I have returned Cont'd...

After visiting with Tia awhile on Family Day, Stephanie and I began making calls to Atg Rehab hoping to find one in the area. We got through to a receptionist who was going to try to find a technician who could drive to us rather than us driving an hour away, which would have been nice if she would have called us back! To make a long story short I got the idea to call the local atg rehab I always deal with to see if this was something they could help us fix over the phone. I had this problem once before and the technician came to my house and fixed it within minutes. We made the call and Chris, the wheelchair tech who came to my house, talked us through it step by step and we were rolling in 30 minutes!!!! Woot!! So, if this ever happens again, I will know what to do. :) We told him he gets a steak dinner...LOL :)

I mentioned in my last post about the field, the woods, the smoke and the 1200 soldiers. Here are some pics so you can see for yourself.

Beautiful, huh? :)



I've returned!!

Well, I arrived home from my trip last night, which was absolutely amazing!! It was so great to see my niece after 2 plus months. She looked a little tired, but she felt great and her spirits were soaring high! :)
We (Stephanie and I) arrived at the hotel Tuesday evening around 6:00. After getting settled in and freshening up from the long trip we decided our bellies needed filled. We went down the street and found a restaurant that neither one of us had ever eaten at before.... Shoneys. Unfortunately, it was not a good choice. My baked potato was undercooked and Stephanie's steak was over cooked! Grrrr! We went ahead and ate without complaining and came back to the hotel to watch tv and visit with my sister and nephew awhile. Later I noticed my breathing was labored some, which usually just means the batteries are low and need swapped. We checked the batteries and one of the indicator lights did indeed show one battery was low and needed changed. Well, after changing both batteries with brand new ones, my breathing was worse! Every time she moved the pacer it was shorting out!! I was so pissed!! I threw some F bombs and wanted to go to bed! Upon putting me to bed and turning my chair power off and on, an error message popped up on the screen! The message read "omni system error 810D". The result of this caused my chin control not to work!! I was LIVID!
The next morning we woke up and got ready to attend Family Day! I had contemplated arriving late to family day and trying to find a wheelchair company in the area first. Stephanie said, "No I will push your chair and we will make calls to wheelchair repair companies while there" That was a nice gesture considering a power chair is heavy to push, then you add my 115 pounds and the South Carolina heat on top of that... she was a real trooper!  :) Thank you Steph!!

As soon as we arrived we found our way to the wheelchair seating area. We spotted my sister and her family and visited with them until the "family day" ceremony began, which seemed like a life time!! :) Thousands of people were in the bleachers looking out in a HUGE open field that backs up to a deep wooded area. It started out  with a few people running out from the wooded area and throwing colored smoke bombs. Withn a matter of seconds 4 groups (280 in each group approximately) of soldiers start marching out on the field through the thick colored smoke and march in sync up to the bleachers. It was wonderful to see that many people dedicating their lives to our country.

After 30 minutes of dedication speeches, the families were FINALLY permitted to run from the bleachers to find their soldier. ;) Yay!! My sister and her family found Tia in the sea of soldiers and soon after they came up to me in the bleachers so I could get a hug!! She looked so happy!! It was so great!!!

This is her and I the minute we saw each other! She wears glasses so the military supplies these beauties. They are bcg's which stand for birth control glasses. Teehee! I heart you Tee!!

4 more days

I will be South Carolina bound in 4 more days! I'm so stoked about seeing my beautiful niece graduate from basic training and to also see her off to her next journey, which is AIT (advanced individual training I think). She will be going to San Angelo Texas for 7 months to complete that part of training. :)

I still need to get her a graduation gift, but have no idea what to get her! In basic training she earned the nickname Archer because she got her hands on tweezers and plucked her eyebrows. She could have gotten in a lot of trouble because tweezers are considered contraband, but I don't think she did. Anyway...for one of her graduation gifts her Mom bought her a pair of tweezers and is having "Archer" engraved in them. :)

Below are some pictures of her.

My doggies

I took my pooches to the vet today. I'm glad its usually a once a year event because its exhausting, not to mention expensive! They both did great despite being poked and prodded, but Buddy was pissed!! He did not like the girl holding him down to cut his nails!! He growled and snarled like I have never heard him snarl before. She had purple hair, spikes, peircings, a weight problem and an attitude problem! She was defensive because Buddy didn't like her. I told her "Its not just you, its everybody" which wasn't entirely true.

I saw a monkey today. Her name was Emma and she was there because she was running a fever. She was sitting on the bench like a human. I said, "Bye Emma I hope you feel better" She looked at me, but didn't throw poop. :) I heard monkeys do that sometimes! :( I could have taken her home...as my service monkey!!! Those do exist. Here is the clickable link... Monkey helpers 
Even if you aren't in the market for a monkey, the pictures will make you smile. :)

When your best is NEVER good enough!

Hi! I'm extremely frustrated, so this post will be a major rant. If you don't want to read my vent, you should probably click the red x in the right hand corner...

When I start my day I figure out what the day will consist of from beginning to end. What I will have the girls make me for dinner. What errands I need to do that day. I try to weigh out what is more important, groceries vs. house clean, etc. My wheels are always turning. I constantly find myself working out strategies in my head that not only include me, but include my bf too. For example, I want to have a salad for dinner, but Steve doesn't like salads. So then I have something cooked we both like, something we can share. I aim to please most every day because I want to know he ate a good meal. The problem is nothing is ever good enough!!! I finally told him today, "Nothing is ever good enough for you"

If it was perfect, I think he would find fault in it just to bully me!!!
The other night he woke me up to tell me not to buy skinny spaghetti anymore! Omg are you serious? Last night it was to ask me who was the last person to use the hose. I said, "your Mom" and he shut up. He wanted to hear me say the name of my nurse assistant so he could bitch.

I often ask myself, "Is he trying to get rid of me by bullying me and insulting me everyday. Does he REALLY hate skinny pasta or does he like torturing me about the choice I made of purchasing skinny pasta vs. regular spaghetti"

I have finally realized there is nothing I can do to please him!

Changes

As you have noticed I'm making changes to my blog. I'm probably going overboard with the purple hues, but I love the color. (At least this week anyway) :) If you think I should change anything because its hard to read or whatever, I welcome your critiques.

Last night we went to a bar in Troy to listen to the band called Lost on Iddings. Steve was asked to sing some songs and play the guitar with them, so I was sitting with a friend for awhile. Well, I noticed a man at the next table staring at me. As soon as my friend left, Mr. Googly Eyes came over! Ugh!! It was apparent he had been drinking too much because he was asking me a boat load of questions and telling me his life story! He said he is a tow truck driver and has to scoop brains off the road. I didn't realize that was in their job description, but anyway! He told me I'm lucky to have lived through my accident, but in the next breath he told me how fucked up my life has to be! I tried to explain my life isn't fucked up, but he had already convinced himself me it had to be nothing more than fucked up. He then started to rub my arm and ask if I felt it. I said, "alrighty now, yes and don't rub me"... Before I knew it he was reaching across rubbing my other arm!!! I said "okay, I gotta go" and got Steve's attention. Oh dear!

I like going to gigs, but I dislike sitting alone. This always seems like an invite for people to come and park in an empty seat beside me.

Planning my trip

I leave for South Carolina in 11 days and I'm getting uber excited!! I will be attending my niece's graduation from bct training and the family day Fort Jackson has for the soldiers and their families. It seems like just yesterday I was posting about her leaving! Here it is 10 weeks later already! I was told, "Don't worry it will go fast" and my god did it ever!! Yay!! :)

Family was here last week. It was Steve's Mom, three nieces and nephew. It was a fun visit as usual and I think they enjoyed it. Steve took them 4 wheeling on two separate occasions, the Darke County Fair and the nature center down the street. Steve's Mom and I took them to the mall once and we also had a couple nights we toasted marshmallows and made smores by the fire.

His dad might be coming next week for a few days, but its not written in stone yet. We will play that one by ear I guess. :)

Have a great weekend!

Bird man in Troy

As you know, I'm a lover of animals and stories of animal abuse make me crazy mad!! On August 8 (or around there) the news aired a story about a man in Troy hoarding exotic birds and neglecting them. When I heard his name I realized it was the man who lives directly behind me. I couldn't believe something so horrible was happening so close to home. I wanted to roll out my back door and open the door to the "house" the birds were barely "existing" in and set them free!!! I was heart broken for those poor birds and somewhat for the man responsible! I know... you probably want to cuss me out or throw rotten eggs at me now! Let me explain.

I would like to think this man, Doug Radcliffe, loves these birds and the situation got out of control. I myself want every dog I have an encounter with, whether it needs a home or not! :) If I didn't have Steve telling me "NO more dogs Cindy" each time I said, "Steve, this dog needs a home, can we please... pretty please adopt it" I would have 30 dogs I couldn't afford! I also heard from my neighbor (next door, not Doug) that the media blew things out of context. The living conditions in the house were deplorable, but the neighbor said Doug converted the house to a barn like atmosphere for the birds when he moved in with his sister. Regardless, its evident the birds need a better home and after this is over I hope the birds are in a home where they are well taken care of and surrounded by love! :)

Relationships part 3

I'm back to the steamy topic of relationships!

I have been in a relationship with the same man for almost a decade. Okay, that sounded like a life time! :) We met on the internet in 1997, when we both chatted via aol instant messager. I remember the first time we talked, he said something I found a little offensive and I cut the conversation short because of it. Obviously that didn't stop us from moving forward. :) Anyway, we met in person a couple months later when he drove from Delaware to Ohio and stayed in a motel down the street from the nursing home.

