IT'S BEEN A LOOOOONNNNGGGG WEEKEND!!

Well - no entries since Friday - been way too busy - worked all weekend at Dollywood and yesterday spent the majority of the day doing - YUCK - laundry.  If I never had to do laundry again - HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY - alas - twill never be - I must do the wash so that we will have the clean clothes to put on just to get them dirty again - Ha!

Work this weekend was not too bad - worked both days on the Roadway and since I got signed off in the Load position on side B (I know I know - doesn't make sense unless you work there) the time really goes by fast.

I have a show in Gatlinburg this Friday so will get off early from work here and then I AM OFF ON SATURDAY!!!  So - will get a room for two nights and on Saturday Ryan and I will go do some fun "free" stuff that we can do through our perks at Dollywood, then I work Sunday on the Roadway again.

We enjoy our little weekend vacations that we have taken this summer - staying at the River Terrace in Gatlinburg.  We have done the Ripley's stuff, went to some shows - went to WonderWorks - a fun place and just generally have a good time doing stuff together.  I try to spend some quality time with Ryan since he is home during the week by himself.  He doesn't complain - going to the Gate has helped a lot - he's there on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 2.  I take him on my way to work and he rides the ETHRA van home ($3).

Well - okay - got to run - got stuff to do here at the office and I've got to make a WalMart run to get some stuff to fix for lunch this week.

Have a great day and

Peace

IT RAINED!!!!!! YEA RAIN!!!!

OH HAPPY DAY - IT RAINED!!  We had a really good shower - not a storm and I swear today everything looks greener and prettier - I guess because everything got WASHED...LOL - including my car!!

We had been dry for so long that when it rained there was a real "sick" smell that came up from the ground - but that passed and then we were treated to that wonderful "fresh rain" smell that just sent your senses reeling - hadn't had that smell for over a month.

Dogs are bummed because I didn't (wouldn't) let them out after the rain - muddy feet you know - but they can go out today - ground is already dry again.

Have to work Sat and Sun at Dollywood - BUT I'm off on Monday - praise the Lord!  I will need that day off...hehehe

Ryan wants to take a picnic lunch to the mountains again - we might do that - depends on the weather. If weather is bad he wants to go see a movie - okay.

I need to get the pictures developed from his birthday weekend.  I'll try to make that a priority next week - then will post some here.

Had supper with my brother and sister-in-law last night to celebrate Ryan's birthday (Aug. 20), my brother's birthday (Sept 1) and mine (Sept 25) at the pizza place - it was nice - I always love gettting together with them - love them sooooooo much.  Ryan is 26, Leon will be 72 on his and I will be 59 on mine. - my bro and I are getting old...hehehe.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend - I pray that people that got too much rain  will have  dryer days ahead - those of us that need more rain will get it and that our troops will be protected and our country will wake up. 

Peace to all who visit here.

AH - ANOTHER MONDAY - OH JOY - OH RAPTURE!!!!

Okay - it's Monday - I would have posted something last night, BUT by the time I got home from Dollywood, peeled my sweat-soaked costume from my overheated, overweight, screaming-in-pain body, crawled into the shower - massaged the cramps out of my cows (most people have calves - I have cows), found my pjs, fell into bed - I JUST DIDN'T CARE!!!  hehehe

My legs are still not believing what I did to them yesterday - they are still puffed up with indignation (that's swelling to some) and complaining bitterly every time I get up from my chair.  I have to work Sat. and Sun. next weekend but I will have recovered by then.

I get these e-mails from friends - that promise great things if I will only forward it to 6,435 of my closest friends within 10 seconds after reading them.  I hardly ever forward stuff now - if the message is good, I'll copy and share that - but as for the "luck" stuff - no.  My belief in God does not depend on forwarding e-mails.  I got one today that said "Pray this even if you don't feel like it"......hmmmmm - an insincere prayer??  I pray because I want to pray - because I need to pray.  The prayer itself was a good one - one that has been in my mailbox about 50 times.  I have shared the prayer in the past but have never asked anyone to pray even if they didn't feel like it.  So....enough of that.

