What a week it's been

It's been a pretty off the wall week for me. On Monday and Tuesday I was allowed to take my mother's van to work. Hmmm.... the first solo drive. For all of you out there who may be on the road the same time as me I say this: "The city speed limit is 30 mph. If you have an insane need to get to the next red light before me, feel free to go around." I say this because there's been a large influx in patrol cars in the area and I don't intend to get my first ticket just weeks within getting my license.

As for my license, it came in the mail yesterday or the day before. It also came with a note that said it was about to expire so please stop down to the nearst DMV to pay $50 to keep it current. How nice of them, I can also send it in by mail. Seems to me you should just start over again. Mom said it's because I waited so long and my permit would have expired next week anyway.

I think part of what's contributed to this "odd" week has been the fact that I haven't taken my synthroid. No, it doesn't mess with my mind but I don't feel good. I'm feeling run down like before. Add that to the crazy week and the fact that a friend from work is losing her job the end of the month, another got her hours cut in half and yet a 3rd friend and I are on icey terms. The 3rd friend often gets too close to and crosses barriers she has no right to. I told her so last Saturday and we haven't really spoken since. I see it as this. As children we're taught not to do certain things. Don't drink, you're not old enough. Don't have sex before you're married.... ok, so that one doesn't really work out so much anymore. Don't stand in scalding water. Pretty basic things. Well, as we grow up, there's still things we shouldn't do. She just needs to remember that.

We've got another girls night coming up and I'm really looking forward to it. This one is at Chris's apartment which none of us have been to yet. She lives in these nice apartments and the best part is that she has a viewof the harbor. It's all sweets & desserts so I just need to figure out what to make. Hmm..... graham cracker reese cup treats anyone? I think that's one that will work.

I've been feeling off for a few weeks now that has nothing to do with my synthroid. It's my birthday. Funny but no one tells you that 27 will bother you. 25 bothered the hell out of me. I'll be in a total coma for 30. There's so many things I thought I'd have done by now and I haven't done any of them. I didn't marry Paul (thanks Joe, I owe you for that one), I don't have kids (really not sure they're for me anyway), I haven't started my own Fortune 500 business and I haven't made a million dollars. Things seemed so easy & trackable in high school. That begs the question "Do we put false hopes into kids minds when we tell them they can do anything and the world is their oyster?" Who picked the oyster anyway? Slimey little things and I'd rather go to a jewelry store to get a pearl anyway.

I think it's time for another life list, or at least a good hard look at the current one. Maybe it's time for an update. Keep you posted and post thoughts, nice to know I'm not alone on this planet.

WARNING!!!!!!!! IDT Energy

About 10 minutes ago a man named "Michael" came to my door saying that he was from checking on gas customers in the area. That people from IDT were going around getting people to sign contracts & he wanted to make sure we weren't paying higher bills than we should be. He then asked to see a copy of my gas bill !! I told him everything went to the financial planner and we never saw the bills. If it's true or not, he doesn't need to know. I just now hung up the phone with a very nice woman named Dawn from National Fuel to inquire about the visitor. She stated that National Fuel is well aware that these people are going around, that they are NOT affiliated with National Fuel and that by looking at the bill, what they're doing is copying down the account number and automatically switching people over. I'm all in favor of more than one supplier but let's be legit about it folks.

BEWARE THE GAS MAN!!!

Iced Coffee

Since dad's surgery, he's become quite the lover of iced coffee's. So far he thinks McDonald's has the best but honestly, if you are getting 2 a day, the $3 price tag can add up. So, with that in mind, I offer you the Abbott Iced Coffee:

A 16-20 oz tumbler (plastic)
a teaspoon of Sanak instant coffee
Fill about half way with cold water
mix until dissolved.
Add a dash of your favorite flavoring (I'm a nut for hazelnut!)
add 1/2 & 1/2 to desired coloring / taste
ice
stir & chill.

YUM!!!!!

