So.....guess what?!

Well, I actually sold the house on Benavides Street and have moved into my new house! I have been here since July 31st and have been lovin' it! I find myself extremely fortunate that I was able to sell the other house. I recently looked online and saw that almost all the other homes that were for sale in the same price range are still "for sale". I guess someone was on my side. I definitely needed this more than anyone can know. This change of scenery and the ability to leave that neighborhood has been absolutely immaterial.

I only live about 5 miles away, but it might as well be a different state. Love. It. I'm in the "country" now sportin' 5 acres, a shop and a great house. I feel extremely fortunate. I appreciate all of the work my friends did to help me. We loaded a 26 foot U-Haul and a huge 28 foot trailer. I seriously would not have been able to move out without their help. I will never be able to thank them enough.

2010

Well, I say this every year, but this year I'm actually trying to believe this. "NEXT YEAR WILL BE BETTER!" I have no idea why I *actually* buy into that mantra this year, but I am going to will it to be so.

This will be the year in regards to my FH....much more to follow on that. It is such a long story and waaaaay to involved for this forum. All I have to say is next Christmas = Vail. ;)

A huge big awesome fabulous item about next year.....I will be debt free as of August 5th!! Oh happy happy day! I have been busting my a$$ to make that happen and it is finally almost here. I personally can't even believe it, but it's almost time to travel. I want to take MP to places, go to more concerts, visit family more, take trips with FH, continue the Vette project.....so much to experience!

Oh and my 20th Class reunion will be going on during the Fourth of July weekend. Amazingly enough, I commited to attending. Hmmm.....still not too sure how I feel about that. Guess we'll see about that as it gets closer. If nothing else, I'll be able to be in the UP of MI during a great time of year. I haven't been swimming in Lake Michigan in years, so there's always that. I think I'm going to get a bottle of Strawberry Hill and hang out at Aronson Island just for 'ol times sake.....I mean it is a class reunion. I think I should stay true to my roots. Yeah and did I mention, I still don't have a date....humph...

My kid might be spending a month with my Mom up in Michigan for part of her summer vacation. REALLY don't know how I feel about that, even if it was my idea. I always had a really close relationship with my grandparents and I feel that living so far away from family sometimes impedes that with my kiddo. She is really close with my Mom and speaks with her often, but I still don't think it's the same. So, I think that the visit may be a pretty cool gift for my Mom and kiddo. I won't know what to do with myself....the house will be quiet. I hope FH has his crap together by then (fingers crossed).

Oh and I just did a quickie (stop being nasty) project in the guest bathroom. Almost done with it and I'm planning on multiple other facelift projects throughout the house. It may be the year to put it on the market. I would seriously love to move to Rockport if everything works out.

Some people say that saying things will jinx you.....I actually feel the opposite. "Say it til it's true". I have made "a list", I guess some would call it a "bucket list". It's one of those the sky is the limit type lists. Even wild and crazy things are on it. I try not to look too often, but as I check back with it, I have found that I'm actually accomplishing some of the items. My plan is to cross them all off the list.

Sooooo.....holidays

Ok, great. So, I'm supposed to be getting the house ready on this fabulous day off. BUT, instead I'm watching "Waiting" (loooove Ryan Reynolds) and cruising the net.

Oh and MP just called from school and said that she feels like she "could puke". Good times, good times. I think I should just pick out a bottle of wine and throw out the cork.

Long time, no blog...

Ok, ok, I was a bloggin' slacker this summer. So, here is the Cliff's Notes version.....get ready, there is not much variation. Work, camp, beach and variations on the three. Pretty simple huh?

My kiddo turned 9 over the summer and my Mom came for her annual visit in May. We had a pretty good time! Went to Sea World for the inaugural visit. Also picked up two old surfboards, so I'm giving that the old college try.

I've also fixed the pesky Vette brake problems, so that's a huge bonus! The seals were bad in one of the new calipers, go figure. It also has a new radiator and I'm still dealing with a minor overtemp problem. Not a huge thing though....I'm just happy to be able to drive it again. So, there is a certain someone I need to thank for that.....thanks emotional turmoil. ;) You know who you are.

