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IMBOLC
High
Sabbat
Celebrated:
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Imbolc (pr. im'-bolk) is also a "fire festival" marking the beginning of Spring, midway between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox. It somewhat corresponds to Groundhog Day, when tradition has it that if a groundhog sees its shadow outside the burrow at dawn, there will be six more weeks of winter. (Of course, the vernal equinox is about six weeks away in any case.) This holiday is also known as Solmonath and Candlemass, and to the ancient Druids, it was Oimeaig (pr. im'-mo(l)g).
Ways
to celebrate
and recognize
this Sabbat:
(1)
The tradition of "Spring Cleaning" came
from Imbolc. This is a time to clean your house from top to bottom!
(2)
Have Milk, or dairy products, with your meal and
in each dish. This tradition arose from times when farm animals began
to give birth and milk was plentiful.
(3)
Bonfires are a tradition which arose from the burning
of the greens (ie, Christmas trees, wreaths and boughs of Holly), during
the spring purification
Happy Birthday
Jodi Platt
Feb 4, 1970
Jodi's Fav...
Last year...
Kira got her
back shaved for an
injection of Immeticide
Thursday 2-6-2003
She was recently given
A CLEAN BILL OF HEATH!
In loving memory of my elisi, my materal grandmother, who we fondly called Néhna, taken from us this month, four years ago.
Mable Florence Helen (Dabbs) Watts
"Néhna"
4/21/1918 -- 2/27/2000
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FEBRUARY 2004 Kagali The moon of Kagali is traditionally a time of personal, family feasting honoring and memorializing those who have departed the world of the living. A family meal is prepared with place(s) set for the departed. This is also a time of fasting and other ritual observances. Before the Europeans decimated our people and destroyed our religions, a community dance officiated by a Didanawiskawi (Medicine-man) was performed to honor "The Bony Moon" ... called "Kagali". Imbolc Brigid is the Celtic goddess who in later times became revered as a Christian Saint. Her festival on February 1st was known as Imbolc (or Oimelc), heralding the return of the of Spring. Later, the Catholic Church replaced this festival with Candlemas Day on February 2, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and features candlelight processions. The powerful figure of "Brigid the Light-Bringer" highlights both pagan and Christian celebrations. Learn more. |
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Happy
Birthday Cousin Glorianna Goodwin (1979) Oklahoma |
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12:11a - It is February! ... and I haven't eaten since January....I'm hungry....
I got up early this morning and have been busy. Marty is supposed to come over to pick up the cans for recycling. I am straightening up around the house. Found the missing phones bills AND a letter from Blake containing the utility bill! I hope THAT isn't scheduled for disconnect. I washed the sofa's throw, hung my sword up on the wall (finally) and then Mary arrived. He took me over to Wal-Mart and I bought a set of book shelves. Also got more bird seed for those little flying pigs! Kira has been chasing birds and squirrels almost all day. She is finally getting some exercise! I should have done this long ago. I think she caught one bird; a little Starling. I found it under the birdfeed and it was freshly killed... it was still slightly radiant. I disposed of the unfortunate thing. Kira does not want to "eat" them... but her "hunter" instincts make her want to catch them. She seemed disgusted with it for being dead... it was no fun that way.
I got the book shelves assembled and later, Skip and I went to the hardward store and picked up a few items. Then we came home and ... beleive it or not... FINALLY got the big mirror that Diana gave me hung on the wall. We put a shelf support with L-brackets beneath it to proved additional support. It look good! Now I need to pick up some of the fake ivy to twine down the side to acheive the effect I am trying for. I swapped places with the loveseat and the keyboard... the keyboard is now sitting beneath the big mirror.
Skip found the ps2-at keyboard adapter and I got the old pc running. I now have a network of 3 pc's running!
Kira wet her bed last night... that's not good. I will have to go ahead and order (re-order) that Proin for her. I threw out on of the feathered pillows that she had been sleeping on. It was ancient and feathers were coming out of it anyway (not to mention being stained now); and I washed her bedclothes.
I got some books put up on the new book shelves... it look nice. Skip and I shoved the shelves around to several spots before I finally settle on one place; but it may still change!
 My Katana Sword finally gets a spot on the wall... |
HOUSEWORK!!!  The new book shelves (left) and the "big mirror" (right) |
MONDAY
- February 2, 2004
Mom & Dad's Anniversay ... 1955
I missed the bus for the first time this morning! He ran at prcicely 8:18am (on time). It was an awful day... overcast, cold and raining all day. The snow turned to slush... ick. It was TOO busy at the Help Desk.
I got Kira's Proin ordered today. It should go out in tomorrow morning's mail.
I went by Schnuck's on the way home tonight for the first time in a long time. I picked up a chicken and, for the first time in a long time, I had a taste for some Cauliflower. I pressure cooked the chicken and then cooked the Cauliflower in the juices and added some cheese. Skip made his fantastic Chicken Cordon Bleu and gave me one. By the time I got the food ready, I was about ready for bed. I ate some of my chicken & cauliflower and put the rest away. I will take the Chicken Cordon Bleu with me to work in the morning.
12:16a - It's snowing again... the patio is covered in white!
7:14a - I had the strangest dream with Nikki E. in it. We were both traveling and encoutered each other by accident at some airport (or hotel?) lobby. Her hair was done up in rainbow colors and was stiking straight up. There was another woman who was with Nikki who we both seemed to know, but I can't recall who she was. We all had remote controls to different facilities in this "lobby" (wherever we were). As we were chatting, Nikki used her remote to change a picture up on a wall to something different and I used mine to pick out some music in the background. Then we got into a silly competition trying to chane the music and anothe patron in the area snapped at us about letting at least ONE selection play in full! He was very irrate. The dream started to get vague at this point and there was something about pictures hanging on the side of the Sun Bank Building in Orlando... and faded out...
7:23a - It looks cold out. I am still so sleepy this morning. I kept waking up worrying about Kira in the night. Her breathing sounds "strained." I hope its just my imagination, but still... I did not sleep enough and am barely holding my eyes open to type this. I've only been back to work one day and already I wishing for the weekend!
