Merry Christmas

I just want to take some time before I start my work week, (Yes, I'm working on Christmas for the 5th year in a row!) to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I also want to thank all of my friends who have truley shown the Christmas spirit and assisted me and my new extended family in having a truly blessed Christmas. I am over whelmed by the help and support by everyone. I can not began to explain the emotions I have been through in the past month but each and everyone of you in your own way, whether it is a shoulder to cry on, an ear to bend or monetary help have been there for me every step of the way. I am a truly lucky individual to have such friends. Thank you.

Not Really Surprised

Well the Saga continues...Kris's (my nephew) parents are the WORST. When we agreed to take Kris the stipulation was that we'd get the child support checks; a whole big $46 a week to offset the before/after school care that is $51 a week and will be $81 a week when school is out. Kris's Mom agrred to call me Tuesday because she has 2 checks to sign over to me. I'm still waiting for the call. I think she was too high when we talked to remember that she said that. And that's probably why we will never receive support checks! Sorry Dead Beat Daddy has another child on the way that is due in February and told Joe he sent us a letter last week; my mailbox has had many things in it this week but nothing from him. He did call the weekend and thanked me for taking care of his son and to tell me he's send some money to go buy Kris a present from him for Xmas. I'll believe it when I see it.

Meanwhile I have quit Weight Watchers due to financial and emotional reasons. My dieting days are over for the time being and weight is coming right back...I'm trying to run from it but it keeps finding me!!! :-)

The highlight of the whole week is that I got my 64th Wendy's cup so I will have a free Air Tran flight to go to Detroit this year!!! I am more excited about that than I am that Christmas is coming!

I have promised the boys that if they do not get bad reports at school this week, I will take them to the Xmas Parade downtown on Saturday. I'm probably nuts and we'll freeze but so far it looks like we are going. Kris is doing better in school and even did some homework at Kool Zone yesterday and when we got home , I gave him a spelling quiz, he only got 2 wrong out of 12 - I think I had tears in my eyes. It was much better than the 8 out of 12 he got wrong the night before and I felt like we were actually making progress! Stay Tuned!!!!!

St. Jeannine

I think I'm bound for saintum! Since my last blog, Joe and I have gotten temporary guardianship of his nephew Kristofer. He is 6yoa and has never had a stable household to live in as long as he has been alive. He knows very little manners and just assumes that everything he asks for he will get. He's also a liar. He came to us on a chilly Wednesday evening with 2 pairs of shorts, 2 shirts, a pair of windbreaker pants and a pair of jeans, some flip flops and 2 pairs of sneakers. I can most assuredly say that most of the clothes my in-laws were able to get from him so that he's at least have something to wear! I will not get into the gorey details of his parents, just tell you that Joe and I are the best chance this kid has of coming out half way decent. We do not have the money for this; I do not have the patience for this. I sincerely hope that we are able to survive. I feel like I have been on a spending spree buying things that the child needs to just go to school (supplies, clothes and yes head treatment because I just discovered he has lice!). Joe has gotten a paddle which he has had to use on both the boys. (While Marcus thinks it's fun to have Kris here, his demeanor is changing also.) I just feel like crying! I can hardly wait for Christmans! :-)

Lets try this....

After a very depressing blog yesterday, I've decided to own up to my self and try going back to Weight Watchers, but on a different night. I'm going to try going on Mondays to see if the leader there (who is a lot younger than my current leader) can motivate me. I have spent the last several hours, including the time that I wake up in the middle of the night, telling my self that I don't need sweets (my BIGGEST weakness) every waking moment and I can change my life style so that it doesn't focus around food. I am a very emotional eater. Now I also have to work on getting thru the holidays since I really like to bake for them. I think that I will focus my self on that for the next 6 weeks until after Christmas and then worry about getting into the gym. I will try to at least walk around here with Marcus after work.

There!! I have a plan...please support me!!!!

BLAH's

It's Sunday..I've definitely got the BLAHs. I am very down on my self and need to work on it. The big factor is that I have gaine 12lbs since the wedding. I have paid ahead at Weight Watchers and am literally throwing away $100!!! That could be used to pay off a bill or save to fly to Michigan. Mentally I am not in the diet/gym mode and I do not know how to get back into it. It will be even harder with the holidays QUICKLY approaching (Can you believe that Christmas is 6 weeks from today?!?!?!). I wish that I could at least maintain my weight instead of gaining. I had lost 39.5 lbs before the wedding and it's quicklyt coming back!! I just don't know what to do.