Well, school is back on and Miss Priss is in the Fourth Grade now. I seriously can't believe it. You wait for them to walk and talk and before you know it.....they are doing story problems after school. It's official, I must be getting o-l-d. I won't give in!!

Oh and good news :)

Back in the day, I was "adopted" by an older golden retriever whom I named Zack. He was a wonderful old soul who was dropped off by his owner. He was heartworm positive and he successfully made it through treatment. He was a great addition to my life and went through good and bad with me. Long story short, he was very loved. He died when I was five months pregnant coincidently 3 days before Christmas. It was quite the emotional time for me. He was a great guy....prior to him getting ill and passing, I adopted a chocolate lab (Nick). He was basically still a pup when Zack died so he was a helpful bridge even though it didn't alleviate the sadness in the house.

Fast forward to January 25th 2009. I was driving down the street to my house and spotted a couple hunched over a dog lying in the grass. My kiddo and I stopped to see what was going on. So here was this male golden retriever with three bloody paws....he was soaking wet. He was still a precious looking guy. He had no collar and no obvious markings, so I had no idea where he actually belonged. The couple expressed that they were unable to take the dog to their house, so we ended up walking him down the street to our yard.

We doctored his paws, gave him a bath and some food. He was a polite little (ha) guy. I was pretty smitten, but hesitant to get attached because he *had* to belong to someone. He was just too well bred and behaved not to belong somewhere. So, I gave myself a date. If I hadn't received any calls or inquiries within 6 days, we would consider him ours. I hated to call him by a name I would have liked, so he simply was Stray Dog. Catchy huh?! Yeah, not so much.

By day 2, I had already bought him a collar and a new leash.....well, he would need one even if his "parents" showed up to claim him...........right?? Oh, and he needed toys.......this guy is definitely more active than my now geriatric Nick. Oh and he needs some special food too.....you get the picture.

Day 6 shows up and nothing. Not even a peep. So, he is now Brody and he is fabulous ;)

OMG

So, where do I even start?!

So we went to Michigan for the holidays in the MB.  Sounds like a great plan right?  I thought so too, but alas I am still dealing with damages to my car secondary to a hole to China which I struck in the sunny state of Illinois.  Mind you, this was on Interstate (INTERSTATE) 57.  It was the entire width of the car and I had no way to avoid it....unless I wanted to strike an 18 wheeler.  So, the car "bottomed" out and it was just nasty.  Very LONG story short, I ended up filing a claim with my fabulous insurance company.  OMG.....my car is still in the shop and damages are now upwards and around $3000.  There is also the possibility of even more damage if they cannot get the car to align....we will not know the status until probably Monday.  It is not a good thing.  

What has been most annoying about this whole misadventure has been dealing with my insurance company, almost on a daily basis.  My local office is wonderful, however the problem is dealing with everyone above them.  It is seriously like pulling teeth.  It is so ironic that I have NEVER filed a claim EVER and this company has my home and two of my vehicles on policy.  My bill to them is always paid on time, yet they want to argue with me about a $25 / day rental car.....well I pay for that rider on my policy so what is the problem?  I am not a criminal, it would be great if I wouldn't be treated like one.  Sorry I'm venting.

So, I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that my "baby" will come out of this experience and drive exactly like it did prior to the incident.  As you all (all one of you) know, I am a serious car freak and I very much baby my stuff, so I'm pretty stressed about this.  Cheers!

 

So, the holidays......

I used to LOVE them, now not so much.  I'm not sure when this transition occurred, but I have a theory.  I blame EMS.........clearly.  Here's the thought process.....you have "shifts" when you work EMS.  Almost always, they are 24 hour shifts.  My first three years in EMS, I worked every "major" holiday.  Let me explain how this fabulous turn of events occurred.  The first year was just sheer luck.  The next year was a leap year, so my shift was bent over again.  THEN, the glorious third year, I had a shift change and guess what??  WE had all the holidays again!  SO, I started to detach myself from the whole holiday process.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed our times together and they are like family to me, albeit a dysfunctional one....  ;)  BUT, it was a different transition for me.  Also contributing was the fact that my "actual" family lives approximately 1600 miles away (where there are actual seasons....pout), but I digress.