I got to the bus stop around my normal time (despite having to walk on slippery ice) this morning just in time to see the bus pass again (8:14a). But this time he was still "outbound" ... which meant he was running late. He got to the stop at 8:27a. We got to the train depot just barely in time for me to run and catch the train.
7:26p - I am pooped tonight. This is a "no beer" night. I am going to eat and go to bed early. I don't remember if I mentioned that last Friday, Skip lost his cell phone. I had it suspended. He still has not found it.
I received some old pictures from my newly discovered cousin, Deborah Gantert, today. Including a picture of Manuel and Nora Carter, Aunt Dovie's parents! They appeared to be in about their early 20's.
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Happy
Birthday to Jodi Platt Deltona, Florida |
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I learned this morning that
Evelyn Selfridge passed away at 2:30am on Saturday. Her funeral was Monday.
I bought Robert Jordan's book, "New Spring: The Novel" today and had lunch at Tomatillas, taking an hour of vacation time.
The trains were running all off-schedule tonight for some reason and I missed my bus! I got home and went over to help Tad with his computer (he is supposed to have DSL now) and had some wings and salad with them (Deana can make a delicious salad!). Then came home and helped Skip backup his email so he could do a system restore on his computer. I then removed dialup and DSL software from MY computer and loaded it on the old AMD computer. Skip ordered pizza, and I had a couple of slices of that. My poor stomach doesn't know what's going on! I did not get to bed until after 1:30a!
Kira's pills arrived, so she is back on her medications. Diana tells me she is going to have Kittybear's teeth cleaned. I am wonder how much that would cost for K dog... her teeth are not looking good and they may be causing her some discomfort.
7:32a - I am supposed to go work 'in the field' with Debbie today. Of course, I am exhausted from being up late last night. I had not planned to be. It snowed more last night and looks cold!
Today was a cold wet miserable day. I worked with Debbie and we were out in it a good deal, but it was good to get out and about, away from my desk. We attempted to installed a small Zebra lable printer in the CAM, 3rd floor. I met Sue Roth for the firs time (I've been speaking with her for years). I also met Celeste Ware and Kat Frost in Transcription; and Rich Kenny at SLCH. It's neat to meet the people I have been dealing with for so long. None of them looked at all like I expected (well... R.Kenny was close).
Happily, I did not miss my bus again tonight! However, "Big Mama" (as I call my favorite bus driver) actually asked me to buy her some cigarettes from Q-Mart tonight! I had to go back across the highway and wait about 8 minutes for her to return. I don't mind helping out... but... hmmmm....
I put some bird seed out when I got home and picked up the pieces of the little $5 bird feeder that I bought a few weeks ago at the Dollar Store. That thing was torn to pieces!
Kira kept me awake for much of the night. She had to got out around 3 or 4am. Then she woke me again later... and I did not get up to take her out, but I noticed she was breathing rapdily again, and licking her lips a lot. I am wondering if she is having tooth problems or some kind of diabetic issue... I worry about her all the time. I barely slept all night worrying about her. At one point, around 5am she got up on the bed an cuddled with me. Well... demanding to have her belly scratched. Her breathing was labored the entire time and it just had me so darned concerned for her!
Then... all of sudden, it was time to get up again. At least it's Friday! I paid the gas bill this morning, over $126. Money had gone into the bank over night. That is always a good thing and brightens the most dreary day to some degree. I noticed that my purchase through Broderbund for "Family Tree Maker version 11" had been charged, so I should be receiving that soon. Then I can get back to my genealogy. Since meeting my distant cousin D. Gantert through my other distant cousin, L. Cagle ... my genealogy stuff NEEDS my attention. I hope I have not lost all my old gen files!
I am about a third of the way through the "New Spring" novel now. It all takes place BEFORE the first book of the Wheel of Time. Moiraine Damodred is just going through the processing of testing for the Shawl as I was reading tonight. She has not yet met Lan ... that should be interesting. Apparently, Rand was just born on the slopes of Dragonmount, but if I recall correctly, his mother was one of the Aiel, so the attempts of the White Tower to find him by offering 100 Gold Crowns to every woman who bore a child in that aread, during that time, is probably going to be pointless and fruitless.
I was also amazed that Siuan Sanche is a main character in this book as well. She has not yet attained the Shawl, yet I know that one day (ie, in the first novel), she will have reached the Amerlyn Seat itself. It will be interesting to see how this story builds, unfolds and explains things that I have been reading for the past... wow.... nine or ten years now!? Books 1 through 10... each between 700 to 1000 pages in length! ...and now this "prequel" (about 400 to 500 pages). That is at least 8,000 to 9,000 or so pages of reading!
I helped set up a couple of new PC's for installation on Q16 this morning and worked on Dr. Vo's scanner. Looks like the SCSI card was not pulled from her old PC ... so I could not get it working properly. DM wants me to work on it again on Monday.
8:38p - Skip bought one of those "Foreman Grill" things tonight. The medium sized one good for steaks & sandwiches and such.
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Happy
32nd Birthday to Billy Meyer St. Louis, MO |
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12:21a - I am off to bed!
I got up about 8:30a. I got my pills organized for another 5 weeks. Received pictures of Mark (and Danny & Chuck) from Chuck's cousing. Went to Wal-Mart and bought a new can opener and some "Ivy" for the shuttered mirror. Also picked up a couple of new shirts. Calisa's dog, Dottie, is in labor tonight and will probably give birth by tomorrow. I cooked some hamburger patties in Skip's grill tonight and made a "burger" of sorts. Fed a bunch of leftovers from the fridge to the birds today. They went "Piranha-bird" on it... it did not last long! I made more updates and refinements to the Esperanto dialogue on my Klingon Video Gallery page (thanks you Alan M.!!!). The dishes did not get done today and they have really piled up, but the sink is clogged. Skip was actually going to do them, but couldn't. We picked up a huge bottle of that Drano Gel stuff, but it hasn't cleared it. We will pour in a double amount and let it set over night.
12:39a - I am off to bed!