Still no rain here - we are DRY, BRITTLE, BROWN, UGLY.  I'm afraid our normally lovely fall colors will not be pretty this year - a lot of trees are just turning brown - no gold, yellow or red - just brown - lots of leaves falling early - just too dry.  People in the mid west with too much rain - us with not near enough - wonder what the plan is....we may never know.

To those of you who visit here - have a great day - to those of you who leave their comments (Carrie) thanks...that way I know someone is reading this besides me...hehehe

Pray for our country, pray for our troops, pray for peace (but only if you want to) :)

 

SATURDAY - I'M OFF AND I'M SICK - BUMMER

I AM SO BUMMED!!  I specifically asked off from Dollywood today to go to a friend's wedding - and I'm sick - dag gone ding blast it.  Woke up just feeling awful - been in the bathroom all morning - YUCK.

I hope that Justin and Nikki know that I support them in their marriage even though I'm not there today.  They are both sweet people and good friends.  Justin has been in my theatre group and improv group ever since they were formed.  Two other members of our group have gotten married and I was there for them - but I'm not going to be able to be there for Justin - and that makes me sad.

Ryan is wanting to go get some lunch - but I don't feel well enough to go out -may order in a pizza for him.

More later - peace

ANOTHER DAY OF HEAT AND NO RAIN

Today, at the office, the "man" came to mow the grass - WHAT GRASS???  It hasn't rained here in so long that the grass hasn't grown except in little patches.  When he was mowing - it looked like a dust bowl.  My green car now has a layer of red clay dust on it - and we aren't supposed to wash cars right now - THANKS A LOT BUDDY!  The heat and lack of rain has everyone on edge right now.  We have a breeze blowing which helps but the heat is just oppressive.

Can't remember if I mentioned it but we are under attack here at our new office building by ANTS.  They are EVERYWHERE.  Yesterday - they made it personal.  Coconut was on her lower perch and just having a "hissy fit".  I went over to talk to her and the bottom of her cage was full of ANTS.  She was not happy.  Neither was I.  I pulled by waste can over to the table where her cage is and sat her cage on the waste can so I could see where the little buggers were coming from.  I stepped sideways and knocked her cage and the waste can over.  Scared me to death - scared the poor little bird to death and bird seed went EVERYWHERE.  I have tried to be so careful to keep the cage clean and all seeds vacuumed up.  I was overwhelmed.  I went and got the "big" vac, plugged it in, started to suck up seeds and there was a hose that was supposed to be connected that wasn't and it blew the seeds EVERYWHERE they weren't already.  MAN - I was pissed. 

BUT - Susan and Minna to the rescue.  Bless their hearts, they got the other vacuum and the 3 of us finally got the mess cleaned up.  I took Coconut to the back office,  cleaned out her cage, spread some newspapers out - sat two folding chairs together and she spent the night in the back room.  I sprayed ant killer all around my office and then wiped everything down and vacuumed some more.

This morning we couldn't find ants anywhere - but my theory is - they are in mourning right now for those lost in the battle, and they are regrouping and calling in favors from the other ant colonies and THEY WILL BE BACK.  It may be the heat and drought that is making them come in - but I am soooo over these ants.

Okay - I need to get back to work - so

Pray for our troops, pray for our county and pray for peace.

THURSDAY - THE WEEK IS ALMOST OVER

I have survived!  Today will be a better day than yesterday and tomorrow will just be super.  That is the plan for today :).

I am actually off on Saturday to attend a friend's wedding.  Then on Sunday I have to be at Dollywood at 9:00 a.m.!  That is the earliest I have had to be there all year.  I'm going to get "signed off" on Load B at the Rockin' Roadway - oh joy - oh rapture.  I'm coming in early so that I can run the cars without guests in them so if I screw up - nobody gets hurt.  hehehe.  There have been quite a few people who have left DW already this year.  The Roadway will be short on help - so that's why I'm getting signed off on Load.

The Rampage is still my home - and my team.  The advantage to working on the Roadway is that you are under shelter - out of the rain (RAIN???WHAT'S THAT????) and out of the direct sunlight - it's still HOT but a little better than being out in it.