How's that for a run-on?????  :)

So to make up for the holiday blahs, this year (I was off) we celebrated for TWO days.  That's right two solid days of overindulgence at my friend's house.  I felt fortunate that I was able to wiggle into my flightsuit this morning.  Problem is, I'm still eating like it's Thanksgiving.....very unfortunate indeed.  

The big D

So, it's that time of year again......cadaver lab. I find it especially odd that it's actually going to be held on Halloween. Someone clearly has a sense of humor.

Yeah so good times!

It's kind of odd though. I got here early (it's scheduled for tomorrow AM) and I can actually take a NAP! I'm almost afraid to say it because I'm sure it will disappear! It's like saying candyman three times......except the reverse. Naps are not a common thing for a single mom dontchaknow. I should really revel in this moment.....maybe grab a fabulous beverage and sit by the pool. I mean in theory, the possibilities are endless!

In reality, I will probably check emails, talk on the phone, watch last week's Grey's Anatomy online......very exciting stuff people. Try not to be jealous......seriously.

You do realize your air conditioning doesn't work.....

So, here's the deal, I am a car whore.  That's right, I'll admit it.  I have three cars and I am the only person who drives in my household.  Miss Priss doesn't count.....even though she thinks she is twenty, she clearly is not.  Clearly.

Anywho......my Mom was visiting this summer when the AC in my daily driver decided to give up the fight.  So, that's perfect timing since this occurred near the end of May.....in SOUTH TEXAS.  So, I was pretty pleased with the timing of it all.  Well, my friend and I did some troubleshooting and discovered that it was the AC compressor.  GAH!  Seriously, just shoot me now.  I had just spend a TON of $$ on my third car which is a restoration project.  

So, I opted to give the lil beauty a great wash and wax, put the lil cover on her and plant her in the garage until I pimped enough coin to fix her properly.  Here I am in the middle of summer sweating my crack off.  So, I had to put the hardtop and the doors back on the Jeep and pretend like it was a "real car" with responsibilities and a mortgage of its own.  Good times.  The Jeep had been a daily driver for years, but I had since been spoiled by the other (now broken) car.  But I digress.......

I have since decided that the use and abuse of the Jeep needs to stop and it is actually getting a bit cooler down here, especially in the mornings, so the broken one needs to come out of hibernation.  My thoughts were like this.....I work 24 hour shifts and I drive to work when it is cool, therefore I drive home when it's cool.....makes perfect sense!

Unfortunately the broken beast also was in need of a "service A".  It sounds a bit daunting to me, but anywho here I am at the dealership doing the "right thing" this morning and having that attended to.  Funny thing is.....I decided not to tell my service advisor about the whole broken AC thing because I haven't been successful at selling my kidney in eBay yet.  Imagine this one......it only took him THREE minutes to come back to me in the marble lounge to tell me that my AC doesn't work.  Hmmmmm, no kidding, I can't believe that.......well I fessed up and told him that I was going to cheat on him AND his service department and have the AC fixed elsewhere at a much later time.  He completely agreed and I feel vindicated.  :)

Either way, I *love* this place.....it's like a fabulous martini bar and they are really nice people here.  I'm now trying to find a way to tuck this loveseat into my computer bag.  I wonder if they will notice.  Surely not.  "Look super cute service guy, something shiny!"   PJ ducks out the door, escaping with the computer bag, the loveseat and my broken car.  Perfect plan.

Sunday Saying

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."

 - Marcel Proust

Why my room needs to be under lockdown!

So, this morning I'm out in the yard doing manual labor like a cabana boy on crack.  Which is extremely unfortunate, since I was actually *off* of work.  Oh and I had absolutely NO coffee this morning.....GAH.  

This emergent grass cutting adventure was truly my own doing, so I really shouldn't complain, but what the hell.  I'm pretty sure I haven't done the yard since right before Hurricane Ike and it was getting about as deep as Sasquatch's crotch (totally double meaning for my nasty friends out there ;) ).