We had a good visit, regardless of being restricted to the nursing home and the limited number of places that were within walking distance, being I didn't have an accessible vehicle at the time. We took a walk to the hospital cafeteria next door, ate polish sausages while chatting uncomfortably for awhile and continued to hang out that evening drinking beer and chatting it up. He stayed until 11:00 that night and returned the next morning for a few hours.

We remained in contact, but I didn't see him again until September of 2001. This time we met in Washington, Pa. and stayed at a Holiday Inn. This time we hit it off and wanted to see each other more often. From that point on we made it a monthly ritual to get together whether it be him driving to Ohio or us meeting in Pa. We continued this ritual for a year and a half.

To be continued...

I'm back!!

Wow! It's been a rough couple weeks!! I had a sore I needed to nurse back to health which required me to stay out of my wheelchair and stay in the bed! I have learned through experience that because I have a spinal cord injury, I can't ignore areas that get pink or red. Doing so kept me in bed for 3 months with a stage 4 decubitus ulcer in 1997. Anyway... I think (and hope) everything is back to normal! :)

I went camping this weekend, something I hadn't done since I was a campfire girl in fifth grade. :) We attended the Miami Valley Music Fest in Troy where a bunch of bands performed and raised money for charity. Terrapin Moon was one of the bands and they were scheduled for 11:00 Saturday night. The ironic part of this was the weather man said there was a 60% chance that a thunderstorm could come through Troy at 11:00, the exact same time they were scheduled to be on stage. We didn't think much of it because well, weathermen don't exactly have a good track record of being spot on with their forecasts, ya know?

Unfortunately at exactly 11:00 the wind picked up, it got cold, the dark rain clouds rolled in, opened up and poured tons of rain. It was scary to see the fires at the camps blowing sideways and see the embers blowing along with the tents and chairs. We survived though, the show went on and all in all a great time was had! :)

Relationships part 2

I'm back again to finish my tirade about disabilities and relationships. :)

When I became disabled in 1992 I had been in a relationship for 5 months with a man I worked with at my factory job. Our relationship obviously didn't survive after my wreck and I was okay with it. I expected it. We were both young, had agendas, had routines and had dreams to chase. This tragedy happened, I couldn't escape it and there was no reason for us to pretend our relationship could continue to exist. After he and I parted ways, being in a relationship again didn't cross my mind for years. I never dreamed somebody would want me, a quadriplegic with a trache, paralyzed from the shoulders down.

In 1997 I was introduced to a wonderful invention that changed my life. You may have heard of it. It's called the world wide web. :) It was then that I began to go discover websites, disability chatrooms, forums and I also began to chat via instant message. I chatted with family, friends, people with disabilities and people who were attracted to persons with disabilities. Yes, you read that right. People who were attracted to persons with disabilities.

See, I was talking to a guy (through aol instant message)and he told me he was a devotee. I was confused and asked, "what are you devoted too?" He said "girls in wheelchairs". I was shocked! I couldn't believe such an attraction existed. While many people would think this is just down right disturbing, I was fascinated by the concept. For the first time since my injury, I actually felt like maybe there is somebody out there who will accept me and my disability and perhaps I will find love again.

Through the years from 1997 - 2002 I had met a few men online. I don't know if they were devotees or not, but I didn't care one way or the other. I think if people are attracted to persons with disabilities it doesn't classify them as freaks, monsters, weirdos, or whatever! When people with disabilities assume that devotees are weirdos because they are attracted to them, it makes me ask this question. What is it about yourself that you hate so much that you think somebody else cannot be attracted to you?

To be continued...

Disabilities and relationships

Today I had a conversation with somebody about disabilities and relationships and it made me realize how close minded people are.

The conversation started out being about this persons new boyfriend, who has been a diabetic for five years. She went on to say that because of his diabetes, it can cause some things to not fully function in the bedroom. After she shared this way too personal (and useless to me) information she said he was dating a woman last year, who was a paraplegic. As she was saying this, I literally saw a fricking light bulb go off in her head. At that exact moment she realized and shared with me that the reason he was dating somebody in a wheelchair was probably because he was compromised in the bedroom. In other words he lowered himself to date somebody who couldn't walk because she wouldn't get any satisfaction from an erect penis anyway because well, she's in a chair. ARE YOU SERIOUS!!

She looked at me as if she wanted my approval, my assurance or something! I looked at her and was dumbfounded by the bullshit that exited her mouth. I said, "I'm surprised you would think that way. People in wheelchairs can not only have sex, but they can be great lovers" I asked her "What makes you think he didn't have feelings for her?" She then began to trip over her words and back track what she said, which was visibly awkward for her.

The reason that this conversation left me dumbfounded is because I have been around this person on a regular basis for years and she knows I have a boyfriend. What blows me away even more, she has an adult daughter who has been in a wheelchair since birth. She has told me time and time again, "I wish my daughter would meet somebody like you have." Wouldn't that classify them as having short comings or being compromised? Pft!


To be continued...

Gas chamber

While performing one of my many daily facebook searches Sunday, I saw that Fort Jackson had an update on the D Company facebook page!! This update included 143 pictures of the soldiers in basic training completing the monstrosity of an obstacle course and the painful looking gas chamber!! Yowzers! I was able to see Tia in action after she left the gas chamber and as she was going through the course. She was on her back, in her fatigues and boots crawling under a rope. So great to see her! :)

Her boyfriend got a letter from her a few days. He said Tia was having a rough time adjusting as she wasn't making friends with any of the girls in her platoon and that she had even gotten an attitude from a couple of them. She said she was depressed and felt all alone! :( I can only hope that she is doing better by now and making friends. Tia is such a sweet girl I can't believe she is not making friends. I try and send a letter every day! She says the letters get her through the tough times!

I wish I understood...

I wish I had the ability to open up people's heads, take out their brain, unravel it and study the reasons why they do the things they do! If I had this remarkable ability my first brain observation would be my brand spanking new nursing assistant, who shall remain nameless!

She is cute, sweet, 30 years old, has two children and a shitload of ailments! Today she was suppose to be here at 4:00, calls me at 1:00 and says, "Cindy I'm not calling off, but (When she says but, it totally meant I'm calling off)I just got off work, I got 45 minutes sleep, I haven't eaten, I have an ulcer and I think the acids in my stomach are making me not want to eat. My head is foggy, too." In my head I am thinking how long is this diarhea of excuses going to continue, but that would be mean! So, I said, "Why don't you lay down for awhile, see how you feel and call me when you wake up" My gut told me this isn't really what she wanted to hear.

Anyway...I hadn't heard from her (no surprise) by 4:30, so I called her. Her Mom answers. Mom tells me, "yea, I was just going to call you. How ironic you called! "Name" isn't doing well. We have her in E.R right now, etc etc etc" I said, "Okay, well she is suppose to work this weekend and I need to know if I need a replacement" She interrupts "Oh no, she will not miss, she will get medicine for her stomach, go home, we go through this a lot" I reiterated the importance of me hearing from her tonight regardless and she again interrupts me and assures me I will be called.


This whole thing smells bad and leaves a sour taste in my mouth! My bf thinks I'm wrong and need to give people the benefit of the doubt like I'm a mean person. This is the second incident with her and the first time she missed a 10 hour shift and didn't call in or anything! I'm not mean, I'm stupid for giving her another opportunity to pull this stunt!

I'm still around! :)

Hello, I haven't posted in a little while and I began to feel guilty yesterday, so I made posting on my blog today a priority! I have been writing letters to my niece every day instead of updating my blog, but today I'm doing both! :)

We haven't heard from Tia in a few weeks because she doesn't have phone privileges right now, but Fort Jackson has a facebook page so families can see what their soldiers in Training do in basic training! Out of 115 pictures of the group Tia is in, we saw 0 of her! My sister and I were on the phone with each other yesterday and together we were also on facebook looking through these pictures, trying to see even the smallest glimpse of her face, her ear, her pony tail, her frickin finger, just SOMETHING, but to no avail! We were so delirious we were grasping at straws convincing ourselves somebody else's daughter was actually Tia! :) Well, this morning my sister posted a message and a picture on facebook about Tia. In one of those 115 pictures my sister spotted a duffle bag on somebody (who was cut out of the picture) that said Fox T. and her number. LOL!! Sooo funny!! Well, we know she is there, right!?!?

I took Buddy and Lady to the park today. It was a perfect day for the park. :) Two little kids wanted to pet them and well, they were soaking that attention right up. :) We walked them around for about an hour and left. While there, I saw that man I previously posted about, the one who I continue to run in to often. It could be totally coincidental, but none the less creepy!

Buddy is showing obvious signs of hip dysplasia. (sp?) I need to get him to the vet for x-rays and probably a regimen of tests to see exactly what is wrong, etc. He is limping and avoiding pressure on his left back leg. :(

I will go now! Take care and have a great weekend! I'm coloring my hair Saturday! Woot! :)

Not Guilty?? Seriously!!!

Casey Anthony was found not guilty today and I can't f$#king believe it! My jaw
dropped to my lap. I don't understand! This is somebody else getting away with murder right in front of our eyes! OMFG!!

She may have been found not guilty, but that doesn't imply she is innocent by any means!! She got lucky today. She got away with murder, but her day is coming and that day can't come soon enough! Ugh!

Happy July 4th weekend!!

