Reasons why today should be interesting:
1) Trigger is moving to his new home at Brookbend in Clemson.
2) I have about 40 million things to do before I leave for NC, and then I have to drive Mom to Duke tomorrow. Now I am sure that some people will think of me as a horrible person for really not wanting to drive my mother anywhere, but then.. if those people had to be raised by my mother and her ever-present neuroses, then they wouldn't want to go there either.
3) Mom seems to be on a religious kick lately.. My sister reports that Mom wants to ask a "brother" (translated, a JW zealot) to ride with us to Duke, ostensibly to help me with the wheelchair. If she could find a "brother" to take her to Duke, why the hell am I going again? And to add insult to injury, this person she wants to take along would probably refuse to speak to me the entire trip because I'm DF'd (translated: not a JW, but I used to be). Either that or preach at me, and honestly, I'd prefer silence. To top it all off, Mom hasn't mentioned this to me at all.. just my sister. Which means she plans to spring it on me, just like usual.
Just like the time I drove to Colorado to help her move, and she didn't rent a truck for me to haul the stuff back like she promised she would, so I was stuck out there with no way home. That one cost me $800.
Just like every other time she started acting weird and "the brothers" showed up to "counsel me." She'd better not, that's all I have to say. If I get there and there's some JW there, I am going to turn around and go home. Do not pass go, etc etc.
Well I'd better get with it.. I have to pack some clothes and dry my hair and get out to the barn in time to meet TO.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Thanksgiving Recap
I'm back! I am sure all of my readers (all two of you) have been waiting with bated breath to hear about my adventures in Tallahassee, and I'd hate to disappoint, so..
We had a pretty decent drive down, avoided the worst of the traffic. At one point during the drive I was laughing about our hands being the same size, when he asked me what my ring size is. Hm. Well. When we arrived, L's mom had the biggest ham I have ever seen in the oven. Thanksgiving day was a HUGE feast.. people kept showing up with more and more food, until there was no more fridge or counter space, and we were all sitting around semi-comatose. L set up the inflatable movie screen and watched movies with all the kids until it got too cold.
Friday L and I went to see "Bobby".. the new movie about the assassination of Robert Kennedy in 1968. It was a good movie. My mother would love it. L said (and I agree) that they seemed to go out of their way to make every woman in the movie look old and worn out, though. Anyway, Friday evening we met one of L's friends for drinks... I drank Cider Jack and ate one of the best bleu cheese and horseradish burgers I've ever had. Fries weren't bad either.
Saturday, L took off to the football game with his friends, and I was left to my own devices with his mother and sister and niece. Here's where things got interesting. ;) We must have gone to every yard sale on the eastern seaboard. We saw lots of dirty clothes for sale, lots of broken toys and tole painted wooden cutouts that said "Bless this Country Kitchen" and crap like that. I'd zip through pretty quick and be ready to head on back to the car, but L's mom likes to look at and consider every single item, as if every object in the universe were special. R, K, and I spent lots of time sitting in the car. The trunk filled up quickly.
After we exhausted the supply of yard sales, we started on thrift stores, and after those were done, we went to lunch at Wendy's, where L's mom tried my own fast-food creation.. french fries dipped in Frosty. She liked it, much to her surprise. L's niece recently got engaged, so there was much talk about wedding plans and much probing about what I thought about weddings and marriage, etc etc etc.
After lunch we went to Target, where we stayed for most of the decade. So L's mom turns to me in the middle of the baby section where we were looking for newborn baby sized socks for L's sister's dog (!) and says, "So.. what color of furniture will you have in your nursery?"
I stuttered a little bit, trying not to let out the guffaw that was threatening to burst out of my mouth. Forgetting a step, aren't we?? I wanted to laugh, but restrained myself. After all of the thinking I've done about the M-word lately, this all struck me as incredibly funny. I muttered something about "that could be ten years from now."
She stopped, open mouthed, and said "Oh dear, but my L would be fifty!!! That just won't do!" I tried to explain that I wasn't in any hurry, etc etc, that the ball was in his court, whatever. "Well is this because you aren't in a hurry, or because he's not? We need more grandchildren and I am getting to be an old lady!!!"
The funniest part was relating this conversation to L later. I thought he was going to have a stroke, he was laughing so hard. Then he told me about how his mom asks him if he has anything special to tell her every time they talk. How everyone expects a proposal at any moment. Kinda made the whole thing seem even funnier.
Anyway, tomorrow it's back to work and Tuesday I'm moving Trigger (who I missed terribly while I was gone) and then going to NC to take Mom to the doctor. When I get back, we're getting our Christmas tree and doing the shopping....
We had a pretty decent drive down, avoided the worst of the traffic. At one point during the drive I was laughing about our hands being the same size, when he asked me what my ring size is. Hm. Well. When we arrived, L's mom had the biggest ham I have ever seen in the oven. Thanksgiving day was a HUGE feast.. people kept showing up with more and more food, until there was no more fridge or counter space, and we were all sitting around semi-comatose. L set up the inflatable movie screen and watched movies with all the kids until it got too cold.
Friday L and I went to see "Bobby".. the new movie about the assassination of Robert Kennedy in 1968. It was a good movie. My mother would love it. L said (and I agree) that they seemed to go out of their way to make every woman in the movie look old and worn out, though. Anyway, Friday evening we met one of L's friends for drinks... I drank Cider Jack and ate one of the best bleu cheese and horseradish burgers I've ever had. Fries weren't bad either.
