Dirt Is The Cure

     I have found the cure for bad tempers! Getting dirty...no, I mean literally. Yesh.

I wasn't having a good week. I found myself snipping at loved ones, getting very angry at inanimate objects (more than usual) and not getting out of bed if I didn't have to (which was probably safer for all).

     Suddenly, something overtook me and made me go outside to try and enjoy some of the suddenly nice weather. I decided to flip the compost pile to see how it had done over the winter (very nice...lots of black dirt ready for the garden).

Since I was near the shed and the ground was soft, I thought I'd prepare some new beds for this year. Which of course led to clearing and preparing the old beds, too. And hey, while I'm at it, rake up all the old leaves and dead flowers from last year.

     ...3 hours later, I was pretty sore, but proud of what had been finished.

     The next morning found me getting up feeling refreshed and content. After getting breakfast with Mom, I headed out again. This time to trim some of the bushes and things around the yard. I was heading to the front of the house to tackle the rose bush I hate (it's way too thorny), when the nests of boxelder bugs was spotted. Thus began the 1st great bug massacre of 2011. Many bugs lost their homes to the hot soapy water.

     Again, I felt the pleasure of a job done along with lots of exercise. While at the same time, I noticed all anger and frustration I'd been feeling was gone. And frankly, I was too tired to fight with anyone.

     So here's the lesson everyone, go outside! You don't have to touch the dirt if you don't want to, but feel the warm sun, soak in some of that Vit.D and exercise your body out in Mother Nature's arms. It's so much better than watching t.v. and heck even reading seems better outdoors. To those in the areas of the country like me, celebrate the fact the snow's gone, the coats are gone and we're free at last!

    

      Here it is a couple of weeks later, and the feelings are still good. (A nice visit with friends helped keep it going, too.) I'm a little annoyed that I've caught a cold and am missing all this lovely weather. Especially since it's going to start raining this weekend so I'll be better but unable to play outside.

      Let's see if cleaning and organizing the inside of the house works just as well...stay tuned.

the front yard greenies

and newly uncovered south-side greenies

A Man Named Jerry

I had a much more positive blog (and I'll put it up later), but as today is a day for remembering, I felt the need to share this with you. It was the eulogy my uncle gave at my father's service last year and recently sent to me (along with two of my favorite photos)

The year has gone by so fast. I can't believe all the things that have changed. It seems like he should still be around especially since this was his favorite time of year and was usually very busy outside playing in the yard and gardens.

Jerry L. E.

January 30, 1947-March 29, 2010

10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 26, 2010

Woodlawn Cemetery

Laurel, Mississippi

Eulogy

We gather here today to commemorate the life of Jerry L. E. He was a husband, father, brother, uncle or friend to many here today. During the final weeks of his life he and I talked on the phone a few times. On one of those calls he asked me to officiate at his burial service. I commented to him at the time that I couldn’t be sure that he wouldn’t bury me. You see, all of us are under the same sentence that Jerry faced. But, at the time Jerry’s mortality was more predictable than mine. As sure as I am standing here, someday you and I will be the object of one of these services. I have stood in this cemetery many times. Some who stood here with me before have already gone on.

While all of us wonder how we will face end-of-life issues, few of us will be able to do it with the resolve and concern for his/her family that I heard in Jerry’s voice that night.
He didn’t ask if I would say certain flattering things. Funerals and memorial services are often exercises in exaggerations and extremes—and understandably so. We want to remember the best about a person.

He also didn’t ask me to be silent on any subjects either. Jerry was honest about his feelings and he didn’t hide things. He fought valiantly against cancer. He was passionate about his will to live. He was angry at how unfair all of this was.
Unfair could easily have been the “watchword” for Jerry’s life—if he would have let it. It was unfair that he was born with eye sight problems and hearing loss. It seems unfair that he had more than his portion of accidents, injuries and surgeries across his life. It was unfair that he had to give up bowling with his friends or working outside during the last months that he lived. It was unfair that he experienced as much pain as he did.

And, while on occasion he would give in to the overwhelming gravity of it all, he was valiant. He was concerned, D., with how you would go on. He was concerned about how hard all of this would be on you. As well, he was worried, Kimba and K., about your futures and your well-being. He knew you were strong and could take care of yourselves, but still he was your Dad and he wanted to be there for you. He tried to make as many decisions as he could toward the end so that none of us would be burdened with making them.

You know, nothing reveals the character and nature of a person like hard days. Hard days don’t really create problems, they reveal character. Jerry didn’t blame others for his misfortunes. He wasn’t mad at the world for having cancer. It wasn’t that he found it easy to face the trials it presented, but he found it easy to take it in stride. That doesn’t mean he didn’t have his “moments,” it just means he didn’t stay there and wallow in it.

