I Can't... But I Can't Not

Should I be flattered or disturbed that my dentist hugged me as I was leaving his office today? He said something like "give an old man a hug". So, I guess there was an option... but there never really is when you're a nice Southern girl. Anyway, so that was weird. But, I do like him more & more as I get to know him. Although... I'm freakin' tired of getting to know him. I blame my mom for my too-susceptible-to-cavities teeth... and my wearing-out silver fillings. Although, I guess technically that's not her fault. But I'm annoyed that every time I tell her about my wearing-out fillings, she tells me that she still has fillings she got as a child that are still perfectly good. So, I'm gonna blame her for the wearing-out silver fillings too. Sorry, Mom. But that's how it goes, right? Mom always gets blamed for everything.

So... here are the pics I promised weeks ago of the backyard. Okay, so it's a little outdated now... there's actually grass growing now!... but it'll do. Pay particular attention to the dead tree... it came from FUTURE TREES... and I'll erase that as soon as they replace it with a living one!!





And a new pic of my lovely Forsythe:


And finally, a couple of Kona from today. I thought you'd like to see some "recents".

Lesson for the Day: Bikes & Cars Do Not Mix

Good ole' Breen-dane used to keep us in stitches @ Apt. 44 with his stories about the near-misses he'd had on his bike. I KNOW it wasn't really all that funny... especially to him when it was happening. But, he just had a way of telling the anecdotes that just always made me laugh and laugh and laugh. There was even this one time that he flew over the handlebars. And when he told that story, I KNEW I needed to stop laughing. It just wasn't that funny to think about sweet little Brendan flying across the handlebars. And now it's really not funny. Poor Lis had an extra traumatic day today... although, not nearly as traumatic as the Brendan-wannabe she watched flip over his handlebars, get dragged up a parking lot ramp, and get run over by an oblivious woman driver (and no, that DOES NOT mean I think women can't drive). So, Lis... I'm sorry for your traumatic viewing experience today. And Brendan (and Brendan's imitator from today), I do not think what you went through is at all funny.

So... moving on to happier topics... have you guys noticed my shiny new toy at the bottom of my page? I know some of you have (since you've told me!). I was just curious how many of you there were out there, and since none of you post comments (except Lis, MJM, and mom, of course -- it's okay, I'm not mad), I found another way to make you answer when your name is called (you know, when roll is called) instead of running away to hide. So, hello, you 65 unique visitors! (Yes, I KNOW some of you may use multiple computers to drop in on me... heck, I even do it myself... but I'm going to pretend like there really are 65 of you. Maybe someday soon, there will be.) Anyway, feel free to check out the stats if you'd like. Bravenet's freebie counter doesn't let me hide it from you anyway. But that's okay... I've nothing to hide. An open book. If you'd just read my blog. Because here, I reveal all... as long as you have the secret decoder ring. My boss always makes fun of me b/c (even though she really does think I'm a good writer) people need the secret decoder ring to understand me sometimes. LOL... perhaps that's the point, Mary!!!

Anyway, I'm tired... and tired of writing for now. I'll be back, though. Promise. Have a good one... and another one for me.

In the meantime, here are a couple more old photos (especially for you, Lis). Of course, both of the first ones are of Haley & me. And I just couldn't resist throwing in a classic one of Mom & Dad. Enjoy!

The Sunday Special

I know I usually don't post on Sunday nights, but I've found a new reason to love John Mayer. He's so in my head. I don't care if you think it's weird.

Let's bypass the bull*&@%
And move on because the minute hand moves faster than you think it does
And by no fault of yours, and by no fault of mine
The bottom line is laying in the bed that we've been playing in tonight
...
It's not about you now, it's what we are

The Nickel (or Quarter) Tour... As Promised

Well, I find myself scanning yet again tonight... between working and thinking and watching Herbie: Fully Loaded and thinking some more. Yes, I said Herbie. I know... but I LIKE silly little movies. Even ones with Lindsay Lohan in 'em. And I gotta tell you... I DID notice the reduction work they did when she had the racing suit on! What's up with that? Lindsay's curvy... give her a break! And she had the guts to give old Jessica Simpson a "catfight" (according to the US Weekly I bought @ Food Lion a week and a half ago).

