Why Do Trees Grow

The problem with a large yard with trees is that they keep growing! Every year we have to trim what equals a whole tree. I don't know what one bush/tree is but it keeps growing bigger and bigger. It grows off shoots from the bottom, which means that it was getting wider and thicker. It got so big that it was growing into the house and blocking access to the large gate we put in so that Dad, A.K.A. the lawn guy, could get his riding lawn mower out to the front yard.

So I started trimming the side of the monster bush tree. Originally, mom and I started with trimming so that it would grow away from the house. Then we decided that we really like what it was looking like on that side and decided to do it all the way around. A hour later and much cut out, I ended up with this beauty that blooms weird little white flowers a couple times a year. I think I will keep it now.

Dad and I trimmed my Hackberry tree that keeps trying to grow into my Redbud tree. What's really amazing to me is that when you trim out quite a bit, everything still looks good but you really can't tell a major difference because so much is hidden by growing into each other.

The biggest problem of all is that I guess I am so old that now I when I get ambitious and work vigorously in my yard, I have to pay for it severely that night. I was so sore that I could barely walk. Pitiful, just pitiful.

I have decide that before we tackle this again next year, I am going to buy that miniature wood chipper we saw at Lowe's. Bundling tree branches is for the birds, give me power tools!

Enough for now...

Embarrassing, Just Plain Embarrassing

Have our lawmakers in Washington, DC lost their freaking minds? Is the chairwoman of the House subcommittee on Immigration, Zoe Lofgren, delusional?

Stephen Colbert is funny acting like a newsman, but really? Wasting taxpayers time to have him come and give stupid testimony just proves that the wrong people are in positions of power!

When someone so crudely delivers his speech that includes a "Chilean giving him a Brazilian," I have to admit I'd rather our congress behave like the Asian governments and get in fist fights with each other rather that have embarrassing stunts such as what happened on Friday. Logfren made of mockery of herself and her government, shame on you. Kudos to John Conyers for recognizing how this was reducing his committee to the realm of the ridiculous. We can't blame Colbert for doing what he does - we blame Logfren for giving him the forum!

On occasion I call Winston, Porthos the Idiot, I am going to have stop calling him that as my dog is smarter than most of our Congressional leaders.

Proud to be an American but today thoroughly embarrassed!

Thanks for the support and clicking on my ads. As of today, I've earned $5.97 but the idiots in Washington will require $1.50 - taxes for stunts! I think I need to find an isolated island to buy!

Enough for now...
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The Three Musketeers and the Idiot!

When I am totally uninspired to write, spastic nonsense usually abounds and Winston is usually the focus of that spastic nonsense. But today, he was having non of it.

There were strangers to watch and yell at, strangers on the other street he can see through my neighbor's front yard. Strangers nowhere near our house!

I like my little solders, they remind me of my favorite, favorite, favorite book, "The Three Musketeers."  The problem with naming them the three musketeers means that Winston would play the role of D'Artagnan. He's my favorite musketeer and trust me Winston is no D'Artagnan! Porthos maybe with his loud personality but not D'Artagnan.

I got bored decided to make a movie.

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Enough for now...

Should I fire the lawn guy?

I'm not sure but I think I'm not getting my money's worth from my lawn guy. First, I find a sprinkler lodged in the crook of tree, it's been there for more than a month. Then he mowed the edge of my yard with a push mower because its gets closer to the house and fence than the riding mower. The problem? The push mower was set on SCALP and the ridding mower was not. Now there this weird line all around the edges of the yard. 

The problem with firing my lawn guy is that I've known him my whole life and he does my yard for free - he's my Dad! But when your Dad scalps half your yard, you get to make fun of him publicly.

My new trees, well "almost trees," were delivered today. I bought two Oklahoma Red buds and one Oklahoma White buds. The evil electric company, OG&E,  arrived one day this last Spring and announced that they were going to chop down all my pretty trees and leave me with a really ugly sun drenched yard.

Thanks to sun reaching my monkey grass like it never had before  all the tips are burned this year. You don't yank out nine matured trees and the yard survive. So for the next few years my little back yard is going to look pretty weak. But at least I got the new trees in, oh I failed to mention, trees that only the property owner can remove. We were told that the state tree can only be removed by the property owner! Also, they don't grow real tall and should stay under the power lines.

Since I had Precur Nursery deliver and plant my little trees I spent a pretty penny. I need more than $250 to pay for this and my ad revenue is only up to $4.97. Click on an ad when you exit.




My "Almost Trees" in a couple of years they can be called trees

Enough for now...

Stop Calling Me and My Friends Stupid!

We, Americans play by the rules. We go out, when we'd rather not, stand in line and do our civic duty and vote. Then when the ballots do not  shake out to your liking, you established politicians try to change the rules. Shame on you Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski from Alaska, shame on you Republican/Independent Charlie Crist from Florida, shame on you  Democrat/Republican/Democrat Arlen Specter from Pennsylvania!

In good faith we go to the polling place and cast our ballots and trust you to lose with dignity and grace. We trust you to obey your bosses and when they say your fired to accept who you work for and leave. This business about write in, running as an independent or flat out switching is of low character.

I am tired of the politician treating us, the American people, as if we are stupid and don't know who we want to send to Washington. Stop calling us stupid, as I am not. Every month, I balance my bank book, pay off credit cards and on a good month maybe gamble a little. Can Congress say that? The gambling, yeah. The balance budget - not even close!

Murkowski, you have insulted the constituents you claim to represent by announcing your write in ballot campaign and I pray that Alaskans rally around the true winner and show their children how politics is supposed to work. I hope the Republican party rallies to destroy you as an uncooperative and bad party member and ban you for life.

Even in little league sports we teach children to shake the hand of those who were victorious over us and say good game! I am appalled at the poor sportsmanship of the leaders of our country.

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Enough for now...

It's Boomer Season

Yes, even Winston likes football. He really likes his football jersey. Actually number 28 is very appropriate for him because if he ever gets loose, he does a very good impression of A. Peterson. Mom has even tackled him before - not pretty I won't go there.

I am very please OU won yesterday but did they really have to let Air Force get that last touch down? My nerves could have done without that!

