the money. Well, my niece will want it. She's already called SM asking for money - hello, her husband just died - leave the lady alone!!

So I don't know what we'll do. I need to send the e-mail to the siblings and get their input, then go from there.

I called Football Boy the other day, just to talk. We haven't talked in a few weeks. Of course he won't answer his phone. He'll respond to e-mails though. He is bringing his stupid girlfriend to the first game - and I have to sit with them. UGH!! But I'll just put on a happy face and be nice. Heck, I've had enough experience doing that with all of Gillie's stupid girlfriends.

And Atlanta Boy is coming to the game. We talked yesterday for a bit. He got his tickets, but he's on the opposite side from me. He promised that he would come see me this time (he blew me off last year at the games). He's planning on going to more of the game this year - maybe we'll get to see each other. I just have to make sure that nothing happens with us. I can't handle that anymore. But that's so much easier said than done. He sent me a picture of his dog Max - he's adorable!




Isn't he a cutie?

My Goals for August 13 - August 19

Fitness
Cardio – Monday
Strength training – Tuesday
Cardio – Wednesday
Strength training – Thursday
Cardio – Friday
Strength training – Sunday
Track on Spark People daily

Personal
Fix fence in back yard
Clean bedroom
Hang plate holders
Hang pictures
Thank you notes
Bills
Unpack from showcase
Post office
Go through mail
Library
Water plants
Emissions test

CM
Finish my football album – title page, Boston pictures
Finish Bill’s football album
Swap – All Star Music
Swap – Caribbean Beach
Make border for Erin’s page challenge
Work on Goals album
Start downloading CDs for retreat
Unpack products
Clean scrapping tables
Pick up pictures
Make albums
Set up for crop
Schedule Phyllis’ GT
Schedule GT for Mason
Send pics out to family
Formulate plan for promoting to UL – send to Saundra

Class
Call about test and making it a different one and waiving out of this one, along with Comp

Work Stuff
Review Jessica’s handbook
Pack up for work
Review SLACPA handbook
Review SLACPA org chart
Review SLACPA job descriptions

Vacation is Almost Over

I can't believe my vacation is almost over. I came back from Minnesota, totally rested and psyched about CM again. So that's good. But first - I have so much to do tomorrow before starting my new job. Hopefully I can get it all done!!

The cabin was awesome. They really picked a great house. And they're trying to do a lot to keep it that way. Some of the cousins aren't very happy about that, but tough. It's not theirs. They have every right to impose whatever rules they need to. I just wish I was closer to use it more! It would make a great scrapbooking place!!

I was showing L all of the new CM products, and she was loving them! She's going to try and come out to my retreat in January, which is totally awesome. I'd love to have her come out for the weekend. We'd have a blast.

Hmmm

Last night there was a horrible accident in Minnesota. One of the bridges south of the cities collapsed. Luckily no one in the family was hurt. My SM had been on that bridge earlier in the day, but not at that time. We've got the CM Convention starting, and many people were heading into town yesterday. But so far, everyone is fine.

So this morning, I get a TM from Football Boy - all in caps - trying to find out where I was. I guess it's good to know that he cares. Too bad it's just in a friendly way and nothing more.

My Long Trip to California

Well, here I am in hot California. And it was such an adventure. I left work (last day!) at 9:40 a.m. on Friday and drove to Dulles Airport. Got to the garage at 10:06 a.m. That time is important to remember!

Went through security - removed shoes, computer, little bag of toiletries that will injure someone (ha ha). Checked the monitors to find out that I'm leaving from Terminal D at 12:25 p.m. and it's leaving on time. Took the bus over to Terminal D. Went to subway and got a 6" sub. Then went to the newstand to get a Pepsi. Went back to Subway, got a straw, then went to my gate. Nothing was showing up on the monitor at the gate, so I thought I was in the wrong place. Went back to the bank of monitors, looked for my flight and saw the lovely words - Cancelled.