I have the week of from work and can't seem to get motivated to do anything in this house. It's a disaster and I don't know where to start. I have some errand to run almost everyday. I am looking forward to Thursday when I'm going to get together with my friends from the other rotation at work and make Christmas cards. I also have to sit at Saturn one day that I'm SURE will add to my "mood". Remember the light problem I mentioned before? Well, gee, there is a recall on those very same lights!! And they didn't think it was important to get me in before, well I called Thurday and my appointment is Tuesday; funny isn't it?

Lazy Sunday

It's another Sunday that I really don't feel like doing anything. Not that I have done alot this weekend already. Laundry's done, put shelves up in the computer room, did some Christmas shopping so I don't spend all my Christmas Club $ and that's about it. I have tomorrow off from work and I'm taking Hercules to the vet for his yearly check up - no other big plans!!

I was deployed thru work to go to Miami for a possible 10 day stay. My going caused a big riff in my work place, is my understanding, but I put in for it like everyone else, I just happened to be quicker than others. I really like going because you get to do more than answer the radio and I'm not going to lie, the money is good and with Joe still hardly making 40 hours a week it's very helpful to the very poor family finances! Anyways we were told as we were leaving that we would be assisting in Pembroke Pines, just north of Miami. And for the most part there was no power. Our convoy left with 40 cars and trucks for what should've been about a 10 hour trip but due to the slower trucks (that were later left behind) and the gas stops (we heard gas was minimal where we were going), we arrived about 13 hours later. We were able to stay in a hotel that didn't have power but was quite comfortable. All the days started at 0530 with a very appreciative Pembroke Pines work bunch. What a difference in the reception at this location versus the last Recovery we assisted on!!! All in all the area was not badly hit, just power was sporadic and after 4 days we were told we 'd be leaving on the 5th. The morning of our departure (another 0500 morning!) we left to 20 LEO's lined up with their lights going and a farwell speach made over the radio - it was a site I probably will never forget!! I didn't take any pictures like last time worth uploading. We did go to "The Cheesecake Factory" in Ft. Lauderdale. It was very pricey and we waited an hour, but the food and the cheesecake were wonderful!!

Well, I'd better go see if I can get Joe to do something - he's lazt too!! ;-)

Soon

I have been "Disaster Rcovery"ing again in south FL. I will write soon with all the details, wrote now I need to catch up on emails.....STAY TUNED!!!

I HATE MY CAR

The car we bought in 2004 is a lemon!!! Unfortunately it is not bad enough to qualify for the lemon law. For those who just read random logs, I own a Saturn. Yeah, never hear anything bad about them, huh? Well, I could write you a book about mine. The lastest little problem is when I turn on my head lights, I loose all the lights in the back of the car (parking lights, brake lights). The only lights that seem to work is the one on the tag and the brake light at the top of the vehicle. The local Saturn dealership doesn't feel that it's important enough to get me in until sometime next week. Meanwhile I can not basically drive at night time; a great thing just in time for the time change!! And I'm sure when it does get fix it'll be at $250+ job - I just put $225 into the car last week. How old is this junker you ask? A 2000 with only 47500 miles on it! Great, huh?

Well that's enough about that; I feel better. My weight loss routine had gone by the way side - I put 8.5 of the 39.5 pounds back on, but I'm trying to restart myself this week. I've done much better (I think) and started back in the gym. I've only made it 2 times, but I've walked around the block a night and basically just worked 19 of the past 24 hours so I haven't had time the past couple of days. I'll get there soon! Work, is work. I'm still adjusting to my new shift, but I'll manage.

Have a great weekend!!!

Uploading Again

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Originally uploaded by JeannineS.

I have once again attempted to upload some of my pictures. This is one I tokl while working in Gulfport, MS. I was able to take a helicopter ride and survey some of the damage. The helicopter ride was very cool and I would like to do it again! The picture is of Treasure Bay Casino, which I think may sit in Biloxi, MS. As you can see it was totally destroyed and pulled off of the building it was anchored to.

