Dinner, Coffee and Roots

Me and my dark roots made baked chicken parmesan for din-din and now I'm kicking back drinking a cup of coffee out of my new Keurig coffee maker that I scored at Christmas. Actually, it's a Cuisinart which is better than the Keurig. Nothing real exciting going on.

Remodeling, Master Bath

The new walls look pink in the pictures, but really they are a beige-y peach. It has been fun getting rid of all the wallpaper and popcorn ceilings everywhere.

Remodeling, Guest Bath

Will still be putting tile flooring down and getting a new toilet, so still a work in progress.

Remodeling, Master Bedroom & Guest Bedroom

Remodeling, My Bedroom

Over the last 6 months we have been slowly remodeling the house. We aren't even CLOSE to finishing, but I wanted to post some before and after progress. My bedroom was first, then the guest bedroom, office, master bedroom and bath, and my bathroom. We are still going to tile my bathroom and get a new toilet, but haven't gotten to it quite yet, and the office is still too messy to show. The entire house has electrical and plumbing issues, so it has been real fun. We have also done the garage and a few things downstairs, but I want to wait to take pics until it has progressed a little further. My grandparents had not done any redecorating since the 70's, so the changes are pretty drastic. LOL! I can't WAIT until we get to the kitchen and back yard! I love my red wall, and just so you know, it is NOT an 'angry' wall, it is the 'blood of Jesus' wall, K?

My Mother

When she isn't making me nuts, my mother is quite entertaining. We went to dinner tonight, and we split the bill. We were both paying cash, but I needed change so I asked her if she could break a 20. She replied "No, I just have a bunch of tens." I don't know if it was the look on my face or me saying, "OK, well how about I trade you this 20 for two of your 10's then?" that made her bust up into laughter and realize what she said. It has been an hour and she is still laughing. Crazy woman. LOL!

Back to Work

So I've thrust myself back into work after 11 days off. I like the structure believe it or not. BUT come January 20th, we are doing a software migration for two weeks and I won't have a thing to do. My boss suggested taking some of my vacation time since I've maxed out my vacation accrual. Frick. We don't get our bonuses until Jan 31st of course, so doing anything interesting is out. It is a shame because my bonus is quite substantial this year. A few things I'm doing is getting a pool heater and a Tempur-Pedic mattress.  Tired of my back hurting. The rest is going in the bank. I won't know how to act with a savings account.  If I ever sell my house, I might be able to salvage retirement before I'm 100.

The one thing you can count on is change.

Last year was the hardest year of my life. Everything I knew, changed. I'm still trying to get used to all things new. Some days I'm good and some days I'm not. It can be very overwhelming at times. I feel like I am a completely different person now. I wonder what this year will bring.

They've grown to love each other.

Happy New Year Everybody

Went after Christmas shopping at Macy's and got some stripper pumps I'm going to kill myself in, and some fun jewelry. Went out for filet mignon on NY Eve, then just watched movies. Gotta get some cleaning done before I go back to work. I have nothing profound to say for the new year.

Leopard Coat

I'm bored, can you tell? Going out to eat in my new leopard coat.

Sometimes I Sing

Me singing. LOL. What a dork.

Sometimes I Dance

Today all I have on is a V-neck white T-shirt and black underwear. My hair is straightened, but not combed. My black eyeliner is still on from yesterday. My toenails are painted pink.

I am dancing around upstairs on the terrace of the stairs singing my new theme song. "Pocket Full of Sunshine" by Natasha Bedingfield. I call the song "Take Me Away". I don't usually like this type of music, but it is catchy, and I like the words.

Dream

I just woke from a dream about a caveman. Right out of the blue. How interesting.

Old Flame

I've been inspired to write something.

A little while ago, an old boyfriend contacted me through Facebook. It happened to be the guy that I broke it off with to be with my now ex husband. I didn't know it at the time I broke up with him, but he had bought me an engagement ring and was going to propose to me on my birthday of that year. He got really pissed when I got engaged to my ex and threatened to crash our wedding. Funny stuff. That seems so long ago. He obviously didn't hold a grudge because he sent me a really nice email. Apparently, he is getting married for like, the fourth time, but this time to his best friend, a girl I know. They were friends when even we were dating; we all hung out together. They are so absolutely perfect for each other, and I am genuinely happy for them. Best friends for 20+ years finally getting married, that is beautiful. It makes me believe that great things can still happen, even late in the game.

