Day 243

What a difference a day makes in the weather. It is cold, cloudy and rainy. Last night I found myself closing all the doors and windows. I even made Michael go downstairs and find the nice warm thick quilt DK gave me. (Thanks Son)

Not much else going on today. I have paperwork to fill out and laundry to finish. Hold back the excitement.

Big Hurricane Earl is ready to make landfall. He's gonna slap the Carolinas pretty bad and leave a big mess when he leaves. I hope everyone remains safe.

Day 242

Long day at work. Still not 100% well. But I made it through it.

Perfect 70 degree weather today. This is why we love the Northwest. They are predicting rain for the next 2 days, but, not like what the Carolinas are going to get with Earl knocking on their door.

Michael and Chris went to meet Bernie to advise her on some more things to purchase for her new computer. They may be going up to the lake - not sure yet. But we are having tacos when they return home. I am also making my raspberry jello that is one of my favorite things. The one where you whip cool whip and frozen raspberries into the jello. We usually only have it on Thanksgiving, but, I'm breaking tradition.

Made a deal with Comcast (ie: the Devil) today. We get to keep all that we have now and the price goes down to around $160.00 per month from the $253.00 per month we are paying now. This will last 1 year and its a promotion and not a contract. We thought about doing the Qwest/DSL option, but, just hate the thought of the 2 year commitment.

DVR happenings: Tonight is 2 episodes of Hardcore Pawn. Can you imagine running a pawn shop in Detroit?

Day 241

Michael and I had Sunday plans, but, those were dashed because of a call from the lake for a computer install job. I really wasn't feeling up to going. So here I am with time on my hands.

I drove out to Airway Heights and had a pedicure at Royal Nails with Vu. Really nice leg massage. I should really do the massage thing more often. While I was there I got the few things we needed.

Started to cloud up this afternoon and the temps are so mild. I am loving it.

Day 240

The same old health problems keep dogging me. Time to really confront the doctors and conquer this once and for all.

Same financial woes keep following us too. Time for a new start!

I hate the fear mongers. You know, the Sarah Palin's and the Glenn Beck's. Crazy as loons. I do not have time to waste on them here in my life.

Instill kindness wherever you go and leave places better than you found them.

Day 239

Called into work sick.

Day 238

I was sent home sick from work today. No strength to sit up and post anything longer.

Day 237

Day 236

It's funny how days seem to slip by so fast, except when you are waiting for a needed payday to come.

Today just dragged by. I was sick last night, but, once I got that out of my system I seemed to sleep very sound. But I did wake up at 4:00, so now at 4:32 in the afternoon I am very sleepy.

It is so beautiful today, but, tomorrow it is supposed to heat back up to 90 degrees. I hate hot weather. I hate using air conditioning, but the dogs need it to be cool in the house. Bright side is by the weekend back to cool.

Hope everyone is enjoying the end of summer and the full moon madness.

Day 235

It was another busy Monday. I went home at lunch and helped Michael put spaghetti together for tonight's dinner.

Nice dinner and Chris & Angel joined us. Now I'm full and tired waiting for the full moon to rise.

Day 234

Sprinkles and coolness again this morning. Feeling more like fall than August.

I changed my mind yesterday and took myself to the movies instead of the festival. I had a gift card from last Christmas to use. I chose the movie Eat Pray Love. It was a good movie. Not a great movie that will stay with you forever...but good. I could not believe how much I had to pay for parking! It was $8 but got a $1 off from my ticket stub. No wonder the downtown mall had very little people walking around. And also no wonder I found a parking spot next to the elevator door.

When Michael got home I made steaks for dinner and we watched some movie about gang banger living in New Jersey.

I wasn't feeling like myself all day yesterday, so I went to bed early and slept well. Hopefully today I will feel more like myself.

TV Land: Goodbye Harold Dow from 48 hrs fame. You were awesome.

True Blood tonight. Will Bill tell her Sookie has fairy blood in her? I see in real life they got married over the weekend. 3 more episodes left.

I am not sure if I am going to watch Swamp People (Louisiana reality Show) tonight or not.

Yay! Michael Vick's show is cancelled!! Good golly it's gone!!

