Life with Tia

Today is enough

2009-01-03T19:09:00.004-05:00

I'm going through a devotional book by Luci Swindoll. (Charles' sister) I first discovered Luci many years ago. She was a "grown" single woman having a ball with life. I read her book and thought I wanna grow up to be like her. LOL Time passed and I forgot about Luci and her joy and celebration from life. So when I saw her book posted on paperback swap.com (one of the best finds ever) I smiled and remembered and ordered it. I'm so glad I did.

Today's devo was about enjoying what we have and being content. I was reminded that we live in a world that demands that we always be doing something, anything. I always feel weird at work on Monday when I'm asked what I did over the weekend when I answer nothing. I haven't been to the movies in ages. I don't really need more stuff. I love being home. It is enough.

And that fits in with my goals for the year - to enjoy life - my friends - my home. There's tons of stuff that I can do at home - projects to complete. Emails to write. Notes on facebook to encourage. I need to do more of that. But for now I'm reminded that enough is enough.

God is enough. I need no other. Be it ever so humble...

Happy New Year - 2009

2009-01-01T18:25:00.003-05:00

This is gonna sound morbid but for some reason I never thought as a kid that I'd live this long. Ok, ok, I know I'm only 50 but 2000 much less 2009 felt like so far away back then. So here I am alive and well in 2009. Since I have lived this long now I have to figure out what I'm going to accomplish this year. 2009?!?

I'm gonna get out of debt. I'm such a dork - it's out of hand but it's now out of my hands and the plan is in place to get back on track. Such a waste.

I'm going to lose this last 30 pounds and keep it off. So far so good 20lbs already down 30 more to go. Thanks Jenny! (Craig that is).

I want to get involved in creative things - either through decorating projects here at home or learning how to sew. I've been thinking about sewing for a year. It's time I did more than think.

I'm going to have friends over more often. I like entertaining. Used to do it a lot years ago - don't know what happened but I'm going to do better at it.

So here's to moving forward in 2009. Cheers!

Sunday afternoons are for football

2008-12-07T16:05:00.002-05:00

It's a beautiful day in sunny south Florida. The sun has been shining and the temperature is mild. I enjoyed my favorite Sunday activity - reading the newspaper. And turned the TV to football. Besides being America's game. It's a great activity to get stuff done by. You don't really have to watch every second (sacrilege to men I know). You can be doing things and if you hear the announcer going crazy you know you need to get to the TV. If you have Tivo even better.

I've been gardening while listening and watching the Eagles vs. Giants. Great game. Eagles dominated the Giants. (Too bad for my fantasy football team. I knew I should've started Kevin Walter). All the while I planted my new bougainvilleas, and avocado pits. It was fun and relaxing. I didn't miss a thing in the game.

Now I'm watching the Dolphins (Go Fins!). I may actually watch the entire game. I'll sweep and swiff at halftime.

Ahhhh now that's a good Sunday afternoon. ;-)

Why you should never have your network server off site?

2008-12-01T15:45:00.003-05:00

Our network is down AGAIN. I swear (ok it's not nice to swear) it's down more than it's up. And because it's off site we're dependent on our IT company to fix it, which is dumb cause the server isn't in their office either. It's in a bunker somewhere where it can be accessible after a hurricane except that it doesn't work when there isn't a hurricane.

So the reason you should never have your network server located offsite is because...
YOU CAN'T KICK IT!

There I feel better now.

Happy Black Friday!

2008-11-28T11:08:00.003-05:00

OMG! It's been forever since I've blogged. It's not that I haven't been doing anything. I just didn't know what to say or how to say it.

It's been an amazing 6 months. I've been to the Mediterranean. Seen the Acropolis, Rome, the Pyramids and Sphinx, Pompeii, Ephesus and Istanbul. They were trips of a lifetime. I've made new friends and learned so much.

I turned 50 last Sunday. 50!!!! I can't believe it. I feel great. Definitely not 50. There are days of course but mostly not 50.

I've lost 30 pounds in the last year - 20 of them in the last two months. Me, Queen Latifa and Valerie Bertinelli and Jenny Craig. And I can't forget my time in the gym. How can I forget, my body is screaming at me after Wednesday's work out.

The most important thing on my mind is - I have great friends and family. While my finances are in a mess, aren't everyones? I'm reminded that it's relationships that are most important. The finance thing will be worked out. But without health and friends life in deed would be dull and without meaning.

So today, instead of shopping (4:30am?!? not) I'm feeling extra grateful. I'm going to finish cleaning the house and start decorating for Christmas. This year I'm going to enjoy it all.
I hope you do too.

I Don't Get It!

2008-05-14T21:19:00.002-04:00

Why can't we just get along! We, and I use the term loosely, are commanded to love one another. The second half of the greatest commandment according to Jesus, and He should know, is that we love our neighbors as ourselves. The Bible says, they will no we are Christians by our love. They'll marvel about how we love one another. If all that's true, and I believe it is, then why do we have so much trouble doing it?

Today, I've had two friends who have been hurt by believers. Not just believers but church leaders. People who have been entrusted with the care and nurture of God's sheep. I've been sitting on my couch staring at Facebook and talking to God about it. I'm asking how come his leaders act this way.

All I hear is that they are flawed just like I am. Sinners saved by grace. Which is true. However, (you knew that was coming) It really hacks me - get's on my last nerve, frost my cake, you name it. When leaders screw up, and when they hurt fellow believers, it sours believers on God and the church.
The church is where "people will know and marvel at how". If our leaders don't learn how best to love. How to speak the truth in love, and encourage and sharpen their flock, how is the church suppose to grow? How is the church supposed to prevail against the gates of hell?

