OK, what is it gonna take? You people are stubborn.

I know you are out there. I ask questions and, nothing. YOU SUCK! I have to beg and plead and threaten to shut down the blog to get you to post a damn comment. I should take all my archives and put them on Facebook where people actually interact! But then most of you wouldn't be able to get in. I leave comments everywhere, or at least try to. Yes, I write partly for me, but come ON. Am I that frigging boring? Don't answer that.

Maybe I should go controversial. Lude pics? (um..no) WHAT, then? Maybe you are all keyboard challenged. About a year ago I had a statistic thingee that told me over 80,000 people had been to this blog over the last 5 years. That is 16K a year, 1333 a month, and approximately 45 people a day. Now, I'm definitely not a power blogger with those stats, but you would think someone would have something to say. Maybe I scared everyone away. That wouldn't shock me.

Are you shy? I don't bite. Well, I don't bite hard anyway. ;-)

What do you want to read? Do you want to know what is going on in my head? Probably not. Pictures? Of what? Should I cause a ruckus? I want to change things up a bit, but have no idea what to do. HELP!

I'm gonna get out there and stir up some trouble on other blogs.

Holidays are over, vacation is over.

Time to get back to reality. Actually, vacation is always nice, but I need some routine back. Today has been weird. I've been online most of the day, except for my FOUR-HOUR nap. (Now I will be up all night.) I did my budget for January, paid some bills, did some chatting on Facebook (I'm such a flirt!), organized some of my digital pics floating around on the computer and read some of my favorite bloggers. The dogs were curled up at my feet for most of it, the little cutie pies! I did a load of laundry and got the dishes done, but that was about it. I'm tired of cleaning, let me tell you! I did get a lot done over vacation; the house is actually starting to look decent. I am going to order some new office furniture tomorrow and start the redecorating in that room! My mom and I have had such fun shopping and discussing the redecoration plans. She is so great. I'm lucky to have such a cool mom.

I also have great friends! Had two girlie friends over Saturday night and it was so good to see them! I am told I am going to a casino with them next Saturday night, that should be a hoot! CrazyDogMama at the slots, look out! LOL.

I think I'll go watch some TV now, see if I get sleepy. Off to work in the morning.

Serendipity

SERENDIPITY: "The effect by which one accidentally stumbles upon something fortunate, especially while looking for something unrelated."

This word popped into my head today. Don't know why. Some people think of serendipity as "fate" or "destiny", but I like the definition above. Accidentally stumbling upon something fortunate. I love that. It isn't corny or unrealistic, but a concept that you can get your mind around. Have you ever experienced it?

What are your thoughts?

Blog Goals

OK peeps, what do want out of the blog this year? Come on, let's hear it! Click on that little comment button, do it, I know you can. That means YOU. I need some blog goals this year!

Happy 2010 everyone!

I'm sitting here having a cup of coffee so I can stay awake for the countdown. I won't be kissing anyone at midnight, a tradition I've always had. Guess I'll kiss Lou-dog. LOL.

This is going to be my year. It HAS to be, damnit! It is due time.

Highlights of 2009: Got a kickass job, I got to go to NY/NJ and went to California for a week in June. I had an overabundant Christmas thanks to my awesome mom and had a good friend (my second mom) visit for a week. I also got in touch with an old friend that I previously wasn't able to get in touch with and it has been nice.

Let's not talk about the crap part of the year.

What is in store for 2010? God only knows, but I'm trying to be optimistic! Cheers!

A Recent Facebook Conversation

I had talked about my divorce and being traded in for a much younger model and Jeffery had the best comment, "These things have a tendency to backfire on people. Which is worth more? A 1965 Ford Mustang, or a 1985 Ford Mustang? When the new car smell wears off, pretty sure Jim will be faced with "What the hell was I thinking?" Sorry it is causing you pain, but I am confident that wonderful things and opportunities are going to open up for you. Just keep hanging in there and know your friends will be there for you."

