Tricia Dishes

It's me again!

2011-04-23T17:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I didn't go to Riverfest. The thing was, I thought that it was going to be a lot earlier and I was ready for bed at seven! I am just a chickensh&t! Wm was going to go with me but he had sat out with his booth at the flea market all day, so he was quite content to not go, too. I was very disappointed in myself. Next weekend is the Transiberian Orchestra and I want to go but it is in Jackson and starts at 8 p.m. I do NOT know how I am going to do it but dang, I want to!
Welcome Cecil and Jo on being on the Internet now. Thanks to a couple of their daughters to bring them into the "techie" world.
I have now lost 45 pounds, but I am at a plateau. I can't lose another pound! But my clothes are getting loser so I have really gotten a new wardrobe, since I hadn't really bought anything in years and years. I feel confident that more weight will come off eventually, and I will look nice in my new clothes!!! Right? Right!
Well my head is bobbing and I need to lay down. That is how I can go to the concert, take my couch!!!!
Happy Easter, everyone!!!

March 23

2011-03-24T07:36:00.000-07:00

March 23, yesterday, would have been David's 57th birthday. That's four now that he's missed. His mom and sister and I went to eat lunch. Well, apparently I was affected more than I thought because my head wouldn't quit bobbing and I was wringing wet. I came home and stayed on the couch all afternoon, waiting for FedEx, which never came.
I really cannot believe David has been gone over three years. I really miss him. Erica had some very nice posts on her blog yesterday. Travel on over there and read them. They made me cry!
I hope today is better. My neck is hurting but I am going to lie down for a little bit more and drink my Slimfast. I have lost about 35 pounds, pounds that were way not needed! Now if I could just lose 35 more!!! I need to exercise and that would jumpstart more weight loss. I just want to be healthy.
I just wanted to honor David. He surely is missed around here!
Have a great day, y'all! P. S. Those two cats cuddling are David and I!!!!!!
t

Friday

2011-03-04T08:46:00.001-08:00

Hey, Gang! Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I have been on Facebook this week and forgot about my blog. Mybad.
I went to the Lebanese dinner on Monday and man, was it good. But I had a weird thing happen when I ate some baklava, my mouth swelled up and I looked like a clown! And it itched and burned, too! There is only a little bit of redness left. I have bought just about every lip moisturizer I can find and I buying more today! That was weird. I gave it,the baklava, to my neighbor, so I hope it got eaten.
We have apartment inspections on Tuesday. I need to clean off my bed and table and dust and I'm done. They want to make sure that everyone is keeping their apartments clean and livable which isn't a bad thing. I have figured out it will take me about an hour to clean, so I am waiting until Monday. I don't even sleep on my bed anymore, Callie does, but I don't. I have used it as a depository for winter clothes! They just need to go back in the bins and shoved under the bed.
I drove by my mother's house a couple of days ago. Boy, are they doing it up good. It is beautiful. I sure wish my house would sell. I don't think anybody is going to buy it! I hate paying that mortgage every month on top of other bills.
Well, I think I am going to Walgreens and then see if Lee H. can give me my summer cut. My hair just sticks out all over!! I don't like seeing or feeling it!
I hope everyone has a great weekend. There are lots of things happening in Vicksburg this weekend but there is a 100 percent chance of thunderstorms tomorrow! Of course!
I hope it is sunny where y'all are!
Later!

Insurance

2011-02-22T15:06:00.000-08:00

Well, apparently I have no insurance at the moment. I got a prescription filled today and there was no where on it that said my insurance paid any on it. Luckily, it was cheap so it didn't break the bank. But still. I went to the neurologist yesterday and she told me that EVERYTHING she could prescribe for my condition would cost at least four hundred dollars a month!!! I just can't do that. She didn't even charge me for the visit!!! THAT was a surprise, to say the least! She is going to try to get me on patient assistance so I can get the expensive meds. I don't know if she'll call me or I call them, her nurse came back with my prescription (the one I did get today) and didn't know anything about it because she was a substitute. Great. And now I have to buy a pill splitter because these new ones have to be cut in two. Luckily I have a few of the others for the next few days until I can get the splitter.
I heard from my former neighbor this afternoon. She has been sick as a dog. So has my now neighbor! I am fortunate not to have caught anything. The shaking head and spasms should be enough wrong with me anyway!!! Right? Right.
The weather has been beautiful today. I got out some and enjoyed myself. Hopefully, tomorrow I will get with my friend and eat lunch or something. She is under the weather, herself. We are supposed to be having storms on Thursday, so I want to enjoy the good weather while I can. I can sit on the couch any day!
That's all for now. Everyone get well and STAY well!!!!

Jackson

2011-02-18T12:47:00.000-08:00

I bought out Victoria's Secret yesterday! They NEVER send me anything free anymore. I got some unmentionables and the most comfortable gown I have ever had! Does anyone get free coupons anymore? The weather was perfect, just like spring. We had a great time and I learned a lot about bunches of things. And I drove the whole time!
The weather is supposed to be nice for seven days. I am ready for this to be it for the rest of the time until summer. And it would be nice if summer were like this, too!! Y'all know how much I love the heat of summer. NOT!!!!!!!
I am about to eat some ice cream. I just got back from Cracker Barrel where I had two pancakes and an egg, so I really should wait a while. I still taste the syrup!!!!!!
Love y'all!
t

Westminster Dog Show

2011-02-15T19:57:00.000-08:00

MY FAVORITE DOG WON!!!!!! Hickory, a five year old female Scottish Deerhound, won tonight. She reminds me of Woofer. She is retiring to have pups after this show. What a way to go out!!!!!!!
Take care, everyone.
P.S. I REALLY miss my dogs.

Facebook

2011-02-12T16:00:00.001-08:00

OKay, today Christopher walked me through how to get on facebook. It looks like I will be joining some conversations soon, when I get it figured out. Lots of people I haven't talked to in a LONG time!!!
I got a gift of some pepper spray today. I hope I don' t ever have to use it! I don't want to be attacked, obviously, but I am ready now!!!
My head keeps bobbing up and down and the medicine they say, is about five hundred dollars a month. I hope they can find something cheaper!!!! I want to stop bobbing!! It is quite annoying, to say the least.
I had some more double chocolate coca cola cake with vanilla bean ice cream today. It was so good. And I had about three glasses of unsweetened iced tea. I just can't eat that much anymore so I am happy to say that I have lost about 35 pounds. Now, just 25 more to go and I will be happy.
I just wanted to touch base with everyone. Have a great Sunday, y'all!! Love ya!

My gifts!

2011-02-03T14:37:00.000-08:00

I got a lovely bouquet of flowers from Erica and Fuzzy and a Glee cd from Christopher and Katie! GREAT!!!! AND, tomorrow I am eating lunch with Kathie S. and probably Carolyn and then I am going to Belk and get me a couple of presents from me to me!!!!
Just wanted to let y'all know!!!!!!
Later!

Fuzzy's Birthday!

2011-02-03T12:00:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday to my wonderful son in law, Fuzzy! I know that the weather is quite "unbirthday" like, but try to have a good time anyway! Also, today is Susan Desio's birthday, and mine is tomorrow!!! It is twenty something degrees outside today so I hope it is a little warmer tomorrow. I have nothing planned. I DID, but things came up so I will take myself to Cracker Barrel or something and celebrate myself.
The Super Bowl is Sunday, but what I am looking forward to is afterward, GLEE!!!! They are going to do Thriller on the football field. From what I have seen of it, it looks great. I love that show. It always puts a smile on my face!
So, what's up with Egypt?
I need to go shower and get dressed. It is after two!!!!! I think I am going to venture out in the twenties and just drive around. They keep saying that we are going to get wintry precipitation, but so far, NOTHIN!!!! I bought a parka last year (with my gorilla length arms, the sleeves are too short!)and the heat works in my car, so why not go somewhere?? Right?
Stay warm dear friends! I love you!!!!
Oh, belated birthdays to Pam and Cecil. I hope your days were great!!!
Bye!

HEY FOLKS!!!

2011-01-26T16:14:00.000-08:00

I cannot tell you how much better I feel today! I had a bad night last night, no sleep at all, and I was having some bad withdrawal symptoms, though, sweating one moment, freezing the next, my skin was burning and I hurt everywhere. I was supposed to go somewhere today with my neighbor and I called him and told him I was miserable. He fixed me a strong cup of coffee and I took a cold shower and felt like I would survive. It was chilly today, but I wore a summer shirt and no sweater because of the sweating! I am freezing right now, though. I hope I sleep tonight because I have a lot to do tomorrow. But I haven't had many spasms or head bobbing, AND I could eat!!! Wouldn't it be just about right that the medicines to "help", actually were impeding my recovery?? I feel really great for the first time in a long while. But I do hope I sleep tonight. I found a lump on my head last night, being awake all night. I do wonder what it is. Of course, I WOULD find something odd on my head!!!! Maybe it is just extra brain. That's what I am thinking!
So, that's where things stand right now. Keep those fingers crossed still that I will only get better (and that lump is really nothing).
So, Wm and I went to get our hairs cut today at Lee H's and I requested that The Chill do "Sock it to me Baby" at Riverfest. He said that they used to do it so maybe they would bring it back. It will be the FIRST TIME that I will go to the concerts at Riverfest and I am really looking forward to it. It's not until April though, but Christmas was over a month ago so time is really passing fast. It will be here before we know it and I can't wait!!!
Okay, that is all for now. I am glad to be back blogging and I promise that I will not let it lapse like I did before.
Love y'all!!!!

NEWS

2011-01-25T09:03:00.000-08:00

Okay, I went to a neurologist yesterday. I have been taken off of all of my medicine and she prescribed two new ones. Walgreens, though, hadn't even heard of one of them!! And I have never sweated as much as I did yesterday and today. I am hoping it is the old meds getting out of my system, kind of detoxing, you know? So, again, everyone keep your fingers crossed that it works. I have been on some of these meds for the whole time!!!
I hope that everyone has a good day today. It is raining today, which is good, since I am stuck inside with my sweaty self!
We'll talk later!!!!!!

I'm back!

2011-01-23T17:00:00.001-08:00

"Sock It to Me" is playing on the radio right now!! For those who remember it, remember how GREAT it is! I have eaten too much ice cream to give the song the proper moves!
Okay, it's over. HOW GREAT! They are doing a tribute to "Laugh In" so it is appropriate.
I have listened to the radio since five this morning and haven't gotten tired of it yet!
Go to Erica's blog and see how fantastic she looks. I have to admit, the tattoos look great!
I have used the word "great" a lot. GREAT!!!!!!
I am going to start blogging regularly again, thanks to "she who will not be named".
I have really eaten too much ice cream today. I think I have eaten about five bowls of chocolate chip mint that my neighbor bought me. I have lost 33 pounds in about three months and if I keep eating like this, I will be Rotunda again!!
I was going to watch the football game that is on tonight, but the music is just too good to turn off!
I go to a new doctor tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed things go well!
That's all for now. I will post tomorrow, I PROMISE!

Happy Fourth of July!

