Happy Anniversary to Me!

Today is my 9 year quit anniversary.  That's right, I quit smoking 9 years ago today.  Haven't had a single cigarette since March 30, 1992.  I won't lie to you - there's been times, even as recently as within the last 6 months, where I've had a burning craving to smoke a cigarette, but I'm sure if I had given in to temptation, I would have turned green and tossed my cookies big time. 

Most of the time, I can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke anymore.  There are certain people I work with that I don't even like to be in close proximity with because they just reek of smoke.  And of course, one of them loves to linger right next to you, nasty stinky stale cigarette smell wafting directly into my nose.  It just makes me wanna barf! 

About the only time I willingly go somewhere that smoking is permitted inside is for the Mustang Mayhems.  We always have such a great time, but it's at a bar where smoking is allowed inside.  If it weren't for the fact that I usually have such a great time attending the Mayhems, I would just not go so that I wouldn't come home reeking of smoke.  It's so gross sometimes that I have to change purses because my purse will absorb the smoke and reek for days on end.

I can't believe I used to go around smelling like that, either.  Smoke is just a nasty, nasty stench.  Once I quit, my husband at the time just didn't get that he smelled NASTY.  He made some lame, half-hearted attempts to quit, but never stuck with it.  And he thought that the simple act of brushing his teeth, popping a mint, and showering would take away the stink from him.  WRONG!  When you smoke 2 packs a day, there's nothing you can do to wash away the stench.  It comes from deep within your lungs, and out your pores.

I can't believe I used to smoke around my son, exposing him to all that second hand smoke.  Thankfully he doesn't seem to have any ill effects from it, and fortunately he wasn't plagued with chronic ear infections like so many children of smokers are.  A lot of people don't realize that there's actually something called "third hand smoke" - it's the smoke that sticks to your clothes and hair, and can actually expose someone to the same dangers that second hand smoke can.  If you're a smoker, it's just not enough to smoke outside, away from the kids.  That stench and those poisonous chemicals follow you around and can affect those around you when you come inside.

I am so very glad that Brian doesn't smoke.  He's a former smoker and feels the same way about it that I do.  When we first met, we both said that we were looking for someone that didn't smoke, that smoking was definitely a deal-breaker for both of us.  Of course we have both dated smokers in the past, but it's just a nasty disgusting habit that neither of us would have been willing to tolerate.

If I've offended any of you that smoke, too bad - you should quit!  Especially those of you that have children.  If you don't quit for you, then do it for your children.  They deserve much better than being exposed to second and third hand smoke.    They deserve to have their parents healthy for years to come, and they deserve to not have the bad example that smoking is okay.  Set a good example by quitting!

pot calling the kettle black.....

Don't you just love it when you know someone has hateful things to say to you, or someone you love?  That they just want to criticize you for something you've done or not done, choices you've made, the way you live your life?  And what makes it even better - they base their feelings on just one side of the story, never bothering to find out the other sides of the story, or considering that perhaps the story they've heard wasn't completely truthful?

And don't you find it ironic that they have their own imperfections?  Major ones, at that?  That some of the choices they've made aren't so great?  That they are okay with their friends that have made the same choices you've made, but you're despicable for the very same choices?

On a similar note - recently I had written about being really upset about something and with someone, but didn't want to share what it was at the time.  I still don't want to share specific details, but what I will say is this - it was pointed out to others that I have made some poor choices in my life, and have lived a "screwed up life".

Well guess what - I'm not perfect.  Yes, I have made poor choices in my life.  I made an extremely poor choice for a husband the first time around.  I continued making the poor choice of staying with him for entirely too long.  I have made bad financial decisions, bad decisions on employment opportunities, and bad fashion choices!  I'm sure there will be other bad decisions that I will make.  That is life.

But to say I lived a screwed up life?  Hmmmmm......how screwed up are these facts:
     *I graduated from high school in the top 10% of the class
     *I got a scholarship to college
     *I graduated from college with a Bachelor's Degree
     *I have a son that is quite intelligent, that makes A's & B's on his reports cards, isn't in a gang,
       doesn't get in trouble with the law or at school, and that all things considered, even with the man
       that helped to create him setting a bad example his first 10 years of life, has turned out pretty 
       damn good
     *I have a job and pay my own way

If accomplishing these things means I've lived a screwed up life, then so be it.

