Rain, rain go away….

… at least tomorrow and the rest of the week. lol  But it looks like the weather man is confirming that's going to be the case, although a bit of a trade with the CHIIIILLLY weather.  No matter… got one of those magic blankets today, queen size to fit the entire bed instead of two throws.  Very soft and gorgeous, and so weeeeird how it keeps in more heat than any electric blanket out there.  Very weird, indeed.  But I LIKE it.  Still, there will be heat at the new house, which we will be in … in less than a week!… in all it's 1940 restored vintage beauty.  I actually like it a bit better than a Victorian.  But here I am, veering a bit off-course. lol

As usual, I'm getting to the ole blog a bit late, and I have an early Dr appt.  So I guess I should take the dog out, wash my face, brush my teeth, and then snuggle under the new blanket….

It's after midnight, after all.  Tuesday.  Tic toc.  T will be here Wednesday evening, possibly Wednesday late afternoon if his work closes early.

Last days in this apartment.  The last days as life as I've known it for so long.  Things are going to be (as they have been now) vastly different.  And in such a wonderful way, too.  What a wonderful and pleasant surprise this has all turned out to be….

We are happy, excited, and we are more than ready for this.

Okay, dreamland…. here I come.  Sooooooo s'eepy!!

P.S. A couple of you know my old Montgomery number is active again, but I've not been carrying both phones with me all of the time.  So use the newer number first, just in case.

G'nite!!

Been a while since I stayed up this late...

…and Siri told me to put my iPhone down and go to sleep. rofl  Yes, mamma Siri!

Honestly, I'm so tired I can barely see the screen as I type.  But hey, I needed to update, so here I am.. updating.  Sort of.

This weekend was SO busy, as anticipated, but much was accomplished.  We're feeling pretty good about that.  Took a nice drive over to Biloxi and hung out with Chris at the Hard Rock, had a long lunch, ate, talked, and gave Chris his Christmas gift early so he could get some much-needed bike stuff.  It was really good that he was sitting down when we handed him the Harley Davidson gift card and told him how much was on it. But you really can't put a price on safety, and he was happy and more than just a little humbled.  We all left happy, full, and feeling like we'd had a great day despite the wicked cold wind.

T had to head back home but will be heading back Wednesday, then it's a little more packing, more so this time just to make the final move (the mover's job) shorter/easier so we can get our stuff 'home' quicker and start this new life. :)  We will have 'some' packing to do, but the hardest part is done, so we get to enjoy the holiday weekend together, be a little lazy, and kick back some, and try to stay warm….

….soon there won't be any more of this freezing in the Winter stuff.

Tomorrow is going to be a bit cold as well, but I have errands to run - flea & HW meds for the critters to pick up, my own Rx's to pick up, maybe grab something hot to eat to bring home, do a little packing, then snuggle under my favorite blanket and watch a few more episodes of Once Upon a Time or maybe a little more of the last season of Dexter.  We'll see.

I suppose to the average person it all sounds so…. ordinary.  But it's very exciting, and T and I are looking forward to getting past all this and enjoying the holidays, and all the rest of the days ahead we'll be sharing together.

As Siri said to me once… "All you need is love and your iPhone." rofl

I'm off to bed…. I have much to do tomorrow.

Nite nite….

Moving is a lot of work. ;p

Got rid of a lot of stuff today I don't need and/or don't want.  I'm not one to keep stuff around just because, nor do I keep things around because I 'might use or need it later.'  I really hate clutter.  So… the de-cluttering was overdue, and today… I began the process with a gusto…

…and I still have a ways to go.

No biggie.

I'm getting there.

Since this is going to be a fresh start, it's really quite easy to lighten things up a bit, taking only those items I really want to take with me… which is a lot, mind you.  Still, there is much that's really not necessary in any way, shape or form.

I'm exhausted.  But at least I have a few days off to recover and finish some of the process, and also to take a few things to the consignment shop here in Mobile.  By the time the movers show up, it will be far easier than first estimated.  AND.. the unpacking process will be easier, too, which is a giant plus.

After all, we are moving in right after Thanksgiving, which means we want the transition to be smooth as possible so we can decorate as soon as the house is put together.

Holidays spent in the new house.  How awesome is that?!? :)  Pretty awesome, I must say.  We're both very excited about this.

"T" is off through the holiday weekend and is using some of his 150+ days of accrued paid leave to help settle in the house.  He will be here the night before Thanksgiving day, and we will have until Sunday evening to just enjoy being together before the movers arrive Sunday to begin the process.  We have a few details to iron out, but the Thanksgiving holiday weekend will be mostly relaxing and enjoyable.  :)

Well, time to run.  Busy day/weekend and now it's time to chill out for a while.