Moving right along... I thought maybe a few of you would enjoy a nickel tour of the house (since very few of you have actually been to meet Forsythe yourself -- yes, my house's name is Forsythe). Let's start with the JoRun plat. Forsythe sits comfortably (and permanently, since he's on a big ole slab o' concrete) on Lot #80. This is a marked-up version of the plat with the first few lots built-on labeled with the builders' names (thus, the No. 80 label of "St. Andrew's" -- yay Jamey & Co.!).

So, once you zoom in to Lot 80 (using your Google Earth program, y'know... although, unfortunately, Google Earth's sat-photos are a little (or a lot) obsolete... can't really tell if they still show the peanut fields or what!), you may see the top of the house. And if you remove the top (otherwise known as the roof), you may see the floorplan as such:

But, of course, the B&W line drawings just don't do it justice... so I'll try to give you more of an idea of how each of the rooms look lived-in... well, okay, maybe not "lived-in" since we really haven't done much with any of the rooms. But, at least with shortbread paint and floating floors, cherry cabinets and a little bit of furniture. I'll try to keep 'em in order with the floorplan above (clockwise, beginning -- of course -- with the screened-in porch). Sorry for the messy rooms... but I don't even clean for guests like some of y'all do. See if you recognize anything (or anypuppy... Coop and Kona thought I was crazy wandering around with that flashy thing again... but they're not shy to be in pics, that's for sure!).

Happy Thursday... please deposit your nickel on the way out the door.

The Unoriginal Dum Dum Away Messages

I wrote an away message for myself a few months back and used it a couple of times when things were... well, interesting... at work. I would like to share that with you now: "Doesn't it just make you crazy when you KNOW you could be doing a better job than someone else but you have to back off & let them fail?? Hope you're having fun after-hours!" Yes, well, that was originally about Colleague P. Today, it's about Colleague K. I won't tell too many details... but we had a situation this morning (and yesterday afternoon, really) that just ended up ticking me off. Turns out I really do have to do something myself if I want it done correctly.

Anyway... I'm spending more time with Mom tonight going through pics to include in a photo presentation for Me-Maw's birthday. I thought you guys might like to see a few pages from my "This is My Life" photo album:

Okay, so except for the very last one (obviously), these are all from waaaaay back when. However, I didn't figure I could post anything from "This is My Life" without putting a band pic in... this is the most generic I had at my fingertips. Didn't know if it would be okay to show actual faces (from the not-so-ancient past). I'll try to gather the photo release forms & get back to posting pages soon.

Love Wednesdays. Have I mentioned that lately? Have a GREAT one!

Friendly Advice for Your Neighborhood Speller

Does anyone else out there feel just the slightest bit sorry for Kaavya Viswanathan? I mean, all the poor girl did was write a little novel. And, seriously, it was chick-lit... CHICK-LIT IS ALL THE SAME. So, until every other chick-lit novelist out there is blasted for plagiarism (would anyone else had had a hard time spelling that word? c'mon, not all of us are spelling nazis... is it bad to use the word "nazis" in a flippant comment like that?... anyway), I want everyone to just get off sweet little Kaavya's back. So she read a few chick-lit novels in her day. Who among us hasn't? And so she liked them well enough to remember bits and pieces of them. Who among us doesn't? And so she has a convenient photographic memory. Well, okay, I won't even pretend to have any film in mine (see? I just plagiarized that myself! So sue me... take my novel off the shelves... have me tried & convicted in the court of public opinion and the blasted New York Times). Anyway, I think the backlash of criticism is a little overkill. I mean, seriously, Candace Bushnell & Darren Star would be suing everyone in sight if it was a crime to steal a clever SATC-ism (helloooo... Sex and the City... didn't I already tell you that once?). Every single chick-lit author since 1998 (did you know that was the first SATC year?) has swiped a piece of that. And beyond the world of chick-lit (into the realm of rambling, bumbling, & disjointed), I bet if every author out there went through and read my entries on this here blog, several of them would find "questionable passages" where they might think I had plagiarized them. I HAVEN'T. Believe me, it's hard enough to come up with topic ideas and original/semi-funny (I know... I try too hard to be funny) paragraphs without having to worry about the plagiarism police. Although... having said that, I do understand, Honor Court Chairpeople (did you know there were two at Carolina? -- one for undergrad, one for grad), that plagiarism is a reprehensible action... punishable by very bad things.