I don't know. But I suspect that God ain't happy.

It's been awhile

2008-05-11T16:54:00.003-04:00

Let's see if I can summarize everything that's happened since February.

Went to St. Louis, hung out with Carol, discovered the most comfortable underwear ever
Survived Easter services, what a whirl wind!
Trying to take care of Dad who is at home with in home care for 8 hours a day
85 year old father tells you he's in love with one of his caretakers, and is giddy about it
Caretaker isn't in love with papi
I'm gonna get to go to Europe this summer AND see the Pyramids before I turn 50
Yes I turn 50 this year. GAG
Coordinated another wedding (Aunt Gigie and Uncle Lu),barely made it through alive
Read a great series of books by Stephanie Meyer - Twight, New Moon & Eclipse (look for the movie in December)
Listened to an awesome book on by Ipod - World Without End by Ken Foillet
Been hanging out on Facebook a lot playing Text Twirl and giving out pieces of flair
Dad decided to stay home today - was going to go out with brother - now he's home alone and I'm a nervous wreck.
Wish I could makeover my kitchen (I should probably stop watching HGTV)
Went to Fairchild Tropical Gardens yesterday with Ann - had a blast - it was beautiful AND hot
Got to see D-man and Sugar Monkey on Friday at Scotty's. I love that place

Ok those are the highlights. I'll try to do better with the blog

Reading - it's FUNdamental

2008-02-05T12:05:00.000-05:00

So I'm updating the blog and looked at the books I'm reading and of course I'd finished all of them ages ago. I read about a book a week, more when I'm traveling. That airplane flight is golden for reading. I put on my ipod and I'm off.

There's one book that I'm reading very slowly - Cold Tangerines - by Shauna Niequist. Shauna is the daughter of Bill Hybels from Willowcreek Church. Cold Tangerines is a collection of her writing that encourages the celebration of life. It's fabulous. I read one story a day or try to and reflect on the simplicity of the writing and the authenticity of the communication of the story and of the story itself. It's helping me "keep it simple" and reminds me to enjoy. Check out Shauna at her website, just click on her name. By the way her brother, Joe is sailing around the world with his friend Todd. They've got a website where they journal and post pictures of their journey. I think it's cool. Check it out crisismode.

Ok, our server is back up so I've gotta go back to work.

Peace & Joy

Surprise! I'm still alive

2008-02-05T11:50:00.000-05:00

It's been a depressingly long time since I last blogged. Christmas 2007! Valentines 2008 is breathing down my neck. Where does time go? Where ever it goes, the one thing I do know is that you can never get it back.

Since Christmas, Papi has been released from the rehab center and after much soul searching we decided to let him live at home in the house we were raised in and where he's lived for 40 years. He was diagnosed with a degenerative condition pan cerebellar something or other. It affects the same area of the brain as multiple sclorosis and parkinsons but it's not as devastating. So Papi is not going to get better. We just have to keep him safe and happy. We've been blessed with two fabulous caregivers that spoil him rotten. The cost is astronomical and I'm thankful that my brother is in a position to make this happen. We're exploring assistance options to handle this but my advice to you all is "long term care insurance". Home care is expensive and medicare covers very little - 1 nurse - 1 hour - 3 days a week. Hmmm. Papi is happy and that is more than I could have hoped for a couple of months ago.

I've been busy getting him set up at home, man that's time consuming and expensive too! Things have started to settle down and getting in to a routine. I've started traveling again for work and recently escorted a client on a 5-night cruise. I know it doesn't sound like work but it is. Church is keeping me occupied as I have an opportunity to lead in the tech/media area.

I'm learning that I need to be quiet more and be thankful for little things. It's not how many things you check off your to-do list. It's the life your living as you work through the list. Which,by the way, never ends. For everything that gets crossed off 3 more things are added.

So here we are in 2008. It's the big 50 year - let's hope I spend it wisely and some of it unwisely :-). You know me if ain't fun, what's the use.

I can't promise I'll blog more often, but I'll try.

How's 2008 for you?

5 Days til Christmas - YIKES!

2007-12-20T15:40:00.000-05:00

I may be the only person on the planet who has done no (zero, nuttin', ain't been there) Christmas shopping. Who has had time or money much less the inclination? I've been caring for Papi (more on him later), working, traveling, volunteering at church and did I mention caring for Papi? - who has time?

Papi is doing ok. Still has some walking issues but has had a good attitude and is working hard. The man however, cannot understand that if he tries to walk by himself, he will fall. Lord,Help Me! He has no dexterity in his movements, so what does he do - he moves as if he's in a hurry to get some place. He's in a hurry for everything. Eating, moving, asking for stuff. I may lose what little mind I have left.

Poor dear. You gotta love him though. When he knows I'm nearing the end of my rope, he'll call me in the middle of the day to tell me he's had a good day in physical therapy, cause he knows that makes me happy.

So, I guess I'll have to shop this weekend. Hope no one is expecting something awesome.

Santa, can you help a sister out?

If it's not one thing it's another

2007-11-24T20:59:00.000-05:00

I can't believe this week. I took my car to the shop yesterday and got a rental. And tonight I got home and couldn't get the key out of the cheesy nasty car I had. So it got towed. Now I don't have a car.

I almost had to hurt someone when Enterprise decided it was my problem to find another car. Fortunately, I decided to cool off. I hung up and called back and a nice lady took care of me. I'm now getting another car tomorrow after church.

