SHORTY MCSHORTERSON REPORTING FOR DUTY...

My blogging friend Claudia titled her post for today Shorty McShort Short, and it delighted me to no end to let her know that Shorty McShort Short's cousin, Shorty McShorterson, would be blogging on my site today. Cause Claudia is a person that I LUVEVERSOMUCH-er. Really, a nicer person? Never met one nicer than Claudia. And as I already commented to Claudia, I did not go to work today simply because it is TOO FREAKIN' COLD outside. And moi, being the delicate little flower that I am... HAHAHA!

Lazy day. Again. All I'm doing is resting up a lot with two also-lazy cats, and rousing myself occasionally to do a (very) few domestic-type things. I would like to say that I'm not a lazy slug accomplishing at least two tiny goals large projects, but "easy does it" is the order of the day.

Right now I am watching Rachael Ray, who has Diane Lane as a guest. And I have to say, she is still as gorgeous as ever. Sorta like me. And she's got a new movie with Richard Gere coming out, based on a Nicholas Sparks book--oh yes, I will have to grab the giant box of Kleenex and go to that. Okay, short quick little "favorite" survey. Whose looks would you like to take for your own, if you could--actress, royalty, friend, whatever--who do you think is beautiful? I'll go first because I don't think there is any doubt as to who was the most beautiful in all the land, and I cried the day she died. Grace Kelly. Oh my gosh...that face, the classy-ness...beautiful. I also love, love, love Audrey Hepburn. But, for me--possibly because I have (had before the gray) dark hair--I find the blonde-type beauty pretty special. And you?

Shorty McShorterson signing off...

FOR YOUR "AWWWing" PLEASURE...

Just because I think they are so darn cute...

Post with words later...

WHY, YES, I WOULD LIKE TO GO SOMEPLACE WARM...

Okay, people, I'm not going to do that oh-so-special Minnesota thing where I tell you all about how crappy our weather is, and how there is like a gazillion-degree temperature difference just from yesterday to today, and that the sun is never going to shine again. I'm not going to tell you all about how tomorrow morning, when the wind chill is 50 below 0, I'm going to be scared that something on my vehicle will break just because it's too cold. Or how I get sort of ornery when I have to go out in this weather, unless it's something I want to do :).

And I'm not going to list all the reasons why I sit at work and shake my head a lot; suffice it to say today was a real hum-dinger. I promised myself on my way home from my place of employment that I was not going to share how peevish that place makes me. Nor will I be telling you about how sometimes I really, really fear that I am bipolar rather than just moody and menopausal, and I'm not even gonna ask anyone if they're ever hormonally-induced moody. Because it's really none of my business. Plus I have no reason to be moody, much less bipolar--so it has to be hormones.

So, being as how I'm not gonna talk about any of those things, there will be no post today.

See ya bye...

No, not really; just joking. So basically y'all know that I'm no Merry Sunshine today. But all is not lost, because at least I stopped at Target and got out for less than $100, despite them having my very favorite maple walnut scones, plus some lemon poppyseed ones for good measure. And I also got some of that really good Dove dark chocolate...mmmmmm. When we went and saw 27 Dresses, ML gave me a Dove dark chocolate heart to eat, and I've been needing more since. I especially love Dove chocolate--both dark and milk--because it is so rich, I can stop at eating just one or two pieces. Unlike mini Reese's peanut butter cups or M&M peanuts, where whole POUNDS of the stuff can disappear in alarmingly short periods of time.

Earlier this morning I was busily reading blogs and monitoring my personal e-mail working my fingers to the bone when, all of a sudden--NO more electricity. No problem, because we are a large company, with a generator. Well, I don't know what happened but, apparently, the generator gave up the ghost. Because there we sat, with a few lights flickering. But not many and certainly not enough. Computers, no. Printers, no. I did all I could do without my computer and/or printers, which wasn't much. Then I sat around for a while, thanking the Good Lord that I am not in reservations or any other job where you have to talk to people--real people--on the phone. From there, moved on to eating yogurt. Then a little chair-dancing to my rechargeable-battery-powered more-aqua-than-blue iPod. Finally, at 10:30, power was restored. Now comes the really funny part. I am gonna tell you all just exactly how technologically UNsavvy I am. We got new computers a month or so ago, and that is the only excuse I can give for myself. So, my computer didn't come back on even though it should have, so I had to turn on the "on" button on the cpu part of the computer. I had no idea where it was because I haven't had to use it yet. A couple of people were standing around in my cube and were more than happy to act superior show me how to turn it on. WHOA! I thought it was gonna take off! I looked at my boss and said, "THAT THING GOT A HEMI?" Which deflected the attention from the fact I didn't know where the "on" button was. Handy.

It seems everytime I brag about how great my mental state is, within a few days I have reason to think I spoke too soon. Really, though, I do feel great; my neck is all better so I won't be dying of that anytime soon and, while I don't think my sinuses are 100% (what's that?), I also don't think I have an infection that will travel to my brain and kill me anytime soon. It's just this freakin' cold, windy, gray, gloomy weather. Grrrrr. It's all good.

Seriously this time.

See ya bye...

ANOTHER WEEKEND DOWN...

I know I go on about this frequently, but still...time really does go by way too fast. And I accomplish so little!

Today just flew by. So far I took the garbage/recycle containers to the curb, and thought about doing a couple of loads of laundry. But wait! I need to see what's on Dr. Phil. Oh, for crying out loud, it's about baggy pants! You know the ones; they're usually accompanied by the ever-charming cocked-to-the-side cap. Here's the way I see it. Since the beginning of time, kids have been wearing things that bug the oldsters and it will go on the same way until the end of time. While I don't think it's a good look, I'm also not offended by it; to be honest, I don't care what they wear as long as they're being decent, productive (for their age) citizens. What I cannot believe is that this is the topic for a Dr. Phil show, and that there are people who really want to enact laws banning baggy pants. When there are things going on like what Blender Kimmy wrote about today in her blog post, what today's teens are wearing to bug their parents just isn't that big of a deal. When I was a teenager, I wouldn't wear anything but jeans--and that trend continues--while my Mom was wanting me to wear skirts or dressier-type pants. The jeans won out. Also in style were bib overalls; not cute little girl bib overalls, but the same bib overalls that my Great Grandfather the Farmer wore. Those were the only things that my Mother asked me to please refrain from wearing; she found them that distasteful. I struck a deal with her. I wouldn't wear bib overalls if she would stop buying me matching skirt and sweater sets that, while very pretty, were not anything I was ever going to wear. Done. Everybody was happy. I'm just glad that way back then, nobody thought to try to ban bib overalls for everyone. But on to more important things.

I made our hotel reservations today for the scrapbooking weekend in February--YAY! I was on a mission, let me tell ya! I tried to make the reservations right away on Saturday, but the kid that answered the phone at the hotel didn't have a clue about the block of rooms that was supposed to be set aside for our group, nor did she have a clue about the special room rate. WELL! Having worked part-time at a hotel for several years, I pretty much knew what had happened. I figured the group arrangements were made through the hotel's Sales Department, and that the information had not made it out to the front desk/reservations people yet. I informed the scrapbooking consultant, and she was going to talk to the hotel about it today, but I beat her to the punch :). Sure enough, I asked for the Sales Department and PROGRESS, BABY! Can you all tell I'm looking forward to this?

And as I was typing that, I just got a phone call from another church lady friend/acquaintance, wanting me to go with another few church ladies to a dinner and show at The Chanhassen in a couple of weeks. I don't know these people outside of church, but I like them in church...and since, if somebody asks I generally go--yeah, count me in :)! That was really nice of them to think of asking me; maybe they've been sent to round me up and get me back to my regular spot in the pew five rows from the front on the left-hand side at 8:45 on Sunday mornings :).

On the Dr. Phil baggy pants show, which I have on as background noise...what I find far more disturbing than the baggy pants is that there are a whole lot of people talking on this show, and I can't understand a word they're saying. The volume is there, along with wild gesturing and raised, flailing arms with pointing fingers--but, other than that...WHAT? Now, that, I think, is something to be upset about. But I am old. HA!

And because I can't help myself: That is the truth, too! In fact, every cat I have ever had has been able to tell when the can "openur" was opening a can of tuna. But I showed 'em, and started buying those pouches :).

Over and out...

I CAN'T HELP BUT LOVE THESE...