Life is still taking very strange turns for me. I've received emails asking what happened with Paul; with David; with all of them. They just weren't the right ones. I'm listening to my gut these days instead of ignoring it. If you listen, it's not that hard to hear. What is your gut telling you about YOUR life?

Funk

I am trying to shake this funk. After Christmas blues? PMS? I hate being this way. A new year is coming and I need to just figure my shit out. I've been asleep for 2 days, no exaggeration. I finally got outside today to do errands. It is time to get back on the healthy eating wagon too, been a bit off in the ditch lately on that one. I don't know what to do with myself when I'm not working. I bitch when I'm working too much, then I get time off and have NO IDEA how to relax. This is where some great, sexy guy needs to invite me to the Bahamas. ;-) Uh, HELLO? You out there? I have the rest of the week off.

I think I have a better chance of sprouting wings and flying. My friend Jenny told me to go buy a good horror movie to cheer myself up.

I want to go swimming, but the pool isn't heated. I need a pool heater. That is next on the list. The pool boys came today and made it blue again, but it is ice water. Bah. I'm grumpy, somebody cheer me up.

Toys for the Furbabies

Hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas. Mine has been pretty great. Here are pics of Mags and Lou enjoying their toys.

I'm Going to Live

I received the results to my biopsy today and here's what the doctor said, "I have good news for you, it isn't as bad as we thought, you're going to be just fine. Merry Christmas."

I'm going to be just fine.

Swamp Pool & Periods

Here is the pool that matches the grass...and the dogs in their new duds. Maggie is sporting her blue diaper and Lou in his 'Tinkle Belt' with added Kotex. ("Always" Pads, with wings!) This is what my life has turned into. (I'm sure that's what they are thinking too.)

I'm supposed to be off for the next 10 days on holiday...but...yeah...right. My boss laughed at that one. Sometimes it really sucks to be the "go to" person. I'm celebrating my second Christmas tomorrow (first one was with the kid) with my Godmother and fam. I have done no wrapping. Gift bags it is!

California is flooding. It took me two hours to get home tonight. WTF? This is CALIFORNIA, it is NOT supposed to do this here!

I seem to be loving the periods today.....................................................................................................

Tinkle Belt

Yes, my last post was gloomy. Sorry. It is therapeutic to write what I feel, so that happens.

The pool water is green now. Bright green. We got it drained, but it continues to pour rain, so it looks BAD.

I got the pups doggy diapers. It is quite entertaining to watch them navigate with them on. LOL. I will take pics. Lou's is called a "Tinkle belt", and it recommends putting a Kotex in it to help. So yes, my male dog wears a Kotex pad. Hey, it will be a lot less messy around here!

I can't take it anymore.

Sometimes I struggle with the will to live. It seems like the bad outweighs the good so often that it is hard to keep a positive attitude. I know this is depressing and not what anyone ever wants to hear or read. Life is truly disappointing to me. I've worked so hard to do what I'm supposed to do; to try and the see the good in everything and everyone; to do the right things; to keep going no matter what; to fight for what I believe in. I always get beat down. How many times do you keep getting up? Is it worth it? I keep thinking about the scene in "The Pursuit of Happyness" where Will Smith's character is sitting in the subway bathroom with his son, crying. I feel like that most of the time. It isn't God's fault, it isn't bad luck, it isn't that I have been lazy or unkind. It is just life. That movie, which was based on a true story, has a happy ending. Do I have a happy ending? I keep thinking to myself; what if surgery doesn't get rid of my cancer? How will I live out my days? What will I be able to say about my life? That I failed miserably at everything? And then I think, what if surgery does get rid of the cancer like it is supposed to? How will I live out my days? How will I change my life to be more appreciative of it? I know you are supposed to press on; to keep moving forward. But I have to tell you, that is very, very hard sometimes.

Too Much Rain

The pool is overflowing. NEAT. It wont stop raining.

Party Girl?

I'm so not 25 anymore. The party is just getting going and I'm ready for freaking bed. Sad. I looked pretty good at the beginning now I'm wet from the rain with mascara running down my face and some chick just grabbed my ass. Yup. God help me.

