Hey guys! Just peeking in to say that "yes," I AM alive! I really miss you guys! I hope you all know how much I DO still think of you and wish I could visit you more often!
I know I have been M.I.A. for quite awhile but that is for several reasons. First off, my Internet had been down for almost a week. It goes up and down all the time! Time Warner really sucks sometimes! Work has been wonderful with a capitol W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L! But also soooo tiring! I have worked over 60 hours the past two weeks ( over 60 EACH week) and while it has been invigorating to be doing something so all encompassing again (being with customers again has been terrific!), it is also quite exhausting! I feel like I am making a contribution again, and after 12 years of doing the same thing, going back to what I do best has been so HEALTHY for me! Despite the fact it does take its toll on me physically, my M.S. has been much more under control than ever! Because they have me working Sunday's now, I haven't been to Church in forever. On the few Sunday's I don't work, all I do is sleep late. I miss Church a lot, but still listen to the services on the Church website! Monday I worked a 14 hour day..so you can see, coming home and collapsing is what I do a lot of! Last week we worked SIX days and yesterday I worked 12.5 hours. Working 66 hours is a bit too much! But this is my busy time and I have sooo much to do. John and I rarely spend time together anymore. We are more like ships that pass in the night! Once a week we get to spend my weekend day off, but rarely spend a lot of time together during the week. We both have jobs that take so much out of us physically. Sunday we had breakfast in bed (we rotate every weekend who makes it) After lunch we went for a swim in our pool, followed by a few games of cards, after dinner we watched a movie together. Wow. We hadn't spent that much time together in forever! Makes one appreciate the times we do get to enjoy time together! Speaking of movies....last weekend we bought "The Bucket List".
What an amazing movie! It's been a long time since I have seen a movie that made me cry and uplifted me at the same time! The critics gave it a lousy review, but we both enjoyed it a lot.The ending was perfect! Rent it or buy it if you can! It is definitely worth a watch! I was promoted to Dept. Mgr. of our Fine China Dept. after being Office Manager for 11 years. I just love having so much to do and really look forward to my job everyday. John teases me when I get home after only working 11.5 hours and says "OMG! You are home before midnight! What is the occasion?" He he! The past few months have been me just trying to play catch up. I have still been doing both jobs until they find a replacement for me. Two days in the office, three days in Fine China. Now it is 1 day in the office and four days in my dept. It has been tough trying to keep up with both jobs! I loved my old job but it had gotten so boring and was pretty much obsolete. It's hard leaving something you are so familiar with! It's a lot more work in my new position, but it will be worth it! John and I are doing well and are about to celebrate our year anniversary in a few days! Hard to believe it has been a year already! Hard to believe my life has changed so much! John takes very good care of me! He always has dinner ready when I FINALLY get home, and does his share to keep the house clean, especially when I am too tired to do it! John is all those things! Although he really isn't that tall...he he! But I couldn't ask for a better boyfriend! <smile>. Other guys treated me like a Princess, John treats me like a queen! (I thought that was hilarious! He he!) I am still car shopping and will hopefully make a decision next weekend. I haven't had a car payment in 12 years! I can't wait to have the new car though! It is going to have all the bells and whistles including GPS in the car! I am "paying it forward" (another awesome movie) with my old car and selling it to one of the kids at work who takes the bus. I told her I would sell it for $500.00's. She about died! I know I could get more for it with a trade in, but I know I will feel so great selling my car for a pittance to someone who really needs one and can't afford one! I told her she can take as long as she wants to pay it off, because I know money is so tight for her! Not that I don't need the money (especially with the new car payment!) but you know, I have so much more than she does, and if I can help her in some small way, then I have paid back at least one of the "pay it forwards" that I have received! Actually it is incredibly selfish of me because it makes ME feel so good! (wink, grin) "Paying it forward" is one of the best highs in life! (smile). I have to say that I am so upset that I missed my friend Paula's birthday. My computer was up and down that week and I didn't get a chance to do my traditional birthday blog for her. Also a much shorter belated birthday to my friends Arthur,Cindy A, Amy G, and Bob the Cow (Chris) as well! Love you guys and hope you had as wonderful a birthday as you are! Also a not so belated Happy Anniversary to Goosie and Pig! I saw this saying and it so reminded me of you! You guys are the best! And yes, I miss you too! John and I have settled into "married life" quite well. Hard to imagine a time when we weren't together. It feels like years