Ahhh.... facial

I'm home early so figure I'll make dinner for everyone. I'm dumping the boiling water from perogi's and the steam hits me full in the face. Hmm... cheap, and non-embarrassing as it's at home. Wonder if we can scent the water though. LOL Just a thought next time you're cooking pasta. Linger over it a little longer and treat yourself to more than a great meal.

Solo Driver

Last night Kari needed to go to the grocery store to get chips for her end of summer picnic at camp. Well, mom was too tired to take her and dad, having just gotten back from his walk, wanted to water the lawn. Donald was as of yet still at practice so guess who that fell to. Yup! Yours truly. Well, it was a bit nerve racking but you know what? The confidence started to work it's way into my bones and while I'm still very cautious about doing the speed limit exactly, I was feeling pretty good by the time I got home. My only Oops! moment was when I got home and my father asked what I'd forgotten. I figured it was to use my blinker before I pulled into the parking spot. Nope. I'd forgotten to turn on my lights. Oh well, if the 4 police cars I passed didn't care, I'm kosher! LOL

US Postal Story

Too cute not to share.
~Jenn

>THIS IS A U.S. POSTAL SERVICE STORY>> Our dog, Abbey, died August 23, and the day after Abbey died, my> 4 year old, Meredith, was SO upset. She wanted to write a letter to> God so that He would recognize Abbey in heaven. She told me what to> write, and I did.>> Then she put 2 pictures of Abbey in the envelope. We addressed> it to God in Heaven, put two stamps on it because, as she said, it> could be a long way to heaven. We put our return address on it, and> I let her put it in the drop box at the post office that afternoon.>> She was absolutely sure that letter would get to heaven, and I> wasn't about to disillusion her.>> So today is Labor Day. We took the kids to the museum in> Austin, and when we came home, there was a package wrapped in gold on> our front porch. It was addressed to Meredith. So... she took it> inside and opened it. Inside was a book, When Your Pet Dies by Mr.>Rogers (Fred Rogers).> Inside the front cover was the letter we had written to God, in its> opened envelope. On the opposite page was one of the pictures of> Abbey taped on the page. On the back page was the other picture of> Abbey, and this handwritten note on pink paper:>> "Dear Meredith, I know that you will be happy to find out that> Abbey arrived safely and soundly in heaven. Having the pictures you> sent to me was a big help! I recognized Abbey right away! You know,> Meredith, she isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me, just> like it stays in your heart... young and running and playing. Abbey> loved being your dog, you know.>> Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any> pockets to keep things in. So... I am sending you your beautiful> letter back with the pictures so that you wi ll have this little> memory book to keep. One of my angels is taking care of this for me.>> I hope this little book will help.> !> Thank you for your beautiful letter. Thank your mother for> sending it. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially>for you.>> Signed,> God>>> This is a true story, I love that we have angels among us, some of>them even work at the Post Office!

Leeeaaving Onnnn A Jet Plannneeee....

Got word this morning that my friend Iggy flew out of Iraq today and will be home Sunday! I'm so excited to see him!!

Roll up the road..

I passed my roadtest today!!! I'm officially a licensed driver according to the state of New York. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cody

My friend Laura had her son Cody & then moved to Kansa a few days later and I haven't seen her in person since. This past Wednesday she stopped over while in town visiting her parents. This isn't the greatest picture but he's such a cutie. Here he is gnawing on the phone.

40 & Fab Club

Mom & her friends from work get together and call themselves the 40 & Fab Club, a few members are over 40 but who's counting?

Family Reunion

Mom & dad took Donald & Kari to the family reunion. This year was a celebration of Aunt Jimmy's 90th birtday. Not bad for an old lady! :)

Here's a picture of her and my grandfather.

Internal Campaign

Every year we run our internal campaign before running our big one in the community. This year we had a coin box decorating contest. Here's the winning box. That's my friend Caron in the background (tall blonde) and my assistant Katie off to the side.