I remember my student days when you would go to the first half of the game and it was such a blow out that at half time over to the parking lot of O'Connors. Now, [giggle] I am so spoiled that I don't want to go to the game because I want to see the replays and stats.  I want to see every minute of the game.

It's good times again, go Sooners!

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Enough for now...

I Predict Rain

The State Fair starts today so that means that rainy season begins. I am not a big fair person and probably haven't been since 1988 or so. The last time I went I went with college friends. Growing up going to the fair meant a new pair of moccasin, funnel cake and rodeo tickets.

I miss moccasins.

Now that I am old, my State Fair comes with the Friends of the Library book sale. My sister's State Fair is Affair of the Hearts craft show in October. Dad's State Fair is any gun show he happens to make. It's amazing how we've all grown out of the real state fair.

I have to admit that the wonder of the fair is not the quality of the work of afghans or quilts made or the pie contests or even the livestock pins - its the weirdos that go to the fair. Weirdos of the likes you didn't think that little ole Oklahoma had!

If I go to the fair ever again, it will be to see the strangest attraction of all - the people who visit the fair!

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Enough for now...

Mean People Suck!

It was a toss up for me on whether or not to feature this as my theme song for this day or go with "Mad, Mad World." Today I went with ... Shout, Shout, Shout, Let it All OUT, these are the things I could do without, COME ON, SHOUT IT ALL OUT!

Things that I could do without:

1. Mean people,

2. Mean people,

3. Stupid, mean people!

Tears for Fears is definitely getting better with age! I love this mix and would give anything to see this concert. The orchestra just makes it totally awesome.

I have officially earned .79 cents, click on an ad to the right when you exit, help get me out the world where mean people live!

Enough for now...

DRAINED..........

Today many of things that I put my hopes in all fell apart. ALL FELL APART. It feels like I ran a marathon. Why does emotional stress exhaust you so much?

I am still trusting God to fix my world but for the life of me I don't see how. But all in all, that's not required - I don't have to "see it" for things to get better. I have one option left and its the best one yet - trust God.

Even though I do trust, it doesn't mean the tears won't come or fear won't creep in. Life sucks right now, so while I wait for everything to be fix - I implore each an everyone who reads this blog upon exiting please click on an ad in the left side bar. For every click I earn .25 cents, I am trying to escape my work hell with each entry.

Click me out of my horrible job!

Enough for now...

Letting My Hair Down

Today was a good day. Every month the state's web manager's group meets and shares ideas and new stuff. This month's speaker was the state's CIO. Half of what he said went right over my head as I am not a developer. I am from the PR office and make things pretty.  Sebolith and grouper...huh?

No matter, what I really liked was the exchange after he spoke and the fact that the meeting was over for more than an hour and I was still there chatting with other web nerds. Nothing is more comfortable than a community of like, strange minds. I will never ever forget the story Michael shared about getting beat up in Second Life. Yeah, he was probably not in the nicest of bars but still I am not sure his avatar deserved such abuse especially since it was a crazy girl avatar. Is a boy avatar allow to hit a girl avatar if your in Second Life?

Enough for now...

Do More than Click Like - Say Something!

To build the mosque or not to build? To burn the Koran or not to burn? Fly you flag on the profile. Click like if you agree... Are all these type of apps on Facebook an absurd way of getting out of our civic duty? If we fly the "No Mosque Flag" on our profile does that remove our need to write the Mayor Bloomberg and complain vehemently?

Facebook is great for keeping in touch with friends but we cannot let this stop us from actually raising our voice or writing our letters. As Oklahoman who suffered an attack, we should voice loudly that allowing an Islamic Monument to their victory is not right!

We now live in a global world with news from every corner of the world. Do you sit by and accept what is happening without so much as a shame on you?

Here is link to New York City's Mayor Bloomberg email. No he will not care, yes you will have done something proactive and it's time to start saying "NO" to insane and cruel ideas. More than 3,000 families lost precious members of their families and will have to walk past the Victory Monument to pay their respects? No, that is not right.

Yes, law is on the side of the mosque but human decency is on the side of the families. This is not an Islamaphobic idea either, it is just plain insensitive to the families.

Enough for now...

La Femme Nikita, Which One

In the 90s, I was a faithful watcher of the TV show La Femme Nikita. Because of the show, I rented the American film with

Bridget Fonda and Gabriel Byrne (Point of No Return).  Didn't like Bridget, don't think I'd like the original foreign version with Anne Parillaud.

I am a dork and fell in LOVE with Michael and only watched the show because of Michael. So now they have come out with a new version. It's such a departure from my TV show I don't know if I am going to like it.

Which Nikita do you like? Anne, Bridget, Peta or the new one, Maggie Q?

Torn, let you know after tonight's show.
Enough for now...

Miss Honeydew, Minnie Pearl and Nurse Goodbody

I am now one of those people who work in fear. The slightest mistake has me stressed to max. Today, was one of those days and I just knew that I was going to get ripped apart. I have now progressed (with God's help) from bawling at work over every attack to migraines and nausea on weekends.

Strangely, I'd rather have the nausea and headaches than tears. Girls like me, who cry - can't control the tears, so once you've made me cry then not only am I crying but I am also very, very angry (because of the situation and the fact that you made me cry) it's twice as bad.

I wish I could redirect that emotion into something more professional, such as swearing like a sailor and throwing my stapler, no I take the crap and cry!

This weekend every meal was proceeded with a wave of nausea. Did that stop me from plowing through my Mexican dinner or that pint of ice cream? Heck no, I ate anyway. Eventually, my work life will settle down and you hear me squealing like the sissy girl, I am!

Okay, so you want to know what's up with the picture? A couple of years ago, my sister had the brilliant idea of getting photos of the three of us, so we did. After we had taken enough photos to just be quite a bit silly, Mom thinks that we should take a picture using my new fence as a prop. I don't know why but Hee Haw came to mind and of course I had to share that with them. Not a single picture in front of the fence came out but hey, we did have a good laugh.

I give all my problems to God and trust him to take of me.

Enough for now...

Just Because I Can Remember

I absolute laughed when I stumbled on this but.... it's still good! The world remembers "Dancing Queen" or "Knowing Me, Knowing You" as it's fav. I liked this one, "SOS" and "Fernando." I don't know who that Fernando dude was but you know when "there something in the air, my friend."

Enough for now...