We got the drain to clear out finally and between the two of us, we go the dishes done today. FINALLY! I vaccumed and rearranged some in the living room. Dusted and wax some surfaces. Got some laundry done. In between spurts of housework, I have at long last begun working on my "Other People" website. So far, only the graphics. No actual webdesign at this ponit. However, I have about 40 graphics to create/edit before I can begin. I have debated trying to put this in a powerpoint presentation... or maybe use Movie Maker.
I spent $50 on a big area rug for the livingroom today. It looks very nice! I think it is money well spent.
MONDAY
- February 9, 2004
Dottie had 8 puppies in Modesto, Ca
The weekend, as usual, flew by too fast. I need to try to go through the week with no beer. It will be healthier for me and I always feel less tired in the mornings. We will see....
7:30a - Time to let Kira in and then get in the shower. I am looking forward to a hot shower. I did not shower yesterday and then I put some of the "wax" stuff in my hair and it feels gunky. Ick.
I had a lighter lunch than usual today. Just a "chicken enchilada" (or so they called it... it was really burrito. They apparently have no clue como hacer una enchilada!).
I call SBC and had them disconnect the main "9069" number and switch to the "9064" number. I will take a bill cycle to complete... how stupid. It is obvious they are just conniving me into having to pay for days that I do not need the phone. I should write them a letter. I can understand that it might take a day or two, or even 4 or 5 days... but "a billing cycle" is just getting greedy.
I got a few more items completed in my "Other People" project tonight (duplicated one... darn it! Wasted my time). I only had about 7 beers tonight. Gog nearly ALL of my clothes hung up finally! (First time since moving here!). I need to throw some away ... darn it.
12:26a - I am off to bed! I was up later than intended... again!
7:58a - All dressed and ready for work. I even cleaned up some in the kitchen. It not a mess really, but Skip left food sitting out out (again... probably his intended lunch... again); and a cutting board with crumbs all over it. There was a couple of roaches running around on the cabinet. I am going to have to do something about that. I cannot abide roaches in my home! I never saw a roach (except for ONE) since moving to the Midwest until I moved in here. It's really bothering me.
8:00a - Oops... gotta shave and get outta here. I slept better last night than usual and feel more rested today. Had less beer last night too. I have got to quit drinking so much beer during the week. My waist line is expanding and my energy level is hard to maintain.
I was quite energetic all day today... and another busy day it was! I took my lunch with me today, but went el-blondo and forgot about it. I went over to the cafeteria and got a pork chop, mashed potatoes and corn. I didn't remember my "lunch" until just as I was getting back to the office! sheesh!
I was a bit warmer today... YAY! And much lighter when I left the office. Spring is coming back... YAY!!
10:24p - No beer tonight. I am being good. I put up a few books on the book shelf tonight (the one's Darlene sent Skip and I). They were in a box and the box looked ugly sitting on the shelf. So I decided to put the box out of sight when it dawned on me that it contained mostly books! ...duh! Put the on the book shelf!
I got some dishes done... there were only a few. Cooked supper, and now I am going to bed (its now 10:27p). My Tylenol PM's are starting to kick in. <yawn>
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Happy
32nd Birthday to Chad Johnson Daytona, Florida (last I heard) |
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7:30a - It's sunny out, but it felt cold when I let Kira out. Spring is on the way... but not here yet. My friend Ruby Dancingmoon has no voice today... poor thing. I sure have had a lot of experience with THAT particular malady!
7:53a - Just got out of the shower.... must rush!
Had lunch with Skip and his boss, Gregg Evans. It was nice to finally meet Mr. Evans.
8:06p - My Family Tree Maker 11 CD arrived today! I am getting ready to install it now.
I was very upset to discover that my backup of the old "Family Tree Maker" apparently did NOT have all my four years' worth of work in it! VERY upsetting. There is no way I can remember much of that information. The only hope I have now in recreating any of it is from the big print out I had on the wall at Gentry's Landing. I had it when we moved here... I think I still have it stored away somewhere. Hopefully I have not thrown it out. It was a ugly mess of taped-together sheets of paper, but I had some handwritten notes on it that I did not have entered into the system, so I held on to it. It will be limited, but should have SOME information. Very depressing.....
8:03a - I am all fresh again today. I sort of over slept, but not much. No beer again last night (I am sticking to it).Floor calls with Debbie again today and tomorrow. I will probably finish my WoT book today (New Spring), which is unfortunate. I hate a good book to end so quickly!
It was a stressful day. I stopped by the bar, broke down, and had some beers. I actually had a pleasant time for a change. I met "Caption Kirk" (the bartender), who was much more entertaining that "Harry" (El Viejo who normally is there). He is only 27, but he was a very interesting person to chat with. I took a cab home. I was home before 10p. Chatted with Jodi on line for a bit. She seems to have broken up with N*** finally. That is probably a good thing!
Sometime after 1am, Kira woke me to go outside. I could not get back to sleep. My meds were "acting up" again. I dozed off a few times, but everytime I had wild, frantic dreams and woke up again. One dream involved Doug. He was holding a baby inside a car. He was outside of the car, but in some dream-like fashion, he reached around the windows and pulled the baby face-first into the side window and began screaming angrily at it. Was the baby Devon? I don't know... it was very disturbing. That was just one of the many electric dream blasts that woke me before I could get to sleep properly. I finally decided, around 6am, that there was no way I could go to work. I was upset about that of course, but I don't know what else I could do.
Skip paid me $120 from his tax refund today. I checked online and ...YEP... my tax refund was deposited too. However, my account had "bottomed out" and overdrafted (I did not realize). I had $100 transferred automatically from savings, unfortunately. Anyway, my wallet is plump and my checking looks good... for now. One week to payday.
It's Friday the 13th... will I have bad luck? Yep... I did. I walked over to Schnucks to get something for supper and on the way back I stepped on a piece of ice. It was not a slick spot, just a "chunk" which may have fallen off of a car. My ankel twisted and I lost my balance. Normally I could have caught myself, but I had several bags of groceries in one hand and a box of beer in the other, so I was weighted down. I dropped the groceries and stumbled forward trying to regain my balance, but I was just too far gone. I ended up running about 60-80 feet before gravity finally prevailed and I belly-flopped on the asphault! I felt a *pop* in my rib cage, right around my heart. That was probably NOT a good thing! I may have cracked a rib. I will know in the morning if I am bruised; that will be a sure sign.