I hope everybody has a nice holiday weekend!! I think I'm sticking around here unless we go to a party/music fest today. We were invited by one of the band members and I heard the guy having the "party" is the veterinarian I take my babies too. Can you say weird? The vet isn't weird, the idea of me going to a party and seeing him there is weird for me. This vet is pretty cool. The first couple times I took Lady, he seemed really matter of fact with no bedside manner whatsoever, but he eventually grew on me.

Last fall I went in there because my neighbor's 3 legged cat was in my front yard and appeared severely malnourished! This kitty needed help he/she was not getting at home. Okay, I need to back up and start from the beginning. Take a moment to get coffee or go potty. I will wait!

You back? :) Okay, this kitty, who I will call Lucky, came to my house and was sitting in the middle of my yard for a reason. This was another example of strays knowing which house they can come to and get help!! (In case you are confused, I'm referring to my post about animals). When my nurse assistant and I walked out the front door we both noticed Lucky immediately as he lay on his belly in the front yard not moving, just meowing! His meow was raspy and weak....upon us getting closer Lucky hobbled to us and began rubbing against my footplate. His eyes were cloudy, he was skinny, his mouth was swollen and something foul was oozing from his mouth. I decided to take him home and let his owner know he stumbled upon us and if they were looking for him, the search is over! In my opinion the kitty was in the condition it was in for a reason and that was pure neglect on their part. We drove Lucky to his home, my nurse assistant opened the van door, Lucky got out and they went to the door. Unfortunately nobody answered and Lucky jumped in the van! I'm serious, he wanted to go with us. We didn't know what to do but we both knew if Lucky didn't go with us he would be dead within days!

We then took him to Krogers and bought him a can of moist cat food and gave him some water, which he devoured even with the ulcer like sore in his mouth. We went back in, did the grocery shopping and when we came out to the van he was contently sleeping on the bench seat. We decided he needed to see a vet about his mouth. We took him to a vet across town and that was a waste of time and a waste of $89.00. She was an unprofessional bitch.... She continuously curled her nose up at the smell being omitted from his mouth (like he could help it) and she would not listen to what I was telling her. She gave him a shot of antibiotics and sent us on our way.

The next day he was worse! He would not eat, was very lethargic and not responding to our touch, our voices, nothing! We took him to the same vet I take my babies to and he said the cat was in bad shape! He would not give it an iv for dehydaration without doing blood work first because he felt this poor guy was sick with feline leukemia.

I then was faced with the decision to either spend more money on my neighbors cat who probably wasn't going to make it or put the kitty down and possibly face prosecution...I had a f&*king meltdown as this beautiful sick kitty layed lifeless on the table. The vet eventually helped me make the decision by confirming how sick Lucky was, how neglected he was and him making a recovery was nearly impossible. I then decided to have him put down, have him creamated and have his ashes spread in a park like setting where other animals ashes were spread. I felt doing it this way would give Lucky a better after life than his life here and now. He was a special kitty! :)

Tia left today...

Tia left today and I can't seem to pull myself together. As I type this I'm crying so hard and don't see an end to this feeling I have consuming me! I feel this big hole inside my heart! I imagine my little niece leaving her home and entering a big world where she isn't familiar with the surroundings or the people and I worry about who is protecting her. I know I'm a "Debbie downer" and not looking at the upside of this at all... it's hard though when somebody I love so much is away and I want her home again! :( I'm trying to support my sister and tell her "This is a great move for Tia" or "Sherry, she will be okay, she is a big girl"... I can't help her if I can't even keep myself together.

Now that my sweetie of a niece is in the army I have been on ebay searching for every sort of memorobilia that says Aunt and army in the same sentence! I found a vinyl car decal that says "Proud Army Aunt" that I'm going to bid on before it ends. :) I also joined or "liked" two army facebook pages one being the place she is stationed at for bootcamp. (Fort Jackson). I can read up on posts from family members who talk about their soldiers and even post my own. :) It fills the void...

Hopefully my next post will be more cheery! Have a good evening!

Some people amaze me

Yes, that is right, people f*#king amaze the hell out of me! Today I went in to volunteer for a few hours at the access center to help with an event they were holding. Upon entering, my nurse and I were greeted by a well mannered and well groomed black man who I had never met before. His job at the center is to answer phones and greet people at the door. I'm sure his job details are greater than that, but that's not important. My nurse put her purse down, turned around to get my hair out of my face and put a stick of gum in my mouth, and that is when I see his theiving hand go straight in her purse and steal something!! I was shocked. Do I confront him? Do I tell Stephanie in front of him? What the hell? I told her to get her stuff because were going around the corner. We go around the corner and I say, "What is missing from your purse? He stole from you!" Thankfully it was only $2.00, but that isn't the point. He took something that was not his and I dislike people like him!! He works around people who are disabled everyday and has probably done this shady shit countless times. We reported him and he denied it so its hard telling what will come of it. After he was confronted he was calling every black person in the center whining that he was falsely accused.

I know I sound racist and the truth is maybe I have it in me. I spent 10 years in a nursing home and made friends with some black girls, but also bumped heads with a few others. It had nothing to do with their skin color, but everything to do with their bad attitude.

Animals

Today my nurse assistant and I were discussing her love for cats, my love for dogs which then turned into us sharing our stray animal experiences as we were growing up. We convinced ourselves that stray animals know exactly which door to show up hungry at because these stray animals found us, not people who weren't going to take care of them. Animals aren't dumb, are they? :)

Growing up my parents (mom for the most part, but dad was okay with everything) took in every animal that found us and never turned one away! Our neighbors weren't happy with us at all, but we didn't care! Our first stray was Pepper. He was a white dog with black spots, very wiry hair, had a raspy bark, maybe 60 lbs and not very lovable. Shags was next. She was a curly gray hair schnauzer type dog who was mixed with another breed, but I have no idea which one. Whatever it was, Shags was adorable with her eyes covered with long bangs and her big hairy paws. :) Her arrival was like this. We woke up early one weekend morning to pouring rain and Pepper barking excessively like he was going to attack. Well, my sister and I opened the door to find a disgruntled wet Pepper outside his dog house because Shags was inside his domain keeping dry while he sat outside and got soaked. Well, that was a bold move on her part, but she was a keeper! :) Next (a week or so later) came Midnight. She was also schnauzer like, black and brown in color, but much smaller than Shags. She was a frightened and nervous dog, but sweet none the less. :)

Well, I will continue part 2 of my animal rescue another day. I am going to stand in my standing frame soon while catching up on the Casey Anthony trial. This past week we learned that Lee Anthony is not the father of Caylee (Sorry, no newsflash here!) George Anthony's ex-wife called him a pathological liar (so???) and evidently George had a mistress in 2008 when Caylee first went missing. (Again, so??? this doesn't help with this case.) We also learned Casey has an inmate friend who had a daughter that drowned in a swimming pool awhile back and the grandpa found the baby....now we know where her fabricated story came from. :/

Tia

Saturday was my niece's going away party and it turned out to be a big success! She leaves Sunday to go to Fort Jackson in South Carolina for basic training, where she will be for 10 weeks. She won't go directly to South Carolina, she will be in Columbus first for a night and be on her way Monday. Regardless my niece is leaving and I didn't think it would effect me like it is. I feel nervous and nautious when I think about her leaving. She is excited and seeing how happy she is gets me through my wimpy sad moments. :)

Steve and I bought her a sterling silver charm bracelet with a silver heart as her going away gift. I'm taking it to the mall this week to get her name engraved in the heart and buying another charm with the army logo engraved in it. Each holiday we will buy another charm to add to it until the links are all filled up. Her bracelet will be like a book and each charm will be like a chapter in her life.

Yellow Springs Street Fair

Yesterday my friend and I braved the heat and found our way through the tye dye wearing crowd by going to the Yellow Springs Street Fair! :) I always enjoy going to Yellow Springs because the people are great! They are a friendly, unique, expressive and radical species all balled up in one! :) I have met a few hipsters since the boyfriend joined a grateful dead tribute band and they are truly great people to be around! One offered me a white molly at a festival one time and stupid me said, "what is that?" He responds in his hippy slang, "Dude, It's the purest form of ecstacy you will ever find. It's $50 for one, but for you it's free" I said, "Oh god no, but thank you anyway" Anyway, I digress....street fair was uber fun and the funnel cake was great, too. :)

I saw two girls that I met while living in the nursing home, which was a very special treat. The first lady I ran in to was a nurse and the second girl was a nurse assistant who used to date my brother for a short while. :)

After the fair I went to my besties house for a cook out and a movie. Her hubster hooked me up with a kickin hamburger which was better than steak. Thank you Kevin. Kevin and I got on a rant about Casey Anthony, the tot mom from Florida. It made me feel warm and fuzzy inside knowing somebody was more obsessed than myself with seing this crazy loon go down!! :)

Need a job!

I try to stay upbeat and play suzy sunshine, but today I can't even pretend to put on a happy face. I need a job and it's not happening quick enough. Every place I have applied to requires a typing test and a speed of more words per minute than I am able to type. I miss typing with my fingers!! Anyway..I applied to another company today and the typing speed they require is a little lower, so we shall see.

I appreciate all the people who come in and work for me, but sometimes it takes a toll on me as well. We all have our unique personalities and I'm finding myself losing patience with some of my aides because our personalities clash. It's very frustrating to have people in my home constantly and more frustrating when I have to watch what I say or do because it can get repeated to other clients or their family members. I have learned to not trust anybody who works for me and its sad. I want my nurse assistants to enjoy coming here and working for me, but wish it could be done without them crossing boundaries and taking advantage of the situation.

