GirlNamedMichael

Saturday

2007-04-07T23:41:00.000-04:00

It is Saturday, April 7th 2007, and it is snowing! I am so tired of snow...

It just makes me want to curl up and sleep all day. My poor, poor tulips are blanketed in white death. Snow just depresses me at this point. In December snow is beautiful and makes me smile...but today it makes me sad.

Why am I so swayed by weather? Beats me...

I know this a random post...but that suits the day.

Cleaning out the Closets

2007-04-02T08:43:00.000-04:00

This weekend I was on a Spring cleaning frenzy. My main focus was my guest bedroom closet. When we moved in August I threw everything that I didn't know what to do with in that closet and it just kept growing and growing and growing.

That closet haunted me...and I am not kidding. That bedroom has become my bedroom because my dear husbands snoring has become insane. So some of my clothes and shoes have commuted with me. That closet begain to symbolize my life...like a big pile of chaos.

About a month ago I decided to de-clutter my life and I thought what better way to mirror that in the physical than by cleaning out that closet.

Well--it took me about 4 hours...but that closet is a functional piece of art...and so am I.

Winter just kills me!

2007-03-28T10:54:00.000-04:00

Am I the only one who wishes we could just go in to hibernation? I hate winter and all that darkness and cold and snow. I realize it is a necessary evil, but I am so glad that Spring has sprung. My tulips and daffodils are all happy and bright. The trees begin to sprout their fresh plumes of color and the grass gets a brand new lease on life.

What about me? Well my disposition changes completely. I want to do things like clean up the house and exercise and dance. I get to come home from work and throw on shorts and make a big healthy salad for dinner.

Something just switches in my brain...I don't even mind the rain because I know it brings more green and more flowers. I love to go to sleep listening to the frogs chirp and wake up and listen to the birds sing. I like to watch the Robins dig up worms and watch dogs and cats go crazy in heat.

People are happier too...they just can't help it.

So I am happy too.

Remember Me?

2006-06-28T16:01:00.000-04:00

Well fellow bloggers I know it has been a while, but I just thought I would post a little message to let you know I am fine...

It has been a hectic few months, but I am bouncing back and getting back on track. I started class back in March and am finishing up my first semester with a 4.0! It was much more fun than I thought it would be and I am getting ready for vacation.

I am going to the lake with my best friend Jen and we are going to visit my Grandma. I plan on having a ball!

I won't promise more posts, but I will promise that I am happy :-)

Here Comes The Sun

2006-03-31T11:52:00.000-05:00

What is it about the sunshine? It is my drug of choice!

I remember watching "Wife Swap" once and this crazy lady was a vegan and she said that she was trying to quit eating all together and that she was trying to sustain herself by, "eating the sun." Ok, whatever, so I thought.

But, I'll be dipped and deep fried! It works! This sunshine is making me happy and snappy and alltogether wonderful! :>)

I hope you all are enjoying it as much as I am!

My original name was supposed to be Sunshine Moonbeam, maybe that has something to do with it.

Much love,

Sunshine Moonbeam

Perspective

2006-03-20T14:45:00.000-05:00

I realized that I have been a big ol' downer lately. I have to admit that I am a bit depressed. Nothing clinical, just circumstantial. My job has been really stressful and is just now easing up a bit.

I began classes on March 6th and that has been a real experience. After being out of school for ten years my entire approach has changed. It is really hard to get back into the critical thinking mind set. I am used to practical analysis. I feel like an idiot! Not really, but I also have much higher expectations for myself than I did as a kid. I was happy as long as I was passing, now if it is not 100% I question every aspect of myself. I got my first grade posted and it was 98% and I am torturing myself wondering what I could have done to get 2% more. I am too funny.

On Wednesday, March 8th a great man, my grandfather went home to be with the Lord. It wasn't something expected and it has been really hard. I would like to post a tribute to him in the days to come, because he had such an amazing life and I would love to introduce him to you.