Aw crap - now I have to go to Customer Service and figure out how they're getting me to CA. Oh wait - first of all, there was no announcement that the flight was cancelled. Okay - standing in line for CS. Save my place and use the electronic check-in to see what they've done for me - they put me on a flight leaving Saturday morning and getting in around 10:00 Saturday. No, don't want to do that - it's cutting it close since we needed to be in Lancaster by 4:00 p.m., and it's 90 minutes from my sister's house. And I don't want to take the chance in case something is wrong with that flight.

Finally get to the agent and lo and behold, there are no flights on United, with seats, leaving for CA today. However there is one leaving from Reagan/National at 5:00 and I can get put on that one. It gets in around 9:40 p.m., going through Denver (instead of San Fransicso, which is a bummer since I was going to get some See's Candies in the SF airport). After mumbling since I hate that airport, I ask him if he is positive that the flight will be leaving this afternoon since I must be in CA for a funeral. Yes, it's leaving. He'll give me a taxi voucher so I don't have to pay for the transportation (it's $60 in cab fare and I know that since I've done it before). Okay, fine, I'll do it. Call my sister, let her know the change in plans. Call my girlfriend Crystal since she was meeting me in the airport in Burbank. She was flying in from Vegas, so she wanted to get a flight that landed close when mine did. Got to Reagan, went through security again, had to buy a new Pepsi, since I couldn't bring mine with me. Finally sat down to eat my lunch. This is now about 1:00 p.m. I'm bored, finish one book, go buy another book and a magazine. Finish the second book and magazine. Text a few friends. Still bored. Finally, about 4:30, we see the plane land and a bunch of us are standing in the line to boad the plane. An announcement comes on and says that we'll be boarding very soon. The screen says that our flight is leaving at 5:01 p.m. People get off the plane and all of a sudden the screen changes and says we're leaving at 6:25. What?? What's going on there? So we go over to stand in the line to talk to the agent and find out about connecting flights. After about 30 minutes in line, finally get to the agent. I tell him that my connecting flight leaves at 8:20 from Denver to Burbank and I need to be on it. When will get land in Denver? We'll get there at 8:00 and you'll have plenty of time to get on your flight. What?? No I won't. If we land, we still have to taxi to the gate. It'll take time to do that, to get everyone off the plane (I'm sitting in the next-to-last row). And I have to walk to a different gate. I know I won't make it. Yes you will, he says. There is nothing I can do for you. Aw crap!

So I call my sister - she's now in CA with my other sister and they start checking flights for me. We finally board the aircraft and pull away from the gate. And stop on the runway. It's starting to rain a bit and we can't take off. Now I know I've just missed my connecting flight. Call my sister back and let her know. Call Crystal and tell her. Call United to see what they can do. Call back to United since they hung up on me the first time. Find out there are no flights leaving at all from Denver to either Burbank or LAX. On any airlines. Crap! Okay, we'll get to Denver and figure out what to do. Finally, around 8:00 p.m. we leave DC. It's normally a 3 hour flight (you know, a 3-hour tour, so Gilligan says!). But it takes us 4 hours since we have to fly in from the south of Denver due to a lightning show. Then we land and there is no gate for us. So by the time we get off the plane, it's almost 11:00 at night. I check my voice mail, and both my sister, Crystal, and my SIL have left me messages about flights. Apparently there were several that I could have taken if we landed at 9:00, or even 10:00. Now remember, United said there was nothing. WRONG!!

So now I go stand in line for the Customer Service guys. At this point, it's 2:00 in the morning for me, and I'm exhausted, starving, and just emotionally drained. I got up at 4:30 in the morning on Friday, and I haven't been sleeping well the past 2 days, so it's just very tiring. So I stand in line. I call United and get on a flight leaving Denver at 8:55 a.m. on Saturday, but flying to LAX and landing at 10:20, but I want to know what else is out there. And to get a place to sleep and eat. All I had was that 6" sub at 1:00 my time. An hour later I call my sister and tell her I'm still in line and now the word is there are no hotel rooms. Crap. Still standing in line. After 2 1/2 hours of standing in line, I finally get to the agent. He was not helpful - I'm sorry, I can't get you on a flight to Burbank at all. There is one leaving at 8:30 and I'll put you on the wait list. You're on the one to LAX. But we won't provide a transportation voucher to you. I can get you on an earlier one to Ontario (about 2 1/2 hours away), but you'll have to find your own way to where you're going. Oh, and since you asked, here's a $6 breakfast voucher. If you want to go to the main terminal, a few things are open, but you can't come back over here since security is closed. And there are no rooms. You can try and find one yourself and send in the receipts and we'll reimburse you.