Is this not just a HOOT! As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to spirit it away from http://www.icanhascheezburger.com/! I assume that if I know about this website, probably everybody does. If by chance you don't though, please click on the link and go take a look. And, okay, I admit it, one night I sat here and went through EVERY page. To be honest, it was time well spent and I'd do it again...and very probably will, at some point! And then we have:

This afternoon, I went and saw "The Bucket List"--I wasn't sure if I wanted to see it or not because I knew it was about cancer and I didn't know if I would be able to handle it. I cried so much during "P.S. I Love You" that I just didn't want to go through that kind of reaction again. But then, my SIL e-mailed me and said how good it was. And since she is looking at a limited time here herself, I figured if she could take it, so could I. I will not spoil it for those who haven't seen it yet but want to. I'll just say that it was a very good movie that I really liked and it did not have the same emotional effect on me as the other one. It was just really, really good. But, get this. I found this to be...ummm...a little *insert Twilight Zone music*--when I came out from "P.S. I Love You" this one Frank Sinatra song played on the radio and, now today, when I came out after seeing this movie, another Frank Sinatra song that had special meaning came on the radio. Isn't that kinda good-crazy? And now, I present:

I just want to say this right here and right now. In just about every way possible, I am feeling so much better than I have in a long, long time. It's like the real me, only better. It seems to me that what happens for me is, everytime I "feel so much better than I have in a long, long time" it really IS better and it stays that way. Then some more time will pass and I'll realize that, once again, I "feel so much better than I have in a long, long time." And all of this feeling better is cumulative, if that makes sense. It has taken me close to seven years to be able to feel this way. And I fully expect that the process is not over. Nor will it ever be, and that is a VERY GOOD THING. Bill is with me; Bill is always with me--and I feel this so much more than I ever did when I wasn't feeling as good as I do now. Who knew that would happen. And, finally, the best for last:

If, by any chance at all there is anybody in the world who does not understand why bloggers love to blog, here is just a small sample of why:

*Kim at lifeafter - she's a born storyteller, she can laugh at life, she can laugh at herself, she obviously loves her friends, she's caring, she's generous of heart and spirit, she truly makes me smile.

That is what Hallie wrote when she gave me the "E for Excellent Blog" Award. And everybody knows that, long before the bestow-ment of this award, I loved my main Maine girl, Hallisicle. I never, ever dreamed that I would be so lucky as to "know" all of the great people that I've found first through CaringBridge and then through blogging. Thanks, Hal; I'm honored!

Until tomorrow...

THE WORDS, THEY ARE BACK...

I wanted to do a nice, long, chatty post yesterday in the worst way. Yesterday was the day I had circled in red on my work calendar, since it meant that SERE hell was a thing of the past for our favorite A1C Christopher J. Twomey, and that was HUGE. Also got word that attendance at a scrapbooking weekend getaway (more on that) is a go, which I am SO EXCITED for. Plus, I was just in an all-around good, happy mood and y'all know how much I love to share that. But it was the neck, people, that won out. My freakishly painful pain-in-the-neck that comes and goes. Right now? ALL GOOD. So I'm typing as fast as my chubby little fingers will go.

Since I got sidetracked in a word way by the neck that is a pain, I thought it would be better to add pictures than doing nothing at all. So, how about my two roommates...aren't they just incredibly cute? Frank IS a moose; he's not fat, he's just a big boy. He has long legs and a long tail, and even his head is big--he looks like a boy cat. Nancy, on the other hand, is a cute, tiny little girl with the shortest, stubbiest legs to which I relate. Of course, you can't tell any of this by the pic, but it's true. They are both great roommates.

It is no secret that I am creatively challenged. The one thing I used to be able to do was calligraphy, because I took a class. But I haven't even tried that for years. And I just got my little point-and-shoot digital camera very late last summer. I've gotten to the point where I got the sense to keep it in my purse so I always have it with me. Now I'm working on getting it out and taking pix. The thing is, unless it is blatant beauty right in front of my face, I have a hard time recognizing the-artistry-in-the-every-day-stuff. But I do want to change that to the extent I can, and I am going to put more effort into it.

So, refrain from laughing when I say I am going to my very first ever scrapbooking deal-eo. Years ago, my more-craftily-talented-than-Martha-Stewart SIL started scrapbooking--when Creative Memories very first came on the scene and she and the lady who sold the CM stuff were the only people I knew doing it. I was always a little fascinated by it, given my little obsession with cool paper, pens, stickers and stuff like that. Not unlike an elementary-school-aged girl. Really, I never grew out of liking those things. We talked about going on one of these scrapbooking weekend retreats last February, but we didn't get in on it in time so it didn't work out. But now this year it is right here in town, which is so convenient! But we're still going to stay at the hotel which, for me, is the whole point of a "getaway" but which is also the most convenient way. I can't imagine hauling all that stuff back and forth Friday, Saturday and Sunday! I know my girlfriend is going for some serious scrapbook-page-making and so am I. But I am also going for some fun, and I shall find it! :)

I will be back again today, so check back often!!!!...

100 WORDS OR LESS...

This handsome guy is Frank, and he only looks like he doesn't like being photographed


And this is Nancy. She is cute and Frank loves her because she cleans him up and begs for treats


These are the faces of three freshmen on the way to their first Homecoming Dance. The one in the middle, the especially lovely one is my granddaughter

The following three are pictures of more Northern Minnesota beauteousness from last summer



When at a loss for words, pictures are good...

MUCH BETTER TODAY...

The neck is on the mend; it must have just been the result of sleeping wrong. Between the Biofreeze, the overdosing on Tylenol and sleeping carefully, it is much improved this morning. Or maybe it just feels better because I'm not working today....hmmmmm? Could that be it. Can stress give you a pain in the neck? And I need to find a different word for stress; something that means stress, but is not "stress." Sick of the word.

Today, my friend Katie tagged me to do a Blogging Meme, which makes me very happy because they are interesting questions. Here goes:

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLOGGING. I did my first blog post on February 23, 2006 and kept up on a fairly regular basis until March. I didn't post again until December, 2006, and it's been pretty much all the time since.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START A BLOG AND WHO ARE YOUR MENTORS. I don't have a mentor, but the first blog I read was a continuation of a CaringBridge page I had followed for a long time. That was pretty much my introduction to what a blog even was; after all, I just got my computer in January, 2006! Except for the years when I was married and Bill was my walking, talking journal, I had always written journals, which started as an 8th grade English assignment. Before that, I got my first diary when I was 8 and in the 3rd grade--I made stuff up, and also wrote honestly about my Mom and some of her shenanigans and what I thought about it, which she then read. And was not amused. I also wrote short stories at that time, which I had started as soon as I could string together sentences. All of my stories had big happy families with lots and lots of kids. I was an only child, grandchild, niece--it doesn't take a genius to put all that together :)! Plus, I have always been a little obsessed with paper and pens. Still am. Which doesn't figure into the blog, obviously.

ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE MONEY ON-LINE OR JUST DOING IT FOR FUN. Sure, I'm always trying to make money; anybody wanna send me some? No, I'm not trying to make money, but that's not a bad idea. Wish I knew how. But if I were ever to do that, it would be a completely separate blog. This blog is only for me, and those who choose to read it simply for what it is.

WHAT THREE (3) THINGS DO YOU LOVE ABOUT BEING ONLINE. 1) I love that it's so quick and easy to post and I can do it whenever and wherever there is a computer. If I have the urge at work, I can do a quick post. At home...verbosity ensues. 2) I love learning different technological stuff to do on this blog. I haven't even been anywhere near technologically up-to-date ever, so I like the learning part, and 3) I saved the thing I love the very, very most for last. Of course, that would be the people I've "met" through blogging. I know this is true for all of you, too. It's a huge ego boost for me, because it did not occur to me that people would actually read what I wrote. But once Katie and Katy made themselves known, I was hooked to the feeling of knowing that I could say what I needed to say and people would not only understand but also like me and support me. This might sound strange, and kind of a contradiction, but I'll try to explain in an understandable way. I have always--even as a young kid--been pretty much satisfied with myself and mostly I don't think I have a lot of self-esteem issues. When people, my Mother included, would put me down to my face, I did not automatically believe them. Which is good. But, then, there is the other side of the coin. I've also never felt particularly important to others, either. Which is probably why I've always had a fairly "small circle" around me. I have never felt that I'm going to do anything that greatly benefits the world at large and there have even been times that I've struggled to figure out what my purpose in life is, if anything. I have never felt that I mattered to many people, so I had to at least matter to myself. Well, blogging sure fixed that--well, blogging and a few wonderful, important IRL people prior to the blogging :). Now, don't feel sorry for me; none of this is meant to make people go "oh, that's so sad." It's just the way it was and, although mostly I know that there are some people that I matter to now, I still know the only universe that I'm the center of is my own. Man, WHAT WAS THE ORIGINAL QUESTION? EEEK!!! Moving on.

WHAT THREE THINGS DO YOU STRUGGLE WITH ON-LINE. 1) Whenever I comment on a new blog for the first time, I always hope the blog-owner won't think I'm some kind of weirdo. And it can be a little humbling to have somebody comment once or twice and then disappear. Occasionally, my first thought will be that I bored them into running away, but then I remember that isn't the reason I do that and it's all good again. 2) I have struggled, in two completely opposite ways, with a couple of readers. One, I really WANTED to be a reader and was so excited when I found out that was the case. But then I opened my big mouth and the reading stopped, and I felt really bad because it was the opposite of what I wanted. And there was nothing I could do to remedy it, short of begging her to come back. Which I eventually sorta did. Yeah, you can never say I have too much pride. On the opposite end of the spectrum is the person that I had been friends with for 38 years but which ended a couple of years ago. As you all know, I suspected she and/or her family were reading. For some reason, that really bugged me. I guess just because I know they wouldn't be reading because of any interest in me--but just out of nosiness and to talk about me. She never ONCE even attempted to find out why I pulled the plug on the 38-year "friendship"--never once even remotely asked what my thought process was. That, my friends, is the ultimate in NOT CARING so my thought is that person doesn't need to be reading my blog. Enough said...I've already devoted a few posts to this and, to my knowledge, the problem has righted itself and I don't think she's reading anymore. And if she is, well then she can just go ahead and deal with anything I might write about her. Yuck. Done with that. and 3) Not having as much time to devote as I'd like.

