March 2006

Cherokee Calendar
The Windy Moon - "Anuyi"

"First New Moon" of the new seasons. This is the traditional start of the new cycle of planting seasons, or "Moons". New town council fires are made. The figure used to portray this moon is the historic figure of Kanati, one of the many beings created by the "Apportioner" Unethlana. These "helpers" were variously charged with the control of the life elements of the earth: air/earth/fire/water. Their domains are the sky, earth, stars and the Seven Levels of the universe.

WEDNESDAY - March 1, 2006

8:43a – Last year on this date, the temperature was 23°. This year it is 56°. It has been a mild winter, to my surprise. I finally got some sleep last night. However, I may have slept a little too long. I let Kira out of my room at some point, and she had an accident. Of course, it could not be in one spot. She had to trail it up and down the hallway, the living room and on the new beige carpet. I need to go begin cleaning. I suppose I am sort of stalling here. This is just what my tortured lungs need. Not!

9:25a – The deed is done. That was a lot of work for a healthy person. I am drenched in sweat, not so much from the physical exertion, but because I am still sick. Actually, I was sweating almost all night long... which reminds me, I need to wash my bedclothes too. Oh, and after I got the mess cleaned up in the hallway and living room, I discovered (by stepping in it) that she had left a bit puddle in the laundry room. That's what I get for letting her out of my room for the night... the price of a little bit of sleep. And of course, the house reeks, so I have the windows open. Thankfully it is another beautiful day

11:12a – I called Nok at Convergys and left a message for her about my being out sick. I hope she gets it. Then I got a popup reminder about a meeting with Terri for the rental assistance. I did not recall have a meeting scheduled with her, so I gave her a call. She had nothing on her calendar either. However, she said she is going to check on the status of funding and see if they can do anything to help out with one month's rent. She seemed surprised I am only asking for help with one month, but I don't want to abuse the system. I just need a "booster" and don't want to hog all the funds. There will be other people who need assistance besides me, and I do at least have a job now.

12:24p – The temperature is up to 74°!

1:43p – I am still having "the sweats." I am not exactly over heated, but I keep sweating. It's becoming very annoying.

3:53p – And the blasted coughing continues. My throat feels like hamburger. I just made a cup of organic tea to see if that will sooth it a bit. I hope I can handle work tomorrow. I am starting to get worried.

11:58p – I went to pick Skip up from the train stop around 5:00. I dropped of his 2 videos on the way. Unfortunately, one of them was one he had purchased! (oops!). Of course, he has video tapes and DVD's scattered all over the living room, so if he would put them AWAY some place, maybe I would not get the wrong one. Or... just return them on time (there's a thought...).

THURSDAY - March 2, 2006

12:01a – I have fixed a supper of fried chicken, mashed potatoes & gravy and broccoli and cheese. Skip made some fried okra too. It was exhausting, since I am still sick and I had to wash nearly every dish and utensil I used. Anyway... I am going to go eat here in a bit...

2:35p – The cough lingers on. I was able to sleep some last night, getting up about 3 times for Kira. Every time I turn over, I start coughing. Skip stayed home from work. He still in the beginning stages of the bug. We went over to Wal-Mart and Schnuck's earlier. I went in to Wal-Mart for some paper plates, but I just waited in the car for Skip and rested. I am still exhausted. I got some laundry done this morning, then took my shower when we got home. I am about ready to head out to work again. I hope I can handle this.

FRIDAY - March 3, 2006
Bucket Day!

3:13a – I managed to live through the night at work. I was constantly coughing and that left me exhausted and dizzy, but I made it. Maybe it will be better tomorrow. I hope. I had a good night though. The first half of my shift saw 17 calls completed with an average talk time of 10 minutes (and I hardly put anyone on hold). I was getting a bit irritated with Floor Support tonight. Several times I sought their assistance and gave unhelpful responses. Such as one person whose account was disconnected for no apparent reason and I asked, "how can we reconnect her?" My response was, "You can't." That was just unacceptable. This is not providing service. (Oh, and this subscriber was providing cable TV to an entire motel complex which was out of service, so many people were affected!). I ended up having to transfer the customer, who had been transferred to me from Billing, to Sales. I would not be surprised if they seek service elsewhere.