Now, it's 1:30 in the morning, I'm exhausted and about to have a breakdown. I don't want to call all over Denver to find a room and pay for it myself, plus deal with the cab there and back. I don't want to go to the main terminal and find the Burger King that is open and have grease. I call my sister again and let her know when I'm coming in and that I pretty much have to stay at the airport. It just made more sense to stay at the airport.Both of my sisters are pretty annoyed with all of this. And I just start crying. I'm so exhausted that I can't take it anymore. Finally I pull myself together, go to the vending machine and get a Pepsi, a bag of chips and a bag of Cheetos. What a lovely dinner.

I go stake out my seat to attempt to sleep in. Many people are there with me, so in one sense, that's good. But man, is it freezing. They had the air conditioning on. So when the first store opens, I have to go get a sweatshirt, since I'm turning blue. I never slept at all - it was too uncomfortable. So I read another book and am almost done with the 4th book. When the store opens, I get another book and a magazine. I'm at the gate for the standby flight. An agent shows up and I ask her about the possibility of me getting on this flight and that I'm wait-listed. She checks the roster - I'm not on there. I can get on the noon flight leaving Denver. Sorry, that won't work for me. She advises me to just take my flight to LAX. Fine. I go over to that gate, and as I'm walking to it, see another flight leaving to LA, but it's going earlier. Go over there and see about the possibility of getting on that flight. Apparently that's where the agent put me. Nope, no chance at all - and they're moving people over to my original flight. Fine. Go sit down at that gate. And finally they announce the flight. Get on, it leaves on time, and we're flying to LAX. We actually get in early, but there are no gates, so we have to wait for about 15 minutes. Get off the plane, call my sister - she's waiting in baggage claim for me, along with Crystal, while my oldest sister is doing the loop around the airport. Get to baggage claim and collapse in her arms. Finally here.

Oh, and the time - 10:15 a.m. PST. Which means it's 1:15 p.m. EST. It took me 27 hours to go across the country. Sheesh, no wonder I'm tired.

So I'm now here. Made it to the service on time, which was very nice, but extremely emotional. It hasn't fully sunk in that my brother is no longer with us. But there is comfort in that he's at peace now, and he's with mom and dad, and all the grandparents.

Resignation

So tomorrow moring the resignation gets turned in. I'm a bit nervous in doing it - it's always a hard thing to do. Part of me is hoping that they will just walk me to the door - that would be a nice break. But I really doubt that will happen. It's a nice thought, though. And I'm taking Wednesday off - dealing with the car, getting my nails done, sleeping in a bit, meeting Bridgete for drinks/dinner or whatever. But I'm not going to work crazy hours over the next two weeks - I'll put in my 8 hours and that's about it. There's not much more I can be doing there. I have about 10 more procedures to write out, and also work on the September meeting. But I bet he gives it to someone else. Same with the Worldox meeting - there really isn't any reason for me to be there.

Now I need to concentrate on the audit for my new company and figure out what materials I want them to send me. Yippee!

A New Job!

I finally have some good news that's job related (and that would be the first time I can say this all year!). I've been quite unhappy with the way things are going where I work. I am in chrage of HR and the office, and I also supervise 8 staff. But they don't use me for HR, and I have almost no say with my staff. I love doing HR and have been doing it for quite some time and want to keep doing it. But when you're at a company that will have everyone else help with job assessments (for example) but me, then there is a problem.