2010-07-04T10:49:00.000-07:00

I hope all of you are going to have a great afternoon and evening on this holiday. I am going to Linda's in a few minutes for lunch and then she and I are going to the new Twilght movie. I went to Sunday school and church this morning and I wore blue jeans! Man, I like that better than trying to find a dress and those dreadful hose and then be uncomfortable for two hours! My jeans are getting tighter and tighter though, because I get an iced coffee everyday! They certainly chill my insides on these hot days!
Well, I gotta go soon, so have a happy day!
Later.

It's my favorite time of year...... NOT!

2010-06-26T14:13:00.000-07:00

The heat index is over one hundred. I've tried to stay inside as much as I can. I have my thermostat set on "hang meat", so I am comfortable inside. I have to go across a hot parking lot to wash clothes now, so I did that this morning. It was getting pretty unbearable around noon. I put my clothes up and went and got a cold coffee drink and a glass of tea. While it was all good going down, my body is rebelling against doing that. Lesson learned, one or the other, not BOTH at the same time!
My house is still for sale if anyone is interested. I pray everyday that it will be the answer to someone else's prayer and they will buy it. That note is a killer!
Well, apparently Erica has become a jock. Who'd've thunk it! She sounds more upbeat and is feeling better since she started running and boxing. I think I am going to join a gym this week, but I just have to make sure that I GO! The three gyms in town are within walking distance from my apartment, so I really would have no excuse, unless I drank a large iced coffee and chased it with a large iced tea!!!
This is just a little post. I am going to do better posting from now on.
OH, and Callie, my calico cat, loves it here and loves being the only cat. I love her dearly and she is a lot of company to me.
So, until later, dear friends!

Ode to Billy Joe

2010-06-03T08:36:00.000-07:00

It was the third of June
Another sleepy dusty delta day.
I was out chopping cotton
and my brother was baling hay.
And at dinnertime we stopped
and walked back to the house to eat.
And mama hollered out the backdoor y'all remember to wipe your feet.
She said I got some news this morning from
Choctaw Ridge, today Billy Joe McAllister
jumped off the Tallahatchee Bridge.

Okay, I know the rest of it but that's all I'm going to write. I just wanted to pay homage to Bobbie Gentry and her Ode to Billy Joe.

Middle of quite a week

2010-05-26T08:13:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I hope everyone is cool in the air conditioning. You KNOW how much I love hot weather!!!! I am still wanting to throw on a sleeve before I go out, but nooooo, it's summer! At least my apartment is cool, and I hope I haven't jinxed it by saying that!
I went to dance class the other night. I wish they would play some rock and roll. I would be much more inclined to dance! As I was leaving, a woman was leaving, too, and we commented on the dark cloud above us and I said goodbye and headed across the street to my car and I heard her scream and she was on the ground. She kept saying it's broken, it's broken and I looked and he foot was aiming the wrong way. I ran in and told someone to call 911 and everybody came running out and I left. That is what happens when you line dance to just country music!!!!!!! I am not even talking about heavy rock and roll, the oldies would be good. I know she has "It's my Party" on it because she was looking for something else. And the music she plays is really good. I just would rather have some rock mixed in. Have I talked about this topic enough???
I am going to eat lunch with Norma and Susan today. When they called that's what I hoped they were calling about. It's been a couple of weeks since I ate at Diamond Jacks and I miss it!!
Well, I had an embarassing thing happen to me yesterday. My toilet backed up! I had to call the maintenance man which is new for me. He fixed it quickly, thank goodness. But that is weird, having someone else do something, instead of David doing it!
Well that's all for now. Stay cool!

Howdy everybody!

2010-05-21T10:26:00.000-07:00

I got my "summer cut" this morning and I feel so liberated! No hair to worry with, essentially. I could do what Christopher does and just shave my head, but I think that would be a last resort. I LOVE and ADORE my new apartment. It is so pretty with all of the pictures on the walls and new stove and fridge. I love the color of everything, and it just makes me serene. I have a nice neighbor, who has already helped me out by carrying my bad microwave back to Walmart and then helping me with the new one. We have a mandatory apartment meeting next week so I will get to meet everyone. They need to go over some of the rules in person, which will be good. I am glad that it is not next Friday because my nephew, Scott, graduates and unless it is raining, I plan to be there! I need to start my chocolate business. Y'all don't know how tempting it is knowing that there are truffle brownies in a box in the closet! I want to cook 'em, NOW!! If anyone wants a chocolate tasting party, I'm the one who can hook you up!!Okay, that's all for now. I am using my new computer, which I love. It is a laptop and I make lots of mistakes because the keyboard is a little different than my other one. I have never hit the backspace this many times!! Later, everybody/1

Another day

2010-05-20T07:45:00.000-07:00

I have so much to do today. What I really want to do is crawl back into the bed! But then the stuff wouldn't get done! What a conundrum! Yesterday I had company and they loved the apartment and what I did with everything. One was my counselor, Jeanine, and the other was the one in charge of the apartment. She is "Miss Wisconsin Cove"! It made me feel good that they liked it so much.
I have made the horrible mistake of putting a tv in my bedroom. AND I found out that Star Trek, the next generation, comes on FOX at ten o'clock! Of course I have watched two nights of it and they were episodes I do not remember seeing the first go round with the show. I love just cuddling under the covers and then just flipping the tv off when the show is over. Ah......
Well, I must go get ready to do my errands. Talk to y'all soon!

Apartment living

2010-05-19T07:42:00.000-07:00

It's been a little over a week since I have moved to this apartment. So far, so good. But the maintenance man bangs on the door and scares me half to death. Yesterday, he broke one of my old frog statues just because he didn't watch where he was going. He says he owes me a kermit now! I thought they looked cute out there but now one is headless! And we have a mandatory meeting next week to go over living here. I bought a microwave that didn't work so I asked one of my new neighbors if he would go to Walmart with me to exchange it and he kindly did! I got the last microwave like mine and so far, so good. I filled the apartment with smoke the other night and it was that electric smell all over the place. My smoke alarm didn't go off, which really surprised me. I can't seem to start a new paragraph so here is another one. Happy birthday to several people. May is a popular month for birthdays, apparently. Okay, I am going now. I need dishtowels and they aren't bringing them to me from the store! Have a great day!!

I'VE MOVED!!!

2010-05-16T14:34:00.000-07:00

Well, I have moved into an apartment. I LOVE IT!! And I have a new computer, a laptop, that is taking me some getting used to. Also, doing my clothes in a laundry room. I don't know when the clothes are done. Well, this computer is telling me that my battery is low so that is all for now until I find out what to do.

Happy Anniversary Christopher and Katie!!

2010-04-26T16:45:00.001-07:00

I hope you have many, many more!

I couldn't do a THING with my hair.........

2010-04-19T10:05:00.000-07:00

One more thing....

2010-04-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

I found out for sure yesterday that I DO have to pay that five hundred and something bill for David. They explained it but I still don't understand how in the middle of the year, there's a charge and insurance won't pay it! They will have to get it eeked out to them the same way all the other doctor bills are being done. It is frustrating, to say the least.
I think I have my freezers sold so that would cover his bill.But I planned to use it to get a microwave and can opener for the apartment. I mean, this is for chemo, something he had every week!!!! I hate insurance, but come January 1, I won't have any, so I will have to stay well and be careful.
Oh well, I can't do much about it now, so I will just mosey on along.
Later, again.

2010-04-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

I've got a weakness for calico cats. So for that reason, I am taking Callie to the apartment, IF I get it, to be my one cat I can have. I was taking Allie, but Callie (such original names!)jumped out of the cage when Erica was taking them to the vet who took them to the farm. Callie is just so sweet and scared, and she loves to cuddle with me. Allie is the sweetest cat you could ever meet, but she isn't too much of a cuddler. She likes to supervise my pill taking every night. She is right there before I am! I am hoping Erica will take Allie to be her cat for the next three and a half years, then I hope I will be back on my feet (I'll be 60 so I will get some benefits)and can take her back. I plan to buy a small house or a townhouse, and get to have TWO cats instead of just one. At least that's the plan I have formulated in my mind.
There's a lot of things hinging on this apartment. One is the fact that I have life insurance, another is the IRA which I can't touch until I am 59 and a half. We will just have to see.
Well, that's all for now. Riverfest starts tonight but I have never been to the music part so I am certainly not going to start now! I may go to the flea market tomorrow. Again, we will just have to see!
I want to go eat at Cracker Barrel today but nobody can go. I may go by myself! I should be packing stuff but until I know for sure about this apartment, it ain't happenin'.
Later.

The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades.......

2010-04-14T15:46:00.000-07:00

Today

2010-04-13T14:45:00.000-07:00

So, I woke up this morning with insurance on mind. I had to make several calls because some, I just don't understand why I am having to pay it! They weren't much help, though, so I'll just "25" them until the balance is paid. It is for David - you'd think that that would have been taken care of a long time ago!
I then went to the store, but first, I went to Payless. You see, last fall I bought one of the best purses I ever had and it was shiny silver, you know, holiday colors. I have carried that thing everywhere, I love it. Well, yesterday I noticed that the strap had torn. Boo hoo. No more great purse. It dawned on me that maybe, just maybe, Payless would have a summer one so off I went. THEY DID!! And they have the buy one get one half off, so I bought a white one for now and a black one for later! That is the first splurge I have treated myself to in a long time. So now when fall comes, I can just switch over to my black purse and I will be in style!
The litter boxes need changing. I think I better go do that. With the warmer weather, they get rank a little bit earlier, dag nab it.
So, have a great evening. Glee is on this evening, as well as the next couple cast off on Dancing With the Stars. And interesting night indeed....
Later!

The way I feel right now......

2010-04-11T16:21:00.000-07:00

Hello fellow chocolate lovers

2010-04-10T18:54:00.000-07:00

I got my starter kit from the Dove Chocolate Discoveries thingy. I couldn't resist trying some of it. I opened the dark chocolate. I ate a piece about an hour ago and I can still taste it! And it is good! Of course the box is in the way in the living room considering I have other boxes in there. And I probably picked a horrible time, what with the move and all, to start in this chocolate business. But if anyone would like a chocolate tasting party and have the chance to win free chocolate, let me know. I will do my best to accommodate you. Now, those reading from out of state, I can send you a catalog and you can pass it around and make it your show. You just won't get to taste the chocolate until you get it!
I had to turn on the air conditioning the other night. It was so muggy and I was so hot, I turned it down really low and ended up turning the electric blanket on! But I slept like a baby! I haven't had to turn it on anymore. I wish this was as warm as we get in summer! Those who have been reading me over the years know how much I hate the heat!!!!!!! Unless I am in a pool or something. This chocolate thing is not going to help me get "swimsuit ready"!
I've had kind of a rough day today. I am paralyzed about packing up the house. I need someone to hand me the stuff or I hand them the stuff. I tried and then just cried for the rest of the day. I did go see my mother. Her birthday, and Erica's birthday, is Monday. I promised mom I would get her some Millionaires candy and a chapstick. That's what she wants. I don't sell Millionaires, but she would have trouble biting my chocolate, so I am going to get it tomorrow.
Well, that is about all for tonight. I am about to hit the sack. Maybe tomorrow will be a cheerier day. I actually had a good day the other day, so I know they are out there, just waiting for me to find them!
Have a great Sunday!

