11.30.06 Wintery Mix

What is all that pink stuff on the map? It indicates Ice. The white is not cloud cover...it is snow. Snow! We rarely get weather like this. I had to look at the key to see what the pink color on the map meant. I am excited about the cold weather and the 1 inch (maybe 2 inches if we are lucky) of snow we will see. I never get to see snow...unless we drive to the Grand Canyon inArizona during Spring Break...but, that is another story for another time.

Yesterday, my mother-in-law was mowing the lawn. I walked out in a t-shirt, shorts and barefeet and was comfortable. And, I had to turn on the air conditioner because it was in the high 70's in my apartment. I was working and got hot. Today, SNOW!

Also, our office is closing early today due to the inclement weather! Yea, I love half day surprises. I am going to go home, snuggle up with the pets and watch a movie and drink hot chocolate. Got to enjoy it while we can. :)

Some of you may be laughing because we, Texans, close down when there is the possibility of snow. Well, in our defense I say this:

1. Driving in ice (which is really what we have...we just call it snow) is much different than driving in snow.

2. No. We are not prepared with snow plows, salt/sand, etc. It is a waste of money to have such equipment when you use it once (maybe twice...maybe not at all) a year.

3. No. We don't have snow tires or those little plugs that hang out of the front our our cars. What are those anyway?

4. Who doesn't want an excuse for a day off?

5. We laugh at anyone who closes down when it is too hot.

Below is an email that came from the CEO/President of the company where my husband is employed. He is a great guy with a great sense of humor. I love reading his emails.

"Team,

Having been born in Gladewater, Tx, raised in Nebraska for 12 years, and then the last 26 years in Dallas, a cold rain in Texas is technically a 2 ft blizzard. In terms of car accidents, much worse. Texans love to venture out in ice storms when driving is impossible, and raid walmart and stay home when snow arrives. So I suggest thist first, gas up your cars to full in the event you get stuck in traffic with a wreck or on-lookers of a crashed f-150 truck with 2 sand bags in the back. Second, if it is bad, stay home, our 89,000 wells are rumored to still be here when the weather clears. Texas has very few ice or snow storms, so they do not sand the streets and there is no scrubbing of the oils on the streets. A simple rain brings the oil to the surface and wahlah, Texas mahem at it's best. In summary, be careful the next 2 days."

Great guy. For those of you in the area, be careful and enjoy the extra time at home.

11.28.06 Kira and Me

11.27.06 Beta Upgrade

I am going to try and upgrade to the Beta version of Blogger. The last time I tried to upgrade, my blog was frozen for a few days. So, if I am not back by Friday...call for help. :o)

**Update: I have switched and everything looks fine. Yea! I haven't had the chance to play around yet; but, from the looks of what I have seen, I like it. I'll post some pics later tonight. Thanks to all who crossed their fingers during the switch. We can all breath now.

11.23.06 Kick it off with a WIN

We started our Thanksgiving holiday with a Stars game last night. The Stars won 1 to 0. Woo-hoo!! Go Stars!!

I am still in Dallas at our apartment doing last minute things -- cleaning, laundry, bills -- so that I can have a restful weekend. In a few hours, I will be leaving to go to Ennis where we will spend the rest of the holiday with our families.

This year, we are having 3 -- yes, 3 -- Thanksgivings. Today, we will be celebrating with Cameron's family. Tomorrow, we will have dinner with my mom, the guy she is dating, his kids, my siblings and their significant others. Saturday, we will have our third and final Thanksgiving dinner with my dad and the siblings. Exhausting? Nah...it's normal for us. Just wait until you hear our Christmas schedule. One year we had 6 Christmases!

BIG NEWS: My brother proposed to his girlfriend!! They have been dating for 6 years or so. I am very excited for them both. Her ring is gorgeous and very classy...just like she is. :o) My sister and I have been calling her our future-sister-in-law for a while now; but, now it is official. Yea!! I wish them both many many years of happiness and giggles. Congratulations Michael and Stephanie.

OK...I better get back to the chores so I can get out of here. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Have a great holiday.

Nothing to Post Meme

I haven't really had anything happen that I would like to post. So, I will post this meme I borrowed from Leesa.

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought? *Man, I look rough.

2. How much cash do you have on you? *None. I never carry cash.

3. What’s a word that rhymes with “DOOR?” *More

4. Favorite planet? *Saturn

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone? *My Mom.

6. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone? *I don't have one. I can never think of a cool ring tone to get.

7. What shirt are you wearing? *Black sweater with white embroidery

8. Do you “label” yourself? Yes...unfortunately.

9. Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently wearing? *Barefeet...no shoes, no socks.