There are other things I could point out that I've been successful at, but I will refrain from doing so, as it would really stir the pot, plus it would point out some facts that are best left in the past.  I'm honestly not trying to stir the pot with anyone, just venting some frustrations I'm feeling.  If you think I'm talking about you in this blog, then maybe you should think about what I've said.  Just don't come to me to discuss it.  I really don't want to at this point, as there's not much more to say about it.

I suppose my whole point of this blog is just to say that unless you are perfect, don't bother pointing out other people's imperfections and shortcomings - it's just the pot calling the kettle black.

Manic Monday.....

Wow, what a day.  It didn't start off too badly, other than crappy weather (raining and a little on the cool side, after a couple of weeks of really nice weather).  My day was going along just fine until someone I shall call "Mr Grump" started up this afternoon. I won't go into any more detail about this situation, other than to say that Mr Grump was proven wrong!  Not that it will change anything, but it's nice to be able to prove him wrong on occasion.

By the time I was heading to Gold's, I was feeling pretty frustrated and was quite glad I was going to the gym so that I could work off some of the anger I was feeling.  I was wishing they had a punching bag up there so I could beat out my frustrations, but alas I don't believe they do.  Brian skipped tonight, so I just did interval class, and managed to get through most of the class on the step.  I found out from the instructor of tonight's class that the one that kicked our asses Thursday night was called "total body interval", so that explains why it's so much more difficult.  I don't see myself trying the Thursday class again until I have mastered the regular interval class I take on Mondays.

This morning I put a roast into the crock pot with some potatoes and carrots, and had another crock pot with fresh collards.  It was so nice to come home to dinner ready to eat!  The collards were spiced pretty hot, and were so yummy!  And the roast, potatoes and carrots were good, too!  I need a crock pot cookbook - between Brian, me and the ones that Meme left over here, we have about 5 crock pots.  Crock pots are just a wonderful thing to have - put something in it in the morning, and dinner's ready when you get home.  I'm thinking I may put some beans in one in the morning to go along with whatever we end up having for dinner.  We have GOT to start pre-planning our meals - makes dinner time so much easier, and it keeps us from being tempted to eat out too much.

I've decided I'm going to give a try to growing my own peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers.  I've got a bunch of pots here, and there are plenty I can get from Mom's house that aren't being used, and I can set them up on the back porch and around the back porch.  (we are not allowed to plant gardens in our yards here in the neighborhood, but can plant what we want in pots)

I also want to learn how to freeze fresh veggies like I remember my grandmother and mother doing when I was young.  We would go to the farmers market and buy bushels of butter beans, green beans, and purple hull peas, and sit around shelling them and snapping the green beans.  The way the economy is, I think we would be better off doing that than buying at the grocery store every week.

Here's to hoping tomorrow is a little better, or at least maybe certain problems will be resolved!

by popular demand....

I'm posting tonight, due to the demand of my audience.  I see that people (well, one person) has come to this blog FOUR TIMES in less than 2 hours tonight.  Geesh, I knew I was popular, but wow, 4 times in less than 2 hours?  You that worried you may miss something? 

Believe me, I live a fun, full life, but sometimes it's just not all that.  I can be kinda boring at times - I work, go to the gym, come home and park in front of the computer and/or tv, and lately, I go lay down around 9:30pm and doze off until Brian wakes me up when he comes to bed.  The workouts this week have kicked my butt - I pushed a little harder in interval Monday night, Brian pushed me pretty hard last night on the weights, and tonight interval just totally kicked my ass.  It was a different instructor than I'm used to, and she's just so high impact with everything and moves so quickly from step to step, and I just couldn't keep up.  My legs were worn out in the first 15 minutes, and we weren't even on the step yet! 

I was thinking Monday night that I was doing well because I made it through about 2/3 of the class on the step (I'd previously only been able to do about half the class on the step, moving to just the floor after I can't use the step anymore).  I came really close to saying "fuck it" and quitting the class tonight, but I kept at it.  It was fun trying to watch Brian do it - he was able to do more than me because he's in better shape, but when you're not used to doing step, it can be difficult to not get mixed up and be totally uncoordinated.