I promise that I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this paper... I mean, blog posting. And, furthermore, any resemblance to the plot, structure, writing style, phrasing, and even character names within the works of anyone else in the world (published, unpublished, or merely glimmer of idea in future author's brain) is purely coincidental and completely unintentional.

Of course, maybe I don't know enough about it. Maybe she did plagiarize (I'm getting better at spelling that word the more I type it). Maybe I was just desperate for a blog topic and couldn't come up with one on my own... and I feel that I have to stick together with my girl who also merely borrowed someone else's idea(s). What do you think? Guilty? Not guilty?

In my life, the answer's always guilty. Life revolves around guilt. I'd make a good Catholic. And yes, every one of you out there who's saying... hey, I told her that... you did. All of you. And you're all right.

Things to feel guilty for:
1) going to the pool during work hours... technically, it could've been considered my lunch break, so get off my back;
2) wait... WHY am I listing out the things that I have to feel guilty for? Geez... that was almost really, really dumb. I guess you'll just have to make do with your own lists... or those things on my list that you happen to know.

I will tell you one thing Cooper has to feel guilty for... and that's BITING ME. He does feel lots and lots of remorse... but he has promised that if I ever help pull anything else from his rear end again, he'll do it again. Well, Cooper, little buddy... how about we just stop playing with tennis balls and other such toys with yellow fuzz that you can pull off with your teeth and swallow? Good plan?

Well, I've worn a place in the carpet sitting here thinking about/typing this entry (I promise... you can even feel it if you do a cursory swipe of your hand), so I guess I better be heading off to bed. Tonight's a little dissimilar from last night in that I let Jon take the dogs out for the last time. Last night's starry sky was just breath-taking -- definitely that backlit canopy with holes punched in it. Well... maybe I'll get to see tonight's sky after all... or maybe if I just ignore her whining, she'll decide to settle down & go to sleep. Tune in to find out...

Hope your Wednesday morning is fantabulous!

199:23

Tonight, I'm being lazy (yes, again). So, the only thing I'm revealing about myself in my blog this beautiful Monday night is the color of my heart:

Your Heart Is Blue

Love is a doing word for you. You know it's love when you treat each other well.You are a giving lover, but you don't give too much. You expect something in return. Your flirting style: Friendly Your lucky first date: Lunch at an outdoor cafe Your dream lover: Is both generous and selfish What you bring to relationships: Loyalty

What Color Heart Do You Have?

Friends of Convenience

Dreams are funny things. Sometimes they really throw you for a loop.

Have you ever wondered whether your friends are truly your friends or if they're just "friends of convenience"? Of course, you have to be at the same place as someone (at least for a while... or virtually) to establish the relationship. But then... what makes you friends later in life? How do you continue a real friendship when you're no longer in the same place... and when you really don't talk a whole lot? I think that's a big fear for me... that the people who've been my "friends" in life just consider me as an "acquaintance of convenience". So, to anyone in my life who I've ever called a friend, I love you. And I still consider you a true friend... even if we're not close at the moment.

Haley's MySpace Page Says She Thinks It's Sexy

Okay, so there was a tractor in my backyard today. Dad, you & CJ would've had LOTS to talk about if the low country boil had been tonight! Although, CJ's friend's tractor is blue... and mine was green. Green's better. Speaking of CJ's tractor, the man mowed the empty lots across Johnson Drive (around the lake). They look really nice. As does our new backyard. Maybe pics later? Maybe not... as I seem to promise a lot of pics and never deliver on them. What's with me and promises?

Anyway, I just wanted to share these pics... too funny. I was a little embarassed to actually take 'em, but I think I got away with it when no one was looking. Of course, I got mine, though. I decided to run at about 12:45 or 1. The guys came back from lunch at about 1:15. Maybe I had the blinds angled so that they couldn't see in. Maybe not. Anyway, Juan & Co. were throwing pine straw around about a foot from where I was running in my sports bra and shortie shorts. Greeeaaaaat. Oh well. Only distracted me off my pace a little bit. I still had another personal best today! Yay me!




