HNT...Take Me Away

It's been one of those weeks! At least I have two of my favorite things to make me feel better...Kokanee beer and fresh from the orchard apple cider. The OJ...it expired on Sept 9th and has never been open. There's a veggie tray there, it's edible, no E. Coli. The corn shells work for a cheese quisadilla in a pinch. The salad dressing, very good but no spinach to eat it with :( Guess I'll have to settle for a beer and I'm off to bed. Happy HNT

HNT...will they ever look better?

Don't even start with the smart ass comments. My knees are never ever going to be lady like. They have scars (one from an eighth grade teeter totter accident, eighth graders are too tall to play safely on a teeter totter), recurrent roadrash on the right one, bruises from playing v-ball without knee pads, kneeling on concrete floors at work to put on splints. Thank god just below the knee skirts are now "in". These current raspberries are two weeks old and I think they are just staying.

Favorite time of year...

The air is crisp, the temps cooler, the mornings have a chill, the sun sets sooner...fall is upon us.

I love this time of year. There is something about it that makes me feel alive. I enjoy working around the house on a fall weekend with the windows open, a mcintosh apple or pumpkin spice candle burning. My "backyard" isn't a yard at all but a very steep hill filled with trees that are all starting to turn to shades of rust, red, and yellow. In the morning, when I step out of the house I can smell the colors turning.

Could fall last forever?

Getting there...

Isn't he adorable? i've been working in my office all day and the cats had a blast playing at my feet the whole time. just an hour before this Romeo was playing football in the kitchen while I finished up a few things. I caught him napping just now before we head upstairs to go to bed. I couldn't resist this precious shot. I'm off now with my cup of tea and book to call it a night myself. Have a great week!

Observations for a busy week...

It's Friday? Really? Are you sure?

1. When agreeing to do a presentation...don't agree to do one on two different days back to back
2. When agreeing to do a presentation in April...realize September is only 5 months away
3. When giving said presentation...where a lot of deodorant
4. I'm not proud of it but...I went "Miranda Priestly" on an office assistant this week
5. When you are an office assistant...just do what you are asked, those smarter than you have already put things together to make it as simple as possible, just follow directions
6. When lifting a box, be prepared for it to be heavier than you think....screen doors when slamming on leg will leave a straight 6 inch by 1 inch bruise to match the edge
7. Those that love us, really do love us...trust that
8. When you have serious trust issues from the past AND become stressed...little things can send you over the edge
9. Nearing thirty...since when do I get heartburn!?
10. Friends are busy...Os, I miss you.
11. Friends are lonely...guys, feel free to use my shoulder
12. September means fall weather...putting that first warm cable sweater on for the season feels like heaven
13. Putting that warm sweater on to go to a high school football game...again, feels like heaven
14. Falling asleep in the arms of someone you love when stressed to the max...feels like heaven
15. When winning a volleyball game through hard work and team work...you don't notice you forgot our knee pads until the shower afterwards
16. There are some really really KIND people in this world...I'm glad I know a few

Just some random thoughts...now one more "job" to do yet tonight and then...THE WEEKEND!

I'm in a funk...

I don't know what my problem is. My head is up my ass.

I'm just not "on". I feel edgy. i'm on the verge of tears over nothingness. My stomach has a mind of it's own. I'm acting jealous, freaking out on trust issues that I have been repeatedly told aren't an issue, and nearing paranoia. Don't know where this groove got stuck but it's stuck and it's starting to piss me off but my body seems to react to it in the negative (you know...waves of "oh my God I'm going to hurl", hot sweaty palms, chest pounding) in spite of my very logical brain telling myself to knock it off.

Some of you "know". Why is it such a problem all of a sudden again? I thought I was over it.

Doing Better...

Day two I'm feeling much better now. I felt fine yesterday morning for the first few hours. Then it all seemed to hit me after a 40 minute windy car drive. Ugh. Oh well...I lived. I was able to keep lunch and dinner down yesterday so not too bad.

Now I need to be productive. I'm giving two presentations this week (Friday and Saturday) and I have neither one done. Guess I know what I'm doing today. Now for coffee...

A friend of mine...

Jose' Cuervo you are a friend of mine,
I like to drink you with a little salt and lime.

Yeah...long night last night. I was home before midnight but after several beers and then letting a friend buy me a shot, "any shot, whatever", I slept propped upright on the couch. What a night!

Ugh...HNT

I dislike grumpy people, mean people, people lacking common sense. I dislike being excluded, ignored, cut short, not trusted. I dislike that I get grumpy, that I get tired, that I can't trust others. I dislike waiting, I dislike that I'm not patient. If I could just punch something inanimate and really hard I think I would feel better...Instead I'm saying screw it and going to bed before 9 pm because I'm too tired.

Labor Day Drive

So Os said we had to post about our drive to work...unfortunately mine takes only about 10 minutes and isn't exciting in any way. So not much to say but this is how I got to work this morning at 6:45 am!!!

See that! The leaves are starting to change colors!! I love this time of year.

I take a short cut to my parking lot so I get to the hospital one exit early :)

It is serious privilege to have parking in this elite structure! I have privilege :)

It's over??

Are you sure tomorrow's Tuesday? I need another three day weekend. I got so much done this weekend that I want to keep going. The first coat on all the edges is done and as you can see the last touch up needs to be completed but at least the first coat is on. Any suggestions on what to do with that darn white window? I love the hardwood as is, but the white window is a little much.