My husband and I gave the eulogy at the funeral and it was so hard looking at my Granny, Mom, Aunt and Uncle and saying a temporary goodbye to my granddad. I miss him so much and while I know that he is in a much better place; free from pain, diabetes, heart problems, and the like, I am selfish.

He and my Granny are so special to me, like a skillfully prepared set of other parents. Fun, thoughtful, caring, hilarious, naughty, simple, loving, perfect. We buried my Granddaddy on Saturday, March 11th and my heart still hurts.

Last Tuesday I came back to work and then was overcome by a horrible cold. I went to the Dr.. on Thursday and he said, "Go home and get in bed!". No work until Monday.

So here I am Monday and back at work. I have class tonight-online, so I have been furiously preparing for that. I hope to get back into blogging, it really does help.

I am going to try to not be such a drag...I seem perpetually sullen. That is not me, so I am going to make myself retreat from sadness and welcome spring with a smile.

I am still alive...barely

2006-03-02T10:42:00.000-05:00

This has been one of the toughest months in my career. Very difficult, emotionally and physically draining and demanding.

I have really missed blogging, but I have to say that simply have not had an ounce of spare time.

I really don't even know if I can continue this or not.

I am beginning classes this Monday and work is not letting up.

I will try to post, but don't hold your breath.

I am still trying to remember to breath.

Love,
M

Remember to Breath...

2006-01-31T14:53:00.000-05:00

That is what I have been trying to...

Last week I was in Florida from Sunday to Friday at the Fundraising School in Winter Park (just suburb of Orlando). I must say that it was nice to be in 80 degree weather, but it was a very hectic week.

I flew back to WV on Friday and it has been a game of catch up ever since.

I just wanted to touch base for today, I will try to write more when I get a moment.

For now...I just need to remember to breath...

Keep me in your prayers.

Love,
M

In a Hundred Years Who Will Care?

2006-01-19T08:40:00.000-05:00

This has been one of those weeks that you keep telling yourself, "Just get through this one and it will all be better..."

I can only hope that will be true, however I think it may be more like, "Just get through the next 6 months and it will be tolerable!"

On Tuesday my boss announced (at about 4:55 p.m.) that she had resigned and her last day was February 15th. This sent me and my entire department into a major tailspin. I didn't sleep at all and last night wasn't much better.

My departmental structure is like this:
My boss
Me
Coordinator
Admin. Assistant

So we are not that big and we are enveloped in this huge corporate educational monster of a "business".

Yesterday I got an email from the President summoning me and the other 25 leadership staff to an "Information Meeting" on Monday from 4-5. Well, I will be in Florida, so that ain't gonna happen. I know that the bulk of this meeting will encompass my department and I will have to find out second hand.

I don't know what they are going to do, but we have major stuff about to happen and I just want to know. Tell me, Tell me, Tell me.

I feel like when I was a little girl and my parents would take me and my sister on "surprise" trips. Sometimes it would be the circus, or a picnic, or the doctor. Tell me, Tell me, Tell me!

When I was three years old my mom was pregnant with my little sister and she and my dad decided to take me to my first circus. We were on our way and we stopped at a rest stop. My mom said that she took me in to the bathroom and I looked up at her with joy in my face and said, "Pretty Bathroom..." She said it was precious. I thought that was where they were taking me and I was excited about it!

That is the way I have always been. My husband laughs at me because I get excited about the silliest things. It does not take much for me to be totally thrilled. I tell him he should be glad that I am happy with the "little things". He laughs and says, "Yes I should". wink wink grin grin

He says I remind him of Dharma from the show "Dharma and Greg". I get all excited and act like a little kid about even simple little things.

You know what? I am glad that this is the way God made me. Although this same trait means that I get upset about "little" things as well.

I am not saying what is going on in my life right now is "little", but in the grand scheme of things they are.

In a hundred years who will care? Not me :)

New Name...Same Great Flavor!

2006-01-17T10:06:00.000-05:00

I hope you all will be able to find me, I have changed my name to protect the innocent.

It occurred to me after careful consideration that I needed to protect my identity to a little higher degree than I was. Which was non existent.

