Happy 4th of July!

This has nothing to do with the 4th, but this has got to be one of the luckiest brides! One of my favorite movies, and one of my favorite scenes! Thanks to Eyegirl for showcasing it first!!

Friday Fragments

Good morning! And, Happy Friday! One day closer, is all I'm sayin'.

Friday means it's time for Friday Fragments . . . those little thoughts/mini-posts that don't hold up on their own. Since I have a lot to do today, let's get to it.

Saturday I again announced at the race track. I don't pretend I'm spectacular at it, but I enjoy it. And, I get to watch the whole race. The only problem is that I get caught up watching a battle between a couple of cars and forget that I really need to be watching the whole field! No wonder people like this race thing so much!

Also Saturday, I was supposed to help with a bucket drive for the FD, and then give blood. Well, since no one showed up for the bucket drive except for me and 3 other people, we called it off. I realized that some times, it's nice for something to fall apart. I suddenly had 2 hours free for ME!

My super friends who sent me flowers while I was at the beach brought back taffy . . . the REAL kind . . . from the beach. It was sooo fresh. I lurve my friends.

This week, I managed to catch up on all my DVR'd shows, and was stuck watching live TV. Do you have any idea how much commercials are boring?!?!? I purposely didn't watch any this week so I can have a cache to watch this weekend!

It's not secret that I have car issues. I've been driving an 88 Honda Accord that has . . . quirks. I was really excited to get my Buick back from my parents as Dad had told me, "It's in FANTASTIC shape." Yeah. Well, going to a call Sunday night for the squad, the ball joint broke! Here's the good part. The fantastic mechanic that came to look quoted me $150. It came in at $150 and change. That's my kind of an estimate. Still, I'm grateful that it broke 1) at about 10 mph, so I didn't further damage the car, and 2) it came to stop in an alley so I wasn't blocking anything vital. I'll be grateful for small favors . . .

I got so aggravated yesterday. It seemed that every call was, "Hi, are you open tomorrrow?" Hello people, it's the 3rd of July . . . NOT a federal holiday! Believe me, I wish we weren't, but since we are, I better go get put together.

Happy 4th of July, everyone! What kind of plans do you have? Me, I'll be racing, racing, and more racing!!!

Come play with us . . .

No good deed . . .

Again, I was wondering what I'd post for my Wordful Wednesday's. Trust my dog to help me out . . .

Tonight, I had just pulled out the bread I made last night, and had a slice. I was checking my email, when the tones went out for more manpower for a call. So, I took off. Now, here's where it gets important.

I made it as far as my car, sat in, didn't get the door closed, when the crew advised they were ok. I came back in the house to find my dog high-tailing it to the bedroom. Want to know what she had managed to snag? Yeah, my FRESH home made bread!!! Of course, by that time I didn't want it, but I do find it humorous that she would stop and pose for a picture! She sure wouldn't eat it though while I was looking at her. She knew she was in trouble!!! Part of the joys of having a house dog . . . eventually, you share everything!!!

Want to come play with us?

6th Folder, 6th Pictures

Oh, I'm probably going to get in trouble for this one!

I saw this on another blog this morning, and figured I would swipe the idea since I'm sitting here with a blank.


6th Folder (Work stuff), 6th Picture (from a celebration)

We were coming back from an evening across the mountain where we had gotten together with all our co-workers from other locations. They fed us well, and we might, might have been a little goofy on the way back. That's Laurel on the left, and Stacey on the right. Laurel is my walking buddy, and has an awesome sense of humor. Stacey, well, she's Stacey. I love the both of them, as they really make work a fun place to be!

Sunday night I ran a squad call. While turning the corner to go to the building, I heard this loud "Pop/Boom" sound. Not good. As I tried to pull away from the squad building, something was grinding/dragging, and the back wheel was all jacked up. I spent all day really worried about getting it fixed. One of my favorite drivers at the Drag Strip, also runs a repair shop here in town and he came to look at it. Turns out, it's a broken ball/joint. And, while not cheap, it won't completely break me to get it fixed. If it's not one thing . . . I was once told, "If it has testicles or tires, it's going to give you trouble." But, you know what? I've been pretty lucky when it comes to both. The mechanic told me I was really lucky that this didn't happen while I was flying down the interstate. I agree, isn't it amazing how things work out sometimes? Yeah, the car is broken, but only temporarily, and it happened at a time/place that was convenient, and didn't tear anything else up. Some days, it's really hard NOT to count your blessings!!

I'm reminded of the time that we had a huge tree fall on our roof when I was a teenager. It scared the daylights out of me! Dad came in, and the first thing he said was, "What a blessing." Huh? Well, it turns out that we had been needing the roof re-done, and now, insurance would pay for it! And, since Dad and some other men went up and removed the tree themselves, insurance paid for everything, no deductible.

I'm grateful that I'm watched over like I am . . . Hmm, not quite where I started off with 6/6, is it?