Earlier today, Papi decided he could get out of bed on his own and use the bathroom. He couldn't and ended up on the floor. He freaked the nurses out at Greenbriar. Papi is one lucky man. He has fallen so many times and hasn't gotten seriously hurt. We were blessed today and he wasn't hurt.

Stress, it's making me feel all of my 49 years.

Today I'm 49

2007-11-23T19:09:00.001-05:00

Oh my gosh how did this happen, how did I turn 49 today? Where has all the time gone? Even though it's a cliche, it's true. Time does fly.

Since the last time I posted so much has happened, besides my birthday. I've traveled to New Jersey, San Francisco, Atlanta, cruised to the Bahamas and to no where.

We moved my Papi to my brothers. He's been in the hospital this past week and just yesterday we had to place him in a rehab nursing home. Poor Papi. He's trying so hard. His legs became so weak that he couldn't walk. The best the doctors can say is that he suffered a TIA. Nothing more tangible than that. He went through hell as they tried to get clear MRIs of his spine. They filled him with Atavan which messed him up. It's still working it's way out of his system. But he's in Greenbriar now and getting stronger.

A pox on AMR ambulance company. Dad was discharged from South Miami Hospital at 2pm Wed afternoon. We waited and waited and the ambulance that was supposed to transfer him to Greenbriar never showed up. Finally at 8:15pm my brother made arrangements for a Rescue vehicle to take him. The ambulance company stopped answering the phones. What if we'd had no other recourse? It was irresponsible and inhuman.

So, I spent my birthday and Greenbriar and took my car in for service. Blah.

Oh well, it'll be better next year. Sorry it's been so long since I posted. I'll try to do better.

It's just Tuesday

2007-10-02T17:02:00.000-04:00

Today has been the longest day ever. Been busy which is good but it didn't make the day go faster. And it's only Tuesday. I really was hoping today was like Thursday or something. I have no wisdom today or any thing pithy to say.

That's just how it is some days. "It's Tuesday" is the best you can do.

Did go to the new Whole Foods store today. It was awesome. Not too expensive. Tons of food I've never heard of. Couldn't decide what to have for lunch so I had a little bit of everything. From the salad bar that is. I can't wait to have time to explore and shop.

Saw the funniest video at a women's event at church on Saturday. It was a comedienne I'd never seen before, Anita Renfroe. In the middle of the clip I realize that I'd seen her on Good Morning America. She's hilarious. Here's the link to the clip I saw on GMA - Momsense
Check out, I'm sure you've heard some of these lines before.

Enjoy what's left of the day.

Rainy days and Mondays

2007-10-01T14:23:00.000-04:00

Man is it raining or what? It's so dark outside I just want to curl up and nap. Rainy days do that to me. It's a day to veg and read a book, drink hot chocolate or spiced tea. Wear fluffy socks and relax.

These days I'm wondering about change and contentment. I've had a few experiences lately that made me realize that I've changed. I think that I've reached the age where I've realized that I have a choice in how I handle change in my life and/or things that happen. I can either adopt the "it's sucks" posture or accept them and move on. Life is too short to fill my days with negativity. It's not that I don't get angry and think that things aren't fair. It's just that I can't control the things that happen. I've tried to control my life for most of my life. All I got out of that was being tired. And I realized that I actually didn't have control after all. All I can do is the best I can do. I'm not responsible for the rest of the world and their actions.

So I work my butt off and all anyone asks is for me to do more. And the person across the hall from me does nothing all day and get's labeled as indispensible. Do I like that? Heck no! Is there anything I can do about it? Other than just keep working and complaining? No there isn't. So good for them. I've discovered that if I dwell on it, I'm the only one that's miserable. And when I'm miserable no one wants to be around me. So what does it get me? Nothing.

Life isn't out to get me, I've decided. Life happens. We live in a fallen world. Sucky stuff happens. The difference comes in how I deal with it. I can do my best to correct things to make things right. But I can't force circumstances or people to be or act how I think they should. My part is to do my part. I can't and should not be responsible for anything or anyone else. At the end of the day, when I look in the mirror - I need to feel that I've done the best I could. If that is the case, then I can rest easy. No one is asking me to be perfect. No one has promised me that life would be easy and carefree.

I pray that I'll always be learning and growing. That I don't become negative. I don't want to be a pollyana. I just don't want to waste my time by living in the state of unproductive, unpopular, and unfun-negativity.

Instead of why me? Why not me? Why would I want to wish any misfortune or suckiness to go to someone else? Maybe God has made me able to withstand stuff that someone else can't. Maybe there's something for me to learn. Maybe there isn't. It just is.

Sometimes it's just a matter of perspective. I'm not a saint nor am I anywhere near perfect. I just want to live as peace-filled and joy-filled as possible. I want to laugh as much as possible. So I'm going to look up - look out - and keep that nasty attitude away. I'm sure I won't succeed at it in every situation but I'm going to try. Is anyone with me?

P.S. I'm not going to finish my Alaska blog. Too much time has passed, I think. Sorry about that. It was great though. Everyone should go and see the unspoiled vistas. Especially in light of global warming - it might not always be there.

Alaska Day 3 - Juneau

2007-09-13T15:11:00.000-04:00

Here we are approaching Juneau. The weather was nasty. It was cold and rainy and foggy. This is the one port where I wanted to participate in a shore excursion offered by the ship. Shore Excursions in Alaska ain't cheap and some of them are downright scary. I found one that wasn't too expensive nor too scary. It was rafting down the river flowing from the Mendenhall Glacier. I was actually excited about it. Normally I'm not into rafting or other outdoor sports. But I decided to step out of my comfort zone and do this. As we pulled into Juneau, I was having second thoughts. The weather was awful. What was I thinking going out there and spending 3 hours in a raft on a river. The weather was so bad they canceled all the flight seeing excursions. It was too dangerous for planes or helicopters to go up.

