"STRANGER IN THE MIRROR"

I'M BAAACK!

I know, I know, I said I was on vacation and would not be doing this blogging thing. I wanted to enjoy my vacay and do fun things. Not things that require thinking and consuming copious amounts of alcohol, while thinking.

Hey, I can change my mind. Right?

I wanted to try and figure out all the new stuff on typepad. I wanted to conquer these computer demons. I want to be able to just post and have the font be all the same. You know, the simple things. So, here I am again.

I did spend the day painting doors and planting flowers. I went to my "happy place" for a short while.

Now I am back here to figure out what in the hell happened to my typepad. They went all technical and stuff on me. So, you folks are my babbling experiment. Come on, just play along for a few verses.

Thanks Sandi and Tug for the comments. Tug, you are too much. Always caring about others, even when your own "shitstorms" are going on. One of these days sister, my crazy self will be tripping out your way to introduce myself properly. I'm really not all that crazy. Maybe!

Sandi, I'm afraid at the present time you are just a wee bit too hot of an area for me to visit. Never say never though, cause it could happen.

When I type, everything seems all normal. When I hit publish is when all hell breaks loose. Different fonts, crazy symbols, etc. I'm serious, I WILL CONQUER THIS! Maybe.

Already there are 2 different fonts and I'm not even done yet.

OK, I will be done now because we have a HUGE thunderstorm coming. Yes, I can hear it. Enough for today. I'll try some more tomorrow.

Thanks for letting me vent. I've only just begun!

Honestly, this sucks! I feel like a complete idiot.

 

IT'S FUN TO POST.....NO?

I have not posted in quite awhile, apparently! They have changed typepad and now I'm having to relearn everything all over again. Those of you that have been paying attention know that I don't do real well with computers!

I need some more stress in my life. I can't even come here to my site and type a very simple, "Hi how have all of you been". Not so much!

Just wanted to wish everyone a safe and Happy 4th of July.

I start my vacation this week and have sooo much to do.

I've been reading all your blogs, keep them coming. I'll be back in the swing of things......someday!

So far, so good.  I'll figure it all out eventually. I hope! In the meantime, enjoy, don't drink too much, or drink lots.

Whatever you do, don't drink and drive. M'kay?

MY GIRLS RULE...........

Yes they do! They did the 10 mile run today for cancer! 10 whole miles. I'm so proud of them. Hey, I'm thinking I couldn't run 2 miles for anybody.

Well, maybe 2 miles, but not running. Walking might work.

Anywho, they ran, the whole entire way. They did it in 1 hour and 21 minutes too. How great is that? I know, it's awesome.

You guys rock!

I GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS..

Thank you! Thank You! All of you.

I'm still here, I'm fine, as I can be, and life does go on. Honestly, true story, it really does.

The hubs is not doing all that well, it isn't something that was not expected, but hey, he is still here and what the hell? Life's a bitch and well, you know the rest.

I'm serious when I say Thank you so very much. My heart is overflowing with love. You guys really are the best and I really do appreciate your comments. It means alot!

I'll be back soon.

I'm now dog sitting for a new neighbor, why yes, I do have shit for brains, who wants to know? Let's just call it a warm and wonderful diversion, shall we? OK, then just humor me.

Until then.....keep us in your prayers or thoughts.

Thanks!!!

RANDY PAUSCH DOESN'T LIVE HERE..........

Why yes I do still have a blog.  It's just not being used lately.  I digress.

There has been a lot going on here in the Stranger's world. A LOT!

In addition to the normal shit ordinary stuff that happens day-to-day, the hubs brain cancer has returned.  There aren't too many options left at this point so we just take it one very long day at a time, if you get my drift.

I'm still working, not sure how much longer.  It's hard going in every day wondering what I might find at the end of my day waiting for me at home.  I know, I'm being very selfish. Hey, don't judge, I really need  the diversion that my job brings.  It's OK, you can call me selfish,  I really don't care. I am.

Work has become my normalcy, my safe haven if you will.  They know me there, they are very much aware of my situation and they take good care of me.  Yes, I already said I'm selfish.  I  am!  I have to be at this point.