Strawberry festival

This weekend was the strawberry festival and the weather couldn't have been better. It was hot, okay very hot, but it didn't storm and that is a huge factor at any outdoor festival obviously. :) I hadn't been since 1991, the year before I became injured, but went because Steve wanted strawberry donuts... I passed up Frickers with my buds to go get strawberry donuts for my bf. The things we do to make our significant others happy. :)

Early last spring I was at the park with my dogs walking them around the bike path. At the corner of the trail an older man walked around us and nonchalantly looked down at them and kept on going. The next day this same man came up to me at Krogers and said he saw me at the park the day before. I smiled and said something like, yes I was there with my dogs and that was it. The following week I saw him at Goodwill. I smiled at him and he acted as if he never saw me before, which was odd. I saw him again the following week at Krogers. By this time I'm thinking is this more than a coincidence? We live in the same city, we frequent the same stores, big deal, right? Well, in the upcoming weeks I saw him again at Goodwill and again at Kroger. Now, I'm getting paranoid. On two occasions I attempted to get his plate number, but he always seems to park in a spot far away where we couldn't even see the car he drove. A few weeks ago I saw him at Walmart and today at Krogers. I saw him in the produce and again in the parking lot before I left. Ugh!! I'm creeped out by this person and definitely more aware of my surroundings now.

Family left this morning

The 5 day visit with Steve's parents flew by as it always does, but it was a great time and the weather was super. :) We cooked out a couple times, shopped for graduation gifts at the mall, planted flowers and painted a couple rooms as I mentioned in my previous post. :)

My niece's graduation was especially nice. She is so bubbly, outgoing and outrageously (that spelling don't look right??) fun and I wonder who she inherited it from. Nobody in the Fox or Welborn family have her spunk. Maybe its not something that is inherited, but is developed as you grow up. Regardless.... :)

I just read that the prisons are extremely overpopulated in California and because of this, there is talk of bringing flogging to the U.S as a form of punishment! There is controversy that this is barbaric, but it would be up to the criminal what form of punishment he/she wants. 1 yr or 10 flogs for instance. Yowzers! I wouldn't want either and that is why I try to walk (ok, not literally) a straight line and not get in trouble with the law! Maybe if consequences for people's actions were a little harsher, maybe the crime rates would go down.

Family is here!

Steve's parents arrived Wednesday night and will be here until Tuesday morning. They always help us tremendously when they are here and have all kinds of projects to do. I wish Steve would have inherited their energy. :) Today they helped Steve paint the kitchen and tomorrow they are painting the laundry room and family room. Our kitchen has had an apple theme since we moved in in 2003, but I decided to do away with all my apple decor and not have a theme. Instead I will keep the color neutral, get new curtains tomorrow and maybe get a shelf or corner cabinet to dress it up. :)

While I was outside today basking in the beautiful sun, my dogs wandered a few feet away and took turns rolling in something in the grass. Steve hollered at them to stop because 80% of the time they roll in something yucky, it results in the smell following them in the house. I decided to google the words Why do dogs roll in smelly things? This is what I learned. Dogs have instinctive roots that lead from the wolf. When a wolf (or dog) rolls in a dead animal carcass it's to show it's pack, look what I have found. They think of the carcass as its prize. Its also believed that they will roll in carcass or another animals feces to mask their own smell and enable them to sneak up on their prey without detection. Hmmmmmm

The world is ending?

I usually ignore claims about the world ending because it seems far fetched and unpredictable, but I'm beginning to second guess myself and not sure I should be ignoring these claims! I'm not saying I'm going to get my affairs in order, but...

Look at the weather. It doesn't rain, it pours and pours and pours until it floods! People's homes and vehicles are buried under water while they're paddling a canoe down a river that used to be a street the day before. Our seasons are running together. Tornadoes. Tsunamis. Earthquakes. Hurricanes. These "natural" disasters are killing millions of people and I shouldn't assume I'm exempt from these disasters. Just 45 minutes ago I was in a position where I thought I needed to find shelter because a tornado was spotted 3 miles from here. I don't have a basement, I can't get in a bath tub, so I would have parked myself in the hallway and prayed hard that I would be spared! Thankfully it didn't come our way, but it was quite the heart stopper to say the least. Yikes!

On Sunday I am going to my niece's high school graduation. I'm excited and sad at the same time. Excited because I get to witness and be a part of her celebrating one (of many) of the most important accomplishments of her life. Sad because 4 weeks after that, she will be leaving for South Carolina to begin her 10 week stent of basic training so she can be a soldier in the army. I'm proud of her mature decision to join the military, especially at this time when our country is in the condition it is in, but for selfish reasons I don't want her to go. I will miss her so much!

Fun with friends

Last night I spent my evening with a group of girls I graduated high school with at BW3's and had a fabulous time! There ended up being 11 of us all together. I was feeling a little uneasy at first because most of the girls had not seen me since my injury and I was nervous how they would be around me. I didn't know if they would feel uncomfortable, if they would avoid conversation, avoid eye contact etc. Well, those fears were put to rest immediately and the night was more fun than I have had in quite awhile!! We have agreed to get together more frequently (every two months) because we had so much fun and still have much more to catch up on. :)

Today I met a friend for lunch who used to work for me. She was my nurse for a few years, but had to quit because another job offer came along that she couldn't turn down because it was more hours. We had fun catching up. We are still close and keep up with each other via facebook. :)

Hello

Hello, hope my readers are having a great day! I on the other hand am not having such a good day. I can't pinpoint what exactly is wrong but something's just not right. Oh well hopefully the day will improve. :-)

I had my annual review yesterday so that I could continue to receive nursing services and it went okay. They always ask the same questions every year and every year I answer the same questions the same. Who is your Physician? What medications do you take? Do you have problems with your heart? Do you have swelling anywhere? How is your mood? Do you fly off the handle? The last two questions always get me. This year the questions were asked differently. I am usually asked if I have depression or have suicidal tendencies. I told her my mood was happy, but she still asked me if I ever flew off the handle. I told her I try not to fly off the handle, but sometimes it does happen. It makes me wonder, does she know that I lose it sometimes? Has she heard something? Anyway...

I learned how to make phone calls from my computer and it's free! I opened A G mail account a couple weeks ago and it has a button to make telephone calls. I had not had a chance to make any calls until today and now I'm ready to cancel my phone for home. The quality is very good and again it's free! Oh did I mention it's free?
:-)


I'm still looking for another job. I have tried to apply for the same company three times this week and something keeps happening on the online application process. Today I got to the last step and then I got an error message and was directed to step one. I'm taking a break from it and will go back later. I was about to fly off the handle like I sometimes do. :-)

As much as I hate to admit it, I'm going to be glued to the television watching the Casey Anthony trial. This week Judge Perry has been selecting the members of the jury. Each potential juror is being interviewed by the judge and we get to hear the questions and their answers. We just cannot see their faces. Many of the people that he is interviewing say they will experience financial hardship if they were to be gone for eight weeks. Many people have said they have animals and cannot leave them alone. Some have said they have plans to go on a trip. A Few have even admitted they have already have formed an opinion and think she is guilty. I am in that boat. I think she is guilty!

All right I think I will go now. I need to go to Wal-Mart. Have a great day!

Happy Momma's day!

I returned home around 11:00 this morning from our big girls slumber party and happy to say it was a good time. :) There were a couple instances where I thought there was going to be a little scrapping going on because of conflict of opinions, but thankfully it didn't escalate to that and it was settled in a way where we could move on to another subject calmly without holding a grudge.

On that note having a difference in opinion is very natural and if two people are able to discuss it rationally and agree to disagree, good for them. It's the people who are so close minded and who refuse to look outside their "my opinion is right, your's is twisted" box that make me crazy pissed!! I think the person I'm referring to is angry in her own life, so she feels better when she is ridiculing me (and those around her) about our opinions if they differ from hers. Anyway...I'm being vague and there is a reason. Its a blog and its public. :)

Buddy rolled in shit like most dogs do for whatever reason and is now laying beside me not phased by my dry heaving and F bombs! I certainly inherited my mom's gag reflex! I hope Steve will give him a bath tonight. My nurse assistant offered, but getting him in the tub is a two person job. She is preggers and I don't want her tackling his pungent ass. Maybe Steve and her could tackle him together?? We shall see.

Happy Hump Day

Happy Wednesday! Its the middle of the week, which means our big girl slumber party is just around the corner. :) On Saturday evening I am getting together with three friends and pulling an all nighter which I haven't done in years. Its okay, I will nap all day Saturday. We are getting together around 7pm and meeting at Maria's house where the festivities will begin. Will update the happenings after the weekend. :)

Tomorrow I have an appointment to get a doppler done on my legs. A doppler is an ultrasound that checks for blood clots. I'm prone to clots because of not being active and having poor circulation, plus I've had swelling and a blackish/purply hue going on in my feet and ankles for a very long time, so this will determine if a clot is causing my ankles to be cankles. :) Wish me luck!

Yesterday I met my aunt at the fairgrounds where she takes her mastiff (Jonah) to obedience training. Before we even got situated two dogs were ready to kick jonah's butt and all he did was look at them. He wasn't feeling the love of being in doggy class after those incidents and he seemed more content taking a nap behind us where he wasn't being bothered. :) There was a border collie in training with 3 legs, he was missing his right front leg. There was also a blonde colored doberman who had an albino look to him. He had red around his eyes and nose and some red areas in his fur. The owner told me he (the dog) had to wear goggles in the summer because of sun burn. Poor doggy probably don't like wearing goggles! :(

Well, have a great evening!

