Happy Thanksgiving!!

Its a chilly 26 degrees this morning in the capital city of Florida this morning (that's Tallahassee for those who don't know their state capitals)..and I am loving it! There is frost everywhere and all the people are wearing winter coats and gloves. It's been a while since I posted last, but not much has happened.

Work is the same, not much going on there. My nephew started a new day care and is very happy. His mom is happier because he goes to sleep by 9:00 pm and sleeps through the night, whoohoo! Connor and his dad (Sean) are going to go with Dr. Grate on a camping trip this weekend for a father/son thing. Connor is so excited he can hardly wait. Diane is looking forward to it because she will have some peace and quiet at home! Ha!! We are hoping to catch Glenn Beck at Books A Million on Saturday. Hopefully it won't be too crowded.

I'll be doing some gift wrapping and more Christmas shopping this weekend too! All in all, it will be a productive time, but busy all the same. I have three houses to clean on top of it. I'm sure I will post after the holiday weekend.

Other than that I will wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and will leave you with the following Thanksgiving proclamation by Ricard Nixon. To me it seemed to parallel our times today and somehow fitting words we should really think about.

PROCLAMATION 3944, THANKSGIVING DAY, 1969.BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, A PROCLAMATION On October 3, 1863.

President Abraham Lincoln invited his fellow citizens to "set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of Thanksgiving…" This was the year of the battle of Gettysburg and of other major battles between Americans on American soil. To many, this call for a national day of Thanksgiving must have seemed strange, coming as it did at a time of war and bitterness.Yet Lincoln knew that the act of thanksgiving should not be limited to time of peace and serenity. He knew that it is precisely at those times of hardship when men most need to recognize that the Source of all good constantly bestows His blessings on mankind. Today, despite our material wealth and well-being, Americans face complex problems unknown before in our nation’s history. In giving thanks today, we express gratitude for past bounty and we also confidently face the challenges confronting our own nation and the world because we know we can rely on a strength greater than ourselves.This year, let us especially seek to rekindle in our respective hearts and minds the spirit of our first settlers who valued freedom above all else, and who found much for which to be thankful when material comforts were meager. We are, indeed, a most fortunate people. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, in consonance with Section 6103 of Title 5 of the United States Code designating the fourth Thursday of November in each year as Thanksgiving Day, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 27, 1969, as a day of national thanksgiving. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of November, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred sixty-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-fourth.

RICHARD NIXON.

Life, Liberty & the Pursuit....

So here it is, another election day, can you believe its been 4 years already? I'm excited because I have the opportunity to vote, on the other hand is my feeling of absolute dread. I am not fond of either candidate. I have my reasons and they are good ones, however, it has become an issue where you have to choose the lesser of two evils, and well, that's not much of a choice is it? Anyway, I did my civic duty and voted early, no way was I waiting in line and I didn't get very good vibes voting on the big day either.

Be that as it may, no matter who is elected, there is going to be some hell raising going on. Both parties will sic their lawyers on the states and contest. I only hope that people don't totally lose their minds and do anything stupid. I guess one thing that really bothers me about the election this year, was that there wasn't any equal coverage by the media. Yeah, they said that wasn't true, but it was pretty obvious to me and others. Also, I love how other countries beg the American people to vote for one individual over another. Look, you aren't American citizens, if you want to vote, then drag your butt over here and go through the process of legalizing yourself so you can. Otherwise, keep you opinions to yourself. I have enough crap being thrown in my face 24/7 by my own countrymen without getting it long distance too. Okay, stepping off soapbox.

On that note, Happy Election Day! Hope it turns out well and God Bless America!!

My High School Musical (aka Life)

I know, two posts in one day, what is the world coming too? I must say this is not my fault. It's all Whitney's doing. She suggested I answer the following questions about high school. Forgive me for any misinformation or for forgetting anything. It has been 14 years! So here it goes (I hope your happy with yourself Whitters...just kidding!!).


1. Did you date someone from your high school? Nope, I avoided high school boys like the plague.

2. What kind of car did you drive? No car in high school, too poor, I caught a ride or got one, sometimes we walked.

3. Most embarrassing moment of high school? Hmmm..pretty much all of it.

4. Were you a party animal? No.

5. Were you considered a flirt? Definitely not.

6. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? Not in high school. I was in chorus in Jr. High.

7. Were you a nerd? Kinda.

8. Were you on any varsity teams? No

9. Did you get suspended/expelled? No, I was too smart to get caught at anything, plus I was a teachers pet.

10. Can you still sing the fight song? Unfortunately yes. Four years of hearing it will ingrain itself in your brain.

11. Who were your favorite teachers? Mr. Ackerson, Ms. Cullum, Ms. Cooper, Ms. Farrell, and Mr. Sawyer...go figure, all of them English or History teachers!

12. Where did you sit during lunch? We sat at the sidewalk in front of the gym, then it moved to the auditorium, senior year I ate in Ms. Cullum's class and watched Fawltey Towers while we ate.