And that's it. Hard to believe I couldn't think of anything to write yesterday, huh? Katie, I really liked this meme--it was interesting to really think about the answers to those questions. These are the other people I think might enjoy this: Lanny at My Lagniappe (if you're still even reading over here :( sad face), Abbie at Just As I Am, and Katy at Mom 22 Teens. So--tag, y'all are it, if you want to be. And also anybody else reading who wants to do this. But I warn you, it can really make ya think--and then ramble on and on and on.

Or that could just be me...

IT DOES NOT OFTEN HAPPEN...

...that I cannot come up with even one interesting thing to say.

The most I can come up with is that I've done something horrid and painful to my neck. Well, maybe not quite horrid...but painful? Most certainly. When I press on certain places on the left side of my neck and even up into the left side of my head behind the ear...whoa...hurts. And have to turn the whole body if I want to look to the right. Hmmm. I hope whatever it is goes away quick. I'm a real pain wussy. In that I can't take much of it.

Beyond that, I got nothin'...

LET'S JUST END JANUARY NOW, SHALL WE?...

I'm starting to think that things just go a little nuts in January. Or is it just a full moon or something? Whatever. It needs to be over with. Or at least improve a whole lot! But enough of that.

I have a boss that I just love. I think D-Man is probably about 28 or 29, but he could be a few years older, but not much. He is incredibly smart, incredibly personable, incredibly supportive--just an all-around incredible guy. WHO IS NOW GOING TO BE AN INCREDIBLE DAD, for the first time. No matter what else is going on, news of a new baby always makes me happy. The funny part of this is, the baby is due in February. Hello, where have I been? When my co-worker Dottie told me the news this morning, she also said she had told me this news before--long before. Well, I sure don't remember it, but that certainly doesn't mean she didn't tell me. What with the menopausal mind and all! I then asked her if I was excited about it the first time she told me, and she assured me I was. So I guess it's all good.

Other than that little bright spot, work is kind of tense. Or maybe it's just me. But I don't think so. It's so strange to be sitting around waiting for something that might happen, but then again it might not. Oh, but it's just business as usual. My ass. I am a firm believer in trying not to dwell on stuff over which I have no control and which might not even happen. But, man, it's hard to live up to that belief when it has the potential to be so life-altering. If by chance I find myself jobless, which could lead to homeless, alla y'all better get real nervous cause I might just arrive on your doorstep(s). **Lizzy, I'll stop by and pick you up on the way to Kellan's, where we will be her next-door neighbors and every-other-weekend visitors to her lake mansion.** TAKE THAT, TENSION-FILLED JOB!!!! BRING IT!!! Hehehe. Man, I crack myself up sometimes.

Which is good, considering all the tears I shed over my co-worker's dog. Bill and I had two cats. Ebony, our tuxedo cat, was Bill's when I came on the scene. Then he quickly became mine because I spent so much time with him, and I was the giver-of-food-and-treats. Fluffy Muffy was Tracy's little gray-and-white girl cat that stayed here when Tracy moved on. She loved Bill but also eventually crossed over to the dark side to join the giver-of-food-and-treats. Ahhh, Muffy. When I was recovering from my knee-replacement surgery and depressed and drugged up, I used to spend hours rubbing Muffy's tummy. Every afternoon as soon as Bill would leave for work, she would hop up on the couch next to the throw pillows I would rest my arm on, settle herself on her back and stay there as long as I wanted to rub her soft-like-a-bunny tummy. I was in so darn much pain and so depressed over thinking I was never going to walk again and so bummed that the stupid pain meds did NOTHING but make me depressed, that I did not even realize just exactly how drugged up one must be to spend hours rubbing one little cat's tummy. It's a miracle she had any tummy-fur left. But Muffy and I were forever bonded after that. ***And did I mention how Bill practically SKIPPED out of the house to go to work every day during that time? Not really, he was a GREAT "caregiver."*** I loved both Ebony and Muffy and they were a great comfort to me after Bill died. I really was a little bit scared I was going to crack up when Ebony died 3 months after Bill, and then Muffy 4 months after that. Ebony of kidney failure and Muffy of kidney cancer. After Bill died of kidney cancer. It just seemed a little too cruel for me. 2001 was not a good year for kidneys in the Danielson household. So, all things considered, I guess it's not that surprising that I had such an emotional reaction to Magic's kidney cancer. No disrespect intended, but anybody who thinks "it's just an animal" is wrong. Just wrong. But I'm better now.

On a very, very positive note we have good CaringBridge/Kim's friends news. Dr. Berg's post for today was very positive and she sounded good. YAY! My Colorado friend's son's counts were great. MORE YAY! My Minnesota friend's son's surgeried eye is doing great and he is taking care of himself the way he should. EVEN MORE YAY! This is all so, so good.

I think I'll wrap it up at so, so good...

AWWW, MAN...

I am pretty much an animal lover. Dogs, cats, guinea pigs, hamsters...if it has fur, I probably like it, A LOT. The reptiles and such, not so much. But all others, yes.

I cannot stand to hear stories of abuse of any kind, even these poor misguided souls who do the animal hoarding thing. I just cannot watch it, and I can't even hear it. I mute the sound on the TV or change the channel. I don't know where I would be without my two cats, and I would like to have a dog, too--but they're not as easy as cats, so I need to be really sure before I get one and will do lots of research to find a breed that would be a good fit for me. I may decide for once and for all that I shouldn't have a dog at all. But I love them nonetheless. And maybe I'm biased, but anybody who doesn't like cats hasn't met mine. :)

Mickey, one of my co-workers, has an American Eskimo dog named Magic. He is gorgeous; snow-white with black eyes and black nose, and he always looks like he's smiling. He is such a sweet, sweet dog. That now has a kidney tumor and won't be around all that much longer. And I feel SO sad. I know that this happens, but it's sad.

More later...

SOMETIMES I NEED A REAL VOICE...

Does anybody remember my "Awareness" post for January 13? I talked about a young local pediatrician who is nearing the end of her fight with cancer. While reading her update for today, I felt such sadness; it is my feeling that it will not be long. Which, on one hand, is a blessing; but, on the other hand, well, I don't think I have to say it. Please, any and all prayers, good thoughts, wishes on a star, whatever it is you do--for effective pain management for Dr. Berg, for as much peace as is possible for her husband, and for strength for the rest of her family and many, many friends.

I read about the latest developments while I was at work this morning, and I felt so unsettled afterwards. I will never be able to shrug these situations off. I was texting back and forth in a real general way with my girlfriend in Colorado, Denise. Her 11-year-old son is a two-time ALL survivor. He came through his first round with leukemia, only to relapse. In May, it will be the one-year anniversary of his being off-treatment. He is doing great, but I think it would be next to impossible for any Mother whose child has survived cancer to NOT worry. As we were texting, telling each other of afternoon plans, I felt an almost overwhelming need to talk to her on the phone. Not an e-mail, not a text, not one of my usual smart-aleck comments in her son's CB guestbook. I told her I'd call her as soon as I got home from work.

Denise and I tease each other about being BFFs to each other; this is funny because we have never met in person, and we haven't "known" each other all that long. Even at that, she knows more about me than any other living person, and I know about all there is to know about her, too. The good, the bad and the ugly. The things that she knows about me? Even more than Gayla knows, and we've been friends since 1975. Gayla knows everything up to 1988, but knows very little beyond that. Denise just plain knows EVERYTHING. And she has never once judged me, or said anything to make me feel disapproval, disappointment, or like she thinks less of me. All she ever says is that I am funny and that she loves me. We do plan to meet up in the spring. We'll see if she still likes me after meeting me. And I'm not joking. But back to my point.

I didn't know why I needed to talk to a real voice. All I knew was, as soon as I got home and fed Frank and Nancy, the first thing I wanted to do was call her. We chatted, and then I went shopping with her to The Vitamin Hut (or something like that). I am a weirdo in that I LOVE to run around and do errands with people; I think it's fun. And it was fun to shop with her on the phone at The Vitamin Hut, although she probably spent more having me along--"oh yeah, Denise, get the organic baby asparagus."

It wasn't until we hung up that I realized why it was so important to me to talk to a real voice. My other girlfriend's oldest son was having eye surgery today and I knew it would be fine, but I really like that kid of hers and I kept watching the clock, waiting for time for the surgery to be over. Then I read Hallie's news of her phone call from A1C Shmoopy, and I wondered where he was at and what he was doing. Then, I read Dr. Berg's CB page. And I am also really, really sick of working--in that, I don't want to go and I have a hard time even getting out of bed in the morning. I'm feeling like if by chance there is a merger, I will go nuts. I've already been through so darn many of them, and I am so sick of going backwards in pay, benefits, everything. It is such a stressful situation, over which one has no control. All of that is why electronic talking just wouldn't do. All of that is why I needed to talk to a REAL VOICE. Thank you for being my real voice, Denise; thank you for your non-judgmental, never-failing friendship. You are always there for me, and I appreciate it more than you will ever know. You are a priority to me, and I know that I am a priority to you, as well. Awww...thanks! And my other friend's kid's eye surgery went great--thank you, Lord!

I feel so much better now...

I LOVE WHEN THIS HAPPENS...