Saturday, L took off to the football game with his friends, and I was left to my own devices with his mother and sister and niece. Here's where things got interesting. ;) We must have gone to every yard sale on the eastern seaboard. We saw lots of dirty clothes for sale, lots of broken toys and tole painted wooden cutouts that said "Bless this Country Kitchen" and crap like that. I'd zip through pretty quick and be ready to head on back to the car, but L's mom likes to look at and consider every single item, as if every object in the universe were special. R, K, and I spent lots of time sitting in the car. The trunk filled up quickly.
After we exhausted the supply of yard sales, we started on thrift stores, and after those were done, we went to lunch at Wendy's, where L's mom tried my own fast-food creation.. french fries dipped in Frosty. She liked it, much to her surprise. L's niece recently got engaged, so there was much talk about wedding plans and much probing about what I thought about weddings and marriage, etc etc etc.
After lunch we went to Target, where we stayed for most of the decade. So L's mom turns to me in the middle of the baby section where we were looking for newborn baby sized socks for L's sister's dog (!) and says, "So.. what color of furniture will you have in your nursery?"
I stuttered a little bit, trying not to let out the guffaw that was threatening to burst out of my mouth. Forgetting a step, aren't we?? I wanted to laugh, but restrained myself. After all of the thinking I've done about the M-word lately, this all struck me as incredibly funny. I muttered something about "that could be ten years from now."
She stopped, open mouthed, and said "Oh dear, but my L would be fifty!!! That just won't do!" I tried to explain that I wasn't in any hurry, etc etc, that the ball was in his court, whatever. "Well is this because you aren't in a hurry, or because he's not? We need more grandchildren and I am getting to be an old lady!!!"
The funniest part was relating this conversation to L later. I thought he was going to have a stroke, he was laughing so hard. Then he told me about how his mom asks him if he has anything special to tell her every time they talk. How everyone expects a proposal at any moment. Kinda made the whole thing seem even funnier.
Anyway, tomorrow it's back to work and Tuesday I'm moving Trigger (who I missed terribly while I was gone) and then going to NC to take Mom to the doctor. When I get back, we're getting our Christmas tree and doing the shopping....
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Happy Turkey Day!
I thought I wouldn't be able to post from Tallahassee, but there is Internet access, though much slower than what I'm used to at home. L's mom is cooking a giant ham and pies and cobbler and sweet potatoes and so many other things I can't keep track.
The dogs are sitting out in the yard peering in at us through the sliding glass doors, hoping we'll come outside to play with them, or else let them in. I'm feeling pretty crappy, still, but hopefully my ears will clear up soon. I will be extra-thankful if they do.
I'll still probably be out of the loop for the rest of the week, since we'll be here until Sunday. Hope everybody has a great Thanksgiving!!
The dogs are sitting out in the yard peering in at us through the sliding glass doors, hoping we'll come outside to play with them, or else let them in. I'm feeling pretty crappy, still, but hopefully my ears will clear up soon. I will be extra-thankful if they do.
I'll still probably be out of the loop for the rest of the week, since we'll be here until Sunday. Hope everybody has a great Thanksgiving!!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Happy Turkey Day
I'm leaving for Florida in about 15 minutes, so you won't hear from me for about a week.. Have a great Thanksgiving, and we'll catch up when I get back. :)
Monday, November 20, 2006
Busy B
Today has been hectic in a way that only workdays before a holiday can be. Classes to teach, deadlines to meet, 5000 phone calls every hour, double that in emails, and at the bottom of it all a happiness in knowing that this workweek is going to be over tomorrow. :)
Last night we went to watch T.O. rope cows with a bunch of other guys. We watched one guy beat his horse in the head with his rope because he missed a throw he felt he should have caught. Because somehow that's the horse's fault, right? Pfft! We saw another guy's horse slip and fall, landing on the rider's leg. Luckily no one was hurt. And T.O. is something else to watch. He rides with no hands, basically, and when he's throwing the rope, it looks like he and the horse are one creature, not two. It's really cool. I took some pics, but I haven't uploaded them yet. Maybe I can post them tomorrow.
Tonight is band practice, then home for some leftover chili (L makes awesome chili, y'all. His chili and my cornbread make for a very good dinner!) Tomorrow, work and then play-- I'm going to see Trigger and try out my new saddle that T.O found for me (it's really cool.. pics of that tomorrow too.. or maybe wednesday.)
Last night we went to watch T.O. rope cows with a bunch of other guys. We watched one guy beat his horse in the head with his rope because he missed a throw he felt he should have caught. Because somehow that's the horse's fault, right? Pfft! We saw another guy's horse slip and fall, landing on the rider's leg. Luckily no one was hurt. And T.O. is something else to watch. He rides with no hands, basically, and when he's throwing the rope, it looks like he and the horse are one creature, not two. It's really cool. I took some pics, but I haven't uploaded them yet. Maybe I can post them tomorrow.
Tonight is band practice, then home for some leftover chili (L makes awesome chili, y'all. His chili and my cornbread make for a very good dinner!) Tomorrow, work and then play-- I'm going to see Trigger and try out my new saddle that T.O found for me (it's really cool.. pics of that tomorrow too.. or maybe wednesday.)
Sunday, November 19, 2006
I Am Not the Brightest..