Agree or disagree...this is important for me. So I hope you will still visit and I look forward to a new year of great blogging.

Take Care,
M

My Friends and The Soul of Us

2006-01-13T08:32:00.000-05:00

Recently I have met 3 very special people through blogging. Though we are all very different, we have decided to come together to start a blog called "The Soul of Us". This blog will offer a forum to discuss music and how it effects us all.

I said I met 3 people through blogging, well there is a fourth person who I would say is my bestest friend that is also involved, so that makes us a happy five.

I would love for you to visit our new blog:

http://thesoulofus.blogspot.com/

The people who are contributing are:

Charlie Tee http://diffrentstrokes.blogspot.com/
Jen http://ontheporchswing.blogspot.com/
Joel http://joeljjison1.blogspot.com/
Sherry http://afterthebridge.blogspot.com/

I am very happy to be grouped with all of these people and I look forward to many interesting discussions.

We want to hear you...How has music shaped your life?

Thank God For Small Miracles

2006-01-04T09:02:00.000-05:00

I am sitting here this morning staring at our local paper, The Register-Herald, whose headline reads "12 Miners Found Alive". How can people make that kind of reporting error? How can such an asinine mistake happen? How can people's hope and faith be crushed irreparably?

But even I sit here grieving for such a great loss, I thank God for small miracles...

Prior to the 1950's and mine unionization had an event like this occurred (which they did on a regular basis) these women and children would be faced with being turned out on their own. There used to be a time when widows and children were evicted from their company homes and the people in their community could do nothing about it.

My Grandfather and Grandmother told me stories about women who would be "allowed" to live in little shanty homes in the "colored" section of the camp if they would do odd jobs in the main camp. There children were not allowed to attend the company school and they lived in utmost poverty. Their friends and family were ill equipped to help them because they had nothing themselves. That is nothing unless the coal company "gave" it to them.

Men would often get their payday and still owe money to the company store. Their pay check came in the form of scrip, which is coal company money--like monopoly money. They made up their own currency and miners had to buy all their mine supplies from the company store. It would usually take about 1 year to make up for their initial equipment buy and then they would start all over as pieces wore out.

They saw a company doctor and paid him in scrip. This same doctor would say, "Oh yeah, he is okay to return to work." Even if you were coughing up blood or had a broken hand. You were okay to go back down into that coal coffin.

I get so mad when I see the sticker "Friend of Coal". What are you really saying when you say this? You are a friend of the criminal that has been raping WV for over 150 years? That is what you are saying to me!

I realize how important coal is to WV's economy and to the world, but we as West Virginian's pay the price.

I just thank God for small miracles like the fact that this community will be able to help take care of it's widows and orphans and that a coal company will not be able to throw them out with the discarded slate.

2006-01-03T16:05:00.000-05:00

miner statue

I Was Born A Coal Miners Daughter

2006-01-03T15:41:00.000-05:00

As most of you know, West Virginia is suffering from a horrible situation right now. There are 13 coal miners trapped in the Sago Mine in Upshur County. This happened around 6:30 a.m. Monday (1/2/06) morning, and as of right now, there still hasn't been any contact made with these miners and no one even knows if they are alive or not. We, as West Virginians, not only need to come together as a state but as a family. We need to pray for the 13 men that are trapped and for their family and friends who patiently wait to find out any updates.

I am the child, grandchild, great-grandchild, great-great-grandchild (that is as far back as a I know) of a WV Coal Miner. Mining coal is such a hard life.

My husband was a coal miner for about 5 years and he was injured in a major rock fall. He had to have his knee operated on and has never been the same. He also had his finger crushed.
My Grandfather lost a finger.
My Great Grandfather was injured in a rock fall and had his head smashed to the size of a large pumpkin.
My father-in-law succumbed to black lung and lung cancer in 2003.

Please pray for these brave men who risk everything to put food on their families tables. That is what it all comes down to. Prayer does work and God can work miracles, we just have to keep our faith.

Pray that children don't have to grow up without their fathers and the women don't have to mourn the loss of their children and best friends.