So I've been looking for something new, working with a recruiter and searching on my own. I've had a few interviews, but nothing to write home about. Then I found a job with an accounting company that is about 7 miles from my home. I really liked the responsibilities that were listed. So I sent my resume. I got a call the next week asking me to come in for an interview, and they sent me the job description. And WOW - I was totally in love with the job description!! It was everything that I wanted to be doing. So I was pretty psyched about the interview.

So I went in for the interview. I met with the managing partner and another one. I felt an instant connection with both of them, liked what they had to tell me, and they seemed to like what I had to tell them. I wanted this job! And then I found out we had a connection - the managing partner (Paul) knew the president (Jim) of one of the companies I used to consult for. They've known each other for 45 years! So Paul asked me what Jim would say about me, and I said that his remarks would be positive. He was my favorite client. So the next day, I sent off my thank you's and got a reply back from Paul. He talked with Jim and Jm had nothing but positive things to say about me. So that was good. I was expecting to hear from them later that week to come back in for another interview.

So Monday I get an e-mail from the other partner (Rob) asking if I could come in this week to meet with some of the other partners. I went in this morning. Rob said that he wanted me to "meet with some of the people I'd be working with." Of course I took that to be very favorable. So I met with two more of the partners (there are 9 in all), and that seemed to go well. Then, as we were finishing up the conversation, Rob told me that he "really liked me" (in terms of the job) and Paul said that he wanted to hire me!! Yippee! I replied back that I would like to work there. So I was expecting a call later today or tomorrow to finalize everything.

So I get into the office, get onto my e-mail and lo and behold, there is an e-mail from Rob with my offer letter! Everything that I wanted - salary increase, free benefits, 4 weeks vacation, starting when I wanted to. How unbelievable was that?!?! And my time off for football games is not going to be a problem. So, I accepted the offer!!

I am turning in my notice on Monday. I would do it tomorrow, but my boss won't be there. So I'm going to figure out what processes I need to document, start cleaning out my office and computer, and figure out what I need to do in the next 2 weeks. They want a month's notice, but I'm not doing that. I'm giving 2 weeks, then will be in MN for a week, then will start the new job the next week.

Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful opportunity! I'm so excited about work again!

2007 Goals - Update

Since the year is halfway done, it's time for a budget check:

Creative Memories
* Build customer database - haven't really done this
* Strive to have 1 new event a month and 1 regular crop - doing the crop, haven't done the event yet
* Send out monthly e-mail updates - haven't done this as much
* Send out quarterly newsletters - doing
* Weekend Crop - March - DONE
* Memoranzia - April - DONE
* Croptoberfest - October
* Open House – November/December
* Recruit

Family/Friends
* Monthly e-mail updates to family - stopped this when Dad took ill
* Try to keep in better contact with friends
* Write more letters to Grandma and Sarah
* Monthly get-togethers with local friends

Health - Lose weight and tone up
* Develop a work out routine – keep it varied
* Eat healthier, and more consistently – no more skipping meals
* Monthly measurements
* Start doing fun activities – biking, hiking, etc.
* Train for triathlon

House Improvements
* Redo backyard
* Buy shed for backyard - DONE
* Replace front door
* Paint guest bathroom and bedroom
* Go through every room and declultter
* Clean out and organize storage area
* Replace carpet in living room/hall/steps/bedrooms/downstairs
* Replace cabinets in kitchen
* Buy new stove and dishwasher

Photo Albums
* Stay current with yearly album
* Finish Disney album
* Update Holiday album
* Finish College albums
* Work on state quarters album
* Football album – 2006 and 2007
* Organize rest of pictures

Professional Development
* Recertify for CCP – need 5 credits by end of February - DONE

Travel
* Budget in trips to Tech for football - DONE
* Budget in Trips to Tech and other locations for football games - almost done
* Day trips throughout DC area
* Las Vegas in January - postponed
* Maine in June - postponed
* Minnesota in August
* Girls’ scrapbooking weekend??
* Disney trip - DONE

Personal
* Date
* Pay down home equity loan
* Pay off credit cards

Okay - I haven't really done much here - I need to get cracking on this.