I posted a few more 1980s pics with lots of commentary, but I put it on the "Pic of the Day" blog, and Blogger won't let me copy and paste it onto this one. So if you want to read it, go there and then come back. :)
I had a truly bizarre dream this morning. I was at an Assembly (It's a JW thing, y'all. be glad you don't understand) and there was this dark haired, pimply guy who was following me around. He kept walking so close behind me that I could feel him pressing against the whole length of my body. Every time he touched me, he left a coating of oil so thick I couldn;t wipe it off, and it made me so sick. Mom and the Elders were trying to force me to marry him, and he kept trying to "direct me" and tell me what to do. We went outside the auditorium and it started raining really hard and the building changed somehow. I knew that the only way to get away from Grease Boy was to climb over this rickety rope bridge thing that led to a tiny door high up in the side of the building. Everybody was trying to climb it, and people kept falling off into the murky water far below.
I climbed and climbed and finally made it to the door. I was sure that my school was on the inside and once I got there I would be safe. Some lady was telling me about a black man who took his two kids into peoples' houses and then raped the women when they came home from the store, and I was trying to figure out why she was telling me that while dangling off a rickety rope bridge, but I struggled through the door which got smaller as I tried to fit through it. There was a ladder that led down into a kitchen, and there were nails sticking out of every surface. I finally made it down, only to realize that I was in a house, not a school, and that the black man and his kids were in the living room.
"We've been waiting for you" they said, and I offered to make them a sandwich as if they were guests. Somehow I made a break for it and ran down the street (it was still raining). I happened upon a party that was going on and ran inside. All of the people there were middle aged, drunk. There was an older guy there who started doing the exact same thing that Grease Boy was doing, only he didn't leave the oil behind. Still, I wanted out of there, but when I took off again, they chased me.
I ended up with a black girl, building a tower out of sheet metal, where she did some kind of rain dance or something, to fool the people who were chasing us into thinking that we were angels or something. She was an awesome dancer. While she danced, I actually forgot that this was supposed to be a nightmare, until she fell off the tower and went splat, so i had to finish the dance, and all I could seem to do was the hoe-down stomp. When I looked down, I could see the people below starting to dismantle the tower.
I felt a hand on my ankle, and looked down to see a woman lying on the floor of the tower. A big fat woman in a hot pink terry housedress, with truly horrible teeth and short frizzy hair. "They're all crazy" she said, and kept trying to kiss me. "I'm the only one who can keep you safe" she said. And she was. I knew she was.
I woke up at 7:14 am, shuddering and nauseous. Forget going back to sleep after that! I have to figure out what causes those crazy dreams and stop doing it. Bleh.
Later: Watching TO rope cows, and another new saddle for Trigger..
I had a truly bizarre dream this morning. I was at an Assembly (It's a JW thing, y'all. be glad you don't understand) and there was this dark haired, pimply guy who was following me around. He kept walking so close behind me that I could feel him pressing against the whole length of my body. Every time he touched me, he left a coating of oil so thick I couldn;t wipe it off, and it made me so sick. Mom and the Elders were trying to force me to marry him, and he kept trying to "direct me" and tell me what to do. We went outside the auditorium and it started raining really hard and the building changed somehow. I knew that the only way to get away from Grease Boy was to climb over this rickety rope bridge thing that led to a tiny door high up in the side of the building. Everybody was trying to climb it, and people kept falling off into the murky water far below.
I climbed and climbed and finally made it to the door. I was sure that my school was on the inside and once I got there I would be safe. Some lady was telling me about a black man who took his two kids into peoples' houses and then raped the women when they came home from the store, and I was trying to figure out why she was telling me that while dangling off a rickety rope bridge, but I struggled through the door which got smaller as I tried to fit through it. There was a ladder that led down into a kitchen, and there were nails sticking out of every surface. I finally made it down, only to realize that I was in a house, not a school, and that the black man and his kids were in the living room.
"We've been waiting for you" they said, and I offered to make them a sandwich as if they were guests. Somehow I made a break for it and ran down the street (it was still raining). I happened upon a party that was going on and ran inside. All of the people there were middle aged, drunk. There was an older guy there who started doing the exact same thing that Grease Boy was doing, only he didn't leave the oil behind. Still, I wanted out of there, but when I took off again, they chased me.
I ended up with a black girl, building a tower out of sheet metal, where she did some kind of rain dance or something, to fool the people who were chasing us into thinking that we were angels or something. She was an awesome dancer. While she danced, I actually forgot that this was supposed to be a nightmare, until she fell off the tower and went splat, so i had to finish the dance, and all I could seem to do was the hoe-down stomp. When I looked down, I could see the people below starting to dismantle the tower.
I felt a hand on my ankle, and looked down to see a woman lying on the floor of the tower. A big fat woman in a hot pink terry housedress, with truly horrible teeth and short frizzy hair. "They're all crazy" she said, and kept trying to kiss me. "I'm the only one who can keep you safe" she said. And she was. I knew she was.
I woke up at 7:14 am, shuddering and nauseous. Forget going back to sleep after that! I have to figure out what causes those crazy dreams and stop doing it. Bleh.
Later: Watching TO rope cows, and another new saddle for Trigger..
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Long Ago and Far Away..
If Joe can do it, so can I!