Nite nite….

A little packing, a lot of love, a bit of movie-watching...

Not necessarily in that order. lol  But at least I have several days this week to get a bit of packing done. Yes, yes.. the movers will be doing most of the work, but I can do a lot of this myself and save a good deal of money in the process.  And.. it will help pass the time, too.  :)

On another note…. I was able to go back to the old store today.  And I didn't miss the new one a single bit.  The new one is big and shiny, sure… but I simply like the old one better.  There's just something about it..and the people I work with there.  Anyway, it was a really good day.  My feet are killing me, but I can deal with that.  I mean, imagine how they would hurt if I didn't have these awesome Alegria shoes!  So I'm good.  Tired feet means I put in a good day.  Happy about that.  And I sure hope the Montgomery store I transfer to will be as cool as my 'home' store.  I'm sure it will be.

I also got to see my friend Julia today, surprisingly enough.  She had to resign over a month ago due to her dad's health, so I was surprised to see her today.  Must've been fate, because I'd lost her number and didn't know how to reach her.  It's all good, too, because she often goes to Montgomery, so that means we can hang out.  And I'll be making a trip to Mobile once a month as well, so we can hang out then too.

"I love it when a plan comes together," he says.  And I agree.

"T" should be here shortly, so I'll be cutting this short.  Getting a little chilly in here anyway, so I need to grab my robe and a blanket and warm up a bit.  Wow… just had a thought…. I will be having a Winter with heat!  :-O  How awesome is that?!? :D  Too cool.

Home sweet home.  Us against the world (as we say).  Home.  Warmth.  Love.  And "Everybody happy, happy, happy," as Phil says. (hee).

Nite nite…  or in this case "Forever Midnight."  Man, but this stuff smells good. :)

The closing is done :)

The house is ours. :)

Next is the move.  Wow.  This is really happening.  Still can't believe I'm ending up in Montgomery… the very last place I thought I would end up.  Weird.  Anyway… very exciting stuff.. yay!

So far we have the fridge ordered and ready to deliver next Tuesday, power and gas transferred into his name, water is next, then cable/internet hooked up, then the security system installed.  Already have things in motion for the extra layer of insulation for the attic to be installed, then the last thing on the list will be the fence for the back yard for Julep.  She is SO going to love that!! :D  *arrroooooo!*

Our goal is to be moved in by Thanksgiving.  However, that may be pushing things a bit. lol  But hey, who knows? If not, then most likely early December.  Either way.. it's happening.

So two days at work, then a 3 day weekend to get a few things ready, and a whole lot of relaxing, fun, and sweetness.  :)  Til next time….

nite nite…...

I'm a sleepy, but happy, girl :)

Very tired at the moment, but I'm checking in just long enough to give a brief update.  So much to do still, and not all that much time to do it in.  ***yaaaaawwwwn***  lol

This past weekend was really nice, very relaxing, and though we needed to take care of a few things we had a good deal of time to just kick back and relax.  Honestly, this was much-needed, because there's going to be a LOT to do in the coming weeks with the move and the few things to do with the house.  Buying the fridge is easy since we're simply going with the new appliances already in place and matching it with the brushed stainless steel… which looks absolutely awesome with that black granite countertops… okay.. veered off topic a moment there. ;p  But the point is… we had a peaceful weekend to share, and next weekend to look forward to before things get super busy.

We are both SO incredibly excited about things and having a ton of fun with all of this.  :)

Time to relax and watch some tv.

Nite nite…

:)

Posting through a sleepy mind. lol

But that's okay… could be entertaining.  But I doubt it. ;p

Crazy week.  So much going on that it's hard to keep up with it all.  No time for dieting, but I can pick that up again once the move is made.  Still feels so weird knowing I'll be living in the Montgomery area anyway.  Yes indeed.  Quite weird.  But… live is going to be awesome.  :)

House is closing on the 5th, so shortly after that a date will be set for the movers to come and pack everything up and take it all from A to B.  New fridge will have to go in first, as well as the security system.  Fence for the back yard will follow shortly (Julep is going to love that!), and an extra layer of insulation for the attic for good measure.  We made a unanimous decision against a Victorian and settled on 1940. ;p  Still super awesome, all renovations done before the house was put on the market, so the house is amazing.  Were there other amazing houses we were blown away by?  Absolutely!  But neither of us really wanted a $1500/mo mortgage. lol  Could we do it.  Yep.  Were were willing?  No.  Giant houses are gorgeous, but seriously…. the one we decided on is really, really pretty, and has plenty of rooms to keep up with. lol

Super tired… so this is all I can muster for now.