"See everything, overlook a great deal, correct a little"...Pope John XXII

This has been such an incredibly good weekend! I love when that happens, when you're least expecting it.

Yesterday, we went and saw "27 Dresses." Movie review to follow. But what was really fun was this. My friend treated me, even at the concession stand, so I didn't have to part with the 37.62 it usually costs to see a movie and eat popcorn and drink their good, fizzy Diet Coke. That just made my day, and that was just the first thing!

I LOVED that movie! I cannot wait to buy it. I had read one review that bashed it and gave it a D-, but I have learned that means I'll probably like it. But, really, I didn't have any expectations, I just wanted to be entertained. And entertained I was, but so much more, too. It was cute, funny, just a little sad at times, charming, and did I mention funny? I really, really like Katherine Heigl. All this time on Grey's, I thought it was Izzy that I liked (although not so much lately, since the whole George brouhaha). What it really is, though, is that Katherine Heigl is able to make her characters so likeable, and that's good enough for me to like her acting abilities. It is the perfect chick flick. Go with your friend(s), or your sister if you have one. Heck, go alone--just go. Needless to say, more making of my day!

We went to the 3:10 movie and when we got out at 5:15, it was still light out! YES!!! I am totally over all this darkness. I like it from Thanksgiving to Christmas--the better to see all the Christmas lights--but once the holidays are over, the darkness needs to be over, too. Day-maker #3.

When asked if I needed to get home or if I wanted to go with to exchange a Christmas gift at Gander Mountain in the next town over, my answer was "let's go!" Gander Mountain--once we found it over there--has some very cute clothes. Good thing I'm not of the body type right now that would do justice to cute clothes, because I could have done some real damage. ML is definitely of the body type to do justice to cute clothes, but she also has much more restraint than me. She exchanged her cuter-than-cute reversible vest for the right size, and off we went. While all of those cute clothes that I can't wear might be depressing to some, to me they aren't. I'm just glad they're there when I'm ready for them. :) Just call me Pollyanna--HA! Feeling pretty happy with myself about the "Thinking Differently" vow. That would be #4.

On the way to my house, we decided to stop for some groceries at the new SuperTarget by my house. She is the mother to one 20 yo son and two teen sons, and has one husband. All of those male types = needing lots of food. And as long as we were there, I could also pick up the things I needed, which saved me a trip to the store today. This might sound strange, but grocery shopping is much more fun when done with someone else. I think the reason is this. As with everything else, Bill and I always did the grocery shopping together. We would usually go at some "off" time when it wasn't all that busy--although most of the time we were dodging those huge pallets of goods, while the stockers did what they do. We used to have a blast, and grocery shopping alone has never felt right to me since. What used to be a really fun thing turned into just another chore that reminded me of how different things are now. So, this one counts as two day-makers--#5 for getting to shop with another person, and #6 for saving me a trip out today.

Prior to all of the fun-ness, I even took the opportunity to bring a little order to my house. Just in case we came back here for coffee afterwards . Which we didn't, but one must take care of the "just in case" factor. And the good part of this is, I got to come home to a tidy house. Notice I didn't say clean; I said tidy :)! And now my horoscope tells me I'm supposed to break the washing machine or the computer today. I have a feeling that the casualty would be the washer, so I'm choosing NOT to do laundry today. My computer will be just fine!

Ahhh, life is good...

AM I NUTS OR WHAT? #1 OF ???, 20JAN08...

As I've told everybody already, it's cold enough here to make the cows give ice cream. It's not fit out there for man nor beast. It's so cold that my tiny bit of OCD has kicked in and I have to keep talking about it.

So what's a Minnesotan to do? Go to a movie. Out in the cold. To a theater. And I can't wait because I will not, not, not stay home by myself if I have an opportunity to get out with another person to do something I enjoy. That is why my little world of friends is pretty little. Since I have the hermit tendency to begin with, if I consorted with just any old body, I might just decide to never leave my house again. And it wouldn't be a big leap to lining the windows with newspaper and aluminum foil. When one of my girls asks, I go.

Even when it's cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey...

EASY PEASY! #2 of ???, 19JAN08...

Remember this?

I was tagged by Amy over at Everyday with the Kellys to actually commit to thinking differently about something. A couple of days ago, I discovered Mary over at Happenings Today and sort of "borrowed" (read, pirated) the image from her blog, because I liked it so much. Mary tagged Amy--because Amy is one of Mary's sisters and what are sisters for if not to tag--and Amy then tagged me. Which I'm happy about because y'all know I love to do all of these things that require tagging.

I'm going to be honest. There is a lot I could stand to think differently about. And I am completely open to at least thinking about thinking differently about some things; I'm nothing if not open-minded, ya know :)! But there is that natural Virgo resistance-to-change trait, then there is the stubborn Norwegian/German heritage, then there is the fact that I'm immature and insist upon being rebellious sometimes, which manifests itself in my refusal to do what society and/or any and all others think I should do. And, finally, there are just times when I really LIKE the way I think.

That being said, what I really, really want to think differently about is losing some weight--and that is what I WILL think differently about. In that, I am going to stop thinking about it as losing weight and think of it instead as eating healthier to be healthier. As I have said before, I am mostly-unapologetically fat. Not chunky; fat. Heavy, if you're polite. It is my body type, but it is not me. I don't define myself wholly on that fact, and it is not the result of some sort of low-self-esteem-induced self-loathing. And that there may be a segment of society that DOES judge me solely on that, and won't get to know the awesome-ness that is me (hehehe) because of it? Well, that refusal to do what others think I should do? Yeah.

Here's the deal, though. I love food; I love healthy food just as much as I love junk. I have always loved to drink water and have always drank my daily allotment and then some, although I do love me a good, cold Diet Coke, too--but water is my main drink. I love all things leafy and green, along with all the colorful things that are good for you. I love, love, love Brussels Sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, red and yellow peppers, carrots, turnips, parsnips, rutabagas...well, you get the idea. I also love, love, love chips and dip, nachos, burgers and fries, the occasional ice cream, Australian licorice, and a little chocolate every now and then (BWAHAHA!). NOW...I HEREBY VOW TO THINK DIFFERENTLY ABOUT WHAT I CHOOSE TO PUT IN MY MOUTH; I AM GOING TO THINK DIFFERENTLY BY REALIZING THAT IT IS JUST A MATTER OF EATING HEALTHY RATHER THAN DIET-INDUCED DEPRIVATION. All things considered, my health is not bad at all--but it can always be better. Plus, I want to be around for a very long time, in order to keep bugging everyone in the blogosphere. With my family's tendency to drop dead of heart attacks at age 61, it really would behoove me to think differently about this.

Here are the people I'm tagging:

Katie at Overflowing Brain
Kimmy at Tales of a Blender Kimmy, and
Heidi at Viking Conquest

Have fun, you three!

And thanks, Amy!!!...

YEAH, BABY! #1 OF ???, 19JAN08...

One would probably never guess it, but I am home from work...that makes me happy when it is this FREAKING cold outside. ML e-mailed to ask if I was staying warm...she has her smart-ass moments...and I told her I looked like Nanook of the North walking into work this morning. Right now it is -6--that is SIX DEGREES BELOW ZERO--but is supposed to get down to -15 actual temp, with wind chills of -20 to -30. THIRTY DEGREES BELOW ZERO. See, I told ya! Colder than a witches tit. You heard it here first :).

I think I am feeling so good right now because I slept in this morning and didn't go to work until 7:30--and only worked for four hours. So that makes this a one-and-one-half-day work week. Which is even better than the two-day work week I was waxing poetic about yesterday. I truly think I was meant to be independently wealthy. I would be a good wealthy person; I would share with others, I would play well with others, and I would spend lots of time putting in volunteer hours at CaringBridge, the Blood Bank, and other charities that I like that offer volunteer opportunities. I would not be any more selfish than I am right now. The bottom line to this little fantasy is that it's really a good thing I have a job that I like; whatever would I do if I detested my job?

It's gonna be a fun day. I want to cook some things, I want to hound everybody on their blogs plus overwrite on my own, and watch movies. Speak of--Hi Debbie! Thanks for the movie suggestions, and if you've read here at all, you already know I completely understand the not remembering the titles...HAHA! Do you have a blog I can visit and comment to? If not, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR, GIRL!!!! Just joking (sort of). Anyway, I'm glad you visited and commented.

How are all of you spending your respective weekends...

FRIGID WEEKEND AHEAD...

Say...this two-day work week thing? NIIIIIIIIICE!!!

I am issuing a weekend warning right now. Expect to see lots of me in your comments; expect to see me stalking you when you check your site meters; if you're not updating over the weekend, expect me to FINALLY spend hours going back and reading your older posts to get to know you and your families better and, last but not least, expect multiple daily posts on my blog. Because, if you will excuse my crass-ness, it is going to be colder than a well-digger's ass here this weekend and once I get home from work tomorrow, here is where I will be staying until time to go back to work in the wee hours of Tuesday morning.

Minnesota in January, she is not very nice. It's really a good thing I have that hermit streak because this could get really rough on a person who feels the need to be out and about. Both tomorrow and Sunday are going to be the type of days that even the most die-hard winter-lovers can't stand. It's not going to be safe to be outside.