Post old pictures, that is. The past can be quite fascinating.. case in point:
This is my sister and me, circa 1981 or 82.. possibly even 1983, I'm not sure. I am sure that we both began our caffeine addictions early, since every picture from this particular vacation to Florida shows us sucking down some sort of cola. Note the Holiday Inn in the background. We thought we were the sh!t because we were staying in the HI. Also note that our mamma dressed us really funny, even for early 80's standards.
Post old pictures, that is. The past can be quite fascinating.. case in point:
This is my sister and me, circa 1981 or 82.. possibly even 1983, I'm not sure. I am sure that we both began our caffeine addictions early, since every picture from this particular vacation to Florida shows us sucking down some sort of cola. Note the Holiday Inn in the background. We thought we were the sh!t because we were staying in the HI. Also note that our mamma dressed us really funny, even for early 80's standards.
Or how about this one? We're a little older here, playing with puppies in front of the old barbecue pit at our grandparents' house. The pit could have been pretty cool, if it hadn't always been full of leaves and garbage and clippings from grandmother's plants. They burned the trash in it instead of actually using it for barbecue. Note my sister's groovy shoes. And giant glasses. Note also that she is violently allergic to anything with fur.. except mink, apparently. ;)
Our final specimen for this evening involves what is quite possibly the strangest family portrait ever made. Dad looks quite dapper in his suit and sweater, and absurdly young. Mom looks like.. Mom. Puffy hair, chicken-neck collar (God forbid any skin be showing. I think my mother would have loved it if burqas had been popular in 1980s North Carolina). She was almost horrifically modest. And she dressed us funny.
My sister is obviously already planning her escape. Either that or the Elizabethan ruff she's been stuffed into is choking her and she's already gone delirious. I'm the one in red, whose hair is parted and yanked back so severely that she looks Chinese. Well, a blonde, gap-toothed Chinese then. In a Peter Pan collar.
That red dress had a bell sewn into the hem. I remember trying to walk so that it would "twinkle twinkle" everywhere I went. I imagine that this was profoundly irritating to everyone who had the misfortune to be in the room with me, but then that was usually the case anyway, so what difference would one little bell make?
Ohhh, yeah. And I have more where that came from.
Friday, November 17, 2006
New Music Night
Tonight was NSAI night at Coffee Underground in Greenville. If you're looking for new, original music, Acoustic Seen (in the listening room at CU) is THE place to go. Tonight we heard from the awesome Hannibal Jones and numerous other members of the songwriters' group (but not yours truly.. I have been far too lazy to perform anything of my own at a songwriters' night. I haven't written anything worth performing in quite some time, IMO).
There was a new duo there tonight and ... wow. Shawn James. Check her out. She has a voice like good coffee and sex and honey and every old time jazz singer you've ever heard all rolled into one. She's unbelievable.
Tomorrow: Observations on putting down roots, All about Trigger on the trails, and the New Mulch Pile that has taken over the driveway. Stay tuned!
There was a new duo there tonight and ... wow. Shawn James. Check her out. She has a voice like good coffee and sex and honey and every old time jazz singer you've ever heard all rolled into one. She's unbelievable.
Tomorrow: Observations on putting down roots, All about Trigger on the trails, and the New Mulch Pile that has taken over the driveway. Stay tuned!
It's Friday, and you know what that means!
Trail Riding!!
Despite the fact that I am a little under the weather. Dr. P diagnosed bilateral ear infection and a sinus infection yesterday, for which he prescribed the usual Amoxicillin for 10 days. But as anyone can attest, it takes one hell of an infection to keep me still for any length of time. I went straight back to work from the doc's office (with a little detour at the pharmacy to tank up), and this morning I'm going riding.. I'll carry my meds and some kleenex in the saddlebag. :)
My new computer is in, finally. Alas, I am typing this on L's old desktop comp, because mine is still being set up at work. I should be able to pick my new one up this afternoon, should I choose to do so.. But maybe a laptop-less weekend wouldn't be such a bad thing. Hm.
And I'm Off! Later: Coffee Underground's Nashville Songwriters' Association night= guys I know playing original songs + excellent lattes.
Trail Riding!!
Despite the fact that I am a little under the weather. Dr. P diagnosed bilateral ear infection and a sinus infection yesterday, for which he prescribed the usual Amoxicillin for 10 days. But as anyone can attest, it takes one hell of an infection to keep me still for any length of time. I went straight back to work from the doc's office (with a little detour at the pharmacy to tank up), and this morning I'm going riding.. I'll carry my meds and some kleenex in the saddlebag. :)
My new computer is in, finally. Alas, I am typing this on L's old desktop comp, because mine is still being set up at work. I should be able to pick my new one up this afternoon, should I choose to do so.. But maybe a laptop-less weekend wouldn't be such a bad thing. Hm.
And I'm Off! Later: Coffee Underground's Nashville Songwriters' Association night= guys I know playing original songs + excellent lattes.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Another Boring Post
It's raining.
It's been another busy day, but not as bad as yesterday.
I fell off my diet today. That didn't last long. I can't resist hot fries when I go out to lunch. Of course, it would probably be wise to stop going out to lunch if I am trying to diet. Ugh.
I think I'll go ride Trigger in the rain for a while.
It's been another busy day, but not as bad as yesterday.
I fell off my diet today. That didn't last long. I can't resist hot fries when I go out to lunch. Of course, it would probably be wise to stop going out to lunch if I am trying to diet. Ugh.