I fixed a chuck roast for supper tonight with a head of cauliflower & cheese. It was pretty good. The roast was not as tough as I expected it to be, but I got a little too much salt on it.
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12:21a - I am in the process of reformatting Skip's hard drive. We are going to load XP-Pro on his machine. 11:37a - I slept poorly last night. My side is in a lot of pain. 11:59a - Skip is still trying to get his PC fixed. Now it does not recognize his sound card. I had left over roast and cauliflower for breakfast 1:44p - We finally got Skip's computer working. The sound is working at least. |
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FEBRUARY 14, 2004 1:46p - Kira is spending most of her time in the back yard. I just laid her bed out there to air. 10:58p - Marty came by earlier and picked up the cans for JR. I understand Billy was kicked out by Bob and moved back to Florida. Marty gave Skip a ride over to Wally World and we split cost on another $30 book shelf. I guess we will put it together tomorrow. I am about ready to go to bed now. |
11:02p - I just finished off the last of the cauliflower & beef. It made a tasty supper. Off to bed now.
10:03a - I got up. Slept better last night. Still in pain, but not nearly as bad.
10:13a - I suppose we will assemble the new book shelf today. I need to eat something first. I wonder if the pizza from Friday night is any good.....
11:47a - I still haven't eaten anything. I put food out for the birds, but didn't fee me!
I finally ate some of the Friday pizza. It was edible.. but not exactly "tasty." (more like "pasty"!).
I have been productive and busy today. I emptied the box in my closet, sorted through it and threw away about 4 more boxes today. I mopped and partially waxed the kitchen floor (I set the habñeros on the patio). I moved a bunch of the plastic tubs to the kitchen (they don't look too bad there). They were blocking the door to the office, so at least they are out of the way now. I emptied the tubs I had stored the books in and placed all my paperbacks on the (first) bookshelf. Skip is assembling the new bookshelf right now (7:27p).
7:41p - Skip is having to recharge the drill battery for the first time since I got it. Boy... can he bitch about a minor little thing!
Tammy (in VA) says she is going to attend DragonCon this year too. I must go... it sounds like it will be a blast this time. I email Alan Dean Foster about it today. I hope his email is valid and he does not mind my emailing him.
The new bookshelf fits like a charm! It's GREAT! I thought it would stick out and look awkward, but it fits perfectly! YAY!
10:02p - I have supper cooking. I am experimenting. I took 1 potato, 1 carrot, 1 onion and some seasonings and blended them into a "glop." I packed the "glop" around the pork shoulder roast I purchased a few days ago. I wrapped it in foil and am baking it. Plus, I have 3 bunches of broccoli steaming.
I just found 3 ZIP disks from 'the old days' ... these are the "missing" disks. I may have vital information on them... I will take them to work and find out tomorrow.
10:54p - The roast is still cooking, the broccolli & cheese is simmering. My bed is made. Sheets & towels are in wht washer. Time to take a hot bath, and, by all that is devine, I surely need one! I have not bathed since Friday!! Ick!! I feel rank....
Kira got her HeartGuard
pill today... on schedule...
11:23p - Out of the shower...fresh
& clean again... YAY!
It feels goooooood.
My bed clothes are fresh & clean too. I love being clean, fresh and
smellin' good!
11:28p - Time to pull my experimental meat out of the oven....
The food was EXCELLENT! Great idea... I can still come up with a good dish now and then!
12:05a - Kira is outside. I just finished entering my "where's George" bills. Time to let K-dog back in and go to bed!
12:16a - Okay... I pulled Skip's stuff out of the dryer and put the towels in. Washed out Kira's water dish. Turned off the lights, blew out the candles and even re-adjusted the automatic timer on the living room light. I've been as good as I can be.
12:17a - I dread work tomorrow. I hate going to work after having been out sick. Oh well... nothing I can do but deal with it.
6:52a - I am up early. I've been awake since about 5:00a. Kira was breathing hard again and I can't sleep when I am worrying about her. Kira had a gas problem and was farting loudly! It was kind of funny, but it was disturbing her. She got up to see if she had had an accident several times. The last "explusion" was exceptionally loud and startled me. I was just about to doze off again she produce that phenomenal flatulence.
Skip just left for work (6:53a). Barnabas woke him at about the same time and neither of us got any sleep. I have a mild headache too. It's sure to be a crappy day with a start like this. Oh... and I got up around 5am and gave Kira a little milk hoping it would settle her tummy, but when I opened the fridge, Skip's lunch leaped out and hit the floor, chipping off the corner of the container.
What a horrid start to the week...
7:00a - There goes my alarm...
6:58p - Just got home. Off to set out the garbage now...
9:34p - I scanned in my skating medals today and am editing them now. PSP just bombed out on me again though, so I think I shall go cook supper.
9:46p - I was going to cook some drumsticks in the fryer... I may just make a a baked potato....
11:50p - Supper was good. Two drumsticks and a potato. I am off to bed now.
7:17a - I slept soundly last night (except for the weird dreams). I was only wakened once by Kira for a quick pee-pee run. However, now I have a fever! Should I go to work? I feel yucky, but I could make it to work. But will I make myself sicker? Do I have some I might be spreading to the office? I am so torn. I need to be at the office, but it is really selfish of me to go to work with a fever. On the onther hand, I have been push into this corner by circumstances (not to mention past experience).
7:21a - Darn... I think the fever is getting worse, and I don't think the thermometer is working. It is coming up with my temperature way faster than it normally does and is giving different readings every time.
12:58p - I got out of bed a bit ago. I feel so sick. My leg hurts too. I don't know what it's problem is.
Around 5:30p I got up and had half glass of juice. Then I went BACk to bed!
5:57 - Skip got home.
7:44p - I got up and took my pills, fed Kira and managed to make a bowl of brothy soup. I only ate about a quarter of it. I'm going back to bed again shortly.
