Follow up with doctor today...happy to say no surgery (at least not for now)! Here's to good results from alternative approaches!

Ambam - the strutting Gorilla.

I love seeing this footage. Enjoy.

Catty Devotion

It is wonderful to have the love of an animal. One of my cats loves me so much that he is my constant shadow. My husband calls him my "familiar" as though I am witch with a cat under my spell. He may have a point as this cat has been known to jump into the tub as I shower, and squeeze between me and my laptop as he is doing right now. Such catty devotion is a great gift.

Talked with a friend today who is planning a visit to my neck of the woods to get a break from the wintery weather. After talking with her, I will whine a bit less about the fact that the temperature was down in the high 40's last night. I love the warm weather and am thankful that the only snow I will ever have deal with again is recreational snow that I make a conscious decision to spend time in.

Do the do up.

I have an appointment to get a do done this evening, in about four hours, but I have no idea what I would like done with the do. That may mean that I stay with the tried and true, or that I go way out on a limb and chop and color. It is nice to have options. Certainly time to refresh and renew.

Knit knit knit

I have been busy knitting, as I have had a burst of inspiration. My knits are animal hats for kids. This is the first one, a black cat. The little girl modeling is not mine, and so I have blocked her adorable little face. My next hat is an elephant hat, and then I have plans for a skunk hat and a lion hat. There are no patterns or instructions, so it is a knit as you go project. The face of the child is also the face of the animal hat. I am having a blast letting my creativity bubble over. Hope to sell some hats down the road.

I thought I was having a BAD day - I'm not!

Some people are having the worst day of their lives, and facing things that are inhumane and terrorizing to them and everyone that loves them. I feel small in comparison, and hope to remember the shame I feel now for a long time to come. Shame on Me!

I discovered through what started as a work conversation that there are reasons why we cross paths with certain people. The world really is an intriguing place when you take the time to stop and look around. Also had the added benefit of an unexpected "here's your laugh for the day" voicemail from my Bestie. Pretty awesome day when all was said and done!

Calling for an appointment with a doctor, and getting one on the same day? Wow! Lucky me. Even luckier if I can get my little finger fixed.

I continue to be amazed by others' ridiculous, asinine behavior. The positive side is that such behavior makes the rest of us look like geniuses and saints!!

Buying Vowels!

I like this guy. Bet a conversation with him would prove entertaining.
 I emailed this pic today, as a cheer up for someone wrongfully accused of petty/silly things just to drum up drama. If you can't "rise above"," take the highroad" or "shrug it off"; this ones for you.

Sundays

Without doubt my favorite of days...sitting here with my iPad reading the news and answering emails with my fuzzy jammies and slippers on and my fuzzy baby curled up with me "helping" me type. Since I downloaded a few games on the iPad for her, she knows touching the screen makes things move around....too cute!! If only I could still function as a gainfully employed member of society and spend every day like this!!

Bundle of smiles and great manners too?

The cutest little girl stopped by our house with her dad today. Four years old, sweet and smiling, curious and talkative; all one could wish for in a little girl. I love little ones that make conversation, looks you in the eye, and just generally are good people. It was a great surprise that they stopped by, I love drop by visits, especially from adorable little kids.

Saturday Night Live of today is lost on me...thankfully I have a DVR which records Craig Ferguson! It's a great day for America!

Swooshin'

When we headed out this morning, my car in formed us that it was going to be a cold miserable day on the slopes. But my car was wrong; it was a perfectly lovely day. My two kids and I really enjoyed skiing, and spending the day together. My knee enjoyed it a little less.......

Today is Friday!! Have to make it through 5 hours of training and it's the weekend!!

Reading the news online and was intrigued by this paragraph in an article about enrollment in VPK: Each location can enroll eligible 4-year-old children into Florida's free voluntary pre-kindergarten program. To be eligible, children must turn 4 on or before Thursday, Sept. 1, and they must live in Florida. Parents need to bring proof of child's age, such as a birth certificate, shot records signed by doctor, passport or military ID. Proof of Florida residency is also required, such as a driver's license, utility bill, lease agreement, Florida vehicle registration card or pay stub. The address must match the application, and parents must provide their child's Social Security number.