God Bless West Virginia Coal Miners!

Taking Control

2006-01-02T13:20:00.000-05:00

This Christmas the one gift that I really wanted was a Palm Pilot and I got it. I have had a ball playing with the thing and I can't wait to see how much easier it makes my life :)

Every year we all make resolutions and rarely do we see them through. I have made them so many times and they never change: lose weight, get organized, be a better person, etc.

This year I only have one: Take care of the most important thing I have--my faith and physical well-being.

I always begin so well, with a plan and a path and I really do very well...for a while. This time I am determined to stick with my plan, not let others run me in to the ground and not allow myself to undermine my own power and perspective.

Every thing that I have ever accomplished has been through faith, hard work and determination. None of the most important things in my life have ever come easy. I am just not that person...things don't fall in my lap. Everything that I have ever done has been hard and that's ok because I have become a stronger person.

There are areas in my life that are so very regimented and I refuse to let them slide or dip, but in other areas I just am completely out of control.

People who know me professionally know that I am a very effective leader and organizer, but I tend to ignore myself spiritually and physically. I never allow time to really take care of ME.

That is my resolution--I will take care of myself this year in the most important ways. I believe that by resolving to take care of the most important aspects of my life that I will find the other things come much more easily.

What do you resolve?

First Day Back

2006-01-02T08:40:00.000-05:00

I am struggling not to be a big baby about being back at work today...

Just pray for me.

I need a stress-free day filled with lists and organizational implementations.

Thats all.

Much Love,
M

Happy New Year!

2005-12-31T20:01:00.000-05:00

Hello my friends and have a very Happy New Year!

I have had a wonderful week off and I am spending New Year's Eve with my family.

I hope you all are warm and spending time with family and friends that you love!

God Bless You All!

Merry Christmas

2005-12-24T08:06:00.000-05:00

Good Morning Blogger Family!

I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! I have a lot to do today and tomorrow, but after that hubby and I plan on sleeping, eating, watching t.v., cuddling, going to the movies, stuff you don't need to know about and nothing else that is planned.

We need this vacation! What are your plans? I hope they are fun :)

God Bless You Everyone!

Projectile vomiting and other Holiday Traditions

2005-12-21T08:32:00.000-05:00

Ok...I admit I was in a really bad mood on Monday and I know I must have gotten my stomach all upset with worry and a bunch of other things.

I got home and told hubby about the insurance thing and he was just as happy about it all as I was. He was also supposed to be off work on Monday, but they called him and he had to go in about 9:00 a.m., so he was in a really good mood.

So then am completely in a hole with depression...

But then---at 2:00 the projectile vomiting begins and that make it all better! I barely made it to the bathroom--not the commode...just the bathroom. I went downstairs to get water and I got sick again. But there is no bathroom downstairs in my townhouse...so I had to go on the patio at 3:00 in the morning. I just know that my neighbors think I am a drunk now. Well all I can say is, "Atleast I didn't poop all over myself!"

So it is Wednesday now and I am trying to not let the devil and the grinch take me for another ride today! I am going to be positive--dang it!

MONDAY

2005-12-19T16:38:00.000-05:00

I hate Monday! I hate it, I hate it, I hate it! I also hate PMS, especially the week before Christmas!

I am a basket case!

Here are the reasons and a few weird PMS tendencies:

1. I am freakin' starving--all the darn time!
2. I want to color my hair--red!
3. My back hurts!
4. It's Monday!
5. Christmas makes me sad!
6. My homeowners insurance is being cancelled on Jan. 4th and they will not renew because it has been vacant for a year and Erie can kiss my butt! Seriously, my house has been for sale for a year and they are going to cancel my insurance because it is not occupied! And they have the balls to say, "We are sorry, but it is to much risk, we know you have been a customer since you started driving in 1988, and you have two cars, life insurance and rental insurance with us, but oh well!" DANG THEM! And they can't tell me who to call...I am really mad, can you tell? Also, I was paying $300 for year and it looks like it is going to cost about $1,200. Nice...really nice!
7. I am starving!
8. Everything my husband does (who I love to pieces) makes me want to impale him with something very dull!
9. I hate everyone!
10. I feel compelled to spend too much money on Christmas presents!
11. I don't want to work right now!
12. I am too mad to cry!
13. I know I should feel very grateful for all my blessings, and that makes me madder!
14. I am really tired!