Proof that White Boys Cannot Dance

Lordy, lordy, lordy these two boys cannot dance! I have to admit I have not laughed so hard in such a long time as I did when I watched these guys dance! Okay, the video below is from Big Brother and the head of household, Lane, incurred three punishments for the house and this one was flat out hysterical!

I love mindless reality shows. It's nice to know that there is proof out there that you are not the dumbest person in the world - he / she is on my TV. I can't wait to see how Jimmy Johnson of Dallas Cowboy fame fairs on Survivor.

Enough for now...

Heroes Among Us

You know I have to say that I have lost faith in the men and women we've sent to Washington. I've felt hopeless, that I couldn't change the direction my country is headed. You see, I am a conservative and honestly, that used to mean "one who does not protest."

On Saturday, August 28th, the classiest protest known to man took place. It transcended Republican, Democrat and Independent - it was a protest to the lack of God in our politics, government and yes, our community.

In these times,  I, as a state employee, have to avoid certain phrases such as Merry Christmas and God Bless You. How did this happen? How did WE allow this to happen? We have to decide to be active or loud with our hearts and votes to change the path our country is on. I pledge to you (and hope you make your own pledge) to be front and center every time our voting booths are open. You have no right to complain, if you don't vote.

I am very proud that we have giants who can still move a country into action. I feel like America has a hero in Glen Beck who is willing to remind us of our roots, our constitution, our God.

I give all my problems to God and trust him to take of me.


Enough for now...

Flu Attack!

Do you ever feel that the universe is bent on crashing down around you? I just get back into the grove of writing daily and BAM! I  come down with the meanest sinus-virus thing that knocks you flat on your back.

Last Thursday, I left work not feeling well and headed straight to the doctor's office. Dad came down with it first then mom got and I knew I was not up for the challenge to beat this on my own. So I went and got antibiotics - the nastiest antibiotics known to man! They cause a horrible taste in my mouth all day and night. It's like sucking on a penny, a dirty gross penny!

Well I laid around from Thursday till this morning when I dragged myself back to work. Does the email fairy know that I had been on leave for two and half days? My inbox was stuff with stupid stuff that just interfered with me getting it empty.

I am not well yet but can return to work [yes, I am whiny today].

I will leave you with the funniest biology lesson I've seen in a while. Kids today are so lucky, all I had where those horrible reel to reel films. 

Flu Attack! How A Virus Invades Your Body



I give all my problems to God and trust him to take of me.

Enough for now...

Eat Pray Love

Ironically, I encounter the very same thing this weekend.

EAT
I diet four weeks and cheat on the weekend of the fourth week. So I managed to hit IHOP, Braums, Carlos (Mexican), Little Caesars and York's Peppermint Patties and three bottles of Coke. Today I resume the rabbit food.

PRAY
My life has been a continuation of my previous post with prayer and because of God I will be okay.

LOVE
Okay not the romantic love that Julia was finding in that movie (or for what I can gather from the commercials as I have not seen the movie, lol). Mom, however, hung about the house with me rearranging my closet and just talking  - helping me to keep my mind of the troubles. The ultimate form of love, sitting in my living room when you'd rather be lounging at home.

Enough for now...

My Miracle

Recently chaos has ruled my world and I reached critical mass. On the fourth day in a row where I cried at work because of the nit picky, petty and constant mistreatment from my boss. I was about as low a you can get. No one could help me and I could see no way out. Mom called a family friend, Larry, asked for prayer and we got a miracle.

Larry talked with mom Thursday night and gave her peace and bits of wisdom. Then he called me and left me with the right perspective and peace.

Larry also email much for me to take to heart but this from scriptures rocked me to my core

"I am the eternal God, your Refuge. And underneath you are My everlasting arms.

My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.
So do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to Me. And my peace, which transcends comprehension, will stand guard over your heart and mind."

With a promise such as this, no more of my boss' cruelty, lies or poisonous attitudes can touch me, as He is my Refuge. Through prayer and friendship, I am much stronger at work. It was as if a different Dana went to work on Friday. This is because God sent Larry into our lives and help me and my mom find peace, at this time in our lives we needed Larry. God gave me the strength and calmness we prayed for.

There are precious people in this world and I like to think of them as Angels in Waiting, that's my brother, Larry.

I give all my problems to God and trust him to take of me.

Enough for now...

A Needed Moment of Kindness

I had a really nice conversation with a co-worker on my floor. We talked work and it was really interesting learning about her area. It so amazing how we can work for the same place and I not know what she does really. I enjoyed it.

I am struggling with faith, it's hard to Let Go, Let God. The human in me wants to bash someone on the head. The human in me wants to run away. I will keep trying to have faith and I will repeat this prayer until my world improves.

I give all my problems to God and trust him to take of me.

Enough for now...

Having Faith

I told mom that I've struggled keeping positive in my posts and asked what in the world would I write about tonight. She told me to write this.

I give all my problems to God and trust him to take of me.

And I am to write that everyday until things improve. You know, every time I try to handle my own affairs I tend to mess them up. I need God's help. I know that He will bail me out of this mess as He has always taken care of me. One day, I hope to know what I needed to learn from this ordeal but I know that I will be better for it.

Letting loose and not worrying will be very difficult for me, so pray for me. I guess this is what that bumper stickers means when it says "Let Go, Let God."

Enough for now.

Good Day [Exclamation Point]

For the first time in a long while I had a fun! Another division's administrator ask me to help brainstorm and create a new employee orientation video. While a professional crew is coming in tomorrow to video, she and her staff wanted something more than "torturing the new guy" with a lecture.

So last week, we plotted out that she would take the new employee on a virtual tour of the state office and each unit administrator would be introduced to the camera and then walking to the next office. It was fun brainstorming on what to do, then we took the camcorder and did some practice runs.

Once we were done filming, I went back to my office and edited the pieces together, added transitions, added titles and credits and then added music. I am tickled pink to say that it actually came out really cute and I promise you better than having the division administrator stand up in front of the camera and drone on for 10 minutes.

I need more days like these! Enough for now.

Getting Ready for Liam

I had all but written this day off as one worst in a long time. Then I went shopping for my Army Nephew's new baby. Since they live in Germany and the baby is due in October, we had to get the gifts shipped pretty soon.