So here we were standing in the rain, waiting for the bus to take us up to the Glacier. Needless to say, Mr. D was not a happy camper. He kept looking at me like I was forcing him to drink castor oil. But he was a good sport and off we went. We finally came to a parking lot in the nature preserve at the Glacier. A young guy from the tour company operating the shore excursion jumped on the bus and proceeded to read us a waiver that we were all to sign as we got off the bus. He was hilarious. The waiver a little iffy. You might get wet, the raft might capsize, it's not their fault, yada yada. We all signed and out we went. LOL

We lined behind a truck where we were handing rain gear: pants with suspenders and hooded rain slickers and the loveliest pair of rubber boots you ever wanted to see. If I hadn't had to put away my camera so it wouldn't get wet, it would have made a heckuva picture. So very pretty. As if that weren't enough, we then had to don life jackets. I felt like the illegitimate daughter of the Michelin Man and the Pillsbury Doughgirl (yes, the doughboy has a woman). I could barely move and these people wanted me to wade into 35 degree water - yes 35 degrees! and climb into a rubber raft. I wish there were pictures, you'd laugh until you wet your pants.

We get packed into the raft - onto a wooden bench that is only a 2x4 plank - 4 people across. It was cozy. Too bad the couple on the seat with us were kinda poopy. It sure would've been more fun trying to move around. Oh well. By the way, our guide and raft pilot was a college student with red stripped hair. Shawna was awesome! She was so much fun and really knew her stuff.

We got in and down the river we went. Shawna pulled us right up to an little iceberg. It was a piece of the Glacier that had broken (calved) off. It was blue and white a beautiful. As we floated down the river we saw eagles and a black bear, actually D saw the bear I couldn't move to turn around to see it. Plus we saw various dams that beavers had constructed. Very cool.

After a while we couldn't feel our hands cause the water was so cold and the north wind was blowing. That just made us laugh harder. We went down some rapids. It was great. As you can tell I survived to tell the tale.

We didn't see much of Juneau. Thought about getting off the bus on the way back from the ship but it was pouring down rain and the prospect of a drink and a hot shower on the ship made the decision for us. Tomorrow Skagway!

Alaska Day 2 - Cruising the Inside Passage

2007-09-13T15:05:00.001-04:00

This was an awesome day of napping, eating and hanging out. The views of the shore line were spectacular. There were snow capped mountains and rugged coastlines that were simply beautiful. I even spotted some dolphins swimming along next to the ship. They looked like they were having so much fun. I was almost jealous of them. Jealous of their freedom and unbridled joy.
We looked forward to seeing the show that night. It featured a troupe from Second City. Second City is an improvisational comedy group from Canada & Chicago. They were hilarious.

I love days at sea. They are so lazy and fun. It was the perfect way to get started. We got to unwind and prepare for the rest of the week's adventure.

In fact just writing about it is making me want to take a nap... night night.

Idiot Sightings

2007-09-12T15:35:00.000-04:00

Received this from a friend and just had to post it. I've seen some of these folks. Especially in airports. Enjoy! More Alaska stories to come.

IDIOT SIGHTING:

We had to have the garage door repaired. The Sears repairman told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a "large" enough motor on the opener. I thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest one Sears made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower. He shook his head and said, "Lady, you need a 1/4 horsepower." I respondedthat 1/2 was larger than 1/4. He said, "NO, it's not." Four is larger than two.."

We haven't used Sears repair since.

IDIOT SIGHTING:

I live in a semi rural area. We recently had a new neighbor call the local township administrative office to request the removal of the DEER CROSSING sign on our road. The reason: "Too many deer are being hit by cars out here! I don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore."

From Kingman , KS .

IDIOT SIGHTING IN FOOD SERVICE:

My daughter went to a local Taco Bell and ordered a taco. She asked the person behind the counter for "minimal lettuce." He said he was sorry, but they only had iceburg lettuce. He was a Chef? Yep...
From Kansas City !

IDIOT SIGHTING:

I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked, "Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?" To which I replied, "If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?" He smiled knowingly and nodded, "That's why we ask."

Happened in Birmingham , Ala.

IDIOT SIGHTING:

The stoplight on the corner buzzes when it's safe to cross the street. I was crossing with an intellectually challenged coworker of mine. She asked if I knew what the buzzer was for. I explained that it signals blind people when the light is red. Appalled, she responded, "What on earth are blind people doing driving?!"

She was a probation officer in Wichita , KS

IDIOT SIGHTING:

At a good-bye luncheon for an old and dear coworker. She was leaving the company due to "downsizing." Our manager commented cheerfully,"This is fun. We should do this more often." Not another word was spoken. We all just looked at each other with that deer-in-the-headlights stare.

This was a lunch at Texas Instruments.

IDIOT SIGHTING:

I work with an individual who plugged her power strip back into itself and for the sake of her life, couldn't understand why her system would not turn on.

A deputy with the Dallas County Sheriffs office, no less.

IDIOT SIGHTING:

When my husband and I arrived at an automobile dealership to pick up our car, we were told the keys had been locked in it. We went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the drivers side door. As I watched from the passenger side, I instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that it was unlocked. "Hey," I announced to the technician, "its open!" His reply, "I know. I already got that side."

This was at the Ford dealership in Canton , Mississippi !

STAY ALERT!

They walk among us... and they REPRODUCE!!!