I think I'll go ride Trigger in the rain for a while.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Torture Tuesday
Today has been without a doubt one of the most frustrating days on record.
I need a good stiff drink and some love.
But then alcohol has too many empty calories...
ehhhh, screw it.
I need a good stiff drink and some love.
But then alcohol has too many empty calories...
ehhhh, screw it.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Terror on Monday Morning
This morning as I was getting ready for work, I had the most terrifying experience of my life.
I glanced in the mirror while putting on my pants and saw my mother's hips. Smaller, maybe, but definitely there.
Dear God, have mercy on me. Haven't I been through enough?
I am declaring a jihad against the fat and going on a diet. This time there is no choice. I have seen the enemy, and it is us.
Ack.
I glanced in the mirror while putting on my pants and saw my mother's hips. Smaller, maybe, but definitely there.
Dear God, have mercy on me. Haven't I been through enough?
I am declaring a jihad against the fat and going on a diet. This time there is no choice. I have seen the enemy, and it is us.
Ack.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Friends Like That
I don't really know why I bother trying to have female friends anymore. Honestly, it seems like I had a brief, golden year where it was possible for me to have a lot of girlfriends.. and then they all faded away or went psycho and it ended just like that.
A1 has kinda gone MIA.. J went nuts.. H went nuts.. I mean, wow. The major exception to this has been the girls at work, who are as awesome as ever.. but then we see each other so much during the week that we all kinda go our own ways on the weekend.
This whole thing isn't that bad when you put it in perspective, because all my male friends seem to be normal and considerate and would never cancel plans with me for some guy. LOL
What brings this whole thing up? Well today was the Parelli show, which I have been planning to attend with several friends for a year. A1 and A3 can't come, which is understandable.. they haven't been able to do anything with me for months now. Seems like I'd get the message by now, doesn't it? I think they are mad at me for moving Trigger.. but it was only a matter of time before he seriously hurt one of the kids, with the arrangement we had. I'd rather have them mad at me for moving him than mad at me because my horse killed someone. Anyway.
What annoys me beyond all belief is the one "friend' who did show. She called me last night to say that she wasn't coming after all... she was ditching me for her slimy ex husband who just called and said to pick him up at the airport, he was coming to visit. SO then this morning she says that she is going to come after all, and that she is bringing this other girl that she has invited.. and she'll need me to get her a ticket. (wtf, anyone?)
When I get to the venue she runs up to my the window of my car, effectively stopping all traffic into the parking lot, demands her tickets, and then takes off inside without so much as a "thanks." When I finally get inside, it takes me a few minutes to find her.. and her ex (a hatchet faced, pockmarked neanderthal who scowled at me in thanks for his free ticket, and who wasn't invited). I had agreed to loan her one of my extra halters and leads for her horse, which I will probably never see again, and she was supposed to order something for me from her Advocare account (it's a home based business like Pampered Chef or Tupperware, only it's vitamins). I asked her for the product a month ago and I've called her 5 times since to arrange to get it from her and pay her for it. Today was #6.. she got my halter and lead, but I didn't get my stuff.
And to top it all off, she left after about 30 minutes at the show. She handed me her entry slip for the prize drawing and said to put it in for her and bring her any prize she might win. (wtf, again?) I suppose you can guess where her entry form went, and it wasn't in the entry bucket.
So, am I overreacting to this by thinking that she is quite possibly the rudest person on the planet? Where do I find these people??
I ended up leaving the show early myself (I never enjoy being in huge crowds when I'm by myself) and going to Ruby's for lunch with L (did I mention that I have the best boyfriend in the world?? It's true).
After lunch I took a nap, but I woke up feeling a little sick, so maybe that's why I am particularly cranky today. (It's an illness that causes lots of parentheses and even more italics than usual, obviously). We have a bunch of people coming over to watch the FSU-NC State game tonight, so hopefully whatever I have is not contaigious.
L has made chili and I made some cornbread to go with it, and who knows what everyone else will bring.. so this should be tasty at the very least. :)
A1 has kinda gone MIA.. J went nuts.. H went nuts.. I mean, wow. The major exception to this has been the girls at work, who are as awesome as ever.. but then we see each other so much during the week that we all kinda go our own ways on the weekend.
This whole thing isn't that bad when you put it in perspective, because all my male friends seem to be normal and considerate and would never cancel plans with me for some guy. LOL
What brings this whole thing up? Well today was the Parelli show, which I have been planning to attend with several friends for a year. A1 and A3 can't come, which is understandable.. they haven't been able to do anything with me for months now. Seems like I'd get the message by now, doesn't it? I think they are mad at me for moving Trigger.. but it was only a matter of time before he seriously hurt one of the kids, with the arrangement we had. I'd rather have them mad at me for moving him than mad at me because my horse killed someone. Anyway.
What annoys me beyond all belief is the one "friend' who did show. She called me last night to say that she wasn't coming after all... she was ditching me for her slimy ex husband who just called and said to pick him up at the airport, he was coming to visit. SO then this morning she says that she is going to come after all, and that she is bringing this other girl that she has invited.. and she'll need me to get her a ticket. (wtf, anyone?)
