Friday Fragments

Ok, Mrs. 4444, did you think I had bailed this week?

I almost didn't do a Friday Fragments this week. Still trying to think of what I might have to say . . . .

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I am SO ready for Spring. Spring is ready to be here, too. I saw that I have some tiny green heads trying to poke through, so hopefully, Spring is just around the corner!
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My friends son came home from Iraq this week on leave. He was supposed to come in Wed. night. He called, nope, Tuesday night. Then, he called Tuesday morning to tell her that he was getting on a plane right then and would be in about 10:30 - wait, make that 9:55. She called me to tell me it was 9:57 and he was late. Wait a minute . . . isn't he a day and a half early? Still, to hear her, "Squeee! That's my kid . . . I gotta go!" was priceless. Welcome home, Sidney!!
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I have had a variation on the same dream for about a week now. I am getting r e a l l y aggravated with it. Same people, same basic conversation, same ending. Maybe I need to try to change the ending so I can get back to dreaming about McDreamy?
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This is my (sniff) last free weekend. Then, racing takes over. So, what am I doing with said empty weekend? Clean house, sleep, watch TV, play with my puppy, sleep, watch TV, play with my puppy . . . are you seeing a trend? Buh-bye, lazy weekends!
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I've made a new decision. I'm going to bury my scale under all my towels - no more weighing in!!! I was doing so good for a while, but now, no movement. I'm sorry, but 45 min of high intensity cardio, followed by strength training, AND walking the dog, AND playing the Wii, I ought to be losing pounds. So, I'm done with tracking that, and am going to focus on how things fit and how I feel. So there. Pbbbb.
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Dumb 911 call of the week: "35 year old female, congestion." Seriously? You're going to get people out of bed and tie up resources for that? Yes. It really happens.
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That's it for this week - but come play with us!!!

Writer's Workshop

Good morning! Well, it's morning anyway. And, it's supposed to be in the 60's today, so that makes it a good day, right? I'm writing this so I can go do my Wii Fit Yoga. Do you know how much harder it is to do on that than to just follow on TV? Stupid balance board.

Anyway, on to Mama Kat's writing prompts.

The Prompts:1.) For your birthday a sibling has decided to have the first six months of your blog printed and bound. Write a forward for the book.
2.) Write a 26-line poem using all the letters of the alphabet, where the first line starts with the letter "A," the second "B," the third "C," etc., culminating with the final line starting with "Z."(writersdigest.com)
3.) Start your story with, "In retrospect, I wouldn't say it was my best idea." And end it with, "And that's how I attempted to make this world a better place.(writersdigest.com)
4.) What would the truth have done? Write about a time when honesty was NOT the best policy.(writingfix.com)
5.) What made your childhood bearable? Write about it.

I can't imagine Brad writing more than a sentence for anything, and I am definately not a poet. The "not my best idea" was just posted in pictures with my tomato soup bath of my dog. And the light grey carpet. That's just too painful - not ready to go there yet. Let's go with the truth, and change a couple of details to protect the guilty!

My first year of college I was completely overwhelmed with all the things to do while at college. One of the girls that I had gotten to be pretty good friends with was really into this guy. He had all the "check" marks of the perfect guy. You know, tall, smart, return missionary, car, clean apartment, good grades, blah, blah, blah. Anyway, one night he invited her to come over to his apartment. Now, being the good girls that we were, she wasn't about to go over by herself, and asked me to tag along. I don't know that he had ever even acknowledged my presence. If it had, it was a casual, "Whass'up", and no more than that. She was SO twitter-pated over him. At one point, she got up and went in to use the bathroom. He got up to get a drink, came back, leaned over the back of the couch to where I was sitting, kissed me, (not a swooping, passionate deal, don't get me wrong), stood back up, went back to where he was sitting, and when she came back, was right back to how everything was 2 minutes ago. Meanwhile, I was flabbergasted. Did he just do that? No . . . Did he? What do I do? Oh, this is bad . . . sooo bad. On the way home, I had to hear about how much she just thought he was THE ONE. Er, no, hon, not so much. You SO don't want any part of that. But, I was so afraid that she would blame me, and be mad at me, that I just couldn't tell her.