3:26a – Anyway, I am home, the kids are fed, and I am having a few beers which are doing wonders to calm my cough. Alcohol truly does have some medicinal value! Of course, I also took some vitamin C, a couple of cold caplets, 2 aspirin and a swig of Robitussin.

3:35a – I have been thinking about Daddy a lot today. I suppose it's no surprise since he was born in March. Then his funeral pictures fell out of an album this morning. He looks so "wrong" laying in his casket. I wish I had not been so into my own life back in 1988. Now that I am older, there is so much that I would like to share and discuss with him. He never really got a chance to know me as an adult. At least I can say that, during our last conversation together, we said we loved each other. That was not something he did often, being very reserved in such matters, and not something he extended to me in particular, since was not his blood son. But he raised me and will always be "Daddy" to me.

We love you and remember you Daddy... rest peacefully....

3:47a – I checked my bank account a little bit ago, and it does not appear that my pay was deposited by direct deposit. I checked my "current paycheck" status on line and see my current earnings. My net pay is MUCH better this check! Next payday, due to my illness this week, will be a bit sad, but... what can one do? At least I still have a job, have insurance covering my medical, have rent paid, still have a working paid for car, etc. Counting my blessings! I have a few! Some people are far worse off, so I am happy for my lot in life. Blesséd be!

SATURDAY - March 4, 2006

I got to work on time today, despite the Friday traffic being exceptionally heavy. Fortunately, I left early to put gas in the car. The night seemed long, but it went okay. I think I logged about 27 or more calls with an average call time of around 10 minutes. Of course, that data is skew because when I first logged in, my phone's headset was unplugged and I did not know it. I was wondering why I was not getting any calls. I noticed my line was active with a call coming in from Texas, but I heard no one. I checked my call data and it said I had 3 calls with an average call time of 42 seconds! I finally found the disconnected headset and corrected it. I reported the incident to my Team Lead on break.

I could enjoy this job so much more if I were not still so sick. I am not coughing quite as much as last night, but the difference it slight.

2:21a – I was looking forward to getting home and having some beers all night. Not for the pleasure of drinking alcohol, but because the beer soothes my throat and reduces my coughing. Once I finally finished up at work (at 1:17am) I headed back home and stopped off at the Quick Trip to pick up some beer, only to learn that they are not selling beer at this hour (on a Friday?). Apparently its some stupid ordinance. Damn! I just wanted some beer to relax on my Friday night (okay... Saturday morning). I guess I will have to make it a point to buy my beer in the mornings.... when it is cheaper at Q-Mart anyway.

2:24a – So, now I am having to drink what's remaining of my bottle of Crown Royal. I really do not like to drink hard liquor like this, but it is calming my cough. I have not had a coughing fit in at least 30 minutes now.

3:07a – I just now finally had a mild cough attack! (This... after keeling over in spasms all night!).

10:38p – I got up this morning and was coughing so bad I ended up vomiting in the kitchen trash can. After I recovered a bit, Skip wanted to get something to eat. I ended up taking him to Wal-Mart, Schnuck's and Taco Bell, and Q-Mart. Then I dropped him off at the house and headed back out to go deposit my paycheck. I ended up having to park by the Bank on Market Street (which was closed of course), and then walked over to the bank on Broadway. I got my check deposited and withdrew $320 for Skip on his card which he sent with me.

RubyDancingmoon's car becomes a neon showcase!

10:46p – RD got her blue lights installed in her car tonight.. While we were looking at & discussing them, James came over sat here for four hours or more chatting with me. We had discussions of some pretty deep topics before he left at around 10:00p. I had to run to the store after he left and I see his truck is parked in front of Tad's place. Tad is apparently out at JJ's tonight having some drinks with people after work.

10:48p – I just got my rent money entered in to Where's George. I am ranked at 77 today. Yay.

11:00p – Skip ordered a pizza and it was just delivered about 15 minutes ago. I was not sure what I was going to do for supper, so I chipped in $7 and will have pizza for supper too.

12:18p – I slept until noon. I needed the sleep. My lungs are still congested, but I am not coughing as much as I was yesterday. Yet.

4:56p – The coughing started up again and I am exhausted from it again. I wish I could get this crap out of my lungs!

3:15p – I got up around noon. Still coughing, but improving. I am getting ready for work now. I leave in about a half hour.