Another one bites the dust.

Well, his true colors came out and I am done. So disappointing but it is what it is. My friend Mario invited me to a party tonight and I'm going to get my mind off of things. I could use a few drinks.

Searching

Guess who cranked out Christmas shopping in 2 days? YEAH, ME. HA! Everything else? Don't know what I'm doing, where I'm going, or what to do when I get there. My mom said something rather profound the other day. She said I was "searching" and she patted her heart. I asked her what she meant. She said I have been "searching" for a long, long time and haven't found what I'm looking for yet. I asked her to clue me in to what I am looking for since I don't have the foggiest. She doesn't know, but she doesn't think it has anything to do with a man. She thinks I am searching for what I was meant for in this life. Apparently, I am restless and unsatisfied. She is right. I am very restless, and thing are never quite right.

Crazydogmama no like drama!

I am confused, upset and extremely stressed out. I'm working nights right now at work because there is so much to do and I can't even concentrate. I don't know what's going on with Paul and I, he is upset, he upset me, and I have no idea what to do. I can't take the drama right now. Christmas is even stressing me out. I have not decorated, shopped or anything. FUCK.

Boys are stupid.

I always thought girls were the ones who went too fast with their emotions. My first thought was that I have somehow fucked up a fairytale, but I have cleared my head, remained calm, and I am not sure it is me. Maybe someone out there can shed some light. I really need some help. Some unbiased advice.

Everything was going great. Perfect. Better than perfect. I was enjoying every minute. We had an absolute amazing day yesterday. Then, all in the course of a few minutes, he cranked up the volume and I am still not quite sure what happened or how it started. To make a long story short, he is ready for this mega serious relationship and I'm like "huh?". Call me crazy, but dating for a month does not a stable relationship make. I want commitment, I want to fall in love, I want a serious relationship, but I need some time to make the assessment that I've found the right person first. He is correct in that we aren't getting any younger, but Holy God gimme a break. I really, really like him. I probably just lost him because he got seriously emotional, and I was as cold as a stone. What does that mean?

I went from crawling guy to sprinting guy. WTF? Where is the happy medium? I really like this guy and I don't know what to do. I am just not willing to rush into anything, and the one thing I know about myself is NO ONE can force me into anything anymore. Am I being too fearful because of my past, or am I being sensible? Is it reasonable to think that if he really cares for me that he will understand and chill out, or am I making the mistake of a lifetime in saying I need more time and need to take it a little slow (but not too slow)?

To Blog or Not to Blog

I have been going back and forth with myself about blogging. Some days I just want to disappear and never come back, but then something brings me back. My life seems more private to me now on some level and I just don't want certain things public, but yet I have the need to write. I can't believe some of you who have been coming here for years, it is such a compliment that I don't want to let you down even though I have a hard time believing any of this shit is interesting to you.

I had my biopsy. OUCH. Won't know results for a couple weeks. Seeing Paul tomorrow. Yay! I told him to run away far from the likes of me, but he won't listen. He took me to a fancy Japanese place for dinner and as I was eating my sushi appetizer, I was talking, and I thought I was preparing a bite of salad to put in my mouth but instead I shoveled in a huge glob of WASABI. I choked until tears were running down my cheeks. He can't say he wasn't warned. LOL!

Got Some Flowers

He was waiting by the curb when I arrived to escort me inside. This is the bouquet he gave to me. Perhaps I will write about my weekend another time, I am exhausted.

Many Random Things

1. A girl I work with got a boob-job, and she came back to work today. One of our coworkers (another girl thank God) waltzed right up to her remarking about it, and starting FONDLING her new boobs. I'm so not kidding. After I realized that what I was seeing was actually real, I snorted coffee through my nose and busted into laughter for about 30 minutes.

2. Maggie has had diarrhea ALL DAY and my mom has been complaining about the cleanup for an hour now. I guess I don't blame her. GROSS. I just bought a gallon of Nature's Miracle because the dogs are WAY out of control lately. Don't know what to do.