Fortunately, "relationships" at this said place in the West, were known to be fleeting - a couple of weeks and someone could find themselves engaged or broken hearted, and hers was one of the later. I never did tell her, since she quickly moved on to someone else, as did he . . . many others, I suspect. I saw him several times after that, but he never acknowledged me. Was it a flat out lie? No . . . but would the truth have hurt? Absolutely . . . what would you have done?

Come play with us . . .

Wordful Wednesdays

Good morning! It's time for another Wordful Wednesday's. This is for those of us who have pictures we can't shut up about. Ok, so maybe I could shut up about this, but I wanted to share all the same.

A lot of my furniture is hand me downs, or something that I found an amazing deal on. The piano is Mom and Dad's. Anyway, I "made do" in my living room when I moved in. Not awful, but certainly looked dark and cramped. See?

Anyway, I decided that an upgrade was in order. I sold off the old entertainment center, and used those funds to help purchase a corner unit. Last week I was feeling very accomplished and got it put together, 98% by myself. A little help with centering the cupboard doors, but the rest of it? All me!

I couldn't figure out what to do with the bookcase. I tried it kitty corner, against each wall, and it just didn't work. Finally, one of my most awesome co-workers suggested that I center it on the wall - not pushed into a corner. And, voila! I love it! More room, cleaner looking, and nicer looking. What do you think?

Come play with us . . .

Friday Fragments

Friday is FINALLY here. I am so, so, tired. It has been a long week, and I'm ready for some down time. Of course, I'll spend a good part of it cleaning house, but that's part of the joys of having a black mutt running around! 2 more Saturday's and then the racing takes over my weekends.

Friday also means it's time for Half-Past Kissin' Time's Friday Fragments - short thoughts that aren't enough to warrant a whole post on their own. So, here goes . . . .

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You know it's a slow news day when one of the featured articles on CNN is "When Good Chimps Go Bad". I realize there's a tragic story behind that, but still . . . really? Good Chimps go Bad? I mean, I see so many every day that with some counseling could probably be helped . . .
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Yesterday morning I was on my way in to work. I saw a penny - my 4th this week! Bent down to pick it up, and stepped up on the curb to the sidewalk, and promptly nearly lost my balance. I was able to catch myself, but just barely! At least it provided great entertainment to Stacey. Glad I got the penny though. Without that luck, I surely would have not saved myself!
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Over the past month or so, I've gotten rather lax about make-up in the evening. I come home from the gym, eat, shower, and play with the mutt. 3 times in the past month I've found myself thinking, "Could you not have taken the time for a little gloss and mascara? Geez . . ." I once had an ER doctor take a look at me, then the patient, then me, and ask, "And, who again is the patient?" Ok, so 3 am might not be the best time of day for me!
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I am soooo ready for warm weather. Usually I enjoy the various seasons, but cold without snow is just no fun. I'm tired of bundling up - tired of letting the car warm up, tired of fruit that might maybe taste like something I can remember, just ready for long breezy evenings that I can enjoy on my front porch!
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I realized today that this is my 301st post. Do I really have that much to say?!?!?
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Does anyone else watch Dirty Jobs? I have much love for the awesome Mike Rowe. I'm catching up on DVR shows, and the last one I watched had him helping out in the La Brea Tar Pits. That was over a month ago. Today, I read where they have just discovered a nearly intact mammoth skeleton. Except, Mike was helping to clean off one of his bones!!! So much for "just discovered"!
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Last night I put together my new entertainment center. It was a bit intimidating, but I love doing stuff like that . . . because I can. And, it's going to look SO good once I get the old EC out of there . . . I'll post pics!

Come play with us . . .

Writer's Workshop

Yay! It's Thursday! One day away from Friday, which is one day away from me not having anything scheduled to do for the weekend! I'm going to be able to get my new entertainment center put together! I am so tired. Wait . . . that might be the 2am squad call I had.

Thursday also means it's time for Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop. This week, I could chose from the following prompts:

1.) If you were starring on American Idol TONIGHT and HAD to sing, what song would you choose and why.

2.) Take a picture of yourself right this minute without primping and explain to us why it is you have not washed your hair today.

3.) I just asked Pat to help me with a writing prompt so here's his: "What do you think about the NBA All Star game"...blech.