My sarcastic ass wrote back and asked if I could be a 1967 SS Camaro instead. He said "Sure thing, you can be whatever car you like. I will even pass on the myriad of jokes about who gets to drive. But inquiring minds often get told to shut the hell up." LOL!

Where are you?

Talk to me!

Lady in Red, or Something Like That

Off to a party in my new red cashmere scarf! You know I will blog about it.

Philosophical

Some things in life you wish you could change. Someone said something horrible to me one time, and it hurt because it was true. Also, someone said something wonderful to me one time, and it hurt because it wasn't true. I used to believe in the impossible, now I believe in the inevitable.

Nice Flakes!

Christmas fingernails! LOL.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope it was magical for you. The pics are of the "appetizer" dinner my mom and I had on Christmas Eve and the doggies among the Christmas morning debris. My mom spoiled me rotten this year! I can't believe all she has done for me. I kinda feel guilty. Unless something is vastly different in our lives, we have decided next year we are going on a cruise for Christmas! Weeeee!

Dinner Party

Had some friends and family over for dinner tonight. My neighbor, my mom and my stepson. Bill (my stepson) has just turned out to be the sweetest kid, well, MAN now. I can't believe he is turning 18 and moving to Cali to go to college next year. We have stayed close through all of this, and I feel blessed. I've known him since he was 1 1/2 years old. He is meeting his dad's girlfriend tomorrow and I hope it isn't too awkward for him. He is weirded-out by it.

I made a glazed ham, asparagus, garlic mashed potatoes, salad and rolls. The food turned out good, but I have a second degree burn and broke my round baking stone by putting it on a burner that was on. What a dope I am. Made a bit of a spectacle of myself. Oops. At least things are never boring around here! LOL.

I'm exhausted. Going to watch an episode of Roswell (shut up) and hit the sheets. I can't really figure out how I'm feeling. Honestly, I'm a little down, but I'll get over it. I can see now why there are so many suicides this time of year, though. I'm having second thoughts about selling the house right away. I worked my ASS off to get it and keep it, and after looking at some condos in downtown Seattle, I'm worried it would be too hard with the dogs. I might just completely remodel and make it all mine. I don't know. I guess I'll see what happens in my life.

Merry Christmas Eve-Eve!

Two Steps Forward, Five Steps Back

It was bound to happen sooner or later. I had a terrible day. Just when you take 2 steps forward, something knocks you back 5. I am officially on holiday vacation now and wish I could get away. Instead of counting sheep, I'm picturing a small table. It has a candle on it, and it is nestled on soft sand. It is evening, late, but not too late. Other tables with candles are nearby, but the occupant's conversations are soft and cannot be distinguished more than a mutter. There is a band that can be heard in the distance playing pleasant music. A big grassy straw-like covering overhangs. The candles make everything appear orange and comfortable. Safe. Relaxing. There is a warm wind, and I can smell fragrant flowers. It is a clear night with a big moon and a magnificent display of stars. I am barefoot, wearing a tank top and an oversized sarong as a skirt. I sit down at the table.

You can finish the story for me.

Wrapping Presents Blows

Okay, you know what? I fucking hate wrapping presents. I suck at it, I get frustrated, it takes me forever and I make a huge, stupid mess. I waste a lot of wrapping paper because I always cut it wrong. (Too short, too crooked, etc.) To be extra festive this year, I am watching the news about two more policemen shot. That makes seven in this state in 2 months! It is horrifying and tragic. I cannot believe what is happening. It makes me feel sick to my stomach to think of the families dealing with this right now. And I thought I had it bad, I guess I should be glad I'm not a cop anymore. My prayers go out to all affected. On a happier note, I was taken to lunch today to a cute little French restaurant in Belltown called "Le Pichet", and my espresso was so pretty I had to take a picture of it!

We can open presents whenever we want!