Day 233

I awoke to cloudy skies and the spattering of sprinkles. I even heard a little thunder. It won't last long and a beautiful day will emerge.

The plans so far is that I want to go to this little festival called Unity in the Community. When I worked at Pitney I used to volunteer and work their booth. I also worked a political booth here and there. I haven't been in years, so, it will be fun to see how it has grown.

Day 232

Happy Friday! The weather is nice and cool. I even thought about closing the slider in the office this morning because the breeze was a little brisk.

Roger, Yay so now it begins or Ugh so now it begins. I'm still betting on you. I wish you guys would join facebook so it would be easier to send notes back and forth. Think about it, okay?

I wanted to write more this evening but I am bone weary tired. Maybe in the morning.

Day 231

Mother Nature flipped the switch and now instead of the intense heat we are in the low 80's with a nice breeze. Perfect, heading for a great weekend.

It is so slow at work. Sure hope it picks up. I met Michael at Kim's Teriyaki on Garland for lunch. I ordered the Tempura combo. She brought out a plate of deep fried things, like carrots, tomatoes, mushrooms, onion rings and a few shrimp. Tempura is suppose to be light batter. It was good, but, did not look like the picture or description on the wall.

TV Land: Kat Von D and Jesse James? Can we say skanky? Definitely won't last.

Watched the last episode of Billy the Exterminator where they took the trip to the Gulf. Seeing all the oil made me mad all over again. Does anyone else get mad when they watch the BP commercials where they are patting themselves on the back telling what a great job they are doing cleaning up the Gulf? I just want to scream, "Stop patting your self on the back! If you hadn't made the mess - you wouldn't have had to clean it up." As Chris Rock would have said, "What do you want a cookie for doing what you're suppose to be doing?"

Other news: Goodbye Laura "pretend dr skanky" Sloss...Freedom of speech has nothing to do with what can or cannot be said at work. One down, so many more right wing fanatics to go!

Day 230

It was cloudy today and a little cooler. Traffic back to normal.

It's been a slow day at work. Makes time just sludge along. I went to Auntie's Bookstore at lunch and bought a beading magazine. Our receptionist is out this week and I am relieving the gal who is filling in for her for her lunch and breaks. So having something new to read is good.

Day 229

Driving to work yesterday morning was an adventure. So much bumpity bump traffic because of the event being held at the arena which is across the street from our office. The event was called Get Motivated. Key speakers were ex-mayor Rudy (yeah, the one who cheated on his wife and family) Colin Powell (yeah, the one who lied about WMD's in Iraq) and the right wing wacko christian lunatic Robert Schueller and a few others I never heard of. You should have seen the sheep parking a mile away and decending upon the arena. The promotors for this freak show were charging $9.00 for your whole company to attend. Only one reason they get you in the door cheap...lots of crap to sell you. What really amazed me people were there all day til 4:45.

It was another hot day, up into the nineties. Sure don't feel inspired to do anything when it is that hot. Did a load of laundry and made Texas hash for dinner. Enough so we can have leftovers for tomorrow.

I watched a few of my recorded shows. Animal Hoarding (gross, but like a train wreck, fascinating) the finale of The Next Food Network Star (even though I knew who won) and an episode of Big Brother. Such an exciting life I lead.

Day 228

Summer has arrived in its full glory. 90's...I know to most of you this doesn't seem that hot. But we are big cry babies up here in the Northwest.

Michael took me to Sonic for lunch today. Reminded me of TN. The tots reminded me of Indiana. Had time to go to Staples and pick up some padded envelopes. Someone is getting a surprise in the mail!

Busy at work today, as is every Monday. Makes the time really zip by.

Michael did the grocery shopping today on his day off. What a load off my schedule. He got everything on the list too. So its BBQ steak and bake night over at Chris' because he has the better BBQ. I just hope it cools off so we can eat outside.

I am so happy Arti won the Next Food Network Star. I wanted Big Chef Tom to win too, but, there could only be 1 winner. She is definitely a star!! It will be fun to learn to cook Indian food. True Blood was great last night. Only 3 episodes left to the season. Such an awesome series!