When I get to the venue she runs up to my the window of my car, effectively stopping all traffic into the parking lot, demands her tickets, and then takes off inside without so much as a "thanks." When I finally get inside, it takes me a few minutes to find her.. and her ex (a hatchet faced, pockmarked neanderthal who scowled at me in thanks for his free ticket, and who wasn't invited). I had agreed to loan her one of my extra halters and leads for her horse, which I will probably never see again, and she was supposed to order something for me from her Advocare account (it's a home based business like Pampered Chef or Tupperware, only it's vitamins). I asked her for the product a month ago and I've called her 5 times since to arrange to get it from her and pay her for it. Today was #6.. she got my halter and lead, but I didn't get my stuff.
And to top it all off, she left after about 30 minutes at the show. She handed me her entry slip for the prize drawing and said to put it in for her and bring her any prize she might win. (wtf, again?) I suppose you can guess where her entry form went, and it wasn't in the entry bucket.
So, am I overreacting to this by thinking that she is quite possibly the rudest person on the planet? Where do I find these people??
I ended up leaving the show early myself (I never enjoy being in huge crowds when I'm by myself) and going to Ruby's for lunch with L (did I mention that I have the best boyfriend in the world?? It's true).
After lunch I took a nap, but I woke up feeling a little sick, so maybe that's why I am particularly cranky today. (It's an illness that causes lots of parentheses and even more italics than usual, obviously). We have a bunch of people coming over to watch the FSU-NC State game tonight, so hopefully whatever I have is not contaigious.
L has made chili and I made some cornbread to go with it, and who knows what everyone else will bring.. so this should be tasty at the very least. :)
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Thursday Starvation List
Another day, another weird mood. So, a list:
1) He really does love me. If I'd stop being such an idiot, I could keep that firmly in mind. Yes, I want him to talk-- but not just about the dreaded M-word. It's something we need to work on.. nothing more, nothing less.
2) My god, I am starving today. I ate my lunch at 10 am because I was just about to die from starvation.
3) I don't feel like working AT ALL. Despite this, I have been quite productive today. Everybody is out sick so there's no distractions really. Aside from the nagging hunger, that is. And the fear of contracting whatever Death-Virus has leveled the rest of the office, but strangely, not me. (Me! Who usually catches everything that comes within a two state radius!)
4) Rollin out of the speakers right now: "You Won't be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart)" by Louis Armstrong (and it sounds like Billie Holiday singing the female part)...
5) Watched the Biggest Loser last night.. It's a little strange.. but interesting. L and I believe that the hostess lady is pudgy because it would be just too mean if all of the staff corralling the fat people were typical Hollywood airbrushed, too-skinny cardboard perfection types. I would also like to see what actually goes on there, without the artful edits. In all seriousness, what those people are doing is to be admired. The rest of us could stand some power-workouts too. Especially yours truly.
Trigger, however, is in perfect shape.
Tomorrow: Trail riding!
1) He really does love me. If I'd stop being such an idiot, I could keep that firmly in mind. Yes, I want him to talk-- but not just about the dreaded M-word. It's something we need to work on.. nothing more, nothing less.
2) My god, I am starving today. I ate my lunch at 10 am because I was just about to die from starvation.
3) I don't feel like working AT ALL. Despite this, I have been quite productive today. Everybody is out sick so there's no distractions really. Aside from the nagging hunger, that is. And the fear of contracting whatever Death-Virus has leveled the rest of the office, but strangely, not me. (Me! Who usually catches everything that comes within a two state radius!)
4) Rollin out of the speakers right now: "You Won't be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart)" by Louis Armstrong (and it sounds like Billie Holiday singing the female part)...
5) Watched the Biggest Loser last night.. It's a little strange.. but interesting. L and I believe that the hostess lady is pudgy because it would be just too mean if all of the staff corralling the fat people were typical Hollywood airbrushed, too-skinny cardboard perfection types. I would also like to see what actually goes on there, without the artful edits. In all seriousness, what those people are doing is to be admired. The rest of us could stand some power-workouts too. Especially yours truly.
Trigger, however, is in perfect shape.
Tomorrow: Trail riding!
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Shouting Into the Void
Ever talk to certain people and just get the feeling that they aren't listening to you? Ever feel like that's very, very intentional? Ever had that person be your boyfriend/girlfriend, wife or husband?
L does this only about certain subjects. General conversation? Sure, fine, we talk about any and everything, as long as it isn't really personal. Money? Yeah, we can talk about money, if I persist long enough. But when it comes to the future, our relationship, his feelings, or anything remotely involving emotional committment.. well you guessed it.
Stone. Wall.
Sometimes I get so tired of shouting into the void, ya know? It's like telling someone your real soul.. opening your heart to someone.. and realizing that they're absolutely not listening. It makes me sad, when we have such a great relationship otherwise.
I'm not saying that I want some declaration of undying love, although that would be nice. I just want him to give something of himself to the relationship.. at least be willing to talk to me. I feel that after 2 1/2 years of dating (and living with him for a year of that time), I'm entitled to at least that much emotional intimacy.
And yes, for the record, I do want to marry him, but I don't want it to be because I forced the issue.
In the words of Jennifer Nettles, "I don't want to if you don't want to."
It would be nice to know one way or the other, though.
L does this only about certain subjects. General conversation? Sure, fine, we talk about any and everything, as long as it isn't really personal. Money? Yeah, we can talk about money, if I persist long enough. But when it comes to the future, our relationship, his feelings, or anything remotely involving emotional committment.. well you guessed it.
Stone. Wall.