Have you given up on me?

It's been a while since I've blogged. Nothing is really new just been extrememly busy. The new shift at work in OK; I feel like the third wheel but I'm sure after awhile I'll be OK. I took Spanish class last weekend. I was very surprised to find out that Marcus could count to 5 in Spanish! The class was fun and I now know how to communicate with some at a very slow rate.

Life here is starting to settle down after the wedding. We are trying to catch up on some bills and of course the money pit always needs attention but never seems to get it. The car broke down last week. 2 days and $225 later it seems to be working fine.

I have to go entertain the boys; I'll be back in a few days!!

Nothing New

Just a short blog to let everyone know that nothing is new. The growth on my face turned out to be shingles. Where'd I get that, hell, I don't know but I am just about over it. I still have about 3 days of medicine left.

Today I offically start my new work assignment as AOIC. I'm very leary but I hope it'll owrk out. Only time will tell!!

I should be doing housework, but don't feel like it - I really wish I have more $ to go get craft stuff!!! :-)

Growth & the ER

I am home sick today from work. I think that this is only the 2nd or 3rd time in 4 and 1/2 years that I've called out, and one of those times was for Marcus. I have this growth on the side of my head right next to my ear. It runs from my hair line to the bottom of my jaw. It wasn't that big yesterday, in fact it was no bigger than a quarter. I also have a huge welt on my forehead, about the size of a nickel and another one on my hair line. I think I'm falling apart!!! The growth is very tender to the touch and makes my jaw and side of my face ache. Anyways, I woke up at 2am, with the help of Marcus, and noticed that the growth had more than doubled in size so since hearing is a major part of my job and the growth is pushing in my ear, I thought I'd go to the ER, Sacred Heart ofcourse. I planned on being there until now, because that is just normal for there. I got there and there were about a dozen people in the waiting room, including a group of 5 misfits. 2 Gothic looking males and 3 females - 1 in a wheelchair moaning, another not really caring and a 3rd tall skinny lady with candy cane striped leggings on. Well the Moaner appeard to be on her death bed but I really think that she was just having a bad trip on what ever drug she choose to take. And why do I think this you ask??? WELL......when I got there, 3 nurses where hoverd over her while she was getting sick. When she was done her head would spin a full circle like the Exorcist. After about 5 minutes of this, 1 of the nurses came to check me in. While in the waiting room, Moaner kept on breathing quickly, stop, then say, "I'm gonna pass out!". The Goth guys could care less, the Candy Cane girl would say "Someone has got to help us!" and the other female would go get the nurse, who I noted, did not hurry to Moaner. Well they called me to the triage (by my new last name that I am not used to!) and called Moaner to the area where they verify name, insurance. Well, I guess she fell out of her wheel chair in there, because the nurse that was triage me, rolled her eyes and told me she'd be back. Well after 3 nurses ordered the group out, told Moaner to get up, Candy Cane girl said "That's it, we're leaving." Now if it wasn't a reaction to something illegal, I think they'd stay, wouldn't you? I was just happy because it made me a person closer! Well as it turned out I was only gone from the house for 1 hour and 20 munites. The welts on my head are some kind of insect bite that is casuing an infection. The growth is a swollen lymph node, reacting to the infection. I have a horse pill antibiotic to take 2 times a day for a week and I have to put warm compresses on the growth. ALL THIS AND IT'S NOT EVEN 9AM!!!!

Saturday

Well this was to be my last Saturday off for a couple of months, but I'm changing shifts again at work so I will continue to have Saturday's off for a couple more months. I was supposed to be relaxing today but since it's not my last Saturday off, I guess I'll do some house work. Joe's gone to the woods to work at the hunting camp and feed the deer. He rented a log splitter for the trees the county cut but never picked up. It is very easy to work but of course will not start for me this am. It's like these machines know I'm a girl and won't cooperate. Yes, I put gas in it, yes I primed it but it still won't start. I guess it's house work for me.

Back to the work thing, I am really going to miss my friends on my rotation. The only really good thing about it is I can work midnights with my old shift and maybe I can get a promotion in within a year.

I have changed my blog to have the security word so random's can't send spam blog stuff. Jennifer, you were in my dreams last night, and you should still be able to leave me comments. I really look forward to them!

