December just around the corner...

geezh...I can hardly believe tomorrow is December 1. Another year has flown. Isn't it funny how when you're young time seems to nearly stand still--especially waiting for good things like birthdays and Christmas and breaks from school. And then you're an adult and it seems it was just yesterday you were driving for the first time, or graduating from high school or college and so on. Now I understand the 'youth is wasted on the young' comment.

On a sad note, the kitty I 'inherited' from downstairs has been gone for over two days now. It's not like Sissy to be gone that long. She generally comes when I call her but not the last two nights. She was just starting to get friendlier to me--rubbing up against my leg, even coming inside (which Willy did not like but he seems sad that she's not there pawing at the window). I just hope nothing bad happened to her and that she was just picked up by someone nice who treats her well.

So if Sissy really is gone, I'm thankful for the time she was around.

self portrait...

...why the hell not...I haven't posted any pics in a while (one of these days I'll get off my arse and load the software for the new camera so I can load some of those pics I've been promising since I got it!)

It's undeniable....

...when it comes to posting I am a slacker. I can come up with lame excuses but the biggest fact is that I've just been lazy...really, really lazy. Seems I get home and the only thing I want to do is veg on the couch--and it's not like there's anything on worth watching--other than Ugly Betty (in my opinion). So as the month draws to a close, I will try to catch up....for

I am thankful:

-for having made the decision (back in the day) to apply for the job and subsequently move to Wharton--even in those times I hate my job
-for incredible sunsets
-the half mile commute to work and the ability to run home for lunch or other issues
-for (finally) having a WalMart in town for those times when I need to pick up things like cat food and shampoo
-the sense of independence my mother gave me and teaching me to not wait for someone if there's something I really want to do
-for cool nights with I can turn off the ac/heat and open doors and windows and enjoy fresh air (and Willy can go out on the patio)
-for the ability to buy the scrapbooking toys I want and have so I can play at home without having to mooch off friends (granted I would like to have more-who wouldn't-but I do have enough for now)
-for finally getting a Taco Bell/KFC in Wharton (yeah, a new choice even if it is fast food...now if we only had a Wendys)
-for having met my great friend Louise who is so good to me in so many ways
-to know that winter break (because calling it Christmas Break is not PC) is right around the corner
-for a wonderful Chiropractor (and his staff) who puts up with my whining and is more than willing to change my treatments to include massages
-for Michaels and Hobby Lobby 40% off coupons and for Scrapbook Village who will accept them and even give a 20% off coupon to Book Club members
-for Pinecone Press Book Club and the challenges and fun kits it brings (yes, even the crappy one like tridigi--maybe I should give that one to Robin....hmmmmmmm)
-for Starbucks and their peppermint hot chocolate
-for Hospice who did so much for mom
-for the ability to care for the kitty downstairs after the woman who cared for her passed away (because let's face it, can anyone ever really own a cat?)
-for the technology to allow almost everyone to have the internet in their homes and at their fingertips
-for digital photography and all it brings (I'm so happy to have been able to get my first digital from mom because it allowed me to capture so many memories I most likely never would have on actual film--and it's also generated an interest in photography)

.....that's quite a list for now but I promise to post more by the end of the month....

What the hell is up with Ohio???

First we find out the so-called mother of the child found in Galveston Bay is from Ohio (near Cleveland). Now the news says the wacko who killed the woman at Greenspoint then himself is from Cleveland, Ohio. Was it the cold? The Amish?? What the hell????

Lazy, rainy days...

I'm thankful for lazy, rainy days when I can spend the day lounging and napping. It's seldom I take a day to do absolutely nothing but today has been one of those rare days. I slept in a bit, cooked some breakfast then cleaned the kitchen. Still feeling a bit tired late in the morning I decided on a nap--that lasted almost three hours! I think I'm catching up from yesterday's antics of being up and shopping well before dawn.

For the first time in my life I got up (3am) to be one of the first in line on black Friday. My prey? The Cricut at Michaels. I was the fourth in line and was rewarded with the coveted scrapbooking tool at quite a savings. I can't share pictures because I didn't want any evidence.

It's been in my possession for about 34 hours now and I've yet to play with it! However, the weekend isn't over yet!