Sometimes I get so tired of shouting into the void, ya know? It's like telling someone your real soul.. opening your heart to someone.. and realizing that they're absolutely not listening. It makes me sad, when we have such a great relationship otherwise.
I'm not saying that I want some declaration of undying love, although that would be nice. I just want him to give something of himself to the relationship.. at least be willing to talk to me. I feel that after 2 1/2 years of dating (and living with him for a year of that time), I'm entitled to at least that much emotional intimacy.
And yes, for the record, I do want to marry him, but I don't want it to be because I forced the issue.
In the words of Jennifer Nettles, "I don't want to if you don't want to."
It would be nice to know one way or the other, though.
Election Day
I think I did 5 tons of laundry this weekend, and already the pile has grown again to at least two loads. I guess I will have to start doing it through the week instead of saving it all for the weekend.
I rode Trigger again yesterday, and finally got to canter him (I should call it "loping" now that I'm riding Western, but that's a hard habit to get into). It was really awesome. I also got to watch my first roping. Guys on horseback chasing cows.. fun stuff, huh?
I have a class to teach in an hour, and proposals to review this afternoon, so it looks like a pretty busy day for me.
Oh, and happy election day..
I rode Trigger again yesterday, and finally got to canter him (I should call it "loping" now that I'm riding Western, but that's a hard habit to get into). It was really awesome. I also got to watch my first roping. Guys on horseback chasing cows.. fun stuff, huh?
I have a class to teach in an hour, and proposals to review this afternoon, so it looks like a pretty busy day for me.
Oh, and happy election day..
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Busy Being Lazy
L and I have been busy. Friday I took Trigger on a trail ride and he was an absolute angel. No problems whatsoever. Yesterday we went to the Library for new books (I've already read Cell by Stephen King since yesterday-- not his best work, but not bad) and to Bailey's to watch half of the FSU and CLemson games. We went to PetSmart where an employee who looked like a drug addict tried to sell me an English saddle "becuz they's cheaper an it dutten make a differnce, does it?" I gave her a brief lecture on the reason why "cheaper" is much, much worse in the equine world, and why you never try to sell an English rider a Western saddle or vice versa.
They did have a nice Circle Y saddle there for only $900. Too bad I didn't win the lotto or anything.
Then we went to Lowe's and Home Depot and bought plants. Lots of plants. We got Rosemary and Camellias and Gardenias and Azaleas in every imaginable color! Today we planted most of them in the back yard and talked about our plans to build a patio in the "very tippy-back" yard (as my sister and I used to say when we were younguns). The air was crisp and the leaves were all brown and yellow and red and falling all around us. There were black birds in the trees and Canadian geese honking in the field across the creek. It was a very Hallmark afternoon..
Before that, I cleaned the house and L bathed the dogs, and after, he watched football and I worked on my scrapbook. He is now hanging pictures (at last!) on the walls, and I have just put two filets of salmon in the oven.
For Papa Ridgeback's (do not read after 7 pm) Benefit:
Salmon is marinated in Gentleman Jack and brown sugar, topped with pecans, lots of cracked black pepper, parsley, and a touch of garlic.
The best part? The evening isn't over yet.. I have lots of snuggling on the couch left to do, and a new Ron Rash novel to read (Saints at the River.. and if it's as good as One Foot in Eden, I will be reading all night!). And I don't have to work tomorrow.
Guess where I will spend my day?
With Trigger, of course!
They did have a nice Circle Y saddle there for only $900. Too bad I didn't win the lotto or anything.
Then we went to Lowe's and Home Depot and bought plants. Lots of plants. We got Rosemary and Camellias and Gardenias and Azaleas in every imaginable color! Today we planted most of them in the back yard and talked about our plans to build a patio in the "very tippy-back" yard (as my sister and I used to say when we were younguns). The air was crisp and the leaves were all brown and yellow and red and falling all around us. There were black birds in the trees and Canadian geese honking in the field across the creek. It was a very Hallmark afternoon..
Before that, I cleaned the house and L bathed the dogs, and after, he watched football and I worked on my scrapbook. He is now hanging pictures (at last!) on the walls, and I have just put two filets of salmon in the oven.
For Papa Ridgeback's (do not read after 7 pm) Benefit:
Salmon is marinated in Gentleman Jack and brown sugar, topped with pecans, lots of cracked black pepper, parsley, and a touch of garlic.
The best part? The evening isn't over yet.. I have lots of snuggling on the couch left to do, and a new Ron Rash novel to read (Saints at the River.. and if it's as good as One Foot in Eden, I will be reading all night!). And I don't have to work tomorrow.
Guess where I will spend my day?
With Trigger, of course!
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Things We Said Today
Here are some things I have noticed/realized/thought of today:
1) It seems that you have to have a negative IQ to be on TV today. Double that if you're a politician. And if you're a politician, you have to assume that everyone else on the planet is fourteen times as stupid as you are. Honestly, sometimes I would really love to move to another country because PC-ness is ruining America.
2) Most people don't know how to communicate the things that are really important to them. Things like what they want for dinner they can handle. What they want to do with their lives, or who they love and why? Forget it. Impossible. And then 90% of people are upset with those closest to them because they can't read minds.