10. Bright or Dark Room? *Dim.

11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you? *I borrowed it from Leesa. I think she is AWESOME!

12. What does your watch look like? *Small. Silver braclet type with a light pink face.

13. What were you doing at midnight last night? *sleeping in a Queen sized bed with a husband, a dog and a cat that take up more than their share

14. What did your last text message you received on your cell say? *Hey its me J**** i was just wondering if u knew y j*** STILL didn't like me?

15. Where is your nearest 7-11? *I don't know. I'll ask the hubs. He doesn't know either.

16. Whats a word that you say a lot? *Like

17. Who told you he/she loved you last? *My Dad

18. Last furry thing you touched? *Haleigh the dog

19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days? *None

20. How many rolls of film do you need developed? *None. Digital only.

21. Favorite age you have been so far? *6 or 7...it was the happiest time of my life

22. Your worst enemy? *Myself

23. What is your current desktop picture? *Pink flower picture I took in North Carolina. It is my January picture for the calendars I am selling.

24. What was the last thing you said to someone? *To my husband...Have you told me that you loved me today. I was trying to find my answer for number 17. His answer: Uh...this morning. I love that guy.

25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly what would it be? *Fly. So I could make a million bucks selling tickets to my shows, movies to Lifetime, books to publishers, etc.

26. Do you like someone? *Yes. I like Cameron.

27. The last song you listened to? *Eminem -- Cleaning Out My Closet

28. What time of day were you born? *6:30 AM on a Saturday...I was born in time to watch Muppet Babies...that's what my mom used to tell me when I was little

29. Whats your favorite number? *5

30. Where did you live in 1987? *Fairfield, TX. You get points if you know where that is. You get bonus points if you have been there.

31. Are you jealous of anyone? *Yes.

32. Is anyone jealous of you? *I don't know. Maybe.

33. Where were you when 9/11 happened?*Driving to Athens, TX to meet my grandmother and great aunt. I was listening to the radio and I thought it was a joke.

34. What do you do when vending machines steal your money?*Get very irritated and pay again. I am a sucker.

35. Do you consider yourself kind? *Yes

36. If you had to get a tattoo, where would it be? *I have 2. A butterfly on my left ankle and a butterfly on my left shoulder.

37. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be? *Spanish

38. Would you move for the person you loved? *Yes

39. Are you touchy feely? *Yes

40. What’s your life motto? *I don't have one.

41. Name three things that you have on you at all times? *My wedding rings. *My necklace (which was the first thing my husband ever bought me). *The absence of my phone. The last answer was provided by my slightly irritated hubs.

42. What’s your favourite town/city? *Ennis, TX. It's where my family is.

43. What was the last thing you paid for with cash? *Cash? You mean the green stuff? No clue.

44. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it? *Today. I literally send hundreds of letters out every week.

45. Can you change the oil on a car? *Nope

46. Your first love: what is the last thing you heard about him/her? *My first real love. I have been emailing back and forth with him this week. He is doing well and asked me to tell my family hello.

47. How far back do you know about your ancestry? *2nd/3rd generation from Europe.

48. The last time you dressed fancy, what did you wear and why did you dress fancy? *Dinner at the Four Seasons. It was a company function including a private show with Dennis Miller.

49. Does anything hurt on your body right now? *My feet. Bad but cute shoes.

50. Have you been burned by love? *Yep.

11.17.06 Congratulations...It's time to Party

I am celebrating with Redhead Editor and another one of my friends (who will remain anonymous until we can "let the cat out of the bag") and sending them a big CONGRATULATIONS on their new jobs!

Both of these ladies deserve this boost and the smiles that have been put on their faces. I send kisses and hugs to both of you. WAY TO GO LADIES!!!!

Be sure to stop by and tell them congrats.

11.17.06 We are in the Chewing Phase

She's growing up, isn't she? She's so pretty. And, that is not a biased opinion just because I am her Mom. :o)

She is in the chewing stage now. When she had claws, she dug two holes in the bottom of the box spring frame of our bed. She likes to hide out in there. She also likes to chew on the wooden bed frame. The sounds of a kitten chomping down on wood at 3 AM is not a great sound to wake up to...especially if you intend on being in a good mood. This weekend we plan to recover the bottom of the frame so she can't get in there anymore. She has also started chewing on other things such as my hairbrush, my watch and probably many more things that I just haven't caught her at yet.

My boss brought her some chew sticks made for cats. With a dog, you can give them a treat and they take it immediately. It has been my experience so far that you have to let the cat "discover" the treat. So, I left the chew stick on the coffee table for Kira to "discover" and run away with. Well, Haleigh (the dog) discovered it first and ate it in less than a minute. Unless I can find some magical way to give Kira chew treats without Haleigh getting them first, I will have to give up trying with the chew sticks.