Michael will be back on Sunday - he's gonna stay with us until Mom and Marion leave on the 1st.  I can't believe they will be gone in a week!  My heart is breaking, but I know it's gonna be a great opportunity.  I know I've said that before, many times, and I have to keep telling myself that.  Mom's never been more than a phone call and a few hours drive away from me, and now she's going to be "across the pond" and just a video chat away.  That's just too far!

But we are going to cram in as much time together this weekend as we can.  We are getting together Saturday to visit the last few places on our list for wedding stuff, and then all of that will be set.  I'm getting so excited!  I got my dress last weekend, my colors are set, the decor has been decided, and pretty much everything else has been ordered, reserved, and/or decided upon.  We just are waiting for the date!

just a quick note.....

Wednesday morning - Happy Hump Day!

Spring has sprung, and the stupid pollen is here.  And yes, it has hit me.  I have my lovely deep cough back that I get every year around this time, so it's off to the drug store tonight after I hit the gym to get my trusty old Mucinex.  I've been taking Claritin daily since I got the poison oak, but alas, it has not phased these allergies.

I skipped the gym last night and we took Dominion to the dog park instead and walked the trail after he got his exercise in.  That dog absolutely loves going to the dog park and running around, and of course trying to hump everything in sight!

I'm kind of surprised that, in spite of how popular my blog is, no one bothers to comment on anything I write!  (Popularity being based on how many people visit the blog, and how many times each individual person visits it on a daily basis - there's at least one person that visits daily, and many times visits more than once a day.)  I know there are a few that have taken issue with at least some of what I write, as I have gotten feedback through one source or another, but it would be nice to have comments directly rather than through a third party.  All I ask is that if you are going to comment - be intelligent and relevant to the blog you are commenting on.  No senseless ramblings.  Try using spell check and not using text shorthand - makes a person look really ignorant when they comment in shorthand, and with misspelled words.

Anyways, I hope everyone has a great Hump Day!

Sunday afternoon.....

What a weekend!  My horoscope yesterday was spot on:

"....Perhaps the events of the day aren't exactly going as well as you had planned.  Perhaps people aren't cooperating as you might have liked them to.  Before you get upset with the action on the outside, first take a look at what might be causing some tension on the inside."

See, I had originally planned to spend the day yesterday working in Mom and Marion's yard with Brian and Steven, to earn some spending money, and to get some sun while working.  I had planned this all week long.  But Mom had other things in mind - she wanted me to do lunch with her and her friends, since we had to go select the ribbon Barbara would be using for some of the wedding decor.  So, I changed my plans to do that with her, being that she's leaving for England in 2 weeks and we needed to get this done.

Then Meme calls me on Friday and says she wants to bring her shit over here and put it in the shed.  As if there's room for any more of her stuff.  But I digress.  I told her I would come get it Saturday morning and bring it to the house myself (I don't want her to come over here and bitch about every little bitty thing that she finds to bitch about).  But when I get to Mom's yesterday morning, she said I wouldn't have time to go to Meme's because the meet time with Barbara had changed to an hour earlier than I had last been told.  Apparently they forgot to copy me on the email or call me.

Now, I'm still taking those steroids, and let me tell you something - I had to muster every last bit of self control to not have a complete and total meltdown while at Mom's.  I was freaking out because I had to call Meme and tell her the plans had changed (which worried me that she would have a fit about it - thankfully she didn't), run home and dry my hair and do my makeup, and find something to wear that I wouldn't heat to death in and would be easy to change in and out of, as we were also going to go dress shopping while we were out.

I had a mini-meltdown in the car on the way home, and got it out of my system.  Then I went and had fun with Mom, Barbara and Sharon at lunch and shopping.  We didn't find the dress, but got the ribbon we needed.  Mom and Barbara went on down to Tanger Outlet without me and bought me a dress.  I actually like it, so I have my wedding dress!  Yay!!!

After I got finished with Mom yesterday, I went to Petsmart and got some more fish for my tank.  Marion stopped by today and really liked how I have the tank set up.  I just need to put the background up behind the tank and then it will be finished.

Today was a relaxed day.  We went to Mom's, I tried on the dress she bought me, then we stopped by and picked up a few of the boxes that Meme wanted moved over here.  Brian and I have decided that once we get his storage unit cleaned out, we are moving all of Meme's things into it and then she can move stuff in and out of there as she pleases, and won't have to worry about coming over here anymore.  I'm sure it will really piss her off, since she seems to think there was some kind of agreement that I would keep the spare bedroom as a storage closet, but we needed that space for us. 