3:01a – I got home at about 1:45a today. Slightly earlier than usual. I am still coughing, but it was not quite so bad tonight. The work day went by fairly quick. I had one irate caller who gave me a hard time, but most of my callers were fairly mellow and easy to work with. I was on one of the old Dell GX110 PC's, very slow with no optical mouse and no roller-scroller on the mouse. That made my night a bit more tedious, but nothing serious until my ACSR locked up on me in the middle of a call! That nearly cause a panic on my part, but I was able to close out ACSR despite having no access to Task Manager.

I got up around 11:30. I got the car payment taken care of for last week and next week, so I don't have to worry about that for a little while. I also asked them (again) about my tags and they said they were putting them in the mail immediately. That's what the told me 3 weeks ago. I think I am driving around on expired temporary tags, So I hope they get here soon! I also called TransUnion about all the fraudulent listing in my credit report. I am not sure if that is accomplishing anything however.

Work was a typical night, except that I sat across from one of my team mates who is not going to last on this job. She is rude to the customers, eats while talking on the phone, puts them on hold to answer her personal cell phone, loud and disturbing to those around her, and places callers on hold immediately when they call in. These are just things I observed while trying to do my job sitting next to her! She is not going to make it in this work.

I did not take my lunch tonight and got a salad out of the vending machine for supper. I am continuing to cough and its wearing me out. I got home and Kira had peed in the living room. Skip had laid a dish towel over the spot which "marked" the area but did nothing to help. I don't know what I am supposed to do at this late hour about it. I don't think he is letting her out when he gets home. She goes out just before I leave the house at 3:45, and he gets home about 6:00p, so she only has a little over 2 hours between the time I leave and he gets home. This should be no problem for her. I think he is going directly to his room to play games and letting her out if he thinks about it. I don't know. I know he left the burner on medium and I had to turn it off when I got home. Fortunately nothing burned. I have been sick and/or working and have not been able to get the dishes done, so the kitchen is a holy disaster again. I will have to clean it because he just doesn't. I am really getting tired of not only being the only one who does any serious housework, but cleaning up after him too. He has another stack of video boxes, beer cans and a full ashtray cluttering the living room once again. The shelves are in serious need of dusting. I have bought all the cleaners and will have to get busy doing some dusting soon too. All of this is starting to really get to me, and every time I try to say anything about it he argues with me. It's pointless. Well, tomorrow is my day off. I guess I will have to spend it doing housework.

2:21a – I got home about 1:45a. I had to wait for a train on Camp Jackson again. The car was really smoking when I got home. That oil leakage is really worrying me. I have to get it fix as soon as possible. I just can't affor it yet. My funds are nearly wiped out after this last bout of bills, the car payments, and rent. My next check is going to be short since I missed 3 days of work while I was sick... and that is not going to help at all.

1:33a – I am about to fall asleep, but I have cleaned up for the most part. Skip has already started leaving crap laying in the living room again. I put his package of crackers and his ash tray and set them in front of his door. I am just not going to put up with it any more. Limit reached!

2:26a – Off to bed now! My meal of mixed greens was excellent! I needed that.

11:39a – I am up a bit early this morning. It has been raining all day. I guess I will have to drive to work in the rain, so I better leave a bit earlier. I believe water dilutes driving skill.

2:24a – My shower is taken. I also sprayed the bathroom down with bleach and cleaned the floor. It was getting a layer of pet hair that was becoming abominable. I looks (and smells) a lot better now. I've been waiting to see if Skip would clean it, but I can't wait that long.

I left about 5 minutes late to work, when I intended to leave 5 minutes early. There was an accident that had traffic backed up on the bridge, and of course people were driving quite tediously due to the wet weather. I just barely made it to work on time. I walked in at 4:31p! I think I took more calls tonight than ever before, with a fairly low average call time. However, my computer went down twice and I had a meeting with my TL. I had to switch desks & phones and lost all my accumulated data, so I am not sure just what I did. I still have some lung congestion and coughing, but it is much less now. I was starting to lose my voice by the second half of the shift though.