Kira is my first cat to ever have as a pet; so, I just don't know as much about her and how to solve/worth with any problems I have with her. Do y'all have any suggestions on the chewing? Does the Chewing Phase ever end like it does with puppies?

For Christmas, I would like to get her a cat tower with some hiding places...especially since I took away one of her best hiding spots under the bed. I have one picked out that I really think she will like. Don't tell her yet...I want it to be a surprise. :o)

11.13.06 In Waco

We went "home" for the weekend...spent one night at home...and are back on the road. We are spending the night in Waco and then will go to San Saba in the morning. It will be really nice to be back home for a good while and to sleep in my bed for more than 4 hours.

Work was frustrating today because the phone kept ringing. Usually, I don't mind the public relations part of my job; but, today it was distracting. I will have a 4 day week this week...a 3 day week next week...and a 4 day week after that. Nice? Well, it's nice to have the time off; but, the work just piles up when I am gone. I am starting to stress out again about all the work I have in my Inbox. My boss is really sweet about it and tells me all the time to not worry so much. She knows I will get it done. It's me that puts the pressure on me. I can't help it.

Sorry this is so short and not very interesting. However, I am on the road and don't have access to all my stuff....like my new pictures. I just wanted to let you all know that I am still alive and haven't left the blog world...yet. :)

11.13.06 In Waco

We went "home" for the weekend...spent one night at home...and are back on the road. We are spending the night in Waco and then will go to San Saba in the morning. It will be really nice to be back home for a good while and to sleep in my bed for more than 4 hours.

Work was frustrating today because the phone kept ringing. Usually, I don't mind the public relations part of my job; but, today it was distracting. I will have a 4 day week this week...a 3 day week next week...and a 4 day week after that. Nice? Well, it's nice to have the time off; but, the work just piles up when I am gone. I am starting to stress out again about all the work I have in my Inbox. My boss is really sweet about it and tells me all the time to not worry so much. She knows I will get it done. It's me that puts the pressure on me. I can't help it.

Sorry this is so short and not very interesting. However, I am on the road and don't have access to all my stuff....like my new pictures. I just wanted to let you all know that I am still alive and haven't left the blog world...yet. :)

11.10.06 Saturday Photo Hunt: Growth

Grab the photo hunt code or join the blogroll.

This grew into...

This...

Sorry...I had to "cheat" this weekend. I am out of town and I didn't have any good "Growth" pictures in the archives. However, this is a great way to show everyone out there how my collection of digital cameras has grown. :) I got my Christmas present from my hubs a little early this year. The first picture is the camera I started out with and the second camera is my newly acquired Cannon. Yea for the hubs! He really knows how to please a girl. ::wink wink::

Next week, I promise my own images of "Plush". Thanks for visiting and have a great Saturday Photo Hunt.

11.9.06 Haleigh Anne in South Park

This is me in South Park form. Queen Angel of Coffee, Teddy Bears and Metallica. I rock!!

Y'all have a GREAT weekend...I know I will. To create yourself in South Park form, go here.

Climbing Down to Success: Week 8

I am back on track! I haven't posted my Climbing Down to Success for the last couple of weeks because I wasn't doing so well. I gained...not much...but it was still discouraging. I am back on track this week though. We went grocery shopping and I have been bringing my lunch to work. Yea, me! I got my 5 lb. bookmark this week also. This is the boost I needed for this next week. My goal is to lose 1.2 lb for next week. My goal for this 17 week session is 2o lbs. That means an average of 1.5 lbs every week until the end of the session. Let's see what I can do!

11.6.06 Burnin' The Midnight Oil

Well...it's going to be a late night. I am staying at work until I have this mountain beside me down to a mole hill.

I am staying by choice. My boss and the company do not put pressure on me to have things done the way I choose to have them done. I put the pressure on myself. I like to get something in on Monday and have it out no later than Friday. Industry standard/average is 3 months. 3 MONTHS!! I don't know how they can stand it. I go crazy when something is in my inbox for more than 2 weeks. And, that is exactly where I am sitting right now....2 weeks "behind".

There is something good that comes out of all of this. I do eventually get "caught up" and my weeks are better. Also, I always get the high end of the raises. My last raise was 14.85%. Yep...that's not a typo. I got a nearly 15% raise a few months ago. It was (and still is) nice. I am also up for another small raise in March. Not too bad. At least, I can see and feel the pay off for all my hard work.