Had a great nap this afternoon after we got back from the dog park, and cooked a good dinner, too.  Baked fish, broccoli/cheese rice and early peas.  Yummy!  I got lunch packed for tomorrow, and snacks, too!  The only things I still need to do is finish laundry and lay out clothes for tomorrow.  It's great to get a jump on things sometimes and not have to worry about doing them later!

Friday night

All in all, this has been a pretty good week.  The poison oak, for all intents and purposes, is gone now.  It took about 6 days of steroids to accomplish that feat, but thank God it has been accomplished.  Otherwise, I would be in one of those cute little padded cells I've heard about from other people.

I was warned that my appetite would be out of control because of the steroids, but thankfully it wasn't.  In fact, I think I may have eaten a little less than usual.  That would have to be because of the massive case of heartburn and acid reflux that set in on Monday night and has lingered all freaking week long.  I've been plagued with it every day this week except for yesterday.  I've tried Gaviscon, Tums, Pepcid AC, and whatever the liquid antacid/gas meds are that Brian has.  The liquid stuff has helped with the bloated feeling and gas, but nothing has helped with the whole acid reflux/hearburn feeling.

I was seriously sitting here thinking about going to bed here in a few minutes - I've gone to the bedroom around this time every night this week and just crashed, only to be awakened when Brian comes to bed and makes sure I've taken whatever medicine that I need to take.  But I realized that it's time to do the nails.  I'm going to lunch with Mom and one her friends tomorrow, and we are going to buy some of the wedding decor stuff, so I want to look decent for that.  The nails are in need of a fresh coat of polish, which I wasn't going to worry about until Sunday, because my original plans were to work in Mom's yard with Brian and Steven tomorrow.  But, Mom wants me to join her and Barbara, and since Barbara is making some of the decor for us, I figure I should go and be gracious about it.

And believe me - I am VERY gracious about it!   My mother has been a God-send as far as helping with the wedding.  I cheated her out of the opportunity to give her daughter a wedding when I got married the first time (we decided a week ahead of time to get married, she didn't have the money to do it, and if she had had the money at the time, she couldn't stand him so she wouldn't have done it anyway LOL)  I think she is enjoying the planning process, and in helping me out with it. 

So, it's time to go do the nails and then get in bed.  I hope you all have a great weekend!

It's a Fantastic Sunday!

Yay me!  I haven't itched since I got up.  I decided that I was gonna stay doped up on benadryl pills all day today, in addition to the steroids.  Imagine my surprise that I was actually able to stay awake and function while taking 25mg benadryl pills.  As long as I stayed busy, I was fine.  We ran over to Mom's to see the Comcast guy and I found Mom sick in bed with a serious migraine headache.  The Comcast guy was there, so we helped handle that and sent him on his way. 

While we were at Mom's, Brian tried out the chainsaw sharpener I got him yesterday - it works GREAT!  I even got to use the chainsaw, but of course I screwed it up and the chain came off, so I had to stop.  We didn't go over there to work, we just went to meet with the Comcast guy for her, and to work on her laptop, and since they didn't have the internet service up and running, we couldn't do the laptop. 

I got home and worked on the aquarium and got it set up.  Wow this aquarium is nice!  I am chomping at the bit to go get more fish, but I know I need to let the tank settle a few days first.  Of course the current residents are still a little freaked out about their new digs, but I'm sure they will settle in quickly.

Steroids are great for this poison oak, but they are wreaking havoc on my emotions.  The shot on Monday made me all weepy on Tuesday, and the pills have made me weepy and angry.  Every little thing pisses me off, but at least I'm still managing to control it pretty well so far.  I'm just happy that the itching is almost completely gone, and the bad lesions are looking a lot better so far.

Saturday...

Happy Birthday to my mother!  We had a great birthday dinner tonight, and Brian came up with a great gag gift for her.  She is a diehard "Survivor" fan, and Ralph (the really hairy guy) grosses her out, so we found a picture online, printed it and framed it for her.  She grossed out but laughed pretty good over it. 

