Shiftwork - tough work...

The oldest son drove over from Phoenix yesterday. While the youngest was having a session with the tutor he and I went to Chili's for dinner. He likes Guinness, so we each had a cold one with dinner. Great conversation and it was awesome to just hang out with him. He has gotten over his divorce and ex. He seems really good right now. He met someone last week he really likes and I wish him the best with her. The only bad part about the whole night was the service. Our waitress sucked. That can ruin an otherwise great night out but I just let it go when I left her a lousy tip.

My thoughts are at the beach today. Sitting in an outside bar, sipping something cold and exotic that tingles my tastebuds, while listening to the waves. Sort of like a Kenny Chesney song.. Toes in the sand and not a care in the world. Well, at least it appears that I have not a care in the world. LOL That is not quite an accurate statement. I'm just trying to make sense of it all. I know I'll probably do what I think I should do. It's not completely thought through yet but unless something drastic changes I really have no choice. Life is funny and I know things happen for a reason. I'm just anxious to know the reason behind this one.

Freaky weather, huh? Yesterday I'm sitting in my cube with my headphones in and someone stops by my cube. I take out the right ear to hear them ask me, "Have you seen the hail?" I jumped out of my chair and joined everyone at the large windows. Sure enough, we had hail coming down about the size of a pea. It looked like it was snowing or sleeting. It was bizarre. That lasted on and off for about an hour. The water was rushing and my thoughts went to the horses. I packed up my gear and headed home. As you can imagine, there was flooding everywhere. Traffic was slow as people tried to manuever their way around the overwhelmed street drains. I finally got home and while changing into barn clothes I turned on the Weather Channel to see warnings for our area for flash floods. As it turns out the horses were in great shape, with no water or mud in their pens whatsoever. I cleaned up a bit in case more rain was to come and then headed back home.

It was 3:00 when I got home, so I could log off from work and decided to take a nap. That felt amazing. The two sons went to the mall and when I woke up around 6:00 I headed back to the ranch to feed. This time the weather news was very different - a tornado watch for Lake Elsinore. A chopper had spotted a funnel cloud just over the 15. Lovely. Just where I was headed. But being a midwest girl I wasn't about to let that get in the way. I never did see the funnel cloud and it started to pour halfway to the ranch. Again the girls were fine and eager for dinner.

I heard this weather is going to continue today and maybe even a little on Saturday...

SONG OF THE BLOG: "Shiftwork" by Kenny Chesney (with George Strait). Super song. Play on words and just begs for you to kick off your shoes and grab a cold one.

Watch Video:

Shiftwork (Kenny Chesney)

Video Code provided by MusicRemedy.Com

This is your life

Sometimes I have a difficult time living for the here and now. I think we all get stuck in that place where you keep saving for a rainy day or not using the good China every day. I love the thought of that – using the good China for hotdogs or pizza. I’m going to make an effort to really start enjoying what each day brings me and not worry so much about what can’t happen because of the situation – be it limited resources of money and time or just not being able to take that next step.

I learned something about myself – no wait. I take that back. I finally ADMITTED something about myself last night that I knew – I was just keeping it buried. I’m not afraid of it now. No, I’m not going to tell you what “it” is) In fact, I am going to just go with it. Is it scary? Damn straight it is. Thrilling? Hell yeah! I’m almost 45 years old. If not now, then when? It won’t do me much good if I come to realize it too late in life.

Let’s each do a bucket list! Me first! And we can add to it or take away from it anytime we want.

Wrider’s Bucket List

1. Own a Harley. Bikers rock.
2. Consume only alcohol for 48 hours.
3. Get a tattoo.
4. Rope a calf.
5. Write a book.
6. TBD

IPOD SONG OF THE BLOG: “Your Life is Now” by John Mellencamp. How friggin appropriate.

PHOTO OF THE BLOG: Hot, hot, HOT. Sizzling HOT.