Monday, Monday

2010-04-05T10:25:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to keep on blogging so here I am. I have to go to the taxman's office this afternoon. I am nervous that I will have to pay something. I have called about a hospital bill that David incurred in 2007 already today. Keep your fingers crossed that they filed it wrong. I just cannot see how insurance paid everything up to that and after that and not pay this claim! I hate dealing with insurance anyway. I am better than I used to be. I used to break out in a sweat if I had to call an insurance company! Now I feel mild trepidation (is that the right word?).
I can't believe no one commented on my last post picture, my son the tortoise!!! That'll slow him down, he is working so much. Same with Erica, work, work, work. She gets to go to NYC this week, though, for her job and she has one day off so she and her friend, the other Erica, will be spending some time together, which is nice.
OKay, that's all for now. I need to get out of this gown, it is almost 12:30!!!!!
Have a great day! What I NEED is some McDonald's tea. Hmmmmm, it is next to the bank. I may have to venture over there to get some of the best tea ever!!!!

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T11:25:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day. I slept late and am about to go get a fish sandwich from McDonald's and then go to Kroger. Not very Eastery, I agree. But that is my plan, for the moment.
I am saving newspapers for packing but I have about five bags of them sitting in my living room! I think I will have to throw out some. I mean, after all, I get the paper everyday.
I really don't have much to say, which is obvious! I just hope that everyone is doing okay! And I hope you find all the Easter eggs that are hidden.
Thanks, Wanda, for your comment. Have I ever met you? It's nice to know that someone is reading my ramblings!
Everyone, have a great day!

Explanation

2010-04-03T08:34:00.000-07:00

"Anonymous" asked me why I wasn't still moving into my mother's house. It turned out that I would have to spend thousands of dollars just to get it livable and I just don't have that kind of money. I really wish I could move in there, it would be perfect, a place for my cats AND my dogs. When I found out that that plan was out, I applied for some new apartments on Wisconsin Avenue, very tiny but priced very good. I haven't heard from them in a couple of weeks. A friend of mine is handling the apartment stuff and I know she will do everything she can to help me get in them. But I can only have one cat, and I will have to put a lot of my stuff in storage. So that is why all of this is happening. BTW, who are you "anonymous"?
Time to go eat my oatmeal. I woke up with a headache, probably bread pudding overload!
Have a happy day!

WOW, TWO DAYS STRAIGHT!!!!!

2010-04-02T18:19:00.000-07:00

Hello, all. I can't even believe that I am posting two days straight! Thanks, Wondergirl, for your kind words.
Today I took my mother in law, Norma, to eat at Diamond Jack's casino. They have the best bread pudding there that I always eat with my meal. Well, to my horror, the pan was down to the scrapings, just a couple of blobs of bread pudding. We got Norma's food and we went and got her situated. Then it was my turn. I went straight to the bread pudding and there were the two pathetic little spoonfuls of bread pudding ON TOP OF A FULL PAN THAT HAD NOT BEEN TOUCHED YET! You can believe that I dipped into that nectar. And when I got through eating, I went and got myself some more! Oh, and the glasses at DJ's are very small so I can suck down a glass of tea in just a few sips. The waitress must have recognized me and after she refilled my glass twice, she just left the pitcher on the table! YAY! I drank lots of iced tea, lots and lots of it and it was good. I am going out to Norma's tomorrow because my brother in law and his three kids will be in town. We are having chicken, no bread pudding, but we will have iced tea. Ought to be an interesting day.
I have signed up to sell chocolate at home parties. That sounds weird but I am really excited about it. The profits are better than when I sold lingerie. I mean, you can only have so much lingerie, but chocolate, well, you can NEVER have enough chocolate. Hopefully, this will give me an income to kill off some of these bills that keep piling up. I still haven't heard about the apartment yet. If I get it, I guess I will move in the end of April, first of May. If I don't get it, and the chocolate money is good, maybe I can get a smaller house and keep my cats! I want to keep my cats!!! Our old house is for sale. I would live there again in a heartbeat. But I would have to sell this one first and it is just not "show" ready.
Well, I am about to hit the hay. I mean, it's almost 8:30!!!!!! I slept until 10 this morning, just dead to the world. I think it is all of this medicine I am taking. Hopefully it is working to help me.
Take care and have a wonderful Easter, if I don't blog tomorrow! Should be beautiful weather for all of those egg hunts! That is one thing I miss, the egg hunts. I really liked doing that.
Night, all!

No, I haven't disappeared yet!

2010-04-01T20:47:00.000-07:00

Hello friends and family! Here I am, at 10:47 pm writing my first post in months. Insomnia can be productive!
I've been trying to pack up my house but it has reached the point that I need to see the apartment, if I even GET the apartment, to put things into and get them out of here. I am going to selling some big ticket items:2 upright freezers, a piano, a bed, a lighted curio cabinet, which is beautiful, and David's tools, which I have no idea how much they are worth. Hopefully, this will cover the doctor bills I am still getting from David. I got one the other day, from 2007, the year he died, for over five hundred dollars and I called and they say I owe it, but I just don't see how. But I paid them twenty five dollars to just get them off my back. I guess I will end up paying all of it. And I have incurred doctor bills, too, with my jaw and all, so we'll see how this sale goes. I would like to be free of doctor bills all together.
I only have five cats now. And if I get the apartment, I can only have one cat. That causes me tears everyday because I love all of my cats, even the ones that I have given away already. I'm their mama. They love me and I love them. Maybe some miracle will happen and I can stay in my house and keep my kittens!
This is a short post. I watched Delia talking about time outs. What a cutie pie that little girl is.
So, that is all for now. I will try to post in a more timely manner from now on!
Later!

Changes

2010-01-18T10:52:00.001-08:00

Well, folks, it's a new year and am I about to have some big changes occur. I am moving out of my dream house into my mother's house. This house is too big and I can't afford the note for much longer so, long story short, mom's house is sitting there empty and after it gets cleaned, I can move in there. It will be much more manageable, and it is in a decent area. I am really going to miss this house, with my deck and my big bedroom, but there is a swing at mom's and I will have quite a bit of room. Plus, and this is a big one, the laundry room is in the kitchen. No more shlepping up and down the steps with my back killing me, lugging up or down laundry!!!! My only concern, besides packing up ten years of this house by myself, is the cat situation. I have four cats downstairs that have never mingled with my girls upstairs, so that is going to be tricky to get resolved. I wish I had the pet psychic come over and talk to them. I watched her the other night. Very interesting and there is something to it, I believe. These animals didn't just decide to act right just because she was there. So I need her to talk to my kittens and tell them not to freak out and pee and poop on everything!!!!!
Hopefully, this house will sell rather quickly, but we're not showing it yet, there is much to be done. And we have to get mom's house ready too, so we've got a lot to do in both places. And as always, I ask that you pray for me. I am really a basket case right now, with all of this going on. Thank you.
That's all for now. I will try to keep you caught up with what's going on, as it is happening.
Later.

I agree

2009-12-12T09:56:00.000-08:00

Two year anniversary

2009-12-02T12:14:00.000-08:00

Well, today is the two year anniversary of David's death. I can't decide whether that is fast or slow. Either way, it is unbelievable that he has been gone that long.
Marsha Thompson, news anchor at WLBT, lost her husband yesterday to colorectal cancer and he was a doctor, so I know we did everything we could. I am going out this afternoon to put a Christmas tree on the grave. I've been carrying it in my car since last year!
And it is so cold! I know it is December now, but we don't live in Chicago! We live in MISSISSIPPI, so it needs to warm up, just a tad. I don't want a high gas bill on top of my insurance bills and house note!!!!
We aren't doing a lot of Christmas shopping for everyone. Stocking stuffers are going to be the gifts of choice. Maybe if I got out in the hubbub of the holiday, I would feel more "Christmasy", but I really don't want to do that either!
That's all for now. If anyone would like a kitty for Christmas, I have some, don't forget, all fixed and litter trained!! I would really feel good about that, finding "forever" homes for them.
Have a great afternoon and send a shout out up to David. I am sure he would appreciate it!

I'm Back!!

2009-11-17T17:39:00.000-08:00

I just returned from San Antonio for the wedding of Jason Mucha and Sandy Casillas. It was a beautiful wedding and I will post some pictures later on when I get them. They make a darling couple and it was so nice to see so much love illuminating their faces! And then Jean and I got to have breakfast with Sandy on the day we left, so I got to know her a little better!
So, that's all for now. I will write when I am not so tired! That's a long dang drive from the Lone Star state. (oh, I saw the Alamo, too!)

Howdy, Folks!

2009-11-04T19:20:00.000-08:00

I had already gone to bed but just needed to come in here and blog a little. It isn't as cold tonight, so that's good. I had to turn my central heat on for a couple of hours yesterday, it was so cold in here. In fact, it was colder in here than outside! I shoulda dragged the tv out in the front yard and saved on my heating bill!!!!
One bad thing I found out was my health insurance is going up to 540 bucks a month. So, I think I am going to cancel it. I just will pay the doctor bill instead of 1080 a month! Dr. Ellendula isn't even on my insurance and she is the only doctor I have been seeing lately. My eating is still difficult, unless it is soft like potatoes or soft casserole, so I am always hungry! I have been eating a lot of Campbell's soup in the microwavable cans. They are pretty filling, plus I have been drinking a lot of ginger ale and juice. I still haven't lost any weight, though. Tomorrow I hope to go eat lunch with Christy. A soft enchilada at El Sombrero's. MMMMMMMMM
The weather has been gorgeous for the last few days. It is a little chilly for just a little while and then it warms up. We sure will be missing these days when it gets bonafide cold, but I have two of my mother's coats, plus my own, so I think I will be okay. I am going to be in colder climates in December so they will come in handy.
The cats are okay. I can't tell you how sweet Teddie looked all today. She is chewing on her arm, though, so it is kind of ooky, but she has been laying on a pot holder, on her side, sound asleep. I found her one time looking out the back door. We will never find out what happened to that kitten, I guess. And I wonder if Scruffy is still alive. I haven't seen him in months and I don't know if he is being fed. I had a collar on him, so I hope he hasn't gotten too fat for the collar if he IS still being fed.
Well, a job hunt is about to begin. I need something with benefits, obviously, so I am going to try the hospital, the paper, and the casinos, with a start date in January. My special friend is coming into town in December and hopefully he will want to see me. He has been very sick lately, so I haven't "felt the love" that I did before. Of course, that is probably just me, reading something that isn't there. But I am going to start putting applications in, the end of this month at the hospital and the paper. I have GOT to have some benefits and some money coming in monthly, at least. Damn this economy!!!!! It keeps me awake some nights, just worrying about how I am going to live!
OKay, I am going back to bed now. It's been good talking to everyone tonight. Erica, I hope Apes had a grand finale! And Christopher, I will be seeing you next week!! Good times, good times........
Night!

I'm FREEZING!!!!!

