Another year older...

Well, yesterday was my 47 th birthday. I used to look forward to my "special day" with such enthusiasm. I worked at jobs where I was able to take the day off "just for me day" I love birthdays because it is the one day of the year that is exclusively your holiday. I know you share it with a bunch of other people but it is "your day" I tell people that I really am a 4th of July baby (cuz its my favorite holiday!) but that I was too lazy to come out for another 3 weeks!

Last year I started a job 10 days before and I didn't want to ask for time off. It was the only time in my life where I worked my birthday. I waited until the end of the day and turned to the woman who sat behind me and said " Today is my birthday" for which she loudly exclaimed "What! you worked all day and didn't say a word to anyone that it was your birthday" I sheepishly smiled and went home. Couldn't tell you what I did, it was so memorable.

This year I decided to take another day off next week so that I can go to the Ventura County Fair and be white trash or as I like to be referred to as a dirt track date! I headed off to work to find my desk decorated with purple and hot pink streamers. Another person who decorates made sure to get my date on her calendar and I think she has been waiting for her opportunity to make up for last years empty desk! It seemed like every time I walked away something else showed up on my desk. First, it was flowers , then a present, then a card, cupcakes, more cards it was awesome and a bit overwhelming. I didn't think that people liked me much, since I hardly talked to anyone the first 6 months I worked there. I went to lunch with my walking buddies and again, a present then another present. I honestly was dumbstruck by the generosity of these people. I often think of myself as a pain in the ass, but they must know something that I don't because they showed me such affection. I really don't like when people fake it, ya know, like they are doing it more for them than showing you how much you are honored and how much you mean to them. Those kind of people I feel sad for because they really shouldn't bother if they don't mean it. Why waste the energy? For both of us, ya know? This was not that type of group.

After a bunch of hugs and well wishes I headed for home. Dinner with my hubby and the dog, then a chance to sit at the beach was my plan. The beach was really cold so we headed home. I wanted to round up everyone for a night of Karaoke, but canceled as it wasn't working out the way I had envisioned. I heard my phone ring and then ring again. On my phone was one of the Karaokers who was at the Golden China ready to party. My husband brings his phone to which my friend has sung Happy Birthday and was demanding I show up. I was ready to crawl into bed and call it a night, satisfied that my day was awesome.

We went to Karaoke. My other friends the musicians have been in Tacoma on tour and were headed home and they had texted me asking for my address to mail something to me. Lo and behold THEY SHOWED UP! I almost wet myself with shock when they walked in. They drove 16 hours to get there just for me. I still cant believe it. Really? For me? Yep. If I didn't go sing, they were coming to my house! God I have some unbelievable friends. I will be able to tell you what I did for this birthday because it was one amazing ride, with a cast of characters that would blow your mind.

The most unbelievable part- They all did it for me. Wow, what a life...

Following the Trail.....

I know, I know, I have been absent for awhile. I will try to do better. Time keeps slipping through the hourglass much more quickly than I realize.

Whats new? Well the fountain out front is up and the screens have finally been repaired. Yes, the dog still stays on a rope tied to the tree in the back. Still don't trust him not to destroy the repair work. I have not gotten around to tackling the garage. I guess I really don't want to know about all the crap I moved and should not have! LOL. So most of our stuff is still in the garage in a box. We will need to work on that too I guess.

My biggest issue that has been and continues is the ants. Living near open fields all kinds of critters seem to show up, but the ones I am fuming over is the black stream of flowing ants. I really, really hate ants. I feel all itchy and they freak me out. When they are on the outside, not so bad but inside that is a different story. I have spent a fortune on ant traps (which they proceed to run over and under and around) ant spray and dicroic acid. That seems to work the best but not the most pet friendly. I was so desperate I was keeping Windex around to spray the bastards! Again not very pet friendly. The cat and dog food has to be in closed containers because they get over run by the sea of black. The birds room has been an issue because I cant do much there, they need to eat. I wish I knew where they were coming from to try to stop them. I no sooner get one trail gone then 3-4 days later another one shows up. A constant and frustrating battle to say the least. If I would have my way, I would call Vexcon and the coolest exterminator I know of....

Seek and Destroy

OK, I admit I haven't written on this blog as much as I really wanted to. The move to Oxnard has been tough, as I am still living out of boxes. With both of us working and odd schedules we do what we can when we can. To top it off the dog has gone psycho. In the condo he was mild mannered and nothing was torn up. Well bring him to a new house with a big backyard and all hell breaks loose! We had screens installed and each day I come home to more of this....

and this...

and this...

all done by this...
and Yes, he does know it is wrong! Why you might ask- because I have been screaming like a banshee at him. Brand new frickin screens and he as torn them to shreds... UGH! He now has to be tethered to a tree and is unable to reach the house. I hate doing it, but I cannot afford to redo screens every week because he is pissed he cant get into the house! It started when we had no screens, he jumped thru the bathroom window and our bedroom window. After the screens came, he didn't let that stop him! The picture with the worst damage was done in 3 hours while we went out on a Sunday afternoon to listen to Champagne Sunday! Are we having fun yet?

Blowin Bubbles

Samster

A Little Spring Color

The "M" word

To whomever is reading this, I have not forgotten about this blog, but rather have not had Internet service due to the "M" word. I think it is a thing that should be outlawed, forbidden or something. This "something" is moving! The older I get the more crap I seem to own and the more exhausted I am for doing it. I am a very organized person. I do not work well in chaos. My life works for me when there is order. Right now my life is in a box. That is the phrase of the week. "Where is (insert your own words)..." My generic response is "In a box". God knows where or when I will find it but I seem to keep finding things that I don't want and should have dumped years ago. The things I need (insert your own words) I haven't got a clue where they are and right now I am too pooped to make a real effort to find them. So I change my underwear and trudge on. I have marks on my arms that may make my new neighbors think that I am a spousal abuse victim, but after seeing my husband and his bruises makes me laugh. What they must think of me!

Each day starts a half hour earlier, as I am not a morning person I must tell you- really SUCKS! but for 3 days last week I got to carpool with my husband. That was rather cool. Each night we pick a couple of things that are on the "must do" list and get them done, right before we fall into bed exhausted. Remember morning comes a half hour earlier. UGH...

I just today got Internet service, but no mailbox key to get the mail. I need to re update my info to show my new address and city. The thought of that makes me want to crawl under the covers and hide! LOL You forget who all has your address until you have to resubmit it all again. I know it will all come in time but there is another aspect of my personality I forgot to mention, I have no patience! I want it all done yesterday...