Nite nite!

"Yes!"

....was my answer to the question.

No explanation necessary.

:)

Post-Birthday, Post-Weekend, Post-Toasties..

*snort*  Just kidding about the Post-Toasties.

Awesome birthday/weekend.  My bday fell on a Thursday this year, so the day itself I spent alone, but I came home from work to find a pretty black box leaning against my door with gold letters spelling "FTD" on the front.  :)  Inside were all sorts of pretty purple roses, white tulip buds, and some other purple flowers, all in a gorgeous glass vase.   Such a sweet and beautiful gesture, one that could have waited til the following day since we had plans for the weekend... but.... the explanation was....

"I wanted you to have something beautiful waiting for you on your birthday."

Aw. :)

It really was an awesome weekend.  Beyond awesome.  Very relaxed.  Very peaceful.  Very chill.  No rush.  No pressures.  No worries.  Just all the good stuff life has to offer.

I'm off this weekend, so there will be even more time for the good stuff.

Yay.  :)

HypoWHAT?

Wow.. lol

So, after a 15 lb loss one month, some strange symptoms (though I've had hints of them in the previous months) made themselves WELL known recently.

Dizziness
Severe sweating
Shaking
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty speaking
Blurred vision
Weakness
Heart racing
Hunger
Sleepiness

It was so bad one day at work that I had to fight the urge to tell my boss that I needed to go home.  I felt like I really needed to lay down, to sleep, right then and there.  Trying to concentrate was near impossible, and worse... trying to hold a conversation with a coworker.  So I thought, because of the hunger (despite having eaten a couple of hours earlier).. maybe I was just hungry.  But it just..felt..wrong, somehow.

I decided to take a break and buy one of those huge MetRx high protein bars.  You know the ones that are basically like a glorified candy bar, packed with sugar.  But hey, it's got protein! lol  Well, within a few minutes I felt better.  After a few more minutes.. completely back to normal.

...But why hadn't the Greek yogurt and piece of fruit worked earlier???  A visit to my neurologist Friday explained it all.  Apparently, I'm now hypoglycemic.

Seems there's a bit of reactive hypoglycemia as well, because sometimes eating makes me dizzy as if I'd just had a couple of shots of alcohol.  Weirdness.

Apparently, until I find the right balance of protein and the right carbs.. it's going to mess with my weight loss (and I've been doing so well!).  But hey, it's just a bump in the road.  No biggie.  I'll whoop this thing in the butt.

Enough of the health update... now onto the post for the good stuff.  :)

Laterz, taterz! ;p

Tired feet and a road trip. Woo hoo and a new shoe (or two!) ;p

Lots of walking and moving and lifting and this, that and the other (as Seinfeld would say).  So much moving and activity that I had to go off the diet for a few days to give my body a rest.  15 lbs in a month was a bit much, 3 lbs in 3 days... way too much.  Needed to get my energy back up to par.

The new store is bigger, and wow... my feet are killing me at the smaller store.  So.. it's time to invest.  And it will be an investment.

This week is the last week at the old location, and the new location is so pretty, and really high tech.  Those of us who are going to the new place are super excited.  What's not to be excited about? :)

Anyway, for now I'll be resting as much as I can, putting my feet up, eating 'skinny' kettle korn and watching movies or netflix.  I have the Walking Dead season 3 to catch up on, "Now You See Me," and a copy of a Scooby Doo Halloween cartoon, as well as a Tom & Jerry Halloween cartoon (that I got from work). lol  Hey.. I'm still child-like when it comes to holidays, and those closest to me happen to like that about me.  I like that about me as well and have no intention of changing. hee ;p  I have a lot of fun and relaxing things to do that will allow me to regroup and recoup.  It's all good.

Next week is the road trip!  Sooooooo looking forward to it. :)  I get to see family, Depeche Mode, stay in a pretty hotel room with a ginormous bed, and take my time getting there and returning---no hurrying.  That will make the trip SOOOO much better than the non-stop round trip my son and I made last time.   And.. this time I have a Garmin GPS system.  It's new, so I guess I had better figure out how to use it before I leave. lol  It's going to be so much fun.  It's kind of a family tradition with my niece and nephew and I (and a friend or two of theirs).  We all meet in Atlanta to see DM.  This time, however, we actually get a little time to hang out as well.  NICE! :D

I may be able to have lunch with a friend on the way back if the timing works out.  But we'll see.