Today....

Today I am thankful for my wonderful friends who are forgiving because I have gotten behind in my posting. (Let's see now, that leaves me eight thankfuls to catch up to tomorrow!)

I know...I know....

....I am majorly behind. I haven't been abducted by aliens or sking in the Alps. Things have just been hectic plus trying to deal with some things. I am still around just not posting as I should be. My goal--yes, I'm setting a goal--is to get caught up by the end of the weekend. So stay tuned and I'll do my best to entertain. Maybe I'll finally get my act together to load the new camera software to post pictures from the quilt show and other assorted pictures from the last two weeks.

On a current note....and an addition to 'Are we too PC?'..........

Did you see the story today on yahoo and msn (msn had a link for a video of the news story) about Santa Claus in the land down under? Seems they have been telling their Santas they should say 'ha ha ha' in place of the well known 'ho ho ho' because (get this)....ho ho ho has a negaitive connotation and is frightening to children. Why the concern???? ....wellllll, because 'ho' is an American term for a female prostitute. WHAT???? Tell me, what small child is thinking that Santa is referring to a female prostitute when he says 'ho ho ho'???? This belongs in the John Stossel 'gimme a break' spots.

....more later....promise

Slacker warning/post

It's late, I've only been home a short while (thanks to work) and I still have to do some laundry, pack a bag and go over my presentation material and make notes for tomorrow. Oh and I have to be up, dressed, ready to go and at the office no later than 7:30am (I'm doing good most days if I have my hair almost dry by 7:30am).

It's been an extremely busy not so good day and I'm afraid trying to come up with anything I'm thankful for at this moment would not sound too good. I am not asking for a pass, just forgiveness if I don't catch up till Friday or Saturday (since I'll be in Austin tomorrow night and all day Friday--not certain if I'm going to drag the laptop). And did I mention that I have to be at the office no later than 7:30am?

Is it too early...

...to look forward to the weekend?? I know it's only Tuesday but it's already been a stressful week. Add to that me trying to finish a big presentation (tonight) for Thursday (need the final tomorrow for tweaking and copying handouts) and I'm spent. I've been tapping away in the living room on the lap top all evening but now I am wanting to just lay my head on the pillow (and I don't quite feel done). And then I think of all the next three days entail: get everything together for Thursday which includes a trip to Rosenberg Wednesday night to set up for Thursday, workshop all day Thursday then drive to Austin for a meeting on Friday (that starts at 8:30am), then home after the meeting. I won't even have time to enjoy Austin-just in and out. And so I'm looking forward to the weekend. I have no plans and at the moment am just looking forward to lounging. Of course if a good offer comes way like last weekend I'll be certain to take it. Not to mention chances are good I'll be working on another presentation I have to do next Tuesday and Wednesday night in Katy. At least Thanksgiving break is just around the corner!

Are we TOO PC?

As I sit here I can hear the news on in the other room and one story has caught my attention. It seems in London they are telling Santa to slim down. They say by being fat he's not setting a good example and doesn't send a good nutritional message to kids. Gimme a break! Santa is supposed to be 'round and jolly'. A skinny Santa just doesn't do it for me. So many things change in this world, let's not monkey with what has become tradition for so many.

Today...

I am thankful for Willy...the little furry creature that lives with me. He's quite a little character and oozes with personality. He's not much of a lap cat unless he wants to be and in those times he's the sweetest little guy. Every so often he'll come curl up in my lap but when he's had enough, he's gone.

Yes...I am a day behind...

...that pretty much sums up everything at the moment. I have a HUGE presentation Thursday and I'm still trying to get my powerpoint together. Taking the year off from doing this last year has really made a difference!

And then there's the fact that I fell asleep on the couch last night not long after eating and cleaning up the kitchen. So much for getting anything accomplished last night.

Yesterday's gratitude was for technology and all that it brings to each of our lives. No longer do we have to go to libraries and dig through dusty old volumes of encyclopedias to do research. Just about anything we want is within our reach thanks to the internet and it's even more convenient that most have this in our homes.

Today's thankful thought...

I've been thinking most of the day of the many things for which I am thankful--many trival, some not. Several things have come to mind to list for today but mostly I am thankful for the freedom to enjoy so many things. Most weekends I can sleep in and do things as leisurely as I wish. I can drive my own car (some countries do not allow women to sit in the front seat, much less drive). I can express my opinions against the atrocities in the world without fear of persecution. I can pretty much do as I please, when I please. I am thankful for the thousands of young men and women who put themselves in harms way to defend our way, my way of life. And I am thankful for their families who make so many sacrifices themselves. God bless these men and women and their families.

Plate of Ice...

Plate of Ice...

...ever asked for extra ice at a restuarant and been given a plate of ice? Obviously I wouldn't mention such a thing if it hadn't happened.....

Laughs and Giggles...

Today I am thankful for everyday laughs and giggles. I spent a big chunk of the day laughing with Melissa about numerous things. Stupid things we've both done, stupid things others have done, life in general around us. And then there are the giggles provided by Robin reminiscing about last night and rubbing on things. I must find her something soft for Christmas....

The weekend has been packed. And here I had planned a weekend at home! After a day of running I opted to come home as opposed to staying at Melissa's. There's just something about being able to sleep in your own bed. Besides I have tons to do tomorrow, tons more I would like to do (that I know I won't get to but seem good in theory at this point) and just generally getting in the mood to go back to work on Monday and it's going to be a busy week. On my to do list I'll add loading pictures from the weekend--adventures with Robin and some of the quilts from the International Quilt Show.

Today....

I am thankful friends who contact me out of the blue to get together to do something. I had planned for a fairly quiet weekend--stay home, get a few things done around here, hopefully work on a few scrap projects. Robin emailed me this morning because she didn't want to hang at home tonight so we planned for an evening of shopping at the Sugar Plum Market in Stafford and stop at the Village and of course, dinner. (FYI the yummy new KI Memories lace paper is in.)

Later in the afternoon my friend Melissa called to see if I was up for something this weekend as she is going to be a 'deer widow'. She found a few craft shows around town and of course there's the International Quilt Market in Houston (and she's never been). So tomorrow I'll get up and head to Cypress to meet up with M and head out for the day. There's no telling where we'll end up before the day is over--much to detriment of my wallet! I may even pack a bag and spend the night (if I can find someone at the last minute to feed the Willster--so forgive me if it's Sunday before I blog again).

Oh and one last UPS update....I finally got my package. What a nightmare it's been tracking it down! From now on if I'm buying something I'll find out if the company uses UPS and if not, chances are good they will not get my business.

The UPS Saga Continues.....

The package was supposed to be delivered today yet no one can locate the package. Supposedly a delivery attempt was made yesterday yet when I spoke with the distribution center at 2:30p (yesterday) the package was there....so how can the package be in two places at once?? So now I'm waiting to hear back from the distribution center---of course I'm still awaiting the call back from yesterday too. Have I mentioned how much I hate UPS?

Leann's Challenge...

For some reason when I agreed to Leann's challenge I was thinking that I only needed to post what I was thankful for on Thursdays....so I was thinking only four posts, no sweat. And then I reread it and find it's the challenge for the month.....a month of posts of what I'm thankful for. I can see some lagging already but I'm game....and I'll try starting with less common subjects to be thankful for.....

So today I am thankful for the invention of the washing machine and the modern convenience of having one in my own home (which can be a big deal). I am greatful that I only need walk down the hall to start a load to wash or throw a load in the dryer. I can wash anytime I wish--weekend, weekday, 3 in the afternoon, 2 in the morning, whenever. I don't have to lug piles of clothes to the laundromat and with pockets of quarters to fight for machines. It's something miniscule in the grand scheme of things but it's a wonderful, modern convenience no matter what a pain it seems at times.

UPS Update...

Still no camera. I found today when I spoke with the Stafford distribution center that supposedly attempts have been made since last Friday (10/26) to deliver the package. Okay...so why is it there is only one notice of attempted delivery???? With luck the package will finally arrive tomorrow. I guess it would have just sat indefinitely in Stafford if I hadn't called someone.

I guess if I were getting packages all the time I would consider some sort of parcel drop location but since I seldom get packages it would be an unnecessary expense. Not to mention the closest place would probably be Rosenberg. Hopefully this saga will end soon.....