All of us know that Jerry was a huge fan of the Andy Griffith Show. From time of its original airing in the sixties to the turmoil of the present day, there’s something about Andy Griffith and the Mayberry mob that attracted Jerry. In preparing for today, I did a little research about the show. Except for Andy, the cast was an accumulation of odd characters—misfits in many ways. Life hadn’t been exactly fair to most of them.
Barney: anxious, high-strung and reactionary. Aunt Bee: a worry wart and a hand-wringer. Gomer : simple-minded, Pollyannaish, gullible. Goober: well, his name says it all! Otis was the drunk. Ernest T. Bass, the rock-throwing, gas-can-playing hillbilly. All of them were unmarried, divorced or widowed. They each had idiosyncrasies that drove others crazy. Why would anyone like this show?
But, Andy showed us week by week that almost anything can be overcome. It’s the old, “make lemonade out of lemons.” Andy kept forgiving Floyd the barber for never getting his sideburns even. Andy constantly ran interference between Barney’s bungling and the dismayed Mayberry public. Andy didn’t make the craziness go away; he just helped everyone manage it…and often find good in it.

All of us like to think we’re like Andy. We’re the good sense, sound judgment, and wise advice. None of us sees ourself as Barney, Goober or Ernest T. Bass. Yet, truth be told, we’re all somewhere between the ideal of Andy and the reality of the rest of the Mayberry crowd. I have learned over the years to see the weakness and shortcomings of others as their strengths—just carried to the extreme. The one I see as arrogant sees himself as confident. The one I see as lazy sees herself as relaxed and laid back. The ones I find pushy see themselves as assertive.

Some people wish for the “good ol' days” that Mayberry represented. We stand in places like this cemetery and wish for times gone by. But, in the case of the Andy Griffith Show the sixties were anything but “good.” The threat of nuclear annihilation, civil unrest, and political assassinations were just a few realities of the turbulent sixties. But it was during this time that The Andy Griffith Show enjoyed its primetime success.

Perhaps it's not the "good ol' days" what people yearn for. Maybe it's the forgiveness, helpfulness, understanding, neighborliness, kindness, propriety, and moral values that draw us to Andy and Mayberry.

And, maybe, just maybe, that’s the epitaph for Jerry’s life: forgiveness, helpfulness, neighborliness, propriety, etc. And while we would give anything to have Jerry back, it may be the qualities of his life that we yearn for.

I one time heard someone state that following the Cubs year after year was a religion of pain. Yet, those same people waxed with enthusiasm every spring—THIS is going to be year. While Jerry’s years weren’t quite as painful as the Cubs record, he would want us to all leave here today waxing with enthusiasm and hope for the future. D., Kimba, K., you, along with the rest of us, are at the start of a new season. As we return Jerry to the earth, I just know he’s hoping we’ll knock it out of the park and that THIS year is going to be THE year!

At this point they played the Andy Griffith theme song. :D

Jerry loved playing "Bags," especially with his family. (This was something added by my aunt.)

I still think of him everyday, but I know he's still around. And healthier and happier than ever.

Hello There!

Hello Bloggers,

Here I am, another escapee from BlogStream.

I wasn't sure what to start with except to say hi. “Hi!” And re-post the very first blog from long, long ago. It pretty much explains things...I hope.

After many failed tries, I'm finally attempting my own blog.
I have friends who are constantly giving me food for thought or entertaining me with their writings, and I hope to be half as interesting.

As with everything I do, I had a bit of trouble coming up with where to start. So I did what every modern, internet using person does...I 'Googled' it.
The site "How to write your 1st blog" told me to state:

1. "Who you are"...I am a single, Mid-West woman.

2. "Why you are bloging"...the site said this is the most important information to get across, and yet I'm still not sure why I feel the need to blog. As I already stated, the initial reason was to join friends already sharing their thoughts so freely. Maybe I just want to keep up with the others. Maybe I'd like to be able to express myself more freely. Maybe I'd like to have a place to put my thoughts if only to an unseen audience. I guess I'll discover that more as I continue.

3. "What you will be blogging about"...Whatever pops into my head. I love lists, so there may be a lot of those. I work, play D&D, am involved with theater, paint, read and have countless other things going on in my life. So I really can't pinpoint what I might be blogging about. You'll just have to wait and see.

I hope I can amuse you, give you something to think about or at the very least make you curious enough to check in again. (Though I can't promise how often I'll be posting.)

welcome to the inner workings of my brain...bwahahahaha!

I'd like to continue on writing my rabblings and rantings here. While at the same time, reading others' thoughts and ideas. I'm not here to judge, just share thoughts (maybe debate some), and I ask the same of you.

Thank you; Stop by again.