2009-10-30T16:05:00.000-07:00

I am so cold. I bought a big infrared heater recently. Every time I plug it in, it trips a breaker, so I am waiting for the company to send me a free shipping label. So I have a little heater, sweat clothes, and a down throw on me when I sit on the couch. We have had a cold rain for all of the day and it just is getting chillier and chillier as the day goes on. Hopefully, it will stop tomorrow. The temperature isn't even that low, it's just cold!!! And as I type this, I hear that rain coming down!
Well, tomorrow is Halloween, and no, I will not be passing out candy to eighteen and nineteen year old people. I will turn my lights out and hole up in my room. I got so mad a couple of years ago when, what had to be, football players taking all of the candy. Last year I turned out the lights, and what a relief to not have to be jumping up and down to be greeted by someone taller than me, begging for candy!!!!
For those that have missed it, my new email address is treid54@gmail.com. Write me! I cannot even get back into my other email addresses so I don't have a very full address book on gmail. So, again, write me so I can add you to my new address book.
That's all for now. I am so ready for bed, being so cold and having just had a bowl of soup, but I have to stay up to watch MONK. Then I will hit the bed!!!! Oh, and we get an extra hour this weekend. Yay!!!
Happy Halloween, Y'all!!!

A few pics of my trip

2009-10-27T14:13:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures of beautiful Crater Lake in Oregon. The weather was perfect and I have NEVER seen water so blue!

Things that are happenin'

2009-10-12T16:04:00.000-07:00

Hey, folks, long time no write, right? I just have not been able to share my feelings lately, so I just haven't bothered to write on my blog.
But things are happening. I just got back three weeks ago from a trip to Oregon and California. Oregon and California, you say? I went to visit a friend, who has become more than a friend, and had a wonderful time. We visited Crater Lake and the giant redwoods in northern California. There was an interesting story about a waitress in the Avenue of the Giants. Some day I will tell about it!!! Just not today! I am still having trouble with my jaw, though, so that put a damper on some of the festivities. I could only eat soft things. If I don't talk all day, it doesn't hurt! So, I applied for disability through one of those lawyers on tv because I was turned down when I did it myself. I want to find a part time or even a full time job, one where I won't have to really interact with people because of this malady, just do my job, get health insurance, and get paid. If the disability comes through, they said it would be at least a year! I gotta do something before a year is up, that's for sure.
This coming weekend is the Smith/Reid family reunion. As usual, there will be new faces there and old faces gone, due to the changing families. All that food is going to be tempting to me, but I will have to stick to soft stuff. Shoot, I may even only be able to eat dessert! Usually they are soft, but hopefully there will be soft veggies. I am going to take some mashed potatoes or potato salad that I can eat. It ought to be fun, if this friggin' rain would stop!!!!!!!
Well, that is all for now. I am alive, reasonably well, and happy that I may have found someone new to be in my life. But let me tell you, flying from Jackson to Medford, Oregon is literally for the birds! Layovers, early flight (5 am)times, lugging luggage (Hey, I guess that is why is it is called "luggage"! Cool!)
Anyway, I hope to get regular with my blog again, but if it is still a few weeks between posts, then I don't have anything to say!!!
Take care, everybody!

An unusual sight

2009-09-08T12:16:00.000-07:00

I had to go to counseling today and I got out right at noon, so with three dollars in my pocket, I decided to go to KFC and try their grilled chicken. When I gave my order, I turned to go through the drivethru and what should be there but a big chicken, walking around, preening and pecking! I told the clerk and she said, yeah, he had been there for about a year! Now, was the chicken looking for his family or just tempting fate? I don't know. He was a pretty chicken, dark feathers and a reddish head.
I just thought it very strange. It'd be like an Angus cow hanging out at McDonald's, you know?

Yard sales are for the birds!

2009-08-23T18:23:00.000-07:00

So, Jean has been here for the last ten days and we decided to have a yard sale. Something to get stuff out of the house and to make some money. We worked very hard on this yard sale. Marking the prices, dragging things out and deciding whether or not it would sell. Linda and Christy were going to help and put a few things in it, too, so they got over here at seven Saturday morning. Jean and I had gone through a ton of stuff and we were pretty confidant that we would make some money. WHAT A JOKE!! We did have people come, but very few. A couple of people we knew and were glad to see but no one bought anything!!! I think that the total intake was around 60bucks!!!! So Jean loaded up her car and took everything to River City Rescue. Someone there will find uses for everything. She also took a few things to give to a men's group at her church. So much for making enough money to help pay for my trip to San Antonio for Jason's (Jean's son) wedding!!!!
Before she left today though, we went through some more things and I got a little more organized. The dining room table is completely clean, things are in folders, and the shredder is in the living room so when I bring in the mail, I can shred if I need to. That will end the clutter that is always on the table.
Well, I am exhausted so I am going to bed to read the paper and go to sleep.
Sweet dreams to all!!!

Another rainy day

2009-07-28T11:49:00.000-07:00

You know, we go through no rain and we want it to rain so badly to cool us off and water the plants, but then it goes all crazy and rains everyday! I have missed the pool two days straight. For one thing, it is not even very hot, so I would freeze in the breeze! Hopefully, tomorrow will be swimmerific!
I was kind of afraid to go downstairs this morning, but all of the remaining cats are accounted for. I just don't know what killed Campbell and for a healthy big cat that he was, I am worried about the smaller cats, if it is something contagious. I mean, I need to get rid of some cats but not this way! Campbell was one of my favorites and I still can't believe he is gone. David is probably carrying him around and Campbell is probably chittering at him nonstop. You know, how a cat does, not quite a meow but more of a chit chit chit? Well, Campbell did that all the time, except in the last few weeks. Now I know why.
Well, school starts in a week. Linda and Matthew were over here this morning filling out job applications for both her and Matthew. Scott will be a senior, which is totally unbelievable! I am going to look for a job unless I get the disability, which I doubt I will get. I am going straight to the casinos to see if they need a typist or something behind the scenes, but I am not going to do it until I take a couple of trips this fall. I think they will make me feel better, relieve some tension, just have a good time. I need that very much.
That's all for now. Take care!

Sad News at the Reid house

2009-07-27T14:40:00.000-07:00

I had been noticing that Campbell, my beautiful and huge tabby cat, had been acting strange lately. In fact, I didn't even see him for a couple of days. Then I found his hidey hole. Last night I couldn't get him down to eat or anything. Today, I go down there and he is dead, on the counter, not a mark on him, his eyes wide open, just like he was perfectly normal. I have wondered what I would do if and when a cat dies and today I got to find out. I put him in a box and took him to the vet's office to take care of him, since I can't dig a big enough hole in my backyard. I am very sad. He was a calendar kitty, just absolutely gorgeous. Of all of the cats to go, he was one of the ones I thought would live the longest. He was twelve and a half years old, though, so he did live a long life.
So, that is my news today. Pretty Cammy crossed the Rainbow Bridge into heaven. And I believe pets go to heaven because they are so loving on earth and are so loved by their owners. He is probably with David, don't you imagine? I do.
OKay, talk to y'all later.

HEY!

2009-07-23T13:09:00.000-07:00

This post is to notify those that are interested that I have a new email address. It is treid54@gmail.com I was getting nothing but spam from my aol one and can't seem to get into the other email address I had. So, there it is.
Me? I am a slug today, not sleeping well last night, and just basically blah. I need something to interest me but so far, reading, watching tv, nothing compares with just sitting and listening to music! It makes the day go by faster, and I enjoy it. Tomorrow I have to do some stuff, get my swimming session in. I have been going three times a week to the city pool, and while I haven't dragged out the scale to see if I have lost some weight, I feel like I have lost a little. I can't eat, my mouth hurts too bad, so come on, some weight BETTER be dropping off of me!!!!! I am on a new medicine that so far, hasn't been anything to write home about. I go back to that doc in a couple of weeks.
Well, that's all I have to say today. So You Think You Can Dance has been extremely good and emotional this season. Last night there was a dance about a breast cancer patient and everyone was crying, including me, and it stayed on my mind for hours. Hence the not sleeping. I hate cancer. I feel so cheated and so mad that it took David. But it is not in our hands, is it? We have to just deal with the loss. And listening to the radio helps me tremendously. David loved music so much, it makes me feel closer to him, listening to songs that he liked.
OKay, I didn't mean to yammer on so much!!!! Take care of yourself, everyone!!

Things here and there

2009-07-08T15:16:00.000-07:00

photo courtesy of Jamie Berg
Hey, all! What a whirlwind week I have had. Last week my friend from Oregon came in and we had a great time, ate at Borello's twice and a new sandwich shop here. I am having so much trouble eating though, so the crab cakes at B's were easy to eat and delicious! Tomorrow, Cheryl and I are going to go eat chicken salad at Billy's and just mess around the outlet mall.
I went to counseling today and my mouth is just all twisted up. But she said I looked "brighter", either from my fun or from the city pool. I have been trying to get to the pool twice a week and it is a lot of fun to just bounce up and down doing water aerobics. I can seriously feel where I have been working out! Now, on to losing twenty pounds!!!
Erica is in an ad for a bike bag and it is a lovely picture. Christopher is getting used to his new job and doing well and enjoying it. Me, I'm just here!! With the cats. I don't know what to do with all of these cats. Two days straight I have had to climb a ladder and get two cats from the rafters!! Wussy kitty cats!!! Afraid to jump!!! I got Teddie shaved the other day and she has been in an empty kitty litter bag ever since. She does come out to "take care of some business" every few hours. CATS!!!WHAT TO DO WHAT TO DO!!!
Well, the news should be coming on soon and I enjoy watching it. So You Think You Can DAnce comes on tonight. I don't want anyone to be "voted" off, they are all so good. Makes me want to jump right up and do a jig!!!!!!
Later, friends!!!

Today

2009-06-19T18:08:00.000-07:00

I went swimming today. There were a ton of little boys at either end of the pool, so I had to stay in the middle, which was okay, because I was doing jumping jacks and bounces. I get home in this freakishly hot weather, and see in the paper that this whole week has been Boy Scout camp! Today was the last day. Yay! But I am so tired and still feel the "Bullfrog" spray all over me.
I had to go to Linda's again today to feed her animals and poor Foxy is so hot. I am glad they will be home tomorrow. Her birds may have learned a new word or two, one that the church group probably wouldn't care for, but I stubbed my toe on something nailed to the floor in the bird room so many times, I finally had to just let it out!!
It literally is 100 degrees here, which is just unbelievable since it is just the middle of June. We usually get our hundreds in July and August. Maybe it will just switch around and we will have a cooler July and August instead.
Well, that is all for now. I just really have nothing to say. Erica, I hope your headache goes away. Christy, I hope your poison ivy goes away.
OH, I HAVE to go see YEAR ONE next week, maybe even this weekend. I just love Michael Cera and he and Jack Black are the stars. Michael Cera just cracks me up looking at him, he is just so darned funny, in a very understated way. And there is air conditioning in the theater so it will keep me out of the heat. I am not even going to begin to try to go swimming during the weekend. Tons o' kids would be quite distracting.
Have a great weekend!!!!