I have to say that if I had to go to a mall today, the shopping would have had to wait, I just wasn't up to being in public. But we have the glorious Amazon.com. Mom and I sat down, ordered the gifts and poof we're done! I love technology.

My great nephew's name will be William but they plan to call him Liam. I like it. We won't get to meet the little one until July 2011, which means he'll be nine months old by then. That will be tough but it's life.

Enough for now as I am struggling to stay positive tonight.

Dilemma Read, Play Computer Game, Read, Play Computer Game

Today I got up threw on a pair of jeans and stumbled to the couch and promptly started reading. Totally unmotivated to do anything other than sit and read or sit and play Bejeweled Blitz. Yesterday, I was somewhat productive but didn't finish cleaning the house. I rationalized that I would finish up today [funny].

It's now 6:17 p.m. on Sunday and it's not gonna happen! I did give baby a bath, which didn't set well with him but hey, if I have to take one daily, he can have one twice a month! The funny thing about beagle is that they will endure whatever you are doing to them but if they don't like it, they give the most incredible sad eye stare know to man. Winston has mastered this and I usually end up laughing at him.

I redesigned all my blogs this weekend trying to re-energize my blogging spirit. I kind of feel as though I worked all weekend. While it did keep my mind occupied on things other than work but it was very much like the work I do at work.

My weekend of slothness has a few more hours to go and then to hell I must return.

Enough for now.

It's FRIDAY, F R I D A Y ! ! !

I would introduce to my new boyfriend but it looks like we broke up. I've always liked skinny boys.

I am still trying get my entire backyard watered and have no exciting plans for the weekend. So I am thinking I might blow off any work and read. It is times like this that being single comes in real handy.

If I don't want clean, I don't have to. If I don't want to do anything, I don't have to. Today, I like my life, don't ask me about tomorrow.

Enough for now.

Some Don't Like it Hot!

When are we going to get a break on this stupid heat? Geeze o Pete is it really 105 degrees for the 45th day in row? Okay, I tend to exaggerate when I am unbearably hot. I am sick of having to drive home on the highway only able to touch my steering wheel with the tips of my fingers until the A/C can cool it down enough to actual hold the stupid thing.

The heat is really taking its toll on my yard. I believe there is more dirt showing than grass covering it. BUT that did not stop my yard guy from coming out and spreading fertilizer all over my yard, which means the must water within two weeks. Yeah there's a 30 percent chance of rain on Saturday - like that's going to happen! So yesterday, I started watering my yard and only got the perimeter done. If you water too early you can burn your yard and if you start too late you can't get it all done.

Plus ever move a fan sprinkler without get soak? No you haven't it's not possible. I need rain! I need cool weather.

Enough for now.

Wednesday Wonder

Today, was my telecommute day where I crawl out of bed and go straight to my office. No waking up late and mad dash to dress, no dropping baby off at mom's and no morning rush hour, it's so cool. I do love the fact that it's a great day to tie up a lot of lose ends. Because of telecommuting I feel caught up more that I feel behind, which so great.

What's not so good about telecommuting is that you do work more than your allotted eight hours. I usually start work at 7 a.m. instead of 7:30 a.m. and end when I finally pack up the computer, today that was about 5:45 p.m.

Winston, on the other hand, does not like my telecommuting. I am too pre-occupied with my computer for his liking, so mom and dad have to come get him or he'll sulk all day long.

I love this modern world we live in but I have to say that I also like going into the office. One day a week is fine but more than that and I think I would miss the social and professional interaction that going into the office affords me. I have a couple of good friends and email conversations just don't cut it.

Enough for now.

Sisterly Love

Am I a good sister or what! Kim wants the HGTV $70 K home remodeling sweepstakes so she has been entering the sweepstakes every day for a while now. The problem is that her computer was zapped with a power surge and fried everything. So until Best Buy can finish marvelling at the fried hard drive and tell her to give up the ghost and buy new, I am making her entries! Everyday!

Actually, I find it funny because there's no way she's gonna win but........... if she does, I'm going to be irked for not entering myself! I need a new driveway. I really don't need $70K to remodel my house, I need $70K to pay my house off.

I guess I got burned out on all those Publishers Clearinghouse Sweepstakes when I was a little girl. Mom would let me fill them out and I would study all the magazine stamps that she would not let me order. I probably entered every one that came to our house from Junior High through graduation. What happened? Life scoffed at me and I did not win! I have never entered a sweepstakes again!

Enough for now.

People Come and People Go

Today, I had a really nice surprise. Old job, Co-Worker T. came into the same restaurant I was at. It was really neat to get see him again even if it was for only a couple of minutes.

I have to admit that I liked working with him. Because of Co-Worker T. I am able to do the job I have now. He was patient with me when I was learning how to create websites. He was a good teacher.

Ironically, at a time when I have no faith in workplace decency, I run into one of the few who made work fun, interesting and educational. It's been about four years, since we worked together and I had a little pang of regret when I saw him again. Fun and silliness wrapped around work makes for fond memories.

He appeared to be happy with his current job where he's this big time web guru with a healthy size staff and you know, it doesn't surprise me. Co-Worker T. is good at web design.

After this accidental meeting it brought up many memories of all the people who I've worked with and became friends with and it amazes me how easily you lose touch. I have referred to Friend Ellen in this blog (quite a long time ago) but what I failed to say is that before she was Friend Ellen, she was Boss Ellen. I regret that we've manage to drift apart.

Former Co-Worker Ed has just recently friended me on Facebook and low and behold he has babies, two to be exact!

It's a little sad that it is so hard to stay in touch with the people who we work with after they change jobs. I guess what's really important is that for those moments in time, we are blessed with friendship.

Enough for now.

Revelations of Crappy Life

As I glanced over this, I noticed a prevailing theme running through my entries -- I am tired, and I realized this must be the most boring blog in history. I have done a great deal of complaining that didn't happen before. My job is more stressful, my personal life of late has be more stressful and overall everything sucked! No wonder only two people read this.

Long time ago, when I started this I wanted to be creative and silly, now it is the place to put a voice to my all ills or elude to it least. I am not happy and my blog is reflecting that.

I am not sure that changing my job will make me happy - I believe the culture of the work place is hateful. So I will be just moving from one bad situation to another but staying put is not an option either. I have to try to better my situation.