Alaska Cruise - Day One - Seattle

2007-09-11T20:48:00.001-04:00

We boarded the Norwegian Pearl in Seattle (sailing away from Pier 66 in Seattle) after spending the night at the Red Roof Inn. The Inn is an interesting little hotel near the airport. It's cheap and I doubt it's earned any stars at all. I woke up with D's camera flashing having my picture taken. Not a pretty sight, and no I'm not posting that picture.

We got to the pier and check in and waited impatiently to board the ship. We actually tried to sell chairs to our fellow passengers while we waited. Didn't think that $20 a seat was too much.
Because I'm in the biz, we were treated rather well by the cruiseline and ship staff. We boarded the ship in the second group and immediately the feeding frenzy began. The ship has 10 restaurants and 17 lounges. We ate at 9 out of 10 restaurants. But more about that later.

Can't wait to get to actually get to Alaska!
(If you can't wait to see more pictures, visit my photo album posted on Facebook - click here)

Alaska was fabulous

2007-09-11T11:10:00.000-04:00

I have so much to tell about the cruise to Alaska. It was awesome. The weather was a bit cruddy. Cold, rainy, foggy, but we didn't let it bother us. I have pictures to post as well. Unfortunately, I'm off again today for a business trip to Philadelphia. I will be posting day by day posts when I get back so stay tuned.

Sorry to make you wait. Tia

Alaska Here I Come

2007-09-01T07:53:00.001-04:00

I'm so excited. My stomach is all gurgly. I tried to sleep in and couldn't. I feel like a little kid.
Isn't cool that if you stay open to new things and keep dreaming you can still get excited and have the same anticipation as a child. I hope I never lose that.

Condo Associations are...

2007-08-30T13:54:00.000-04:00

So I got home last night to find a card from a Federal officer that tried to serve papers to me. When i tracked them down I discovered that there was a foreclosure and lien placed on my condo by the association who mistakenly thinks I owe them over $1,000. WRONG!
I've tried for over a year to get my account straightened out. I've sent emails, letters, made phone calls and no one thought it necessary to respond at the time. How do they respond with a stinkin' lawsuit!!!

Condo associations don't even check with their accountants. The accounts show that I only owe $158 AND even that is wrong. I made a payment that they didn't credit to my account.

I swear (ok I know I'm not supposed to swear) situations like this make me crazy. There's no conversation, no discussion nothing. It's rude. Rude to not try to work this out. Rude that it happens two days before I leave town. RUDE RUDE RUDE.

Thanks, I needed to get that out. Stay tuned.

And now it's Wednesday

2007-08-29T14:33:00.000-04:00

So now it's Wednesday, hump day. It's all downhill from here. I can't wait til the weekend. This has been one of the longest weeks in recent memory. Why you might ask? Because on Saturday I leave for Seattle where I'll board the Norwegian Pearl for a cruise to Alaska.

Guys this is a dream trip for me. I've wanted to cruise in Alaska since the last time I worked at L&K. That's almost 10 years ago. I'm so excited. My buddy D will be traveling with me and even if the cruise is a bust, which it won't be, it'll be fun spending the time together.

Stay tuned to the blog as I'll be writing about our exploits.

A wonderfully creative friend of mine has an inspirational blog that's absolutely wonderful. It's called Manna for Manaña. If you have time check it out, you'll be blessed. I promise!

Psalm 23 - as it should be recited

2007-08-21T16:04:00.002-04:00

Got this link in an email today from a dear friend. It's fabulous. At least I think so.
Hope you enjoy it.

Psalm 23

Where does time go...

2007-08-21T15:46:00.000-04:00

Has it really been almost a month since I last blogged??? Man!!! That's awful. Sorry. Things have been nuts. Let's catch up.

I've been to Washington DC and Seattle since I last wrote. Didn't get to see much of DC was only there for a day and 1/2 but I still get a thrill riding into town from Reagan National Airport and looking out the taxi window and seeing the Washington Monument. Or the Jefferson Memorial. I'm such a sap. I get all goose-bumply.

Went to Seattle for a weekend on a site inspection. Site inspections are fun. You go to a port city and meet the client who's trying to decide whether or not to trust your recommendation and book their group on the particular ship you're going to see. Most times you've never met the client and sometimes you've never been on that ship before. This time I was lucky. I'd toured the Pearl once. But fortunately the cruise line was awesome and had the Hotel Director (a very important dude) ready to take us on a tour of the ship. We had lunch in the steakhouse. YUMMY! The client loved the ship. Loved us and looks like they're going to trust us after all.

The best part of this trip was going #1 going to Seattle and #2 touring the ship I'm going to sail on in a couple of weeks. Yes folks I'm actually going on a trip for longer than a day. I'm going on an Alaska cruise. I can't wait. It's something I've always wanted to do. So it's like a dream come true. I'll write all about it.

If you've never been to Seattle, you must add it to the list of cities to visit. It has a certain vibe that's so much fun. There's a Starbuck on every corner (literally). It's the birth place of Noordstrom's department store. And Pike Street Market is a must see. You'll see the most beautiful flowers and the biggest fish for sale.

Looks like I'm trying to make up for my lack of blogging all in one post. I'll sign off now and add more, soon.

Where are places you've been that I should add to my must see list???

How to Stay Young

2007-08-01T10:10:00.000-04:00

We all need to read this one over and over
until it becomes part of who we are!

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Try everything twice. On Madams tombstone
(of Whelan's and Madam)
she said she wanted this epitaph:
Tried everything twice...loved it both times!

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
(Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches.)