And while I'm on the pic kick, here are a few recents of the kids:

Crazy is the Forecast

You know, I've racked my brain and just can't come up with a good topic for tonight. I just can't seem to reach up and grab any of the thoughts that are speeding through my noggin'. I know I usually write about nothing anyway, but tonight... it looks like that's going to be especially so. So, I won't keep you... just wanted to say a quick hello and tell you that I luv u. Hope y'all are having a great end-of-the-week. Enjoy the weekend!

The STORM Ahead

The landscapers finally came to work on our backyard today. I had been trying to get ahold of the main guy, let's call him Hal, for months and months. Finally, two days after my dad puts new pine straw in the front beds, he returns my call! (Perhaps a coincidence?) Anyway, so, he was in the driveway when I got home yesterday. He told us that his crew was going to be in JoRun for several days anyway and he'd be glad to send 'em over to finish out our back yard (sprinkler system, creating back yard beds, etc. ... you know, all the stuff Dad wasn't here long enough to do). Hallelujah! Yes! Absolutely! Can you do it today? So... they came today.

Funny story about them... Al (oops, I mean Hal) said the crew members' names yesterday in the conversation because he was specifically asking us to cage the hellions when they were here. Evidently, he's afraid of dogs. Anyway, so, we were saying that yes, our dogs are a little aggressive, but that they really do need to start getting used to people coming into the yard (hello... are we never going to be able to have friends stop by?). He said, well, they don't have to get used to me; but they do have to get to know Juan, Alejandro, Eduardo, Guillermo, and Miguel. So... all those guys are in my back yard this morning, and I think... huh, well, I hope Hal remembered to tell them about the underground fence. So, I decided I would go out and remind them. I go up to the group of four guys digging a hole right where the doggie charge would be running, and I say "Did Hal tell you about the underground fence?" All four of them look up and me with completely blank faces. Then one guy says "Hal? Hal will be here soon." OK. Got it. Thanks. How do you say "Watch out for the doggie fence?" in Spanish?

Anyway... so, the landscapers did end up cutting the fence. But they spliced it back together. (I'm assuming it works!) And about 30 minutes after they rolled out, this mess rolled in:

Dad, not sure if you can tell by the pics, but a great deal of your work did not make it through the HEAVY, HEAVY wind that preceded the rain. Can you see that beautiful pine straw strewn across the yard??? So disappointing! But, I spent a long while out in the yard after the storm raking it up (with my hands, mind you). I probably salvaged a couple of bales, but there are still holes where I'll need to refill. Luckily, we've still got the Sentra crew cab (or as some of you may know it best... the hot car) to haul the new bales in. Also notice in the pics (especially the first two and the fifth one)... the blowing sand/dirt from Jamey's new house. No, that's not just rain or low-lying clouds. It's those people's back yard flying toward Lisa. Speaking of Lisa, she had called and left me a message on my home phone (that I moved into the office for Haley when she was here and haven't yet moved back to the easier-to-notice-it-there kitchen). Oops... it's been, like, five days since she called!

Okay, well... I'm going back to listening to Mr. A-Z and my chocolate cake. Y'all have a fun Wednesday night and very successful Thursday.

Let's Call it Another Fresh Start

Okay, so it's been a while. But I've been visiting with family & friends (which you may recall is another one of my New Year's resolutions), and you cannot make me feel guilty about not posting to the blog on a daily basis. Besides, all of my other blogger buddies have basically slowed to a crawl with their posting activity... so I, in comparison, am quite the frequent poster.

Anyway, so, things have been moving much too quickly for me over the last week or so. Mom, Dad. Haley & Sydders came down for an all-too-brief visit to the 'boro. They arrived on Tuesday of last week and stayed until Friday. Then I packed up & hopped on the caravan to Les Montagnes with 'em. Our first night in the big Ashe was marked by a really large and ultra-scary thunderstorm. Sometimes I love 'em; sometimes I hate 'em. This one was extremely disorienting, as it occurred somewhere between 1:00 and 3:39 am. There was lots of bright lightning and boomerous thunder. I figured I could've just called out into the silence of the house and heard at least two voices answer back. Turns out, I was right... and there probably would've been four awakened-by-the-storm folksies. Then we celebrated Doc Yates' dental school graduation. Wow... a real doctor in the family... well, except for Jon... but let's not count our chickens before they hatch. And there was that "Papa Doc" from way back. But I'm pretty sure I remember Dad telling us that name was derived purely from the amount of Dr. Pepper consumed. But I digress. Jo-Jo's grad celebration was sweet. Got to catch up with fam members and friends of the fam for a few hours at a very nice New River Park (with an ultra-posh building for events such as ours). And I finally met Kate... THE Kate. Thank goodness I can finally join the ranks of Yates' who think she's just as sweet as sugar and such a cute little match for lil' Joe.