3) I've been "TOO NICE." This has been an issue for me many times in my relationships with people, but this time it has really hit home, and it took a horse to take it there. My horse walks all over me (quite literally) because I am too freaking nice to him. My ex-husband walked all over me because I was too freaking nice to him. I am sensing a pattern here. Sometimes it is okay to be unpleasant (or in the case of the horse, downright nasty) if that's what it takes to get your point across.
I'm just sayin.
1) It seems that you have to have a negative IQ to be on TV today. Double that if you're a politician. And if you're a politician, you have to assume that everyone else on the planet is fourteen times as stupid as you are. Honestly, sometimes I would really love to move to another country because PC-ness is ruining America.
2) Most people don't know how to communicate the things that are really important to them. Things like what they want for dinner they can handle. What they want to do with their lives, or who they love and why? Forget it. Impossible. And then 90% of people are upset with those closest to them because they can't read minds.
3) I've been "TOO NICE." This has been an issue for me many times in my relationships with people, but this time it has really hit home, and it took a horse to take it there. My horse walks all over me (quite literally) because I am too freaking nice to him. My ex-husband walked all over me because I was too freaking nice to him. I am sensing a pattern here. Sometimes it is okay to be unpleasant (or in the case of the horse, downright nasty) if that's what it takes to get your point across.
I'm just sayin.
Sage Advice
I had lunch with a friend at work yesterday, and she had some really wise insights to offer.
I've heard for years that they way you treat yourself is the way others will treat you.
We took this a little farther in our conversation yesterday. I realized that this is a more concrete concept than I had previously thought. Of course, if you think badly of yourself, that's going to show in the way that you allow people to treat you.. For instance, if you feel unworthy or worthless, then it isn't a stretch for your "friends" to stand you up and then not call or explain or apologize, and not expect anything about the friendship to change.
However, I never thought of the fact that neglecting the physical can have the same affect. Things like not doing your nails and not taking the time to put on your favorite moisturizer or perfume.. not exercising, or eating junk food. If you treat your body like crap, pretty soon you start to feel bad about yourself. It bleeds over into your mental and spiritual life as well (and vice versa).
Hm. Interesting.
I've heard for years that they way you treat yourself is the way others will treat you.
We took this a little farther in our conversation yesterday. I realized that this is a more concrete concept than I had previously thought. Of course, if you think badly of yourself, that's going to show in the way that you allow people to treat you.. For instance, if you feel unworthy or worthless, then it isn't a stretch for your "friends" to stand you up and then not call or explain or apologize, and not expect anything about the friendship to change.
However, I never thought of the fact that neglecting the physical can have the same affect. Things like not doing your nails and not taking the time to put on your favorite moisturizer or perfume.. not exercising, or eating junk food. If you treat your body like crap, pretty soon you start to feel bad about yourself. It bleeds over into your mental and spiritual life as well (and vice versa).
Hm. Interesting.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
TwickelTweat
We ran out of candy last night at around 7:45.. just when the major onslaught of kids hit. We had 150 candy bars, and didn't eat a single one ourselves.. but we could have easily given out three times that in our neighborhood last night .
There were some adorable children out there, too. My Clemson Tigerpaw pumpkin was a huge hit, as were the full size candy bars, the inflatable arch way with the glowing eyes, then graveyard scene in front of the dinig room window, and L's glow-in-the-dark skeleton costume. He scared the crap out of one group of pre-teen boys who thought he wasn't real. One of them started poking his chest and stomach to see what he was made out of, and that's when he let out a particularly lugubrious moan and grabbed the kid's shoulder. It was too funny.
One little boy took one look at the porch and ran in the other direction. I sent his candy out to the street with his sister, who wasn't the least bit scared once she saw the chocolate bars. One group of kids asked if the bones scattered about were real bones.. I said they were Internet bones.
The best trick-or-treater we had, though, was a tiny little boy in a chicken costume. He was probably two feet tall, and his candy bucket was so heavy he was dragging it more than carrying it. He hefted it out in front of him and said, "TwickelTweat Pwease!" Seriously, the kid couldn't have been more than 3. He was adorable.
We had SO much fun giving out candy! Next year we will have to buy a LOT more.
There were some adorable children out there, too. My Clemson Tigerpaw pumpkin was a huge hit, as were the full size candy bars, the inflatable arch way with the glowing eyes, then graveyard scene in front of the dinig room window, and L's glow-in-the-dark skeleton costume. He scared the crap out of one group of pre-teen boys who thought he wasn't real. One of them started poking his chest and stomach to see what he was made out of, and that's when he let out a particularly lugubrious moan and grabbed the kid's shoulder. It was too funny.
One little boy took one look at the porch and ran in the other direction. I sent his candy out to the street with his sister, who wasn't the least bit scared once she saw the chocolate bars. One group of kids asked if the bones scattered about were real bones.. I said they were Internet bones.
The best trick-or-treater we had, though, was a tiny little boy in a chicken costume. He was probably two feet tall, and his candy bucket was so heavy he was dragging it more than carrying it. He hefted it out in front of him and said, "TwickelTweat Pwease!" Seriously, the kid couldn't have been more than 3. He was adorable.
We had SO much fun giving out candy! Next year we will have to buy a LOT more.
Halloween 2006
At work this year, our theme for Halloween was "Weather Conditions"The Original Crew .. A Flash Flood Warning, Raining Cats and Dogs, and Hot & Humid..
Yours Truly, the Flash Flood Warning
THE best part of the costume.. My wool socks and L's sandals, which were too big.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