Donating

Anyone who knows anything about me, knows that I have a hard time saying no. Well, saying no to volunteering, anyway. I love being able to help someone out. That's why I'm with the FD as their treasurer, the rescue squad, the cub scouts . . . I just enjoy it. Most of the time.

Another thing I do is give blood. It's kind of a joke. I tell people/organizations, you can have my time, you can have my blood, but you can't have my money! But, why give blood?

For one thing, it's quick. For another, it does so much good. There's always a need, and never enough. To people who say that they hate needles, well, yeah. I'm right there with you. Needles, not cool. And, yes, this is a bigger needle that they use. But you know what? It's over in less time than it'll take you to cook a frozen pizza, and it will literally help save a life. Guess what? I pass out, nearly every time that I donate. Many people have told me that they wouldn't do it. Why? Passing out isn't a big deal. You get hot, you get nauseous, you get uncomfortable. And, you save a life. I think it's a small price to pay.

This past Saturday, I was up for donating again. Except, this time, they asked me to give double reds. Basically, the way I understand it, they take your blood out, spin it around, take the red blood cells out, and put everything else BACK. Er, ok! Less volume gone means I won't keel over, right? Yeah, not so much. I got hot, I got nauseous, I got agitated, but at least, I didn't go out completely! And, the process was rather cool to watch! See?

Here's me, with the needle in. At this point, you don't even realize anything is going on. The needle is in, and it isn't even mildly uncomfortable.

Then, it goes into this spiffy machine. It's really quiet, and your blood is going on a really fast merry-go-round.

Then, here's the plasma/other schtuff, ready to be put back. And, interestingly enough, depending on what medications you take, changes the color of your plasma! Mine is slightly green-ish.

So, if you have the chance, the opportunity, please give. There's always yummy snacks, and a lot of times, you'll get a t-shirt or other trinket for your trouble. But, the best part . . . you have made someone else's life a possibility. Please.

Friday Fragments

Good morning! It's finally Friday, but that doesn't mean a whole lot. I've got to be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow for several things. No rest for the weary, right?

Anyway, since it is Friday, it's time for Friday Fragments - those great posts that don't quite warrant a whole post, all to themselves.

While out walking with Laurel last week, she mentioned artichokes. After that, I couldn't get them out of my head, so I stopped by K-Rogers and picked a couple up. I justified the expense by saying if that was ALL I ate, then they weren't really that expensive, right?

I also discovered, last week, (Sorry, Mom) that for the low part of $90, you could get your more intimate areas adorned with genuine Swarovski crystals. Do say what? The worst part about this, is that if they are offering it, than someone is DOING it. People, say it with me. You are beautiful just the way you are. No bedazzling necessary, I promise! Yikes, and OUCH!

I had 2 patches of poison ivy on my arm. Now, I know I'm deathly allergic, so if at all possible, I avoid anything green and leafy. Turns out, giving my dog a bath, transferred the oil to me. Thanks, puppy.

Last weekend I again announced for the racetrack. How many different ways can you come up with, "around and around and around"? It got to be somewhat comical at times, but you know what? I loved doing it! Something different, and I'll have to put some thought into new and creative ways to say things.

I need to again tell L & K how much their gesture meant to me. Everyone likes getting flowers, but that they would think to even do it . . . . wow. I know I missed an incredible girls' trip. We'll have to plan something again for this summer. Love you guys!

At work, when things get stressful, or there's just down time, we tend to throw rubber stress balls at each other. I have horrible aim. Yesterday, I got one of those super lucky shots in, and hit the boss, dead on. Never mind that he constantly is throwing at us, he decided to seek revenge. While I was on the phone with a client, I lifted my Diet DP to take a swallow. BAM. Ball in the face/glass, and drink went ALL over me, my shirt, my keyboard . . . and it was one of those cute, light summer-y white shirts. So glad I wear a cami, but let me tell you . . . . revenge is SO best served cold!

And, with that, it's time to get ready for work. Won't you come play with us?

Wordful Wednesday's

Wordful Wednesday's is for those of us who can't shut up about a picture. I didn't really have one this week . . . this morning.

Ok. So, remember me talking about how I really wanted to go to the beach and see Kenny Chesney with my friends? And that I can't go because work won't let me have the time off? I've been really bummed about it, and was trying to act like it was no big deal, I'd catch the next trip. But, it's been a big deal, and I've really been trying to be ok about it. They left today. I stayed at work. About an hour after they left, these show up.

Sorry it's blurry - I'm still getting used to the new phone camera, and I might have been just a bit teary eyed as I was taking it. See that note? It's from L & K, "Wish you were here". Wow. That made everything better. Not better like me being able to be there, but that they would think that much to do it. See, I knew how disappointed I was that I couldn't go, but for it to be that disappointing to them as well? There's this little Sally Fields part in me going, "They like me! They really like me!" Isn't that dorky? But, it made for an awesome Wednesday!

Come play with us . . .