Reality check.

For the last day some thoughts have been rattling around my head that I wanted to blog about but I don't know how well they'll come across & be received by you the reader. Here goes... If I lose readers from this then I'm sorry that you can't see another side of the coin & appreciate my thoughts & opinions.

Yesterday on my way to work I was listening to the inauguration on the radio when Reverend Lowery delivered the benediction. I was severely offended when he made this statement: "Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around -- (laughter) -- when yellow will be mellow -- (laughter) -- when the red man can get ahead, man -- (laughter) -- and when white will embrace what is right." When can we stop being a nation of "colors" and just be what we are AMERICANS.

What's even worse in my mind, is that when I finally arrived at work I felt like I couldn't talk to anyone about it for fear of upsetting someone. I then started to think about why I was fearful of calmly discussing my thoughts with anyone. You always hear there's two things you don't discuss at work or around people that don't know you well & that's politics and religion. This involved both of them & I was genuinely concerned to offend anyone.

Why?! For putting my thoughts out there & someone possibly blowing up about my opinion? Isn't that my right? I never did say anything until I got home then I discussed it with my father. It's sad that in this day and age people are worried about openly discussing their thoughts in the public with co-workers or whomever it may be for fear of offending someone.

While I was at work later I overheard a woman on the phone make a racist comment about the inauguration being so expensive. Her exact words were "Did you hear how much the inauguration cost? Of course it was he's black so he has to have the best."

WHAT? I just shook my head and walked off. I was blown away at her ignorance. I don't claim to know a whole lot about politics however I am fairly well informed. It was mainly so expensive due to 3 MILLION people showing up. Security was tight & they had a lot of outdoor booths & activities for them to participate in. I'd appreciate it if you'd actually know what you're talking about before you verbally vomit ignorance at me about politics. Unfortunately that seems to be the norm for people these days. They throw an ignorant statement or status out there without knowing the facts then they want to argue with you when you call them out.

As I'm contemplating things today I had a huge reality check which put a lot of things that's been going on in my life into perspective. I was at my local store when I ran into a friend I use to work with. She's one of the sweetest ladies I've ever met & beyond amazing. As we're talking she tells me she's being diagnosed with terminal stage 4 colon cancer. *Whammy* I started to cry. We talked a little more about how she's just trying to live every day to the fullest and spend as much time with her grand kids as possible. As I got into the car I started crying again & I explained to dad was had happened.

Just like that everything that's been annoying me & seem so "important" didn't seem that bad at all. Every now and again a good reality check is good for the soul. It makes you stop & re-evaluate what really matters in your life.

Ciao.

SHE’S ALIVE!!!

It’s been 5 days since I’ve blogged & literally NOTHING has happened. I worked a few days, mostly I’ve been recovering from this ear infection. Which has kicked my arse seven ways to Sunday.

A few days ago Ree, the author of pioneerwoman.com posted about having people contact Laura at Compassion International to sponsor a child but that her and her husband would financial sponsor them for you. Her generosity made me cry. It would be giving children a chance to have a sponsor whom may not have ever been sponsored along with giving people who wanted to sponsor a child but couldn’t because of the financial obligation.

After debating whether or not I was the right person to sponsor a child I sent an email off to Laura. I received my “acceptance” email last night which made me cry again. I feel so pleased, warm, happy, blessed, excited, thankful & psyched all in one. I know that without Ree & her family’s gift I wouldn’t be able to do this. So thank you Ree for all that you’ve done & for all that you continue to do. If you haven’t visited Ree, please do so. You won’t be disappointed.

Today was the NFC & AFC Championship games! This year Pittsburgh will be playing Arizona in the Super Bowl (: I’m excited!!

I’ve been reading Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson & The Olympians series for the YA challenge at work. I just finished book two and they’re really good. I love how he incorporated Greek mythology into them.

Ciao!

P.S. Obviously I’m trying new font, tell me what you think of it (:

Today was a long day

I had to work & I was determined to not call in two days in a row. I knew I wouldn't be able to take a pain pill & drive to work so I took 4 advil praying it would last. I was fine until about 1 when the pain hit. I have amazing co-workers who were all concerned but I was ok. I had a good laugh though. A patron came up and asked for a book, I thought she said "5 lovely witches" so I did a search for a book with that title....She giggles a little and says "5 Lovely witches...?" and I'm like yea... Finally she says, "I said 5 LOVE LANGUAGES, I thought you knew something I didn't" I died laughing. I was like "I'm sorry I have an ear infection and thought you said 5 lovely witches." Dur!

