Another blogger whose blog I follow posted that she had read about posting 30 blogs in 30 days on a blog she follows. She decided to try it. I decided to copy her and try it too. I figure with as much as I love to talk, coming up with something to say every day for a month should be a piece of cake. Plus, I find writing to be very therapeutic and I think it will help to get some of the thoughts jumbling up my mind out of my head.
So, starting tomorrow, my goal is a post a day for the month of May. Yes, I realize there are 31 days in May. I can be an overachiever every now and then.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
You know you spend too much time at the office when...
You know you spend too much time at the office when you log on to Mapquest from home and are surprised that your address is not in your list of saved and recently used places. And then it dawns on you-you can't find it because you are looking for your work address.
Monday, April 20, 2009
6-Word Poem
I have been listening to the Top 40 radio station that James used to listen to on my way home lately. I would listen to this station more often but I cannot stand one of the morning hosts. Plus, I really don't like listening to people yammer on first thing in the morning so I listen to a station with very little talking and lots of good music.
Anyway, the past couple of days, I have heard a commercial for the morning show and apparently, at some point, they had listeners call in with a 6-word poem to describe their lives. I thought about it, and if I had heard it live and called in, this would be my poem:
"Widowed too young,
what happens now?"
I wonder if I would have made it on the air with that one? But, more importantly, I do wonder what happens now? I am not good with the unknown, and I'm not really a big fan of surprises. I know that I have to keep moving forward, as hard as that can be, but it would really help if I knew what it is I am moving towards.
Anyway, the past couple of days, I have heard a commercial for the morning show and apparently, at some point, they had listeners call in with a 6-word poem to describe their lives. I thought about it, and if I had heard it live and called in, this would be my poem:
"Widowed too young,
what happens now?"
I wonder if I would have made it on the air with that one? But, more importantly, I do wonder what happens now? I am not good with the unknown, and I'm not really a big fan of surprises. I know that I have to keep moving forward, as hard as that can be, but it would really help if I knew what it is I am moving towards.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
What's up Officer?
I was pulled over tonight for the first time in my life. Granted there are times when I definitely deserved to be pulled over in the past since I do have a tendency to treat the speed limit as a recommendation rather than the law. Although after discovering that photo radar is not my friend, I do try to do better with that.
So here I was driving home from spending a very nice afternoon and evening with a friend when I notice flashing lights behind me. Given that I don't see well at night, it took me a bit to realize the cop was actually right behind me. I figured that since I wasn't doing anything wrong, he must be after the person in front of me. So, I signaled and pulled into a parking lot expecting him to just go past me. I was surprised to see him pull in behind me but not scared like I always thought I would be if my luck ever ran out. And then I had a moment of fear: "oh crap! Did I run a red light?" After all, if you are going to run a red light, it is probably best not to run the one right in front of the State Patrol office.
I checked to make sure my doors were locked and opened the window partway. He kindly asked for all the pertinent paperwork and I asked "may I ask what this is about?" He responded that he was going to mess with me and say "didn't you get the memo? No University of Idaho alumni are allowed on the road tonight. " I didn't have a response to that, which was probably a good thing. His real reason for pulling me over was because I don't have a license plate on the front of my car. I do have it; its on the floor in the back of the car. My little car kit to attach it to the car is missing pieces and there is only one authorized Mitsubishi dealership in the area and their hours are totally inconvenient. Looks like I am going to have to make them convenient.
In addition to driving with no license plate, I was also driving with an expired proof of insurance. I explained that I had recently switched and that was the temporary card but my insuance was valid. I think it helped that I had an envelope full of proofs of insurance.
After promising to attend Washington State if I ever go to grad school and after he verified that I really do have insurance, or whatever it is they do when they go back and sit in their car, I was complimented on promptly pulling off the road instead of just pulling to the side and blocking traffic and was let go with a warning for both the insurance and the license plate. Had I been ticketed, it would have been a $124 fine for each offense. I wisely did not ask "is that just your standard fine?" although it was on the tip of my tongue.
It occurred to me after I drove away that he may have actually been flirting with me. And even if he wasn't, I'm going to pretend he was. It's just more fun that way.
So here I was driving home from spending a very nice afternoon and evening with a friend when I notice flashing lights behind me. Given that I don't see well at night, it took me a bit to realize the cop was actually right behind me. I figured that since I wasn't doing anything wrong, he must be after the person in front of me. So, I signaled and pulled into a parking lot expecting him to just go past me. I was surprised to see him pull in behind me but not scared like I always thought I would be if my luck ever ran out. And then I had a moment of fear: "oh crap! Did I run a red light?" After all, if you are going to run a red light, it is probably best not to run the one right in front of the State Patrol office.