Bad Mood

I can't quite place my finger on it but since I've come back from Mississippi I have been in a BAD mood. Work agrivates me, I gained 5 lbs in 5 weeks, I think I really hate this house that I'm doomed to live in forever....I just don't understand.

I have to go - Marcus wants to play on the computer now.

MIA

It has been forever since I've blogged - I've been MIA!! We'll today I did all my name changing "stuff". I did SSA, work, DL and banks. I think that I've got all the pertinent things covered.

Since I last blogged, I've been to Gulfport, MS twice. The first time was just a day to drop off donated items and pass out homemade goods to some of the guys that are working there. The 2nd trip was for 5 days working. The work part wasn't bad, but the whole area is totally devestated. The first trip made me really depressed, but also left me feeling extremely lucky that "Katrina" didn't shift 60-100 miles east. I don' think that this area could handle such a disaster when we are still recovering from the last. By the way today is the 1 year anniversary of "Ivan". The second trip left me feeling somewhat confused because although I didn't see, I heard how people there are ungrateful for the help of outsiders. All I can remember is standing outside, practically crying and waving at the power trucks, here from another state, that had just turned on my power after going a week without it. I remember all the help given to us at work and other places and how greatful I felt for help. Maybe it's just the shock the residents of Mississippi are feeling because for the most part it is totatl devastation. I have many pictures that I took from the ground and air (yes, I was very fortunate to have ridden in a helicopter to see some of it) that show complete neighborhoods gone, many shrimp boats piled up and houses reduced to a pile of lumber. After coming home from there, I know understand the meaning of lucky!!

Plans

Why is it that the best laid plans never work? You'd think that I'd learn and not make any! I took this week off from work so that I could do all the name changing stuff. I was so sure that I'd have the certified copy back from the county so that it would all be done by the time I go back to work on Monday. Well, first the hurricane holds up the progress and second I don't think it has even been processed! And if it does come, I'd better make an itinerary because the price of gas will break me, which I am already! Ok enough bitching, for now.

Lucky

I have just turned on the computer after going about 36 hours without power - a result of Hurricane Katrina. Due to our generator and no loss of cable TV, I have been able to watch TV non-stop during those 36 hours. For the first time I am greatful that I was only without power. After seeing the devastation and distruction left behind, I realize how lucky we are that the storm didn't move eastward by a 100 miles. I feel lucky yet wish there was away to help the other areas like we were helped during Ivan.

I have been married a little over a week and although I want to change my last name I haven't been able to due to honeymooning and then coming into town just in time for Katrina's arrival. Hopefully our lives will go back to normal soon and I can proceed with what is probably the only change that will be made during my new married life!

Honeymoon

I have had a new last name for almost a day and a half now. Everything went fairly smooth for the wedding. It didn't last as long as I thought it would, but I think that everyone had fun. My friends Mark and Anita came and have spent most of the weekend here with my friends and family. We have had a ball and I can't begin to explain how much it meant to me to have both of them here - it literally tears me up sometimes!!!

We are going to leave for Gatlinburg as soon as Joe gets up and moving. I wanted to leave at 0800 but that doesn't appear to be possible. Joe's had a long drinking weekend with Leo and Mark and he finally crashed last night. Add to that, his Uncle Jimmy passed away yesterday and he had to go see the family and tell them that we wouldn't be around for any of the services. When he went to his Aunt's house, the body was still there and that really upset Joe.

Well I just wanted to leave a quick note so that everyone would know that everything appeared to go off smoothly!

Meltdown

I had my first real meltdown only hours ago. I'm readily admitting that I am overwhelmed and so very afraid that this will not turn out well. I still have a ton of people that haven't RSVP and I have a bunch of people I'd like there, not going to be there. All the girls I grew up with in NY that were going to come aren't. To be honest the only one that contacted my is Amy and I totally understand why she won't be here. I really didn't think they'd come but when I went home to NY in June, they all said they were and I was thrilled! The most exciting thing about this whole upcoming weekend is my Grandma coming and an old drinking buddy, Mark, and his wife, Anita, will be here. I am extrememly excited about them being here!