Now here's a question for anybody who partakes of the convenience-ness that is Netflix. Has anybody else taken advantage of the Netflix-on-demand that you can watch on your computer? Well, I have and IT ROCKS. Of course, the movies aren't the new, up-do-date top rentals but they do have a pretty vast selection. I like all the same ones as everyone else, but I also really like some of the interesting little indie movies--I saw and LOVED "Juno"--and documentaries and things like that. Do any of you have suggestions for some good Netflix-on-demand movies to watch this weekend?

Lori, Tori and I were supposed to meet up on Sunday and go out to lunch, but we've nixed that idea due to cold. Todd and the older boys are going with a bunch of other guys on an ice-fishing trip this weekend, and I'm really a little worried about them. They will be way, way, way Up North where the state's most frigid temperatures happen and I can only hope that nobody does anything stupid. What I'm hoping is that they spend a lot of time inside the cabin, by the fire, playing cards or doing whatever else they do on those weekends when they're not fishing. In case anyone with the little ones was wondering, you ALWAYS worry--it makes no difference hold old your "kids" are! There's no escaping it. Just something for y'all to look forward to :)!

Oh so much more to come...

ANOTHER REASON TO LOVE BLOGGING...

Lots of times, I find new blogs to read by clicking on a name that I find in a blogger friend's comments. I mean, really, we're all liking the same people, right? This is a great way to find new, wonderful blogs. I found a really fun one today, and she was doing something very interesting that she had been tagged with from another site. It's called "Think Different."


I really like that. Once again, it is a case of being led to what I need when I need it! I will never cease to be amazed by how that works! It's basically just about finding something that you have a certain (possibly negative) mindset about, and thinking differently about it. On and off, I do this on my own. But not enough. And finding this today actually gives me a visual reminder that just because I have been one way about something doesn't mean it has to continue on that way.

I am such a typical Virgo in that I am not crazy about change, but one of the advantages of getting older--at least for me--is that change is no longer so tough. For some reason, I find it easier to roll with the punches now than when I was younger. Could it be that is even part of thinking different?

I have so much to think different about, I think I'll be busy for a while :) ...

READY TO GO BACK TO WORK...

I guess that, since it's 3 a.m. and I am already up, it's time to go back to work. Or back to bed. No, really--I am feeling much better and now starting to get a little antsy to get back out in the world. Just in time for it to turn all different kinds of cold outside.

For about the last week I've been feeling a little unsettled, or something on that order. I pretty much chalked it up to not feeling good. But just yesterday, I realized the real source of that--and I can't believe it took me so long to figure it out. Todays is my Mom's birthday. Happy 71st birthday, Mom. Coming up on March 23, it will be 10 years ago that she died. My gosh, so much has happened in that time. So much. Sometimes I think I'm learning to roll with the punches pretty good, and then other times not so good at all.

One of my friends does not ever "look back"--so to speak. Once something has happened, it's behind her and she's done with it. She and I have had many conversations about that and I'm still a little in awe of it, because I certainly don't seem to be able to do that no matter how hard I try. And yet, there are lots of times that I think it would be a good thing if I were able to do it that way. Live in the moment and enjoy the moment. I would really like to ask her some more questions about this, but I think that would probably be delving too deep. We have decided it's best for us to be casual friends. Getting together to do something when it works out for both of us, enjoying it for the time without a whole lot of deep thoughts and/or discussions, and then moving on to whatever is next. So I'll probably just wait until there is an appropriate time to ask more questions. Because I really think she may be on to something. Anything that I can do to make my life NOW better would be good. Not that it isn't fine, but it can always be improved upon. I guess it makes sense--how can you make the most of right now if your head is in the past.

Or maybe I'll run it past another one of my friends whose opinion I really trust. Denise is kind of like the happy medium between me and my forward-thinking friend, and I know she will give it to me straight, but not without thought. I do feel very fortunate to have people who make me look at things in different ways and who, when all is said and done, really just want me to be as happy as I can be right now and going forward. For me, I think it's just a matter of learning how to balance living in the here and now while not completely losing my memories of people I have loved who are no longer part of the here and now. Nobody can tell me how to do that, because that has not happened yet to anybody I know. I'm sure it can be done; I just have to figure it out. And I guess I'm the only one who can do that. Whew! Looks like I have some work ahead of me. No wonder I'm anxious to get back to my job...it's easier than trying to figure all this out! :)

Gosh, and I thought trying to come up with haiku for Hallie's contest was hard! Compounding the problem of staying in the here and now and moving forward, trying to get it all figured out makes me feel again the way I did when I was in my 20s. Isn't that ironic? Really! That's the last time I felt so acutely that I needed to get things straight in my head. To have a good future. To reach the goals that I had for myself. The good news is, back then, I did an amazingly good job of it. No reason to think that can't happen again, right? But right now--right this moment--I have two cats sitting right beside me, trying to outdo each other for my attention. And for right now, that's pretty darn good.

It's all going to work out just fine...

WHATNOT...

This is going to be a mish-mash post because I don't have anything of substance to say, but I still feel like writing. See, this is what happens when I don't leave my house, and don't have any plans to leave my house for another two days. Well, except to go to the lab at my clinic tomorrow morning, which will take about two minutes. I now have Thursday off, too. I said I might call in for more days off, and I did. So far, I'm still scheduled for Friday and Saturday; we'll see about that. HA!

Today, Netflix put me in a happy place. They sent this cool little e-mail saying that now I can watch unlimited on-line movies in addition to the ones I get in the mail. I think that's really cool--a movie right there on my computer whenever I want. I immediately watched one called "Brooklyn Rules" and which I enjoyed very much. It was a really good movie, and I might even have it on my Netflix queue--in which case, I can now delete that one. I feel like I'm getting very good value for my money with this little Netflix additional. And God knows, I need to get all the good values I can!

Is anybody out there a phone text message wiz? Because if you are, I have a question. My phone is a Samsung slider, and I have a menu to chose from of my input method--you know--abc, Abc, ABC, etc. And then there is the T9 Abc. My understanding of this T9 thing is that it makes it so you don't have to tap your keys more than once, and it will interpret what you've put in even though it makes no sense on the screen. Does anybody know anything about how this works? I tried it once and obviously didn't do something right. Which isn't a surprise because I'm as big a bumbler with phones as I am with the computer. I just jump in and give it a try even when I don't know what I'm doing--then go back and fix it later :)! Denise was trying to explain it to me over the phone, from instructions from her boyfriend--and it all made sense, but it just didn't work for me. I'm wondering, though, her guy has one of those new iPhones, so maybe it's just the difference between his phone and mine? And now she treated herself to a Blackberry Curve so I'm sure hers will just automatically do it all for her! So if there's anybody out there who has a (relatively) normal, plain phone like mine and you know the in's and out's of that form of texting, share please! I'm scared I'm going to wear the keys out on my new phone, and I wouldn't want that to happen because I love my phone :)!

Once again, I have not really accomplished anything today, but there is still time. And I have plans; oh, how I have plans. And then after I do some domestic-type things, I must sit around and try to think up many, many haiku for the contest over at Hallie's place. I already submitted one not-so-good-one this morning, but it sure was fun to try to come up with the old 5-7-5 again; it's been many years since I've done that. Plus, it's all about her Shmoopman! If you haven't already, check it out. Guaranteed fun!

I am feeling better, and am even feeling a lot less tired now. Still congested and still with the ooky nose, but oh well. I really don't think that any of what is left can be helped by more antibiotics; I think now it will just take time. Which I have plenty of :). I'm now even starting to feel a little less hermit-like. Could it be?

So, talk to me...

I LOVE BLOGGING AND I CANNOT LIE...

As I have said so many times, I love to write. I have loved to write from the time I could write. It has always--in all of its forms--had a therapeutic effect on me. It is no big surprise, then, that I would love blogging. What is a surprise--even now--is that there are people who read my blog, who seem to like me and what I have to say, and who I just love to pieces.

Until I started my blog, I had kept everything I wrote private, for the most part. And even then, it didn't really occur to me that there would be anybody reading my blog. I didn't tell anybody about it, and I didn't even realize when I left a comment on another blog that it would link back to my blog. Or that anybody would actually click on the link. I think, if I remember right, I even had to google site meters to find out what they were for. The only reason I put one on my blog was because the other ONE blog that I read had one. I think that mostly I put it on just to goof around with my computer and try doing something I didn't know how to do. I was HONESTLY surprised when that site meter showed that somebody was reading my blog, and it even concerned me a little bit--would I still be able to write the way I wanted, the things I wanted, without censoring myself, knowing other people were reading? Because the site meter kept going up but I wasn't getting any comments, I practically begged for delurking. And, to my delight, Katie and Katy came out of lurkerdom. And, then, as blogs tend to do, things just kept on going from there.

I, just like all of the other bloggers, have a life that involves family, a couple of friends that I can call on to do things with when I feel like getting out and about, work, pets, keeping a house, and all of the other things that make up a life. Blogging, for me, is most definitely NOT a substitute for real life. It has been suggested to me that people who spend time in front of a computer are not living their real lives. Well, that simply is not true--not for me, and not for any of the blogger friends that I have. To me, what is interesting is the sharing of our lives--not avoiding our lives! Blogging enhances my life and, quite simply, makes me happy. And my blogger friends are people that I care about very much. Each and every one are people I wouldn't know otherwise, but are also people that I feel I am meant to know. Because each and every one of you enhance my life in some--maybe even many--way(s). And, funny...in my REAL LIFE is where I have to censor myself; not on my blog!