I lay in bed and watched "The Shadow" and "The Butcher's Wife" until midnight. Not surprising considering I slept ALL day! I still went to sleep and slept like a log (except for the couple of times that Kira got me up to go outside.... and I think she did so out of boredom more than anything else). I actually got the rest of the bowl of soup down and later I got up and ate a cold drumstick, so my appetite is returning. That's a good sign. My fever must have finally broke around 11pm as started sweating profusely. It's good thing I have a lot of pillows on my bed. I had to keep swapping out for a dry one!
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8:09a - I had a strange dream last night (or this morning) about being sick. I dreamed I went to work, but I started to feel worse and needed to go home. I could not find anyone to inform. I was talking to LZ and suddenly got a wave of dizziness and fell out of my chair. When I came out of it, LZ had left me laying there! LR was in interviews, and I could not disturb her. |
Happy
Birthday  Karen Geisler aka: maSpegh SutaI-jubchuQun |
February 18, 2004 8:13a - I coulnd find anyone else, but I tracked down DB and was trying to explain to him. I finally woke up and realized I was at home and I still had to deal with weather to go to work today. I think I have a mild fever again/still (the thermometer is not working right). My leg still hurts and I have a headache. Not to mention being exhausted from yesterday. |
8:15a - Actually have some appetite again this morning, but I don't have the strength to walk to the store. I will have to make do with what I can find in the house. It's not that I don't have plenty of food here, but my stomach is still queasy and it is going to be very particular about what I put in it.
10:06a - At least I am still awake. Yesterday, all I could do was sleep... fitfully. I still haven't eaten. My right leg is still sore and I notice it is red and flushed below the knee.
9:48p - I didn't spent the entire day in bed today, but I was a little weak and shakey. I felt much better by afternoon. I even got industrious and put the shelves up in the laundry that I have intended to put up for months now. I was sweating and shakey again afterwards though. I may have over extended myself a bit, but at least I got the job done. I would have gone in to work this afternoon, but then they would say I was "tardy" and I have found myself to be penalized for that. So... I've learned my lesson. Take the whole day off or none of it. Don't go in if you decide you feel better... or feel a sense of obligation or duty. It's not respected or recognized.
9:54p - My sore leg is really concerning me. I am concerned it may be phlebitis. It is swollen, reddened and painful; causing me to limp.
9:46p - I need to go see if I can fix something for supper, then get to bed. I am going back to work tomorrow.
10:40p - Skip ordered pizza (again) and I fixed a vegetable soup with the last of the four chicken drumsticks from the other night chopped up in it. I put some Vietnamese chili sauce in it, so my sinuses "affected." I am off to bed shortly. I need to get a good night's rest. I managed to stay OUT of bed all day, so I should be able to sleep well tonight.
7:28a - I am up... terribly sleepy. Why should I be sleepy? I have done very little for the past two days! In fact, Tuesday I slept ALL day. Anyway.... I am going to work today. My leg is still sore and blotchy. I will be glad to have the doctor look at it tomorrow.
11:36p - We had our TeleCom meeting this morning ... we may actually be going to get a proper ACD system in for our "Help Desk" ... now if we can just get it to be called a call center!
Currently re-reading "The Healer." Another book I really don't remember, but it's pretty good.
We ordered Skip's new phone today.
I picked up some stuff to put up some shelves in my room on the way home tonight. Then, when I got home, I put up my fancy coathook.
11:38p - Time to blow out candles and hit the rack!
8:04a - I feel much better today and my leg does not hurt as much. Of course, I am going to the Doctor today, so of course I feel better! Must be off... we're supposed to have a "Marti Gras" party today, but its really a party for GV being a secretary. She doesn't know unless she by some wild chance reads this in the next few hours. I have the afternoon off.
Whew! ... what a busy day!
At about 10:45am sharp, we all went back the big conference room. LR had sent GV on a bunch of unnecessary missions to keep her from helping to set up for the so-called "Marti Gras Party." Meanwhile, they put up signs and what have you congratulating her on being a grandmother. Several of us were there when she came in and sat down and the table with us. She had no idea the party was for her... it was a great surprise. It was a little after 11:00 before the "go ahead" was given to start eating; and I was famished! However, I did not have much time. My doctor's appointment was for 11:40. I needed to leave at 11:15, so I just got a a little bowl of some red beans & rice and some jambalaya and scarfed it down, said a few niceties to GV and rushed out.
It was a nasty day to be walking to the doctor's office, but I got there in plenty of time. Dr. Campbell examined me and I told him about my fall on Friday and illness on Tuesday and the leg problem. He sent me back to have my leg x-rayed and my chest. Then I had to go down to the lab and have the drain a few quarts of blood! AFter that, it was over to the Center for Advanced Medicine. First I took my prescription for Lamisil up to the pharmacy... I am going to start giving the damned Tinea Pedis (aka "athlete's foot") a battle. I am sick of dealing with it. From the pharmacy, I needed to CAM8-Express Testing for some kind of "doppler" test on my leg ... checking for a blood clot. However, by this time it just a few minutes after 1:00pm and my appointment was not until 2:30pm
7:25p - Darn... Kira is
interrupting me... needs to go out....
7:26p - Done...
...so anyway... I called Skip and ended up walking down to GE's office in the basement of the Becker Library where he has been working. I met "Mary" who he talks about all the time and realize that I know who she is! (just did not know her name... she looks like Whoopie Goldberg!). He paid me rent and I headed back to the CAM for my test thingy. It was almost 2pm by now.
I arrived and had to do some paper work since their records still had my old address and information. There was another lady there who had been there for 2 hours and I heard them say it might be another hour. I was worried I was going to be stuck there for hours. However, before I could finish the paperwork... or even a couple of lines of it, they called me in. It turns out they were going to do an Ultra Sound study; why they didn't just call it that to start with, I have no idea. Doctors will be doctors!
The Ultra Sound was a weird experience. I had to take off my shoes, socks and slacks and lay on an exam table with a towel tucked around my groin. I was attended by two technicians, one was "new" (uh oh)... a pretty girl named Sasha who looked like a Swedish Masseuse! I had to clamp down on a slight twinge of nervousness and turn all modesty modulators to minimum!