I flet like I did a little bit of everything today, not just concentrating on one thing at a time. I did laundry, cleaned the kithchen/living room, finished the centerpeices (Casey - it was much easier doing them with you than Marcus!), stamped more pages for the favors, cut Joe's hair, did a little yard work and finally sat down at 9pm. Is the whole week going to be like this??!?!?!?

Dangerously Hanging Limbs and 1 week

1 more week...I think I am ready. Of course I have a lot of things to do, but I think that I have a good handle on them. Today I need to clean house to get ready for the out of town guests. I have to make more centerpieces for the wedding tables. (Casey and I did this together but we didn't make enough; I need you and miss you, Casey!)

Tomorrow I think I'll get up and start yard work. For some unknow reason that I am really greatful for, the county came out to remove our "Dangerously Hanging Limb" that was left over by Hurricane Dennis. Joe and his Dad were unable to get it down so they had planned to just cut the trees down because we had the potential to have more "Dangerously Hanging Limbs" should another hurricane come. Well anyways the 2 wonderful men from the county came out and took care of the "Dangerously Hanging Limbs" plural it turned out to be, and when that was done knocked on the door and asked about cutting both trees down for us - free!!!!! That's a big deal around here since Hurricane Ivan last year. People pay around $600 to have trees cut down! Now of course we've got wood to get rid of but the 2 wonderful men put all the limbs to the road for us. There is some goodness left in the world yet!!

Joe's got another interview with ECUA this week - Wednesday morning. Wish him luck!!!

What am I doing now?

For the past couple of days I have felt like a chicken with it's head cut off - running around all over the place. Trying to make sure I have a good handle on things for the wedding and trying to work and clean house for the guests that are coming. My Mom comes in Monday and I can't wait.

Joe got the pool cleaned today - it's only been a month since the hurricane messed it up, why rush?

That's all I have time to blog - talk back at ya soon!!

2 Weeks and the 5K

2 weeks from today is going to be, what I perdict, the biggest day of my life. I have a ton of things to do and get yet but I am waiting for my Mom to come so that she may be part of it. She'll be here a week from Monday. I also only have 4 working days left until Labor Day - that sounds so cool!! Money of course is running tight but we'll deal. And if I hear Joe's Dad tell me one more time that I am wasting my money I think I will kill him!!!! It's my party and I'll do what I want to!!

I completed the Bushwacker 5K today, as a walker, in 52 minutes! It is the only the second time I have done a 5K and I shaved 2 minutes off of my time. I am proud of myself! I'm also very proud of my friend Laura, who ran it in a little over 37 minutes. She's come along way in her personal fitness. She's lost like 40 pounds and looks wonderful! I'm so proud of her!!

On a sad note we had a supervisor at work pass away. He was the same age as my Mom and that really scares me. I can't even comprehend what would happen if my Mother passed at such a young age! I don't want to think anymore on that.

Got to go - Wedding stuff to do!

Should I have stayed in Bed?????

I'm beginning to think that maybe I should have never gotten out of bed this am!! First lets start with how I went to Albertson's because they had a good meat sale and I wanted to be the first to pick thru the T-Bones. Well when I got there I wasn' the first and the lady that was first took forever!!! After I sorted thru her leftovers got my T-bones and a roast, some broccoli and onions and one of those packet things to cook the roast I waited in line. After I put all of my items on the belt, I then realized that I had lost/forgotton my wallet and no the cashier couldn't dream of taking a check without my picture ID! It doesn't matter I that I have one of those card thingeys with all my pertinent information! So I return home empty handed to do some yard work. I pick up all the pool items that are strewn all over the yard (my soon to be husband has a hard time picking up after himself) and try to crank the lawn mower. It won't start. There's gas and oil in it so who knows!! I change again and head out to pay for my wedding cake; no problems there, Thank God, and go to another Albertson's to get the items that I couldn't get this morning. Well I got them but the meat doess't look as good as it did at the other store.

I take a few mintues to myself then pick up the table and settledown to work on some wedding details. I call the hotel where most of my guests are staying and have found out that 3 more people have booked rooms. I have negleted to include those people in my gift giving that I am doing so now I will have to scramble and work on those. I think I hear my bed calling me!!!

Have I mentioned that I still don't have a marriage license? Maybe today..........