Reflections

I'm sitting here waiting for the Verizon FIOS people to show up (waiting for 7 hours so far - this is crap!) and watching St. Elmo's Fire and reflecting back on things. I remember when this movie first came out, back in 1985. I went with my (then) best friend Jackie to see it. We were in California, and this movie really made both of us think about a lot of things. I wish I could remember what they were now, but I can't. And that's probably not important. But I do think back over the past 40 years of my life and wonder where the hell it's going. I look back on it and I realize that I really haven't done anything that I wanted to do. And that's really sad. Well, I've done some things. I graduated from college. 4 times. And I have a decent job (but hopefully that'll change and I'll move to a better job). I've got a lot of friends. But I still haven't done a lot of the things I wanted to do. I'm not married - tried it and it didn't work out. No kids - and don't think that'll ever happen. I haven't done much traveling. I haven't saved up like I should have. I don't have other investments (outside of my 401(k)). I haven't moved out of the area - even though I'm not from here, sometimes I feel like I've lived my whole life where I've grown up.

At one time I made a dream page - it listed a few goals that I wanted to accomplish - finishing grad school, buying a place, and doing some traveling. And I did those. So now maybe it's time to make another dream page, or my dream album. I need some goals to focus on again.

So over the next few days, I need to think about what they are. Some are easy - traveling to Switzerland, Ireland, Australia. Others are harder - when do I want to retire? How much money do I want to have to retire? Where do I want to retire to? But this would good for me to do.

Happy New Year, Part 2

So it's July 1 - time for a new start (again). The first half of 2007 wasn't what I was expecting it to be. I'm surviving, but I've been through a lot this year, and I'm realizing that there are some changes to make. I've had to go through and really consider who some of my friends are, and I learned that there are some people who I thought were my friends who really weren't. And that hurt. But that's a process of growing up.

So there are things I need to change. I am heavier than I have been in quite some time. I need to get off of my butt and hit the gym. Start exercising and working out and watching what I eat. I don't need to be drinking lots of soda and eating lots of junk. I've cut back on the amount of alcohol, but that's not enough. I have so many cute clothes that I can't wear, and I don't want to buy anything new. And I want to find something new to occupy my time. I'm not liking my company, and I haven't in quite some time. I need to find something to give me the excitment again. And at a place where I'm appreciated.

I'm not sure about the dating scene. I'm still feeling a bit apprehensive about letting myself out there and the possibility of getting hurt. But I know I'll have to do that soon. It's been quite some time since I've had anyone in my life (1 1/2 years). And that's lonely.

So it's a time for changes, again. But it can't start as bad as it did last year, can it?

My Goals for July 2 - July 7

Work
Finish SB's box of B/D files
Finish job descriptions for SO, SJ, TJ, IM, KU, DE
Research outings for September meeting
Figure out software training

Personal
Work out - Tuesday
Work out - Wednesday
Work out - Friday
Work on outline for story
Chapter 2 for class - 1/2 done
Chapter 4 for class - 1/2 done
Chapter 5 for class
Chapter 7 for class
Quiz for class
Job sites - ONGOING
Clean house

CM
Send out page challenge notifications
Finish monthly updates
Finish June expenses
Work on football storybook
Finish my football album - 1 game left!
Work on Bill's football album
Up to date in 2007 album
Send in covers for Persona
Framing party
Send in framing party order

My Goals for June 25 - July 1 - Results

Work
Finish 2 files of B/D files - DONE
Finish job descriptions for SO, SJ, TJ, IM, KU, DE
Holiday Party meeting - DONE
Work with SH on WD project - DONE

Personal
Cardio - Wednesday
Work on outline for story
Chapter 2 for class - 1/2 done
Chapter 4 for class - 1/2 done
Chapter 5 for class
Chapter 6 for class - DONE
Job sites - ONGOING
Send out birthday cards - LW - DONE