I get to pass along the 2007 Inspiring Blog Award that Kellan passed to me. I had a really hard time getting it down to only one, because there are so many. Lately, though, EVERYDAY there is one blogger that inspires me through her blog. She is fun, funny, nice, thoughtful, and so much more. She inspires me on so many levels that it's hard to put them all into words. The thing that also stands out to me is how much she loves and encourages her BFF. That is a very important thing to me. You put all of this together, and you have Hallie. Yes, it's true--I am inspired by Hallisicle and her Wonderful World of Wieners. I am so glad I know you!


As for everyone else? Love you all...

FROM KELLAN...

Look what I got from Kellan! Isn't that just the nicest thing? Anybody who visits Kellan's site knows she gets a ton of awards, and they are all well-deserved. Everyday, I am so happy to have found Kellan's blog, for so many reasons. She is one of those people whose picture you would find next to the word "classy" in the dictionary. And she honored me further by calling me a very good blogging friend. It means a lot to me...A LOT.

Tomorrow, I think I am going to write in-depth about the way my life has been impacted by blogging, and the people I have met through blogging. A huge part of my life, is what blogging is to me. And the people? Well, I can...and will...fill a whole blog post about the wonderful people.

And then I shall bestow this award on another blogger...

AWARENESS...

For me, before blogs, there was CaringBridge. For me, there will always be CaringBridge.

I handle CaringBridge pretty much the same as blogs; some I visit but don't sign the guestbook, some I sign occasionally, and others practically everyday. There is one particular site, for a young, much-loved local pediatrician with cancer, that is in the visit-but-don't-sign category. Of course, she is always in my prayers but because she has a close circle of friends, patients that she's treated, and fellow cancer warriors that keep her guestbook full, I've never felt lead to sign.

Because I was busy yesterday, in and out, I didn't check many CB sites early in the day. Later on, in the evening, I concentrated on visiting blogs and answering some e-mails. This morning, I went around and checked CB sites first thing. I read that this lovely woman, who has given so much to the world and who still has so much to give, is at the end of her treatment road. There is nothing left, medically, to be done. All that is left for her is hospice and palliative care. The dreaded "h" word; the word that doesn't get said until it's close to being "lights out." When I heard the "h" word that afternoon in Bill's hospital room, I remember the whole room going black for a few moments, and then feeling like I couldn't breathe. Again, this morning when I read the "h" word on her CB page, I felt for a minute like I couldn't breathe.

Even after all of these years, I just cannot get used to hearing of another life that will be lost to cancer. I rejoice and celebrate all of the lives that triumph over it; all of the ones that give the others hope. But then there are the others; the ones who need hospice to help transition to the end of their lives, usually long before their time, so to speak. It gets me, right to the core, and I think it always will. I don't brood, I don't get down and depressed, and I do not stop living my life; if any of those things would make a difference, I would do them--but that's not the case. But it most certainly does get to me. I guess I would just like everyone who reads this to say prayers or send good thoughts or do whatever you do, for all the people battling cancer, and the people who love them, and their caregivers. There are so many kinds of cancer that the general public isn't even all that aware of. Really, when was the last time you heard anything about renal cell carcinoma, or even kidney cancer...who even knows that there are two kinds of renal cell carcinoma, which is the same as kidney cancer, and one is extremely aggressive and is always terminal. I most certainly never knew about it...right up until that was my Bill's diagnosis. How many people have heard of adenosarcoma.

There are some cancers that, for some reason, get lots of attention and are brought out into the public eye; just as they should be. This is fantastic progress, because I can remember the days when the "c" word was not even discussed. I just hope that somehow we can keep going and get even more awareness for some of the less-heard-of forms of this beast. Even if they don't affect as many people as some of the other types, if even one person had had it, then it's worth a mention. At least I think so. It took me a very long time and lots of digging and research to find out that the ribbon color for kidney cancer is kelly green. In a way--and I know you all will understand what I mean--I hope these things NEVER stop getting me at my core.

I have had a very quiet, lazy day--another quiet, lazy day, I should say! I don't really feel all that bad at all, but I sure am tired and do sleep a lot. I assume the z-pack is doing its job and that my body is trying to help itself along by demanding rest? Or else I'm just lazy and need to kick my own butt into getting some energy :)! I will say this, though...at least I had a very good time getting out and about so much yesterday; had a very good time all the way around.

Lynda and I went to Cosetta's for a late lunch--Cosetta's has the very best Italian food I've ever had. It's been around forever; something like 1911, and there are framed photos all over the place of all of years they've been in business. It's an Italian market on one side--imported cheeses and meats and all the really good Italian stuff; with the deli/restaurant on the other side. It's cafeteria style and it's always crazy-busy but the mostaccioli con ricotta with italian sausage is to die for. If any of you ever find yourselves in St. Paul, MN--right down by the Xcel Energy Center, right across W. 7th St.--and you like Italian food, you've GOT to try it. What are the best restaurants in your area; your family favorites? I'm just curious.

Looking forward to a new week, with days off...

DEJA VU...

Hey, first I want to say thanks for all the input on the new look. As you can see, I took some of it, didn't take some of it, and sorta took some more--I made a few changes and tweaks and, for now, I'm pretty happy with it. It's just fun to try out new looks and I'm sure there won't be any one that will ever be permanent. The one constant is that my favorite color is blue, so there will always probably be some of that somewhere.

It seems like it's been forever since I've really written anything here. It isn't that I didn't want to or that I didn't have anything to say...I always seem to have something to say--but I started feeling "not so great" again; the same way I felt when I was really, really sick back in November. The way the crud started out then is the way I started feeling. Luckily for me, I already had an appointment with my doctor for Friday just to get my regular Rx's renewed, and he was able to set me up with a z-pack right away. So, hopefully, we caught it in time and it will be nipped in the bud. Truth be told, I don't think I completely got over it the first time. I was okay enough to carry on through the holidays and such, but I think there was just enough left over to brew away in there for a while. And along with it, I was SO tired, so I've been going to bed fairly early.

Speak of, my alarm went off at my normal middle-of-the-night time. I just kept on hitting snooze and then, I swear, I don't have a clue what happened but I woke up and it was, like, 9:30. Then I thought I'd go to work this afternoon, then I sat here and took it easy and still felt tired so I decided I wouldn't go to work at all today--since I have Tuesday and Wednesday off, why not extend it a little more. Which I did, and I'm so glad! I was able to rest and relax and get caught up with Katy, talk to Denise (who not only keeps me sane and laughing, but is the best all-around BFF anyone could ever ask for), go to lunch with Lynda, and a movie with ML. And now here I am. Starting to feel very tired now though.

So, I am completely looking forward to having the extra days off this coming week. I don't have anything in particular planned, but it's good just to know I won't be setting that alarm for four days. I have been thinking about changing my hours a little bit. The middle-of-the-night hours worked out for me but they're starting to be a little bit harder now. I'm thinking of trying a 4:30 or 5 a.m. start time--maybe. Because I really do like being home by noon. Oh, who knows--I guess I'll just take it as it comes.

I saw the movie "Atonement" today. It was very good and I'm glad I saw it. Vanessa Redgrave is an amazing actress. She had a very small part at the very end of the movie--maybe on the screen five minutes at the most, but it was an incredible five minutes. There are some actresses who are just that way. I think the next one to see will have to be "27 Dresses"--something a little more for light entertainment.

Other than sneezing, yucky sinuses and an irritating little cough, everything is good here. I have no complaints, nothing to whine or gripe about.

Life is very, very good...

WELL...

So, what do we think of the changes. I am completely open to suggestions, criticisms, anything that needs to be changed, etc. My creative bones are few and far between, but I try.

That's all...

DEFINING THE GATES OF HELL...

Upon reflection, I must clarify what I mean when I refer to the Mall of America as The GOH. It pretty much IS a shopper's paradise. Chances are pretty good you will be able to find it there. And as previously stated, you can also find SO, SO many things that you didn't even know you wanted or needed. THAT, MY FRIENDS, IS WHERE "THE GATES OF HELL" COME IN.

Once you are there, you will be separated from every dollar you have. And you will leave with a credit card debt problem that you didn't have going in. They have whole stores devoted to Burberry and Coach, for pete's sake! For all I know, maybe there's even a Prada store. There are some places that I just have to put on the blinders as I walk past, because I dare not even go inside. And for those so inclined, right across the street you will find The Huge Blue Box Store better known as IKEA. There truly is something for everyone. Shopping Heaven or Gates of Hell? It's all in how ya look at it.

There ya have it. YOU decide :) ...

HERE'S THE DEAL...

Here is what makes me so crazy about the Lakeville/St. Paul-HealthPartners visitor(s)/lurker(s). I know you all probably could not really care any less about this, and I certainly don't really want to spend any time on it, either. And I don't really even want to have to think about it.

