All Night Long

I've been up most of the night with my knee. The pain was starting to subside, but came back. I'm really afraid that I'll have to have another surgery and it is something I dread. The first one was so painful and worse than anything I've endured. Not only was the pain bad, but I was very sick from the meds and discovered my allergies to codiene. Ugh! Needless to say, it isn't something I wish to encounter ever again. Yesterday, with Bob's assistance, I did manage to get into the pool for my exercises. That felt really good and was quite helpful. But it must be done on a regular basis. What makes it so difficult is Bob's work schedule and the weather. Things will be much better when he gets back to his normal three day schedule - which should be within the next week or two. The boys keep me company while he's gone.

For the first time

I's been two years sine I could get here. I forgot my log in and password and didn't know which address I had used, etc. So today it got all figured out and I'm back!

My adoption

adopt your own virtual pet!

Yesterday.....

NaNoWri kicked off Tuesday. This is my fourth year participating. I started doing it because I had been saying for years I would. Then I heard about the challenge and decided if I was ever going to do, I needed to do it then. And I did. I had little time for preperation, yet I managed to finish and be a winner. The story is a good one, but it needs tons of work. It's a romantic suspense story that is told with a lot of flashbacks. The second year I was eagerly anticipating November. I did a lot of research and had a great deal of fun with it. It was about a young teenaged girl who spends the summer with her widowed grandmothers and learns a lot about life - including cooking. She keeps a diary and writes in it each night before bed. She also learns to cook from a great aunt who helps out the grandmothers. So, I started each chapter with a recipe. The trouble was, I was getting into October (in the book) and no ending was in sight. Since "summer" was in the title, I would either have to change the title or go back and change a lot of the book and be sure I had an ending with the start of school. Last year was a coming of age in the 60's. It was my best one yet, I think. This year is an inspirational, sweet romance. I've never written anything like it, so hopefully I won't have too many difficulties. The story I have been wanting to tell for about 18 years is still on the back burner. I want to have some good experience under my belt before attempting that one. *grin* It's another romantic suspense one. But time will tell with it.

Having to recover stuff is difficult. And so much has been corrupted. I'm sick about it all. I had photos and graphics that can never be replaced. I have really learned a lesson from all of this to be sure to backup what's important. Bob is getting his own new hard drive ready to go and will then be putting his old one in my puter so I can use it as a backup. It is giving him fits, too.

Today Bob goes to the VA to see his doc about his PTSD. I'm so glad he is finally getting help for it. Already I see such a difference with him from the meds he's taking and his sessions with the doc. Soon he'll be doing some group sessions, too.

Spirit is becoming more and more at home with us. Tino accepts him, but grudingly. Buddy is ok with him, but loves to agitate him when he's tied and can't get to him. When Bob is playing with Spirit, Buddy's right there to make sure he isn't hurting Daddy. I do believe he'd try to tear into him if he believe Spirit had hurt Bob.

My coaching sessions are moving right along, too. I can hardly believe I'm into the third week already. I'm really enjoying working with my coach. I'm learning a great deal from her and about myself. I look forward to taking classes to be able to work with others. It's a lot like what I have been doing with my journaling classes. Each coach is unique and it helps to have a fresh approach so I won't get stale myself.

Well, I better get back to the writing.

So long, farewell to you and you and you..........

My birthday week

My birthday was the high light of a bad, bad week. First there were the storms from Wilma. The high winds hung around and knocked out the power. When that happened, some files got corrupted on my hard drive including windows. Soooo Cruzer had to redo windows and all my email and addresses were lost. I'm having quite the time rebuilding. He's been trying to retrieve data from the hard drive for three days and it isn't even close to being completed. And of course I had nothing backed up. Oh, I did have an adress book that was over 6 years old. It helped a tiny bit, but not with all I need. You know, losing my docs, recipes, pictures and graphics, was like losing my kids. I actually grieved. Then I had the root canal. Thank goodness for laughing gas. I actually feel asleep during the procedure. Unfortunately, I also had swelling on one side of my face and a temperature, so I'm on antibiotics. Thankfully I might take a pain killer once a day now, but that's it. Friday my writing group met. It was suppose to be a nice dinner for my birthday - not! I had to get something that could be cut into tiny pieces and not difficult to chew. *sigh* Well, I did it and had an enjoyable time.

My birthday was a beautiful day. The sun was out, there was a nice breeze and it was right around 70 degrees. Cruzer surprised me with the complete second season of the Golden Girls, a new hat - purple of course, and roses from our boys (the dogs). He also let me pick out some scrapbook supplies. Then he really surprised me with a chocolate birthday cake! I tell you, the man knows how to get straight to my heart! To top off everything, my Gators beat Georgia, so I was really riding high by the time the day ended.

So many of you sent me such wonderful greetings and well- wishes. The day is always a difficult time and my daddy died on my 30th and I greatly appreciate your words more than I can ever express.