Getting back to Randy.  I'm sure by now every one has heard or seen Randy Pausch.  He has been on You Tube, Primetime, Oprah and everywhere. He is dying as well.  He however is choosing a different path.  He has very young children and therefore has chosen the positive approach.  The  Stranger's hubs is choosing the  on so very negative one.  Mad or angry at everyone around him.  Not one person is exempt.  Hey, I'm not judging, I'm just saying, Randy  wouldn't want to doesn't live here.  I'm not exactly sure what I would or would not do if I were in hubs shoes.  I refuse to judge.

The whole thing just got me to thinking about how we are all wired.  The whole  "glass is half full vs.  half empty" thing.  I'm thinking it is either how we are born or raised.

I've had a rather shitty unusual upbringing. My mother was an alcoholic,  I'm just happy to have a place to sleep at night and the hubs had a rather conventional upbringing.  Mother and Father  albeit hostile towards one another in tact raising the kids. Married for a bazillion years only parted by death.  Hubs had dinner on the table, me,  mustard on bread sandwiches were the norm. Go figure. I turned out to be the annoying cheerleader. Yay rah, cancer, who cares, it has been three years, we can beat this. Hubs finds me rather annoying at this point in his life. Go figure. I refuse to make apologies to anyone. Until you are six feet under dead, I'm cheering and make that very loud. I choose life. Unless and until I find out otherwise.

Then along comes Randy Pausch. He has this awesome attitude about living and dying and OMG unless you live under a rock I don't have to tell you. The man is my hero, my inspiration, I'm building me some safety nets for my already grown children.

The hubs, he isn't buying into any of it. It has been all doom and gloom. That is where I am now. That is why I have been absent. I've been doing some thinking. Lots of it. I still choose life. I'm sorry, call me an asshole idiot, but hey as long as you wake up each and every morning, you are still alive, right? I thought so. Might as well make the best of it.

At any rate it is going to be a long and winding road. Rocky too, so bear with me while I travel on this journey. I'm here, positive, still reading all my blogs and loving them as always.

I'll keep you posted. Good news or bad, I'll post it. Oh, and when you pray each night think of us if you don't mind. I could use a few of those.

Thanks, you guys still rule!

CHINESE FIRE DRILL

Yes, that would be my life the last couple of months.

It just seems that there is always some drama. I'm sure that in my other life I didn't have enough. Payback is never pretty.

I need to get out of this cold weather because I do think that I currently have brain freeze.

I'm usually an unflappable kind of gal and lately the smallest thing has me in a tizzy. Are those really words? Who cares, they are now.

I've managed to read all my blog favorites but have a small problem responding because I'm not able to figure out the whole blogger, Google, or normal code words. It's a conspiracy I tell ya. I know I have a Google account but it isn't my "Chris" name and I just get all frustrated and have to try 900 a few things and well, patience is not a virtue I possess these days. So I just get pissed off angry at myself and figure screw it, no comment. I'm there, but not really. Or am I here but not really? Who cares.

I can't seem to get out of my own way. Not to worry, spring is coming and no one has had me committed to an institution yet.........so life is good. No?

It's Thursday and we all know that Friday follows and wheeeee the weekend is here.

I've got my Lil younguns' coming to spend Saturday night and all will be right with the world! We do know that "children will can lead us out of our doldrums" or pretty much anything.

Here's hoping that all of you have an awesome weekend and that there will be no snow involved. Enough already with the snow! I get it, I really do, it's winter.....But Please! Enough already. M'Kay.....

Thanks!!!

Touch Me! I Am Real...

OMG...I am alive and have been real busy. Sorry, sorry, I swear the crap that has been going on around me has been just that.....CRAP.

I am here and I will return soon.

I'm still stalking reading blogs and working.

Not much else...Just D-R-A-M-A!!! This is my life right now. What can I say?

Not too much........Nuff said!

Be back soon.

HAPPY...HAPPY...BIRTHDAY TO MY FRIEND KATHY!!!!! Miss you girl!