I checked to make sure my doors were locked and opened the window partway. He kindly asked for all the pertinent paperwork and I asked "may I ask what this is about?" He responded that he was going to mess with me and say "didn't you get the memo? No University of Idaho alumni are allowed on the road tonight. " I didn't have a response to that, which was probably a good thing. His real reason for pulling me over was because I don't have a license plate on the front of my car. I do have it; its on the floor in the back of the car. My little car kit to attach it to the car is missing pieces and there is only one authorized Mitsubishi dealership in the area and their hours are totally inconvenient. Looks like I am going to have to make them convenient.
In addition to driving with no license plate, I was also driving with an expired proof of insurance. I explained that I had recently switched and that was the temporary card but my insuance was valid. I think it helped that I had an envelope full of proofs of insurance.
After promising to attend Washington State if I ever go to grad school and after he verified that I really do have insurance, or whatever it is they do when they go back and sit in their car, I was complimented on promptly pulling off the road instead of just pulling to the side and blocking traffic and was let go with a warning for both the insurance and the license plate. Had I been ticketed, it would have been a $124 fine for each offense. I wisely did not ask "is that just your standard fine?" although it was on the tip of my tongue.
It occurred to me after I drove away that he may have actually been flirting with me. And even if he wasn't, I'm going to pretend he was. It's just more fun that way.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Here Comes Santa Claus
Last week I ran into PetCo to get some food for the boys. While I was there, I just happened to see the flyer announcing Santa was going to be there the 6th, 13th and 14th. So naturally, I had to take the boys for a picture with Santa.
I was going to take them on the 13th after my chiropractor appointment, but plans changed. When I got home Friday (the 5th), I noticed that Sammy had a sore between his pads. Sammy has very bad allergies and developed the sore as a result of always chewing/licking his paws. I didn't like the looks of it, so I called to get an appointment for Saturday morning.
I took the 9:30 appointment thinking that would work out well: I could take the boys to the vet appointment and then over to PetCo for a picture with Santa at 11:00. I figured since it always takes forever at the vet, I would be lucky to get to PetCo before the line got too long. So naturally, this is the one time we were in and out of the vet's office.
I realized that by the time we drove the 1/2 mile to the store I was going to have about 45 minutes with two curious monsters before Santa was due to arrive. I debated just taking them on the 13th, but decided to be brave. After all, we were already practically at the store. We spent about 20 minutes roaming the store. Charlie was not too sure about it; Sammy could not explore fast enough. After paying for the Christmas presents (I have to have something to put under the tree after all), and putting them in the car, we still had about 20 minutes to waste. So, we roamed some more. Then we got in line and waited patiently. I was so proud of them-all while wondering who these well-behaved dogs were and where my real dogs were. They didn't jump on anyone and they didn't join in with the Boxer that would not stop barking. Charlie did step forward when I went to pet another dog though, which I thought was funny.
11:00 rolled around and no Santa. Apparently, the man they hired was a no show so they had to scramble to get an employee to do it. The girl who volunteered was very excited (wonder how she felt at the end of the day!) as she had always wanted to be Santa. They had to stuff a dog bed in the Santa suit to fill her out, but once they had the wardrobe issues worked out, things got moving along. Naturally, when it came time for the picture, the boys decided they had behaved long enough, but this picture is better than the last time I tried this. In the last one, Santa looks pissed and Sammy looks like he is being strangled. One of these years I'll get my Christmas card photo!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
I think I need a nanny cam
I have often wondered what exactly it is my dogs do all day when I am at work. I would like to think that they just lay on their blankets patiently waiting for me to come home. However, I know this is not the case. They are indoor dogs, yet every so often Charlie manages to wind up with a puncture wound. Is he peeing on the wrong bush? Is Sammy biting him? Who knows.
James was a pop drinker. I am not. We stocked up on it when it was on sale. He died right after the Superbowl. I have several cases of pop stacked up by the kitchen door, both that I bought and that were brought over for out of town guests that were here for the funeral. I don't know why I haven't just given it away but there it sits. Today, I came home from work to find a lone can of Sierra Mist in the middle of the kitchen floor. So, I ask the boys what they have been up to. They respond by excitedly jumping up and down.