Well, it's almost time for me to leave to go to confession.  Then it's home for a little dinner and to put my feet up and watch a movie or two.  Then off to bed so I can work the last weekend at the old store.  Will need that rest, because next week will have some hours put in before I leave for Atlanta! :)

I. Love. My. Life!  I really do.  :)

*sigh* :)  :)  :)

P.S. I think I need to acquire myself a copy of "Warm Bodies."  I think that has to one of be THE cutest and funniest zombie movies I've ever seen. lol  Love it.

No turning back....

...and I don't want to...

Every day of late, I'm amazed.  I'm amazed at the blessings, the sweetness, the joy, the tenderness, the compassion, the love, and the miracles in my life.  So many reasons to smile...

After a long 9 day stretch at work, and a very physically demanding long stretch at that, I end this 9 days with a 4 day weekend, two of which will be spent in a little slice of heaven.  I'm extremely excited, and still incredibly overwhelmed by all the 'new' going on here.. but oh so very grateful.

It's 10:11 pm and I am utterly exhausted.  Of course I am a bit physically exhausted, but everything I am on the inside is thriving and radiant.  It's good to feel this way after so long.  Honestly, I wasn't sure I would even remember how this feels.  And yet, here I am... feeling it in everything that I am, inside and out.  Tired or not.... I feel wonderful.

I.  Love.  My.  Life.

There's something beautiful brewing here...

I sure wasn't expecting this...

But.. I'm sure glad it happened. :)

More later on this very unexpected turn in my life.

...happy (and very surprised) girl.

Ticking off the days... road trip...

One month away.  It's almost time.  Long-awaited concert.  Getting to see family.  And a dear friend.  The theme of this event..... catharsis.

I had to explain catharsis to a friend today.  She really didn't understand until I put it into context.  But, what I'm facing in Atlanta is going to be just that.  It's kind of cool, actually, this smallish family reunion, getting to see my favorite band, visiting a friend, all of this as a birthday gift... well, it's like life.. set to music.

Catharsis: "A release of emotional tension, as after an overwhelming experience, that restores or refreshes the spirit." What a perfect description.  And I will walk away from the experience, changed.  I'm more than good with that.  I'm welcoming the change with wide open arms.

"All of my best friends live everywhere else."

As best friends go, I have....One in California.  One in Maryland.  One in GA.  The one in GA I'm getting to meet up with, and in fact.. this friend is the one who gifted the concert and all the amenities as a birthday present.  After 10 years I suppose I shouldn't be surprised by the unexpected, and this time I actually get a visit too!.. which is the best part of the gift.

I am SOOOOO excited, 2 1/2 days in Atlanta, beautiful hotel room, family, a sweet friend, Depeche Mode... beyond awesome!

Ever seen someone really pale blush?....

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And there I was in front of God and everybody.....   *snort*

No really.  It began something like this....

"Bless me, Father, for I have sinned...."

Oh yeah.  And it was a face-to-face confession.  I mean, I was the ONLY one there, other than the Priest, and Fr. Dan walked right past me.  I mean... seriously, at that point the confessional was pointless. lol

Don't get me wrong, I prefer face-to-face confessions.  But some confessions.....

And it wasn't anything 'that' bad, but I could feel the heat all the way up to the tops of my ears! Seriously.

(shut up, brain)

Good thing I go to confession every week!
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It is... interesting

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How I became completely distracted.
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Now... how the heck did that happen?
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The reason I am Catholic....

And I hung out with a friend tonight who gets this.  :)

A soulful night in downtown Mobile

I had SUCH an awesome night!  A friend and I went to Heroes in Downtown Mobile, then to the Saenger Theater to see Eric Essex and Roman street!  Smoooooooth Jazz.  So awesome!  And as it turns out, my friend actually went to high school with Eric Essex and kept saying, "I went to HS with an Eric Essex. This guy looks a little like him."  So I said.. "Go ask him!" My friend finally did ask, and it was the same Eric Essex.  hahahaha.  How cool is that?  Someone was a VERY happy camper to reconnect with an old friend, and to hear that old friend play some incredibly awesome music.  These guys are pretty big too in the world of Jazz.

We had so much fun, and the Saenger is SUCH a gorgeous old building, breathtaking.  We didn't have enough time to enjoy ArtWalk beforehand, but.. there's always next month.

Awesome, awesome, AWESOME night.

Busy day delays....

Just a re-post from the other blog, for those who read only one....


Busy, busy day.... didn't get everything done.  Tomorrow it's a movie, dinner, whatever other adventure... so I may not be able to get on that update until tomorrow afternoon, or very late tomorrow... Saturday at the latest.   But I will....