My hometown is getting ready to have monitored water usage - we have had no rain practically all summer.  So - no more car washes, filling up of swimming pools, watering lawns, use dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads - and I LOVE THIS ONE - this was actually on the front page of our local paper - DON'T FLUSH THE TOILET EVERY TIME YOU USE IT - GEEZ - so I guess our new credo will be - "If it's yellow - let it mellow - if it's brown - flush it down.  HA!  That came from a movie I saw - can't remember which one.  Ah - the good life!!

Peace to all who visit here.

TUESDAY

Well - this has been a Monday on a Tuesday - one crises after another. Ah- the wonderful world of law! It's days like today that make me wish I had a "mindless" job where I could just do the work and go home - not worry about everyone else's problems.....oh well - not to be - not for me.

Today is a sad day - the anniversary of the loss of someone very dear to me - a long time ago.  He will forever be in my heart and my memories.  He died in the line of duty in Viet Nam.  His body was never recovered.  He is still listed as missing in action.  No closure. 

War - HUH -what is it good for - absolutely NOTHING.  Remember that song?  That is exactly how I feel right now.

Today will pass - it always does.  Tomorrow will be better - it always is.  Faith keeps me going.  Love keeps me remembering.  Love never dies.

Pray for our country.  Pray for our soldiers.  Pray for peace.

 

RYAN'S BRITHDAY - HE IS 26 YEARS OLD

Well - the surprise party at my office was just that - a complete surprise - Ryan was sooo happy and soooo excited.  He said "Mom - I can't believe they did that just for me!"  Debra fixed him a "candy bouquet" that was  just great and they got him a "cookie cake" from the Great American Cookie Company - his favorite.  Susan fixed spaghetti and meatballs and toasted bread and it was a big hit.  They all went in and got him a $50 gift certificate to Hastings - one of his favorite places to get DVDs and Minna got him a really cute card that he just loved.  All in all - a very successful day.  We are going to see a movie tonight and then we have 364 days to get ready for the next one....hehehe.  I took pictures all weekend and will get them on a CD so that I can post some here.

Have a great evening - and of course - peace.

SUNDAY EVENING

Well - we are home from Ryan's birthday weekend.  We had a very good time.  Ryan got to see Jill at the Smith Family Theatre and she was a wonderfully sweet as she always is.  We got a bonus too at the Smith Family show.  Our friend Ashley was there with her precious new little boy, Weston James.  He will be three months old on the 29th of this month and he is just beautiful.  We knew he had been born, but we hadn't seen him yet so that was a double thrill for us.

Our two nights in the motel were peaceful.  I didn't sleep especially well on Friday night but great on Saturday.

Saturday we ate breakfast in the motel room and then went to the pool.  The water was WARM - not very refreshing and seemed to have a lot of "oil" in it from all the suntan lotions and oils that have been used.  I also learned that they were trying a new mix in the pool to make it like mineral water....hmmmm - okay.

This morning we ate breakfast/lunch in Pigeon Forge and then started on home.  When we got to Townsend, we decided to stop and lay in the river for awhile just to cool down.  The river is at an all time low and in today's paper we are being asked to "conserve water".  We are pretty conservative anyway - I haven't watered our lawn all summer and the only water we use to for bathing and laundry and the dogs' drinking water.

The river was COLD and very refreshing.  I sat in the shallows and read my book and Ryan sat nearby - didn't want to lay down in the water or get wet from the waist up - so don't know what was going on with him there - he usually LOVES the river...hmmm

We met some friends at a mexican restaurant tonight to celebrate Ryan's and Amy's birthday tomorrow.  Amy is in my improv group.  It was a nice little get-to-gether and we enjoyed that.

Work tomorrow and Ryan doesn't know that the people that work in my building are giving him a surprise party tomorrow.  I'm coming home to get him around noon.  He will be surprised.  I got his two videos that he wanted for his birthday and those with his weekend in the motel was all he was expecting.  Can't wait to see his face.

Will probably post tomorrow and will try to post at least 3-4 times a week - more if I can.  I am enjoying this again.  Hope to keep it up.

Peace to all who visit here.

IT'S THURSDAY AND IT'S HOT HOT HOT!