Sunday

Today I have been updating my resume by adding to it some of my achievements from past positions in hopes to land me another job. While doing so it made me remember the times my dad would toot my horn so loud because he was so proud of me and wasn't shy about letting others know.

After my dad's funeral services, we had a get together at the amvets in Vandalia where he was a member. When I rolled in, a man I didn't know said, "I have heard a lot about you. Your dad talked about you all the time. He said you were always on the top callers list for your job and how proud he is of you" This touched me deeply (and still does) because dad didn't stop at just me when he said "good job Cindy" he went on and told others. It warms my heart and reminds me of the spectacular relationship we shared and how fortunate I was to have had the closeness with my dad that I did! Unfortunately the relationship with my mom was at the opposite end of the spectrum and was not healed before she passed away.

I have returned

We returned from Columbus today and I'm happy to report we had a great time!! The mornings and afternoons were spent in workshops and the evenings were spent with friends gathered at the lounge and bar.

We attended a workshop Wednesday on legislation which was mainly about Ohio Legal Aid and how they can assist persons with disabilities. They talked about helping persons who are denied an apartment because they have a disability and need modifications. They also have assisted people who have service dogs, but are denied access to an establishment because animals aren't allowed. They also have assisted people in getting out of nursing homes. It was an interesting workshop. On Thursday we attended a work shop on entepenuership. (sp!!!) This was led by somebody from bvr, which is an organization that helps persons with disabilities become employed and go to college. BVR is now starting a program where they now provide assistance to persons with disabilities on starting their own business.

On Wednesday night there was a dance and karoeke, which was fun to watch and listen. Many people went out and danced in their wheelchairs, but I have never had the nerve! Nor will I ever. :) We had a little too much to drink that night so getting up on Thursday was like nailing jello to the wall....painful!

I'm back now and happy to have my babies with me! :) Next week I have some appointments and blood work to tackle and after that I'm on the hunt for a job!!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to all my friends and family! I hope whatever you do today, you are surrounded by your loved ones and enjoying your time together! :) Mike, I know you are with your family, but under much different circumstances. My thoughts are with you and your family due to the passing of your grandpa!

Steve is out of town. He had a gig in Pennsylvania with Terrapin Moon and left from there to go to his sister's house to spend Easter with his family. He especially enjoys seeing his nieces and nephew! I will be going to my friends house to have dinner with them and our mutual friends. :) The unfortunate thing is they force feed me shots of petron, which I truly dread with all my being.(Sarcasm, of course)HeeHee!

We are going out of town this week for a few days to attend a disability conference (Solidarity) in Columbus. We will be attending some workshops during the day and in the evenings there is usually entertainment (karoake, dance, comedian)that we'll probably go see as well. :)

Tax season over!

Well taxes are done and what a relief!! Maybe that is where the phrase tax relief comes from?? Just kidding!! :) Taxes always give me a flipping headache, so I'm glad it only comes around once a year! Ugh! Unfortunately though, because tax season is over, my irs job is over as well. . My last day is Friday and I hate to see it end, but I knew it would eventually. Anyway...

On Sunday my brother and his family came over. We colored easter eggs and I don't think the kids had as much fun as I had hoped. They each had 5 eggs to color and were totally done in 10 minutes. They dipped and were done! Nolan dyed 4 and said he wanted his fifth and final egg to stay white!!! Pft. After that 10 minutes of excitement (sarcasm) we went outside and had an easter egg hunt. The wind was blowing horrendously and easter egg stash was blowing everywhere, but fortunately nothing was lost and every child appeared happy. :)

Speaking of dyeing, I colored my hair two weeks ago! (What a segway, huh?) The color is called rich mahogany and its by Loreal. At first It was too burgundy, but its been two weeks, the redness has toned down and I think I like it. :)

Monday

I hope the readers who follow my uneventful blog had a nice weekend!!!??!! My weekend was nice. On Friday I met a group of friends at the Dublin Pub to celebrate my friend's 41st birthday. THE BIG 41. :)

While there we enjoyed some appetizers, alcoholic beverages and lively music from an irish band called Roger Drawdy and the Firestarters. This band is fun to watch. Their energy comes out in the music when they play and its entertaining to say the least. :)

On Saturday we went to the Eagles in Troy to attend the Pre Miami Valley Music Fest. There were 4 or 5 bands lined up to play for the evening, one being Terrapin Moon. It was a great time! I like the Eagles..the food and drinks are cheap and its a nice atmosphere with nice people. :)

Aaah what a day!

My auntie, nursing assistant and I went thrifting today and I found absolutely nothing!! I get particularly picky when thrifting so leaving empty handed is not a rarity for me, unfortunately. My aunt always finds herself some great deals and usually leaves a happy woman. :)

After working up an appetite at Goodwill, we went to Frisch's Big Boy to get a bite to eat. My intention was to treat myself to the healthy salad bar, but that didn't happen! I instead lost myself in a fattening burger and an order of french fries dipped in tartart sauce... it was yummy.

After our dinner we all felt rejuvenated enough to hop on the shopping train again, so we went to Kohl's to scope out the clearance racks. I came home with a tank top and a pair of convertible twill khaki cargo/pants. I'm not certain I will keep them, but we shall see. :)

Weekend is here!

Well another week behind us already! Happy Friday!

Tomorrow I am going to do some thrift shopping and hopefully find some good bargains on some much needed spring and summer outfits. :) I'm going with my aunt so it will be a good time regardless. We will probably grab a bite to eat and maybe go see a movie, too. We shall see... :)

I finished all the paper work and am registered to go to solidarity at the end of the month. Solidarity is a big disability event that happens in Columbus every two years. We usually try to go to take advantage of the workshops, meet with friends, meet new friends and just enjoy the time away for a couple days. :)

I'm still working for NTI, although it's a little slow right now and actually has been for a couple/few weeks. I'm not certain how much longer I will be needed, but I will just keep hanging in there and working for as long as I can. :)

Spring is here? Seriously?

The calendar says Spring is here, but the cold temperatures outside feels like it's still Winter....I'm not likin' it!! Boo...Soon enough though, right? :)

I'm still working for now and feel fortunate. I don't know for how long, but will just take it day by by until I get an e-mail from the company letting me know the seasonal employees aren't needed anymore. The hours have been cut quite a bit, so it won't be much longer.

Yesterday I did something I haven't done in years and it was AWESOME! I took a bath. Totally gross, right? lol.. See, I have always gotten bed baths since my injury! I don't have an accessible shower and the nursing home wasn't big on wheeling residents to the shower, so I just became accustomed to baths in my bed. Well, I got a bath chair that lowers me in the tub and allows me to sit back and soak while being belted in and supported without the worry of falling over. :) It was nice to take a bubble bath after so many years and I look forward to many more! :)

An off day!

Today has been an off day! It started from the moment I opened my eyes and has continued to be an effed up day all day! I don't get it and maybe I won't get it, but bed time can't come soon enough!

Sunday my aunt, nursing assistant and I went to a quarter auction at the vfw and had a good time. It was the first time that any of us had ever been to a quarter auction and we didn't know really what to expect, but I think we all three enjoyed ourselves...especially my nursing assistant. He spent .25 and won a $10 roll of quarters!!! :) Good job Kyle! :)

I no longer have the nursing assistant, who I mentioned in a previous post, working here anymore. It's always hard to hire new people and I'm happy to say that I didn't have to hire anybody to replace her. A couple of nursing assistants who already work here wanted more hours so they picked up her shifts and everything worked out!! :)

Tomorrow I'm visiting with my friend from Fairfield, who I haven't seen in a while. He is stopping by my place while he is in the area for business so I'm looking forward to catching up with him again. :)

Work is slowing down so I don't know how much longer I will be needed. This season has flown by and I hate to see it end!!! Speaking of that, I completed my taxes 3 weeks ago and I was so proud of myself for not dragging my feet ! Well, today I got a w2 in the mail.... now I have to amend my taxes!!! That was just another insult to my all ready effed up day!

Changes to my blog

I decided to change the design of my blog because the previous one was drab and painful on the eyes. It's now a little brighter and less busy looking. Hopefully you like the new look!?!?

The design of my blog isn't the only change I'm making, unfortunately. I learned this morning (from a reliable source) that one of my nursing assistants is bashing me to one of her other clients. She told this person she might have another job and if she gets it she is quitting my case. She also said I work her like a dog and she doesn't even have time to shit. LOL...Neither being the case, btw! The truth is this woman is 54 years old, smokes like a chimney, is 5'1" on a tall day and is a lot out of shape! She has health issues she doesn't address (fingers locking up, drops things all the time, twitches her head, makes grunting noises all the time)so its probably best this was told to me today. I don't want anybody here that doesn't want to be! I have given her hours to somebody who wants the hours and will call her tomorrow and let her know.

Caught spring fever this week!!

The unseasonably warm weather this week has been quite inviting!! I hate to see it go bye bye, but tomorrow it will be replaced by flurries and the cold winter weather will be back! It was certainly nice while it lasted though. :)

I went to Kohl's Tuesday (with my 30% off coupon) and bought a couple cute summer tops and a pair of levis that were on the clearance rack for $11.99. I wanted alot more, but refrained like a good girl. :) I heard the cost of clothing was going up 10% this Spring because the price of cotton is going up. That sounds like a good reason to shop for your summer clothes NOW or go to goodwill. :)

In my Valentine Day post I was a little vocal and I do regret it. I regret it, but everything I said was how I felt and how I still feel and will always feel. I love my boyfriend, but if I could rewind time I would definitely do things different. Having him be my nursing assistant and nurse has taken a toll on our relationship and I don't think we will ever get to the happy, loving couple we were when we moved in together in 2002. When he started getting paid to be my nursing assistant 4 years ago, it seemed so perfect. Now, looking back, I think that is why our relationship has spiraled down to where we are now... friends at best.