Where's the creativity in my blogging? It's totally gone. It's amazing how you replay the bad stuff over and over in your mind and the good stuff never comes. With Barack Obama, pretending to be President, this blog should be filled with barb after barb. The drive for writing isn't there because I can't let go of the crap in my life and this saddens me.

When I turned 36, I turned my back on finding that someone special and quit the dating scene. I don't have patients for the game that is dating and honestly, I am afraid I am too blunt for it. Do I regret it? No not really, but there are realities to the single life that I didn't expect. For example: exploring the world is not option for me. I learned that sight-seeing and vacationing alone isn't my thing. I am a social creature and vacation for me have always be a social event. Also, world travel is expensive and you don't just grab a friend and run off to Ireland for the weekend.

Lately, I have come to the conclusion that life for me is something I have to endure, where most people embrace and experience all it has to offer. Now, don't call 911 (or 199 depending on where you live) I am not suicidal, just disappointed. I expected from more from life.

On a brighter note, I am trying to take back control in my life and that is through job searching, losing weight (one, you do better in job interviews if your not over-weight and two, it's either lose the weight or start smoking again and don't like being fat) and concentrating on enjoying the friendships I have and ignoring the bad. So in order to this effectively, it has to start here. No more bitching and moaning, anyone who reads my entries from this point forward has permission to scold whenever I go negative.

I also hope to get back to real blog entries not these two-sentences that take less time to read than it does for the web page to load. I am Dana! Hear me roar (just pray that tomorrow you're not hearing me whimper).

Enough for now.

Weekend Blues

Little man is struggling with grass allergies that make his belly break out with heat and itches. I took him to the vet at the beginning of July and he got his yearly shot but this year's pollen was too tough for him and we had to get another.

I know he really didn't feel good because Dr. Boatsman barely got a wiggle. Winston loves the vet, up until the thermometer comes out, that is. Usually, he thinks its a grand adventure.

If you're looking for a great Vet go to Neel Veterinary Hospital, all the docs are great there!

Who Needs to See Anyway

I went to the eye doctor today and man alive are things expensive! New chicky glasses and contacts. It's rice and beans for the rest of the month!

Today, I feel like seamus. I am so exhausted!

Enough for now...

My Chakras are CLOSED

I am worn out! I have many tedious projects at work and swear the muscle between my shoulders just below my neck is made of immobile steel.

I have started telecommuting once a week and it really allows me to do the big projects that require concentration like captioning a 10 minute video. That would have been impossible without closing my office door. I really like telecommuting. It's cool to be able to crawl out of bed and hit the computer.

Well I am back on my quest to loose weight. The trick this is to stay off the scales. As long as I don't know I am not loosing any lbs, I am not depressed. It's been three weeks and I have not cheated once - send me your good vibes to keep at it. I am one Snicker bar away from diabetes [a family trait of mine].

Enough for now...I leave you with a Seamus' dancing debut, well not exactly.

Exhausted and Confused

Didn't I just take a vacation so that I would be rested and love work again? Well that didn't happen and seems to just drain you. I spend all day, watching the clock dying to leave! I really hate that but... it is what it is and I don't think anyone is happy a work any more. It's the new culture of work.

I need an attitude adjustment hence the vacation. I almost achieved Nirvana but then the boss felt it was okay to call me at home during my vacation and bring all that crap rushing back. I really resent that she fells its okay to call me on my days off!

Enough for now.

Wonderful World of Hibernation

Today was the epitome of the type of vacation I wanted. Rainy and cloudy and reading all day. I went out of the house for the first time this week. I am on my second book, first "Eargon" and now "Eldest." Dragons and magic YEAH!

I changed clothes for the first time in two days, okay it feels better but I refuse to shower when sloth is the order of the day. However, I do think Winston and Seamus are bored.

Enough for now...

V A C A T I O N

For the next ten days, I will not have to face this pose. This is the attitude Winston gives me every morning when I leave for work.

What are my plans? I plan to travel the world or maybe even other planets or even other dimensions - I plan to read! I want to escape my life and I can't imagine a better way than through a good book. I promise not to check my work email or call in to see how things are going. I promise not to even think about that place...okay, I have too many friends there to do that but I won't think about work.

One thing that I do need to do is to plan my funeral and buy a plot. It's not a pleasant thing to do but it's a smart thing, so I may do that this week or I could avoid it as I have been for years now. Smart people plan...will I be smart? Who out is smart? Who wants to actually go to the cemetry and pick out a plot and say "Yeah, this looks like a good spot, are the worms nice here?" Aaarrgg! This is when it would be nice to have a husband who you could add this to the "honey-do" list and I could go on avoiding this issue all together.

What brought all this on? A funeral, today I went to a co-worker's husband's funeral. I feel like Winston did when he posed for this picture.

Enough for now...

F-Stop Stopped

My brain is mush! Spent the entire day in a photography workshop. While the instructor was fascinating and kept the class moving in a good way, I have a hard time sitting, listening and taking notes all day. I do feel like I learned a lot...but don't get too excited about seeing fantastic photos here. I don't have an Digital SLR camera for my personal use, only work. My Kodak point and shoot digital will have to do for Dented Karma.

 

One main thing I did learn is that there is so much more for me to learn! You only scratch the surface with a one-day workshop.

 

The morning didn't start of great either, I had to get my teeth cleaned. Start off the day at the dentist then go to a workshop. I am whipped!

 

Enough for now...

A Good Day

This was a fun and exhausting day! My co-workers and I went to Tulsa first thing this morning for the agency's annual awards. I was nominated for two awards. One was a Teamwork Award and the other was an Einstien Award. I was automatically entered for these awards due to the fact that I won the division awards back in October.

Me and two other co-workers took the Teamwork award, which totally surprised me. I really didn't expect to win at the agency level. But hey, another hunk of lucite! Waaahooo!

Couple of weeks ago, I went the SPJ awards and received 3rd place for my annual report! That one blew me away, I entered that on a lark and really didn't expect to receive such an honor. Look out world, Dana's gonna get a big head...

Enough for now.

Sleep, I need sleep

Any guesses as to why I need sleep? Yep, Seamus is sleeping over again. That beast of a dog is the size of a full size bed! Winston wasn't going to be inconvenienced that meant even less for me. I swear I spent the entire night curled into a ball just trying to get enough covers to cover my butt!