3 Keep learning: Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle.
"An idle mind is the devil's workshop."
And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5 Laugh often, long and loud.
Laugh until you gasp for breath.
And if you have a friend who makes you laugh,
spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER.

6 The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on.
The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves.
LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love:
Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8 Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it.
If it is unstable, improve it.
If it is beyond what you can improve, get help ,
and if there is no help available,
learn to live with what you have!!

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall,
even to the next county, to a foreign country,
but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them,
at every opportunity.

11. Forgive now those who made you cry.
You might not get a second time

And if you don't send this to at least 4 people - who cares?
But do share this with someone .

How Women Suffer...

2007-07-31T13:54:00.000-04:00

I received this email from a friend and I must say I laughed out loud... Enjoy!

This is funny! CAUTION: Be prepared to laugh out loud...I laughed till I almost cried as I could just see this happening! All hair removal methods have tricked women with their promises of easy, painless removal - The epilady, scissors, razors, Nair and now...the wax.

My night began as any other normal weeknight. Come home, fix dinner, play with the kids. I then had the thought that would ring painfully in my mind for the next few hours: "Maybe I should pull the waxing kit out of the medicine cabinet." So I headed to the site of my demise: the bathroom. It was one of those "cold wax" kits. No melting a clump of hot wax, you must rub the strips together in your hand, they get warm and you peel them apart and press them to your leg (or wherever else) and you pull the hair right off. No muss, no fuss. How hard can it be? I mean, I'm not a genius, but I am mechanically inclined enough to figure this out. (YA THINK!?!)

So I pull one of the thin strips out. Its two strips facing each other stuck together. Instead of rubbing them together, my genius kicks in so I get out the hair dryer and heat it to 1000 degrees. ("Cold wax," yeah...right!) I lay the strip across my thigh. Hold the skin around it tight and pull. It works! OK, so it wasn't the best feeling, but it wasn't too bad. I can do this! Hair removal no longer eludes me! I am She-rah, fighter of all wayward body hair and maker of smooth skin extraordinaire. With my next wax strip I move north. After checking on the kids, I sneak back into the bathroom, for the ultimate hair fighting championship. I drop my panties and place one foot on the toilet. Using the same procedure, I apply the one strip across the right side of my bikini line, covering the right half of my *hoo-hoo* and stretching down to the inside of my butt cheek (Yes, it was a long strip) I inhale deeply and brace yourself....RRRRIIIPPP!!!!

I'm blind!!! Blinded from pain!!!!....OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!! Vision returning, I notice that I've only managed to pull off half the strip. CRAP!!! Another deep breath and RRIIP! P!! Everything is swirly and spotted. I think I may pass out...must stay conscious...Do I hear crashing drums??? Breathe, breathe...OK, back to normal.

I want to see my trophy - a wax covered strip, the one that has caused me so much pain, with my hairy pelt sticking to it. I want to revel in the glory that is my triumph over body hair. I hold up the strip! There's no hair on it. Where is the hair??? WHERE IS THE WAX??? Slowly I ease my head down, foot still perched on the toilet. I see the hair. The hair that should be on the strip. I touch. I am touching wax. CRAP! I run my fingers over the most sensitive part of my body, which is now covered in cold wax and matted hair. Then I make the next BIG mistake...remember my foot is still propped up on the toilet? I know I need to do something. So I put my foot down. DAMN!!!!!!!! I hear the slamming of a cell door. *hoo-hoo*? Sealed shut! Butt?? Sealed shut!

I penguin walk around the bathroom trying to figure out what to do and think to myself "Please don't let me get the urge to poop. My head may pop off!" What can I do to melt the wax? Hot water!! Hot water melts wax!!! I'll run the hottest water I can stand into the bathtub, get in, immerse the wax-covered bits and the wax should melt and I can gently wipe it off, right??? WRONG!!!!!!!

I get in the tub - the water is slightly hotter than that used to torture prisoners of war or sterilize surgical equipment - I sit. Now, the only thing worse than having your nether regions glued together is having them glued together and then glued to the bottom of the tub...in scalding hot water. Which, by the way, doesn't melt cold wax.

So, now I'm stuck to the bottom of the tub as though I had cement-epoxied myself to the porcelain!! God bless the man who had convinced me a few months ago to have a phone put in the bathroom!!!!! I call my friend, thinking surely she has waxed before and has some secret of how to get me undone. It's a very good conversation starter - "So, my butt and who-ha are glued together to the bottom of the tub!"

There is a slight pause. She doesn't know any secret tricks for removal but she does try to hide her laughter from me. She wants to know exactly where the wax is located, "Are we talking cheeks or who-ha?" She's laughing out loud by now...I can hear her. I give her the rundown and she suggests I call the number on the side of the box. YEAH!!!!! Right!!

I should be the joke of someone else's night. While we go through various solutions. I resort to scraping the wax off with a razor. Nothing feels better then to have your girlie goodies covered in hot wax, glued shut, stuck to the tub in super hot water and then dry-shaving the sticky wax off!!

By now the brain is not working, dignity has taken a major hike and I'm pretty sure I'm going to need Post-Traumatic Stress counseling for this event. My friend is still talking with me when I finally see my saving grace....the lotion they give you to remove the excess wax. What do I really have to lose at this point? I rub some on and OH MY GOD!!!!!!!

The scream probably woke the kids and scared the dickens out of my friend. It's sooo painful, I but I really don't care. "IT WORKS!! It works!!" I get a hearty congratulation from my friend and she hangs up. I successfully remove the remainder of the wax and then notice to my grief and despair....THE HAIR IS STILL THERE.......ALL OF IT!!!!!!!!!! So I recklessly shave it off. Heck, I'm numb by now. Nothing hurts. I could have amputated my own leg at this point.