2:15a – I got home about 1:40a, started a load of laundry (towels); fed the kids; and started some supper. I have a chunk of yucca thawing & simmering, and some hamburger thawing. I would like some black beans to go with this... I am in a Cuban mood. I don't have any though. It's just about time to get some corned beef and cabbage for St. Patty's Day.

1:37p – I got up around 7:00a, and again around 11:00a to let Kira out, but I ended up sleeping until about 1:00p today. I needed the sleep! I washed up my dishes from last night and the put a chuck roast in the crock pot to simmer until I get home from work. I included some mung beans, a can of 'cream of potato' soup, and other seasonings.

It is a brigh sun-shiny day out. Completely the opposite of yesterday, which was gray and rainy.

3:39p – It's time to head off to work again. I hope my crock pot creation is all cooked when I get home.

2:06a – Home again! Another day of work over. Kira & Chooga are fed. Pills distributed. Supper (in the crock pot) is well cooked, but I need some rice to go with it. The chuck roast just falls apart, so I just stirred it with a fork and broke it to pieces.

2:15a – Skip still is not getting it. I had to set his ashtray and a beer can by his door again. Then there was a bag of groceries laying in the kitchen, not put away, so I hung them on his door. I had a couple of dishes left in the sink from this afternoon and washed them up. Now I need to go to yahoo and organize my calendar with my work schedule.

10:51a – I got up at 10:30a, let Kira out and gave her pills to her, then washed up the crock pot which I left soaking overnight. It is too hot and stuff in this house. Kira is panting constantly, so I turned off the heat, and opened the windows ... and then noticed that Barnabas had peed on Kira's pillow again! I am getting sick of that cat. I can't have a rug in the kitchen nor a rug in the bath because he will foul them. I can't leave my bedroom door open or he will sneak in a pee on Kira's bed, and every time I turn around he pees on her pillow by the door.

I am taking the matter very seriously and trying to find the best methods for improving my time.

Nothing special to report today really. I got up around 11:30a and checked email. I went the the store for some beer and milk, stopped by Rally's for a burger & fries, came home, showered, dressed, and went to work at 3:47p I was nearly late due to a train crossing, but I made it.

5:51a – It is time for bed! Daylight is breaking. Supper had been eaten. Time to crash!

3:25p – I got up around 11:30. I have not accomplished a thing other than checking email. I think I will take my camera and go for a drive; see what I can find of interesting to photograph.

I went out for a drive as I said I would. Here are some of the pictures I took today...

10:54a – I just got up... still half asleep. Kira had an accident, but at least it was on the tile and easy to clean up. I am still coughing a little, but its just about gone, at last.

1055a – I had my first work oriented dream this morning. I dreamed that I was being moved to a new office building, effective immediately. Some lady was driving me to the place and asked me if I had my birth certificate and social security card. I said they might be in my car, but no one told me about this move. I was not really prepared. I woke up before we got to the new location.

2:57p – I am all showered and getting ready for work. I did the dishes, took out the trash, and cleaned the cat box this morning. I also have a load of laundry going. I hope it is dry before I leave for work, but I have a backup plan in case it isn't.

3:16p – I don't think my laundry is going to be dry. I have to leave in 30 minutes, so I will give it another 15 minutes in the dryer.

2:18a – My calls tonight were all kind of long. I had lots of people with tedious problems who needed constant hand-holding and detailed instructions.

Kira is fed and so is Chooga. Kira's arthritis is getting worse. She is really have trouble walking and I often have to help ger get up. I breaks my heart to see her aging so rapidly before my eyes. My baby is getting old <sigh>.

Tomorrow will be my third payday. It will be short since I was sick with that virus last week. I am still coughing just a little, but not much. I am hoping my direct deposit will have kicked in by now and I don't have to go through the hassle of driving down town and find a parking spot in order to get my check deposited.

2:12a – This has been a stressful day. I had my first "sup call" today. I am tired tonight. I didn't get to bed until after 6:00a yesterday.

4:58a – Supper is cooked and ready to eat. I sliced up some chuck roast and cooked it with some spices & veggies. I made pot of seasoned Jasmine rice to put the beef mix over. I smells good at least.

5:16a – Supper has been eaten, and I am off to bed. Later than I would have liked...