Then they squirted warm gel all over my thigh and started rubbing it with a big thing that suspiciously resembled a dildo with a cord! YIKES! They pushed my stomach up & down and pinched, prodded, poked, and squeezed my left leg, calf and thigh in various places causing the electronic equipment to make all kinds of wah WAH wHHHHeeeeee noises! It sounded like R2D2 on drugs! Then, after all that, they started the process over on the leg that actually had the problem! (I think they just wanted to grease up and enjoy my "good" leg first! (lol) Hope they enjoyed it!
Finally they left me to clean up. I had to wipe all the left over gel off my crotch and legs... and get dressed. It still felt wet & sticky. I felt like I had just had some kind of weird orgy or something... except I didn't feel like I had had any fun.
Anyway... they did not find a blood clot. I felt they should have found SOMEthing for all that. I know it was necessary, but it sure was awkward. Fortunately, my modesty sensitivity is far lower and my tolerance far higher than when I was younger. I really didn't care all that much... except for that gel crap... ick....
I left that unpleasant experience and went to the pharmacy to pick up my prescription, then hopped on a train and went to Union Station. I picked up a pet sympathy card for Tad, who 17 year old cat, Brittany, just had to be put to sleep. He is devastated and I feel so sorry for him. We become as attached to our pets as we do family; especially after so many years.
After wandering through a few shops, I realized it was not about 4pm and I had only had the small bowl of food at GV's party that morning and I was getting spacier than normal! I decided I would go up to Hooter's for a couple of beers and a bite to eat (that way I could use my Hooter's card and get more points).
After having some of the Hot Buffalo Shrimp, a small potato salad, and some celery sticks, (and 3 beers) I went to pay. I was digging out my Hooter's card and the waitress told me that they had discontinue that practice! I am really pissed about that. I have gotten poor treatment in that place many times, but I have gone back (as I went today) just to accrue points on that #!#$@! card. I was up to 60 or 80 points. At 100 points you get a major deal (I forget what it is/was at the moment, but it was worth my time and effort to me). So now, after all the hassle I've put up with, from poor service to NO service (not counting the times I just got pissed off and walked out!) ... I guess it was all for nothing. I sure don't go there to look at the girl's in skimpy outfits! They have just lost a ridiculously (pointlessly) loyal customer. I may go in to a Hooter's again, but it will be a rare (if ever) occasion!
I left Hooters in a dark mood and hopped the train on down to 5th & Mo. Skip was sitting on the bench there already, waiting for Cahokia bus. His phone had come in to my office today. (I had told him earlier to call over there and see if it was in. I really did not expect it to be). The bus arrived about 15-20 minutes later and we headed home. I finished off the book I have been reading, "Healer" by F. Paul Wilson.
We got off one stop early and walked over to Schnucks. Once again, I went in with ideals of finding some great cuts of meat and yummy veggies and making the DEEElish meal. But, this Schnucks grocery store, the predominant grocery store in the Midwest just SUCKS for meat! It's just a cut above road-kill. <grrrr!> And the "good" stuff is small, skimpy and WAY over priced!
Anyway... I picked up a few adequate items and headed home. Got a few chores done.
8:19p - Now I am finishing up my day's events (and RD is reading and correcting them as I go ... she's such dear!).
11:52p - Sheesh... finally finished going through my email! (...and a lot of beer). Must go cook now.
12:48a - Supper, consisted of a grilled chuck steak and fried okra. It was okay. I am off to bed now though. I got up at 8:00a this morning. I wanted to sleep in longer, but K-Dog got me up and I never made it back to bed. But, I've tried to be productive. So far got my daily recipe (with graphic) done. It was a bit extensive since I did research on the Muffaletta sandwich, told some of the history behind it, and provided two variant recipes. I am going to insert the graphic I created for it here to the right. 11:41a - I also cleaned up some of my poor plants. I trimmed back the dead growth and added some fresh potting soil to their pots. As soon as warmer weather gets here I will be doing some transplanting, and I will likely buy some new plants. Some big ones for inside the house. I need more greenery! 11:43a - Next task.... I am going to load some software on the pc. |
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12:16p - Marty just told me his truck got broken into last night! His cell phone and $13 cash were stolen, That sucks!
12:34p - Hey... it looks like the sun is trying to come out and brighten the day.... a little. That would be nice.
6:05p - It warmed up some and Skip & I went to Wal-Mart. I bought about 3 pairs of pants (badly needed). I got some seed starters and pepper seeds. I am going tp grow some pepper this year. When we got home, I turned off the heat and opened up some windows. It is getting dark out now and cooling down. Will have to turn the heat on again soon.
6:09p - I am sleepy. I took a caffeine pill a bit ago. I hope it kicks in soon
11:58p - I cooked some drumsticks for supper. I baked them with jalapeños and cheese. I made a potato dish on top of the stove. All cooked very slowly. Hope its good... and not TOO spicey!
12:02a - I am about to go eat ... it looked good. I made some awesome mashed potatoes with skin on and pimientos. I used some of the powered cheese stuff too. It was not too spicey, as I had feard. Spicey, but good.
8:28a - I sat up in bed and decdied to get out of it (the bed that is).
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9:37a - I checked Kira's stool this morning.... she has worms. That's just great. I will have to get a wormer, but I don't know what kind she has. I wonder if it has anything to do with her labored breathing? I can't see how, but ... I am not the doctor. Skip left the oven on ALL night long! I wish he would be more conscientious. 7:51p - I finally got the shelves put up in my bedroom. It was more of a hassle that I expected. Of course I found a stud when I did not WANT one! I had to buy some spackle and plug up 4 big holes ... and a buch more little holes that I found while doing that. You can see the final product in the picture at left. 8:40p - I have a small pork roast in the oven. I made some potatoes much the same as the ones I made last night, but I mixed in minced garlic, jalapeño, and pimiento plus salt, pepper and a light dusting of mixed herbs. I added some of the cheese powder and parmesan cheese as well. I mixed well, the cake around the roast and dusted with corn meal. I wrapped it in foil and am baking it like that. |
8:44p - It's starting to smell scrumpdillicious!
11:24p - Off to bed! Supper was great. I mad myself a lunch for tomorrow.
