Well well well....

It's Twenty Twelve.... hey that rhymes....

Will say that I am thrilled that Twenty Eleven has gone on it's merry way. It was a rough year. Really rough year.

But it was also one of the best years! Fulfilled my one year probation (YES!!! ONE WHOLE ENTIRE YEAR!!!) without getting may ass turfed out the door. It's kinda funny because at my three quarters of the way through evaluation my boss put down something that really had nothing to do with my job performance as a something that needed to be worked on. After I explained to her again the circumstances behind the incident she dropped her pencil on the desk and stated "I'm sorry, I have to put it. No One is perfect." To which I replied, "well then, I guess I am No One!" We laughed and it was removed prior to being sent upstairs for their approval.

On the kid front, #1 worked at a few jobs this year. Some good, one not so good. He ended the year employed full time with a small company that is treating him really well. Looks like the boss is going to foot the bill for the Apprenticeship program.... Have to see how that goes. And #2 got a job. Yes, you read correct.... he GOT A JOB!!! The humble beginnings of many a stellar person.... McD's.... he loves the paycheques, not the work, but soon came to realize that one must work in order to get paid.

SG is doing better. As you probably don't know, he was assaulted on the job in the beginning of July which led to a rough rough time. He's better now, back at work and living his life. This is good.

The dogs (yeah, still four of them, try as I might I just cannot part with any of them) are still around. They have their own room now. They take turns sleeping in our room, one at a time. Makes them feel a little special for a couple of days. Gotta spread the love you know.

And what else. Christmas was good. Nice. Too much food. Lower end on the gift scale but you know, that's life every now and again. If every Christmas was a feast you wouldn't know to enjoy them without the odd famine.

Oh, and I turn 50 this year. Yes, yes I do. And I am looking forward to it. Really. I am. The start of the 2nd half of my century is something to look forward to... And there better be one frickin' big party planned. Or I may just run away from home and never come back....

Ciao!

Six Months

Well, at least it was yesterday. Which was when I wanted to post.

But couldn't.

Being that it had been eight months since there was any consistency what so ever with posting on the blog, and pure luck that I was able to remember how to do it four days prior, I could not FOR THE LIFE OF ME!!!! get logged in yesterday. I tried many passwords, many log in names, many combinations of passwords and log in names until such time I managed to lock myself out entirely.

I was forced to contact Google accounts to see about getting me and my blog reset.

And I will be honest. Even in the drunkest of times when posting blither blather that may have made it for your viewing pleasure, or was deleted prior to anyone having viewed it as an early morning wake up was the result of a terror stricken "OMG.... I posted last night!!" ~ yes it has happened ~ I have never, ever, EVER! forgotten how to log in to my blog.

Oh sure, I could blame it on the new gig and the multitude of passwords and log in's I must carry with me. Some of which are required to be changed every 90 days... damn security. Or I could blame it on the fact that it really has been a long time since I was hanging around here. Or that I've got a ton of stuff on my mind and twice the tonnage of stress to go along with it.... But I won't.

I think, and please don't persecute me for it, that the fact that I'll be turning 50 in 6 months, well, today it's 6 months less a day, has everything to do with it.

Not that 50 is old. It isn't by any stretch of the imagination.... or at least that what I'm attempting to convince myself. Given the life I've been living over the last 18 months or so everyday there is a mantra chanted.... 'you can do it, you still have it, you're only 32'....

I won't lie.... for the most part I cannot BELIEVE!!!! that I will be 50 in 6 months (well, less a day... and don't you dare say I'm on the downward slide or I will hunt you down and do you harm!). It's an age that I've been looking forward to if I must be honest.

But I don't want to go into my 50's the way I am right now.

I have said in the past that when I turned 50 I will get a tattoo. I have also said that I will learn how to ride, and get a license to do so, a motorcycle. And I've have harboured a deep desire to take a winter vacation to somewhere hot, very hot.

But I will not do any of those things the way I am at 49 and 1/2 (well, less one day on the 1/2 part. Overweight, out of shape, teetering on the verge of high blood pressure (must get back to using ABB).