During this time, Miss Priss is holed up in my room.  My bed is fabulous and she covets it on a daily basis.  My response to MP...........wait, besides you don't even have back problems yet!  There is a whole future ahead of you during which time you too can own a fabulous bed.  She fails to see the amusement.

So, she is on my laptop visiting her webkinz site and playing with her pet, Zack.  Yeah good times.  All's well, not to many interruptions during the mowing which is always suspect.

I'm going to preface the next part with some background.  I posted earlier about the air medical crash that killed my coworkers/friends.  It was a very difficult time and I chose not to discuss it with my daughter for several reasons.  I felt that at the time, it wasn't necessary for her to have to carry that around with her.  She already worries when I am at work and the weather is bad and I certainly didn't want to add to that pressure.  I could go on and on, but I digress.

Well, several people had sent me newspaper clippings in regards to my friends and I have kept them in a manilla envelope in one of my nightstands.  There were also several items from the memorials and a bunch of photos.  We also have a memorial patches on our flightsuits, but I am always careful to remove it prior to seeing MP, so it is never an issue.

So, as you can imagine, MP decided to dig through my nightstand to look for "something".  Of course, she took it upon herself to read EVERYTHING in the envelope.  Then came the questions.

I knew that I would have to tell her about this.  However, I was not even close to prepared to discuss it when the accident occurred.  I really wasn't ready for it today either.  I feel like it went ok.  How they all died was something she did not focus on and for that I am thankful.

I could really use an adult beverage......cheers!

Sunday Saying

"Never make someone a priority who makes you an option."

 - a fabulous friend of mine ;)

*great advice btw

Crickets, crickets, crickets......

the sound of camping or complete ignorance.....either way, bliss right?!  Or maybe it's the sound of me being the only person who actually reads this blog. (sheepish grin)  Whatever the sound, I have actually begun to enjoy this little misadventure blog of mine.

It's actually a fine line you run when you choose to blog.  You filter out bits of your life like a snapshot, but not too much that you give it all away.  Hello, crazy stalker types.....not so much fun.  

I remember that after my Grandma died, we found a box of her journals.  Most of the entries were simple accounts of what we did that day, but I found them to be very comforting.  Maybe it was her beautiful handwriting or how her notes helped jog my memories of time spent with my Grandparents.  I know that in the past I have unsuccessfully kept up with a handwritten version of my life.  I still have the book.  It sits in my nightstand and I seem to "restart" it about every year or so.  I know that I purchased it initially in December of 1995.....it should have been filled many times over.  

Favorite things

So, I'm basically "borrowing" this from the Big O......I don't even watch her show anymore, but have heard that she has and shares her list of favorite, fabulous things.....so, not that anyone asked but here are some of mine.....

*   Havaianas flip flops or slaps....whatever, same thing

*   riding in the Jeep with the top (the Jeep silly) and doors off

*   morning coffee at the campground....it just tastes better

*   Jimmy Buffett concerts....on the lawn of course ;)

*   sounds crazy, but my iPhone....I love it.....the new apps are great

*   sheets and towels dried outside

*   rum runner hibiscus

*   the sound of palm trees in the wind

*   the rumble of side pipes on my car.....reminds me of childhood.....good times  

Yea camping!

Camping was as usual fantastic.  Also as usual, things didn't start off as planned.  I actually got off of work 5 hours late, really not on my list of things to do, but that is about par for the course.  It was my "short week" so hours are always welcome......BUT, we're talking "camping here"!!!!  Need I say more to my camping peeps out there.  ;)

So, I was running late and instead of picking up Miss Priss from school and having the tiki hut and the dog ready to roll, we were doing last minute prep work.  Not a great way to start the relaxing weekend, but oh well.  Whatever, have beer will camp!

I hadn't told Miss Priss that we were going camping since I knew of the nonstop pestering that would occur throughout the week.  I have learned and it is totally not worth it.  So, I had been prepping surreptitiously during the week.  I'm actually getting pretty good at it too......."hey Miss Priss.....look, something shiny!"  It's not right, but it is funny ;).

We went to our usual spot, I swear I feel like Norm on Cheers.  It's pretty sad, my phone number shows up the campground's caller id and they are already pulling up my favorite site availability information.....I am so predictable.