Settling Down

2 nights ago I have slept the best I have in the past 2 weeks. Could it be because my Mom, Belinda and I finally set a time line for the wedding and agreed to the final menu? I'm feeling a little more relaxed about the whole planning process. I feel that the only thing that will really change in my life is my last name. Things are starting to fall in place. Oh, don't worry I'm really not that calm; we still don't have a marriage license yet, I haven't decided on what song to have our first dance to. Thanks to Casey (who I miss a ton) and Shawn, I have decided on the father/daughter dance song: "Daddy's Hands" although "Cat Scratch Fever" was a close second!!! Luckily Marcus outfit still fits and even thought I will not make the diet goal I set for myself, I haven't gained any weight so the dress should still fit!! Although is settling down just fine (for now!!).

The Final Days

25!!! I have 25 more days of single life left. That really doesn't bother me and I kinda like the fact that I'm getting a new last name that will be easier for everyone to say. I'm really worried that I won't have enough food for the people coming. If you've read my other blogs, I still haven't received half of the RSVPS; I asked to have them by August 1st. People think it's not a big deal, but what if I CAN'T FEED EVERYBODY?????? See this is stressing me. I'm also trying to pick a song that isn't to mushy for my Dad and I to dance to. When I called him yesterday, he wasn't even aware that the wedding was this close. I'm beginning to think that I am the only person who thinks this wedding is important!! Anyways he picked sappy songs like "Wind Beneath My Wings" and "Butterfly Kisses". I guess I can live with "Butterfly Kisses".

By the way, my pool is still green, I have 25 days to fix that too!! :-)

It's getting Closer!!!

Yesterday marked the five week mark until the wedding. I've finalized the menu we are doing; got my dress, shoes and undergarmet; ordered the candy for the favors; bought the gifts for the people in the party and even got a hair cut this week. I still need to work on the water bottles for all the out of town guests and resume tanning so I don't look pasty in my dress. I haven't been to BagelHeads since my friend Casey left me and I think I could really use a stress reliever hour or two there. My diet has not been well since the hurricane and althoug I haven't been to the gym in a week, hauling debris must count for something! I had intended to go this AM but Marcus hasn't adjusted to sleeping by himself again and has had me up every night since the power has come back on.

My bridal shower is Tuesday and I don't think anyone besides coworkers are coming. None of my Dad's family is coming to the wedding; I had thought that my Aunt Barbara and Uncle Romeo would come. And to top it off not one gift has come from any of my Aund and Uncles on my Dad's side. They've been mad at thim since the death of my Grandmother in September so I guess they are taking it out on me! Sad, very sad!!

I MADE IT!!!!

Dennis turned a bit and hit the next county over so that we were on the west side of the storm. (This means we were on the less destructive side.) We lost power from Sunday until 8pm last night (Wednesday) and have so little damage that we will not make an insurance claim. We lost a shutter from the front of the house and the porch area must have been hit by a flying limb. None of the trees fell down but there are limbs all over the place. My debris pile covers most of the length of my front yard and of course the pool is green. Our refrigerator gave out in the middle of all this mess. We went and bought a new one but when they came to deliver it, it was too big for the space we've got so when Joe gets off work we'll go pick out another one. We were very lucky. Pensacola Beach took another bad hit so we probably can not include it in any of the wedding plans. I plan on going to pick up my dress today and gifts for the maid of honor and the best man. This wedding business is approaching fast - 37 more days!!!

Dennis

I went to high school with a boy named Dennis Dale Delaney - most people called him Dale. We spent a lot of time together trying to stay out of trouble, drinking and in general just having fun. When I was aggrevated by Dale, I would call him Dennis just to agitate him. Well Dennis is back to agitate me but in the form of a hurricane. I will be leaving here shortley to go back to work. I plan on sleeping there for the next 2 nights and working 12 hour shifts for the next 2 days. Joe, as usual, thinks this possibly category 4 hurricane is no big deal, and plans on staying at the house with Marcus and possibly our nephew, Kris. So I will be about 4 miles away worrying if the backyard trees fell into the pool or the front yard trees fell into the house and are my boys OK, while trying to do my job. Dennis is still aggrevating me!!!

By the way, have I mentioned the wedding is 6 weeks from today?

This will probably be my last blog for a little bit - take care!

Whatever!