It was 100 degrees here today - it was HOT.  The humidity is down - thank you Lord but it is soooo hot.  I only let the dogs out long enough to do their "business" and get them right back in.  I feel soo sorry for animals that can't come inside on days like today.  There are three half-grown kittens across the street from me and they were PANTING when I came home.  You don't see cats pant very often unless they are stressed - these kitties are just plain hot.  They had a full water dish in the shade (I checked) and I know the people that live in that house take good care of them.  No one was at home and I've never seen them come out of the house - I think they are strictly outdoor cats. 

I look at my two fur babies stretched out on the foot of my bed, in front of my fan and I think "girls - you don't know how good you have it".  They have never been hungry, thirsty, cold or really too hot even.  They are so peaceful right now - not a care in the world.

We are leaving tomorrow afternoon for our weekend in Gatlinburg.  I found out today that my improv group as another show on the 31 so I went ahead and got a room for that night 'cause I KNOW I will be working Dollywood Labor Day weekend.

We went to the store tonight and got our pre-arranged snacks for the motel.  And we stuck to our list - amazing.

Won't be able to post on Saturday, but will catch up on Sunday when we get home.

Be safe everyone - pray for our country -

Peace

ABBY - A GIFT OF LOVE

Abby is just love - pure and simple.  She is our Yorkie, and would go home with anyone.  She loves EVERYone.  She is a "licker" and will even lick your toes as you walk through the house.  She is a fat little yorkie - always happy - unless she hears the word "bath" - then she simply disappears under the bed and stays there.  Storms don't bother her - thunder - nothing.  Say the word "bath" and she is GONE.

Her favorite toy is a little fire hydrant that is made of the "soft" rubber - she just loves that thing.  Will hide it under the bed and bring it out to play.  She and Millie rarely disagree with each other - occasionally Millie will get a little rough in play and Abby will "put her down" even though Millie is bigger.  Then the funniest thing happens - they apologize to each other - I swear it - they apologize to each other.  It starts with nose touching - ears very alert.  Then from Millie a lick to Abby's muzzle - then a lick from Abby to Millie's muzzle - "sorry" "okay, sorry too" - and back to play.  They are best buds and I cannot take one in the car without the other - they pine for each other.  When they get older I will bring a puppy in - so that when I loose one - the other will not be alone and then bring in one more.  I will always have two dogs.  Two are fine - company for each other when we are away - and  there's room in my bed for two.

If my Barney taught me one thing (and he taught me many) it is to not be afraid to love another dog just because you are going to outlive that dog.  The pain of loosing one is tremendous - the joy that they give - priceless.  I will no deny myself the joy that they bring, just because of the pain of loss.

My animals tend to live long lives and for that I am grateful - I try to make sure that they have what they need health wise and saturate them with love and security.

My Abby - loving, sweet, little licker.

Peace to all

MILLIE - MY THERAPY DOG

Millie - my little soul connection - my baby.

When I am sad - she is right there - absorbing my tears.

When I am depressed - her eyes fill my soul.

When I am happy - she plays - flipping her toys high in the air.

When I am in pain - she lies beside me, touching me, healing me.

When I wake up each morning she comes - from under my quilt stretching, sliding up to lay her head next to mine on my pillow.

My little soul connection - my Millie.

I've had her now for seven years.  I'm not sure what that is in dog years,  but seven years of my life have been entwined with hers.  Had I been afraid to love again, after Barney, I never would have known those seven years.  But I was not afraid and she has filled the empty space in my heart.

She is smart, protective, loving, and sweet.

My little soul connection - my Millie

Peace

GOTTA SHARE THIS - WANNA A LAUGH?? READ ON

Okay - this is the last post for today - promise.

If you read the previous entry here you know that I gave birth - to a kidney stone.

One of the fallbacks to having a kidney stone, besides the mind numbing pain - is that you can't bend to do something that you take for granted every day until you cannot do it - wipe your butt.  If you're offended - stop reading now - it gets worse.