already! We are both deeply in love and make each other very happy! I haven't set an "official" date yet, but I know it will be sometime in the fall next year - probably October. We don't.need to have the "piece of paper" to know we have made a lifelong commitment to each other. So yes, I am still alive and doing well. Happy, healthy, and hoping it continues! I still try to keep up with my 360/Multiply friends but my time is so short lately. It will be about another month before things at work settle down enough at work for me to have a normal life again. I am so happy though, and I really appreciate the good things in my life. John and I have been exercising and made the usual summer vow that everyone makes to lose weight and get into shape! Having a pool really helps! I just came in from a long, leisurely swim in our pool. It is in the 90's today and the pool is 82 degrees. Hard to imagine we ever swam in the pool when it was only 72 degrees! It is a wonderful luxury to have your own pool though! We love being able to go swimming whenever we want to! It also really helps my M.S! This house is a definite luxury but as hard as we work, we both agree that having a peaceful and warm haven is what keeps us going. Which reminds me - every once in awhile we decide to buy something really fun, but that we don't really need. After all, if we can't enjoy the fruits of our labor, what good is it right? I saw this wonderful item in my store that got marked down 50% and decided I just HAD to have it! (After working a 66 hour, six day work week, I decided I needed a pick me up! <grin> I have over 300 albums and about 400 45's. There are quite a few that I can't find on C.D.'s, so it will be fun to convert them myself. It's pretty cool don't you think? We are building a good life together and appreciate the little luxuries and fun things that we are able to afford. So, once again I must tell you all how much I love and miss you! I remember a time when you couldn't get me off the computer, now I just eat dinner and crawl into bed most nights. You know the summer heat plays havoc on my M.S. and working so much makes it hard to do little but work, eat and sleep. But still, I am happy and enjoying life a lot more than I used to. I am very grateful for your friendships and although I may not always be here (visibly) always know I am here in spirit! I peak in at you all and always keep you in my thoughts and prayers! You all helped me through some really rough moments in my life and I am forever grateful for the friendships I have built and will always cherish you! I hope you all are doing well! Always know how much I love and miss you! Love always,
Crack Found on Governor's Daughter [Imagine that!]
Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says [No, really?] Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers [Now that's taking things a bit far!] Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus? [Not if I wipe thoroughly!]
Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over [What a guy!]
Miners Refuse to Work after Death [No-good-for-nothing' lazy so-and-so!]
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant [See if that works any better than a fair trial!]
War Dims Hope for Peace [I can see where it might have that effect!]
If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile [You think?]
Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures [Who would have thought!] Enfield (London) Couple Slain; ! Police Suspect Homicide [They may be on to something!]
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges [You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?]
Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge [he probably IS the battery charge!]
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group [Weren't they fat enough?!]
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft [That's what he gets for eating those beans!]
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks [Taste like chicken?]
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half [Chainsaw Massacre all over again!]
Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors [Boy, are they tall!]
And the winner is.... Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead Now that you've smiled at least once, it's your turn to spread the stupidity. Send this to someone to whom you want to bring a smile (Maybe even a chuckle). We all need a good laugh, keep laughing it will keep you young... or at least make you think so....
Happy Mother's Day to all my friends.! I hope you have a great day! Unfortunately, I am working today, but John and I had a wonderful celebration with my mom and dad last night, and we sent his mom flowers and she absolutely loved them and the card! A special Happy Mom's Day to my "surrogate online mom" - Goosie! Love you mom! Hugs and love to all!
Britney Spears Ashley Simpson Cameron Diaz Michael Douglas & Catherine Zeta Jones The Beckhams Gwen Steffani Hillary Duff Jennifer Aniston J Lo and Mark Anthony Johnny Depp John Travolta Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen Pamela Anderson Paris Hilton Sarah Jessica Parker Sharon Stone Tara Reid Tom Cruise
Hope you laughed as hard as I did! Have a great weekend! Luv ya, Lucky
Answer: In all of the words listed, if you take the first letter, place it at the end of the word, and then spell the word backwards, it will be the same word.