3. I can't keep food down. Don't know WTF that is about.

4. I am NOT looking forward to all my fricking doctor's appointments tomorrow. I'm getting an ultrasound in the morning and a boob-mashing at noon. (Mammogram). Fun. :-/

5. Working 12 hour shifts is killing me and Paul read me the riot act tonight about it. This is actually an interesting story, so that is what I'll focus on. That, and I like to talk about Paul. If you haven't noticed. I'm killing the "DATING BUZZ:" because it's lame and there is only Paul, so it is not necessary. I never claimed to be cool. Oh, I finally got around to breaking it off with David. It was harder than I thought; I'm not good at that sort of thing. I felt bad.

Anyway, Paul said my voice sounded funny tonight. I told him I was just burnt out. Being that he knows quite a bit about me after talking for 1 to 2 hours a night, every night, for over two weeks now, he decided I need to take a leave of absence for medical reasons for about a month so that I can concentrate on sleeping and getting better. He is apparently really concerned about me. This is what he said:

Paul: "I really want you to get well. What about US? If something happens to you, WHAT WOULD I DO? I mean it! I've spent my whole life looking for you. WHAT WOULD I DO?"

WHOA. I did not know how to respond to that.

Me: "Uh, I don't know what to say."

Paul: "Say you will look into a medical leave of absence so I can sleep at night."

Holy crap.

First Turkey Day in Cali

What a weekend! Thanksgiving was nice, lots of food and fun. There was piano playing, singing, laughing, and me sneaking out to talk on the phone (and getting yelled at for it). LOL! No one but the boys would let me post pics. Spoiled sports. Went to D-Land all day on Friday, and I mean ALL DAY. I about DIED. 12 freaking hours. I could not move on Saturday. I was limping. Sunday, I had a migraine. Back to the salt mines today. Getting an ultrasound on Friday, a biopsy the following Thursday and then surgery based on the results.

Dating Update: I think I have finally met a great guy. Things are going REALLY well with Paul. He finishes recording on Friday, so we will be spending the weekend together. I am supposed to go up to his place to help decorate the tree, have dinner and meet his dad. I am terrified. I think I am going to be a bit of a fish out of water up in that area. (Sherman Oaks). Hopefully I won't run into the Olsen twins. HA.

'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving

Just got back from a midnight showing of Paranormal Activity 2. The boys (my step son and his friend) came to spend the holiday weekend with me and they dragged me out past my bedtime. Great flick! Tomorrow we are feasting at my second mom's house and then heading to D-land on Friday. And I refuse to think about the biopsy I have next week.

Dating Update: Paul is so great. We talk EVERY day, sometimes more than once, and every day I like him more. It is frightening how much we have in common, and the circumstances surrounding how we met is equally as eerie. It is seriously like the universe is throwing us together, no joke. We aren't able to see each other right now (which is frustrating to both of us) because he is in the middle of recording an album, then getting surgery, and I have the boys, getting the biopsy and then probably getting surgery myself (which he knows about). He knows about my issues, I know about his, yet neither of us is running; it is bringing us closer together. For the first time in a LONG time, I feel hopeful and happy despite all my crap. I feel like a schoolgirl. My mom and the boys laughed at me tonight when I jumped three feet in the air to the ringing of my phone and ran to answer it. I really hope he doesn't turn out to be a serial killer or something. LOL.

Off to bed. Happy Turkey Day!

Today was not the best.

After about an hour of being at work, I got a phone call from my doctor. The kind of phone call you never want to get. I will probably be fine, but just in case I'm not, I wouldn't object to a few prayers from strangers. I told my boss and my close coworkers. No one knew what to say and they sent me home to get my head together. Why does the worst shit happen to me right before the holidays? Dad dies, husband leaves, doctor makes me drop the phone.

Dating Update: I hate talking on the phone. HATE IT. I avoid it all costs. Paul and I talked for two hours last night and never once did I want to get off. I am in trouble. In more than one way. I told myself it is WAY too early to feel anything so to snap out it and get a grip. But I like him. Damn it.

A Day Off?

So I asked my boss if I could have Wednesday off and this is how she replies:

"You can have Wednesday off on these conditions, that you do not open any WORK email, answer any WORK phone calls or do any type of WORK."

LOL.

This is what my life has turned into. People knowing that I will work from home on a day I have requested off as a vacation day. I am mentally ill.