I am having Thanksgiving with our friends, and went over there tonight to take my contributions to dinner and help with some of the prep work. Really I went over there to talk about how hot the actor who plays Edward Cullen in "Twilight" is. Slicing pickles was just my cover story.
So, I get home to find two very excited dogs and 10 cans of Diet Coke in the middle of the floor. The box was still by the door with all the other cases of pop but all the cans were in a weird circle in the middle of the room. I suspect they, and by "they" I really mean Sammy, decided to eat the box and when they/Sammy tried to get it down, all the cans rolled out of it. Of course they are acting completely innocent now. Charlie is happily destroying yet another Kong ball and Sammy is happily licking his foot. And I am wondering for the bazillionth time what exactly it is they do while I am away. Never a dull moment with these two, and for that I really am grateful.
James was a pop drinker. I am not. We stocked up on it when it was on sale. He died right after the Superbowl. I have several cases of pop stacked up by the kitchen door, both that I bought and that were brought over for out of town guests that were here for the funeral. I don't know why I haven't just given it away but there it sits. Today, I came home from work to find a lone can of Sierra Mist in the middle of the kitchen floor. So, I ask the boys what they have been up to. They respond by excitedly jumping up and down.
I am having Thanksgiving with our friends, and went over there tonight to take my contributions to dinner and help with some of the prep work. Really I went over there to talk about how hot the actor who plays Edward Cullen in "Twilight" is. Slicing pickles was just my cover story.
So, I get home to find two very excited dogs and 10 cans of Diet Coke in the middle of the floor. The box was still by the door with all the other cases of pop but all the cans were in a weird circle in the middle of the room. I suspect they, and by "they" I really mean Sammy, decided to eat the box and when they/Sammy tried to get it down, all the cans rolled out of it. Of course they are acting completely innocent now. Charlie is happily destroying yet another Kong ball and Sammy is happily licking his foot. And I am wondering for the bazillionth time what exactly it is they do while I am away. Never a dull moment with these two, and for that I really am grateful.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
I am blessed
I am truly blessed by the love and support of my family and friends. Those closest to me knew that last week, and especially yesterday, was going to be very hard for me to get through. But, here it is Sunday morning and I am still standing.
I made sure to keep myself pretty busy last week, mostly so I wouldn't have so much time to think and feel, although the busyness did not stop the feelings, as was evidenced by my complete and total sobbing meltdown on Tuesday. That was when I realized I could not get through this past week alone and as hard as it was, I reached out for help.
My best friend and another dear friend do not live in this area. But, despite being extremely busy at work, they e-mailed me as often as they could to make sure I was okay. My best sent an eCard and called first thing yesterday morning. My fellow widows and widowers offered online hugs and words of support, as did members of an online group I joined shortly after meeting James. My aunt sent me a very beautiful arrangement of roses and carnations. I came home yesterday to find messages from my dear friend and my new friends Pete, a co-worker of James, and his wife Stephanie, just letting me know they were thinking of me.
Friday, my dear friend and her son took me to dinner and then to Goodwill to try to find the clothes I will need to be Ugly Betty for Halloween this year. I didn't find my costume, but I did find a very nice, brand new (with the tags) $100 Coldwater Creek sweater for $20. Major score there. After that we raided Fred Meyer's jigsaw puzzle section. They were on sale, and we each left with 3. After a not-so-quick run through the Starbucks drive-thru, we went back to her place and stayed up way too late working on one of her new puzzles. She is a dear freind of mine and her husband was James' best friend, so she is the person I most feel I can talk ad nausem about James to.
Yesterday, another dear friend met me at our usual meeting spot and we headed into Portland to the Japanese Gardens. She would have been one of my bridal peeps. When James and I bought this house, we had a hot tub. It was an older model and after each repair just led to another repair, we finally decided to get rid of it. We threw some ideas around for the now empty space and James said he would like to put a Japanese Garden in that spot. So, that is what I am going to do and decided yesterday would be the perfect day to go to the Japanese Gardens and so what exactly goes into one.
After the Gardens, we went to the zoo, since it was only a couple of miles away. Sadly, the monkeys and meerkats weren't out, but it was still fun. I love the zoo, and have been there several times, so it's not like I have never seen them. All the animals seemed to have their back ends to us though, which did make picture taking a little challenging!