Now this is embarrassing - I couldn't wipe my butt.  What I need is a bidet - but don't have one so-

Necessity is the mother of invention - I don't know who said it - but it's true.  Now you may know someone, an elderly person, a disabled person, a "large" person (which I am one of - don't get me wrong) who sometimes has this problem.  I have solved it.  Here it is:

Go to Target (don't bother with the other stores - believe me I have checked them ALL out) and purchase a "bottle sponge".  This is a round sponge on the end of a "wand" about 9 to 10 inches long.  If you can find one that has a plain sponge on it - you are ahead of the game.  What I found was a round sponge with little "scrubbies" on the end of it.  When you get it home - carefully cut the little scrubbies off - trust me on this - they can be traumatic to sensitive areas of your body.  Buy some disposable "wipes".  These things are great - pre moistened and makes you feel sooo clean.  Place the wipe over the sponge.  The sponge will "grip" it and keep it from falling off.  Now you can reach your butt and you don't even have to bend - anywhere.  Now stop laughing - I mean it - I can hear it - STOP IT.  It was a godsend for me.  It was either figure something out or just stopping going to the bathroom - I had to figure something out - so I did.

Now that you've had your laugh - STOP IT - you may close my blog and go on with your life.

Peace to all who visit here - even if you laughed.

MY FALL AND "THE STONE"

Well - it is Tuesday night - I'm home (really - I am) and I get the urge to write again - twice in one day - amazing!!

Last Friday, I got off work early because my Improv group had a show in Gatlinburg.  Now being the old crazy, forgetful idiot that I have become in my old age, I find I must make "a list" of things to take on a trip - otherwise I end up with six pairs of sox and no underwear (has happened).

So, from my office I needed my Bubba Keg Mug (if you don't have one - get one - they hold ice ALL DAY LONG - even on the beach!), my phone charger, my portable DVD player and cord and my Dollywood bag which I carried to the office on Monday because I was too tired Sunday night to move everything to my "other" purse.

I put the appropriate message on the business phone (I'm gone til Monday - leave a message, etc.), and walk out the door into bright bright bright sunlight, causing my transition lenses in my glasses to darken quickly quickly quickly, get to my car and realize that I have forgotten my DVD player (so much for my list huh).  Now the DVD player is must for me when I travel - I listen to it all night long in strange motel beds (it's the only way I can sleep).  So I turned around (remember my glasses have taken on the appearance of a celebrity limo) and fall across the LARGE WHITE HAS BEEN THERE SINCE WE MOVED INTO THE BUILDING CONCRETE CAR STOPPER which is at every single parking place in the lot.  I land ON MY FACE and actually slid on my nose about 9 inches.  Grace personified.  I'm sure I was a vision - there I lay - sprawled on the porch.  I did a quick inventory (nose- not bleeding, glasses-not broken, teeth-not broken, body-still together.  My next thought was "God I hope no one in the office saw me fall".  As I'm just about to "rise from the almost dead" the office door bursts open and here everyone comes.  Great.  They saw me.  Wonderful.  Yea me.

My wonderful friends - concerned - worried.  Was I okay?  Was I sure?  Can they do anything for me.  I got up, assuring everyone that I was "just fine, just fine".  They continued to question my ability to decide if I was okay, but I did convince them.  Then we all got the "giggles", I got in the car and left - after I staggered into the office and got the blasted DVD player.

About a mile from the office, my cell phone rang - it was Susan (concerned friend from office) and as I answered it with "I'm fine, just fine" we giggled again and I continued home.

Now this could have happened - I could have broken my nose - it is still sore deep inside my face (maybe cracked a bone? oh and I do have road rash on my nose).  I could have broken my wrist (was pretty sore that night and next day).  I could have broken my leg (lovely bruise completely across the front of my knee).  I could have broken my teeth (if you've read previous posts you know they are false-if you haven't - now you know).  I could have broken my glasses.  None of this happened - nothing broken.  hmmm.  Wonder what the "reason" was for the fall?? Hmmmm,  don't know.  Thank you God for the "nothing brokens" in my life.