Facebook

2009-06-14T15:15:00.001-07:00

Well, along with the MILLIONS of other people, I joined Facebook! I am not choosing a user name, just use my real name to read on my "wall". It's pretty cool to see some of the people that have already popped up on there. I know there are a lot of people that I would love to hear from on Facebook, but maybe they haven't joined yet.
It is so hot today. I know you in Chicago are cold, but dang, it is unbearably hot here. I have had to go feed Linda's birds and just going over there, I am sweating profusely. I do need a headband.
I am joining the swimming pool tomorrow for adult lap "bounce". I am not that good a swimmer so I bounce in the water. Just a cool way to get some exercise and not burn up in the sun. I did get sunburned the first time I went, but it has already almost healed up now. The peeling was so attractive.
Y'all, I have a question. What if someone you haven't seen or talked to in about forty years calls you at midnight, then when I didn't answer, said he would call me back and he hasn't. Should I call him? Just forget it? I know it is probably about David, but still, it would be nice to talk to someone new. Ideas? Give me some feedback on this. He lives on the west coast so it is not as though he is asking me for a date!!!!!!! Should I just ignore it?
Congrats to Rebecca and Tim and their wedding Friday night. Many decades of joy for the both of you.
I am fixing fish sticks to make a fish sandwich now. It was getting too much to go to McDonalds' everyday. Although, it is a drop in the bucket if I were feeding a family. I had really gotten addicted to their double filet'o'fish sandwich. Yummy!
Well, I need to go check on my fish filets cooking in the oven. Take care and seriously, y'all give me some feed back about that phone call. I really need some answers.
Later.

Erica Dew Drop Fairy 1995

2009-06-10T11:27:00.001-07:00

Erica Dew Drop Fairy 1995
Originally uploaded by Erica Reid

Here she is, older, in high school, and that sass is still there!!!!!!!!!

Erica Tap 2nd Grade

2009-06-10T11:23:00.001-07:00

Erica Tap 2nd Grade
Originally uploaded by Erica Reid

I should have known she would be an entertainer from this picture!! Look at that sassiness coming through!!!!!

me

2009-05-27T16:35:00.000-07:00

Well, I am going to talk about me for a moment. I am going to start going to the swimming pool with my friend Christie and am going to get into a healthier mindset. Hopefully, swimming laps with my kick board will help me shape up and feel better, and have lots more energy than I am having right now. I am still having so much trouble with my mouth. I have sores that make me want to just scream when I accidentally bite them, which is all the time, plus my jaw still wants to do it's "tardive dysconesia" dance all the time. I am going to another doctor at the end of the month and he is going to decide whether I should get disability or not. I hope so, because there is no money coming in right now. Linda and I have to sell mom's house in ten months or we will start having to pay for mom to stay in the nursing home and neither one of us has that kind of money. So, if you know if anyone wants to move to Vicksburg, let me know!!!!
Have y'all been watching Jon and Kate Plus Eight? She is so mean to him, but if he cheated on her, well, there's no excuse for that. I spent the whole weekend watching the marathon on TLC. That is the most television I have watched in a while.
Oh, and about the house, I ordered a St. Joseph statue to bury in the yard to sell the house. He is the patron saint of real estate (?) so I am gonna give it the old college try. I mean, I got ride of the yp's by putting mirrors all over the side of my house! And VOILA! They were gone within the year. Yay, feng shui!
Well, my hot pocket is beeping to let me know it is ready. Time to try to eat again. It gets so frustrating to not be able to eat like a normal human being anymore. Hopefully, it will eventually get well. I need to find the saint for that and bury him in the yard!!!!
Talk to you later!

baldman being hooded

2009-05-17T15:21:00.001-07:00

baldman being hooded
Originally uploaded by Waldie's World

graduation

2009-05-17T15:01:00.001-07:00

graduation
Originally uploaded by Waldie's World

THIS is why I went to South Carolina last week. I am so very proud of Christopher. He worked his tail off, doing internship, classwork, and a part time job. He is one of the lucky ones. He starts his new job this month, in fact, I think tomorrow, the eighteenth.
Speaking of dates, today would have been my 34th wedding anniversary. I will be honest with you, I didn't get up until 3:30 because I just couldn't. I went and got another filet of fish sandwich for supper, so at least I got out some. David would be busting a gut with pride seeing his son get his advanced degree!!!!!

baldman and jordan before graduation

2009-05-17T14:55:00.001-07:00

baldman and jordan before graduation
Originally uploaded by Waldie's World

Christopher and his friend, Jordan, at their graduation ceremony. They both got Masters in Social Work. Jordan will be moving away in a couple of weeks which is sad, because he and C have become good friends.

baldman and waldie before graduation

2009-05-17T14:53:00.003-07:00

baldman and waldie before graduation
Originally uploaded by Waldie's World

Christopher and Katie on graduation day. Don't they look wonderful?

baldman and his mom before graduation

2009-05-17T14:53:00.001-07:00

baldman and his mom before graduation
Originally uploaded by Waldie's World

Here is a picture of proud me and my son the day of his graduation.

WhAt a week!!!

2009-05-14T11:52:00.001-07:00

Okay, I am NOT the best traveler the world has ever seen. I am content to stay in my little world, trying not to worry about a thing. BUT, last week I flew to Charlotte, NC and spent the night with Carolyn and had a wonderful time, then Christopher picked me up and I spent five nights with him because he was graduating. With a MASTER'S!!!!! I am so very proud of him. He already has a job lined up starting next Monday and I feel very grateful about that! The job market is a killer and over half of those graduates are going to have trouble finding a job.
Sunday night, at a very late hour, Erica and Fuzzy blew in. They had been in Biloxi where Erica officiated at the wedding of Chad and Elizabeth. I only got to visit with them for a little while, but little is better than nothing! When they took me back to the airport, I got teary eyed, partly because I hated leaving them and partly because I was nervous. Even the security person noticed and reassured me all would be well. And it was. So, I am back home, with a ton of laundry that I haven't done and yard work, and cats and dogs and groceries. All that stuff that I just am tired of doing. I need a smaller house and less pets but neither of those will happen anytime soon.
I have just noticed that it is hard to type with long fingernails. Mine are growing like crazy, because I am taking calcium, but they get in the way!! How do those women type with those long curled under nails? THEY CAN'T!
I have because addicted to McDonald's double filet o'fish and a diet coke. I figured out I have had one every day since I got back. It's kind of healthy, isn't it?
Well, that's all for now. Hopefully I will be posting more often now.
Take care.

Sunday

2009-04-14T10:12:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, my bebegirl turned THIRTY years old! She had a wonderful weekend, not the kind of birthday that has been happening for the last few years. Also, on Sunday, my mother turned 81. She isn't doing too well. She sleeps all the time and when she is awake, she really is just waiting to go back to sleep. I can dig it.
Christopher had an extremely long job interview, so let's keep our fingers crossed that he gets the job.
I am about the same, the mouth soreness and spasms and lordy lordy, I feel fat! My mall walking hasn't exactly been a success. Maybe I can get some in before my trip, which I am really looking forward to. I will spend the night with Carolyn, then Christopher will come and pick me up to go to his house for several days. I need it.
Well, that's all for now. Take care.

Fresh air

2009-04-09T14:19:00.000-07:00

I have my new windows open and the fans going, nice fresh air is blowing into the house. Of course, I am freezing because it isn't real sunny out today and the house has a bit of a chill. Buffy is going crazy trying to get into the windows so I have to make sure that they are not up too high or she will jump out. That would be all I would need. Buffy run over or running away. She is a cat I want to keep. David called her "Bufferin" and "Buffanella" all the time. Or, because she is so talkative, he called her "whiny baby needy cat" a lot! Which she is.
I need to go to the store but today has been a really off day. I didn't even go see Mom today, although she is probably still asleep. I think she has rubbed off on me, because all I want to do is sleep today. Must be that fresh air! Tomorrow will be better to do what I need to do. One thing I desperately need is cat litter. I wish I could get these cats to quit going to the bathroom. And of course, the one that pees on the counter/stove, well, I want to put her out. I tried today but she freaked out and ran back in. I can't blame her. She is twelve years old and has never been an outside cat. Problems, problems, problems. I would feel horrible if she got run over. She'll be one of those cats that live to be twenty, just you watch!!!
The feeling is coming back to my thumb. It's about time! It still feels really weird, but it feels a tiny bit less weird. I hope it completely goes away soon. Not my thumb, the weirdness!!!
WELL, that's all for now. I am not even going to put a picture on here today. I will make up for it later!
Ta ta for now!

YAY!

2009-04-07T14:46:00.000-07:00

I have new windows, and no, it hasn't got a thing to do with my computer! We have had these horrible, moldy windows in our dining area and just never could afford to get them fixed, but we planned to because they were painted shut and had mold on them. I just kept them covered with some wooden blinds and used some caulking tape on it to cover the mold. Well, I bit the bullet today and while I STILL can't afford it, I got the windows redone. They look great! I can open them now to feel some fresh air, they are easy to clean, and most of all, they tore off the sills where the mold was and replaced it and then repainted the whole thing!! I am just thrilled over them. Now I can not feel embarrassed about them and can open up the blinds without being "blinded" by nasty woodwork. AND, a bush was growing into it because there was a three inch opening at the top of one of the windows! Now my house will be easier to heat and cool without that just wasting energy.
I am also cooking supper, so, something is beeping. Later!!!!

Send up some prayers

2009-04-03T18:56:00.000-07:00

My mother is very sick. They put a feeding tube in her yesterday and she wasn't too coherent today. I just hope it isn't too little, too late. Please remember her in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

2009-04-01T14:41:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Katie!!! I am so glad that you are in our family married to Baldman! I hope you have a great day and a card is on its way to you!!

My stimulous package

2009-03-27T10:26:00.000-07:00

I am using electronic stimuli to try to get the feeling in my thumb. Hence, my "stimulus" package. So far, it has helped a little, but I got one for here to do four times a day. For thirty minutes. That's two hours! I can feel it when I touch it, but it is weird feeling and feels like it is asleep and waking up. You know, the tingly feeling you get when you hit your funny bone, yet this doesn't go away. I hope that one day it will just get well.
Well, it's a short post today. I just did the treatment and I find I am making mistakes. I mean, that's what you get when you electrify your thumb!!!! Bye!

Today

2009-03-24T16:38:00.000-07:00

What a strange day it has been. I have done absolutely nothing, seriously. I was waiting for a phone call and they called right at five this afternoon. Five more minutes I would have been outside feeding the dogs.
Yesterday would have been David's 55th birthday. I miss him. Erica wrote a wonderful tribute on her blog and it made me cry and my eyes feel like molten lava was poured into them. I am tired of David being gone. Example:
The water heater was gushing water yesterday. I didn't know what to do, except call the plumber who couldn't come until today. My cats were doing the backstroke almost, the water was getting pretty high. I called Daniel and he suggested what to be done, but didn't know how to do it. I called Phil. Again, he didn't know what to do. So I called Roto-Rooter and the guy came out in about an hour and fixed it. There is still water standing in some places in the basement, but it would absolutely take up all of my towels to blot it up. So, evaporation can do its thing.
Erica sent gifts to put at the grave, so tomorrow, weather permitting, I am headed out there to give him his gifts. He would love them. I still love him so much, but there is no way to express it. So, here go the burning eyes again.
My thumb and forefinger are still numb but thank goodness I can still type. The phone call I was waiting on was for my dyskinisia, for disability. I am not counting on that. I will have to find a job I can do and soon.
OKay, I am not even going to put a picture up. Go to Erica's blog. She has the best pics of her and David.
I still need prayers, so throw up a little one for me to the Big Guy. Thanks.