Our wonderful friends Goosie and Pig got into a car accident. James is okay, but Gilda broke BOTH her arms! Their friend Ric is helping them out (bless you Ric!) and James is being the wonderful husband that he is and doing what he can to make her comfortable. Our friend Lese (Txchatterbox) took a tumble and is still having trouble walking. My friends Karen and Michael lost their Kitty Bo-Bo. She is in mourning and really down. Please keep them in your prayers as well! Also please remember (Grettasister)Joyce's friend Greta Ann and her husband Diek as they enter into parenthood. They've had a rough ride, but are expecting a new bundle of joy! Thanks to all who have responded with kind words and thoughtful messages! You guys are the best! Hugs and love to you all! Lucky Lisa
My friends on 360/Multiply are like my extended family. When one is in pain, I feel it too. I may not always be around, but please know you are all always in my thoughts and prayers! When I read of someone's personal pain, I wish I were able to put my arms around them and tell them I am there with them, (if only in spirit). It's hard to not want to jump on a plane and run to the people you love and help them through whatever they are going through Some of my friends are always in my thoughts and prayers because of illness or disease. Friends like Blue Rose, Gwen, Daddy Bob, Leland, Cinnamon Spice, Shanda, Beth, Greta/Patti, Art, K.J, and Faye just to name a few. I know when I am feeling my worst and get so frustrated with my disease, I think of some of my friends and how well they battle their diseases and I somehow become bathed in strength and the will to fight even harder.
All of you are a source of strength and comfort for me - symbols of how we can overcome the worst of times and show that we are going to get through anything..we have each other and this wonderful support system which makes us even stronger!
So Thursday I read of my friend Steve's (Beatleboy) loss of his good friend Donna - a wife and mother of 2, who died way too young! Then yesterday while visiting my friend Debra's page I was reading of her daughter's illness and could feel how hard she was fighting to stay strong for her "little girl". Here is a woman who battles her own disease every day, who thinks nothing of herself, who I know needs your prayers more now than ever. My heart goes out to my friends, their families and their friends, and I wish I could do more to help.
The only thing I can do is offer my support, lend a shoulder, a tender ear, and ask for prayers from all of you. I truly believe that prayer does help, and I believe in the support system we have built amongst each other. Thanks in advance! Big hugs and much love, Lucky
P.S. My friend Lese (Chatterbox) had a terrible fall and is pretty banged up. Please add her to your prayers as well! Thanks!
Congratulations Grandpa "Geek" on the birth of your second grandchild! Glad that mother and child are doing well! Wasn't it just yesterday when she was so young... and now she's the mother of two!
Yes, I finally blogged again. Yes, it is a novel. Yes, you'll need more than a few minutes to read it! (If anyone cares to) Sorry it is so long. I guess I had a lot of catching up to do! Lots going on and I wanted you all to know why I have seemed "distant" and why I haven't been around. I miss you guys and hope life is treating you well. I saw this pic yesterday and thought it was cute! It made me smile and so I thought I'd add it here. Have a great week. Big hugs!