So I get up this morning and the rash is somewhat better, so I actually contemplated not going back to the doctor.  But of course Brian says "if you don't go, I don't wanna hear you bitching when you are miserable later on".  So, I went.  I kinda figured out why I seem to be better in the mornings and get worse as the day progresses - the prescription antihistamine is taken at night, so it helps clear things up, but it wears off by the time I go to bed the following night, so the rash just gets more and more pronounced as the day progresses, until it's time to medicate again.  I think I'm going to self-mediate with Benadryl pills all day tomorrow, until it's time for the prescription stuff, and see if that puts a dent in this.

Don't forget to set your clocks ahead an hour tonight - spring forward and lose an hour of sleep!  (dammit!)

Friday night....

Steven's movie plans for tonight got cancelled (supposed to go to the movies with a group of people, but most people bailed and the girl that organized the get-together decided to cancel the whole she-bang).  I'm slightly happy about that, as that means that we didn't have to drive to Fayetteville and either A)drop him off, or B)stay and watch a movie.  There's not really anything I feel like paying $9.50 a ticket to see, and honestly, nothing I'd really be willing to pay $5 to get up early tomorrow or Sunday morning to see.  And, yes, I'm still miserable from the poison oak.

I'm sure most of you are sick of me whining about the incessant itching that I am experiencing, and would just love it if I quit talking about it.  Well, I'm not gonna quit whining about it until it stops making me itch.  You will be happy to know that I am going to the doctor tomorrow morning, even though at this point I'd almost rather stay home and fight it out with the calamine lotion and benadryl pills, in addition to the prescription antihistamine and cortisone cream.

After dinner tonight, I coated myself heavily with the clear calamine lotion.  Not much real relief, other than the feeling of the stuff being rubbed into my skin was absolutely lascivious.  Pure ecstasy I tell you!  I ran to Walmart to get a few things for the "new" aquarium (thanks Marion! he gave me his 50 gallon tank setup), and when I changed clothes after getting home, I really checked out my body to see how the rash has progressed.  The places that were there when I saw the doctor on Monday have continued to improve, but I have places that have popped up since Monday that have gotten progressively worse, and more places have appeared. 

The itching drove me to the point of tears the last 2 nights, especially last night.  I'm not quite there yet tonight, although I don't think it will take much longer to reach that point.  However, I have taken a benadryl tablet and that is just now starting to affect me.  I'm going to try to stay up about another 30 minutes, then I'm going to take that prescription antihistamine and go to bed and get a good night's sleep.  Then it's to the doctor in the morning after I drop Brian off at Mom and Marion's.  I may stay doped up on benadryl all weekend, I suppose it will depend on what the doctor recommends tomorrow.

Mom and Marion leave 3 weeks from today.  The selfish sadness is starting to set in.  I'm already thinking about how it will hurt to say "bye for now" at the airport.  I know it's not forever, I know it's an awesome opportunity for them both, but I'm just gonna be my selfish self about it for now and whimper privately to myself (well, this isn't so private, but whatever, I'll be sad about it for a while and this will be another thing I will whine about for as long as it takes).

And now I'm laughing about booger missiles!  LOL  (an inside joke having to do with Steven)

Don't you just love self-diagnosis when you have a medical issue?  I looked at pictures of various rashes online today, with the idea that perhaps this rash wasn't poison oak, but was something else.  Kinda funny (NOT) how the rash looks like Rubella (German measles).  I'm sure it's not rubella, as the rash is only supposed to last approximately 3 days, and mine has gone on for almost 2 weeks total, from one place to another.  I just think this poison oak has decided to infiltrate my blood stream and pop up where ever it bloody well pleases, which is disheartening to me when it comes to knowing it will end. 

Poison Oak Sucks!!!!!

It's almost Friday.....

and I'm so glad.  I am about to lose my mind tonight, from this darn itching.  I thought the poison oak was getting better, as the places that I broke out with prior to the shot were getting better, but the ones that started the day I got the shot are just getting worse.  Not sure what to do at this point, I just know that nothing I'm doing is stopping the itching.  I think I'm gonna call the doctor tomorrow and ask if they think I should come back in for another shot, or if they can call in something stronger than what I'm already on.

There are a few things I was wanting to touch on, but because of my steroid and itching induced irritability, I'm just not going to go there.  I don't want to really piss anyone off, or hurt anyone's feelings because of the meds I'm on and the condition I'm in.  I'm just waiting on those prescription antihistamines to kick in and hopefully knock me out so I can sleep through some of this. 