I am pretty impressed by 4 year olds with driver's license, utility bill, lease agreement, Florida vehicle registration card or pay stub. Kids today are SO advanced (and apparently news writers are so NOT!!)!! Sheesh!

Happy words

I like the word "cake." It is one of those words that when said it always elevates the situation. Let's say you were in a fender-bender, and your friend said "oh, I'm sorry. Want some cake?"
Or you were bullied at school and your mom said: "I've got something to cheer you up. Chocolate cake!"
See what I mean?

Or your husband/boyfriend left you for a younger woman with giant fake boobs, but you had cake......
Okay, so it's not magic!

This gives me an idea; I am going to bake a cake later.

What a day! Feels like I've worked six weeks in two days...does that mean that time is moving slower? I've heard it said that the reason it feels like time moves fast is that you are getting older...I must be getting YOUNGER!!! Woo hoo!!

Life is a soap opera

I spoke with a young woman, whose parents are really a mess, today. And I was struck by what a lovely person she is. Proof that you are not what you came from. You make your own path and can learn from other peoples mistakes. Good reminder!

It's Tuesday and I'm breathing. End of line. ;-)

"T-Shirt Time!"

My daughter was trying to talk me into staying up and watching "Jersey Shore" with her last night. When I told her I was tired she said "Oh Come on Mom, you never spend any time with me." I had to laugh, and when I did she laughed too. Because the truth is neither of us know any other mother and daughter that spend as much time together as we do. I feel so fortunate to have children that I genuinely like, and that like me back.

And I did stay up and we all watched "Jersey Shore" together as a family. So whatever people say about those Guidos and Guidettes, they should add that the show brings families together. LOL

"If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk the crawl, but whatever you do..........keep moving forward."
MLK

Termite company came today to do inspection for bond renewal. The technician actually asked if I had a cat....but only after he saw the rug in the laundry room that says "the cat don't take too kindly to strangers" which was the opening for him to talk about HIS cat (which by the way, sounded like a fun fuzz butt too!). My house may be cluttered, but even with my fluffy baby kitty leaving amazing amounts of fur around for me to keep up with, it's freakin' CLEAN!!!

Today was a much-needed no alarm clock day and tomorrow will be too. LOVE IT!!!

Remember the song from Mary Poppins where the lady sings "feed the birds, tuppence a bag, tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag?" well i have that song stuck in my head, so i bought a birdfeeder. Your welcome little birdied. Can't wait too see them in my kitchen window.

I ended an era today. Sometimes that can be bittersweet, but this time it is sweetsweet. Easy decision that just keeps being proven correct. Onward and upward.

I was so busy I missed posting Saturday (whaaaaaaa!!), yet was able to set this post to show as posting the day I missed!! My hooray is that I had a fun day Saturday and technology can be awesomerific!!

I rode my horse today, and jumped crossrails twice. So cool. A little scary, but thrilling and cool.

Just saw the most uplifting NBC news story outlining something positive happening in Tuscon: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/

I got teary when they mentioned the shooting crime scene being inaccessible for folks to post these reminders that there is still good in the world...so FBI agents hung them....wow...

My post for yesterday was lost in space, but here it is:

Just spent a great deal of money on my car, but since it is the first time I have spent any money on repairs and the car has over 106,000 miles on it, I'd say that it worth a positive post. Yay for my Toyota Prius; whcih only needed a new waterpump, and some hoses and belts. Runs like a champ!

I am so lucky...in so many ways! I have a Bestie who knows me so well that she knows just when I need a hug...even from 800+ miles away. Lucky INDEED!

Honesty is ALWAYS the best policy...no matter what all the whack-a-doos around us choose to do!! :-D

I just had a total stranger tell me that my laugh was contagious! I truly have come a long way since this time last year...WHAAA HEEEE! :-D

Had a to use my brain today, guess that's a good thing. life can get pretty mundane doing the same old brainless tasks. Good to have to give the old noggin a work out.