Dating Update: Paul (the Drummer) has emailed me at LEAST once a day since we met (long emails) and calls me at least once a day. So far, he is adorable; which makes me nervous. He has also told his father all about me. (I heard his father in the background during one of our calls.) I told him all about having to call the cops on one of my interested parties and how I am now ultra untrusting and paranoid, and so he told me when he sees me that I can copy down the info on his Driver's License and Social Security Card and do a background check on him.

Buzz Cuts and A Dear David

Got the pups a buzz cut because they were so badly matted. They look hilarious! Lou is freezing today so I put a Freddy Krueger sweater on him. LOL. It has been POURING down rain here, you can't really tell from the pic, but we won't need to fill the pool for a while. Sheesh.

In other news, I am compiling a "Dear David" email because he is "doing it wrong" as I explained earlier. Besides, there is someone else who so far, is doing it right. Just got off a great hour-long call with him and I can't keep up with his emails. He is VERY enthusiastic, closer to my age and NO kids. He is somewhat of a celebrity though, a drummer. LORD HAVE MERCY. Stay tuned; things are definitely getting interesting around here.

Dating Life

It sounds like my dating life is great, doesn't it? It is not. Unfortunately, with David, I don't believe I am any kind of a priority to him. I only get to see him every two to three weeks and then, only one day. He devotes ALL of his time to his kids. I don't have a problem with kids, and I am glad he is a great father, but I have to admit, I need to be SOME sort of a priority. You can't get to know someone this way. He is a typical guy in that I have NO IDEA what is going on in his head, either. I play NO games, and I am very close to ending things with him. I deserve better, I think. He has been very sweet, but is less than attentive, and I'm sorry, I'm not some doll you can just sit on a shelf when you are busy with more important things.

Beach Date

Blogger's Block

Well what do I write about? David and I spent all of Sunday together at Huntington Beach walking, talking, watching the surfers and looking through the overpriced crap at the festival. He brought me a rose from his garden and we went to Greek for lunch and Mexican for dinner. A very nice day. He is a nice man.  I don't have any idea where it is going relationship-wise and I am not going to ask, but his kisses are getting more "passionate" so I know where THAT is going. LOL.

I have been very, very tired this week and going to bed early. I came home from work today at one just exhausted. Don't know what's going on with me. That's all I can think of for now.

Another day in the life.

So what happens when you are a workaholic and never leave your desk? Your coworkers get creative on ways to get you out for a birthday lunch. In mid-type, someone pulled my chair from behind and started rolling me down the hallway toward the parking lot. As we rolled past the bathroom I was told "If you have to pee, do it now, oops, too late." LOL! Gotta love them. One of my boys got me a $20 Starbucks card, too. So sweet! I can't believe they did that! The night before, I didn't leave work until midnight, and I got two messages. One was an email from the VP of the site telling me to "GO HOME" and the other was a voicemail from my friend Mario saying verbatim "WTF is going on with you never answering your phone anymore and why are you not at my house yet?"

For dinner, I was taken out to my new fav Italian restaurant (Scarantino's) down the street, and I had Capellini Pomodoro with shrimp, a glass of merlot and tiramisu for dessert. MMMMMMM full tummy.

I'm supposed to go out with David tomorrow. He wanted to drive up to Santa Barbara, but I don't want to be in the car that long, so we decided just to spend the day at the beach or something. As romantic as it sounded, I've been on one-too-many road trips the last few years and I'm just not up to it right now. Plus, I don't know how I feel about anything yet. I'm keeping everyone at a distance at the moment. Kind of like 'You can touch my boob but stay away from my heart.' HAHAHAHA. I think I am holding out for something that will never happen. I'm sure at some point I will give up.

Oh, I uploaded a bunch of pics to my Flickr account and updated my amazon list. Just in case you look at that crap. :-)

39 Candles

Yup. One more year of my thirties. I woke up in a very foul mood, but my birthday did end on a good note. I was on a pity pot, but my new friends and coworkers perked me up then my fam took me out. I am super tired so I will blog later. LOTS to write about. Later.

Constant Challenges

Oh my GOD I'm sick of coughing! People were actually laughing at me today because I get visibly *pissed* after each coughing fit. It is so irritating and disruptive. The doctor said this pneumonia thing is going to take about 4 weeks to pass. Four fucking weeks. Sigh.