First, let me say that there are several blogs that I visit and don't comment, some I visit and comment just once or occasionally and, of course, the regulars that I visit everyday and comment everyday. I don't mind people lurking and not commenting, except for if you used to be what I thought was a "friend" ---IRL, even---and then you weren't, and now you just hang around here everyday, reading what I'm thinking and doing and whatever I want to write about, reading what blogger friends write to me, yet you won't come out of the dark and ever leave a comment. As I've said before, in 38 years of "friendship" there were very few times you gave a rat's ass what was on my mind except for how it related to you, so I don't see why the big concern now. Except just nosiness and for the 4 of you to get on IM and discuss it. I've asked you to either leave me a comment or leave me alone and stop stalking my blog but as always, what YOU want to do is the most important thing. It makes NOT ONE BIT of difference to you what I want for my own blog.

This...right here...is what I like to do. This is what I need to do, for my own sanity--and I don't want to censor what I write and I don't want to worry about someone who isn't even a part of my life anymore judging me and discussing my thoughts and writings with your whole family, while not discussing any of it with me. I cannot even imagine not having this blog and the support I get from it. But I don't know what else to do. There are more complicated blogs out there where I could block people that I don't want to visit, but it sounds complicated and I think it costs money. As far as the complicated goes, I'm doing good to be able to handle this, which I feel is probably the easiest of all the blogs; as far as paying money to blog goes, that won't be happening. I'd just shut it down first, and I just really, really, really don't want to do that. Is your nosiness THAT important because, if that's the case, then you need no further explanations as to why we aren't "friends"--or whatever we were--anymore. It has always been and probably always will be ALL ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT, but with this thing--just this one thing--I would really appreciate it if you could just do what I ask. Either join the blogworld and leave a comment if you're gonna read everyday, or leave me alone.

Debbie, I'm asking this of you--or if it's you, Debbie's Mom--come on--I don't want to have to stop doing the one thing I enjoy.

And if you're somebody other than Debbie or Debbie's Mom, identify yourself so I can relax...

GATES OF HELL--AKA MOA...

I could not blog yesterday because I was busy shopping at The Mall of America--MOA, MegaMess, Gates of Hell. It's all the same to me. But, man, you can really find some stuff you never knew you needed over there--and I think I came home with a large share of it yesterday.

By the time I got home it was late, I had two starving cats, I had a starving me, and there was fun to be had on my new phone with my BFF Denise because now we can talk all we want--which is a LOT--without having to worry about me going over my minutes. And text, which I just learned to do last weekend and which I love to do with a passion. Then, I had to go to bed before it was time to get up.

I was originally planning on going to the AT&T store to switch my wireless company, and to the Apple Store for one of those cute little colored iPod Nanos. I even checked the locations ahead of time to try to plot the fastest course between the two. In and out. Easy peasy. Well, I immediately got sidetracked by Radio Shack before I even got to AT&T--they had this giant poster in the window advertising what you could get when switching to AT&T, so why not just go there instead of AT&T? I moseyed in and found that, not only could I switch my phone service there and get the cutest new Samsung red and black slider phone for free, but I could also buy my blue 8Gb (that's EIGHT, count 'em, EIGHT--gigs) iPod Nano there. Cool. But then there was the two hours between when I bought the stuff and when it would be ready for me to pick up and have it all be good to go and ready for use. No choice other than to wander around and shop.

So, I really didn't do all that much extra damage and it was fun. But, my gosh, I don't know what was up with me--I was up and down all three floors and back and forth between all four corners in that two hours and by the time I got home my short, fat little tree-trunk legs were in all manner of pain. But, oh, did I sleep last night. Not nearly as long as I would have liked, though. And so that's one of my big twice-yearly-at-the-most sojourns into the Gates Of Hell.

I don't have a lot to say, everything is really pretty quiet for me. I could talk about what I've named The Great Coffee Club Brouhaha of 2008, I guess. In all of the 10--close to 11--years that I've worked in my department, we have had this pretty cool coffee club that, a couple of years into it, turned even cooler. We had several different kinds of brewed coffee, both high octane and decaf--Starbucks, Caribou--French Roast, Columbian, Special Blends--plus Millstone flavored coffees. Additionally, there is Chai, a huge variety of other teas, hot chocolate and spiced cider packetws, flavored creamers--the whole shebang. A few years ago, a bunch of us also got together and added bottled water-on-top-of-the-tank-dispenser to the mix. So we had both a Coffee Club and a Water Club. ALL of this, including making all of the coffee and cleaning up, was done by one guy. Oh, and all of the bookkeeping and money collecting, too. For all those years, one guy took care of all this--and never seemed to mind, and always did a great job.

All of a sudden at the end of the year and into the beginning of the new, there is a posting saying the guy who used to take care of it all is done. He will no longer be involved AT ALL. Hmmm. Now, I know this guy, and I know he wouldn't do that. So I pretty much figured it had something to do with someone telling him not to do it anymore, and office scuttlebutt agreed. This is where the Brouhaha starts. Because remember that old, old Dunkin' Donuts commercial with the guy shuffling around mumbling "it's time to make the donuts"? It's like that at work except instead of the donuts, it's time to make the coffee and there's no one to do it. I think it's been harder on the higher-ups than it is on the rest of us worker bees. We're just more resourceful and used to figuring things out for ourselves. While they? Aren't . HAHAHA! The saga is on-going even as we speak. I'll keep everyone posted on the progress. Oh heavens, how can you stand the suspense. I mean, really--tragic as the situation is, I think we will probably all live through it. But so much for thinking there will be a good change with the new sheriff in town, who suddenly isn't as handsome as first thought. Once again, and always, I think--same shit/different sheriff. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Que Sera Sera.

*****And just as a little side bar? My little BLUE iPod Nano that I love so much and that is so pretty? Well, I think whoever called it BLUE had to be a man, because it's definitely aqua to me. While the green one is pretty much light green, the BLUE is definitely aqua. Men who are colorblind usually have most of their problems differentiating between BLUE and green right? While my iPod most definitely is not BLUE, it is a really pretty aqua. Just thought I would share this with everyone. Thank you for your attention. {curtsies prettily and exits stage left}*****

That's a wrap...

YOU CAN'T FOOL ME...

Hey you, over there at HealthPartners--how about this. If you are NOT who I think you are, why don't you just once de-lurk. I would really like to be proven wrong because, frankly, whenever I see St. Paul, Minnesota and it wasn't me visiting myself at work, then I know it's going to say HealthPartners. And it really freakin' creeps me out. Just as much, if not more, than the Lakeville, Minnesota ones, which stopped--thankfully. Because I think the one = the other. I'm now just being spied on from work instead of from home. If you ARE who I think you are, for pete's sake, just call me. I won't rip ya a new one. But don't do this, it's...I don't know...sophomoric? And now, let the real blogging begin.

What a fantastic, restful weekend. I did a whole lot of nothing besides puttering around the house, and that was exactly what I wanted to do. Yesterday afternoon, instead of the whole younger-Danielson family trooping into my house, I only got Todd. Too funny. I was sitting here, oblivious, when my roof started making strange noises. I had just gotten out of the shower and I couldn't imagine what was happening up there. Remember, I just got a new roof a few months back, and I'm having visions of some sort of roof catastrophe.

Upon investigation, there was my most-excellent son, raking off my roof. Who then went to his van and pulled out a brand-new laptop table for me! It was another Christmas present, but when they tried to get it for Christmas, it was out of stock and wouldn't be in until the end of January, they were told. They decided to just surprise me with it when they got it rather than tell me about it. How fun! I am all for post-Christmas gifts!

I enquired after the rest of the family, and Todd told me that since the twins were all whipped up and bouncing off the walls, and since the older boys were watching football and since Lori was probably at her wits' end--they decided to be nice and not bring the chaos over and inflict it on me. And for that, I am grateful :)! I love them, but if they're going to bounce off the walls and hang from the ceiling fans, I prefer they do it at their house. Mine are all still too new for that! A grandma must have her priorities. I really, really love my awesome walls. Todd finished clearing some of the snow off the roof, came in and had some water and we sat around and gossiped for a while. Got filled in on all of the latest ice-fishing stats for all of my boys :)!!! I absolutely LOVE the stuff that Todd talks to me about; he thinks that I absolutely live to hear about ice fishing, sports, and all of the other stuff that is important to him and Jeremy and Blake and even Kenzie (McKay, not so much). And ya know what? I guess I do. I really do absolutely and without question live to hear whatever he wants to talk to me about.

Other than that, I didn't socialize much this weekend--if you don't count hanging endlessly on the phone and in e-mails with Denise. And laughing SO MUCH and SO HARD that I was tired even today! I can't even begin to say how much fun we had. If anybody would have heard me carrying on, I think I would have been the next one they'd have hauled out on a gurney! This morning when I read both Hallie's and BK's blogs about their phone conversation yesterday, I could completely relate because Denise and I did the same thing. It was so much fun, and so what I needed. Good times.

And tomorrow it's back to work, and I'm actually rather looking forward to it because of all I accomplished there on Saturday. It doesn't seem quite so overwhelming anymore and, as I think it already said in an earlier post, there is light at the end of tunnel for getting completely caught up. Before the spring busy time starts.

It's starting to feel like a new year...

COMPUTER ILLITERATE...

*******A-HEM. MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE? REALLY...PLEASE?******* There IS a second post for this day--it's right UNDER this one and starts out "I AM SEPTEMBER..." Cause I know how really important reading everything I write is to you! HA!