So, with the free use of fully equipped gym at my beck and call (bit of a struggle over who gets to use the treadmill, but I will win most of those battles), a solid diet plan in place, I will take on 50 the way I want to take on 50.

Great shape (both physically and mentally), not to mention a hot body perched on a motorcycle, a tattoo that will look fantastic on firmly toned skin and sportin' that bikini on the beach during the cold winter months....

This is my goal for 50!

I will keep you posted on my progress. I shall share it all by sharing my measurements, my weight loss, my progress. And I shall continue to fill you with memorable words that you will hopefully laugh, cry, and shake your head at.

But most of all, I hope you enjoy the words I write. And... if you don't, it doesn't matter. Because at my age.... it's about time it becomes all about me....

Oh.... and by the way.... Google accounts provided no solution what so ever.... It was actually a four am wake-up where I found myself sitting straight up in bed going "OMG... this is how you log in"....

Ciao!

Long time, no words

I haven't analyzed anything but I know it's been awhile.

I thought that I didn't want to keep on with Pocket Lint. I don't know why. I think I thought that a different blog, one that started fresh and was somewhat anonymous would be a better fit.

So I started it. And.... yeah failed to keep up with it.

Life has been quite crazy for oh, let's say that last 19 months, which those dedicated readers know. But I do believe that some sort of 'normalcy' may have returned to my life. Uh, yeah, maybe not so much, but some!

The stress of leaving the job that I could've had for the rest of my life to take on a position that was purely a gamble as to whether I would be collecting 'employment insurance' (formerly referred to UI.... wow that was a long time ago) has pretty well diminished. I'm three months away from finishing my 12 month probation period with the Federal Government and, if my performance evaluations and Award of Distinction have anything to say about it, I should be okay.

The boys have grown up while I've been waffling about through my life.

#1 is working full time and #2 just got his second paycheque from his first job. I'm very thrilled to tell you that he started where I first started. You got it, the Golden Arches..... I'm guessing he's doing well as he's scheduled beyond belief for the next week. And yeah, I'm thinking we have to do something about these Friday and Saturday night shifts whereby he works until midnight.... Mama's working Monday to Friday now and needs to 'chill' on the weekend :).

SG has had a troubling summer. After being assaulted, on the job, in the beginning of July, he's been off. It's been a rough road for him, very rough. And pretty rough for me as well. But, he, and we, are working through it.  It'll turn out okay. More on that to follow.

So yeah, back to my ramblings. I've said it before and I'm saying it again now.... I miss my blog, I miss the writing and the venting and the observations and .... well I just miss it Damn It!!!

There's plenty to catch up on and more to write about I'm certain.

So that I shall do....

See you.... Sooner, rather than later!

I need answers here...

Can someone please tell me what they would've done when they received a phone call from an off duty police officer who just happened upon, oh let's say, their son, who just happened to be doing brake stands and some sort of drifting activity in the parking lot of a gas station.

With other cars right there in the parking lot.

Not to metion the gas pumps RIGHT THERE!!!!!!

And, why not, let's toss in no license on his person to prove that he has earned the right to drive the car.

Because I'm really not sure I did the right thing....

Thanks, appreciate it.

Okay, I've missed you....

My lovely little blog.

I still haven't figured out if I can continue with you but I'm sorta thinking I can.... provided I have no reference AT ALL!!! to any of the stuff that I can't talk about.

So.... off limits shall be my professional life. And all things associated with it.

Well, other than the fact that I love my job!

ONE OF THE BEST DECISIONS I'VE EVER MADE!!!!

And, it hasn't caused me any undue stress or given me any of the nightmares I thought would come in dealing with the stuff I have to deal with. It's amazing to think that there are things you thought you could never handle but when faced with them, you really can....

Much like parenting teenagers, who would've thought that that they'd give us what they do? Make us handle what they hand out? Sheesh...

Did I mention I love my job....??? Okay, never mind...