12:49p – I slept until about 12:30p today. That made about 7 hours of sleep. Not a full 8 hours, but adequate. I checked my bank account last night (i.e., this morning), and my direct deposit has finally kicked in. Of course, the pay was not much with 3 days missing from it. Rent is going to be hard to pay for the first time this month. I guess Terri did not make any headway with getting help on the rent. Hopefully the utilities bills did get paid. She said they did, but I better call them to verify. If they did not, the finances are going to be pretty bad. At least I am working though. As long as I don't miss any days I should get caught up slowly, even with this meager pay. And if I work some overtime it should give an extra boost.

I ran to the store and bought some corned beef, potatoes and cabbage, came home and put a slab of the corned beef in the crock pot with a few potatoes. That will be for supper tonight. It should be fall-aparty by then!

2:12a – First, I must start off the day with birthday wishes en memorium for Daddy (Frank E. Lewis - 1926-1988). He would have been 80 years old today! My, how time flies... and flies... ad infinitum!

Work was about the usual tonight, but driving home there was a "seatbelt enforcement" setup. What a farce! They are looking for drunk drivers. The line was backed up for 15 minutes with a big sign saying "SEAT BELT ENFORCEMENT ZONE" ... everyone had plenty of time to buckle up if needed. If they caught anyone with no seat belt on it is because they are too stupid to be driving a vehicle... or drunk! LOL!

5:55a – Supper was fantastic! Off to bed now. It is already daylight outside. I want to go to Soulard today, but... I need a few hours sleep... off I go...

6:27p – I slept until 1:00p (I thought it was 11:00a .. .oops). Once I got woke up, Skip and went out. We stopped at Taco Bell for a quick lunch (breakfast for me). Then went to Soulard Market. It was exactly 3:00p when we arrived there. I got some spices, chicken breasts, asparagus and mushrooms. Then we went to CWE so Skip could pick up some metal braces from his office. They were being discarded and he wants to use them on the fence he never works on... (hmmm...). From there we headed back to Cahokia. I stopped for gas and it took $38 to fill the tank. I also got a car wash, which did not get the car very clean! What a waste. Then I stopped by AutoZone and got some screws for the license plates; then to Q-Mart for beer.

1:57a – Supper was good, but I want more and its all gone. I am so sleepy...

2:34a – I fixed another bite to eat (beef & cabbage)... and now I am off to bed.

4:43a – I am up... letting Kira out. Poor thing. She is having an ever increasing problem with her hind legs. It is tearing my heart out. :(

8:40a – I got up again around 7:00a to let her out and never got back to sleep. I started coughing again. Finally gave up and got up.

2:22p – I missed my Esperanto meeting today. I had been looking forward to going, but I just don't feel good.

10;25p – I have supper in progress, but my email seems to be locked up. My web page uploads, but my email does not. I hope Jack is not pulling the plug on my site before we get something resolved.

10:41p – Supper is nearly ready, watching Dr. Who, and email is still not working (which concerns me).

12:05a – My computer seemed to "die" a few minutes ago. It would not boot back up. I discovered the entire house was in some kind of "brown out" condition. It seems to be over now, and the computer is alive again. Thank goodness!

12:01p – I did not sleep well. Kira got me up about 4 times in the night, and she is having some sinus problems which is making her breath loudly through her nose. When I did sleep, I had disturbing dreams.

Work went well tonight. I did not have any seriously difficult calls, no irate callers, and I took 40 calls today with an average time of around 8 minutes. Around 10:00p we got QuickCom notices that it was sleeting outside and some people were selected for a VGH (Voluntary Go Home). I did not. I want to be paid!

2:00a – I just got home. A little later than usual since I had to drive a lot slower. On my second break tonight, I stepped outside to see what the weather was like. It was snowing! There appears to be at least an inch or so accumulated on telephone lines and tree branches. By the time I left work, there were at least 3 inches on my car! It took 10-15 minutes to clear the windows for driving. Then, once I got to Cahokia, at 1:49a I had to stop for a train to cross. I was the only car waiting for it. The took another 3 minutes, but it seemed longer. Anyway, I just never expected it to snow! We've had nice Spring weather. Buds are sprouting, daffodils and tulips are blooming. Strange!

Snow still covered the ground this afternoon. I was really caught up in email this morning. That whacko "Celtuwah" guy was finally banned. I am surprised it took so long, but my group is a very patient and good-hearted group of people.