Pray for me people!

Snow err Ice Day!

2005-12-16T09:29:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was so awesome! We had a huge ice storm and I was unable to make it to work! I had a blast...I got all my cookies baked, made cheese balls, and made my brocolli casserole and meat balls for our Christmas luncheon at work today.

I love snow days don't you?

Wal-Mart Must See Me Coming...

2005-12-14T08:55:00.000-05:00

This is why I hate going so much! I always say, "Oh, man I hate going to Wal-Mart! It's so big and I go in to get groceries and get seduced by impulse buys..."

This one time I honestly almost bought one of those garden tiller things because it was such a good deal and they had a video demonstration. My yard in Pittsburgh was almost as big as a saltine, but man that tiller was awesome.

I was in there last week and I saw this food processor for only $27. I got all excited because I burned mine up making cranberry salad at Thanksgiving. I said..."Well I will wait until next week to get it because I am on a work shopping trip here and I don't need to get side tracked..."

Last night I go back because I had to buy all my Christmas cooking supplies--stuff to make: Meatballs, Cheeseballs, Homemade Oreos, and Brocolli Casserole. I also needed the miscellaneous baking items, food storage containers, wrapping paper. I ended up--I swear to God--buying a 1 Gallon can of Nacho Cheese and a 1 Gallon jar of Jalapenos. I am not even kidding.

Then I go to look for my food processor--which by now doesn't exist! I ended up getting completely wrapped up in this $60 one and that's what I got, but it is 450 watts and it has 4 speeds and it has a light that tells you when the lid is on right!

I swear they see my butt coming from a mile away! So $180 later I have all of my (or most of them) Christmas trappings.

Do any of you have a Wal-Mart story?

Stanley Tookie Williams Deserves Clemency

2005-12-12T08:28:00.000-05:00

At 12:01 a.m. west coast time the life of Tookie Williams will be over. Charles Manson sits in his cell and will till he drops dead (which couldn't be soon enough) and Tookie will die.

Stan was the co-founder in 1971 of the LA Crips gang. In 1981 he was convicted of murdering 4 people during two robberies and sentenced to death row at San Quentin State Prison. Stan deeply regrets his gang involvement but has always maintained his innocence for these crimes.

His trial was based on circumstantial evidence and the testimony of several witnesses, all of whom were facing a range of felony charges, including fraud, rape, murder, and mutilation. Even the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals stated in September of 2002, ruling that the witnesses in Stan's case had "less-than-clean backgrounds and incentives to lie in order to obtain leniency from the state in either charging or sentencing."

There was physical evidence, but none of it pointed to Stan.

How does this make sense? Here are the reasons why Stanley Tookie Williams should receive clemency:

He has saved the lives of over 150,000 youths who were either preparing to join a gang or got out of a gang.
Written nine highly acclaimed anti-violence, anti-gang, anti-drug books for elementary children.
Written his autobiography, Blue Rage, Black Redemption, for high school students and imprisoned adults to inspire them to help them rehabilitate themselves.
Written the "Tookie Protocol for Peace: A Local Street Peace Initiative," which provides step-by-step instructions for how a community can create peace.
Written letters to incarcerated youth that have been used as counseling and learning tools by juvenile correctional officers.
Provided live mentoring via telephone to the principals of the 23 most at-risk elementary schools in Chicago.
Provided live mentoring via telephone to at-risk youth.
Provided live mentoring to very high-risk youth who visit him at San Quentin Prison.
Recorded anti-gang PSA's that have been played on radio stations in US and Canada.
Assisted in the creation of an award winning movie made about his life starring Jamie Foxx.
Been nominated five times for the Nobel Peace Prize
Received from Pres. George W. Bush a 2005 Presidential Call to Service Award for his volunteer efforts to help youth.