I will say that I thought I could easily give up my lovely little blog. That it wouldn't be a problem to get rid of the outlet that I have to express my thoughts and be creative and write and, yeah, well, vent about the life that I live.

But it wasn't. I can't.

I need this space, and this place, to write and share what is my life. Because really, within all the hell that goes on here (there's plenty I might add), the stress that presents itself (always uninvited), the heartache and sorrow, there is happy and wonderful that goes on too. My life is really quite hilarious.... at least in my mind...

So here it shall be....

Watch out!

33 days

Crap.

That's a long time between blog posts.

Good news is my gamble paid off. You know, the one where I left a good paying permanent job I could've had for the rest of my life to take a drop in pay and go to a "term position" with the hopes of becoming a permanent employee of the Federal Government.

The last 11 months have not been easy. The drop in pay being a little tougher to handle than I thought. Never mind the fact that I was under the impression that the waiting period for benefits was three months...not six. And benefits, whether you believe or not, count for so much.

It was tough.

But, on December 8th I became an "indeterminate" (that means permanent by the way) employee of our Federal Government. I have a 365 day probation period (real world is 90 days, but I'm quickly discovering that normal for the FG {Federal Government} is not normal for the RW {real world} but should make it through just fine. I mean seriously, I had two performance reviews where they could find absolutely nothing, and I mean nothing!!!! to gripe about).

It also means a substantial raise in pay. Thank you Lord Jesus I must yell! Once all the dust settles I will be incredibly close, if not slightly above, the salary I left when I decided to take this journey.

I may, however, not regain the years that I lost due to stress. Nor may the wrinkles that adorn my brow and the area around my eyes and mouth ever go away. But I'm making more money now, I can afford a facelift if needed.

I'm also trying to decide if I can keep the blog going. There are rules and regulations where people in my position are concerned. And I think they're advising that this kind of stuff shouldn't go on.

I don't know.

I need to review the documentation and figure out if I can keep it going.

But for now, all is well, Christmas was wonderful. SG pulled off an amazing feat for a first timer. Oh yeah,.... I had to work. He did it all, from the gift shopping to most of the wrapping to all (and I mean ALL!!) of the cooking. I came home to a celebration that could not have been any better had I done it. I won't lie. It was weird. But I was impressed and happy.

New Year's will be the same. I work. But it's okay.

It's New Year's Eve and SG and whomever else will be here and awake when I arrive home at 00:13 hours to bring in the New Year with them. Unless y'all are heading this way to clean my house, prep the appetizers and feast that will await me upon my arrival home from a long nights work, (I start work at 14:00 hours in case that's what you're planning) I will give kisses and hugs to all those that are.

Happy New Year Everyone.

May your 2011 be everything you wish for.

Mine will be.

Love Jodie

A wittle update....

Soooo.... kinda blew the every second day post mandate I had for myself this month. But that's okay. I had a lot going on, still do, and wasn't really in the right frame of mind to post much of anything anyway.

Not true. What I felt like writing I couldn't. What I wanted to write I shouldn't.

Anywooo, we're getting ready for Christmas over here. I've actually started the shopping. I know, I know, a little early for me but the deal was too good to pass up. That shall continue as the days go on. The shopping thing I mean. The deals? Well we take 'em when we get 'em!

I've started baking too. Well, I never stop baking, but now I'm baking Christmas type baking. And, it is now that I realize how much I truly miss my Maggie. Where the hell am I going to hide all the stuff? I used to drive around with it in the trunk of my car so that it wouldn't all get devoured within two days. With it in the trunk of my car, well, it allowed me to have some as the holiday's got closer.

Now I don't have a trunk. And there's only so much room in the bar-b-que.

Got the house decorations out yesterday and put them up. I think next year it will be time to re-think the decorations and maybe come up with something different. Same old, same old, kinda boring.

I'm planning the Christmas party for the office. Not having attended one previously I was a little hesitant to take on the job. Turns out it should be quite simple as the masses want it held at a dining establishment this year as opposed to a pot luck type gathering at a hall.