Your definition of "bad"

I don't know why, but this evening I have been thinking about different people's perception of things and what some people consider bad. I have always considered myself a pretty conservative person, but there are times I mentally cross the line I have drawn in the sand for myself. So what is your definition of "bad"? Here are some random questions for you to consider and answer if you choose to...

1. Cheating on your taxes.

2. Getting away with not paying for a 12-pak of Pepsi because the clerk didn't see it on the bottom of your cart.

3. Taking nude pics of yourself on your cell phone.

4. Telling someone you love them just so they will have sex with you.

5. Telling a white lie to your child so they will leave you alone for one hour.

6. Not answering the door when a kid is trying to sell you candy.

7. Turning your back and acting like you didn't see an elderly person fall down because you are already running late.

8. Looking at porn.

9. Smoking pot.

10. Asking your friends stupid questions.

SONG OF THE BLOG: "Free Fallin" by Tom Petty

No hitter, tutor and Sin City

Last night the Boston Red Sox' Jon Lester pitched a no-hitter with 9 strike outs. The Red Sox beat Kansas City 7-0. Jon Lester came back to the majors after a fight with cancer. The 24-year-old lefty, who survived cancer to pitch the World Series clincher for the Boston Red Sox last fall, shut down Kansas City Monday night for the first no-hitter in the majors this season. Lester allowed just two baserunners and struck out nine in his first major league complete game. Man, I love this game!

I wrote a check last night to the tutor for $400. I almost choked on it, but this is really a last ditch effort to help our son find his way. He meets with him Tue-Thur and again next week for a total of ten hours before he takes the ASVAB on June 2nd.

I am getting excited about taking my Mom to Vegas. I told her on the phone a couple of days ago that I had already picked out the matching tattoos we're getting so that was one less thing we had to think about. I'm not sure, but I think she thought I was serious - And maybe I am.....

The DH is gone on a job until Friday evening, so I'll be solo for a few days. Working on a baby blanket - woohoo. The adventure never stops around our house! I'm as wild as they get!

SONG OF THE BLOG: "Harder to Breathe" by Maroon 5.

Photo of the Blog:

Rachel Ray ain't got nothing on me!

Our kitchen is now DONE. And it looks AMAZING. I apologize - I do not have a photo yet to post. I promise I will have that up this week. Every time I walk into the kitchen I have to pause and just take it all in. It looks so different and so terrific I just have to smile. The DH and I did a great job. I don't know what I would do without him. He knows so much about valves, faucets - you name it. He knows it. Each time I am standing at my sink I feel like I should have my own cooking show - it's that amazing. LOL Of course, I am far from creating anything as wonderful as Rachel Ray, but dang it - I can hold my own!

I know I must sound like a broken record, but did the weekend fly by or what?? Saturday we worked on painting the kitchen, so understandly the day went quickly. But Sunday is a blur. Of course it could be because I spent half of it not feeling well. Not sure what happened, but I think it was a run-in with the HEAT. I was at the ranch with the girls Saturday afternoon. I had to clean their pens, feed, empty a water and while I was there I saw how the feeders needed cleaning as well. So that involves getting out the Clorox and a scrub brush and commencing to get the crud off the bottom of their feeders. I felt fine while doing it and I was drinking water the whole time. When I got into the truck to head home, my face was bright red. I couldn't seem to cool down. It was a tad scary. When I got home I felt drained and sick. Then Sunday I was out in the heat again - only this time shopping at the Lake Elsinor Outlet stores and I barely made it home before I was again feeling sick. I spent a good portion of yesterday on my bed, relaxing and watching TV. It was just too hot too soon for me.