Happy Valentine's Day

Well, Happy V Day to all the happy couples and lovers who read my blog! Hope your day was great! I worked for the day and it was a great work day....nobody yelled at me or cussed me out! I had many callers tell me Happy Valentine's Day and one asked me if I was old enough to work because I had a young voice. This made me laugh! :)

Yesterday morning I laid a Valentine's Day card and a box of Esther Price candy on my boyfriend's chair in the living room. Here we are 34 hrs later and he has yet to acknowledge it! I don't usually air out my dirty laundry for the world to see, but it hurts me! It's not just this instance, its many instances and it is mentally exhausting! I often picture myself, my life as starting over in my own place, living alone and not depending on my bf to do things for me! This is so unhealthy for a relationship, I advise that nobody depend on a significant other if you don't have to because it will destroy a relationship! I will stop there, sorry!

February 10

I shouldn't be surprised by the freezing cold and ice we have here in Ohio, but I actually am!! The winters seem to continually get worse every year while lasting longer and the summers are shorter and hotter. If it sounds like I'm complaining its because I am and I will stop now...sorry!

I got my hair highlighted last week and I think I am okay with the outcome. I had some caramel colored highlights put in the top layer and also got an inch trimmed off the layers. Next time I think I will go a little lighter, like blonde maybe? We'll see what I'm itching for come summer time. :)

Tuesday I had a cystoscope done at MVH. This was done to check my bladder and kidneys and to make sure nothing funny was growing in there that shouldn't be. The dr. found 3 spots he didn't think was anything to worry about, but removed them anyway just in case they were cancerous.

Weekend is here!

Well, another week behind us already and this past week flew by!! :) I don't have any exciting plans this weekend, but thats okay. I'm going to spend some time working on the quarterly taxes as well as the year end taxes so I'm not doing a rush job at the last minute. I used to enjoy doing the taxes, but not now. Its stressful and gives me anxiety. We have 3 extra days this year (April 18) because of emancipation day, but I don't anticipate me prolonging taxes until April. We shall see. :)

Speaking of tax season... I am loving my job. I'm working around 20 hours (sometimes more) a week, normally a late morning/afternoon shift. I usually get nice customers, but there are times when the customer is so irate that they are out of there ever lovin' minds and act like I'm the one making the rules! I try to always wear my smiley voice, but its hard sometimes! At any rate...I feel fortunate and love my job no matter who is on the other end of the phone cussing at me. :)

Busy weekend

My aunt and I had a great time at the "Shop til you drop" sale at the Hara Arena in Dayton this weekend! We went Saturday for the day, but because of the many vendors there, we didn't see all of them and went back today for a few hours so we could see every booth. :)

My aunt has this "gift" where she can talk people down on prices, which totally mortifies me in every way. Not really mortifies me, but you get the idea. :) I get really uncomfortable when she begins "negotiating" prices with the vendor so I sorta creep away from her until her dirty deed is complete. :) She did find some good buys today and was especially tickled with herself when we came home and she tallied up the money she saved by her jewing and manipulating ways. :) We had a great time and it was all fun! Thank you Auntie S!!

Ready for Spring!!

Its only January 15th and I'm already sick of the cold and this fluffy white stuff! I so wish I had the means to go to Florida every winter like my grandpa used to do every winter! He would spend his summers in Canada, his Winters in Florida and would be in Ohio for two-three weeks out of the year to visit his family.

When my gramps first moved to Canada for the summers, he owned two cabins, one was a two man cabin and the other was a four man cabin. He eventually decided to build a home, which was a project to big for him alone so he hired indians to help him get the materials he needed and to help him build his little abode. :) The land he owned was in a very desolute area and the only means of transportation was by boat, as he lived two miles down the river from the marina. The supplies to build his home were carried down the river on a yacht, which was the biggest, but not the only hurdle he had to jump through. :) He was building the back of his home on the side of a hill and the front was being supported by "stilts" and a set of stairs on each side of the house. It ended up being a beautiful home that he cherished until the time he passed away. I went twice with my parents when I was younger and have to say it was hard to enjoy myself. My grandpa was a grumpy man and lacked patience with people, especially kids. :) Anyway...yea where was I? Oh yea...I wish I could escape the winters in Ohio by going to Florida!!

If you got this far, thank you! Have a great weekend!

Happy New Year!

Hello 2011, good bye 2010....hope its a great year!!! :)

I spent my New Year's Eve enjoying the last hours of 2010 with my boyfriend, a few friends, my aunt and her friend, who is also Steve. :)

Stephanie brought her wii console (and games) so a few people were bowling and boxing, which was an absolute hoot to watch! I have never seen the Wii in action and its quite the bomb diggity! :) I wish she would have had "Just Dance" because seeing Steve (my bf) doing the dancing with the wii person would have been quite the kodak moment. :)

My drink of choice that night was sambuka, a licorice liquor that taste just like a liquified black jelly bean. Yummers! At first I was drinking it straight, which caused a strong burning sensation from the top of my throat all the way to the pit of my stomach! I began to worry I could be causing damage to my esophagus and stomach lining, so I decided to mix it with Dr. Pepper. This made it taste much better and go down uber smooth! ;) At 5 a.m, after watching a movie, playing Taboo, listening to music, eating the traditional pork and sauerkraut and playing wii, the last three of us awake finally called it a night!

Merry Christmas

Its Christmas eve and I realized just a little while ago that I have not played one christmas tune this year!! So, I just finished listening to the Christmas cd that Steve made for me when I still lived in the nursing home. Its been a tradition to break it out and listen to it every Christmas, but this year I all most killed my own tradition!! Not good! Anyway.... :)

Tonight Steve, the furkids and I will have our christmas together because Steve goes to Delaware tomorrow. Joke - What did Della wear? Answer - her new jersey. :) Sorry, couldn't resist. Steve told me that joke the other day. It was humorous at the time as it came out of nowhere and so unexpected! :) Where was I? Oh, yea...so we will have our Christmas together tonight and tomorrow I am going to my sister's. She is having dinner there and my brother is coming with his wife and kids. I'm looking forward to seeing everybody! :)

Merry Christmas!!

Steve's Mom is here

Steve's Mom has been visiting us since Wednesday night and she will be on her way home back to Delaware in the morning. The visit was great, but always goes too fast. :( Friday and Saturday we spent some time shopping, we put up the Christmas tree, decorated the living room and she served us home cooked meals every evening, which is a rarity around here. :)

After Christmas Steve will be going to the East Coast to see his Mom again and the rest of his family in New Jersey and friends in Pennsylvania. He especially looks forward to seeing his nieces and nephew, who range from the ages of 13 down to 9. He is a big kid himself so its fun for all! :)

I finished one week of training and have a week to go. I know I'm repeating myself, but I can't wait to start! I start working on the 27th. Woot! :) I have been practicing and role playing this weekend hoping to get the scripting down. :)

Well, have a great weekend and I'll write more this week!

Eventful weekend

I had a fun filled Saturday and spent today relaxing and catching up on much needed sleep!

Yesterday my aunt, her friend (AKA Moose) and I went to visit Paul and Ranola, who are good friends with my aunt. Actually Paul and his first wife (forget her name) used to be good friends with my grandma and grandpa before my grandparents divorced. That was 50 plus years ago.. since then my grandparents have both passed away, Paul's wife passed away, he met a nice lady namee Ranola, they got married and my aunt keeps in touch with them on a regular basis. :) He is 93 yrs old (looks 70) and is as sharp as a tack! His wife is 70 and a hostess with the mostest. :) She and him built two pizzas from scratch that were 3" thick stuffed with sausage, green peppers, banana peppers, onions and pepperoni. Yummers! :) They live in a cute A frame house right on Lake Loramie, which is right out their back door! The lake is covered by snow and ice right now, but they invited me back to visit in the summer!

That evening I went with Steve to a gig in Piqua. I had never been to this bar before, but it was an all right bar. My nursing assistant met me up there and that is when the fun began. :) It was a late night...

Christmas shopping and working again

Yesterday I got the dates for the refresher course I need to take before I can begin working for NTI. The course starts this Monday and finishes December 27th. I'm so excited and eager to be working again, even if it is for only a few months! After the tax season is over I'm hoping NTI has permanent positions to offer us seasonal employees, but we will see. They often have customer service positions open up as they establish more business contracts.

I did a bit more shoppping today and am about 99% finished. Woot! :) I just need a few more gift cards for those "hard to shop for" people on my list.

Steve's parents will be visiting next week for 5 days and we are really looking forward to seeing them again. Their visit will be shortened a couple days due to his dad having to have oral surgery next Monday, which is a little bit of a bummer, especially for him! :(

Have a great day!

Geneology

The last couple days I have been experimenting with ancestry.com by building my family tree. I'm having fun I might add! :)

After I typed in my name and information, my parents information, the names of both my maternal and paternal grandparents and my great grandmother's name I was stuck! I couldn't proceed on my own because I didn't know the birth dates or dates of death of my great grandparents nor did I know anything beyond what I had already added to my tree.