And I'm expecting some mail. Some people thought the mail would've arrived last week but I didn't really think so. I'm hoping for Monday or Tuesday.

Then we shall commence the celebration and share the news!

Back to bed for me. The dogs started barking at 1:52 am and I've been awake since then...

Stress, Stress, Stressy!!

So... I've had to re-apply for my job. Which, to say the least, has been rather piss me off in a very stressful kind of way.

Us "temp" girls were suppose to "roll over" into the full time permanent jobs that opened up.

We are all excited and happy and relieved. We all took a chance taking this "temp" job but knew that it would all end up okay in the end.

Then.... the full time permanent jobs were reclassified, resulting in oh about eleven thousand dollars a year more in salary. And then the delays began.

I'm not sure why, but I have some ideas. None of which I can put down here on the w w w.

Anyway, the deadline for the job was on Monday, midnight Pacific time. I had submitted mine about twelve hours before the deadline.

And then, being one of the more patient type people in the world (no really I am... I'm just nosy that's all) I went on the job site a few hours later. Don't know why, just did.

Actually I was thinking that they saw my application, went "whoaaaa let's grab HER right away", well, not really, I know that this stuff takes a lot longer than 2 or 3 hours... I'm learning that it could probably take, if it wanted to, two or three YEARS!!! Anyway, I see that they've extended the freakin' deadline for two more days!!!

I tell ya.... this process may just kill me. Really. Only because I know that my application is stellar, meets all the criteria and should make it through the macro running applicant screener program that decides who's moves forward and who gets left behind.

But seriously, for a chick who was suppose to just "roll over", they sure are making the rolling difficult.

And, the worst thing about this whole process? Well, a couple of things? I have been far too pre-occupied with selling myself to a macro running applicant screener program to be able to hold up my personal goal of every second day on the blog.

And my silver "highlights" seem to have doubled.

Wait, that might have something to do with living with three males and four dogs... I'll need to re-think where to lay the blame for the increase.

Hope runs rampant!

And I'm back on schedule.

Busy day coming up, which is why I should have my ass in bed.

SG goes for what we're calling his "upsy-downsy" tomorrow. He's got himself some gut trouble and well, we're gonna go find out what the heck is going on. Actually, "we're" not going... SG is going. Hopefully there will be some answers forthcoming and, yeah, well, hopefully we figure it out.

And #1 has an appointment at the clinic to get his ankle checked. I'm fairly certain I didn't tell you all about the ankle, but he f*#ked it up pretty good. Hopefully it's healing well and he's on the mend.

And yes, my last night is tomorrow. The four night run is tough. Particularly with what has been going on in my town.... Hopefully things will settle down a bit.

Hopefully I'll remain alert.

Hopefully I'll stay awake.

There's a lot hope going on here....

And here's hoping I have a good sleep, with no narsty dreams!

Whoops

I missed a day. Well, let's be honest here... two days. But I'll make up for it.

I'm currently on my four night rotation and well, it's on the weekend.

And the weekend is a busy busy time for me. Everyone's home. There's no down time. And waaay too much to be done.

You really didn't want to be here for my blow up (or uhm blow "ups") today.

It was not pretty.

Don't get me wrong, I love my children. Well, my "adult" child and my "right smack dab in the middle of puberty hell" teenage child. I love them with every ounce of my being.

But if someone had told me way back when that they grow up to become teenagers, uhm, yeah... I may have reconsidered.

It hasn't been easy. As a matter of fact, I'm amazed with myself that I've had, and found, the strength to pull this parenthood thing off.

Anyway, there was a lot of yelling and slamming and banging. I did try to put a hold on the swearing, but yeah, that didn't work. Way too many f bombs dropped today....

But it's almost over. The weekend I mean. And my run of night shifts.

Then, once again, serenity will be mine and I can attempt to tap back into the creative genius I know I have the potential to quite possibly be and get my fingers back on the keyboard and hold up my end of the every second day promise.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Not Giving Up

I have to say, I never bought into the fact that one day my children would be smarter than me.

I mean, you hope that they will grow up and use the education that they've been given to go far in life.

Possibly further than you have. But not likely. I mean, after all, we are the smarter generation.

However we hope. We dream. We want them to succeed.

Make it in the world.

Make a difference.

But I have to tell you.... when they f*#k around with the internet connection and decide to monopolize the speed so they can play xBox live.... yeah.

Not. Gonna. Happen.

Mommy's still smarter than they are.

And the xBox?

It's safely been put away.

And if he should find it?

Yeah, the power is in the cord.

I have it.

I'm still the smarter one.

NaNoWriMo

I know, I know... wtf? is NaNoWriMo you're saying to yourself.

I'm trying to come up with various things that it could mean. Humourous type things. Warped type things. Weird things.

But I'm at a loss, so I'll just tell you.

In the real world it's a weird acronym that tells people that November is writing month. The schools use it to challenge their students to write a certain amount of words during the course of the month.

In the blog world its a challenge to other bloggers to write a certain number of posts in the month. A lot of bloggers say they'll post every day during NaNoWriMo. Other bloggers say they'll blog a certain number of blogs during the month.

This blogger is using it as an excuse to just start blogging again....

I'm aiming for 15 posts this month... that means every second day something... anything. Well, it will have to contain words in order to count.

Wish me luck, and I'll see you by the 3rd!!

(Thank you to MC and her always entertaining Facebook account for the reminder)

If you don't have anything....

So I haven't been around.

And I'm certain you're all wondering and talking to yourselves going like, "wtf" and "is she still alive?" and "how many fingers did she lose in the accident?"

Because y'all care just that much.

I know.....

I didn't have an accident. I still have all my digits. They're just being put to better use. Like aiding in plucking chin hairs. And picking my nose.

And yeah, I'm still alive. Albeit it barely. No, no, no.... I'm not deathly ill. I'm certain I'll live to see at least a few more days. Seriously. I'm healthy.

As far as answering the "wtf"... sorry no can do answer that one!! You wanna think that way then you have to provide the answer... go ahead. Inquisitive and investigative is the way everyone should roll.

Truth be told, there just hasn't been much of anything going on. Well, there has been, but you know... there's only so much one wants to share out here in the world wide web.

And I've adopted a new attitude. If you don't have anything good to say, then just keep your mouth shut.

Yep. That's the way I'm rolling these days.

But, there is hope....

So my return is imminent.... see you soon!

Ciao!

Visual Delights

Here's a look at what was going on around here this summer. Enjoy!

I'll have some words for you soon....

Ciao!

On the mend

I'm not the kind of person who takes medications or goes to the doctor when I know it's just a simple cold. I don't like putting things in my body that aren't really meant to be there. You know, like drugs and antibiotics and stuff.

Wine is different however. Oh, and beer, beer's okay too.

But this cold I've had has kicked my ass six ways from Sunday. I've never had anything like this hang on for as long as this one has.

So I finally broke down and called the doctor.

Well, me actually breaking down could be translated to the threat "get to the doctors or move out" as so eloquently stated by SG. Apparently my coughing and nose-blowing started to get to him and as such, well, yeah.

I called the doctor.

Told him of my sinus condition and the colour of mucous (use your imagination here people, it's bad enough I had to look at it, I'm certainly not going to relive it describing it to you). And about how the coughing was so bad that I was starting to see the beginnings of a "six pack" on my gut. He of course could not see me for weeks ~ love the healthcare ~ so opted to phone in a 'script for me so I could hopefully get better, albeit not diagnosed.

And... my wonderful health practioner decided to cover all the bases, seeing as it was sight and sound unseen, and well, yeah.

Horse pills have I. And two weeks worth of them too! Twice a day!!!!!

I can barely swallow what used to be a birth control pill. If your size challenged on that, think about a the size of a lentil bean.

Anyway, I'm choking (literally!) them down in the hopes that I will be able to once again laugh without losing a lung. Blow my nose and not sound like a freight train coming through a tunnel. I have a Ball to attend in about a week and a half and need to be healthy.