Hello everyone! How the heck are you? It's been awhile, so I guess I'll catch you up a little on what's been going on with me... Hmmm. Where to start? I think I told you John and I bought ourselves an early Valentine's Day present. It is a 40" HD Samsung big screen t.v. Very cool! We are enjoying it immensely! He got me a new digital camera which is soooo much beter than my old camera! My favorite present was my brand new phone - a Blackjack II in burgundy. I still haven't learned all the bells and whistles on my phone yet, but am having fun playing with all the features on it. It's a great phone! It even has GPS on it. We got a great deal on the car jack, case and bluetooth as a package. I wasn't even thinking of getting a bluetooth, but now that I have one, I love it! I just wish I could work my phone better! He he! In March we got a new Store Manager and District Manager, and a whole new District Staff. Lots and lots of change. Most of it for the better... Back in Jan. we were really short handed in our Fine China Dept. I worked for Dillard's for 7 years as an Area Manager and Fine China was one of my depts, so I was the logical choice for extra coverage. Having M.S. I can't be on my feet for very long, which is why the Office Manager position at my store had always been good for me. I sit all day long. I've had my job there for almost twelve years now. However, the position has grown less and less a viable one, and basically it is almost nonexistent now. My old District Manager and I were really close and they basically kept me in the position even though they have only ten hours allotted for the position. Our new District Manager has made us go by the template they have for hours in the store. This meant I could only be in the office for one day a week. (But my new boss has me there two days a week.) On Tuesday's they had me doing new hire training/working in the office. Then three days in Fine China. It's been okay because I can sit at the desk most of the time I am down there. The biggest problem has been walking up and back from my office to the dept. It's a long walk and then moving around the dept. with customers. But the biggest problem has been the changes in my schedule. I worked 7-5:30 everyday with the weekends off for 10 years. Then my old witch of a Store Manager decided I needed to work on Saturday's. Okay even that was cool. But I was still working 7-5:30, occasionally 8-6:30 on Saturday's. Now with this new template and the demands of the dept, I have been working all kinds of crazy hours. Then they decided since "technically" I am a "Dept. Mgr." I need to work the same days as everyone else. Which means they started me working on SUNDAYS!! I have to work every other Sunday. It really sucks because I have missed so many days at Church just because of fatigue, but now that I am working on Sundays, I have just about stopped going all together. Twelve years of no Sundays and NOW they decide it's important for me to work them? I said to my boss "you know I CONVERTED, so it must be really important to me to go!" But this is the "retail life". They don't care about anything in your personal life. I couldn't believe they had me scheduled for EASTER Sunday. I refused to work it. At least they got THAT and realized it was unfair of them to expect me to work that day and I got to go to Church. I have missed my Church friends and hearing the sermons in person. Anyway, now they have me working 7-5:30 on Mon. and Fri, Tues. and Thurs. I work 8-6:30, Sat. 9-7:30. Sun. 9:30-8:30. It changes sometimes but that is basically my new schedule. My body went into shock from all the changes and my M.S. flared up a little. This past Sat. I was scheduled 7-5:30. The two girls who were supposed to close the dept. that night didn't show up, so I wound up staying until 9:30!! 14 1/2 hours!! It was my Sunday to be able to go to Church, but I slept until NOON! (No doubt huh?) John made me breakfast in bed. Then I was watching my soap (which he tapes for me everyday, smile) and I fell back asleep at I think 2:00 and slept until 5:00! John made me rest all day, which was a good thing because I worked an 11 hour day on Mon. So as you can see, I am putting in a TON of hours and am so exhausted lately I haven't had the energy to touch my computer! Last week I worked almost 60 hours! So please forgive me for not visiting you all more! I miss you all so much, but I just haven't had the energy to even try and get online! They are thinking of making me Fine China Mgr. and moving me into the position, letting go of my office duties of payroll, invoicing, ordering etc. Right now I have two main bosses. My Operations Mgr. and the Fine China Asst. They are battling over doing this. LOL. Apparently it turned into a big screaming match in their meeting because my old boss doesn't want to lose me and my new boss wants me full time. Frankly I would love to do it, but there is no one that can take over my job and do it well enough to justify me leaving it, and they can't hire for this position from the outside. This is the moment where my boss had to admit I was invaluable to her - he he! Talk about suddenly being REALLY appreciated! He he he! Just Kidding! I was Ops. Mgr. for awhile and trained many of the Operations Managers in our District, as well as the Office Managers. But I have been so bored with my job that diving into something new would be a welcome change. The physical requirements can be worked around but I have to admit, it will be a physical challenge. One I think I am up for though! It seems like a tough road sometimes... Speaking of challenges, (quick segue here again) John and I decided NOT to try and have a baby. The more we thought about it (individually and collectively), we realized ultimately it would be unfair to our child. As I am approaching the big 46 next week, I realized I would be 67 when our kid turned 20, and John would be 71. Not that a lot of kids haven't been raised by their Grandparents and been happy, stable children. Not that this child wouldn't have all the love in