Why is Seamus sleeping over? Well, mom and dad are going to move my great aunt from Atoka to Yukon, she's decide that she doesn't want to cook or clean anymore and wants to move into an apartment for Seniors only. When I am 96 years-young, I am swearing off cooking and cleaning too!

Enough for now...

I am Sooo Bored

I hate Al Gore! Here I thought with all his "Global Warming" rhetoric that I was living in the New Florida without the beach but noooo. I am having to endure two blizzards in one season!

Even though I have had two days off for this horrible weather, I have done very very little and it's depressing! Even my dog is depressed! [You would be too if you had to poop in snow up to bum.]

Maybe I'll clean something...nah, I'll probably just stay in bed AGAIN and read another book. I've already gone through three in the last two weeks.
Enough for now...

Is It ever wrong to giggle?

Today was the second time this week that I failed to leave work on time and failed to leave for lunch. Just slam the food down the kisser at the desk and keep working. We've started preparing for our awareness day at the capitol so let the chaos ensue. I am also trying to figure out how to professionally produce an American Sign Language video of our agency's handbook with freeware [lmao]. As well as create new webpages for the Commissioners...[rolling in the floor laughing].

I know laughing at this point is a sign of delirium but can't help it. Yesterday, I just receive notice that am one of the winners for the Society of Professional Journalist for either my Annual Report or a Press Release. I don't know for which one and fully expect to spend the entire night mingling with strangers for an Honorable Mention. Don't get me wrong I will be tickled pick with that but this is SPJ and the competition are corporate professionals and such. Limelight, crap I don't do limelight well.

More of that crap [snow] is coming, so that mean I have to go to the store and gas station tomorrow and prepare for another blizzard - thanks Al Gore for educating us on global warming! [lmao again!]

Enough for now...enjoy Winston after the last snow storm.

Does it stay in Vegas if you were a bore?

It seems to be the norm for months to go by between blog entries. This is not my intention, it is more from my lack of inspiration. Work is blah and the last think I want to do in my off hours is the computer. I like the work I do and have some great friends at work but when disillusion sets in at work that not good it bleeds through into everything.

January 2, I got to go to Las Vegas with a friend from work who had to go for a conference. I went to play. I discovered that vacations are meant to be shared. I would go to various Casinos and site-see and gamble but it wasn't as much fun by myself. Friend Theresa didn't get out the conference till 5 or 6ish each night and we would do dinner and some site-seeing but there wasn't much time in the evenings. This trip opened my eyes, I often thought that if there was something I really wanted to see such as Ireland or Italy or Turkey I'd just have to go alone. Nope, while traveling alone isn't a big deal, it's just not fun.

Who out there has holiday hang-over? Man alive, my work celebrates Christmas with homemade cookies, candies and the like arriving daily! If I never eat anything sweet again, that would be okay with me.

Along with trying to survive the holidays, I managed to get a sinus infection that lasted from before the Oklahoma Blizzard to last weekend. I finally feel human again, yippee!

Crap so much to cover!!! Okay the video "District 9" disturb me [flash backs of "Children of Men" without the gorgeous Clive]. Michael Jackson dies, Johnson and Johnson heiress dies and Massachusetts elects a Republican - I am not sure but I think have step though a tear in the universe and landed in alternative reality.

More than enough for now!

E=MC²

I had a rather good day yesterday, I attended our division awards yesterday and won the Einstein Award and the Team Work Award!

I knew my boss had submitted the nomination but I didn't think I would win. The Einstein Award is for the total conversion of our website from old design and inaccessibility to new design and totally accessible. If there is something not accessible on that bugger, I sure don't know about it.

The Team Work Award was for Co-Worker Brett, Shirley and myself in our work to create a clipping report each month for the entire agency. In the past only a select few would get the clipping report because, it would come in hard copy form that we couldn't really make accessible. Once our clipping company went electronic, we were able to make the clipping report accessible and everyone in the agency gets a copy.

It was pretty neat!

Enough for now...

Broke, Ever So Freaking Broke

Two weeks ago, my sister came to town and a shopping we went. First Hobby Lobby in Edmond-did okay $4oish spent. Then came Gordman's - not as okay $150ish spent. By then we needed lunch to geer up for the second part, once refueled off to Burlington. !!! $450ish spent - I went bonkers but got two new coats (one rain and one car). Then day two was spent at Kohl's - I lost track of $ but the sweaters are sure cute!

I got some really amazing clothes but I do think my favorite buy was the hooker shoes! They are sooo cute on!

UnFREAKING Believable

Bronchial infection so severe that I am on my second round of antibiotics! Am I falling apart or what? I went to the doctor's again today to receive more drugs - NOT HAPPY. He said if this doesn't do it we will use dynamite next time. If dynamite will make me stop coughing and not feel sooo horribly bad - give me dynamite. This just sucks!

Enough for now.

Pain, so much Pain

Geez, where do I start? I guess I will start with the six-day migraine spree. That was fun. I thought I grew out of migraines a while back. In high school and college, I took medicine daily to ward off those evil things. So when I got the first migraine, I didn't think much about it but on day five I went to the doctor. Who knew you could make it worse by taking a lot of advil day after day - rebound headaches! I didn't know. I now have a new med and it really doesn't work real well but I am not shut in a dark room screaming "don't talk to me, don't look at me" then running to the bath to throw up.

The next weird thing is that my voice is going out. No, it is not a sore throat. The doctor thinks it may be cause by allergies. I now take allegra every night but my voice is still cutting in and out. LOVELY!

My thyroid has decided to act up again. So I am back to going to the doctor's every three months to visit the vampires to try to regulate my meds. It sucks getting old!

Enough for now [don't think I could take any more!].

Evil Eye

Yesterday was a humdinger for me. It was only 6:30 a.m. and I was in my morning routine, brush the teeth, shower, put in contacts.... AAAWWW, pain take out contact. The problem came when only half the contact came out. I then spent the next 30 minutes digging in my eye trying to find that other half.

While I could feel [painfully feel] that other half, I could not find it. So I had to call mom and ask for a ride to the eye doctors when they opened at 8 a.m.