7:19a - I The weekends always go by so quickly. Kira was breathing "that way" again last night. It is really disturbing me. I turned the ceiling fan on high and she got up and lay in the center of the room. This seemed to help some. Is she overheating? That doesn't make sense (especially being from Florida!). If so, it's only going to get worse this summer.
7:24a - I made a container of leftovers for lunch from supper last night. (Now lets see if I remember them!).
7:24p - I remembered it (my lunch, that is). Wow... it is precisely 12 horus since my morning entry. Completely by accident!
9:53p - Tad stopped by a little bit ago in his "new" (loaner) car... an Intrepid. I gave him the card I picked up on Friday in memory of his dear little cat, Brittany.
9:54p - Skip took today off from work. He could have put the garbage out, but I had to do that (again..<sigh>). He made some spaghetti meat sauce, so I just got through making a big batch of pasta. I mixed some minced garlic, pimiento and oregano in with the pasta. Oh... the "pasta" is Angel Hair Vermicelli and Linguini. I inadvertently cooked the Vermicelli before the Linguine, so it may be a bit overdone (or else the Linguini will be a little TOO much al dente!)
7:39a - I slept without Kira getting me up all night. That was a blessing! I upgraded my xReminderPro to version 4.2rr this morning.
8:04a - ... and it's time to head out again. Looks like another cloudy, dreary day. Spring is on its way, but it could be a bit faster about it!
8:45p - This was a long arduous day. I took my lunch this morning, but LZ and SW decided to go to Hon's for some Chinese takeout. I had them pick me up some of my usual General Tso's Chicken. I am going to fix the leftover spaghetti for supper.
For the 3rd time in the past few weeks, Lotus Notes prompted me to "recertify" my User-ID (this is normally done only ever 2 years). This is weird and I suspect is a symptom of future problems to come based on this new script our department is deploying. A "DOS command" script. I believe they would put our professional image on the line with hundreds of machines having to run multiple scripts during logon/logoff procedures with other scripts trying to compensate for unexpected reboots and crashes. This is not a job for simple texted based scripts. But who am I? I've only been doing this stuff a couple of of decades....
8:52p - Gracie's husband Bob went back into the hospital with pneumonia. They thought he was doing better.
9:05p - I just learned from my niece, Stephanie, that her Uncle Mike is deathly ill. Calisa is apparently in Reno attending the crisis... I don't know any more.
7:29a - I am already out of the shower early this morning (even though I slept in for "one snooze" longer). I am going to take leftover spaghetti with me to work (again). I added mushrooms, olives, onion and some chuck steak to it though, so it is slightly more festive!
We got new BUN coffee makers today at work.
I finished reading "Striped Holes" at lunch today.
Damn... I left my phone at the office for the second time this week!
8:31p - My doctor's excuse from last Friday was not accepted by the Payroll section today when I handed in my time sheet. I knew itwas going to be a problem. I told them at the doctor's office that it was wrong, but the just pushed me on through and I blithely accepted it (stupidly trusting as usual). I needed an excuse covering my days out sick on the 17th and 18th, but then I went to work again on the 19th. I then took off time to go to the doctor's office and to have the xrays, blood work, urinalysis, ultra sound and make a couple of trips to the pharmacy. I had to write a long letter explaining this all to them and faxed it. Of course, now they will not fax anything to me and I will have to walk down and pick it up in the morning (in the cold... on my "bad" leg! ... which is actually much better). I would really like to switch doctors. I am feeling like a real doofus continuing to put up with all the crap I am getting put through at this office. However, the actual medical care has been fine, its just the support staff that is the problem.
8:58p - I am trying to upgrade to the new version of AdsGone... its is taking forever and a day. Meanwhile, I have the roast chicken that I bought over the weekend (and threw in the freezer) wrapped in foil and slowly warming in the oven. I am going to make some mixed greens to got with it and maybe some rice.
9:49p - AdsGone is finally loading/installing. It sure took a long time!
7:47a - I have to walk down to the doctor's office and get my note from them this morning. Its cold out. At least it is sunny.
8-58a - I had lots of dreams last night, and Mom was in several of them. We were traveling together and were, in one dream, in a huge city where French was the main language spoken. She seemed very happy and content and knew her way around.
Barnabas sliced my thumb open when I went to pet him this evening. Rude little shit.
I figured out the "Send to Mail Recipient" problem at work today. Our experts have said "That feature no longer works with the new XP rollout"... and "That feature is only supported with OutLook" ... and other more complex (and meaningless) techno babble. My years of experience and "techno-sense" told me that the function ahd to still be available and that only our deployment of it was off. I finally found a setting to change and some code to add to the WIN.INI file which makes this very useful (and often used) feature available to our clients again. Needless to say, I was quite pleased with myself and hope to get some minor recognition/acknowledgement for my achievement.
11:27p - It was another long and tedious day. I started reading another of my old books. I forge the name of it. The characters are Jade (aka "Lone") and Hinx. Humans have evolved to "jaks" (short for jakolar) and dogs are there "mounts". Interesting so far. I don't remember it at all (once again!).
11:29p - I am off to bed....
He was very upset with me and was most vehemently explaining that if this code were added to XP systems (and he jabbed demonstratively at the book...) that they could blow up! I awoke, realizing that I had failed to send D.Chi a copy of the documentation.
8:12a - Walking to the bus stop, I see bud swelling on the tree at the corner of Melvin and Armand. Then, look closer, I see a few of the buds are already bursting forth with blossoms! YAY! Spring is really close... I am so glad. Winter up here really wears one out...
10:00a - We had a very precise one-hour Coor Comm Meeting this morning. I was actually asked to present my findings about the above referenced script and LR's body language suggested to me that she was surprised that I had done this or was involved in something of this nature. When will they use me properly? I have years of experience and depths of skill that they just don't seem to realize. I have been working in this field for 20 years or more. I have experience with systems as primitives as the ancient IBM CPT Programmable Typewriter, to the MagCard System, then IBM OS/6 452, Wang Word Processing systems, Wang PC's and VS system, IBM System 36 and 38, IBM AS/400, Novell Netware, IPX/SPX, NT, XP, and the list just goes on... I don't want to be MIS-used... but I do wish to be "used" !! I hate that my perspective has once again fallen into the groove of "collect the paycheck".... That is not my preferred way of doing things by any means!