To continue on with the "health" part of my life - about 11 days ago I gave birth - to a kidney stone.  If you have every had one - you get my drift.  If you have never had one I will pray every day that you NEVER have one.  I was in labor for about 10 days.  I walked bent over like a very old woman - used a cane - getting in and out of bed was agony - up and down on the toilet - unimaginable pain - in and out of the car - foreget it - constant - never changing pain.  Went to the doctor - got some antibiotics - and darvocet - anti good - darvocet no good - didn't touch the pain.  Was chewing them like candy.  No relief.  Now when you "pass" the stone you may not see it (I didn't) but you KNOW it's gone - relief, pure and simple.

Missed two weekends of work at Dollywood - couldn't do my job.  Went to the law office every day - could sit in my chair and work - sort of.

I am SO much better now - the arthritis in my hips flared up a bit but have that under control with a new medicine from my doctor.

So - there ya go.  My life.

peace to all who visit here.

GOING TO TRY IT AGAIN

I have found Rosie O'Donnell's blog - dear Lord - I love it.  I visit it everyday - I leave her a message every day - she hasn't answered yet - but maybe.  Why am I so fascinated by her?  I don't know - except that I respect her - she was a single adoptive parent like me - she loves kids - we have all that in common.  She is gay - I am not - but I feel close to her - and I love her - why?  I don't know.

One thing she has done for me is got me to thinking that I'm going to try to get back to this blog and write something at least 4 or 5  times a week - I won't promise every day like before, because I am just too tired sometimes to even turn the computer on.  I'm still working the three jobs and my improve group (Bullscript) is becoming more popular and we've had more shows here lately than before - that is therapeutic for me - I love to make people laugh.

Ryan will be 26 years old on August 20.  He functions on a 12-14 year old level.  His autistic tendencies have be set.  I think he is where he will be now for the rest of his life - but what a life he has had and will continue to have.  He is the light of my life - my reason to go on. 

We are doing to spend the weekend in Gatlinburg for his birthday and we are going to see Jill at the Smith Family Theatre - she is such a sweetie - a favorite of Ryan's (and mine).  He is excited.  He has asked for two things for his birthday - the new DVD collection of "Full House" that just came out and the the DVD of "Wild Hogs" which we both loved.  He will get them.

What he doesn't know is that the people that work in the same building with me (the insurance gang) is going to have a surprise birthday party for him on Monday.  I'm to go home at lunch and get him on some pretext and bring him to the office.  They are getting him a big cookie cake and a gift certificate to Hastings and he will be thrilled.

Okay Ro - today was for you - tomorrow and so forth will be for me.

Peace

 

HMMMM - TWO MONTHS SINCE MY LAST ENTRY - HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007!!

I sincerely hope that 2007 brings everyone health, happiness and fullfillment of their life's desires.

Much has happened in the past two months.  The biggest and most exhaustive was the move of the legal office where I work.  The building that we were in was for sale (again) AND we had not had any heat for the months of October and November and it had been COLD.  The insurance agency that was in the front offices of that building had built a brand new building literally on the other end of town and when it was completed offered to let us have 3 offices in that building for the same rent so we said YES!  We turned in our intent to vacate and packed up, threw away, shredded, and stored 13 years worth of files, equipment and "stuff" that you accumulate.  What a job!  I don't think I have EVER been so tired in my life and on top of that, developed my yearly bout of walking pneumonia right in the middle of the move.  But - we made it - and what a difference!  The building we moved into is brand new - so clean and so pretty.  We share a huge waiting area with the insurance company that has a corner gas fireplace and a lovely couch and chair AND cable tv (as soon as it gets hooked up).  We have an office for my boss, one for me and our file/storage room for our copier/fax machine.  We also share a full kitchen with frig, stove, micorwave and dishwasher, plus a hugh conference table and another cable tv.  Bliss - pure bliss.  I was able to take (with permission) one of my birds with me and chose to take Coconut, the sweet little parakeet.  He has settled in nicely and eveyrone loves him.  I took the finches and Jackie home and they have also settled in their new environment.

Then on December 30, we shut Dollywood down for the season and I will enjoy 2 1/2 months OFF with my weekends free.  I will begin working in ernest to prepare my entry for an Extreme Home Makeover.  We shall see.

Again, Happy New Year to all who visit here and of course

Peace