You gotta know my doctor, dead-pan older man to know that I really did not want to go to him and tell him that I lost my contact inside my eye! But the pain drove me on. He takes me back to exam room and I put my chin on the eyeball examining machine. He looks and looks and looks - doesn't say anything just looks. I am starting to panic now, since he's put eye numbing drops in my eye and I no longer can feel the sucker to tell him where it is. He then pushes the machine away, tells me to close my eye and act like I am looking down. He rubs my eye in a downward motion all along the surface. Then I open my eye and put my chin back in that thingy and voila! he finds the other half. Shows it to me and says "no charge" and sends me out.

Today, I wore my glasses. Enough for now.

Blink takes two

I don't know how I manage to snap the photo the exact time the dogs blink - first it was Seamus and now Winston.

Today was Co-Worker S.' birthday and Sunday is the Boss' so my pocket book got tagged this week.

You know, I'm too tire to blog. Enough for now....

Any topic suggestions for my next entry? I'm not really inspired to blog right now. Help.

The Day the Music Died

I have to say that I am so disappointed and ashamed of my government. I have made to bones about being a raging Republican but never did I think that I would see the day when I would see a government asking the public to turn in their neighbors for speaking their minds. I thought the country elected Barack Obama but I am starting to think Adolf Hitler was elected. Parents be careful what you say around your children. This is very frightening.

A Whirlwind of Busy

For someone who has been sooo busy that blogging is impossible, I should have found the cure for cancer or something more. I have to confess, I am just lazy once I get home.

Anyway, I have been a busy girl. I was a major organizer of an awareness day at the state capitol that brought in more than 700 - success! I have gone to the WebAIM Training in Utah [pretty country!] and learned a whole lot of accessible tips and tricks for the web. I have worked like a fend on the landscaping and exterior of my house AND still manged to let my cedar tree get apple rust!

Oh yeah, I spent a week babysitting a little birdy who fell out of the nest. This humane crap ain't easy! First make Winston stop picking up the little thing only to drop it because it moved in his mouth. Then I had to make a nest in a spare dog bowl because of said idiot's activities previously mentioned and put it on the patio table. Where moma bird would come to feed it.

Little birdy is now gone hopefully to some tree somewhere happy.

I attached a new pic of Winston is his svelte new body - now 29.5 lbs, was 38 lbs. Yes, he still hates the camera!

Enough for now.

Poision Control Representives Are My Friends

Let me send out my heart felt thank you to the very nice person at Poison Control who told me that the two idiot heads that live here won't die. Seamus and Winston thought it would be a good idea to eat my body butter! Gross me out! When I found the empty container I panicked and quickly called my vet's office and was told to call Poison Control and they would be able to determine if I needed to bring the idiot heads in.

Who knew that Poison Control would respond to you even if you were calling for two stupid dogs! She was very nice and informative. She told me that they would be fine but to go ahead feed them something to so it wouldn't upset their stomachs and to be wary of a bad case of the runs since there is so much petroleum in the body butter - LOVELY!
This all took place Friday night and I am still peeved at them.

Enough for now.

Ewwww, I Don't Feel Good

Between the snot running down the back of my throat causing it to hurt greater than life and that sucky cough that comes with it...I am sick! I don't want to be sick! I can't be sick! At work we are only one month away from our largest event of the year, where we go to the state capitol and meet witht the legislators and I still have much to do.

Enough for now, I gonna crawl back to the couch.

Fly!

When you know your gonna get wet - spread your arms and scream!

This week I have felt like the cat - out of control and flying.

Utterly Witless I am!

If I should blog everyday or two, do I have to be witty? Today I am completely witless! Currently, I have more work due than I can complete and I am getting quite spastic at work. This week my boss and I keep getting the giggles when we met probably because we both are running on fumes.

Between the annual report, the free ad that had to be designed without any notice, to the videos I need to pull of the web, I am slipping into delirium quickly....I think I like delirium.

Enough for now - need sleep!

I don't like Thomas Hardy

I watched Tess of the d’Urbervilles on PBS tonight and bawled! I don't think I would be able to read Thomas Hardy. I know, I know, always read the book first then watch the movie. But the way this one ends, well lets just say that Thomas Hardy is no Jane Austen. Mr. Darcy came through for Lizzy. Mr. Ferras once released from obligation ran back to the woman he loved, Miss Elinor Dashwood. Jane makes you cry because it all comes out right.......Hardy makes you cry because it does not!!!

Enough now...

This Was a Good Day

I got to work with way too much to do and what happens? The power goes out. After speaking with the power company the director sent us home since it would be hours before power was restored.

So off to get my haircut early - maybe Matthew can get me in early - nopey! Matthew wasn't there, so I waited 20 minutes for him to arrive and clean up my look. This time I had wild Texas socialite big hair going on - short natural curly hair can get out of hand in a matter of days! Anyway, I look good now.

Then I darted to Wal-Mart to buy birthday presents for a couple of co-workers who's birthdays are tomorrow, just like ME! We have a little Jan 9 club going on. Then home.

Here I sit blogging at 5:51 p.m. when I normally would be driving home. This was a good day!

Tuesday? Not that bad of a day either. Try not to laugh, mom discovered a cash ticket from our Saturday trip to casino on Tuesday morning. It was a $100.10 ticket. So dad and I had to drive to Shawnee Tuesday night to cash it before it expired. Mom was sick and couldn't go. So we got to the casino and cash the ticket. Then Dad gave me a $20 and he took a $20 - off to the land of slots. By 7 pm we where headed home with $120 in dad's pocket. Mom is still irritated that she did that, Dad and I had fun for about an hour!

Enough for now...

Thank You Weatherman!

Weren't we supposed to have 60 degree weather today? That's why I didn't wear a jacket to work nor did I wear a bulky sweater - 60 DEGREES does not warrant heavy clothes. I dressed accordingly and was cold all freaking day long! What is the deal with this weather anyway?

In truth, I got what I deserved today. It is January 2nd in Oklahoma and I should have known better than to believe that kind of weather report!

Enough for now...

2009 what will it hold?

I am amazed at how fast the year flies. This last year work was good. I received a promotion and have been given new duties that are challenging and fun. I finally settled in where I no longer am a nervous wreck just driving to work and that feels good.

On the home front, my house has been completely renovated and there are no more projects to do. I really don't know how I feel about that - I like remodeling. I have threatened to sell the house and buy another just to have projects again.