To Do: MOSTLY DONE...Not too shabby for three days without work or the boy around :)
1. Spackle holes left by previous owner on third floor DONE
2. Prime with charcoal colored primer DONE
3. Paint in cocoa puff and maple leaf DONE
4. Mount wall shelves for stamping stuff Think I need an IKEA trip to find these
5. Install other buildings storm door DONE
6. Pick up and install four new mailboxes for the townhome association
7. Take Labor Day "trip to work" pictures IN PROGRESS
8. Meet a blogger world friend for lunch DONE
9. Write out retreat for the 16th Will work on tomorrow when I get home from work
10. Work on ACL paper Found ALL my notes on this topic and put them in ONE spot
11. Paint my toenails DONE
12. Cut out all my uncut stamp sets DONE
13. Play with the cats DONE...sat on Regg's tail for 2 minutes before I figured out why he was meowing up a storm :(

Croc Hunter Killed

This is how I want to go out of this world. Not necessarily stung by a sting ray but doing what I love. The Great Croc Hunter leaves behind two adorable childern that at their young age have had more adventures than most 70 year olds. The guy was bit on the annoyoing side but wow, he lived a life.

SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- Steve Irwin, the TV presenter known as the "Crocodile Hunter," has died after being stung by a stingray in a marine accident off Australia's north coast.

Media reports say Irwin was diving in waters off Port Douglas, north of Cairns, when the incident happened on Monday morning.

Irwin, 44 was killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest, according to Cairns police sources. Irwin was filming an underwater documentary at the time.

Ambulance officers confirmed they attended a reef fatality Monday morning off Port Douglas, according to Australian media. (Watch scenes of Irwin, known for his his enthusiasm and support for conservation -- 2:49)

Queensland Police Services also confirmed Irwin's death and said his family had been notified. Irwin was director of the Australian Zoo in Queensland.

He is survived by his American-born wife Terri and their two children, Bindi Sue, born 1998, and Robert (Bob), born December 2003.

"The world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest dads on the planet," his friend and producer John Stainton told reporters in Cairns, according to The Associated Press. "He died doing what he loved best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. He would have said, 'Crocs Rule!' "

Australia Prime Minister John Howard said he was "shocked and distressed at Steve Irwin's sudden, untimely and freakish death," according to the AP.

Irwin became a popular figure on Australian and international television through Irwin's close handling of wildlife, most notably the capture and relocation of crocodiles.

Irwin's enthusiastic approach to nature conservation and the environment won him a global following. He was known for his exuberance and use of the catch phrase "Crikey!"

But his image suffered a setback in January 2004 when he held his then 1-month-old baby Bob while feeding a crocodile at his Australian zoo. (Full story)

In a statement released to Australian media, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer expressed his sorrow and said that he was fond of Irwin and was very appreciative of all the work he had done in promoting Australia overseas.

In 2003, Irwin spoke to the Australian Broadcasting Corp.'s "Australian Story" television program about how he was perceived in his home country.

"When I see what's happened all over the world, they're looking at me as this very popular, wildlife warrior Australian bloke," he said, the ABC reported.

"And yet back here in my own country, some people find me a little bit embarrassing. "You know, there's this... they kind of cringe, you know, 'cause I'm coming out with 'Crikey' and 'Look at this beauty.' "

Blogger Lunch

Sandi and I had lunch today. A few months ago she asked what she could do this summer and we had figured out we worked in the same town and lived only 20 miles apart. We decided to meet for lunch. School hasn't started here yet so it still officially counts as summer and we met up for brunch this morning.

We managed to chat away almost 2 hours of our day. It's like sitting down with a friend you have known for a long time but never seen before. There's an occasional lull in the coversation but it's quickly filled. It was nice to meet in person. We snagged a random waiter and have him snap a picture of us. Don't know what the weird computer screen/kid game thing was at our table but oh, well. We had a good time with good conversation and that's all that matters.

Look-alike? Yeah, maybe

A few other's have tried this so I thought what the heck. The boy always tells me I look like Hillary Duff. That one didn't come up but I thought Alicia Silverstone was a pretty good match. Wonder what she would look like with paint in her hair and dust and paint all over her feet?

Getting there...

To Do:
1. Spackle holes left by previous owner on third floor DONE
2. Prime with charcoal colored primer DONE
3. Paint in cocoa puff and maple leaf HALF DONE (maple leaf done)
4. Mount wall shelves for stamping stuff
5. Install other buildings storm door
6. Pick up and install four new mailboxes for the townhome association
7. Take Labor Day "trip to work" pictures IN PROGRESS
8. Meet a blogger world friend for lunch
9. Write out retreat for the 16th
10. Work on ACL paper
11. Paint my toenails
12. Cut out all my uncut stamp sets
13. Play with the cats DONE...sat on Regg's tail for 2 minutes before I figured out why he was meowing up a storm :(

It's the weekend!

I have so much time! Three whole days without work to spend in my own home. Three days to sleep in. Three days to do home improvements. I'm so excited!

To Do:
1. Spackle holes left by previous owner on third floor
2. Prime with charcoal colored primer
3. Paint in cocoa puff and maple leaf
4. Mount wall shelves for stamping stuff
5. Install other buildings storm door
6. Pick up and install four new mailboxes for the townhome association
7. Take Labor Day "trip to work" pictures
8. Meet a blogger world friend for lunch
9. Write out retreat for the 16th
10. Work on ACL paper
11. Paint my toenails
12. Cut out all my uncut stamp sets
13. Play with the cats

And the list could go on and on. It almost feels like a Monday, all this potential, all the possibility. Let's see what I can really accomplish.