We then headed to the Cheesecake Factory. I had a gift card (yes, I know. Shocking). and the only Cheesecake Factory is about 30 miles from my house, but was only about 10 miles from the zoo. My mom had sent me the gift card along with one for Barnes and Noble a long time ago thinking that my friend and I could use the B&N card to get wedding books and then go look them over while eating cheesecake, so there was some irony there. It takes a bowl of soup and 3 slices of cheesecake to use up a $25 gift card. I was having a hard time deciding between 3 flavors, so when the server told us that, my decision was made.
We then headed to Border's, which is a very dangerous place for me to be. Despite having a huge stack of books to be read, I can always find something in there that I HAVE to have. Yesterday was no exception. I got a book and a DVD and 3 Lindor truffles because in my world it is against the law to go to Borders (or Michaels) and not get 3 Lindor truffles.
Today I plan to just relax and catch up on my shows and work on a puzzle. I was gone so much last week that I need to spend the day with my boys. Charlie is curled up on the chair behind me and Sammy is streched out behind the chair. They need to see that I still love them.
Granted, I would still much rather be in California this morning, or on a plane to the east coast for my honeymoon, but I am very thankful for and overwhelmed by all the love in my life.
I made sure to keep myself pretty busy last week, mostly so I wouldn't have so much time to think and feel, although the busyness did not stop the feelings, as was evidenced by my complete and total sobbing meltdown on Tuesday. That was when I realized I could not get through this past week alone and as hard as it was, I reached out for help.
My best friend and another dear friend do not live in this area. But, despite being extremely busy at work, they e-mailed me as often as they could to make sure I was okay. My best sent an eCard and called first thing yesterday morning. My fellow widows and widowers offered online hugs and words of support, as did members of an online group I joined shortly after meeting James. My aunt sent me a very beautiful arrangement of roses and carnations. I came home yesterday to find messages from my dear friend and my new friends Pete, a co-worker of James, and his wife Stephanie, just letting me know they were thinking of me.
Friday, my dear friend and her son took me to dinner and then to Goodwill to try to find the clothes I will need to be Ugly Betty for Halloween this year. I didn't find my costume, but I did find a very nice, brand new (with the tags) $100 Coldwater Creek sweater for $20. Major score there. After that we raided Fred Meyer's jigsaw puzzle section. They were on sale, and we each left with 3. After a not-so-quick run through the Starbucks drive-thru, we went back to her place and stayed up way too late working on one of her new puzzles. She is a dear freind of mine and her husband was James' best friend, so she is the person I most feel I can talk ad nausem about James to.
Yesterday, another dear friend met me at our usual meeting spot and we headed into Portland to the Japanese Gardens. She would have been one of my bridal peeps. When James and I bought this house, we had a hot tub. It was an older model and after each repair just led to another repair, we finally decided to get rid of it. We threw some ideas around for the now empty space and James said he would like to put a Japanese Garden in that spot. So, that is what I am going to do and decided yesterday would be the perfect day to go to the Japanese Gardens and so what exactly goes into one.
After the Gardens, we went to the zoo, since it was only a couple of miles away. Sadly, the monkeys and meerkats weren't out, but it was still fun. I love the zoo, and have been there several times, so it's not like I have never seen them. All the animals seemed to have their back ends to us though, which did make picture taking a little challenging!
We then headed to the Cheesecake Factory. I had a gift card (yes, I know. Shocking). and the only Cheesecake Factory is about 30 miles from my house, but was only about 10 miles from the zoo. My mom had sent me the gift card along with one for Barnes and Noble a long time ago thinking that my friend and I could use the B&N card to get wedding books and then go look them over while eating cheesecake, so there was some irony there. It takes a bowl of soup and 3 slices of cheesecake to use up a $25 gift card. I was having a hard time deciding between 3 flavors, so when the server told us that, my decision was made.
We then headed to Border's, which is a very dangerous place for me to be. Despite having a huge stack of books to be read, I can always find something in there that I HAVE to have. Yesterday was no exception. I got a book and a DVD and 3 Lindor truffles because in my world it is against the law to go to Borders (or Michaels) and not get 3 Lindor truffles.
Today I plan to just relax and catch up on my shows and work on a puzzle. I was gone so much last week that I need to spend the day with my boys. Charlie is curled up on the chair behind me and Sammy is streched out behind the chair. They need to see that I still love them.
Granted, I would still much rather be in California this morning, or on a plane to the east coast for my honeymoon, but I am very thankful for and overwhelmed by all the love in my life.
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