Baby is good. I put him on a diet and he has managed to lose from 38lb chunky monkey to a trim 34.4 not so chunky. He should be about 30lbs so he has some more to lose. A couple of weeks ago, Winston had a seizure which absolutely scared me to death. It wasn't a grand mal like my Dalmatian, Henri, would have but just a little one. Right now the plan of action is to just monitor him. I hope that is the last seizure he has.

My news resolution is to blog a little more regularly. I have got out of the habit of writing my thoughts mainly because I am so wiped out from my computer duties at work and the last thing I have wanted was to log on once home. But this year hopefully will be different. For the two or three people who may read this blog you will [hopefully] be treated to my mental ramblings more often.

Enough for now...the couch calls!

Bob and Mack....'Nuff Said!

Laughter is Infectious

I am not one for a whole lot of comedy but this was so funny. I laughed till my sides hurt!

Much to Report

Well a lot has happen since I last posted. The nation elected the most liberal in the senate to the Office of the Presidency! O crap! The Republicans had better get their act together. What was this crap with McCain being the nominee - he's not a Republican! More like Republican-lite but not a conservative. I did feel a little hope when he named Palin but lets face it, he was a bad choice. I truly believe we have the second term of Jimmy Carter on its way - stock up on gas now. O crap!

Once again, I cut my hair super short. If I was at my ideal weight I would love it but my face is rounder than I am used to so the short do isn't as swell as it could be. I am hoping that will help motivate me to get on the diet and get the weight gain under control.

I have a new job now. My co-worker that was missing a lot finally decided that she needed to tenure her resignation. So I applied for her job and I got it! Yeah, I know how much of a raise I am going to get but what I don't know is what that will really mean in terms of actual take home. I can't wait for this check to come - it'll feel like Christmas early.

Winston's on a doctor supervised diet now, I tried to put him on one and the stinker ended up gaining. So the doc gave him special diet doggy food, which he absolutely loves! I couldn't take him off that if I wanted to. In two months, he has lost from a 38 lb Chunky Monkey to a 35 lb not-so chunky. Five more pounds for him to be at his optimal weight.

Enough for now...

Spent, Totally and Completely Spent

Where does the time go? I am amazed at how the months are flying by between posts. One of the main reasons I have not been posting much is that work has been pretty intense with our department being short handed and more duties have come my way. When I get home the last thing I want to do is more computer work.

Even though work is intense, I am thoroughly enjoying getting to create publications again as well as expanding my web work. I was hired to do mostly an on-line magazine of sorts and it was rather one focus. Now I get to do many things and it is good.

Mom has finally recovered the newly renamed [by me] Nasty, Evil Sore Like Pain formerly known as Shingles. Why do they not name things appropriately? Even Adult Chicken Pox would be a little more approriately. Shingles just does say P A I N! Life is now returning to normal. We went to lunch this afternoon to celebrate her birthday and spent the whole time talking about politics...yep, we're back to normal.

It was also a good day because mom and I went to Garden Ridge after lunch where I spent entirely too much money. I got new decorative pillows for my couch. I got new comforter for my bed as well as decorative pillows for the bed and bay window and then I got a couple of nick-nack items. New stuff is way too much fun. I hope I enjoy it since I won't get any other new stuff for some time. Dana is broke!

Enough for now...

Oink! Oink! Oink!

Today, I ate whatever I could get my hands on and boy, do I ache! Since I began the new diet I allow myself a monster cheat day once a month. I had a McDonald's Quarter Pounder Large Fries and a Coke. Then mom wanted a cheesecake so I had a slice of that. THEN I wanted Taco Beuno Combination Platter. Right now, I am drinking another coke. I am such a bad girl but as of this morning 15lbs lighter and hopefully this will hold me till October 1.

Enough for now...

Give Me a Break!

What's next? Yesterday, baby went outside to go poo and something said follow him. I noticed that he had diarrhea and blood in it. Scared to death, I grab Winston and we go to the vet's. Evidently, his steroid pill that is battling his grass allergy is causing the problem. Winston now gets a special canned dog food and antibiotics plus we are gonna wean him off the steroids sooner than before.

Did I really need this now? Geeze, I need some boring right about now. By the way, did you know that grapes can cause renal failure for dogs? I didn't. Hince, do not let your dogs eat grapes no matter what.

Enough for now.

So Absurd it's Funny!

For the first time in a while I took the day off today in order to have a little mini vacation this Labor Day weekend. The problem being is that mom has come down with an awful case of Shingles. Oh my gosh, I had no clue how bad those could be. So all week, she has been fending for herself while dad and I were at work.

Since I didn’t work today, I packed up Winston and we went to just lay around and take care of her. About 2 or 3 p.m she got up and was in the kitchen getting ready for to take her pain pill, I asked if she wanted anything to eat since the painkillers make her deathly ill and she said yeah. So I am up making her a cheese sandwich and I reach for the paper towel roll and WHOOAAOO!!! The most agonizing pain shoots through my back and causes me to scream and fall to the floor.

It is now 8:30 p.m and my back still hurts. The only way to explain it is a monster cramp in the back muscle in my rib area. We couldn’t help laughing at the absurdity of the fact that the caretaker needed a caretaker. At one point, after laying on the floor hoping the spasms would stop-they didn’t, I got up and could barely walk around the bed. I began to laugh, which made mom laugh – hey, I guess you could call that the bright spot of our day

Enough for now...

Huh? I am What?

Somehow this week, I managed to get myself elected as the Neighborhood Watch liasion to the police. Really, this just means to cause the neighborhood to meet each other and hold little get togethers.

We had our first meeting last Thursday. At the meeting, we met the police chief and his community liasion. It was a nice get together where I thought I was there to support Maria - one of my neighbor's who scheduled this. At the end of the meeting, the chief asked us to elect a watch liasion and that's when Maria asked me to do it [point blank]. How do you say no?

Come the end of August, we will have a hamburger social to get to know everyone better.

Enough for now...

Burn Baby Burn

The sexiest man alive! The best thing of all about this guy, Michael, on the TV show "Burn Notice" is that he will never disappoint me with stupid stunts. He will never be mean to me. Nor will he expect more than I am willing to give. Why? Because I will never meet him! Here's to fantasy men!