It is sooooooo cold outside! At least I am getting to wear my cute gloves and "thingy" that Mama made me-- both of which hardly ever see the light of day since I moved South. Strike a pose! And turn up the furnace!

Counting my Blessings

I really love this song, and I hope you do too.

Today was the first day of spring semester....so exciting to see the energy and enthusiasm of new students and the sense of a fresh start that comes with a new term for all of us involved in the process.

Exchanged a shirt for godiva chocolates, now that's a great swap. Yum

I am almost completely caught up with my laundry and linens...woo hoo!!

I trotted around the arena for several circles this afternoon. My horse stayed in the gait and listened to all my cues. It ROCKED! I am learning a new skill, and even though my throat and sinuses told me to get the heck out of the cold, it was worth it. Wow - what FUN!! cough cough sniffle sniffle

Bought Daisy a new toy and she lost interest quickly and instead brought me the ring off a milk jug that she's had forever and wanted to play with me...perhaps I'm actually her favorite toy. A reminder that what costs us nothing and has been in our lives the longest is often what brings us the most joy...family and friends being at the top of that list.

A sore throat is no fun, but having your daughter make an extra trip outside in the cold just to get you some Sherbet sure is nice. Oh what a blessing children are!

Bought a new CD tonight and drove a little longer route home to enjoy singing along with the music up loud. Good music is good medicine...

Watching large snowflakes dance on the wind. Quiet takes on a new sound when you watch the snow fall slowly. It makes the world softer, slows it all down, and washes everything in blinding white. Reminds me of the feel of snowflakes on cold cheeks after skiing for hours, the sound of skis gliding over ice and snow, and how good a KitKat is when eaten outside halfway up the slope. Aaah - winter, if done right, it is marvelous!

Ding Dong

Craig Ferguson is soooooooo funny! I love the Secretariat Dance bit....it makes me laugh every time! Thank goodness for the DVR!

As gross as it is, a Neti Pot is a very useful tool in combating sinus stuffiness and a head cold. I can breathe!

Trash Day

Something I take for granted is the magic of being able to gather up things I no longer want and roll a container to the curb once a week and "PRESTO!" the trash fairies come along and take away the discarded stuff. Hmmmmm....I wonder how I can establish such a neat little arrangement for other stuff that I no longer want in my life? I'll get to work on that and let you know!

Meow!

I came home a bit ago to find my furry bundle of kitty love sitting with her sweet little nose nose against the front window waiting for me. I walked in to a happy, loud "meow!" and non-stop chatter with me about her day and how happy she was to see me. Ahhhhh the joy of unconditional love...

I just watched a video of a frat boy putting twenty quarters in his belly button. Wowser, what a belly! Really makes u wonder where all ur change has spent time huh?

Would it be ridiculous to write an ode to Nyquil? I love it so

Work?

Despite a hectic and tiring first day back to work after the holidays, I came home tonight thankful to be employed and doing a job that I truly do enjoy. While some of my colleagues can be a royal pain in the ass, I am blessed to have genuinely good people working on the teams I manage.

McDs

Just a quick shout out to McDonalds; the Fruit & Maple Oatmeal is yummy. Real Yummy!

We finally have rain! Had forgotten how relaxing the sound of a gentle rain can be when nothing else is demanding my attention.

Lovely day watching movies and knitting. What luxury to have quiet time.

Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow.  ~Swedish Proverb

I can now post to our blog from my cell! I have the smartest Bestie EVER!

Watching your child sleep in the car during a long drive, is precious. Even when your "baby" was able to vote in the last election.

New Year's Day 2011

The positive for today: I woke up this morning without a headache, without an alarm buzzing in my ear, and time to make a ham and cheese omlette for breakfast....which I ate while still in my jammies and bunny slippers while watching the Rose Bowl Parade. Didn't have to go anywhere today and actually feel rested for the first time in quite some time...happy new year's day to MEEEEEEEE!

2011 already ROCKS! :-D