CM
Send out chronicles - DONE
Send out page challenge notifications
Finish monthly updates
Work on football storybook
Finish my football album - 1 game left!
Work on Bill's football album
Up to date in 2007 album
Send in covers for Persona
Scheduling framing party - DONE
Send in 2 frames

It's Friggin' Hot

Okay - it's now been a month and my air conditioning still isn't working!!!!! This is way too frustrating. They came out last Monday, but they didn't have the right motor for the heat pump. So they rigged one up, and it quit working. I'm hoping that I don't have to get a new unit - that would be very expensive, and it's not something I really want to have to get right now. But I'm getting sick and tired of having my house be a friggin' 90 degrees INSIDE! I can't get anything done in here. So for the past month I haven't done anything, which is extremely frustrating.

My Goals for June 25 - July 1

Work
Finish 2 files of B/D files
Finish job descriptions for SO, SJ, TJ, IM, KU, DE
Holiday Party meeting
Work with SH on WD project

Personal
Cardio - Wednesday
Work on outline for story
Chapter 2 for class - 1/2 done
Chapter 4 for class - 1/2 done
Chapter 5 for class
Chapter 6 for class
Job sites - ONGOING
Send out birthday cards - LW

CM
Send out chronicles
Send out page challenge notifications
Finish monthly updates
Work on football storybook
Finish my football album - 1 game left!
Work on Bill's football album
Up to date in 2007 album
Send in covers for Persona
Scheduling framing party
Send in 2 frames

My Goals for June 11 - June 17 - Results

Work
Finish 2 files of B/D files
Finish job descriptions for SO, SJ, TJ, IM, KU, DE
Holiday Party meeting
Staffing e-mail - DONE
Work with SS on TK work - DONE
Call on furniture - DONE

Personal
Cardio - Thursday
Clean coffee table
Work on outline for story
Chapter 2 for class - 1/2 done
Chapter 3 for class - DONE
Go through refinancing paperwork - DONE
Job sites - ONGOING
Send out birthday cards - SL, HJ, GK, LE

CM
Send out chronicles
Webinar
Send out page challenge notifications
Finish monthly updates
Work on football storybook
Finish my football album - 1 game left!
Work on Bill's football album
Up to date in 2007 album
Send in covers for Persona
Go through framing kit - DONE
Scheduling framing party

Medical Issues

Okay - I'm scared. I got a call today from the radiologist. They found something in my mammogram and now I have to go back in for more tests. They wouldn't tell me what is going on. I know it's nothing. I haven't felt anything, so it can't be anything. But what did they see???

Tricia-ology - Blog Challenge

ARCHAEOLOGY: the study of material remains
What's the oldest article of clothing you still wear?
A Duke t-shirt from married boyfriend
What's the oldest article of clothing you won't get rid of?
My favorite Guess jeans – from college
When was the house/building you live in built?
1989
What in your fridge needs to be thrown out?
Nothing really – I try to clean it out all the time

BIBLIOLOGY: the study of publication
What are you reading?
The Sue Grafton series
Do you have a favorite quote?
“Whatever” from Clueless
What's the most recent music you purchased?
Downloads off of iTunes
What book could you read again without being bored?
“The Godfather” from Mario Puzo

CARDIOLOGY: the study of the heart
How old were you the first time you fell in love?
15 – with the first Steve
What charities do you have a heart for?
Breast Cancer and American Cancer Society; also MS since that’s my fraternity’s philanthropy
What's the best way someone can show their love for you?
By telling me
Name five things you "love":
My parents, my family, Bruce, traveling, and VT football

PHYSIOLOGY: the study of physical function
Are you right-handed or left-handed?
Left
Do you like your smile?
Yes
What's your best feature?
My eyes
Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
No
Which of your five senses do you think is keenest?
Sight, but if I could smell, I would say that

OMNOLOGY: the study of everything
What color do you think looks best on you?
Red
Have you ever swallowed a non-food item by mistake?
Not that I can think of
What's your favorite flavor of gum?
None – I don’t like gum
Where's the first place you went today?
The bathroom
Do you stand or sit in the shower?
Stand

AXIOLOGY: the study of the nature of values and value judgments
Would you walk naked for a half mile down a public street for $100,000?
Probably not
Would you kiss a member of the same sex for $100?
Yes. My friends and I kiss each other hello and goodbye all the time
Would you pose naked in a magazine for $250,000?
No
What value is of utmost importance to you in a friend?
Honesty
Would you accept an indecent proposal for $1,000,000?
Only if it was from Bruce Springsteen!