For some reason, the rash has spread down the center of my back.  It almost looks like I have the measles or the chicken pox, but I had both of those as a child, plus I've had the MMR vaccine, so I know it's not either of those.  Plus I think if it was one of those things, it would be even worse than what I've got.  My rash is limited to my torso, a spot on my left eyelid, a few small patches on the arms, and a few spots on my thighs.  I suppose that sounds like I've got it all over, but I don't.  Most of the skin on my arms are clear, as are my legs.  The torso is the worst, with spots scattered randomly around.

I hate putting the clear calamine lotion on my eyelid, but the pharmacist said it was safe provided that I'm careful in applying it and don't get it in my eye.  So far, so good.

Okay, time for me to get in bed and let these drugs work their magic.  I'm hoping and praying for a peaceful, reduced-itch, Friday.

Happy Hump Day!

Yes, it's Hump Day, and I can't wait to get over the hump and onto the weekend.  I'm feeling a lot better today.  The itchiness is somewhat more tolerable, and the poison oak on my arms and face is already getting much better.  I rubbed the clear Caladryl all over my itchy stomach this morning, and that seems to have helped with the itchiness.  Of course I didn't bring it with me, so if the itchiness gets bad, I do have the prescription cream in my purse that I can use.

I crashed out last night after dinner - I was just so irritable and I think it's the mood swings from the steroid shot I got on Monday.  I came home from the gym a bundle of emotions, and unfortunately just concentrated on the negative feelings I was having and that's why I gave up and went to bed so early.  I figured why make everyone else in the house miserable?  It's not fair to any of them to take out my emotions, especially when they are chemically induced (but from a much needed treatment, and one I wouldn't have taken had I thought I could have gotten by without it).

Can't wait for Group Power class tonight.  When I took it last week, I could really feel the workout in my legs for a couple of days afterwards.  I'm kinda hoping for the same effect tonight.  I like feeling the workouts, as it makes me feel as if I'm getting somewhere with all this.  Part of my emotions last night was just frustration with the whole weight loss ordeal, and wondering where I'm going to find the willpower to do what needs to be done to reach my goals.

Oh well, I gotta get to working......I hope everyone has a Happy Hump Day!

I don't know how much longer.....

I just don't know how much longer I can stand the itching of the poison oak!  I broke down and went to the doctor this afternoon, because I got to work and noticed my eyelid was itching, and dammit I've got poison oak there!  The one spot on my arm I was dealing with, then yesterday I get up and have 2 spots on the other arm and one on my stomach.  I doped up on the benadryl and was quite stoned on it by the time I went to bed last night.  The doctor gave me a steroid shot this afternoon, and prescribed an antihistamine pill for itching/sleeping, and a prescription cortisone cream.  He also recommended I take Claritin daily in the mornings, and the prescription antihistamine at night.  I think I'm about to go soak in an oatmeal bath and take that night-time antihistamine and zonk out. 

By the time I left the doctor's office, I noticed that I have a ton of tiny little red dots all over my legs and stomach.  It reminds me a lot of the rashes I broke out with in college that the doctors could never identify.  The only thing they could come up with was some sort of allergic reaction to medications I had taken many times before, and stress, with stress being the primary factor in it all.  I had those rashes back then for about 6 weeks each time I got them.  I was absolutely miserable, and there was nothing that helped.  Got the first one in July, the second one I woke up the day after Thanksgiving with it and it stayed with me til New Years that year.

One thing about the steroid shot I dread is the mood swings.  I know they get really, really bad, when I take the medrol dose pack.  I'm hoping they won't be too bad from the shot, but we shall see.

I honestly wouldn't wish poison oak on my worst enemy.  Well, maybe Osama Bin Laden, and other horrible people like that, but not normal folk that aren't out to destroy the people that don't believe like they do.  LOL

Yummy, The Rock is HOT!  I love watching wrestling to ogle the hot men on there! 

Weekend's Over.....