I wore my baseball "Tsalagi" shirt to work today with the Vietnam Vet's pin the Kawi gave me.
I was going to walk down to Hon's Wok for lunch today, but I didn't feel like walking that far. However, it was a beautiful day. GV asked me to meet her downstairs to pick up some food for LR and others in a meeting and it was a pleasure to just stand out in the sun and absorb the pleasantness of it.
9:59p - I left my blasted book at the office by accident tonight! So... I sat like a bump on a log all the way home and will have to do the same thing on the way to work Monday. Monday... it already looms darkly before me <sigh>.
10:01p - I finally got my change added in to WheresGeorge tonight. Here are my stats...
BEFORE..
Y ou have entered 677 Bills worth $5,015
Bills with hits: 79 Total hits: 91 Hit rate: 11.67%
AFTER...
You have entered 703
Bills worth $5,065
Bills with hits: 81 Total hits: 93 Hit rate: 11.52%
I entered exactly $50 more tonight... by coincidence. How odd...
Mike FINALLY received the package that I sent to him and called me tonight. We talked for a while, then Skip called him and ran a bill up on the house phone. That's going to be a high bill. I comment to Skip and he said something about paying the bills too. I don't think he realizes that I never charge him extra for the house phone. If he runs up a high bill, it comes out of my pocket. He will still pay the same amount he always pays, so it won't affect him unless I catch that item on the bill and charge him for it extra, in which case, it will just go on his "tally sheet" and he will still pay me the same thing and it won't affect him (just his balance).
8:15a - I go up... Kira got me up that is....
9:44a - I am going to try to make it to Soulard for spices today. Must get busy...
7:17p - I wrote an email to Diana today that describes my day fairly well...
Just sat down... been
going all day. I am pooped. I went to Soulard to buy spices. I thought
about you several times and how we used to go down there, [snipped
out]. But its so
hard for me to get to a bank now. I've only made it twice since
moving. There just is no bank out here in Bumfukokia! I will try
to get someone to give me a ride this week to a bank. |
7:21p - I still have not eaten... just drinking beer (early tonight).
I made rice to mix with with the tomato salad, to make a tomator/rice salad. It came out very good!
He got some pet spray stuff at Wal-Mart while ago. I don't know if it is supposed to take out stains, odours or both, but at least it was a responsible moved on his part.
4:31p - I think I will go put some seeds in the planters now. I am going to plant some pepper plants. I am also going to transplant some of the other plants I have.
Day #1: Pepper Plants are just planted within the hour! |
Today, leap year day, is Rex's birthday. Rex, for those who don't know, was my neighbor back in Deltona. He was also the driver in the awful car wreck I was in on May 7, 1994. We were on our way back from Daytona Beach. The picture of him above was taken at Spring Break in Daytona. I think it was 1994 or '94. We had some fun times, he and I did. However, I think the wreck messed him up emotionally more than it messed me up physically!
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5:50p - Okay! I got the pepper seeds planted! And I re-potted two other plants. One of the plants I re-potted was the one I got out of the trash can when I lived at Jack's place over in Forest Park in the Ruth Elma building. I took good care of the plant until moving here. I inadvertenly left it out last Fall and it caught the first freeze and reduced it to a couple of leaves. I was bad. See the picture to the right to witness my crime. The lower portion actually shows some bird seed and Mung beans which I have growing in the planter to add some greenery. However, I replanted it tonight and I will begin coaxing it back out to its former glory. This may take a couple of three years. I still have more to do, but I am getting tired. Don't know if I can get it all done. I need to put my clothes up, dye my hair, feed Kira, take my pills, fix supper, load PhotoStitch... 7:04p - I still have not got my laundry put up or supper started. I guess I should go feed Kira, take my pills, etc.... 7:50p - I have surprised myself, but ALL my laundry is hung up... oh, but I still have to fold undies and match socks. Okay... back to the grind.... 7:59p - Cool... just nine minutes and I have all the socks matched and put away. Now for undies... 8:22p - Wow... not only are underwear folded and put up, but I have even organized my room a little better. There is more room and things are up off the floor. |
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Skip is watching action movies and trying to tell me everything that is happening in them. Actually, now he is watching the Academy Awards. Of interest, Lord of the Rings justg won another Oscar a few minutes ago.
It's raining off and on. It rained on the bathroom rug which I laid outside to air more. However, I threw it in the dryer. It is now back on the bathroom floor ... nearly as good as new!
See how nicely I cleaned the kitchen today!
8:27p - Time to go look over the food situation. I am not real hungry, but I should fix a bite for supper. I still did not dye my hair, but that may have to wait....
8:28p - Skip is screaming... Bob Hope is on TV ... on the Academy Awards... (hmmm... my data indicates that he dies at age 100 on or about Sunday, July 26, 2003. I could be wrong...).
8:54p - Still need to fix supper, but I am going to try to get PhotoStitch loaded first...
9:08p - Okay... it seems to have loaded.... but I can't find it. I think a REBOOT is in order...
10:26p - I need to fix supper and go to bed. I am so depressed that I have to go to work again tomorrow. I need to get motivated and schedule a visit to Florida! Chuck called me today while I was shopping at Wal-Mart. He plans to visit in July. I should plan a visit before he gets here. It will not be as fun as the last time he was here. I do not have access to as much as I did then! ... I must figure out something....
10:31p - I am going to go figure out something for supper..
11:13p - Skip approves of the Oscars (I could care less).... However... we agree that Johnny Depp should have won something for his part in "Pirates of the Carribean."
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Happy
Valentine's
Day!
En Memorium
Evelyn Selfridge
who left us on
January 31st, 2004
Happy
Birthday to
Glorianna Goodwin
Feb 1, 1979
Happy
Birthday #32 to
Chad Johnson
(Now in Daytona Beach?)
Feb 7, 1972
Still looking
for
My Valentine....
Happy
Birthday
|
February 11, 2004
Happy 32nd Birthday
to Billy Meyer
WOLF PACK RULES!
Happy Birthday
Billy & Marty