Although I am still under serious pressure and intensely busy at work, I talked with the Director, and she reassured me about some things. I guess it is good just to let your thoughts out once in a while. For a minute there I was stressing hard. I have to learn to let go of things. Easier said than done.

It seems everyone I talk to is having an equally as challenging life as myself. (Or more challenging.) I have two friends trying to stave off foreclosures, a couple of friends going through divorce, and other friends/acquaintances battling with their own life struggles. On one hand it is nice to know I'm not alone, but on the other I am sad to think of so many people hurting. The world is in a crazy way, I've never seen anything like it. I guess we all need to stick together, huh? I had to lower the sale price of my home today. Drastically. I am now selling it for less than what I owe on it. Terrific, huh? I need to shed the two mortgages desperately, though.

Well, I *think* I'm still dating. If you can call it that. I still see David occasionally, but he has kids, so it is far and few between. We are supposed to go out this weekend for my birthday. I also have been emailing someone else, but no date has been set up yet. Don't really know, don't really care. I'm a bit complacent about it at this point.

A Few Nice Days

I know, it surprised me too! I went to work on Friday, and I actually didn't mind it. Everyone was nice and seemed glad I was back. I was productive and felt good about it. Then today I relaxed in the backyard, took a long nap and went to my second mom's house for dinner. I'm finally feeling a little better.  Sometimes you have to get sick just so you can feel better, I guess. Big kisses and hugs to you all for being so nice and concerned about me. And an especially big kiss for my OTHER fan. ;-)

Unanswered Questions

Have you ever wanted an answer so bad to a question that you would do anything to get it? There is something in my life that I cannot make sense of. A question I've had now for a few years that I don't know that I'll ever get an answer to. If I wasn't faced with this daily, I could forget about it, but it is there. Taunting me. Always and without fail. Why? I can get my mind around most things (more so than others), but sometimes human behavior can be so unexplainable. When you've had a blog as long as I have, you witness and experience some strange things. You learn a lot about yourself as well. I'm not really a typical girl. I'd like to think I am, but let's face it, when you lay naked in a recliner drinking narcotic cough syrup right out of the bottle and blogging while watching "Secretary" the movie and liking it, you just ain't typical. I'm going to be 39 in a week.

A stranger's presence here is so elusive, yet so forceful. I am consumed by it, really. Seems they are consumed as well. But what consumes them? The word erotic comes to mind, but madness courses through my veins instead. What can I do to get this answer? Tell me. SHOW me. You have never had my attention as much as you have it now. I will not give up. Ever. I don't think you will either. Take a chance. DO IT. You did it before. Listen to me because I know you want to. We've never met, but we know each other. You are as deeply disturbed as I am. And I love that.

Sick

Dinner: A big-ass Dr. Pepper. Food? Blah. Nothing else sounded good. My mom is sick now too and all she wanted was a milkshake. We are quite the pair right now. It has been in the 100's this week so I have been laying around sick in my bathing suit. Wore it to the drive thru tonight too. LOL. Gotta love California. The house is completely torn apart with the remodel and even if we wanted to cook there is not one inch of free space in the kitchen.

I stayed home again today since I get no sleep with my warbly hack. I HAVE to go back to work tomorrow. I got a distress call from a coworker today and know I will be walking into a huge mess. Huge. Neat.

Coughing my lungs through my nostrils.

So as soon as I tell him no to two dates because I have plans already, go on a business trip then get deathly ill, he suddenly becomes mega attentive emailing me 2 to 3 times a day. WTF? He thinks he can't have me now so game ON. Pfft. That's all fine and great except the minute he gets me I bet my life he loses all interest. Not up to it. Sorry. It is simple. Adore me and you will find it is worth your time. If not, hit the road, Jack.

Can't sleep. Don't seem to be getting better. Staying home again tomorrow. Doctor's orders.  I'm in no condition to argue. Have never missed this much work.   

Turns out breathing is necessary.

Well, I didn't slit my wrists but I did manage to stop breathing. Ya. I caught some sort of severe respiratory infection that triggered my asthma, and I went purple. Had to go on a breathing machine and get a shot in my butt. It hurt. My ass hurts. Now I have all these drugs and inhalers and feel like an invalid because I start panting just walking back and forth from the bathroom. This blows. No wonder I've been grumpy.