For more information about Tookie's case or to email the Governor please visit www.tookie.com.

Imagine No John Lennon

2005-12-08T08:46:00.000-05:00

I do all the time and I have to say...it is a better place.

I know this is going to start a rift the size of the San Andreas, but I refuse to apologize for speaking MY truth.

Monday morning on GMA I saw one of his biographers giving an interview in which he played tapes of interview sessions with John. One of the major things that stood out to me was when John was talking about his fans; mindless drones, no vision or independent thought, how could they even breath on their own? Well, not to worry John, I am doing fine without you and have for 25 years.

I was 7 when he was shot, by a phycho, and I remember my parents were devastated. I remember listening to Imagine and thinking, "What a pretty song". Well, I grew up and when I hear that song it just makes me very sad. Listen to the words, it is the song of a socialist with belief in absolutely nothing.

John also said that he just couldn't understand why noone in his family or school could see that he was different when he was a kid. He said, "Why couldn't they see that I was exceptional, that I was destined for greater things?"

STOP THE TRUCK!

How many of us have those very same thoughts? We all think that we are special and that we have a greater destiny, purpose and plan. It's called hope, confidence, self esteem. Not John's easily diagnosed delusions of grandeur.

I know that the Beatles had an immeasurable impact on music and pop culture, but they are not gods or greater than anyone else. They just got lucky...it happens everyday.

Another thing is the way that he treated his first born son, Julian. Julian was the talented, spitting image of his iconic father. He was completely abandoned by John and his new family--Yoko and Sean.

I just think that he is not someone to remember with this perfect curtain of utopic existence. He was a man and he made mistakes, that he refused to admit.

Imagine No John Lennon
Its easy if you try
Imagine there's no heaven
I hope he was wrong
Imagine No John Lennon
Done...

Just One of Those Days...

2005-12-05T12:51:00.000-05:00

I am having such a hard time today...my attention span is nearly non-existent. I had my 91 day review today and it was excellent! I was very pleased about that and ever since, I am just unable to maintain focus. I have so much to do too. I also have to come back to work tonight at 8:30 to serve Twighlight Breakfast to students for final exams. That should be cool.

On Saturday we had our Holiday Gala, I wish I had a picture to post. I had a fantastic dress and all the trimmings. The band was wonderful, the food was good and we had a great table. There is nothing worse than getting stuck at a table with "those kind of people". You know the ones, the snotty, boring, self-important losers. Our table was fun.

Yesterday was nice...I went grocery shopping and then did some more holiday decorating. I made taco salad and whipped up some of my homemade pico de gallo. I love the stuff!

I read and watched football and cooked and shopped and rested...great day. I think that is what I would like to be doing right now. I just want to be home again...

Take care and stay warm...it is brrrr cold today.

Who ever has a real week end?

2005-12-02T16:39:00.000-05:00

I am so excited that it is Friday, but I have so much to do that it hardly seems like a weekend at all. Today I went and bought this hot little black sequined dress to wear to our Holiday Gala tomorrow night at Glade Springs. I got a purse, shoes, watch and earrings too. I am sorta looking forward to going, even though hubbie can't come. He is working tomorrow and he has pulled about 80 hours this week, so I am not even telling him he has to dress up.

Tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. the Nielson people are coming to install our monitor boxes. It is true---We have been selected as a "Nielson Family". That should be interesting and they pay you to watch TV...that can't be bad!

Sunday should be relaxing so that is good...although the Steelers are probably going to blow another game and I just can't bear that.

Here is a Friday Poem:

Artic blasts,
White powder
blowing round.
Out my window
Eskimo faces
peering from the ground
All sprawled out
Eyes intent
I enjoy my canine
neighbors, they let me
into their world
from my office window
staring from the tundra
I miss them on the weekend
but not enough to
work.

I am still here

2005-12-01T16:53:00.000-05:00

Sorry faithful blog readers...I was ill yesterday and today I was catching up...