2:16a – I just got home a few minutes ago. This has been a catastrophic night. The car started having problems on the way home. The lights all went out, the radio quit, and the motor started to act up. I kept driving, afraid to pull over for fear that the car would not start, and I would be stranded in the freezing cold on the highway. My heart was racing. I made to Cahokia, onto Camp Jackson road. It almost died, but I made it to the railroad crossing.... then it died. I coasted into the parking lot at McDonald's, wrestling with the steering. That's when I noticed the Cahokia Police car behind me. She thought she was pulling me over for my lights being out, not realizing that I was in distress. She found out soon enough. More smoke was coming out from under my hood than usual and the police lady was not as used to it as I was. She called the Fire Department and eventually we had two fire trucks gathered around my car, the police car, all with lights flashing, and there was an undercover agent, then another guy from the Fire Department in a civilian vehicle. I guess I was the "big excitement" in Cahokia. So the police lady gave me a ride home. I left the car sitting at McDonald's. Maybe it will start in the morning, but I dare not drive it to work. I don't know what I am going to do. I can't afford to have it fixed yet. I am so depressed. I will probably end up losing my job if I can't find a way to get to work. I don't know... maybe I can take all the liquid assets I have and it will be enough to fix it. I just don't know. This is a disaster. I am already so depressed and I don't think it has quite hit home yet. I get so tired of all the stupid set backs.

5:24a – It's time to eat. I am still depressed. I just don't know what to do next...

5:44a – I just told Skip briefly of my car dilemma as he got up to go to the facilities. I am off to bed now. I have NO idea what I am going to do about this disaster...

I did not get up until 1:00p. I did not want to face reality, but then I started dreaming about the car problem. So, I got up.

4:27p – I just got the car home. Deana gave me a ride down to pick it up. Thankfully, it started up and got me home. That's a little relief. I couldn't go to work today though.

10:13p – I just tried to have a conversation with Skip about the car situation. He is being 100% self-centered on the issue. He (correctly) wants to make sure I do no lose my job, but I can tell from his references that is is because if I lose my job it will affect him. This is a very depressing perspective to realize. He does not seem to be concerned with all the other bills which I/(we!) am/are responsible for (which will not affect him), He has no concept of the pressures that I am under, nor how they will affect his world. I do not disagree with what he says, but he says it from a cold and logical point of view. I can respect that, but I am a PERSON... and I am having a lot of problems dealing with all the pressure. That TOO is a major factor.

10:21p – Anyway, I have cooked a slab o corned beef for supper, with some potatoes. I am making some cabbage now. It smells good, but I am a bit depressed. I hope I can properly appreciate it all.

11:17p – I am off to bed. I have not been happy with my discussions with Skip tonight. I assume he does not care.

11:28p – I am just headed to bed and Skip had to make one last rude comment. He says, when he is getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, NOT to start up a conversation with him. Referring to the fact that I caught him on the way to the bath last night and told him about the drastic car situation. I asked him, "How often have I EVER "bothered" you in such a manner?!" Like... NEVER! I had just been indulging the police department, the fire department and others onsite in regard to my situation. I was trying to be respectful and considerate. I also expected my own brother to be considerate. I am back to thinking that I would like to have my own life back in my own hands! Anyway... off to bed.

9:07a – I am exhausted. I have been awake for hours. Most of the night. I suppose it is anxiety. Today that "inspector" is supposed to come by regarding rental assistance. In need to try to find a way to get to work by bus today. I may have to leave early. I hope they're okay with that.

1:16p – The case work has come and gone. She says the may be able to help with rent for 6 months. All of it, not just half. We will see how it goes.

6;15p – I walked to Q-Mart for the first time in four months. The car *might* have made it, but I didn't want to risk it.

12:54a – Kira has has supper. I took a couple of Tylenol PM tonight. Off to bed now. Maybe I will sleep. I need to sleep. I chatted with Jack a little while ago. He is having problems too. Life can be such a bitch at times!

2:14p – I slept better last night. The PM's helped. I am getting very depressed though. I have almost no appetite and all I want to do is sleep. I don't know what I am going to do about the car. I am making no progress and can't even focus on it.