The weather was awesome and I actually didn't have to use the AC for the entire trip.  Kind of nice for a change.  It was great to hear frogs at night instead of the drone of the fan/AC.

Oh and there weren't any wasps this time, so Miss Priss was ecstatic.  She *HATES* wasps and the past few trips this summer have been laden with them for whatever reason.  She has never been stung, but these red wasps in Texas are seriously angry looking!  Honestly, it looks like you could shoot them with a BB gun.  Anyway, she was happy.  

Hope everyone had a decent weekend.

Dodged Ike!

Well, we missed taking it on the chin with Ike.  I personally can't believe it, but the season isn't over yet unfortunately.  Some of my close friends in the Houston area were directly affected by the storm, so that is horrible.  One lives in Galveston and I'm not sure the extent of damage at his house yet....he lives in a cove area, so with any luck, the house may be liveable.

Work has been crazy this past week and I think it is really getting to us all.  We have had countless evacuation related flights and a majority of them have been long distance.  Even longer than we are used to.

So, instead of working on my yard tomorrow like I *should* be doing, I'm going camping.  :)

Hurricane season.....

So, as far as I'm concerned, hurricane season can't get over with soon enough!  That is seriously the WORST part about living on the coast.  I guess it's my inner Yankee in me coming out.....I'm all about a hurricane party if the storm is going to be "minor", but Cat 3 and higher......I'm so outta here!!  Me, the kid, the dog and the camper (tiki hut) are going elsewhere....preferably someplace with adult beverages AND electricity!  I know, pretty demanding huh?!  lol  I'm not actually high maintenance, but it sure is fun to pretend.  ;)

I've actually been pretty overwhelmed lately with projects and work stuff.  I need to clone myself.  Scary prospect for y'all!  

MP (kidlette) just started third grade and had choir tryouts.  I can't believe she is already at this stage in her life.  She is a pretty independent little thing.  I can't imagine where she gets that from.  I am dreading the teenage years.....I'm sure she will try to "school me".  She better bring her "A Game"!

On a more somber note......the three crewmembers who perished in June will be receiving the Star of Texas awards on September 11th in Austin.  I'll be in attendance as will a lot of PHI employees, they deserve the honor.  It has still been difficult on some days, but most are getting by.  

Well, I'm off for now......I'm trying to get back into the swing of things here on my blog, but I haven't felt very inspired lately.  Think I'll go for a Jeep ride and look at some waves!  Cheers!

Sunday Saying

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes."

 - Proust

Well, I'm finally back

                                                                 I have no idea where to even start.   I guess the Cliff's Notes version is probably the most appropriate.  Well, my baby girl has turned 8 since my last post.  My Mom from Michigan has visited and we all had a great time.  Did some pretty cool little day trips and the kidlette got spoiled.  One of my best friends also had a birthday (xo).  

And then there is this news.  On June 8th, one of our air medical helicopters (Med 12) crashed killing all on board.  Four people total including the critical patient that they were transporting.  It has been one month and it still feels like yesterday.  They were our friends and our family.  It's so hard to have a phone conversation with someone and then they're gone 2 days later.  I can't even begin to explain how it has been for our PHI family.  

The memorial service in Bryan / College Station was amazing.  It was incredible to see the outpouring of support from our EMS family.  People had driven for hours just to be there.  So many agencies.....it was surreal.  For starters, you never feel that this will ever happen, especially to people who you *know*.  They were more than a tragic story on the news for us, they were a special smile, a laugh that you will never forget, a sarcastic comment that will always make you cackle.....the list could go on and on.

Jana, Stephanie, and Wayne will always be in my thoughts *every* time I get in that aircraft to go help someone.  

I have taken an excessive amount of time to think about my choices.  I know that I am supposed to be here and therefore I will stay.  

Sunday Saying

"We are going to relentlessly chase perfection, knowing full well we will not catch it, because nothing is perfect.  But we are going to relentlessly chase it, because in the process we will catch excellence.  I am not remotely interested in just being good."

  -  Vince Lombardi  (Green Bay Packers legendary coach)