I finally got to read some today. I could focus long enough to do so for the first time in a few days!

Ciao!!

E.R visit number 2!

I woke up & quickly realized work was out of the picture for today. I called in then called my family doctor. UGH! I get paid once a month and didn't have near enough to pay the $50 doctor fee. I asked if I could pay half and post date a check. Nope. After calling my sister & Amanda to borrow money, which was a last ditch effort I knew I was prolly not going to get into see a Doctor. So then I tried several other options, other doctors ($70 doctors visit and no payment plan) the free clinic (you have to call before 8am to get an appointment the next day) how about the county health clinic (they wanted $42). Mom was doing all the calling while I was snoozing in bed, I felt like death ran over.

After waking up and realizing I was screwed I decided to go to the emergency room. I spent three hours there, had a cat scan and left with a ear wick in my ear, ear drops and prescriptions for Augmentin & vicodin. I officially have swimmer's ear & a middle ear infection. It's extremely painful & I want it to be gone pronto.

Dad went with me & was amazing. I started crying after they looked at my ear because the pain shooting through it was horrible & he began crying too. I don't know what I'd do without him. He's always so helpful and does whatever it takes to make sure I'm ok. He sometimes worries too much about everyone but he loves us so it's hard not to. I know that no matter what he's there to help with anything. Which means the world to me.

Ciao!

Short but sweet.

My ear has flared back up and I'm miserable. Yesterday I made these,

A bracelet for a co-worker,

Ipod Cozy,

Button Bracelet,

Ciao!

Sleeeeeeeeeeeep!

Yesterday at work was madness. We were getting a new counter which threw everyone and everything into chaos. We looked like a bunch of ants running around like crazy. I was running on four hours of sleep & when I got home I literally ate then went to bed. I hit the sack about 8:30 and I woke up at 4:20 wide awake. I tried to go back to sleep several times it just didn't work. I ended up laying in bed playing with Beethoven for quite a while.

Then I had to deal with wrangling Ghost because he'd broke his chain again. We then had to run to get a clamp for it then come back and put it together. It never fails when one dog gets off it's chain the other does the next day. When I'd got home last night Gnarls was lose so I knew Ghost would be today.

Then we got some stuff to make cheese dip for the football game this afternoon<3. After that I worked on a bracelet for a co-worker which turned out really cute.

Ciao!!

P.S. I really need to get a new lens for my camera. I tried to take a picture of the moon last night & they turned out ok just not as close as I wanted. Poo.

My neighbor=a busy body.

My next door neighbor is a busy body & older so she thinks she can verbally vomit at people without any consequences. My sister who's hot tempered has went off on her several times when she's randomly mouthed off to her. I however try to hold my tongue. She's old, she's nosey, she's really a nice person just old and thinks she can act however she wants.

Well today I came this close <-> to going psycho on her. I'm an animal person & always have been. We have 2 dogs outside who eat before I do. I never eat if I haven't fed them yet. This morning I get up & lazed around in bed for a while. I read a book, checked my email & just laid around in bed. My ear was bothering me & I was kinda out of it. So sue me I just felt like being lazy. Boohoo. I finally drag myself out of bed to get dressed to feed them. It was around 1:30 in the afternoon when I went out to feed & water them. Well as I'm walking out I see her getting her paper out of her drive. As I'm walking back up the drive I see she's stopped at her door to wait for me. That means one of two things, 1. She wanted me to do something for her or 2. She was going to make a smart arse comment. Well she choose number 2. I look up at her and she says, "I'd hate to be one of your dogs, not getting fed until 1:30 in the afternoon!" WHAT IN THE WORLD!

I was so mad I just kept walking. I was fuming by the time I got inside. You know I go outside each and every morning to feed and water them in the rain, snow, sleet and sun. Every morning in the winter I beat ice out of water bowls, haul fresh water out to them & check on them throughout the day. Are the being neglected because they got fed late? I don't think so. Especially since I hadn't ate either. If I were abusing them every day and not taking proper care of them I could see a comment like that being directed at me. Since that's not the case I can't believe she had the gall to say that too me. When our dalmatian died a few years ago & we decided not to get a dog to put out there some stranger walked passed her back window while some people were over there for her weekly card night & she flipped out. The next day she told us she missed having a dog back there that would bark and alert us if anything was going on. So she gets free dog security without lifting a finger for them & yet she's mouthing at me. Whatever.