4.) What's your number one pet peeve? Develop a punishment for anyone caught in the act.

5.) Write about something mean you did to a sibling growing up.

Couple of REALLY good choices there, but since I know nothing about the NBA, I just ranted about my pet peeve (Slow drivers!), I just rolled out of bed and have no makeup or contacts in, and I really want my Mom and Dad to still like me, let's go with the American Idol question, shall we?

I had to think about it for a minute (what was this week's topic again? Danny! Whoa. Want that boy to WIN!) Oh, that's right. Which song would I chose. Don't laugh. It would have to be the theme from "The Greatest American Hero". I've been working on it during my shower time, and I don't think that I could demolish it but so badly. Here's my disclaimer though. I'm so bad, I couldn't even make the bad audition list. There's no question that a truckload of buckets couldn't help me carry a tune! I love to sing, but realize, it is so NOT my forte!! I think Paula would love me for having the courage to try something that was obviously out of my comfort zone, but Simon and Randy would have no love for me.

Now, it's your turn. Come join us and play along!

Wordful Wednesdays

Thank goodness for "scheduled" days. I know I said I was going to get back to regular blogging, but life seems to not want to allow me that!!

Wordful Wednesday's is for those of us who can't shut up about a picture(s). Since I have almost 2000 to choose from this one trip alone, any time I can't decide, I go back to Africa!

This was up in the Drakensburg mountains. Yes, it's really Africa. It doesn't all look like the Lion King!!! This particular formation was called Baboon Rock. I don't get why, do you?

Any pictures I have of flowers/vegetation is because Dad took them. I'm so glad he did - I wouldn't have thought of it, and the flowers were exquisite!

We went to the top of the falls to get the view from there, stick our hands in the water, and that sort of thing. Cold water, gorgeous views!







Of course, once you change your perspective, you realize that sometimes you do really stupid things!This trip has been one of the highlights of my life - and I'm loving sharing my pictures!!! Come play too . . . .

Friday Fragments

Happy Friday everyone! It's time for another Friday Fragments, courtesy of Ms. 4444.

One of those weeks where I had something going on every single night. I hate those weeks - and more so since my Wii Fit came, but more on that later. Monday night I had the FD meeting. I have to say, there's more humor, and it's more laid back, then the squad meetings, but, it's still a meeting. Yawn. Keep in mind, I work, hit the gym, and race home to walk Britney and get to my meeting.

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Which gets me to Tuesday. They had a special call meeting to vote on a couple of things, and I decided if they wanted me there, they could have Britney, too. No, she didn't vote, but she got a whole lotta lovin'!
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Wednesday was Cub Scouts. Heather asked me to write up a brief description of our program. Unfortunately, "Kids show up. We entertain for 90 minutes, parents pick them up." Not quite sure why that one didn't make the cut??
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I also got my Wii Fit. There are some games that I don't like. There are some that I love. And the free step? SO wonderful. I can watch TV while I do it. And yes, my calves still are one stretch away from a major Charley Horse.

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Last night was Skills Drill. Every quarter, I have to go take a 10 question test to maintain my certification. Yeah, it's a multiple guess thing, but you wouldn't believe how much you can second guess yourself!
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And, why is it that the later you are, the slower the person you get stuck behind? I HATE getting behind someone who wants to go 45 when the speed limit is 55. And then, when you hit the broken lines, they decide to speed up to 65. What the heck??

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And, I am SO not coordinated enough for the Dance Dance Revolution game I picked up. This girl's got NO rhythm, but I'm sure I provided great entertainment for anyone who might have glanced in while traveling down the road.

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This morning it was 60. SIXTY. 60 degrees when I was walking my puppy. In February. I have the worst case of Spring Fever ever. And tomorrow they are calling for freezing rain? Ugh.

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That's enough for today. Have a great weekend!

Writer's Workshop

Good morning, everyone! It's time for Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop, and again this week, something easy! I was going to write about my 5 favorite current things, but it's too early, and I'm too sore to try to come up with those. So, on to . . .

1.) What was the first CD (or record or cassette) you ever purchased? Write about the way that particular album made you feel then. Write about how it makes you feel now.