Glass Bottom Boat Zoom

2009-03-16T12:27:00.001-07:00

Glass Bottom Boat Zoom
Originally uploaded by Erica Reid

Here is a picture of my parents and my sweet little bandaided self in Florida in the fifties. It was a glass bottomed boat that we were on and I still have fond memories of it. The bandaid was the result of me falling face first out of a chair as we were checking into the motel and I had to have stitches. My daddy probably broke every traffic rule to get me to the hospital. I remember them wrapping me in a sheet, kind of like a straight jacket, then putting the stitches in. I also remember the doctor telling them that I needed a lollipop for lunch that day. Good times, good times.........

Tricia School Pics

2009-03-16T12:16:00.001-07:00

Tricia School Pics
Originally uploaded by Erica Reid

Erica is scanning pics of our family into the computer. These are my twelve school pictures. Check out the glasses and the hair!!

This happened Sunday evening........

2009-03-11T16:04:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I have been looking for a crocheted blanket for about six weeks. I knew it HAD to be somewhere near the couch, so I remembered, when I wasn't in bed, and looked and lo and beHOLD, there it was, scrushed up on the floor. So, I reached my arm down there and, y'all, my arm got stuck. I am talking stuck. I couldn't turn it, if I tried to push the couch away, it just got more jammed, I tried to get the phone, but I am not a monkey, so that didn't work, plus it was my swolled up foot anyway. I beat on the picture window screaming for help but no one even came strolling by on this gorgeous afternoon. I finally jerked it free so now I have numb fingers and half of my hand, and a beautiful bruise on my upper arm and a yellow bruise down my arm. My thumb and forefinger won't stop tingling yet they are kind of numb. I am determined to keep from going to the doctor about this. I mean, COME ON! How ridiculous is this? Dr. Wooten would laugh at me, like every one else has, and I guess, rightly so. So my face has wild spasms and now my left hand is tingling/numb. I'm a piece o'work, ain't I?
Oh, and it was shorts weather yesterday. Today I wore my fur parka. You just never know around here, that's why it's best to not put up winter clothes until June!!!
That's all for now. I am glad to see I can still type but it is only because I don't have to use my thumb too much. It is a'reallly tinglin'!!!! I would put a picture of the site of the accident but it would be too embarrassing!!!! I am SUCH a dumbass!
Take care and watch out for dangerous furniture.

Grossness

2009-03-03T18:30:00.000-08:00

So, you know I have mentioned that I have a lot of cats? Well, one of them pees on inappropriate things, the worst being the stove top. I decided to make myself a grilled cheese sandwich using a new cast iron little skillet that I have had for years but had yet to use. I heat up the oil in it and voila, the heated smell of cat pee, wafting throughout my house! I turned the stove fan on, but to no avail. It still reeks of cat pee. I was kind of afraid to eat my sandwich, but it tasted all right. I mean, it wasn't in the skillet, just in the burners. So when it cools down, out comes the orange cleaner. But who's to say that this cat won't do it again tonight? Odds are I will be cleaning up pee tomorrow.
I just thought y'all'd like to know this. OH, and now Teddie, the handicapable kitten, just threw up. My life. It should be a movie.

Relief

2009-03-01T15:56:00.000-08:00

I cannot tell y'all how relieved I am to have quit my job! I feel ten pounds lighter, without worrying about going to work. Yes, I will eventually need to go back to work but right now, I'm doing all right. I went to Kroger's today, spent a fortune and am having a real meal tonight! And yes, Christy, we WILL find something to do, and yes, Jean, I will dance wildly!!!!!
Well, that supper is ready and I am about to go partake and later, I think I am going to get hooked on The Amazing Race again. ANd did y'all know that Daylight Savings Time starts again next Sunday? I didn't until they announced it on the radio! Darker in the morning, but lighter in the evening. That's okay, but it takes me about a week to adjust to the time change. I am not the only one, either, since I have read about other people who have the problem. I will survive, now that I am free!
I hear my food making noises so I had better go get it so it won't burn. Later!!

I did it!

2009-02-27T20:12:00.000-08:00

I quit my job today. My health has really been suffering in the last couple of weeks and I really think it would get a lot worse with the increase in business, so, I quit and my supervisor TOTALLY understood. I worked today, even though she said I didn't have to, and after working today, I am glad I have chosen this path, for the moment. I have got to get well and that job wasn't helping. And it was only going to get worse and more crowded. Great for them, not so great for me.
So, please send up a prayer to the Big Guy. I am terribly lonely without David and would so like his input, so feel free to make me feel better!!!!!!
Now, I must go to bed. Nighty night!

Back to Work

2009-02-25T18:06:00.000-08:00

Well, I went back to work today. It wasn't so crowded and I was the only hostess so it wasn't so bad. I helped roll silverware afterwards and then came home where my legs feel like two huge buluga whales after being on them all day long! I asked my supervisor if I could go back to three days a week because, honestly, I cannot do anything for a couple of days after four days, then I run run run my errands and then it is back to standing. Yes, I know if I lost weight it would help but that isn't going to happen over night, is it?! One of my favorite people at work is leaving in a couple of weeks, so that is making me sad. I have narrowed it down to one person who seems to enjoy getting me upset and then she is all peaches and cream to me afterwards when she sees me all upset. I am still thinking about what to do. Ideas? I know I should just ignore her but it is hard. I am emotionally raw.
So, it is a little after eight in the evening and I am going to bed because my legs hurt so badly! What a life I lead! Don't be jealous!!!!!!!
Night!! Oh, the picture - I just wanted to show off my bathroom again!

Valentine party

2009-02-23T18:17:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Kathie Stimac for the pictures.

Today and yesterday

2009-02-22T16:07:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been having some emotional upheavals. My birthday came and went - thank goodness Jean was here so we had a fun day. We went to see mom that day. On Valentine's Day, Jean was still here so we went to see mom again and took her to the program, where she got a beaded tiara and a sash that said Queen for a Day. Work has been not so great, so when I saw her this week, to top everything off, out of the clear blue sky I was called "fat", this by a so-called friend. Work was TERRIBLE yesterday, I ended up crying and my supervisor sent me to roll silverware. I'm not so sure how long this job is going to last for me. I really don't want to quit. I mean, do I have a face or demeanor that says "hurt Tricia's feelings by saying anything you want to her"? ANYWAY, today I went to see mom. She was asleep (it was 2 o'clock) so after I cleared my throat enough, she finally woke up. She was almost her whole old self again. SHe laughed and told me to quit my job, btw, something I have to think hard and harder about, but she was laughing and talking and just was my ol' mama, back to normal. THAT makes me feel great! I stayed a couple of hours and she wanted me to spend the night, something that they don't allow. I told her to watch the Oscars tonight. I haven't seen any of the movies but it will be interesting to see the outfits and jewelry.
So, that was my day. It was a good day. Oh, I was so exhausted last night, I slept through Deal or No Deal and half of Suze Orman. So I didn't hop out of bed this morning, it was somewhere at the crack of noon! I doubt I will make it through all of the Oscars tonight, either.
Take care!

Huh?

2009-02-17T14:58:00.000-08:00

I must have a face that looks like anyone can say anything to me and not think that it will hurt my feelings. My feelings were hurt a few weeks ago, but I am trying to let that go. But today at the nursing home, someone asked me if I was trying to get fat!!!! I am very sensitive about my weight, and I know that I have several pounds to lose. But Jean and I ate and ate, knowing that we would start back on diets when she left. So, when I got home from the n.h., I made myself some homemade pancakes!! If I'm going to be fat, well, I'm going to be fat! I hadn't eaten lunch so I was hungry. They were pretty good, although one burned and it is very aromatic. But it tasted good, burned or not!
I don't know. I look at everyone else and more people are fatter than me. And I have noticed that in the medical profession, there aren't too many skinny people. I have been skinny and I don't want to do that again. I like having a little weight on me. Keeps me warm.
Anyway, I just had to get that off of my massive chest.
Later.

My new bathroom

2009-02-16T18:49:00.000-08:00

My new bathroom looks like a spa! Jean did an extraordinary job on it, plus she cleaned up my adjoining bedroom, cleaned up a kitchen cabinet, plus the kitchen, just amazing stuff.
I am so very tired, I sat down to watch something and woke up an hour later, so I am about to hit the bed. Everyone have a great day tomorrow!!

Purge, purge, purge

2009-02-13T20:06:00.000-08:00

If anyone has been reading Erica's blog, you will notice that she mentions throwing away a lot of stuff from her past. WELL, so am I. Jean is still here and my bathroom is just adorable, yet there is so much Bath and Body Work crap, it is taking up all of my new space! So, I have thrown some of the older, probably at least ten years old, stuff away. She is helping me get organized, big time, and has decided to stay until Sunday. Her dog will get to play with my dogs tomorrow and I have to work and she has a few "touch ups" to do in the bathroom. Right now she is in my kitchen cabinet! She is merciless!!! I am so very thankful for everything she has done because I wouldn't have done anything, seriously, but sit in that chair, feeling miserable. I have to work tomorrow, but I am still up. I will go to bed soon. My hip has been hurting and I have been sitting on the floor going through things, and the "old gray mare just ain't what she used to be" when it comes to hips and legs and backs!!!!!!!
Work has been okay. I don't want to go but I think that is a normal response to work, isn't it? I have only been averaging two to three hours a day, three days a week. What am I complaining about? I couldn't ask for anything more, except more money!!!!
Mom, Jean, and I went to the nursing home Valentine's party today. It was packed! They gave crowns to the men, beaded tiaras to the women, with "Queen for the Day" banners to wear!! Then they drew names and mom won a prize! When they were singing, I looked down and she was singing along, which makes me feel extremely happy. It was a good day. We visited quite a while, but then she was really tired and wanted to go to bed before supper, so Jean and I put her to bed. Now I am ready to go to bed!!!!!
I gave her a cute cute cute teddie bear with pink hearts on it's feet and it was holding a pink heart. Then I gave her a little box of candy with a cat on the front. Gotta cover both animal groups!!!!! If I still had a bird, I would have had to find a bird with candy in it!!!!
Well, I really am tired and am going to go to bed now. Take care and Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!! Love y'all!!!!
Oh, four of my "kittens" turned 12 today. Happy birthday, Stimpy, Bear, Chloe, and Campbell!!!!!

The dumbest rodent ever!

2009-02-03T08:35:00.000-08:00

Sunday, I noticed that Buffy, one of the cats, was playing with something, throwing it up in the air, chasing it, throwing it in the air again. I got concerned. It was a mouse, one that the Lord had already called home, probably in a horrible way! So, that was the dumbest rodent EVER, to come into this house with all of the cats. I hope he was the only one!
Jean is here and we are cleaning and talking. Well, she is doing most of the cleaning! I changed litter boxes, so that was something. Oh, and about the mouse, I threw him out and Buff was looking everywhere for it. She got over it. She's a good cat.
But Chloe is peeing on EVERYTHING these days. She is going to become an outside cat, even though she's never been out, when it permanently warms up. I cannot take anymore.
We're going to Jackson today for a quick trip. That will be fun.
Well, that's all I have to say for the moment.
Later!!!!