...it's a moral imperative.

Til then, sleep awaits.  Much-needed sleep....

It's time (Well, almost)

Well, I know out of the two or three people I gave links to my blogs... you guys often don't view all.. so.... here's a heads-up before I head to bed for the evening (have to get up early for work).

You guys know what I mean when I say "It's time," because most of you have said that to me many times.  It's time for me to address things that I've previously thought I would just let fade away.  Well, they don't just fade away if I don't address them, and if I don't address my feelings about said things.  More on the details later.

I'm sufficiently fed up.  You know what I mean by that, and it will be cleared up tomorrow sometime.  But until then....

I'm off to bed to listen to music, hopefully sleep well and wake up early and get to work.  I have to admit.. it's nice not to have to drive clear across town to get to work these days.  But then, I'm still looking for a second job anyway. At least until I can figure out how to schedule in classes, etc.  Yes, yes... one step at a time.

Until tomorrow....

Good night.....  or Good morning/afternoon to one of you. lol ;p

EEKAB00 is no more. :)

Out with the old, and in with the new. And this fits me and my car far better. :)

What love REALLY is

O Sanctissima (Songs of Praise)

MY ASS IS A B*ITCH (Daily Grace) LOL

After the long wait....

Whew... got home after 3am and didn't sleep very well.  But at least THAT part is done.  Not a vascular issue, so at least we can check that one off the list.  Next in line.... lymphatic system.  *sigh* this one is gonna suck.

But hey... still losing weight like crazy!

Here again...the long wait

And I really hope they release me to go home tonight. Hopefully just an ultrasound and a follow up with the old PC doc. Who knows. At least I got to visit  Kathy first, so that was awesome. She got a spa treatment from me, but since I had to go to the ER I couldn't read her the daily readings from the Magnificat. I will owe her one. :) I'm so glad she's coming along. 

HELLYEAH - Better Man

My sons posted this to me on FB today....

The Reason...

Today...

Stranger....

Friday night part II -- Lonely is such a familiar feeling

It's quiet in my apartment.  Most of the time I don't mind, and these days I tend to believe I'm actually acquiring a taste for quiet... and isolation.  This has been coming for some time, and it's not that I WANT to be this way.  I don't.  I just don't know how to stop feeling that way.

I've had two hospital stays since late January.  My middle son and the priest from my parish were the only people who came to see me.  This last time my son could only make it once, to stay one night and return to work the following day.  He had to, and I didn't want him to miss work and not have his rent, etc.  I was okay with that.  And it was SUCH a blessing that Fr. V. came to see me.  I did first confession in the hospital, received a healing anointing, and communion.  So it's not like I'm saying all was awful.

But a lot of it was.

The room I was put in looked hastily put together, pretty ragged compared to the other rooms on the floor.  Maybe they just didn't have enough room for everyone.  But it made things so depressing, really.    And I kept the tv off most of the time... slept mostly.  I was very exhausted in the days following the TIA.  Still, it was incredibly lonely.

Even the night I went to the hospital in the ambulance, a so-called 'friend' was there but just said to call her and let her know how things are.  The ambulance headed to the ER, my friend headed home.  She lives about 3 minutes from the hospital.  Oh well.

It was a lonely experience, and rather scary this time.  I had no idea what had happened to me, but it was the second time in my life that I ever wanted to dial 911.  I couldn't walk, much less think or drive. I was scared, and that doesn't happen often to me.  Not like this anyway.

It's been hard just doing ordinary daily tasks.  After I got home from the hospital I had to struggle just to do what needed to be done, being careful not to fall due to the awful dizziness, so short of breath that I had to gasp for air to do the smallest thing, breaking down now and then because I felt I couldn't keep up the pace.  But I pushed on... somehow.

I realize often that the ONLY reason I'm still in Mobile, AL is because of my church.  I LOVE my church.  My son's live far away (CA, CO.. the closest in MS) and the one closest has to work 2 jobs to just get by.  But I don't want to move to MS again.  I didn't like it the first time.  So once again I'm wondering "where is home?"

And please spare me the "home is where you make it" stuff.  I'm sorry, but people who say that have family and friends nearby who care about them, reach out to them and let them know they're loved and being thought of.

I'm worn out.  So sick.  So tired of not feeling good (to put it mildly).  So many things out of my control.  And so doggone lonely.

And yay.. now I have a horrible cold on top of everything else, and I'm unable to take anything for it due to some of the medications I'm on.  :/  Too sick to go to the store for Mucinex, the only thing I CAN take.... I'm miserable. :(

This invisible girl really needs to get a life.