the world from us both, as well as our family and friends. But the future is so uncertain, and I started really thinking about the "what ifs". Sure my M.S. is stable and even being off my meds, I have been doing really well. But "what if" (knock wood) something happened to John? Sure, raising the kid together is easy. But if I had to do it alone, I don't think I could do it. "What if" something happens to me? (knock wood). Would that be fair to John to work as hard as he does and have to take care of me AND a baby? Not that he wouldn't do it. Of course he would MAKE it work. But what kind of life would that be for any of us? We are both so exhausted lately from work we have so little to give to each other. Ultimately I think a kid would destroy our relationship. Children consume so much of your time and energy. I don't think it would be fair to our child to not be able to give it 100%! We talked about maybe adopting later on down the road. Maybe an older kid. Maybe becoming a big sister/brother. But right now we are pretty certain that we shouldn't conceive. "If we had only met years ago"...John says that to me all the time. But the one thing I have learned about life is that He tells me "I am not going anywhere. I am in this for the long haul. You could be in a wheelchair or have to stay in bed all day long. You are the woman I have waited my whole life for and I love you more than I thought it was possible to love a woman." And I love him the same way.John: Did you read about the guy who put his baby in the microwave and maimed her for life? Amazing that insane people like that get to have children and the people who really want them and would make great parents don't get blessed with the joy of having kids. I hate that we didn't meet sooner too, and all I wanted was to give him the one thing he (we) has (have) always wanted and never will have. A child would have made our lives more complete than we ever thought possible. But realistically, we both know that we have to let go of that dream. As long as we have each other, I guess we'll just have to make other dreams come true. :) Like I said before I have to believe that As bad as things get sometimes, with John hard things become simple....well, at least easier. Speaking of dreams (another quick segue here) he he! I've had my piece of junk car for 12 years now, and have finally decided to retire her. I have been shopping around and I'm thinking about getting a Honda Civic Ex 2D Coupe. This one has all the bells and whistles that I want. Very cool. John is going halfsies on the car payments with me, so we can easily afford the car. So much change in the past year and months ahead. I am loving it! I have vacation in a few weeks and we are planning a trip to Shreveport. His sister and brother-n-law are trying to talk us into going to Vegas for the weekend. When we have "family get togethers" his brother-n-law and 2 nephews and niece and John and I get into blackjack tournaments. John and I play cards together all the time so we thought it might be fun to do it for real money! LOL. Who knows, we could even win some! John has been on the luckiest streak I have ever seen! I'm anxious to see how he does! Even if we lose, it should still be fun to get away! We haven't been out in quite awhile, and might even take in a movie or two on my vacation :) Anyway, that's all my news. I thought I should at least drop in and let you guys know I am still alive and kicking. I promise to stop by each of your blogs on my vacation. I hope you are all well, safe and happy. My thoughts and prayers are with you always! If there is one thing I have learned in the past year, it is this: Much love and lots of hugs! And a few kisses too! Love always, Your friend,
This was just too funny! I was looking for a video to wish my dear friend "Jools" "Happy Birthday" and I came across this one.. I laughed so hard when I saw the opening "To Precious Jools!" So I guess this one was meant for her..
Happy birthday Julie! (a.k.a. Jools) I hope you have a wonderful day! I love you sweetie! Your friend always, Lucky
Hey everyone, I noticed that my monitor was not quite as clear as when I first got it. Apparently the electrons build up on the inside of the screen with time, and the picture deteriorates. I found a free program that I used to 'clean' the inside of the screen and the improvement was quite noticeable. I highly recommend it. If you'd like to try it, simply click on the following link. The program is free, works automatically, and takes only about 45 seconds to do its job.
Once upon a time there was a bunch of tiny frogs.... who arranged a running competition.
The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower.
A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants....
The race began....
Honestly,no one in crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower.
You heard statements such as:
"Oh, WAY too difficult!!"
"They will NEVER make it to the top."
or: "Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!"
The tiny frogs began collapsing. One by one....
Except for those, who in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher.... The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!"
More tiny frogs got tired and gave up.... But ONE continued higher and higher and higher....
This one wouldn't give up!
At the end everyone else had given up climbing the tower. Except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top! THEN all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it?
Because they have me working Sunday's now, I haven't been to Church in forever. On the few Sunday's I don't work, all I do is sleep late. I miss Church a lot, but still listen to the services on the
John and I are doing well and are about to celebrate our year anniversary in a few days! Hard to believe it has been a year already! Hard to believe my life has changed so much! John takes very good care of me! He always has dinner ready when I FINALLY get home, and does his share to keep the house clean, especially when I am too tired to do it!