I'm still here!

2009-01-24T18:58:00.000-08:00

Hello, everyone. I am still here. I hope that everyone is reading Erica's blog where she is transcribing my dad's memoirs. It is fascinating! I would love to talk to him about it and find out other things that he did. It's amazing, isn't it, that we have to go to work and go about our business and then poof! You're gone and it's over. I don't want my life to be like that, nor do I want any of yours to be like that, but what can you do? With today's economy, who can just do what they want to do, to be with family, or go somewhere and create memories to TELL the next generation!!!!! I was watching something last night and when a character asked another character when her husband had died, she said "fourteen years but it seems like day before yesterday". That is the honest truth. My dad has been gone since October 1994, but reading the memoirs, it feels just like he is there, telling the story. And of course, it seems like five minutes ago that David passed away but do you know it has been almost fourteen months???!!! I find that unbelievable.
The cat situation around here has gotten worse. I have two old cats, the mother and daughter, who pee on everything. The worst is that they pee on the stove. Now I am no gourmet cook and I haven't been eating much of anything but microwave pancakes, but occasionally I will heat up a can of soup. Ah, then there is the wonderful cat pee smell, even though I have cleaned it up with 409 or something. I think I am going to get a plastic bottle with a bleach mixture, it may be better. Oh, in fact, I just heard the cat jump down. Let me go check. Well, good, she was just checking out her spot for me to wake up to tomorrow!!!!!
Yesterday was seventy degrees. Today was cold. But yesterday afternoon, I actually sunbathed! Mainly just my face. It felt so good. I am ready for spring and even summer since I missed all of that last year. My jaw is better, but I have days when I can hardly talk. The doc is still giving me medicine but I think time is going to be the major thing that gets it gone. I'm ready to see it in the rearview mirror!!!!
Well, I am going to bed now. Take care!!!

My dad

2009-01-16T14:21:00.000-08:00

Everyone should go read Erica's blog. She is transcripting my father's memoirs, memoirs that we didn't know existed, and it is so very interesting. In fact, he writes, or should I say "I" write a lot like him!! You know, conversational and all.
Work is going all right. I do not like some aspects of the job, but that is with all jobs, I'm sure. If I keep eating pancakes, which I seem to do everyday, I will outgrow my uniform, so I am ready for warmer weather and daylight savings time so I can hit the hills of Vicksburg and try to whittle away what weight I have put on. At least, I LIKE pancakes!! Everything else I have to be really careful of, because I have almost choked a few times when I couldn't chew because of the pain. fun. But it is better and I have Heimliched myself a couple of times.
Now, on to the cats. I really need some good homes for some of them. I love them all, but some more than other, you know what I mean. They need someone to love them unconditionally. So, if you can think of anyone........
Well, I just came in from work and I need to go feed these animals and then collapse. I rolled a whole bus tub of silverware in less than an hour so I was proud of that. My boss, who is 28, btw, laughed when I showed her. It hurt my feelings and I told her it did. She said she was just joking. I'm not too sure, but I have to be back there Monday so I will get over it. It was just the principle of the thing, you know.
Okay, that is all for now. Take care and go read Erica's blog!!!!

New pic of Goober in Chicago

2009-01-05T17:35:00.000-08:00

I miss that little dog. I hear barking and it sounds just like her!!! If it is her, she has a powerful bark to be heard from Chicago!! I will see her again the next time I go to Chicago, whenever THAT will be. This job thing keeps getting in the way!!!!! Although, they have been extremely accommodating with my schedule, so who knows?
Okay, I am hitting the proverbial hay, soon. But I am so HUNGRY!! I drank a Slimfast for supper. I am still hungry!! I am craving pancakes, which I bought today. Hmmmm, less than two minutes in a microwave. I just might have to indulge! And I wonder why I am gaining weight!!!!!
Later, gang!

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-03T08:38:00.000-08:00

The trip to New Jersey was heavenly. Good people, good food, good all around. I had no trouble maneuvering through the airports, the flights were fine, everything crowded and smushed together, but altogether fun.
Christmas Day was lovely. I got quite a few nice gifts, that I totally appreciate. I must be writing some thank you notes very soon!!!! It was good to be with Christopher and Katie during the time, too. I really am glad I didn't have to stay in Vicksburg during Christmas.
My job is going along fine, too, except it is very tiring. I work three to four days as a hostess at the buffet at the new casino. I just can't sit down! My almost 55 year old legs get so very very tired that I can't do anything after work. I will be glad when Daylight Saving Time comes back and it will be more daylight in the evening. I want to start a walking program and that would make it easier to do. Rest a little, then hit the road!! I'm not ready for summer, though, mind you. Just a little more daylight!!!
Well, I don't have a lot more to say. I hope everyone is having a wonderful beginning of 2009. "2009, everything will be FINE". My new mantra. The last two years sucked so bad, I feel I'm due for some good things. Of course, I'm just being prejudiced!!!
Later, y'all!!!

Merry Christmas soon!!

2008-12-13T19:58:00.001-08:00

Okay, I have to tell you. I had an UNPROVOKED attack by Lionel Ritchie in the women's bathroom at the casino I work at. Really. There I was, uh-hem, in a stall, and HELLO, IS IT ME YOU'RE LOOKING FOR came on the loudspeaker. Now, they usually play great music, mostly eighties so we are usually bebopping around, singing the songs (I mean, who CAN'T sing "wake me up, before I go go" or "I'm walking on sunshine, yeah"?)
So, Lionel has me trapped and THE WOMAN IN ANOTHER STALL STARTED SINGING ALONG WITH IT!!!!OH MY GOSH, A DOUBLE DOSE!!!!! I honestly think a Wham song was after that, so my palate, so to speak, was cleaned.
Tonight Linda and I went to see Twilight, the movie about vampires. It was my second time and BOY, had I forgotten a lot about it, but it was Linda's FOURTH time to see it!! It is a highly enjoyable movie. I recommend it. Now tomorrow, my plans are to go see The Day the Earth Stood Still starring Ted and Neo as an alien dude. Then the next day I am going to see Four Christmases. I am making up for last year!!!!
WEll, this is a short post. Less than two weeks from now I will be in Cape May, NJ celebrating the holiday with Christopher, Katie, and the Cutshalls. It will be grand!!
Later!!

December 2, 2008

2008-12-02T18:08:00.000-08:00

Well, what a day. I cannot even believe that a year has gone by without my sweet David. I decorated his grave today, well, all but the little Christmas tree that I left at the house unintentionally. I'll do that later on this week.
I have been all right except for the spasming in my face. That is how my tension and grief are manifesting themselves. It really feels like someone got a cheese grater and just went to town on the inside of my cheeks!!!!! At least I was off today. I hope that tomorrow the mouth issues will be less.
Read Erica's post. She has written everything that I cannot. I love David so much.
At work a young woman, out of the clear blue sky, asked me if I was going to marry again! WHAT? David is still with me. She was just wondering, since I am not a senior citizen yet. I told her that I didn't know. I don't know what is in the future for me. Hopefully, pain free cheeks are, but other than that, I don't know. It's weird. I am DAVID'S wife, how could I ever be anyone else's? But he would want me to find love again because I would want HIM to find love again if the situation was reversed. I just don't know.
That's all I can say right now. I am tired and think I need to go to bed. I mean, it is after 8 p.m.!!! I have become my mother!!!!!!!!!
I love everyone and the fact that they love our family. Thank you.
Later.

Here I am again

2008-11-16T15:42:00.001-08:00

I am sorry it takes me so long to get to blogging these days. This job is tiring and when I get home, I have to take care of the animals and sometimes I just collapse on the chair! I need an office job so I am putting my "feelers" out at work to see if I can work one out after the holidays. I still have the spasms in my jaw but my mouth is so sore I still have so much trouble eating. It's embarrassing!!! I can barely chew without great pain. Who'd have thunk I wouldn't be able to eat???!?!?
I still have some cats that I would love to find good homes for. Think about if anyone you know, or even YOU, would love a little spayed/neutered mature cat. I have got to do something very soon and I can't send them to a place where they may be put down. It's not their fault, I took them in to care for them and love them, and I do, but I just need to find homes where they will be loved a lot more, not just in a passel of cats!
OKay, this is about all I can do right now. Take care. And, all you IGT people, something will open up, I'm sure. I am just sorry everything is going on right now.
Later.

Hello

2008-11-06T15:05:00.000-08:00

I realize I haven't blogged much lately. I mean, dang, we have a new president since I blogged last!
The job is going. Not great. Just going so so. I am having some physical problems doing it, but hopefully, it is just a set back. I have been off yesterday and today so I hope that helps tomorrow and the weekend. The casino is beautiful. David would have loved working there.
We are about to get a storm and it feels lovely outside now. Of course, it will bring in some cold, but it is November. We are due.
Speaking of due, congrats to all of the new moms and dads to be.
I have a weird thing to tell - last night I heard a crash. I got up to investigate and there was my framed wedding certificate in shards on the floor with our wedding picture lying on top of it!!! It kind of weirded me out.
Well, that's all for now. Take care.

Life is going on....

2008-10-22T08:31:00.000-07:00

So, today I go see the place where I work for the first time. I just tried on my uniform - a skirt, hose, can you believe it? I even bought a girdle, for heaven's sake!!!!!! We have full dress rehearsal on Saturday or Sunday, and the casino is having a "soft opening" on Tuesday evening. So then I will start "hostessing" on Wednesday. Five hours a day. Five hours that I WON'T be sitting in the recliner! I have been doing that too much lately. These seminars and orientation sessions haven't been too bad, other than just sitting there. I learned to do that when David would be having CT scans and such and such.
I have had some very depressing feelings, though. This was our favorite time of year and he had assured me that we would go to Vermont to see the leaves change before he died. Mistletoe Market has been being advertised lately. I just don't know if I can go to that. My counselor said to try to start a new tradition. I think working in a casino is going to help me. I hope that that will get me out of my depression and will help me meet other people. I have met some, but most are so young, they really don't have a lot to say to me. It is strictly a young crowd. There were a few older workers in the sessions, but not too many. I have been talking to the young ones and the other day this girl went on and on about how she got carded and blah blah blah. I asked her how old she was now - 22. I am not a partier so hostess for the "elderly", which, by the way, they classify as 50 and above, will be better for me. 50? Elderly? Then give me Medicare!!!!!!
Okay, that is all for today. I have to go to the store to get pet food. My neighbor, Marian, talked to one of her daughters who lives on a farm, so they are taking Teddie, so her grandaughter can take care of her, along with Little Guy and Blue. I don't want to get rid of anyone, but it has been too hard, of late, to deal with all of the critters. I will miss them, especially Blue, but he showed up here after Katrina so he will love being on a farm. So will Guy, who has never seemed happy here. And all Teddie does is sleep so it will probably do her good to have someone to play with her.
Okay, see y'all later! Be careful out there!!