Soooooooooo, that's my story and I'm glad it is!! ;)

Long weekend for us all

Having Spirit with us has been making for a long weekend. Buddy is trying to get along with him, but Tino - who is a gentle Sheltie - is having a problem. I think a lot of it has to do with Tino's bad eyesight and part is that Spirit makes two and a half of Tino. Buddy doesn't like it when Tino is upset. What he doesn't like is when Spirit puts a paw on him. Buddy is definitly alpha male and no one is going to dominate him. He also doesn't like it when Tino is upset because he protects Tino. At least he thinks he does. Being a Lhasa he is quite protective of his humans and his younger brother. Spirit is still a pup at barely a year and a half. Buddy is thirteen and Tino is nine, so they don't want to play the way Spirit does. I'm concerned about handling him. For the most part Bob has been, but I tried once to let him in and out and he nearly knocked me over both times. It is so strange when I am at my computer and he comes over to me and he can rest his head on my desk! He wants attention and he loves to be fussed over. He also likes to play, which is going to be good for Bob.

Last night I was on Maxine with Buddy on his leash. Bob had both Tino and Spirit on their leashes and we took a walk. It was very pleasant and most people we made contact with liked Spirit. All of the dogs get fussed over because they are well behaved. The thing is, we are with them. I wouldn't want to be someone who tried to get into our house or truck if we weren't there.

Sad news yesterday - the little scrapbook store we found a few weeks ago is going out of business. Everything is 1/2 off. I bought some paper and a paper rack. I told her I felt I was taking advantage of her misfortune. But she didn't seem to feel that way at all. It's too bad she couldn't wait for a few months because the snowbirds are just now starting to come back and things would most likely pick up for her. But I think she is tired. She isn't really able to put the time into that she would like and that's a problem. Paying someone to run it for her eats all the profits. I wish I could have bought her out. Now how cool would it have been to have a scrap store - if even a tiny one like this one?

Both of our football teams have bys this week. There was a special on the Florida - Georgia rivalry though. I watched it and really enjoyed. They start with the 1942 game and worked up to 2000. That big game is next weekend on my birthday! YEAH!! That will be a good way to celebrate! That and go to Michaels if I can talk Bob into it. :) Would you believe most things in this area are planned around this game? The entire weekend is considered to be the world's largest cocktail party. Boats line the river outside the stadium and everyone parties. It starts on Wednesday and goes to Sunday. My sorority has an autumn meeting and always have to plan it for either the weekend before or after the game so they will have a good attendance. Otherwise, everyone is involved in game activities. We like football and the Gators are our team - but we aren't that nuts over it!! lol!!

Well for now I must go.......see all ya'll later.
Ang

Just another day in paradise

It is a lovely day again today. It is cooler without being cold. I'm loving it!! Yesterday I took Maxine for a ride then sat in the car port reading. There was such a nice breeze and I was sheltered from the sun (Have to be careful not to get sun poisoning again). Buddy and Tino were on the screened in front porch enjoying the air. All and all it was a wonderful day. I was able to get some shots of the raintrees in the area. I love those trees and wished we had one. Mom was actually thinking of getting one when she had her stroke. When I had the landscaping done, the lady didn't have any, so I got a lagustrim (sp?). It's nice, but not nearly as nice as the raintree. This time of year the tops turn golden and red. So, so lovely! :)

With all this beautiful weather it's difficult to believe Wilma is brewing in the Carribian and may affect us by this next weekend. With Bob working and me scheduled for dental work next week, there is no way we'll be able to evac very far if she decides to come our way. We'll have to be in a wait and see mode. This season still has about 6 weeks left to it. *sigh* If Wilma turns towards the gulf coast, I don't know how those people can deal with another direct hit.

Bob called from work this morning to tell me he forgot his lunch and asked me to make a big sign for next to his coffee pot. He's such a ham! :) Tomorrow is jean day for him, but he forgot to tell me until this AM, so I got his jeans into the wash ASAP. Yes, he only has one pair good enough for work. They aren't allowed to wear them except about once a month. The rest of the time he wears dress slacks. Even with their jeans, they must wear a nice shirt. He picked out some new ones on his own several weeks ago and I love them. They are silk and cotton and do up so very nicely. They weren't even that expensive at the outlet store.

I guess we're going to "baby sit" Spirit starting this week. I'm concerned about how I'll be able to handle him while Bob's at work. He's a very loving dog, but so huge! He has one blue eye and one brown one that has a small dot of blue in it. I understand this is fairly common for huskies.

Great news - for us anyway! IHop is coming to our county seat! We both love their breakfasts and are looking forward to having it in the area. Now if we could get a few other restaurants!! lol!! My personal choices would be Steak n Shake, TGIFridays, Ruby Tuesdays, Olive Garden, Bennigans, and Outback. We have a fantastic seafood one here already. And we have Chili's. We have Sonic and I love my cherry limeade. :) Bob likes Sonny's. Actually, so does Dave. We HAVE to go there every time he's here for a visit. We also go to St Augustine for a seafood meal when we see the Nights of Light. I love St Augustine and am thankful that we live so close.

They are showing some fantastic diamonds by Harry Winston that are going up for auction. There is a blue diamond that is sooooooooo beautiful. It has a beautiful price, too. I think the least expensive item is $500K! I'd be afraid to wear any of it!

Well, I'm off to do some more laundry.

Once in awhile........

Ang