My SWEET husband is coming up to the office to bring me dinner. We are having tomato soup, crackers, cheese and fruit...one of my favorite dinners. He is also staying until I am ready to go home. He needs to study and he needs to get out of the apartment. My office will provide a great place for him to study. There is an empty desk near me; so, he will be able to spread out and really study.

So, here I am bare footed and wrapped up in my favorite sweater working my hiney off. It's nice. Hope you all have a good night.

11.06.07 Quote of the Month: November

Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.

~W.J. Cameron

11.5.06 I am the World

You are the World

Completion, Good Reward.

The World is the final card of the Major Arcana, and as such represents saturnian energies, time, and completion.

The World card pictures a dancer in a Yoni (sometimes made of laurel leaves). The Yoni symbolizes the great Mother, the cervix through which everything is born, and also the doorway to the next life after death. It is indicative of a complete circle. Everything is finally coming together, successfully and at last. You will get that Ph.D. you've been working for years to complete, graduate at long last, marry after a long engagement, or finish that huge project. This card is not for little ends, but for big ones, important ones, ones that come with well earned cheers and acknowledgements. Your hard work, knowledge, wisdom, patience, etc, will absolutely pay-off; you've done everything right.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

11.4.06 Christmas Swap Partner

I learned who my Christmas present swap partner is today! Visit him here. So far, I know that he likes fish...a lot. He plays football (or soccer for everyone in the US). He is married and has 3 very cute kids. He dabbles in altered art. I look forward to learning more about Paul and I can't wait to go Christmas shopping. I love to shop!

I will also have to start reading his blog every day to get more hints as to what will make great gifts to send. I wasn't expecting a male partner and I feel like I am going to have to switch gears a little bit. The fun part is that it will be more of a "hunt" for gifts and more exciting to see what I can find.

This is going to be so much fun!! Thank you, Mandy, for hosting the Christmas Grotto Goodie Swap.

11.4.06 Saturday Photo Hunt: Windows

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Window Shopping

11.2.06 It's November Already?

I have been saving this picture for quite some time now; but, nothing seems to go with it. So, I am posting it today just because I like the picture.

I am toying with the idea of taking a break from blogging. I have been feeling really stressed out lately and would like to cut back on anything that is not necessary. The problem is I can't find things that I do that are not necessary. Blogging is one of the "un-nessaries" but I like it. What is silly is that blogging stresses me out. I have all these things I want to post or talk about; but, then I decide against them because it would take too much writing or I am afraid I will offend someone or I am afraid someone I know will read it and then ask me about it. Then, my blog is not a true reflection of me (which I want it to be); so, I get stresed out even more. Think I have a problem?

Blogging also takes time. I feel like I have not time. Here is my weekly schedule:
Try to get out of bed by 5 AM
Try to leave the apartment by 6:15 AM
Ride 6:30 AM bus
Start work at 7AM
Leave work at 5:30 PM
Ride 5:40 PM bus
Get home 6:30 PM
Change clothes, say hello to husband and pets
Walk dog 7:00 PM
Try to cook dinner 7:30 PM
Dinner ready by 8 - 8:30 PM
Try to be in bed by 9 PM so I am not so tired in the morning
In bed usually around 11 - 11:30 PM
Really tired and running late next morning

This schedule leaves me NO TIME for ANYTHING. What time I do have, I should be cleaning, doing laundry, grocery shopping, etc etc etc. Weekends you say? Usually busy or out of town. However, if I get things done, it is on the weekends. To have fun or relax, I schedule it. What can I do to change this?

OK. Rant over for now.

Other things going on in my life....My husband (who needs a code name for the blog) is out of town. He is in Tampa, Florida at a convention for work. He seems to be having a good time.

Last night, my sister and I went to hear the UT Wind Ensemble play at the Meyerson Symphony Center. We had box seats. I was going to scan my ticket and the porgram; but, it takes too much out of me (see the above paragraph). My sister looked FABULOUS! She was dressed in a black suit, a sparkley black sweater/top, black hills, chanderlier earrings to match the suit...F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S! It is the first time I have looked at her and saw an adult standing in front of me. She is six years younger than me and the youngest in the family...she's the baby. But, last night she was all grown up. JB, you have turned into a beautiful, strong, amazing, intelligent, amazing, wonderful, sweet, beautiful and amazing woman. You make me proud, kid!

Ok...I need to eat some lunch. My boss came into my office and said, "Eat lunch. It's time." I said, "I know. I will in a minute." "OK, " she said, "I just don't want you to forget."

Yes. I forget to eat sometimes...stress...stress...busy...busy...busy...

P.S. I will post San Antonio pictures as soon as I remember. Ok...now lunch.