Yes, you read right... A Ball! As in fancy dress and dinner and dance and well, stuff... who knows what else.

I've never been to a Ball.

Ciao!

Sneeze Cough Cough Sneeze

Well, my return to the blogging world this past week has been marred by what is probably the worst cold I've ever had.

This sucker hit me like a freight train last Sunday/Monday. Started with an annoying little tickle in the back of my nose and then BOOM!!! The inability to breathe through my nose and the sore throat were there, saying "Hello!!! We're here to make you feel like shit for the next however long".

Couple that with #2 heading to high school. Thank gawd he's somewhat independent and could manage to get most of his crap organized without my help. Because I couldn't. I just couldn't. It went well for him by the by. He's already figured out he can walk to the fast food joints at lunch and as such has his hand out. Now he just needs to figure out he has to get a job in order to continue this lunch time ritual. Or return to eating the gourmet lunches his mommy is still prepare for him. Nothing like PB & J on stale rye bread to make a kid come running for more.

And then to make it even more fun, girl dog is flaunting her back end at boy dog. And boy dog is going crazy. We keep them seperate but the scent is still there. Particularly when she's in the house, he's locked up in the office here, where I sit, seeking peace and quiet and escape from the world, and she's got her ass end parked next to the door... Yeah, no peace and quiet here! And if that's not bad enough, the little Princess has also started the same thing. Two females in heat at the same time... I guess the only thing better would be to have all three of them at once. And as luck would have it, the Synder girl will start up just as the first two finish, making it oh, probably a solid month of female canine friskiness.... I need my head read I must say.

So anyway, I'm feeling better. Other than the panic attack in the middle of night which caused me to have some difficulties breathing. SG had something to do with it I know because as I was waking up, in a sitting position, panting and trying to breathe, I heard him say something along the lines of "that's it, you're going to the hospital".... Not sure if this was a prediction or just what it was. I'm hoping he was talking in his sleep and not predicting physical harm that would result in a trip to the ER.... I'm joking. Maybe. Nah, I'm pretty sure I got me some bronchitis that should be looked at and drugs administered for.

Ciao.

In Point Form

- I'm feeling like crap. #1 brought home the sneezes and absolutely refused to cover his mouth so yeah, now I'm feeling like crap

- The girl dog is feeling frisky. And I am no where near feeling well enough to deal with that shit

- The males in the house, as in 'human males', are in some kind of testosterone battle and, well, I don't want to deal with that shit either

- According to the fashion rules I can no longer where white after tomorrow, which has me wondering if it's still okay to wear my summer shoes... which aren't white

- #2 starts high school in 3 days and I still need 7 days to get him into some kind of sleeping schedule

- There's more freakin' cucumbers that need to be turned into pickles (or something)...

- I'm still holding a grudge against the blight that took over my tomatoes

- I'm tired and going to bed

Ciao!

Now you know what I did this summer

Well, one things for sure, I certainly didn’t spend any time on the blog.

It was kind of a weird summer here in the Pocket. Not a “weird” kind of weird, just a wacky kind of weird.

Back in June #1 graduated. Yep, I got me a high school graduate. SG and I were involved in the evening’s festivities, volunteering to be part of the security committee. Which, by the by, was probably the easiest gig we could’ve got. Nothing too strenuous, just stand in the hallway and make sure the future leaders of the world don’t go where they’re not supposed to. There was a lovely dinner and honestly, I didn’t think it was possible to put that much starch and carbohydrates on a plate. I thought wrong. I guess they needed to load the kids up with as much as possible to absorb the alcohol that would be flowing. You know, keep them somewhat sober. Anyway, it was good. I am proud. Very proud.

#2 also made it out of the middle school and is high school bound. He missed his farewell by choice. Something along the lines of “I’ve spent too many mandatory years with these people I’m not spending my optional time with them too”. I was sad he missed it. It looked like a good time from some of the pictures I had seen on Facebook. He's changed his major. What was once Computers and Culinary has now become Welding. That's my #2... all over the map.