Weekends always go by too quickly.  Sometimes I get all done that I wanted to, and sometimes I don't.  I crashed really early Friday night - before 9pm I think it was.  I was just absolutely exhausted.  Why, I don't know for sure.  Well, I take that back - I know several things that probably contributed to it - the stress of itching from this poison ivy/oak that I have, staying up too late at night the last several nights, and having Chinese food for dinner.  All those things just sap the energy right out of me.  But, I honestly think the biggest drain on my energy last week was my period (sorry for those of you that hate reading about my personal things like that, but this is MY blog and I'll write what I want .  Don't like it?  Stop reading my posts!)

I was quite cold when I crashed Friday night - I fell asleep in sweat pants, a t-shirt, and a heavy robe, zipped up, and was under the covers.  I woke up just before 6am with Dominion next to me, and Bailey (Michael's dog) on me.  Bailey ended up getting under the covers for a bit, and Dominion was pressed against my back after a while.  I slept about another 3 hours, then Michael and I went dress shopping.

Shopping with Michael is always an experience, especially if you are looking for clothes.  There is the joke about Michael not looking good in yellow, and I took some funny pictures of him with yellow hats and dresses.  Of course he won't be wearing any such thing at my wedding, but it sure was funny to look at!  And no, I'm not sharing any of those pictures with anyone online.  We found a dress, but Michael, Mom and Marion like it a little more than I do.  I do think it's a pretty dress, but it's a little more dressy than what I am looking for.  I will keep it in mind, in case I don't find anything else.  I'm still wishing I knew a good seamstress that could sew me exactly what I'm looking for, and for a reasonable cost.


We had a great dinner with Mom and Marion last night - BBQ.  I haven't had good BBQ in a while, and let me tell you - this stuff was good!  Dinner with them is always a good time, and Michael just feels like he's part of the family around them. 

I stayed up pretty late last night, and slept in this morning.  I didn't get up til almost noon!  I took Steven to get a haircut today, and had to run a few errands while we were out.  I got the bathroom and bedroom cleaned up this afternoon, and Michael cooked us a spaghetti dinner.  He has been such a help today, too, getting the laundry started, and cleaning up the kitchen as well.

I got my nails polished today.  Boy did they need it!  My polish was chipped, and I've broken a few nails, too.  I filed all my nails down and polished them a new color.  It's a shade of lilac, I guess you'd call it.  It's different - I normally stick with reds and bright pinks, but I saw this shade yesterday and fell in love with it.

Okay folks,I'm getting sleepy (benedryl is kicking in, still fighting this damn poison ivy/oak mess), so I suppose I should turn in before I start typing about silly things and become offensive to most of you.  I hope you all have had a great weekend, and have a great Monday tomorrow!

Wednesday blahs....

Work was blah, had some brief 'excitement' over an issue, but then it went back to blah.  Same old, same old.  But that's okay.  At least there is a same old, same old, to go to.

Today was Marion's birthday.  We had a great dinner tonight at the favorite Mexican restaurant.  Won't go into the jokes that were said, you just woulda had to have been there. 

Had a great workout tonight before dinner - it always helps when I'm pissed off before working out.  Makes me work harder.  I'm not going to talk about what I'm pissed off about, other than to say that I wish when people have an issue with what I say or do, that they would take it up with ME, not other people.  (and for once, I'm NOT talking about Nosey Nancy)

This applies to everyone - if something I've said or done worries you, or bothers you - please let ME know.  Sure, I might still get mad about it, or it might hurt my feelings, but at least I will know that you actually thought enough of ME to deal with ME about the issue. 

But - if you've figured out it's you I'm talking about, then just leave me alone about it right now - I will address the issues that were brought to my attention by a third party at a later time, after I have cooled down and can respond in a calm manner.

Been looking at wedding stuff lately - Mom is driving me nuts to pick out a dress.  Of course I'm not going to go traditional (and definitely not white - ha ha lmao!!!), but I just don't know what I want.  I've been looking online at different things, and just can't find anything that appeals to me that isn't ridiculously expensive.  It kinda makes me wish I could sew, or that I knew someone well enough to ask them to make a dress for me and not charge me an arm and a leg.  Oh well, it'll come together in due time.

Time to go treat this poison ivy/oak that I got working in Mom's yard Saturday.  I'm the one that spent the least amount of time touching anything outside, yet I'm the only one that ended up with the stuff.  And btw - itching drives me absolutely insane!  I hate taking showers right now - the hot water riles the itch up to the point that I cried myself to sleep last night.  Hormones and itching just don't go together!!!!