I know my dogs are happy & healthy & that's what really matters. Ciao!!

P.S. Ghost is the white one and Gnarls is the bigger black dog, then of course there's Beethoven in the middle.

01/08/09 Randomosity.

Wow I've really been neglecting you guys! I'm sorry. I'm pretty sure I have an inner ear infection that is whooping my booty 7 ways to Sunday. I've never had one before & believe me they'll make you want pain meds pronto. I resisted though & so far so good.

I've went into craft making insanity to say the least. I got some more stuff to make jewelry along with some felt for iPod/Zune cozies. I still need to perfect the zune cozy it's a little small. I'll make another one, no biggie.

I've not read as many books as I'd planned on so far because I can't seem to focus with my ear hurting like it does. I finally finished Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist. I really liked it. Norah's sarcasm had me laughing throughout the book. The movie comes out February 3rd and I want to see it asap.

Speaking of movies Coraline the next book I plan on reading has been made into a movie & it looks too cute. The horrible cute like A Nightmare Before Christmas kinda cute. I can't wait!

Ciao!

My word for 2009.

Over on Tip Junkie they're asking the readers to pick a word for 2009 that sums up what you want for yourself in 2009? I choose: INFINITY. It's a strange word to pick I know, but it's my pick none the less. It has no end & that's how I want to live, breathe, experience, love, and just be. Think about it & I encourage you to pick your own word for 2009!

Ciao!

Puppies & decisions.

First, the cuteness of Amanda's new puppy. Everyone meet Scrappy.

Scrappy's a Jack Russel Terrier/Red Heeler mix.

Look at his little paws! What a sweetie. He's also a cuddlier. Plus he loves the right side of his nosed scratched. He'll lean into you until he falls over when you scratch just the right spot.

In other news, I've decided to go to school and get my Master's in Library Science degree this fall. While I'm getting that one I'm also going to get my Master's in School Library Science since I already have my Bachelor's in Elementary Education. School's no big deal for me, so it'll be a breeze (: I hope.

Now for a book review:

Synopsis: In this exciting collection, bestselling authors Meg Cabot (How to Be Popular), Kim Harrison (A Fistful of Charms), Michele Jaffe (Bad Kitty), Stephenie Meyer (Twilight), and Lauren Myracle (ttyl) take bad prom nights to a whole new level—a paranormally bad level. Wardrobe malfunctions and two left feet don't hold a candle to discovering your date is the Grim Reaper—and he isn't here to tell you how hot you look.

This one was a very quick & easy read. Each story is about 50 pages long. I didn't know if I'd enjoy reading short stories but they were definitely well written & left me wanting more. A few ended with a "to be continued" ending. I normally don't like those but they were incredible cliffhangers. I wouldn't buy this book to keep but it's worth borrowing from a friend or getting from your library.

I'm now reading Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist.

Ciao!

Painful earful.

I worked a full day today with an earache the entire time. My inner ear is swollen, red & very warm to the touch. I have no idea what happened. I was trying to not be growly at work but it's hard to do when you have people going home because it's nice outside & they're faking being sick. Two other people called in so it was all sorts of craziness. Amanda got a new puppy. He's 6 weeks old & he's a jack russel terrier/red heeler mix. He's adorable and I love him. I got pictures of him that I'll post later. For now I'm going to hit the sack & hope my ear is better in the a.m. Ciao.

3 days into the new year.

And OY! I say OY! Work was nutso I'm bushed & going to bed, more tomorrow.

Random tidbits.

1. Last night was insanely fun. Amanda came over and I rang in the new year with her & dad. We drank & ate entirely too much. We also played some buzz which was crazy.
2. I woke up this morning groggy as all get out. I finally drug my carcass out of bed & we returned the movies then took Beethoven out to Watkins Mill to run around.
3. I'm still in snack coma (: No complaints tho.
4. I started a new book, Prom Nights From Hell so far so good.
5. Tomorrow I work til close then I work all day Saturday. We'll see how my ankle fairs, I'm limping pretty badly even with it wrapped.

Ciao!!