Next week I'm going to try hair color......Now that's funny .......Notttttttttt

Going to the dogs

2007-07-22T17:52:00.000-04:00

It's Sunday afternoon and I didn't get a nap. I just can't settle down. I've been updating my "My Space" page and Facebook page. I folded laundry. Tried to do laundry but the machines are busy. My greatest home wish is to have a washer/dryer in my condo. It's not allowed. RATS!!!

I have to go feed my brother's dogs, Atilla and Shadow. They are big labradors who think they're chiuhuas. They are the sweetes doggies ever. I also have to feed the hedgehog and 3 tanks full of fish. Man! It's wall to wall animals. Ok so I have the gift of exaggeration - duh?

I just love Sundays. I love reading the Sunday paper. I love going to church. I love catching up on housework (ok I'm lying on that one). But I do love being home. It's my safe place. Where I can do stuff or not.

Do you love being home?

Have you ever had one of those days?

2007-07-17T16:30:00.000-04:00

I've been dealing with a situation at work for which I don't think there's a solution. I hate that! I'm a solution kind of person. A former pastor of mine and dear friend once described me as "A Fixer." Nothing makes me crazier than a problem / situation with out a solution.

What I'm constantly learning is that when you're dealing with people often times a solution is not possible.

In this particular situation it seems to me to be coming down to a "he said / she said" situation. Each person has their own perspective on what happened. Unfortunately those perspectives don't match up. Either someone is trying to "scam" me or we're just going to have to agree to disagree.

The problem with that (agree to disagree) is that I don't believe that one of the parties involved wants to hear that or accept that as the result. So now what do I do?

People!! You can't live with them and you can't shoot them. NUTS!!!

I'm glad to have a blog where I can vent. Now it's off to find some advil.

Any thoughts?

Are we having fun yet?

2007-07-16T16:20:00.000-04:00

These are supposed to be the lazy hazy days of summer. At least that's what the song says, yet I'm exhausted. I'm sitting here at 4:20 in the afternoon wishing I could crawl into bed and go to sleep. That's just wrong. I guess I'll have to admit that I'm not as young as I used to be.

This past week has flown by. Here are some highlights:

It's hot in the 3rd floor attic at UBC
It's just as hot on the 2nd floor
It's even hotter, hauling music and stuff down to a truck
Menopausal women should not labor in the heat. It's simply not pretty.
I don't remember ever sweating this much. (Maybe some pounds melted away)
A St. Patrick's Day Pageant is ever so much funnier than a Christmas one.
If you kiss a guy who's front teeth are capped in metal, it's like chewing on aluminum foil
Pay attention where you park your car, your destination may just be across the street
Thank God for strong teenagers who can haul stuff
Marlins Win!

And now it's Monday again. There you have my week in a nutshell.

How was yours?

Life goes on

2007-07-07T12:59:00.000-04:00

So I've been waiting to post on the blog until I got inspired and as you can see it's been awhile. I just realized that life isn't always inspiring. Many every day happenings can kill any inspiration that may be in the wings. Inspiration doesn't just come. You've got to look for it.

So I'm going to carry on here with a bit of stream of consciousness. I'm sitting here watching Live Earth. The messages/mini movies are great. I'm getting old cause I've never heard of some of the artists performing. This one girl is singing now and I'm wondering how she became famous. Pitch must not be important anymore to become a famous singer. Much less having a lyric that makes sense.

Dating services suck. How does one meet people do date? Girls its hard to find a companion when you get old - I do realize that 48 isn't necessarily old but you'd think that based on how men choose women. It's nuts. I recently signed with both eharmony and match.com. I'm quitting them. You email guys and they don't respond. If they can't see your picture they bail. It just sucks.

The lesson here is learn to be content with yourself. If you're looking for a relationship as an answer to your life issues, forget it, not going to happen. I'm generally content with my life. I just thought it would be nice to have a date maybe even two. Oh well.

I'm tired of rainy gray days. But my plants look pretty.

Anybody have any thoughts you wanna share?

It's Friday again

2007-06-29T09:09:00.000-04:00

Those of you that know me, know that I hate to work on Fridays. I don't know why but I just can't get fired up to work on a Friday. I would rather work 4 - 10+hour days and have Friday off than work a "regular" work week.

Today however, started off with a laugh so I just might make it through the day. At our now famous morning staff meetings we start off with people alerting everyone to their "ins & outs". With so many of us traveling at one time it helps to know who will be in when for scheduling of meetings etc. As a joke today someone announced that they would be out of the office next Wed. which is the 4th of July. Once everyone realized that they too chimed in saying they would be off that day. LOL

All of a sudden one of our team declared, "Why can't the 4th of July holiday be on a Monday every year?" And that dear friends was it. That is the statement that will carry me through this dark, dreary and wet Friday.

Of course I understand she meant that Independence Day should become like other fine holidays that are observed on Mondays so we can avail ourselves of a long weekend. Having the day off in the middle of the week is rather "poopyish". However, always having 4th of July on Mondays is priceless.

Everyone, write your Congressperson or Senator today! Demand that the 4th of July be celebrated on Monday from now on! That'll keep those politicians on their toes!

Happy Friday!

Famous Youngin's

2007-06-27T11:40:00.001-04:00

Are you as sick of Paris, Lindsey, Brittany and Jessica as I am? I don't know why the media thinks we care about them and their bouts in rehab. These girls contribute nothing towards the future and some have questionable talents. The only thing they do have is money. What they need is an adult in their lives that doesn't give a rip about their money or fame to sit them down and help them group up. Either that or a spanking.