I'm trying to recooperate from working a week straight. I had to sit last night and listen all about T.S. Cindy and how T.S. Dennis will be a hurricane when it gets into the Gulf and that it'll probably come right down Palafox Street. WHATEVER!!! I'm so done worrying over hurricanes; if it's coming - bring it on. Just lets get it over. I think I'm starting to get stressed over the wedding so I don't have time to be bothered with hurricanes! I have now gone like 3 days without any RSVP's coming in and I assure you I probably haven't gotten a third of them back yet. Will I have enough $ for food? Do I have enough things for the out of town guests? Where should I plan for everyone to go to eat Friday before the wedding? Will I loose the 8 more pounds I wanted to loose before the wedding?

I think I'm really just over tired and maybe tomorrow won't be so bad!

RSVP

Once again I have been very neglegent in my blogging. If it's an excuse I am in the middle of working like 8-9 days straight! Nothing much new - the wedding is sneaking up on me - 7 weeks from tomorrow; the house work is never ending, although most of the broken tile has been relaced. Had a leak in the pool filter that hopefully Joe has fixed.

Speaking of the wedding I must say this - Joe's family is ridiculous!! I studied and studied on etiquette on how to address invites to include only those you wanted to come. These people are RSVPing for the whole damn family!! I think they think they will be eating high on the hog; boy do they have another thing coming! And even though people have 30 more days to respond - I surely haven't gotten that many. Won't they be surprised when I start calling their houses!!!

Long Time

Well, it's been a long time since I've blogged. I went for a very exhausting week in New York. I spent 4 days with my Dad's new family. I think that was the most exhausting, stressfull part of the whole trip. He has 2 children, 5 & 3, that are so out of control, I wonder if that truley was the same man that raised me. And his wife, who is only 8 years older than me, is just aa spoiled and obnoxious as the kids. To his credit he loves them just as much as he did or does us. I then went to my Aunt's house where my Mom came and we prepared for a surprise 85th Birthday Party for my Grandma. It was very tiring but totally worth the joy it brought her to see us all together.

Now that I'm back home and to work I've realized that the month of June has just about passed me by! I have 8 diet weeks left until the wedding!!!! The trip to NY set me back 3 pounds and I've just made it back to the gym today. The RSVP's are coming in and I'm starting to get more excited and realize how much more needs to be done and how short the $ is running. I'm sure it will all work out in the end.

I talked to Casey yesterday and she sounded wonderful and happing in MI. I wish her the best but I really do miss her. They are talking about starting another stamp class up; it won't be the same without Casey. I'm sure she'll read this soon and know that I miss her bunches!!!

She's COMING!!!

Well as the rest of the Florida Panhandle worries about Tropical Storm Arlene coming our way, I sit blogging thinking off all the things I really need to do. Wash and fold clothes so that I may leave for vacation on Monday, change the bed sheets, pull out the suitcases, etc, etc. Of course vacation pends on Arlene and will work recall me back from my vacation? I'm not worried or paniced like other P-Colians, it's just more rain and wind!

I'm just getting back from my last lunch with Casey and Vickie. It was really hard to say good-bye to a very good friend. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with my days off. For the past couple of years, if I wasn't working with Casey, we were at the gym or at Bagelheads or scrapbooking.

Well, I guess I better go do something before I have to leave for work!

Busy, Busy, Busy

It's been about a week since I've blogged and I really don't have time now because an obnoxious 3 year old is waiting at my elbows to play Thomas the Train!! A week from today Marcus and I will be in NY. It's going to be a busy week; work Mon-Thurs, training class in the am Friday, hopefully time for a last lunch with Casey & Vic and then work paid overtime and work for comp time on Saturday. I guess Sunday I'll wash clothes and pack. I'm really excited to go back home for Grandma's 85th Birthday - she'll be so surprised to see us!!

When Did it Happen?!?!?!

I've come to the conclusion that I'm getting older. I'm not sure when this happened or how. I did a 5k walk on Saturday that I recovered just fine from, or so I thought. I woke up Sunday with an aching foot, which after going to the gym Monday ached a little more and now after going to the gym today is stiff. I'm hobbling around like an old lady! Well than I guess I'll spend the rest of the day scrap booking my Pelican pictures. I really want to have it done to take to NY and before Casey leaves. I'm gonna miss Casey!!

Pool Days

Pool Days
Originally uploaded by JeannineS.

Well, it has been awhile since I've blogged. I've had "pool days". You might think that means laying by the pool, but it really means cleaning the pool and going to Pool School. Joe and I went and learned alot about the upkeep of the pool. Then there was the Pelican game on Friday, working 16 hours on Saturday and well, you know how it goes. I've finally got some time to sit at the computer before I go work out for the morning.

On that subject, since the gym boycott last week, I think I only went 2 days in my diet week and I lost 3 1/2 pounds! So as a compromise between my physical health improving (5 days at the gym) and my mental health (not losing weight because of muscle mass), I think I've found a compromise. 3 days at the gym, 2 of weight training and 1 strictly cardio. I'll try that for awhile and see how it works.

House stress seems to be getting the best of me; I need to let it go. The house is coming alone VERY slowly but surely. Wedding things are going along great also. Next week I'll go see if I can get my dress altered.

I've got to go work out!!

GYM BOYCOTT!!!

I have decided to boycott the gym until Saturday. We'll I'm really only missing today; Thursday and Friday are my off days. I have been going to the gym 5 days a week for about 5-6 weeks and weight wise I haven't really change. Yeah, I know exercise is good for me, I'm building muscle, muscle weighs more than fat...blah, blah, blah! My mental health jus couldn't take it today. Beside I will get Marcus today and we will swim.
Wedding plans are moving along. I have got my shows so now I can find someone to alter the dress. No, we still do not have anyone to officiate the wedding. That's Joe's job and the wedding is only 3 months away, why should he rush? He's only known about for ohhh...for about a year now!
Casey is leaving me soon - I will miss her!!

Thanks to ME who posted on my blog. I think that I have the settings right for everyone to leave comments.

Techno challenged

Well my friend Jennifer called me today and said that she cannot leave me a message on my blog, that I have some sort of block. I can't find where that might be! I always thought that I was fairly "in the know" about web things, but I'm starting to feel very technology challeneged!

Nothing else really new. The latest wedding news is trying to find cheap airline flights for out of town guests - flying into P-Cola is so expensive! I'm hoping ticket prices go down soon!

By the way, work politics really stink! Somedays I feel like a come home with a ton of bricks on my shoulders!

First Try

100_0286
Originally uploaded by JeannineS.

Casey and I had a craft day today. We worked on the center pieces for the tables at the wedding. Since that didn't take too long, she showed be how to upload pictures into my blog. I'll have to take some more and see if I can do it all by myself!

Let me catch you up. I have finally lost another pound for a total of 30 lbs. I still have yard work to do but it is deathly hot today so I don't think I'm going to do it - I'll get back to you on that. Almost all my wedding invitations are done; I have about 35 left to do. Maybe I'll finish them today. So many decisions, such little time!

Sick Day

I have worked at the same job for a little over 4 years. In that time I think I've called out sick once. Today I had to leave sick. I came home, medicated and slept for 5 hours in the middle of the day. I feel like a bum! I didn't go to the gym or the tanning bed. I sat and watched as Joe (finally!!) fixed the lawn mower and took care of the backyard of the Money Pit. It's starting to shape up some.

My brother got married today. I am the eldest of three and will be the last to get married. There are times when this bothers me, but for the most part I know I am a better person for it. I have traveled, partied and lived my life the way I've wanted since I was 24. I have no regrets! I have lived the family life with Joe since March 11th, 2002 and can wait to grow old with him. Maybe we'll even be blessed with one more "Little Ingram".

First Timer

I've decided to create a blog so that I may keep in touch with my friend Casey, who is a blogger, and is also moving. This may also help me "de-stress" as I have just moved into what I affectionatley call the "Money Pit" and I am also planning my wedding. So right now instead of cleaning the pool, mowing the yard, sweeping the house or writing out wedding invitations, I am typing.

I'm also currently attending Weight Watchers. While some people don't like to talk about it, I will gladly tell you that I'm fat but trying my best to become smaller. I've been going for 18 weeks now and have lost 29lbs. I'm bumbed because I have been going to the gym five days a week for four weeks now and I can't get past this little plateau I'm on. I'm going to a meeting tonight where they will tell me I've gained or maintained. (My scale says maintained but you never know!) It's frustrating as all hell!