TECHNOLOGY: usage and knowledge of tools
What's the last movie you saw?
Ocean’s Thirteen
What's the first website you visit when you log on?
Yahoo
What's your ring tone?
It varies depending on who calls. My generic ring tone is “Build Me Up, Buttercup”
Would you quit blogging for $25,000?
Maybe
What piece of equipment do you wish you owned?
A really, really good digital camera

GENEALOGY: the study of relationships within families
Is there a specific family member you're really missing right now?
My dad, more than I can even say
Who is your oldest living relative?
My godparents – in their 80’s
Are you named after anyone?
Yes – my godparents and the patron saint of Ireland
Is there anyone really famous in your family tree?
One of my uncles was a Polish POW

My Goals for June 11 - June 17

Work
Finish 2 files of B/D files
Finish job descriptions for SO, SJ, TJ, IM, KU, DE
Holiday Party meeting
Staffing e-mail
Work with SS on TK work
Call on furniture

Personal
Cardio - Thursday
Clean coffee table
Work on outline for story
Chapter 2 for class - 1/2 done
Chapter 3 for class
Go through refinancing paperwork
Job sites
Send out birthday cards - SL, HJ, GK, LE

CM
Send out chronicles
Webinar
Send out page challenge notifications
Finish monthly updates
Work on football storybook
Finish my football album - 1 game left!
Work on Bill's football album
Up to date in 2007 album
Send in covers for Persona
Go through framing kit
Scheduling framing party

Does It Get Any Easier?

So it's been 3 months since my father passed away, and I still miss him like crazy. There are so many times I want to talk to him, and I can't. He's not there. I'm angry with him because he's not here. And I know that is a normal part of grieving, but it bothers me that I'm mad at him. He should be able to rest in peace and I'm just being selfish. But this is a time to be selfish. He was too young to go. Father's day is coming up. That's going to be hard. He was so good to me - he never judged me and always supported me. And next month is his birthday. He would have been 87. And I wish we could celebrate it with him.

I'm heading home in August - that will be hard as well. I love my stepmom and we're closer than we ever had been, but dad won't be there. I hate seeing his chair empty, or him not being at his desk. I know in time it will get easier. I just don't know when that will be.

I feel like I'm floundering right now. I'm not sure what I want to do anymore. My current job doesn't make me happy. And I don't know if I should find a way to make it better or not. Do I move back home? Or stay here? I just don't know anymore.

My Goals for June 4 - June 10 - Results

Work
Finish 1 box of B/D paperwork - DONE
Finish job descriptions for SO, SJ, TJ, IM, KU, DE - 1 done
KU's review - DONE
Work on holiday party - DONE

Personal
Post office - DONE
Library - DONE
Cardio - Monday - DONE
Weights - Tuesday
Cardio - Wednesday
Weights - Thursday
Cardio - Saturday
Dinner with Aimee
Movies - DONE
Clean coffee table
Clean scrapbooking tables - DONE
Declutter 1 drawer - DONE
Start outline for story
Chapter 2 for class - 1/2 done

CM
Set up for crop - DONE
Send out chronicles
HSS crop - DONE
Hang frame - DONE
Webinar
Send in SS Certification swap - DONE
Finish 2 Disney swaps - DONE
Send out page challenge notifications
Finish monthly updates
Work on football storybook
Finish my football album
Work on Bill's football album
Up to date in 2007 album
Send in covers for Persona