The wonderful thing I learned is ancestry.com uses the information I have put in about my family members and offers hints that may help me with the other family members that I don't have enough information about to move forward with my tree. There is a membership cost of $159 a year to look in to those handy hints, which I have not utilized, but seriously considering it! We will see. :)

Tuesday

Hope everybody had a nice Thanksgiving! :)

Saturday my aunt and I went to the Hara Arena Holiday Gift Show and had oodles of fun. They had over 300 vendors there and unfortunately we did not give ourselves enough time to see everything. That's okay!! We still had fun and got some Christmas shopping done. :)

I learned from my sister yesterday that my nephew might get expelled from school for 80 days!!! I'm so frustrated with him and his actions. I'm also frustrated at the school principal because he seems to be working against my nephew by wanting to expel him for that long. My nephew is 16 and very impulsive. He does way stupid shit without thinking about consequences. He got suspended 10 days for taking off two keys on a keyboard and switching them around. That fell under "destruction of school property". He also spit (spat?) over the stairwell from one floor to another floor and got ratted out by a girl who was grossed out by it! Ugh!!

Lately I have been having some pain in my upper back and shoulders along with some twitching in my neck. On a whim I asked my boyfriend to feel my neck for anything sticking out and he found a large soft lump along the incision where my neck was fused. Now that I know its there and it exist, I'm contributing every ailment to this lump on my neck. Is that called hypochondria? (sp?) Anyway, I will get an appointment made with my dr. soon to see what is growing on my body that shouldn't be growing on my body...

Happy Monday :)

Well, the weekend is over and it went by too fast! On Saturday my nursing assistant and I went to Jimmy's Cornerstone Bar in Dayton to listen to Terrapin Moon play! It was a late night, but that's okay because it was a good time! :) Yesterday I spent the day recuperating from the late night and played lazy all day. :)

I did some more Christmas shopping today. I went to Kohl's, JcPenney and Bath and Body works, my three most favorite places to shop. :) I also went to Lowes and Home Depot to price (and compare the costs of) kitchen cabinets. My bf wants to stain them and install them himself, but I'm going to try to talk him out of staining them and buying them all ready finished. We shall see....

While doing a google search on Saturday, I learned a friend of mine passed away in 2008 from a motorcycle wreck. I met him when I lived in the nursing home, probably in 1996 or 1997. We "met" through aol and chatted on the internet for awhile and eventually met in person. He lived in West Virginia and stopped in Ohio twice while traveling to Michigan. I was sad to read of his death. I had lost contact with him and was hoping to reconnect.

Caregiver woes!

Today my morning started off with a huge confrontation with my nurse! I thought I was about over it, but I'm not even close! I don't get over things quickly because I'm the type that needs to simmer down, so I'm really not surprised I'm still stewing. Unfortunately, I inherited my Mom's bad temper and inability to cool off quickly. Sorry Momma, but you know those are ugly traits to possess, right? :(

I have had this nurse for a few years and really like her for the most part, but sometimes I get too much of the f*#king drama that follows this person around! She is full of negative energy, bitches all the time, is all about herself and will play the victim role every chance she gets. All that said, she has been late for work everyday this week! That is what our argument was about. When she comes in late she doesn't apologize or offer an explanation as to why she's late and this is maddening to me. Being late is something I'm not ok with and I have never been ok with it. She all ready knows this though because we have played this game before. She didn't like what I had to say and I didn't like what she had to say! Hopefully we can work past what happened today. but only time will tell. I often overlook things because I'm in no position to address every detail, but I can't let people walk on me.

Sometimes being dependant on others is a big pill to swallow, but its rare! Even though I don't sound like it right now, I AM very grateful for each and every person that works for me! Today was an off day and those are normal from time to time!

Happy Birthday Daddy-O

Today my dad would have turned 75. Happy birthday dad...I love you and miss you tons! :)I miss calling you three times a day, miss pizza nights every Friday night, miss watching the Sopranos on Sunday and miss so much more! I'm greatful though for having the best dad ever and feel blessed by the relationship we had! :) Today is also my nephew's birthday. He is 6 today. Happy birthday Nolan!

I have been busy getting in to the holiday spirit by Christmas shopping both online and in the stores. I still have quite a bit to do, but have put quite a dent in it so far! There is a website I go to called bigcrumbs. This website is affiliated with hundreds of popular stores (Kohls, JcPenny, Aeropastale) and when you shop from these stores you get cash back on your purchases. I sign in to bigcrumbs.com first and from that website I click on an online store I want to shop from and every other month I get a check from the purchases I made.

I went to JCP.com (after bigcrumbs.com) and clicked on the outlet link and found oodles of clearance items for under 9.99. I bought shirts, blouses and a skirt for myself and avoided shipping costs because I had it delivered to the store! I was feeling depressed and mopey this week, but some online shopping instantly cured the blues. I believe that was the serotonin in the brain that was released after I shopped??? :)

Vet

Today I took Lady to the vet because her EXCESSIVE scratching has caused a large open sore on her back! She got two shots of steroids and antobiotics and two prescriptions of antobiotics and steroids that will last her a month! Ugh! I love my baby girl and will do whatever it takes to keep her healthy and happy, but she is a costly one. :( The doctor suggested laser therapy to cure the scratching which I have never heard of before. It will cost $40 a session and she would need 11 sessions....I got some literature on it and will decide what to do.

Yesterday I orientated a nursing assistant who will be doing some mornings for me. She seems nice, but having people start fresh makes me frickin mental. I think if everybody was as smart as myself the world would be better off...I'm Kidding!! I guess I'm saying this... I think I have common sense, I'd like to think so anyway. Well, when I have somebody working for me I want them to possess common sense, too! If they don't I find myself feeling frustrated easier and getting overwhelmed because I have to spell things out from A to Z and its exhausting! So...I hope it works out, but I have my doubts because of past experiences.

Tomorrow are the services and funeral for Bob. I am burning cds of the last gig Bob played in with his other band (Half Dead) so his friends and family can have a copy. Music and playing in a band was his life!!!

Alpaca fest

Today I went to Springfield to see an alpaca fest/competition. I didn't actually go for the "competition" part of it, but because I think they are beautiful animals and I thought it would be nice to learn more about these gentle creatures. :) My aunt went with us and bought a beautiful cape made out of alpaca fur, which was reversible, burgundy on one side/charcoal gray on the other. She really jewed the guy down in price, which is something I can't do because I'm a pushover and terrified of rejection. :)

Yesterday one of the band members of Skeleton Crew passed away. It was sudden, so it took us by surprise as he was only 47. He was the hippiest hippy I have ever met with his long hair, round specs, tye die t-shirts and converse tennis shoes he sported every time I saw him. :) R.I.P Bob...you will be missed! <3

Its been so long

I have not updated my blog for quite some time, have I? If anybody is still following my day to day updates which have turned in to a once a month update, thank you. If you aren't, well that is my own fault and shame on me....

Well, since my last update not a lot has happened. I did find myself getting attached to a adorable stray cat that found his way to my house. He was a sweet and dosile fur baby that was also very neglected by his owners and very ill!! I didn't realize how ill he was until the day after he found me. Long story short- After two vet appointments, an antibiotic shot for an ulcerated mouth sore, a steroid shot, $204.00 in vet bills nd my broken heart I made the decision to have him put to sleep because my vet said he looked to have feline leukemia. I was so sad for this precious kitty because he didn't have a fair life. I had him creaated and they spread his ashes in a prairie like area where other animals were creamated. Hopefully his after life (if there is one) will be filled with love and nurture instead of the former life he had, which was neglect and abuse!

I will be going back to work with the IRS in December. As you may know, this is the seasonal position I have worked since 2008. I really enjoy working here, but after the 2010 tax season I'll be seeking a position elsewhere that is permanent. I not only need it for monetary reasons, but its equally important for the mental stimulation and self worth I get from being employed year round. Besides, I can't continue to rescue sick animals if I'm only working 4 months out of the year! :)

Results

I called the doctor to get the results of my p.e.t scan today and everything is A-Ok! I am good to go until my next appointment, which is in December. Very relieving to say the least!

Last night I went to Scarlet & Gray Cafe in Columbus to watch Terrapin Moon play. Every Sunday this place has what they call "Grateful Dead End" (I think its called this) and they schedule Grateful Dead Tribute Bands to play for the evening. Last night was T-Moon and it was a good time! Maybe too good, though? I have spent a lot of time today thinking about last night and hoping I didn't say or do anything overly stupid!

I went and visited my aunt today and met her German Shephherd, Tiki. Tiki is a real sweetie and wanted to come home with me. :) She is a small German Shepherd and very timid. Not a great watch dog, but a great companion. :)

Pumpkin painting

On Saturday my brother's family came over for the evening and brought my sister in law's twin nieces with them. Having 4 kids under the age of eight over, certainly brings many smiles! My 8 yr. old nephew has the Justin Beiber hair thing going on, which fits him well. My 5 yr. old nephew is very passive and quiet and isn't bothered by anything. The 6 yr old twins are identical, but I honestly have no clue who is who. I call them both sweetie so I don't let it be known I can't tell them apart. :)

We started off the night by painting faces on pumpkins. I'm not sure what happened, but the paint on the faces didn't stick AT ALL! It was like colored water that just ran down the pumpkin fronts... :( Cheap paint? Too much water on the brushes? Regardless, it was a visual nightmare, but the kids didn't seem to mind. :)

After that we made quesadillas in the quesadilla maker, which were yummy! Lastly, us adults just yacked it up while the kids played the playstation and watched a movie. It was a good time!