Quite a week

2008-10-12T17:13:00.000-07:00

Today is a very sad day. Bill Floyd, Cheryl's dad, passed away. He had just gotten sick a few weeks ago and it just went downhill fast. Such is life....
I totalled my mother's car on Tuesday. The adjuster said I could have been killed in the accident by the way it looked. Thank God for airbags, but now I am driving the 92Subaru with NO airbags. I am really nervous.
I went to my first orientation of my new job. They had another one scheduled for tomorrow but I guess someone remembered it was a holiday. So, I go Tuesday. I really think I am going to like the job.
Well, I am tired, sore, depressed, and think I need to just zone some more, or heck, it's almost bedtime! Here's to a better week ahead.

It is with great sadness that another one of my friends, Jean Brudevold in Florida, lost her father this weekend also.
My prayers are with both of them.

A lesson learned.....

2008-10-02T08:59:00.001-07:00

Don't think that just because it is made from milk, that yogurt can partially substitute when you don't have enough milk. I made pancakes last night and used one half cup of vanilla yogurt. Burned to a crisp almost the second it hit the griddle. So, lesson learned. It still smells like burned pancakes in the kitchen. At least it covers the cat pee smell!!!

Yeah, I'm ready.......

2008-09-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

I am SO ready to start my new job. I am so bored!! The face spasms have eased up and I think they will not cause any problems, I hope!! And I may have to wear a SKIRT!! A SKIRT!!! Don't they know I don 't wear hose/skirts/dresses???? I will give in, though. I just hope they are longer skirts. I ain't no sprang chicken anymore!!!!
In the same vein as talking about clothes, I just made and ate the whole chocolate mug cake. MMMMM I am so full right now, I will just have cereal for supper. I am hoping that with me being on my feet all day long, well, four hours, everyday, I will lose some of the weight that has leaped back onto my body, ironically my legs! And plus I have the elephant leg that has been swollen for four years. Yeah, I can't wait to put on a skirt, yeah, really ........
Mom is doing okay, just very confused. Norma is back at the nursing home but she is taking something that is making her extremely sick. That's not good. And I am loaning her my little tv to look at while she is there. Maybe that will perk her up. Carl is coming in the morning to get it and I will go with him because I have her clothes. These mothers!!
Well, that's it for now. I am stuffed like a pork chop. In fact, that is what I feel like, a big ol' pork chop!!!
I am starting a day early with the animals in costumes. Enjoy!!

Happy Autumn, Y'all!!

2008-09-25T09:06:00.000-07:00

I am about to go out to eat with a friend of mine, Kathie S., and I needed to do something until she gets here so here I am, world!!! It is beautiful weather, so I need to get out in it. Maybe I will sit on the swing later on. But, I need to go see the moms. Norma is being moved to the same facility that mom is in tomorrow, so that will be so nice, one stop shopping, so to speak!
I had a nice out last night with David's and my friend, Phil, got pizza (I tore the toppings off of all of it, my mouth is so sore!) and then got a milkshake, which felt wonderful going down!! By nine thirty, I was dead asleep, I was so tired. I know my new job is gonna kick my butt for a few days, but then I will adjust.
Well, that's all I have to say right now. I will talk to you soon.
Oh, please send up a prayer for Bill FLoyd. He is Cheryl's dad and just the sweetest thing ever and he is in the hospital. I went to see him two days straight and he was looking better the second day, so I am encouraged. Ah, the circle of life.
Later.

Pancakes

2008-09-21T17:07:00.000-07:00

In our family, while the children were growing up, David was the pancake/french toast/waffle maker in the family. Well, my mouth is extremely sore today, and after a trip to Wal Mart, in which I forgot my Aunt Gemima's, I decided to look in one of the many cookbooks I have for a simple pancake recipe. I found one. I made pancakes! They were delish!!! and very easy to eat, I might add. And they were very easy to make. I had no clue. I thought David was doing some magic in that kitchen! I guess he was, he was cooking for the people he loved the most!
So, that is another part of the "reinvention" of Patricia Reid. I know it's a little thing but, baby steps, baby steps! And I had a wonderful meal with Cracker Barrel syrup on them. Yumm yumm to my tum!!
Have a great Monday. I am going to watch a football game now!!!!!

Everybody, go make this!!

2008-09-18T11:53:00.000-07:00

Three Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

1 microwaveable coffee mug
4 T plain flour, NOT self rising
4 T sugar
2 T baking cocoa
1 egg
3 T milk
3 T oil
3 T chocolate chips (optional)
a small splash of vanilla extract

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.
Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
Add the chips, if using, and then the vanilla.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for three minutes on high power. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but that is normal. Allow to cool a little (yeah, right) and tip out onto a plate. Then eat it!!!!

Thanks Christy for the recipe. I have made it twice. Oh, and pour chocolate syrup on it. Yummmmmy!!!

Memo to anonymous

2008-09-16T14:15:00.000-07:00

I am totally aware of how upset my mother is. That's the problem, it just rips me up inside that that is how my mother will be from now on. After the last four years, I am angry that I don't have her to "mother" me, now it is the other way around. And I am tired. So very tired. I have Norma to tend to, also, so imagine, long term, having to go visit all of the time, to women who are sick, by a woman who isn't too well herself! Like, right now, I want to go get some fried rice. My mouth is absolutely killing me and that is the only thing that appeals to me at the moment. But, if I go out, I should go visit one of the mothers and I just am not up to that right now. If that makes me bad, well, then so be it. I plan to visit both mothers tomorrow, but I HAD to get some stuff done today, such as eradicating the pee smell from my office. So far, it hasn't worked.
Anyway, I am well aware of dementia. My father had Alzheimer's and it was rough, rough, rough watching him go downhill. So, it is very hard seeing mom in this situation, and I don't have David to help me get through it like I did fourteen years ago. I am looking forward to my job to get me out of the house, and hopefully, with a fun job that will let me see people other than sick ones. And again, I mean nothing derogatory about that statement. I just need some sunlight in my life and so far, it hasn't happened. I get upset and my jaw spasms like crazy and the sore in my mouth has been there for at least five months. It will not go away, and that makes it hard to eat. I just can't pretend to feel "up" all the time
So, that is what I meant by that remark. PLEASE understand where I am coming from when I wrote it. Thank you.

Cat pee

2008-09-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

The one smell I hate more than any other is cat pee. Why are you writing a piece about cat pee you may wonder? WEll, that is all I smell. I bought an air cleaner to help. Piece of junk, as far as I am concerned. I am so tired of cleaning it up every day. Chloe peed on the counter. The kitten pees anywhere, since she hasn't got the wherewithal to make it to her pad. I am just annoyed. I want my house to smell wonderful!!!
OKay, the job. I got ready to go down and fill out paper work yesterday and they told me to come back on Oct. 3. I start work Oct. 10. I am truly excited. But I did ask what the uniform was and thank goodness it is pants and a shirt. I could just see me having to wear a froufrouey dress!!!! Lawsey. Not unless it went to the floor!
The moms are still the same. Norma was feeling bad yesterday. My mother thinks she spent the night somewhere else. It is very frustrating and when I talk about my mother or go see her, my jaw spasms go into overtime!!! I hope that will go away soon, because the spasms are painful. Hopefully, things will be better by Oct. 3!
Well that 's all for today. Here is Goober, the Chicago dog, digging the outdoors.

Meanwhile, back on National Street......

2008-09-14T13:53:00.000-07:00

Okay, yeah, it's been a while since I blogged but I am going to try to get back to it more regularly than I have been doing. Did that sentence make sense?
Anyway, I got a job. I will be a hostess for the buffet at the new casino, Riverwalk, that will open up in October. I am extremely excited and hope that it will help this jaw spasm go away. You know, keep my mind off of bad things and keep busy.
I just had a wonderful visit this afternoon with my neighbor, Marian. We ate breakfast pizza and yes, Erica, I did drink a soft drink!!!!!!! Yummmmmmmy, both of them!
Mom is permanently in a nursing home. Norma is in the hospital. I am trying to get to visit both of them, but I am so tired at times, mentally and physically, that I just can't do it. In fact, my job is part time and hopefully, I will be able to go to fulltime in a few months when I build myself back up. I need the benefits!!
Well, that's about all I have in me now. I think I am going to watch the football game tonight, something mindless, yet the noise is comforting. One of the reasons I haven't been blogging is that I can't concentrate on one thing for very long. At least with my job I will keep moving and seating people, and I think that will be fine.
Erica and Fuzzy were here this past week and it was wonderful. They were helping to clean out my mom's house and did a remarkable job. Thanks, kiddoes!!
Have a great Sunday night and know that I WILL be blogging regularly again, I promise!!

Just a few pics of my family in Muppet Land!!

2008-08-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Noah Ginex, who is amazingly talented.

A Favor

2008-08-17T09:01:00.000-07:00

Hey, y'all. Sunday morning and all is well. I have quite a bit of energy lately, although the face still hurts, along with my mouth. But all in all, I am better. I have been taking bee pollen so if I start turning yellow and black, please tell me!
My favor is, could everyone send me their address and phone number? I have flat dab lost my address book and I am lost without it. I need to get another one, MUCH bigger, like that big ass calculator that I have!!!! I appreciate it!!!!
It seems cooler outside. I know we will have one hundred degree days again, but until then, ahhhh, cooler. In fact, this hasn't even been a hot summer for me. One of the many drugs I am taking keeps me from sweating too much. So, I have gone from taking a couple of baths a day due to the heat, to being able to hang up my clothes because I didn't sweat!!! Hallelujah!!!!
OKay, I will talk to everyone later. PLEASE send me your home addresses, if you don't mind, because I need to start addressing Christmas cards soon!!!!!!!!!
Thanks!!! Here is another pic of Goob with one of her new friends. Isn't she precious? She looks totally happy, which makes me totally happy! WELL, I can't get to the picture. Believe me, she is happy. She has a one eyed dog that she plays with quite often. I don't know what the deal is with my computer. I can finally get mail at both of my addresses so, who knows? I hope it fixes itself!!!
Later!!!

Pics of Goober, the Chicago dog

2008-08-12T11:39:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures of Goober in Chicago. She has apparently made some friends.

Monday, Monday

2008-08-11T08:56:00.000-07:00

Well, I got bummed out as soon as I checked the computer. BERNIE MAC DIED! He seemed to be such a family man and really funny, it just makes me sad. Too many young men being taken away, don't you agree?
I am going to see mom at the nursing home soon. It is so weird, mom in a nursing home! But she can't live by herself now and after the last year or two, I CANNOT become a caregiver again. I still am recovering from that.
The spasms come and go, mainly come, and I applied for a job the other day. I am so concerned that I am going to spasm my way out of a job if I can't get them under control. I have only been on the new medicine for a little over a week. Maybe, just maybe, it will kick in and I will be okay. I had four days without them last week, so I know they are getting better. I am just afraid that the spasms will overcome the medicine! I go back to the doc next week.
I love the fact that it is so cloudy and drizzly outside today. Finally, coolness. Although, I have to admit, since I am on this medicine, one of them make me cold, so I haven't gotten really hot this summer. And it is almost mid August, so can I say "YAY"? OKy, YAY!
WEll, that is all for now. Talk to you soon! I may have used this pic before, but it kind of sets the tone for a Monday, don't you think?