I miss writing, I will try to catch up tomorrow.

Peace

He's Charlie Tee from NYC

2005-11-29T08:34:00.000-05:00

Well guys I had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a very romantic anniversary!

Here's the run down:

1. On Wednesday hubbie and I went to my Mom & Dad's house to spend the night. My sister, my Mom and I began cooking. There was a whole lotta cookin' and a lotta arguing! Hee, hee...this is just how we are. But the cool thing was that we got it out of our system and then had a great weekend together. We made my Great Grandma's cranberry salad, which hasn't been attempted since before I was born and it was delicious...even if it did kill my food processor :) But it is all good cause I want a Cuisinart :)

2. Thanksgiving was wonderful...We went to my Aunt's house and we had about 25 people. One really great thing was we invited this family which included a single Mom and her two little girls. They go to my Mom's church and it was so nice to have them there. The girls had a ball with all the kids and the mom seemed to truly appreciate having a family to celebrate the holiday with. I was also really happy that my grandparents were able to come. Neither have been feeling very well and we thought they may not be able come. After eating till we almost popped we went down to hubbie's families house to do it all over again. It was a great day.

3. On Friday we went to Twin Falls State Park to spend the night in the same room that we did on our honeymoon. When we got there there was a bottle of champagne, flowers, chocolate-rasberry mousse cake, a card and two champagne flutes waiting for us. Thank you Mom, Dad and little bro :) We had a very romantic night...

4. We came home early on Saturday and just enjoyed each others company.

5. On Sunday...I got Charlie Tee's CD - The Carpenter Ants "Ants in Your Pants". I have listened to it about 3 times already. You guys have got to go to www.cdbaby.com and check it out. I ordered it and with shipping and all it came to about $15. This is such a cool CD, very ecclectic and well done! I am so proud of Charlie :)

6. I am back to work today...so I need to get to it.

Take care and love to all!

So Ready For Some Time Off!

2005-11-22T11:23:00.000-05:00

I was so excited about having a week off that I could not sleep last night. How pathetic is that. I love my job, but I can't wait to be on auto-pilot for a week. I just want to sleep and eat and enjoy my family. Not necessarily in that order :)

My 10 year anniversary is on Thanksgiving, so that is something else to thank God for! Things have been going so great for us and I really am excited about spending some time with him...just the two of us...no work...no stress...no alarm clocks or deadlines :)

On Friday we are going to stay in the same hotel and room that we did on our wedding night, so that will be fun. I think we are going to see "I Walk the Line" this weekend, too.

I will not be blogging, as I will be as far away from computers as possible...

I love you guys, but I want to remove all technological burdens from my peaceful vacation.

I am sorry, but I am unavailable to take your call. I will be back on Tuesday, November 29th. You call is important to me so please leave a message and I will get back to you when I return to civilization. Take care and peace out!

Thank God for Thanksgiving

2005-11-21T12:05:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday...

It is such a sweet day for friends and family. It is to me the most perfect holiday. There is no religious burden, no guilt and angst over not getting the right gift, no sad music, no paper cuts from wrapping anything, no pine needles, no hurt feelings...not usually.

I know some people will try to be negative and bring up the American Indians and their plight, but sorry...not happening with me...I am 1/8 Cherokee...so I can dig it man! The pilgrims were not the ones who killed MY people, it was later on when the religious zealots came over and started forcing all of their religious bigotry on the indians. The pilgrims were not a pushy and overbearing people. They were trying to escape religious persecution and wanted to be able to worship in their own way.

When they came to America they also did not allow the worship of "pagan" holidays like Halloween and there was certainly no Christmas tree. If you are not familiar...you should check out the origins on these "fun" items---not a fun history.

I like Thanksgiving because it is a symbol of hope for us all. We can get along and that's what God wants. He doesn't want us to hate each other and kill each other...he wants tolerance.

I often say "What would Jesus do?", [but I don't wear it anywhere on my person or stick it to my car] It is in my heart. Read your bible and see for yourself, Jesus was a cool guy and he was no judge...