MoeFest

Yesterday Steve, my aunt and I went to the Moefest Music Festival at Zane Shawnee Caverns, which is in Bellefontaine, the middle of nowhere. :) Skeleton Crew played from 5-7 and my aunt had not heard them play before so I was glad she could go. She seemed to have fun and enjoy the music. :) Next I want to get her to a Terrapin Moon gig because I think she would enjoy them, too. :)

Tomorrow morning I am having a routine P.E.T scan just to make sure the melanoma I had removed in April didn't do anything bizarre like spread somewhere else. I hate not being able to eat breakfast and not being able to drink my coffee in the morning, so I'm going to be unbearable in the morning. I know I need to just suck it up because its one time and it could be a lot worse!

During the scan tomorrow I can't wear anything with zippers or buttons because the machine might blow up or something, I don't know. Anyway, I was searching my wardrobe for pants that didn't have buttons or zippers and low and behold...all my sweats and wind pants have tiny little metal rings around the pull strings!! So, my boyfriend has graciously agreed to give up a pair of his pajama bottoms for my appointment tomorrow. I have a choice between Homer Simson or Stewie, which I love equally so decisions decisions! :)

Myspace

I have been going through some staffing changes here; therefore, I am in the midst of adding some nursing assistants to my case. Well, when I advertise through the odjfs website that I'm looking for nursing assistants my case manager automatically forwards the e-mail responses she receives. When I receive them, I then google their names to get the "inside scoop" on them through facebook, myspace or whatever social network site they might have a profile.

Well, I got a response from a nursing assistant today, who had a myspace page. I am amazed that people who are actively looking for employment are dumb enough to have a myspace page filled with trash talk and vulgarness. I immediately knew I didn't want this woman working for me! She had a terrible attitude! She told her life story, talked about the mistakes she has made in her life and how it's nobody's business, talked about how her bad attitude intimidates people, talked about her 3 beautiful children, the 3 beautiful baby's daddy who slept with the cousin's wife, she dropped F bombs every other sentence and then followed all that up with feeling blessed by God!!! OMG!

On the bright side, the girl that started today did a great job and picked up another day! Woot!

Visit was great!

Our tiny trip to Pennsylvania was nice! We brought the doggies to the park and I learned Buddy is a true blue lab and will go in the water. :) I have never had the occasion to get him near water before, but while at the park he was determined to get in the river by the park. I got a little nervous because he was so persistent, but otoh I'm glad he likes the water. He runs the other direction when we get the hose out to water flowers so I wasn't sure. It evidently has to be on his terms and nobody elses! :) Anyway...the weather was nice for the most part. We sat on a dock by the river and ate hoagies from Claymont Steak Shop. Hoagies from the east coast don't even compare to what we get here! There is so much meat on the hoagies I can't open my mouth wide enough to bite in to it! It's amazing and messy! :)

Tomorrow a new nursing assistant starts working for me. I hope she works out because I really like her. There are instances when I just get a good feeling about somebody and then there are those instances I'm not certain about somebody...well, I have a good feeling about her. :)

I am going to stand now and watch dancing with the stars. Good night!

Wedding Shower

Today I went to a wedding shower for one of my bestie's daughter, who is getting married October 16th. I only knew 4 people out of the 25 or more who were there and was a little uncomfortable because of it, but it was a good time. :)

Tomorrow we are going to PA. to visit Steve's dad. It's a 4 hour drive each way so we will only get to stay for a couple hours, but his dad loves our visits so much. Seeing the joy it brings to him is very much worth the long drive and short visit. :) We always bring the doggies with us and go to a park close by.

I will close now. Have a great weekend!

Weird kind of day

Today has been an off day and I'll be glad when its over! It seems like nothing is going smooth and when this happens I get disgruntled!

This morning I got an offer by e-mail to come back to work the 2010 tax season for the company I have worked for during the past two seasons. I had been waiting for this e-mail invite, so when I received it I wanted to get the ball rolling. I had to first fill out my I-9 form, which needed to be notarized. I went to the bank and got that done to realize my state id expired in October of 2009. I thought to myself OH F%*$ing wonderful! So, I went to the BMV across town! I got out of the van and realized they only take cash, which I didn't have. F%*K!! I went to the bank across the street and spent $22 to get $20 out (hate bank fees) and went back to bmv. Got there, got waited on immediately because it was empty and they asked for my ss# and birth certificate. Birth certificate???? I don't carry that around, WTH?? I asked her if I could please go ahead and get the photo taken, the card started and me bring the birth certificate back in 30 minutes. She said No, they would need the certificate first. I felt so mentally drained. I had a meltdown....

I came home and found my certificate, but didn't have time to go back today and get my id. I am honestly embarrassed though and don't want to return tomorrow!!

Hopefully I will get everything done tomorrow that I wanted to do today! Have a good night!

Happy Labor Day

Hope everybody is enjoying your Labor day! I have never known what the meaning behind Labor Day is, so I did a google search and here ya go...

History
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883. In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

So, you're welcome! :) heehee. Anyway... Yesterday I spent the day with my friend Leslie and her little sister (through big brother/big sister) and had a good time. Her little sister is 8 yrs old and absolutely adorable. First, we went and had lunch at Applebees, which left a lot to be desired because the potatoes and side dishes were cold. Afterwards we took a quick trip in to Walmart to get a few things and then we came back to my house, sat outside, talked and entertained the dogs with sticks and a ball, which later got punctured by Lady's teeth, unfortunately. :( It was a pretty day to sit out and catch up on each others lives, though. :)

Both Steve's bands had gigs at Nelson Ledges yesterday, which were back to back. He was glad about both bands playing back to back in the same day because the music festival was a 3 day event and he really didn't feel like staying over and roughing it if the gigs were scheduled on different days. I'm surprised he didn't want to stay the whole weekend because Mickey Hart, one of the drummers from Grateful Dead, will be playing today. Anyway....

Have a great day and week!

Friday

Hello! Another week gone by already. :) Not a lot has happened this week, which could be a good thing, right? :) The music festival in Troy was a boat load of fun last Saturday and there were some really good bands that I would like to hear again. Besides Terrapin Moon, there was The Clark Manson Band, SOL, a girl who sang solo and a few more that I totally forget their names. Hmmmm? Anyway....

Yesterday my friend and I went to mutual friends of ours Kathi and Terry Zellers who have horses, dogs and oodles of kitties, one with only 3 legs...Thumper. :) Thumper was the little kitten that I had hoped to adopt awhile back. Thumper is growing like a weed and has totally earned the name Thumper! When he runs his back end thumps to the ground and its more obvious now that he is taller. :) Such a cootie petootie!

Sad night

I went to the music festival today and had a great time! When I got home though, I learned that Nugget, my betta fish, had passed away earlier in the day. Steve found him, but didn't want me to know until we got home. I am so sad over this! This little guy kept me company when I was on my computer because his tank sat right next to my monitor. When I would look over at him many times he would be looking right back at me. :) Now I look over and the only thing there is his betta food, blood worms, his antibiotics and a bottle of bettasafe we used to neutralize his water after tank cleanings. It's empty now, just like my heart!! :( Steve thinks I should good another betta, but my heart isn't agreeing right now.

Thursday

Well another week is all most behind us again. Before we know it we will be cooking Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas shopping and making resolutions for 2011. :( Anyway...

Monday we went to the Darke County Fair for the day. It was fun eating the fair junk food, watching people ride the rides/play the games and rolling around the colliseum shopping and talking to people. :) I went to the grocery store and the dentist today, which are two things I detest most in life. :) Thankfully, I don't have to go back to the dentist again for 6 months. Woot!

This weekend is the Miami Valley Music Fest in Troy, which I have been looking forward to all summer. Tomorrow night Skeleton Crew will play at 11:30 and Saturday afternoon (at 1:30) Terrapin Moon will play. I think they both have 1 hour slots. I have never heard of the other bands that are playing, so I don't know what kind of music they play.

Highpoint Music Fest

Last night I went to the Highpoint Music Fest in Bellefontaine and listened to Terrapin Moon, Rumpke Mountain Boys and two other bands (I forget the names) play and had a lot of fun. The weather was perfect, which made it especially nice considering the event was held outside. :) One band was from Yellow Springs and played Reggae...I would like to listen to them play again.

Today and hopefully a lot this coming week I am organizing drawers, cabinets and closets so I can donate stuff to the Lupus Foundation/or throw it in the garbage. Its scary how fast junk gets accumulated and how much I throw away. :(

On Monday my nurse and I are going to the Darke County Fair barring no rain and thunderstorms. We try to go every year. My favorites at the fair are the waffles, funnel cakes and the animals. :)

Manic Monday

Hello, I'm back! I guess I haven't posted in a while, but that is probably because I didn't have much to share?? Not a lot is new... :)

This past weekend was busy with a music festival on Saturday night and a Richard Marx concert last night. The concert last night was to benefit Cystic Fibrosis, which is a lung disease that effects 30,000 children and young adults in the U.S. I learned last night that people are now living with the disease up to their 30's (age) where it used to be people passing away in their early 20's. So, progress has been made and hopefully in the upcoming years much more progress will be made until the disease is non existent. :) Unfortunately, my friend Leslie's son died at the age of 23 in 1998 from the disease.

The festival Saturday night was in College Corner and both Terrapin Moon and Skeleton Crew played late in the evening. It was a late night, but definitely a good time. :) This festival was a little different as there were a handful of people (both male and female) expressing their "right" to bare themselves to the world or at least to everybody at the festival. I guess if people are comfortable enough with themselves and their figures to let it hang out, good for them....I otoh am not that comfortable with myself and wouldn't even entertain (poor choice of words) the idea. :) There is a festival in Bellefontaine this Friday and one in Troy August 28 and that will be the end of the summer festivals I think.