So, my mom and I decided to pretty much give each other all our Christmas gifts early, especially when we are out shopping. "Do you like this? Great! Here you go, Merry Christmas!" It has been a hoot. We have saved a few so we aren't bored on Christmas morning, but we are doing things totally out of tradition this year. One gift I let her have early is a DVD set she wanted of the TV series "Roswell". This series is older, it came out in 1999. It is about teenagers and aliens and such. I secretly rolled my eyes thinking "What the hell, ma? This looks lame as hell." Well, I've been staying with her off and on lately and yes, you guessed it, she made me watch it with her. I'm totally 100% hooked. I am so embarrassed to admit that, but I love it. We are only through the third disc set and I can't wait to watch the next one. Damn her!

Today should be interesting. Today begins the path to my new life. Aren't you dying to know what I'm up to?

Charlie Brown Christmas

This is as festive as I am getting this year. I just don't have it in me to put up a Christmas tree. Maybe next year. If you can see it, I have a Bonafide Charlie Brown Christmas Tree to the right of the TV that my stepson gave to me. It's totally working this year.

Planning My Life

I have had a good couple of days and have actually started planning my life! I'm excited about some of the decisions I've made to go forward. So excited that I forgot to blog! I'm not going to go into details too early because I think it will be more fun to write about it as it unfolds. The first decision on my path is that I am putting my house on the market in January. That is step one. I'm going to do things MY way for once, and it feels great! More tomorrow when my eyeballs can focus again.

Zero Plans

This time next week I will be on vacation until after the first of the year. I have ZERO plans. I am having a very low-key Christmas with just my mom, but other than that I don't know what to do with myself. My company shuts down so it is all holiday pay (yay!), although I will be on-call. I don't know when I will find out about the supervisor position. It's a crapshoot at this point. I guess if it is meant to be it will be. Or not. So, what should I do with my time off?

The "I wonder where I will be a year from now" game.

Well, I'm lying in bed with my mind racing and can't sleep. This time last year I had just been laid off from my job and had started a temporary contract job. I remember wondering where I would be in a year. I was WAY OFF. I always am. That is part of the allure behind blogging and journaling, to see how things change and how things happen beyond your imagination. Someone said to me around that time that they predicted I would be in the same situation a year from the time they told me, and that they probably would be in their same situation too. They said, "We never really change much do we?". I never met that person, but I would say they were a bit wrong. I wonder if things turned out different than they expected too.

I'm going to make this a new thing I do at the same time every year. Let's call it, "I wonder where I will be a year from now?"

Lou & the Whipped Cream, New Earrings, and A Pity Pot

He pees on the floor, barks at everything and gets into all kinds of trouble, but every now and then his antics just crack me up and I was laughing too hard to yell at him.

I stopped at an espresso drive-thru and got an iced mocha with whipped cream once, and Louie was riding shotgun curled up in a ball with the butt warmer on. I got distracted with a call and the next minute I looked down; I was greeted by a grinning whipped cream-faced dog with a straw in his mouth. It was classic.

I've been on the pity pot lately. (If you haven't noticed.) Not a fun place to be. I know it's stupid, but sometimes you just can't help it. Today I was a tad grumpy. I was yelling at stupid drivers and wanted to tip over a holiday display. Bah, Humbug! Hehe. I usually adore Christmas, but with everything I've dealt with this year I guess I'm a little cynical and pissed off. I'm with Chele, what the hell happened to "gentlemen"? I can't remember the last time a man opened a door for me. In fact, I had a door swing into my face tonight. Thanks dude. I'm thinking my choices are somewhat nil in this day and age. I'm too old fashioned, I guess. I believe I have much to give, but I don't want to cast my pearls before swine, you know? I want to be taken care of this time and be the adoring, loyal wife. I make good money, I'm educated, I love to cook, and I love sex, but I'm not putting up with any shit. I'm done with that. Tiger Woods? What an idiot! Cheat on Elin Nordegren? FOOL.

OK I'm done ranting on my blog here into cyber space. Everything is wonderful and normal. I did buy myself some new earrings from Macy's. A little Christmas gift to myself. ;-)