4:00p – I just got back from Dobbs where I dropped off the car. It's going to cost me a fortune, of that I am sure. I may not have enough to pay for it all. I am just sick over the entire affair. The car barely made it down there. Then it died when I pulled into the lot.

5:33p – It was the alternator. Looks like its going to cost over $500 to fix. I will just barely be able to scrape up the money for it. This is so depressing, but... I will get through it.

7:02p – I just created "The Bramblepatch" ... a new Yahoo Group for family members. I wonder if it will catch on?

12:20a – I had gone to bed, but I woke up. Hungry. Munchy. I am in the kitchen cooking now. Hmm.... go figure!

2:14a – I can't believe I am still up! I had gone to bed. I just put a chicken breast out to thaw. (Still munchy).

2:51a – Wow... I am drinking some of my Godiva Liqueur from two yeas ago! From DragonCon.

8:20a – I am up (letting Kira out). The sun is obnoxiously bright this morning. How dare it?.

10:43a – I don't believe I drank that liqueur last this morning. Skip just woke me up. I called Dobbs. The car is ready (for $506.80). I will take some coins by Schnuck's and get a couple of hundred in cash. I feel awful though.

2:25a – I got home about 11:00pm. Marty and JR were here. I just now finished going through all me email! I had tons. I have food heating on the stove now. Skip bought a new skillet and I have some of his leftover and some of my rice from last night heating up. Off to eat now. The car was "fine" ... but still smoking too much.

9:55a – I am up, but still so sleepy. I think I have tomorrow off, so I can sleep in.

1:57a – I am of to eat supper and then crash, after a lot of email management.

12:02p – Today is a miserable, windy, rainy, gray day. Yesterday was beautiful with plenty of sunshine. Figures, since I have the day off. And RD's computer is still down, so I don't even have her to chat with <sigh>.

3:47p – I am wasting this day away. I need to do the dishes and go to the store. I feel more like sleeping.

6:28p – I got most of the dishes washed, then took that horn I bought back to AutoZone. I saw Ricky as I was leaving the house. He was putting an eviction notice on the house next door. Looks like Leo is history.

8:53p – RD is back on line! YAY! We have been working on getting her files and programs back in order all evening. What a pain for her!

10:02p – I have baked my last corned beef brisket for over 2 hours and have now placed it in a boiling vat of seasonings. With a couple of potatoes. I will cook the remaining cabbage with this. Supper looks good so far! And lunch at work tomorrow too.

10:05p – I got all my work schedule updated in my yahoo calendar a little while ago.

10:57p – Supper is nearly done. I have a beef brisket which has baked for 2.5 hours, now it is boiling in a pot of seasoning. With a couple of potatoes, and a head of cabbage. I think it will be good!

2:06a – I was so hungry... I made MORE food and ate another meal. Now I am too stuffed. Off to bed now.

9:40a – I got up around noon. Checked email, did the usual boring stuff. Let Kira out, etc. Around 5:00p I went to Wal-Mart and got some paper plates and such things, and to Q-Mart for beer. I picked Skip up at Q-Mart at around 5:45p. I have a chuck roast in the oven now. Today has been a beautiful day. Too bad I was sitting indoors most of the time.

11:34p – Oof! ... supper was chuck roast, okra, rice and potatoes.... and it was all DELICIOUS!

11:55a – I had a long sleep with lots of strange dreams. I can't remember most of them, except for one in which I had let my hair grow out a bit. Then I got a haircut and retained a "rattail." I braided the rattail and managed to create a semblance of the letter "A" in the braid.

James came by today whle I was getting ready for work. It was nice to have him visit, but I was kind of pressed for time.

I drove home in a torrential downpour tonight! I still made it home by about 1:40a. The temperature is very nice.

4:48a – I just took care of a stack of bills. I am left with about $58 for the next 2 weeks. That will fill the tank once or twice. I will have to rely on Skip payment to live on. Damn... finances have never been this tight in years. I don't have any "buffer" zone left. I even cut back a couple of payments. Rent will be late for the first time ever. I will have to check the least to see what the late payment is. I've never had to pay it. I need to make more money!

5:13a – I am making a mix of portabella mushroom, onion, cellery, chicken, a can of 'cream of mushroom' soup, and some very exepensive roasted red bell pepper from Jay's. With various seasonings. Very herbal. I smells good at least.