Sunday brought another ultra-conservative sermon at the BCCC. I learned all about how I wasn't supposed to drink from the cup of unrighteousness (although I still don't get the reference to the cup of vinegar the Roman soldiers offered Jesus at the cross). Anyway... all I could do was think about John Mayer song lyrics (that's okay, I didn't know it either... something, something, something... you got my only heart...) and start a giggle-fest with Haley. Unfortunately, I think the guest lecturer - I mean, pastor - was looking right at me the whole time I was cracking up. So, I had to duck down below the pew to pick up Dad's B-I-B-L-E. The only thing that helped me stop was writing "Church giggles are of the devil" a few times (okay, one, but who else besides Haley & Dad would've known?). Haley thought it was funny too. Not sure why ol' Ken had to be looking right at me. This darn Internet, I tell ya. It's gonna be the downfall of our good & moral Christian society. Especially all that Internet porn. Did you know that in a decent-sized congregation, there are more than likely TWO people in there addicted to Internet porn? Thank goodness in this situation it was me & lil' Nona!

And back to the original point of the first paragraph... time flew. That weekend (plus a day) was the fastest in history. On the way back into town today, I was listening to the new Rascal Flatts cd and happened upon "My Wish": "I hope that days come easy and moments pass slow, and each road leads you where you want to go, and if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose, I hope you choose the one that means the most to you. "

Don't I wish that those moments would pass slow?!?!? In fact, I'd like time to just stand still sometimes. Ever have one of those moments... when you're just so satisfied with life, so content being right where you are, so happy with life as you know it... that you just want it to freeze frame, for a while at least? Yeah, me too. Why does that big clock on the wall have to keep ticking off the seconds, minutes, and hours?

Anyway, the last thing I wanted to talk about was the untimely departure of two of my colleagues from work. One of 'em, especially, I would consider a bestie... so I was VERY bummed to get his call today. First, yesterday (the other colleague)... and today was Groundhog Day (evidently... although, my Monday wasn't repeating itself... so I was a little confused) with bestie resigning. It's all a big secret, though, so I won't name names. Although... I don't think any of y'all from work actually read this here rambling, bumbling, disjointed marathon of a mess that I call a blog. Carrie or Larry... you were the two Christmas letter recipients, but I sincerely doubt y'all have time to check in. Anyone from the COR, give me a shout out if you're reading. I'm just curious.

Okay... must... go... to... bed. ZZZZzzzzzzzzzz. Oh wait... gotta finish first. Hope y'all are having a great Tuesday night/Wednesday morning (or whenever you happened to find time in your busy life to check in with your loving daughter/sister/wife/niece/friend/more-than-friend/whatever). No pressure or anything. I mean... I know I never have much to say, but I sure do love it when someone listens. Damn, I should be so lucky. Anyway, John was right. It always does come around, doesn't it? Don't know how. It just does.

Take note... time of post... pure luck, I tell ya. Me & Faith (and Alison too?), we're the "lucky ones".

Who's Gonna Turn Down a Handful of Oreos?

Mom, Dad, Haley & Sydney rolled into town around 6:45. We met them at Applebee's for dinner. Why Applebee's? Because they have a Weight Watchers menu, and Haley's on a kick. And you know when Haley's on a kick, the rest of us must participate (and encourage and assist if at all possible). So, Haley made Jon & me play our part tonight by eating ALL of the rest of the Oreo's. Of course, we took one for the team and went for it. We're all about the sacrifice.

No big fights to report about... yet. Coop & Kona have barked until they lost their voices... but Syd seems to be able to hold her position fairly well. She had Cooper trapped upstairs a little earlier. (He had gone up, she followed. He was on the 3rd step from the top, she was on the 7th. If he made a move, she mirrored it. He was really nervous... you can tell when he won't look at her. You go, Syd!)