13. What was your school's full name? Seminole High School

14. School Mascot? Seminoles

15. Did you go to Homecoming and who with? I didn't attend homecoming, I was working.

16. If you could go back and do it again, would you? Heck to the no!!

17. What do you remember most about graduation? People that I went to school with for four years and never spoke to me all decided to finally say hi and good luck.

18. Where did you go on Senior Skip Day? To school, they really nailed you if you didn't show up that day, wouldn't accept a parent excuse either!

19. Were you in any clubs? No

20. Have you gained weight since then? Like I'd tell you that!! Get real...lol.

21. Who was your prom date? Again, didn't attend, money went to the household, not a prim dress.

22. Going to 10 year Reunion? Already passed and I didn't go. Maybe I'll go to the 20th.

23. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself? I'd give myself some serious stock tips!

Far Away But Not Forgotten....

The other night I was fortunate enough to catch up with one of my friends in Indiana (hey Pam!!). Although things have been going a bit rough for her lately, she is always a hoot to talk to when we get on the line together. She's become quite the entrepreneur with her Pampered Chef parties too, so I raise my glass to her and her "keep on keeping on" attitude.

However, after we spoke it made me a bit misty-eyed for some of my other friends there and around the globe. Although I don't get to speak to them or write all that often, doesn't mean they are forgotten or out of my thoughts. So to everyone in the following states: Indiana, Georgia, Illinois, Utah, Texas, Delaware, Maryland, Nevada, California and Alabama...Hey I miss you guys!!! Same goes for my friends in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Japan.

I will really try to do better in keeping contact, but as everyone knows, its not easy.

Best of love to everyone from me!

Birthday Wishes and Mr. Big Dreams....

This past Saturday was my cousin Tracy Lane's birthday. So, in cahoots with my sister Diane, we held a little surprise party for her. We had all of her favorite foods, basically Mexican, with lots of queso dip and nachos on top. The piece d resistance was the birthday cake. Do you know she always wanted a Barbie cake but never got one? Well this year she got it and maybe more than she bargained for. See, we asked for a brunette barbie to put on the cake. When we got it home to put the final pieces on the cake, the Barbie was brunette, but she was also black. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the whitest girl on the face of the planet had a black birthday Barbie cake. We all about died laughing. She thought it was great and insisted on taking her home. Her gifts included Sex and the City the Movie and the Sex and the City soundtrack. She loves Mr. Big! So all around it was a success, maybe I should start doing this for a fee...hhmm...maybe not!

I've posted pictures that we took. It wasn't much, but she and the kids had a really good time playing with the balloons too!

Goldenrod...sniff

As much as I enjoy the fall weather, there are some drawbacks. One is goldenrod. Yep, its blooming big time and my nose is letting me know it. Sniffles and sneezes abound here in our office thanks to my allergic reactions to that lovely plant, along with the regular dust, pine and juniper. Its bad enough that I want to rip my nose off and throw it out my drivers side window while cruising down the road doing 60. I feel about as much like for my nose as Lorena Bobbit did for a certain aspect of her husband and you see how that turned out. Not a pretty picture I can guess. :-)

So I hope that with plenty of pharmaceutical assistance and a very hot shower, I will be able to drown out these terrible allergies that keep attacking me at will. Makes me wish I were in a dry desert area with not trees or plants...but I guess since I am allergic to dust I would still have a problem. Ah well, its this or living in a bubble. Which is not an option!

So to all of you out there that are like me and are allergically challenged, I tip my hat to you and wish you good luck. To all of the rest of you..*%$#@. Just kidding...

Happy October

Ahh October, a lovely month I must say...and I do (LOL). The temperatures are dropping, the leaves are changing a teensy bit. People are jogging outside and having get togethers around the grills in the parks. You can smell the charcoal on Saturday game days..early in the morning too!

It's also close to Halloween, the day of ghosts and goblins and children running about the neighborhoods at night yelling Trick or Treat! The stores are beginning to stock their shelves with all sorts of decorations and goodies for all to enjoy. I love the holidays and this time of year. Makes me want to bake. Yes, bake. It must be that change in weather and the fact that I feel I should be doing something! I am trying to hold back the urge, but lets face it. Some time in the near future, a matter of weeks actually, I will spend an entire weekend baking cookies, cakes and breads. The people at my office will be happy I am sure, as well as my family. We love to eat it, but rarely have the time to make it. I guess its just the homebody in me to enjoy doing something like it.

Not much is happening this week except the same old thing different day routine. I went to Chuck E Cheese last night with my nephews and it was so much fun watching them play the games and eat their pizza while watching the "band". I got a few photos of course. I also learned that I suck at those kids games I used to be so good at when I was little. Skeet ball? No such luck for me, I barely got any tickets! LOL.

Anyway, I am getting into the spirit of the holiday season and am looking forward to decorating the office on Halloween. It will be spooktacular...mwah ha haha ha! Alright, obviously it is still to early in the morning for that! So I will leave it with you until I write again!