Jesus would have liked Thanksgiving, I am sure of it. So enjoy your Turkey and dressing and pumpkin pie and rolls and corn and mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce and oh man...I am starving.

Peace and Turkey Gravy to you.

Has time stopped?

2005-11-10T15:40:00.000-05:00

Why is it that when you have a long weekend time seems to stand still on Thursday afternoons? I hate that, I just want to go home and I have an hour and 25 minutes.

It has been a long short week (aren't they all?)!

Today I went to lunch at a restaurant called Acapulco---it was awesome! I was drinking coke and I got tickled and it ended up coming up my nose, which hurts like hell! I didn't shoot it out, but came darn close.

So later I was saying, "Man when I snorted that coke up my nose it really messed my head up!" This is not a good thing to say...it sounds so criminal. I like it.

Also, yesterday I did the flu-hist thing where you inhale the flu vaccine up your nose, so I am hoping that the coke killed any lingering flu bugs. Wishful thinking, right? Well they say that coke will clean anything, a toilet, rust, windshield, why not my nose?

Can you tell that I am rambling trying to eat up some time? I have tried everything to make the day go faster. I wish I new a native American so I could get them to do some kind of time dance to speed it up. Where is a good Wiccan when you need one?

I was just reading Sharon's blog and I swear she cracks me up. That whole Mrs. Lincoln thing, only Sharon would think of that.

Anyway, everyone have a great Veteran's Day Weekend!

The time is now 3:40 p.m. (1 hour and 20 minutes remaining)

Corn Dogs & Seinfeld

2005-08-24T09:18:00.000-04:00

Last night I was so lazy and I actually made my husband's favorite supper, corndogs. I have to admit they were pretty good. I chased them with Mt. Dew and Cheesy Puffs...ahhh nutrition!

Also, did you ever notice how Seinfeld never grows tiresome? I could watch Kramer all day!

You Learn Well Grasshopper

2005-08-23T12:21:00.000-04:00

Yesterday morning I went out to get in my car for work and there sat a little grasshopper. It was one of those really pretty bright green ones that resembles a katydid. I didn't want it to get blown to bits, so I clasped it gently in my hands and sat it in the grass.

I had to stop at the post office to drop some bills and when I got out, who was staring back at me from the hood? The little grasshopper, who by now has been named Nemo.

So I began talking to the little creature and again I placed little Nemo safely out of the way of the car.

This is where the psychosis kicks in.

I got in the car and started thinking "What if this little grasshopper has a sick relative in the same town where I work and he/she was trying to get to them?"

Now stop trying to locate me to get psychiatric help...this is why you love me...so stop trying to commit me (that's what I said to my husband, too)

Now follow me here...I began thinking that maybe Nemo and the other little woodland creatures had their weekly meeting and he asked if any of them knew anyone who travelled to the area where I work. (I commute an hour each day)

And then, lets say a little fly said, "Oh yeah, I caught a ride with that chick in the red Tuscon the other day, she leaves at around 7 and gets back at around 6. She works in a rural area, so you don't have to worry about a lot of bad city bugs!"

So I sat there for a while (like 5 minutes) to give little Nemo the opportunity to get back on board. I don't know if he did, but I'd like to think I gave him the opportunity.

Just remember, I am not crazy (chanting to myself)

Love & Peace to all my friends and passengers... :)

The Beginning of The Rest Of My Life, I guess???

2005-08-16T10:50:00.000-04:00

I woke up this morning and realized that I was 31, but not for long. Next month I will embark on 32 and then it is all down hill from there...Or is it?

We all put so much emphasis on age, or do we?

Ok, I know that I want my first posting to be provocative and life changing, and that is not working, so I will just be my sarcastically sophisticated self.

My name is Michael and I am the proud and happy of wife of Matt and mother of Sunny Bunny the chincilla (a.k.a. daughter of satan). I live in Bradley, WV and I am getting ready to embark on a new chapter in my life...You must read on to see what it is...

Stay tuned..or not?