Gosh... I'm really sleepy again. Can't tell if it's the early-to-bed folks in my guest room or if I just really hadn't caught up on my snoozing after last week's travel-capade. Either way, I'm heading for the rainbow in my dreams right now. Another summer (spring) day has come and gone away. It's time to head home. Coop said to say good night. He's curled up, sponging with my shoulder. He sends all his X's and O's, wishes all of you happy Wednesdays, and can't wait till he can see all of y'all... especially those of you who will let him lick your face. G'night.

Safe travels

I finally arrive back home and the 'rents (and lil' Nona) leave theirs to come on down to the 'Boro. Looking forward to the visit. And thinking of all kinds of projects for you guys to help me with around the house! I just hate that it's a fairly substantial drive for the fam. Please be careful!

I hopped back on the treadmill today. Loved it, too. And, no, I can't believe those words just came out of my mouth. But, it's true... For all of you who heard me swear that I would never enjoy running, I enjoyed it today. I'm really trying to make sure it's not just a passing phase. And it was easier... of all days, today... after I took a whole week off while I was in State College last week! But, the only sucky part was that my ankle hurt. The same stupid ankle that I injured over the holidays... being a dummy-head who falls down stairs. Oh wait... my story was that I slipped on the ice, wasn't it? Dang it!

Anyway, so the running. I'm still not very fast, but today I was quite endurance-minded. There were no breaks for the whole 30 minutes. And my lungs didn't collapse... which is a good thing. I don't think collapsed lungs would be fun at all.

I didn't run today until later in the day. I found myself trapped in my PJs, working from the bed early in the day. I hate it when I decide not to get up & around and then get STUCK working on various projects that keep me rooted to the spot. And today's work challenges were especially frustrating... as they are really NOT MY JOB. But, once again, I'm the one who steps up. I like that about me... but sometimes not so much. I did tell Jeff today that I would like to just watch for once while someone else was forced to pick up the pieces of the mess that IS THEIR JOB. But, he kindly pointed out that we're both the type of people who step in and take care of it. Just can't stand to watch others... what's the word... suffer, fail, fall flat on their faces? And the only way we could let it happen is to officially quit... and I don't think either of us wants to be job-less! Not here when I am just celebrating keeping mine!

Anyway, my boss thanked me today for coming to State College last week. She said she really misses my positive energy and creativity! Boy... I wish everyone could see that side of me. :-) I think you'd like me more then. Eh... I'm just chasing time again. See you all again soon...

Shortest Trip Ever

Wow... it's almost Friday! I can't believe that the week is already over. I'm excited to get on with the trip back down South, but there was more work to do up here. Oh well. Luckily, there's always more work to do. Dang early flights, though. And the 2nd leg looked like it was booked solid.

I had a very good dinner with Pam & Larry tonight. Now, I'm just trying to get some benefits imported into UltiPro. Fun, fun, fun. I'm very sleepy, though. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. I've gotta tell you in my loudest tones... must catch up on rest soon... maybe the holiday weekend will be good for that.

Lightweights Talk Too Much

The rumors are funny. The stories are, too often, true. And Mary actually said "with your clothes on?" to Princess Jenny tonight. Too funny. These HR Managers' Meetings are too much fun. Of course, we have to take advantage while we're all still employed. LOL.

Wednesday's one of my fave nights. I really like it. I miss it when it's not Wednesday. Happy Wednesday!!!

Où sont les salles de bains sur le feu?

Mex fou a de grands margaritas délicieux d'azz. J'habituellement n'aime pas la nourriture mexicaine... mais avec des margaritas de 22 onces, il est tout bon. Particulièrement les taquitos de pomme de terre. Woohoo! Et la compagnie était belle au dîner. J'apprécie vraiment Jean, Jenny, Rosemary, et Amanda. Le travail est travail, mais j'aime mes collègues. J'espère que votre vie est excellente cette belle mardi nuit.

¿Dónde está los baños en fuego?

Mex enojado tiene margaritas grandes deliciosos del azz. No tengo gusto generalmente del alimento mejicano... pero con margaritas de 22 onzas, es todo bueno. Especialmente los taquitos de la patata. Woohoo! Y la compañía era encantadora en la cena. Realmente gozo de Juan, Jenny, Rosemary, y de Amanda. El trabajo es trabajo, pero amo a mis colegas. Espero que su vida sea excelente esta noche encantadora de martes.