Because I am trying very hard to overcome my computer illiterate-ness, this is a test blog post. I am herein going to teach myself the latest in copy/paste and hyperlink technology, compliments of my good friend Katy. And the reason why I have to do this is because my other good friend Katie, not to be confused with the Katy above, tagged me with a really fun new thing with which to tag people and if I want to participate in all of this blog fun, I need to know how to do these things. So stay tuned, because there will be another post today, there will be some fun therein, and there will be tagging.

Now that I can hyperlink, look out! Another reason to be vewwy, vewwy afraid...

I AM SEPTEMBER, AND WHAT A SWEETHEART THAT MAKES ME...

Because she's known me a long time and, therefore, knows how I like to blather on endlessly about myself (because I'm just so sure you all are really concerned with getting to know the deep-down intricacies of the inner-workings of kim-d), my good friend Katie tagged me for a new thing. That is really gonna be a lot of fun, now that I've learned how to do all I must do to make it happen over here on lifeafter... which, I must say, was no small feat given my level of computer illiterate-ness (see post above). So here goes, I think. First come the rules:

1. Mention the person who tagged you and create a link back to them
2. Copy-paste the traits for all the twelve months.
3. Pick your month of birth.
4. Highlight the traits that apply to you.
5. Tag 12 people and let them know by visiting their blogs and leaving a comment for them.
6. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve done it!

Here is me. My birth month is September. Which explains a lot :):

SEPTEMBER: Suave and compromising. Careful, cautious and organized. Likes to point out people’s mistakes. Likes to criticize. Stubborn. Quiet but able to talk well. Calm and cool. Kind and sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal but not always honest. Does work well. Very confident. Sensitive. Good memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look for information. Must control oneself when criticizing. Able to motivate oneself. Understanding. Fun to be around. Secretive. Loves leisure and traveling. Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up feelings. Very choosy, especially in relationships. Systematic.

*** Apparently, the items I chose to describe myself--by making them bold--show up that way on this draft, but they don't show up in bold on the actual blog post. So, here is a list of the items I chose to describe myself: Compromising. Stubborn. Quiet but able to talk well. Kind and sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal. Always honest. Does work well. Sensitive. Good memory. Loves to look for information. Able to motivate oneself. Understanding. Fun to be around. Loves leisure. Tends to bottle up feelings. Very choosy, especially in relationships. Systematic.*** ~~(And apparently also thinks very highly of herself...hehehe)~~

Oh yeah. That all makes me just a gem now, doesn't it. This I must say--I don't think I like to point out people's mistakes or criticize. I really hope I don't, but maybe other people in my life think I do. The older I get, the less critical of other people I am--however, I AM always honest and I pretty much say it as I see it, so if that is considered criticizing, then I guess I do. And the good memory? HAHAHA--prior to the menopausal mind problem, I had a freakishly good memory; short-term, long-term and everything in-between. My memory is what got me good grades in school, because it sure wasn't a lot of hard studying that did it. I put in probably about 10% effort. My freakishly good memory got me through, in all of the "academic" type courses. When it came to office stuff--shorthand/typing/general office--that was natural talent, I could just do all of that. Do ya believe it? Natural talent for being a clerical working bee; karma for the freakishly good memory, perhaps? Anyway. All the rest is just absolutely true. They just forgot to put in lazy. I am very lazy when I want to be. I can also be the most motivated, plodding, determined, tenacious person you've ever known, when I want to be. Because above all, I ALWAYS try to be nice to myself. There ya have it, kim-d in a nutshell. What I'd be interested in seeing is what other people would highlight about me...

Now, here are the people I'd like to tag. The rules say you're supposed to tag twelve people--well, for crying out loud, do I have twelve? I haven't counted up recently. The fact of the matter is, I'd like to keep whoever comes here and reads, so I'm just going to say this--if you read this and it seems like fun to you, then tag, you're it. I'd LOVE to have the following people participate: Katy and Monk, who are both November, Kellan, Hallie, Blender Kimmy, Heidi, Claudia, and Lizzy. But if any/all of you don't want to, I'll still love you.

So, here are the months:

JANUARY: Stubborn and hard-hearted. Ambitious and serious. Loves to teach and be taught. Always looking at people’s flaws and weaknesses. Likes to criticize. Hardworking and productive. Smart, neat and organized. Sensitive and has deep thoughts. Knows how to make others happy. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Rather reserved. Highly attentive. Resistant to illnesses but prone to colds. Romantic but has difficulties expressing love. Loves children. Loyal. Has great social abilities yet easily jealous. Very stubborn and money cautious.

FEBRUARY: Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. Sexy. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble. Honest and loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizes dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions.

MARCH: Attractive personality. Sexy. Affectionate. Shy and reserved. Secretive. Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic. Loves peace and serenity. Sensitive to others. Loves to serve others. Easily angered. Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness. Observant and assesses others. Revengeful. Loves to dream and fantasize. Loves traveling. Loves attention. Hasty decisions in choosing partners. Loves home decors. Musically talented. Loves special things. Moody.

APRIL: Active and dynamic. Decisive and hasty but tends to regret. Attractive and affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention. Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly and solves people’s problems. Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and generous. Emotional. Aggressive. Hasty. Good memory. Moving. Motivates oneself and others. Sickness usually of the head and chest. Sexy in a way that only their lover can see.

MAY: Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves traveling. Dislike being at home. Restless. Not having many children. Hardworking. High spirited. Spendthrift.

JUNE: Thinks far with vision. Easily influenced by kindness. Polite and soft-spoken. Having ideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitating, tends to delay. Choosy and always wants the best. Temperamental. Funny and humorous. Loves to joke. Good debating skills. Talkative. Daydreamer. Friendly. Knows how to make friends. Able to show character. Easily hurt. Prone to getting colds. Loves to dress up. Easily bored. Fussy. Seldom shows emotions. Takes time to recover when hurt. Brand conscious. Executive. Stubborn.

JULY: Fun to be with. Secretive. Difficult to fathom and to be understood. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation. Easily consoled. Honest. Concerned about people’s feelings. Tactful. Friendly. Approachable. Emotional temperamental and unpredictable. Moody and easily hurt. Witty and sparkly. Not revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets. Dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things. Guides others physically and mentally. Sensitive and forms impressions carefully. Caring and loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people through observations. Hardworking. No difficulties in studying. Loves to be alone. Always broods about the past and the old friends. Likes to be quiet. Homely person. Waits for friends. Never looks for friends. Not aggressive unless provoked. Prone to having stomach and dieting problems. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt but takes long to recover.

AUGUST: Loves to joke. Attractive. Suave and caring. Brave and fearless. Firm and has leadership qualities. Knows how to console others. Too generous and egoistic. Takes high pride in oneself. Thirsty for praises. Extraordinary spirit. Easily angered. Angry when provoked. Easily jealous. Observant. Careful and cautious. Thinks quickly. Independent thoughts. Loves to lead and to be led. Loves to dream. Talented in the arts, music and defense. Sensitive but not petty. Poor resistance against illnesses. Learns to relax. Hasty and trusty. Romantic. Loving and caring. Loves to make friends.

SEPTEMBER: Suave and compromising. Careful, cautious and organized. Likes to point out people’s mistakes. Likes to criticize. Stubborn. Quiet but able to talk well. Calm and cool. Kind and sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal but not always honest. Does work well. Very confident. Sensitive. Good memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look for information. Must control oneself when criticizing. Able to motivate oneself. Understanding. Fun to be around. Secretive. Loves leisure and traveling. Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up feelings. Very choosy, especially in relationships. Systematic.

OCTOBER: Loves to chat. Loves those who loves them. Loves to take things at the center. Inner and physical beauty. Lies but doesn’t pretend. Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. Always making friends. Easily hurt but recovers easily. Daydreamer. Opinionated. Does not care of what others think. Emotional. Decisive. Strong clairvoyance. Loves to travel, the arts and literature. Touchy and easily jealous. Concerned. Loves outdoors. Just and fair. Spendthrift. Easily influenced. Easily loses confidence. Loves children.

NOVEMBER: Has a lot of ideas. Difficult to fathom. Thinks forward. Unique and brilliant. Extraordinary ideas. Sharp thinking. Fine and strong clairvoyance. Can become good doctors. Dynamic in personality. Secretive. Inquisitive. Knows how to dig secrets. Always thinking. Less talkative but amiable. Brave and generous. Patient. Stubborn and hard-hearted. If there is a will, there is a way. Determined. Never give up. Hardly becomes angry unless provoked. Loves to be alone. Thinks differently from others. Sharp-minded. Motivates oneself. Does not appreciate praises. High-spirited. Well-built and tough. Deep love and emotions. Romantic. Uncertain in relationships. Homely. Hardworking. High abilities. Trustworthy. Honest and keeps secrets. Not able to control emotions. Unpredictable.

DECEMBER: Loyal and generous. Sexy. Patriotic. Active in games and interactions. Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Loves to socialize. Loves praises. Loves attention. Loves to be loved. Honest and trustworthy. Not pretending. Short tempered. Changing personality. Not egotistic. Take high pride in oneself. Hates restrictions. Loves to joke. Good sense of humor. Logical.

And thus ends the blog fun. Now, because this is incredibly long and I must do a few things, I'm going. BUT. Since I think I have lots more to say, there is a very real possibility it could be a three-blog-post day. Unprecedented in the history of lifeafter... I think.

Yeah, freakishly good memory...