July was spent working mostly evenings, which was different. I got to spend more time in the garden and the pool and with the boys. Well, limited time with the boys. Something about them staying up until all hours of the night thereby sleeping until noon or two… Working evenings is very different than working days. It’s a much more relaxed atmosphere as it’s just the clerks and the people who carry the guns. There were some pretty interesting things happening in and around town. And one thing I’ve learned is that while you think people are weird, you really have no idea how weird… And, further on the work front, things are looking pretty good. The period of the unknown is nearly over and I do believe that my decision to leave a full time permanent gig that I could do in my sleep to take on the temporary term gig that I had no clue about is paying off. Permanent fulltime public servant I shall be…, hopefully the end of the month. And…. I’ll be changing from a clerk who works long and crazy shifts to a clerk that has a Monday to Friday eight to four shift. I’ll be working alongside the big wigs as the admin and finance clerk. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed the mix up in the work life, but really, deep down inside, I am a Monday to Friday kinda girl.

Okay, back to what I did this summer.

We attempted to take some vacation. Got away camping for a few days, which was gloriously wonderful. I love camping. SG was somewhat disappointed that we didn’t get more camping in or even some fishing done, but when funds are limited and the motor for the boat decides to bite it and bite it to the tune of too much money to fix it right then and there, well, yeah, no fishing. We hope to get out again this fall and spend a few more nights in the tent.

August brought an early bounty from the garden. It looked to be a stellar year for the tomatoes and corn and cukes and stuff. Then the blight set in and I think we maybe had a dozen or so tomatoes that were edible. The corn showed huge promise which prompted thoughts about a pig and corn roast. And then the corn turned and well yeah, it became basically a waste of space. Oh, it also doubled as an obstructed view that the dogs quickly figured out and would run behind and take off because, well, I couldn’t see them. The cukes however were, and still are, plentiful and I’ve managed to do what will no doubt amount to a record amount of pickling.

It was a hot month, which is typical for August, and a lot of time was spent in the pool, in the sun, and outside on the decks. A lot of eating and drinking went on which means I gained a few pounds but got a helluva good tan.

I’m still without a car, which is okay. I’m really liking the lack of loan payment and reduced insurance premium. There’s talk that they’re going to get me a van. Our old van. The Venture van. And while SG is thoroughly enjoying his truck, the van is a good idea. The truck isn’t really practical (believe it or not) for family life. The van will be much more conducive. And I think I shall name it Chad.

It was a different kind of summer. And while it doesn’t sound like much, it was a pretty good summer. Now it’s back to school time for #2 and time for #1 to figure out what he’s going to do with his life. Oh to be seventeen again…. Wait, that’s a whole different blog.

Ciao!

Finally

I remembered the password!

So here I am, with lots having happened and lot more going to happen.

I guess the most important thing I need to tell you about is that the #1 son is okay. He's got himself some whiplash and some spinal misalignment, a few scrapes and scratches but he is, for the most part, going to be fine. I think back on how bad it could've turned out and I never want to let him out of my sight again.







Yes, that's my Maggie. He flipped her twice while avoiding hitting the deer that ran out in front of him.

But as I said, he's going to be okay. And I thank our Guardian Angel for looking out for him!

More to come.... just later.

Ciao!

Watch This.... Really... Watch This!!!

Okay. So y'all know I'm somewhat fanatical about my boy John. And it's been kinda hard to explain why I am that way to people who don't really want to get it.

And, in fear of blabbing my face off and turning you right away from clicking on the link, I shall just say this:

Watch this. And then watch it again. Hell, maybe even 2 more times after that.

And then, watch it one more time, but I mean really watch it. And by watch it, I mean watch it AND listen to it. He has this really nifty way of making the guitar talk. Then you stand a chance of knowing why I'm somewhat fanatical about my boy John.

Oh, and a well kept secret? I'm almost as fanatical about Keith too.

Ciao!