I was at college right after high school, and I bought "The Phantom of the Opera". I was at a school where it was "cool" to have any kind of musical talent or appreciation, and I had heard my roommate singing several of the songs from this. I remember being so moved by the power of the songs, and the arrangements. I then got the sheet music to some of the songs, and learned to play some of them. It made me realize music was something more than just pop music on the radio.

Now, I've kept my appreciation for music other than what I can find on the radio. In fact, yesterday at work I was telling them about Evita and they looked at me like I had sprouted another head! I remember being in Argentina and visiting the Casa Rosada, as well as Eva Peron's burial place. No way I would have even known about it if it hadn't been for Evita. I still love to crank some Phantom when I'm cleaning house. I'm amazed at how much music I do have, and the random variety of it. I love to have music playing while I'm walking, cleaning, driving, working out, any time at all!

I'm playing with Mama Kat at:

Wordful Wednesdays

Where'd I go? Well, see, Msh came down this weekend and visited, AND I got my Wii and Wii Fit, so I've been a little occupied! It's been an AWESOME weekend. The best part, other than getting to see Msh, was getting to spend time with THIS adorable thing . . .

Seriously, how can you help but NOT love cheeks like those? And that smile? Oh baby, you had me at the first coo!!!

I'm playing along at Wordful Wednesdays . . . and I promise to be back to a regular bloggy schedule!

Writer's Workshop

I'm late, I know. I've spent my whole week being late. Deal with it. :-) The universe got turned on it's side this past Saturday when I was supposed to meet my friend K. AT 5p. Now, K. runs on K-time. Never on time. And, I'm totally ok with that. So, I was going to be there at exactly 5, along with a good magazine, and life would be fine. At 4:45, her son text'ed me wanting to know where I was. Er, why? "Cause we're waiting on you." HUH? So, since then, I've been late. And that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Anyway, on to Mama Kat's workshop. Ten things on my mind this week. Here goes.

1. Why is that Wal Mart had Wii's on Monday, but today, nada? Go figure.
2. How is it that every single night I sweep up fur, but Britney isn't naked yet?
3. I can't WAIT to see Msh and her baby girl tomorrow night.
4. Warm weather. Like, seriously warm. 60 degrees warm. It'll be here Saturday.

5. I only have 4 more Saturday's til racing again? How did THAT happen?

6. I love, love, luuurrrrve my flannel sheets. They are the BOMB!
7. Facebook . . . scary how many people I've caught up with in the past month!
8. Personal Finance should be a requirement for people to graduate from high school.
9. I'm having issues. All I want for dinner lately is nachos. Yummy!
10. I really, really, really love my life. When's the other shoe going to drop??

Come play along . . . .

Wordful Wednesdays

Good morning! I just looked outside, and we only got a dusting of snow. Again. But, the snow that we got Monday night? I had called Mom and told her it was "Slushing". Not really snow, but not quite ice, either. It lead to the most beautiful morning I've seen in a long time. Where snow just sits ON branches and surfaces, ice coats everything. And, this snow seemed to act like ice in surrounding available surfaces. Other than having to beat on my car to get the doors open, it was absolutely gorgeous. I couldn't wait to share pictures! In fact, the first thing I thought of was how perfect these would be for Wordful Wednesdays. Fortunately, there wasn't anyone behind me on the way to work yesterday. So, here's how my trip to work looked . . .

I'm playing along at:

It was bound to happen . . .

I keep a pretty busy schedule. FD on Monday, Rescue Squad on Tues, Cub Scouts on Wed, Laundry on Thursday, and once race season is back under way, Drag Strip on Friday, and Dirt Track on Saturday. Whew. That's just wrong that it took that long to type all that! Anyway, I dashed home tonight from the gym, grabbed a quick shower, and raced off to the firehouse. I got there, and . . . no one in the meeting room. Huh? Lots of cars in the lot, but no people. Finally, one of the other firemen came in. It's CLEAN UP meeting - and one that I don't have to attend! I didn't waste any time getting out of there!

But, that's OK, because when I was talking to Laurie today, my big mouth volunteered to make something for the Speedway Auxiliary meeting tomorrow night. When I remembered the meeting (that I don't have!) I realized I'd be up late making brownies. HA! No more! Brownies are in the oven, and Britney is drooling all over my tennis shoes trying to get at my leftover steak. I'm going to go enjoy every bite . . . .