Not sure how many of you will recall the DH and I's good buddy, M. Long story short, he went thru HELL with his ex who is a shopaholic and ended up in debt above his head. We thought for certain he was on the right path to a divorce, but we learned this weekend he has decided not to divorce. This is tough for a lot of reasons, but mostly because we are not certain how he expects us to accept her after everything that has gone on, not to mention the things we have said about her and in turn listened to the things he has said about her. In a way its sad because its like we all know we are losing him as a friend - just no one wants to say it outloud. We just hope he is making the right decision and that in two years he won't be in the same boat or just as miserable. The DH is having dinner with him on Thursday night.

Birdman expressed himself in ref to my song choice, so today I have one you will probably be surprised about...

SONG OF THE BLOG comes from a Clear Channel HD radio station out of Charleston, SC 100.5: "Outside" by Aaron Lewis & Fred Durst. I've heard it a couple of times now and I really like it..

Photo of the Blog: Being a big fan of Miranda Lambert's and seeing her win Album of the Year last night on the ACM's was really cool. She is an animal lover and I found this photo on her web site. Go Miranda!

Jefferson Snowmobile podcasts

Just finished listening to the last podcast this morning. I think they are pretty entertaining myself. Paul was a nice guest on the show. I think it was cool because I could picture in my head both Hero and Paul talking, and that brought it home for me. It was completely random and I actually laughed out loud during some points. I did take offense to both John and Ryan making the statement they do not like Redheads. WTF? Obviously they haven't been with the RIGHT Redhead. ;-)

The kitchen tile is about 75% down at this time. We decided yesterday to make the back splash about an inch higher than it was prior. So today the guys will finish installing the tile, apoxying the trim pieces in place and putting the sink in. Tomorrow they are back to grout and then it's done! I must say it looks awesome. I absolutely love it. I will definitely take pics with a dig camera when it's all done to share with you. I'm excited about cleaning the kitchen all up and then putting out the accessories and appliances.

I forgot to mention this the first time it happened, but you might recall what the DH and I did for my bro - sent him off the package of doggie stuff - well, he has since called me twice just to say hello. What a treat! That has never happened in the entire existence of our relationship. The DH thinks I bridge a gap that was between us and it doesn't hurt that he has a special phone system that he pays one price and he can call anywhere in the US. He is looking forward to us moving back there.

IPOD SONG OF THE BLOG: "What I Want" by Daughtry

PHOTO OF THE BLOG:

350 - no that's got nothing to do with gas prices

Greg Maddux won his 350the career game on Saturday against the Colorado Rockies. Ninth on the all-time list doesn't sound like much until you put in perspective that the next pitcher to probably accomplish that hasn't even been born yet. Many are suggesting in this age of pitch counts and six man starting rotations that it might not ever happen again.

Our kitchen was started yesterday. They put down the mud on the countertops. Today they will lay the tile and tomorrow they will grout it. I took pics with my phone, but not with another camera. I'm excited about the kitchen. I can't wait to see it all finished. Right now we have no kitchen to speak of. The stove is in the center of the room. There are tarps and brown paper laid all over the floor and thru the family room out the slider to the backyard. It's a mess right now, but when it's all done I think it will be beautiful. I chose a dark color on purpose. I was/am so sick of the white counters that I wanted to go dark. I got as close as I could without selecting black, which I would have had I found one I really liked.

The FDA came through last week to audit my company. With luck that went well and they will open the budget flood gates and offer me a full time position. Although I will make more as a contractor, there is always the possibility of my contract being terminated early or after this contract ends, not being brought back on.

Our youngest has decided he would now like to take the ASVAB again. He called the tutor and scheduled to meet with him this Friday. We agreed to pay for half ($200), but he has to pay the other half. We also made the deal that if he doesn't get at least a 40 he has to pay us back the $200. He agreed to that. He still wants the Coast Guard, but I read online yesterday the Army is offering enlistment bonuses between $20-$40,000. Just to sign up for four years. That's pretty damn impressive.

It's just been one of those weeks for me. I don't know what's wrong with me.

IPOD SONG OF THE BLOG: "Breakdown" by Daughtry

Photo of the blog: