Saturday, December 31, 2005

Happy New Year

As the New Year rolls around we all set goals and challenges for ourselves. I usually don't reach those goals, probably because I don't write them down and look at them from time to time. So, to prevent that from happening for yet another year...

BRING ON THE GOALS...

1. Drop the 50 lbs I have been trying to drop for the past year.
2. Commit to being more healthy.
3. Take an acting class.
4. Audition for something.
5. Complete a bigger knitting project (bigger than a scarf).
6. Lower my debt by no less than 50%.

Okay, I think that will do it for now. Nothing too dauunting, but everything very challenging.

Have a good New Year everyone. Be healthy, happy and strong.

Friday, December 30, 2005

WAHOO DOGGIE...

On Christmas a syst was discovered on my sweet Stoli's eyelid. I finally make the vet appointment and took him to have it checked. And now I am going to have to have it removed. Apparently if the dog has a syst on his eyelid it can cause eye infection, and we wouldn't want that.

I don't mind taking care of things like this for the dog, but he just had major surgery in August to remove a tumor from his shoulder (it was nothing, except an $800 bill). I was looking forward to being out of debit in 2006, and now I have to pay to have major surgery on the dog again. Because this one is on his eye, it could cost anywhere up to $1000. Now I see why my neighbors keep telling me to get pet insurance. This is crazy.

I guess I shouldn't complain that much...at least Stoli is healthy, other than a syst on his eye.

Thursday, December 29, 2005

Herb

This Christmas I learned a valuable lesson...never say you want something in front of a ten-year-old. While in a pet store with Michael and his girls I made the rather large mistake of saying I wanted a reptile...I am now the proud owner of a lepard gecko named Herb.

Now, I really don't have a problem with owning Herb, he's a baby and rather cute. My problem is the cage of crickets that now live in my kitchen. We all have the critters that we dislike...mine happen to include crickets, and Herb being the picky eater that he is won't eat the freeze-dried crickets, he wants the live ones. The live ones which have to be coated in a special vitamine powder before he eats them. This is all rather gross to me. I think the kid at Petco thought it was pretty funny how wigged out I was at buying bugs.

This is Herb...isn't he cute. In this picture he is sitting on my 8-year-0ld niece's hand, so it is a pretty good indication of how small he is; only about two inches. He should only get to be about eight inches long and live for about 30 years according to the book the pet store gave me.

So, there you go, the new addition to my home, bugs and all.

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

The end of yet another year...

As I begin to look back on the last year I am amazed at how little I actually remember, a true sign that my life moves much too fast and I am not stopping to enjoy it. As a goal for myself, I commit to enjoying life more, taking the time to relize I am enjoying it. I often race race race, and forget to stop and look.

This Christmas season has proven to been absolutely grand! Stephanie and the kids coming into town to surprise Mom was probably the highlight for me. I don't like not seeing my baby sister, or her babies throughout the year. She sends lots of photos, but it just isn't the same. The surprise went off without a hitch for the most part...both Michael and I managed to miss the "money" shot when it came to taking the pictures, my camera got flipped into movie mode and we don't know what happened with the video camera. Although having the pictures would have been great (what a scrapbook layout that would have been), the memories are what are truely important.

The surprises and joy continued as Rocky and Mom became engaged...she said she wouldn't remarry. I am so happy she has found someone she wants to spend her life with. She and Rocky have so much in common and share a wonderfully special love. Rocky has set some rules down for her though...she has to retire in 5 years with him (she's very upset by this, as you can imagine :) ).

Other things that made this Christmas great...Robert and Jenn came in from Colorado and surprised everyone, even Stephanie who lives in the same general area in Colorado. We also found out Shawna and Scott are expected baby number 3. Hailey and Lauren seem happy to be getting a baby brother or sister.

I hope everyone had a holiday as special as the one had here.

I wish you all a joyous New Year filled with magic and wonder.

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Christmas Crafts

I do this to myself every year...I promise to make things for give aways, for people who want to buy the things I make, to give as gifts...then I don't have the time to get it all done and end up staying up until the wee hours finishing.

This year it is a variety of stained glass items. Suncatchers, snowflakes, you name it. Tonight I will embark on a glassing adventure of the likes you have never seen.

Now don't get me wrong, I love doing this. It is one of my joys in life (being creative). But why do I always wait until the last minute to get the darn stuff done! Wish me luck...The fun begins at 4:00 pm and will continue until I finish!

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Ready for a good read...

Here are a few books you might enjoy

The Harry Potter series
Series of Unfortunate Events (just start at the beginning and go)
Anything by James Patterson
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
White Oleander
The English Patient
The Thomas Harris books
The Crimson Petal and the White
To Kill a Mockingbird
Bee Season

These are just a few that come to mind.

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Monday, December 05, 2005

Things about students that make me angry

1. Students who assume they don't have to work in class.
2. Students who ask for extra time and then never turn their work in.
3. Students who don't take responsibility.
4. Students who refuse to use time wisely.
5. Students who don't pay attention (ever).

Sunday, December 04, 2005

LET THE HOLIDAYS BEGIN

It truely is the season. I attended my first holiday party of the season last night. My sweetie's company party. Held at Lucky Strike bowling alley, it was the perfect venue for this crowd. It was fun to see everyone and catch up. Many of the people I hadn't seen since I worked for them for two weeks a couple of years ago.

I love the holiday season. Everyone is so happy and the time spent with family and frends is wonderful. I love the music, the food, the special Starbucks drinks that are only available this time of year (oh yeah!!!!Peppermint Mochas ROCK).

I am one of the crazy people who ventured out on "Black Friday" in preparation for this holiday season and was able to complete my Christmas Shopping, and now I don't have to revisit the malls, unless I am in the mood for a good laugh, as others are running around like crazy people. If you haven't ever been shopping on this day I highly recommend it, but don't do the mall...Target is the place to be. I went to two different Target stores and had much luck buying the things I needed, the stores were clean and the staff happy to help.

So as you prepare to celebrate your holiday, whatever they may be, I wish you much happiness, peace and love.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Friday, December 02, 2005

Happy Things

5 Things that make me happy...

1. A good book
2. A good bottle of wine
3. A letter/phone call from an old friend
4. A student's face when they "get it"
5. A new pair of shoes

Thursday, December 01, 2005

It's spread...

What can I say...a month ago my mom was healthy, then we found out she has breast cancer, a week ago she had a masectomy and the lymph nodes removed, today I found out that there is cancer in the nodes. What does this mean? Is she going to be okay? Why is this happening to my mom?

The nodes have been sent to the oncologist. Now we wait...but for how long? And while they are off doing their tests is she slowly dieing? Did they get it all? With some chemo is she going to be okay?

I'm scared. I feel the need to cry but don't have the time or place. I feel that I have to be not only the responsible one, but now also the strong one. I have to hold it together for my sisters when they find out. Even my dad cried when she was finally out of surgery (and they've been divorced for 11 years). I can't be the one to fall apart. I need to be the one who holds it all together. When all I want to do is curl up in a little ball and hide from the reality that this may be really bad.