I'M OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD!

OK............so maybe not the wizard. I'm not saying I couldn't use a new brain or perhaps some courage, but that would be a whole other post! We don't want to go there right now.

Instead we will go to the happy place. Everyone knows that Disney world is the happiest place on earth. Not that I'm really going to Orlando for Disney, but I'll be real close by.

I might even get on a ride or two. Who knows. Keeping my options open.

We are off at the ass crack of dawn bright and early. I'm not even packed yet. Truth be told, I'm not sure what to bring. I'll have to do some more thinking.

You guys keep writing. I'll be home Sunday afternoon and I'll be running right for my blogs to read. Now do not disappoint me. M'kay?

Be good while I'm gone. Don't do anything I wouldn't. That leaves you open to just about anything! Be good anyway.

I'll miss you guys. Wish you could all come.....;)

FEELIN' THE LOVE.....

Seriously, you guys rock!

Thanks for all the words of encouragement. 

The cold, nose, thingy seems to be better. I look like someone dragged me across carpeting on my face, other than that it's all good!

I made it through one hellacious day of Monday  work and I'm still here and even blogging. Life is good I tell ya.

I broke down and asked the Doc today what I could possibly do to stop the drip of the nose and remove my head from the vise. Hopefully without too many meds and basically it's a good ole' common upper respiratory thing and medicated or not we are talking 7 to 14 days.  Yuck! It has to run its course.

The new mucinex dm is supposed clear up the nose clogging. We'll see. I'm actually going to break down and try some.

I just don't want my head to explode when the plane takes off. It is what it is.

All in all I really can't complain. Just slap me for whining, it's a damn head cold and not some life altering experience.

Thank you, all of you for taking the time to post a comment. That alone makes one feel better. I swear, it really does.

I've been reading, not commenting too much. It's a pain to have to think. I stalk read and then read some comments and keep moving. Blog to blog. I'm a real junkie.

I really must get my own blog in order. Change things up a bit over here. It's harder with typepad. Choices are limited and it is like being behind the iron curtain. They make things tough to add. I'm learning and if I wasn't so afraid of losing the whole blog, I'd do so much more. Ack, I'll get there. I know, I say that all the time.

I'm off to lala land, another busy day tomorrow and packing too.

Looking forward to getting "out of dodge" for awhile. Change of scenery. It has been a strange couple of months over here.

Thanks again!!! You guys are truly awesome.

SICKY, SICKY, sort of...

When I got home Friday I was feeling like absolute shit a little punk. Not achy or anything, just not quite right. I don't get sick......evaaa. Do you hear me? I work with sick people all day long and I'm pretty lucky, for the most part.

The problem is, I'm leaving for Florida for 5 days on Wednesday, WTF, now I'm not well. If only I didn't have to breathe. My nose is running like a faucet and the whole breathing through the mouth thingy is really a pain.

Did I mention that I also don't take medicine. No, I'm not holistic or anything, just don't like meds. I figure that things will run their course, in due time. Don't want to be all drugged up.

Do you feel sorry for me yet? I didn't think so. It's all good, I don't feel sorry for me either. This too shall pass.

Moving on.

I was watching the weekend edition of the Today show yesterday and I was shocked at how the interviewers do not let people talk. Well, they let them talk, but they keep interrupting them. I honestly got so annoyed I could no longer watch. I mean c'mon now, let them explain their product, story, or whatever. Shut your mouth, it is not polite to interrupt people. Sheesh, didn't your mothers teach you anything.

It's no secret around here that I read quite a few blogs. I love it, have my favorites, and I would miss any one of you who decided to no longer blog. Are you hearing me Gina? You do not have to blog every single day. I know you are busy, you have a small child, and another writing gig. However, you may not leave, I will miss you. So stick around for awhile, m'kay? Thanks, I knew you would understand.

That goes for the rest of you as well. You know who you are, read the sidebar.

Alrighty then, enough said. I think I'll go blow my nose some more and watch Amazing Race and Brothers & Sisters.