Let's get back to the real news. Some bad - the war, the middle east, gas & milk prices. Some good - the kids who are inventing things, who are courageous facing cancer and those that do good for others.

I'm over the girls.

As my wise friend PaPow says, "They can't all be Madonna."

My New Favorite Author

2007-06-27T11:15:00.000-04:00

As you can tell from my reading list I enjoy mysteries and thrillers. Give me a crime to solve or a mystery to unravel and I'm there. Recently, I read Stephen King's column in Entertainment Weekly where he extolled an author that kept him captivated on an oversees flight. That author was Meg Gardiner creator of the Evan Delany mysteries. The good news is that I found her novels on Amazon.com. The bad news is that I had to get them for other booksellers in Amazon's market place because the books aren't readily available in the States. They are published in England.

Anyway, I love love love Evan and Jesse. Evan Delany is smart, sassy, brave and trouble-prone. She gets herself in situations that make you think "Girl, run in the other direction." But no, she runs straight into trouble. It's great.

If you love mysteries, you'll love Evan. Satisfaction Guaranteed or you can yell at me.

The Party's Over...:)

2007-06-25T09:19:00.001-04:00

It's time to go home. Boo! Back to work tomorrow. Double Boo. It's been a great weekend. Lot's of good food. Great time with friends. Shopping and just plain relaxing. You can't ask for anything more.

We didn't win the lottery but other than that it was great.

Nothing like getting away to get recharged. I urge everyone to make the time to get away.

What a way to start a vacation!

2007-06-22T12:01:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I was so excited about going on vacation. I was planning to drive to Orlando to hang with my friend D for the weekend. Decided to be responsible and get my car serviced before I hit the road. Little did I know that my brakes were only functioning at 10% AND my fuel filter was plugged up AND the air induction filter for the a/c I think had to be changed. $600 and 4 hours later I started my vacation. In the immortal words of Roseanne Roseannadanna, "It's always something!"

Car things make me nuts. It's the only area that I don't have any confidence or knowledge. But I took in stride, paid the man and came on up to Orlando.

First thing I did when I got here was shop. I got two new outfits. Take that car!

Last night I enjoyed a delicious dinner. This morning a scrumptous breakfast. Tonite dinner at the Bistro di Paris at Epcot. Sense a theme here? Anyone? The day will be spent at the house of Mouse. Gonna see the new Nemo show and the bird show (whatever that is) AND VIP seating for the Bee Gees show. It's not really the Bee Gees just a tribute to them.

I hope you all enjoy your day as much as I'm going to.

Vacations are great!

Make 'em laugh

2007-06-20T10:04:00.000-04:00

That's the thought for the day that I left with the staff at the end of our morning meeting. Our morning meeting occurs 3 times a week for 15 minutes or so. It's a time to catch up, give updates, and see each other. We usually end the meeting with a thought, word or humor for the day. Since I stepped up to do the meeting on the spot, I had nothing really insightful to say. No word came to mind. No great quote. I couldn't even come up with a joke. All I could do was sing "Make 'em laugh, make 'em laugh, don't you know all the world wants to laugh." You know me, I'm always ready with a song. Most people don't want to hear me sing, but I'm ready anyway. I'm not afraid to look silly. Frankly I think it's one of my best things.

As I thought about it though, I think it's true. I think the world does want to and needs to laugh. We take things way too seriously. I mean do we really care about Paris Hilton. What has she contributed to our lives?

Have you watched the news the last few days? 9 Firefighters died in Charleston. That scares the *.(@# out of me. My brother is a firefighter. It's a reminder of the dangers he faces every day. A young pregnant woman in Hudson, OH (not a large town - I've been there) disappears. Man, there's nothing good in the news.

We need to laugh. Not just a little twitter or giggle. We need to have full fledged belly laughs. Laugh out loud so you embarrass your friends belly laughs. Why? Because it's healthy - the AMA says so. And so does Mary Poppins! Because it's fun. Because life is full of things that are downright hilarious and we must take the time to acknowledge them. To quote the immortal words of that great philosopher, Jimmy Buffet, "If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane."

Enjoy your day! :-)

Things you learn at lunch

2007-06-19T13:30:00.000-04:00

Panera Bread has incredible soups.
Don't trust your eyes... that lady really didn't have her baby in her purse.
You know it's God's will to that you go to a particular place when you get a parking space right up front. On Sunset Drive no less!
You never know until you ask. (If next time you go to Panera and you get apple slices, you have me & K to thank.)
No matter how old you are grilled cheese sandwiches go great with soup
Lunching with your friends is the best.

My First Post

2007-06-19T10:23:00.000-04:00

As I'm working I listen to XM Radio online. I can't work without any music playing. It was the same for homework back in the day. I had to have music or the TV on. Anyway, lately I've been in a Broadway mood and have been listening to the Broadway station all day. I've found great wisdom in some of these songs. One in particular from a musical staged in 1954 "I'd rather wake up alone than have the wrong person next to me in bed." That's pretty racy stuff for 1954. As I listened to the song, while cracking up laughing, I discovered that I feel the same way. I never thought I'd be single at age 48! Yet the older I get I realize that it is better to be alone than be with the wrong person. Do I get lonely sometimes? Absolutely! Is it tough to come home with a great story and have no one to share it with? Of course it is. But think of the alternative. Coming home to someone who isn't connected with you or cares more about himself, or is simply not interested. I think that's worse and even more lonely. So there, you go a deep thought for my first post. I promise they won't all be like this. I'd like to know what you think.