Day 227

Took the dogs to the groomer. Since it was only going to be an hour we decided to drive around and look at retirement communities that are up north. We also had to get gasoline. Sitting at the pumps we saw it go from $2.99 to $3.03 right in front of our eyes. Oh that's right...Labor Day is around the corner. Last of the summer gouging has begun.

Once we got the pups home we decided to continue driving out to Hwy 195 to look at a manufactured home 55+ retirement community. All were for sale - none for lease. So we continued south and drove all the way to Rosalia, a small farming town. There was a fire in a wheat field that seemed to be close, but, like an optical illusion, we never came close enough to really see what was actually burning.

It started turning really hot. After all those beautiful cooler days it was hard to accept the summer heat. But it is here and they forecasted that it will be around for the week. Ugh!

When we finally came home I laid down and took a nap. Tacos for dinner and True Blood. What could be better to end the weekend?

Day 225

Day 224

The day we have been dreading is here.

Day 223

Happy Birthday Maureen! We had forgot, but made up for it.

Quiet, but, busy day. Did not finish all I had to do before taking tomorrow off. Back to work Friday to attempt getting it all done once again. But being Friday the 13th we will see how successful I will be.

Worked on cleaning the kitchen when I got home. Watched a few of my recorded shows. Quiet evening as well.

Day 222

Such beautiful weather we are enjoying for August. Feels more like September.

My old boss, Linda, came in for a visit this morning. It was great seeing her and she is really enjoying retirement. It was a slow paced day at work. Work came in, work was completed and then it was time to roll out of there.

I made taquitos, rice & beans for dinner. Watched Cupcake Wars that I had recorded. Ate dinner and visited with Chris. Good talk and we have now solved the world's problems.

Day 221

Went back to work after 4 days off. It was busy so the day went by quickly.

Finally mailed earrings to Anna. Linda and Sherry's will hopefully go out tomorrow. I also mailed back 2 movies to Netflix. My DVR is almost full, so, I better start watching all those too.

It was so nice this evening we ate outside. Rain coming. The air feels clean again from all the smoke that has been lingering from the fires up north. Hoping we have nice weather for Thursday.

Day 220

Fresh clean sheets on the bed, overnight rain off and on came wonderous sleep. I dreamed of my Aunt Glea and of our upcoming family reunion next summer.

Today we stuck around the house. Did laundry and I did sneak away to pick up some groceries. We watched the movie, finally, Slumdog Millionaire. Loved it. It was awesome. The next Netflix movie coming is Outsourced. I have been really wanting to see that one.

I am going back to work tomorrow and taking my last day of bereavement on Thursday for the funeral.

I hope everyone has a nice week.

Day 218

Day 217

After months of suffering, my mother (inlaw) has crossed over. We sat by her side while she was in the deep sleep that comes when one is reviewing their lives. I hope in the end loved ones came and helped her make the leap to the other side an easy one. I hope she has found the peace and contentment that she deserves. Thank you Spokane Hospice for all that they did to help her make this life's journey's end. They were wonderful, professional and caring people. If you are deciding on a charity to make a donation, please keep them in mind. They are so worthy.

I had a dream this morning where Sue was in India. Young, as I had seen her in pictures with Michael when he was also young wearing a beautiful colored kurti and her hair was so dark and lush. She was smiling and I knew she was happy.

I will miss our talks and her cooking lessons. She always had sage advise that sometimes I heeded and other times foolishly ignored. I was a better person for knowing her. Bless you Sue (Mom) and wishing you safe journeys onto your next lives.

Day 216

MIL has been unresponsive for 2 days. She is in a deep drug induced sleep. Her sweet husband gives her liquid medication every 2 hours. I wish I could do more.

Day 215

Day 214

My desktop computer has died. I am now back on my laptop.

My life is in a sort of limbo world. My mother in law is dying, my beloved dog, Sammie, has gone blind and now we have learned he has an eye disease that may or may not kill him. They want to remove his eyes, and I just cannot bring myself to do so.

I am trying to stay positive, but, it sure is hard not to become all encompassing depressed.

I will be better tomorrow.