Thank You

I want to send a note of thanks out to one of my friends who silently reads my blog and then emails me or talks to me in person, rather than posting comments to my blog. I have a couple of those kind of friends out there. While I'm at it, I will also say "thank you" to April for the lovely card, as well. ;)

But I want to thank my one friend for the very thoughtful gifts. I'm not going to call you out here or be too specific, but what touched me so deeply is this: You listened. You listened to me, even when I didn't know you were listening, and your gifts reflected that. I am touched and I want you to know that. Thank you so much.

More later, I hope...if I ever get caught up! Geez! ;)

13 Reasons I Wish I Were In Georgia

I prepared this post several weeks ago as my first "Thursday Thirteen" post. My trip didn't work out, but I'm posting this, anyway. I'm thinking by the time December rolls around and it's cold in Ohio, Georgia may sound even better! ;)

1. My favorite uncle lives there.


2. It's not here.


3. I would be off work.


4. I would get to see my little cousin, Jessie, who is a doll.


5. I would get to catch up with my Aunt Pat and my cousins.


6. I would get to sleep in.


7. I loved my first two trips there


8. I would be spending time with my daughter....just she and I on the trip down.


9. I would get to fine tune my very slight southern accent.


10. There is a chance I could take a dip in my cousin's pool where the water is warm and there is always good food waiting after a swim.


11. I would be taking lots of pictures to scrapbook at a later date.


12. Did I mention that I wouldn't be HERE?


13. I might actually get a little color if I get out of the office.

This is sooo neat! ;)

http://potw.news.yahoo.com/s/potw/18303/cupid-for-country-folk

Quick Post

Hey, just wanted to let you know I'm back to work and swamped. I had a great trip: we got a lot accomplished and training went well. We also did some sight seeing/relaxing and way too much eating out. However, it wasn't fast food and I made some good food choices. I drank lots of water and cranberry juice along the way! ;)

I will post some photos soon. Tennessee really is a lovely state.

Today I've been crying and regrouping off and on throughout the afternoon. My Uncle Ron has had some unexpected family emergencies arise and he's had to ask me to reschedule my trip to Georgia to visit him. I'm so disappointed, but some potential other travel plans are in the works. Depending on some varying factors, all of this may work out to be even better than I had planned.

When we were in Tennessee, it was so stifling hot (and I hate hot) I actually said, "Why don't I go south in the winter like the birds do?" Turns out, we have a plant shutdown the week between Christmas and New Year's, like we have for the last two years. It looks like I may be able to go to Georgia right after Christmas if we play our cards right. We'll see....God willing and the creek don't rise.

I told Uncle Ron, "Look, my only draw to the state of Georgia is you and your family. That's the only reason it's my second favorite state in the US." I've been there. This is just my opinion, okay, so I hope not to offend anyone, but: It's dusty, hot, there isn't a whole lot of anything scenic to explore: and I'm taken aback at how there are very few flowers or anything colorful there...other than the red earth. Now, granted, there may be lots more to see in other parts of Georgia that I haven't explored. For me, it's just not the prettiest state I've ever seen.

So, this may work out even better....stay tuned for developing news...;)

Hope you're having a good day where you are.

Hugs!

Hope to get this Posted

Okay, let's see: I've been working my fingers to the nub (as has Bipsy) to get ready for our training in Tennessee. I keep telling her, "Whenever you get stressed out, think of the name of the hotel we'll be staying in: "The Hilton Garden Inn." I haven't had much of a chance to see what the hotel is like, but the name itself sounds relaxing. I'm looking forward to the trip, just for a change of pace. We leave Saturday morning and return Monday night.

I've had a uti AGAIN this week that has turned into a fun kidney infection. So, I'm on antibiotics for that. I am sitting at my computer with a heating pad on my back. I went and bought one because I knew the lower back pain would be much more tolerable with one. I was right! Ahhhhhhh. Now I just need a plug to convert it so I can plug it in on the trip down to Tennessee. ;)

I mentioned the dwarf hamsters babies in one of my text message posts. They are so cute it's almost paralyzing. :) They are totally sweet (unlike their parents) and easy to handle. I would sit and watch them all day if I had the time (but I don't) so I took some pictures. Maybe I will find time to post them here soon. I amazed at how something so tiny can be so active and amusing to watch. Jo adores them!

Robert wants to take me out to dinner tonight. I am torn between wanting to go home and pack and then lay down with the heating pad and actually going out to dinner. It's a toss up. I know I will miss being away from the family, but getting in bed, covering up with the comforter and resting sounds so inviting. We'll see.

As I mentioned, Ellie sent me a really cool package of Strawberry Shortcake items, none of which I have seen around here. There are stickers, (enough for me to use some and save some) a water bottle, a keychain doll, a retro Strawberry Shortcake patch, a postcard, a mini tote and my personal favorite, the night light. I'm sure I've missed something. That was such a welcome surprise. I'd been having a crappy week, and it was just the pick-me-up I needed. Thank you so much, Ellie!

I also mentioned that Josh is doing well on his job. He is getting all kinds of encouragement from his bosses. They want him to work more and more hours, but we're reigning him in, keeping him around 30 hours. I don't want him to get on burnout at this age. I know from firsthand experience that employers will work a workhorse to death. A good worker can easily be taken advantage of and end up exhausted. He's too young for that and doesn't NEED to work 40 hours a week. There will be plenty of time for being a workaholic when he's an adult. :) Why start now?

I'm looking in to renting a car to go to Georgia instead of taking a bus. Our transportation situation is grim right now, with both vehicles heading to the shop this week. Plus, they both have some age on them now. One is a 1997 Astro van and one is a 2000 Ford Taurus. Even if we have the vehicles back and ready to go by next Thursday night, I'm not sure I want to tax them by putting the additional mileage on them. Factoring gas prices and car rental, I'd still come out a bit cheaper by driving myself, since Jess is going with me. Plus it would afford me more freedom to sight see a little along the way. I'll miss out on some ecclectic characters in route, but I can live with that. :)

Other than that, no new happenings in my life.

I would like to request thoughts and prayers for my friend, Sheila, and her husband, Terry. Their dog, RD, died Sunday, on Father's Day. This dog was like their baby; slept with them, went everywhere they went...wanted for nothing. He died when his harness got caught in one of the electric fences on their farm. He started trying to chew through the fenceline, and it electricuted him. Terry happened to be away at the time. They live on a 40 acre farm with cows, goats, sheep, horses, Shetland ponies, etc. Their two dogs had a lot of running room. I guess RD went under the fence after a rabbit (which he did quite often) but happened to get caught this time. The fence was set on low, but he took a shock for long enough that his heart stopped. I know just how difficult losing a pet can be, so I am very sympathetic with their plight.

On that sad note, I must close.

Hope you're having a good week! More later!