All The Old Posts

Because I tend to keep this blog as more of journal for myself, I wanted to keep my old posts. But, instead of taking up the room or time, here's all of them as one really big blog. (I don't expect anyone to actually read this. There will not be a quiz. And I won't judge. It's just for my own need to have it saved and for continuity.)

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[[ POST ]] LOST! ==============================
Date: Tue Mar  1 12:00:38 2011
Title: Lost!
Post:

The biggest personal OMG I can think of in recent times...my purse has gone missing!   [[EMOTICON:SHOCK1]]
A week ago, I was at a store, bought everything, and put everything in the car. When I got home I noticed my purse was gone. At first, I thought I'd left in the car or it was in one of the bags. But no, it's no where to be seen.
It's been one of the most unnerving feeling I've ever had. The thought that someone may have taken it while I wasn't looking is disturbing enough, and even if it wasn't taken. The person who found hasn't turned it in or tried to return which seems just as bad.
At first, I tried to think of everything in it (which is harder than it seems...really, try right now to list everything in your purse or wallet). I decided it was alright, everything was replaceable (and was immediately reported of course).

Then I remembered a few things that REALLY bugged me.
1- my spare car keys! That really worries me since they also have my address. Luckily, I don't use house keys so it really is just the car key.
2- my flash drive which had my resume, photos, and my NaNoWriMo novel. Boo! At least I found most of the long-hand still in the folder I was using during November. I just have to retype. But still, some personal information is out there!  [[EMOTICON:ANGRY2]]
3- is more a funny note... I suddenly remembered a card I'd made for myself was in there. “The 13 Ways of a Witch”. I'm sort of curious what reaction that got when it was found.

Overall, things have been replaced already, and mostly, it's been a pretty easy process. I'm still really pissed and bothered that it's gone. But I'm getting over it. (As I said, it'd the personal information being out there that bugs me the most.)
But at least our living room is clean and organized now, since Mom thought it may have still been lost in the house somewhere.
Yay! Silver Lining!
 [[EMOTICON:SMILE1]]

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[[ POST ]] SOME UPS & DOWN ==============================
Date: Sat Feb 19 13:13:24 2011
Title: Some Ups & Downs
Post:

As I said before, I've been having a hard time feeling motivated to do anything anymore. But, I'm trying to pull myself up and 'be as happy as I chose to be”.
So here's a laundry list, or a pros/cons list, or how about a things-aren't-so-bad list...

Whatever it is, I'm going to list my whines and what I see has been bringing me down, but stick around because I'm also finding all the things I'm happy with and see where I end up.

WHINE:
~I'm really missing old friends and FB only seems to make it worse – I feel completely out of the loop. But to add to this is the loneliness I feel here. I've yet to make any friends, and I though I was a part of the community theater production, I've never seen any of them since.
And though I get along very well at work, they are very tight-nit. Most have lunch together, go out after work together and even get families together for activities on the weekends. The few times I've tried to join in (or was invited once by a lady I work next to)- I was met by silence or awkward chatting. It's like being back in grade school as the new kid on the first day.
~I've really not good at my job, and I'm used to being adored at work. This useless feeling is completely foreign to me.
~The only person I talk to and see everyday is Mom – now, this isn't really a bad point – I love Mom more than anything, and we are almost the same person anyway. But who do I talk to about her? About the things we don't have in common? And she doesn't really debate like she used to or keep up with current events.
~I'm far too close to my sister. We do much better with a few 100 miles between us and without me nearby trying to change things. Helping Mom cleaning and organizing. And Mom's getting more enthused about possibly moving, which just pisses Sis off more. But then again, she'll be losing her meal ticket, free storage and free bill pay. (was that catty?)

PROS:
~Since 1st starting to write this one, I've been through the long interview process and yesterday was offered a new job. Much more what I want to do...and will help me continue in this new field I've become interested in. YAY!  [[EMOTICON:GRIN2]] At the same time I finally quit my bad job (I could hear the sigh of relief on both sides of the desk). But they did ask if I would be able to stay on on a free-lance graphic designer which was the part I loved anyway...so double YAY!  [[EMOTICON:SMILE1]]  [[EMOTICON:SMILE1]]
~I'm finding it easier to stay connected with everyone and see what's going on elsewhere. It's not too far to drive & visit for a weekend either. And I can do it without the guilt I used to feel the other way around.
~Mom no longer has to make due with things a certain way just because she isn't able to fix them...
light bulbs out that she can't get to
have less water delivered because she can't switch the bottles (though the Super Nice Hinkley Guy would at least fill up the tank before putting up a new bottle to leave behind)
letting things go such as a hair cut because of weather or feeling tired
~I'm much closer to events and activities I enjoy (now this is another iffy). I always argue that there's 1001 things to do in small towns as long as you look around...and are adventurous. But some of my favorite museums and parks are now closer at hand.
~I'm also getting Mom out to them. She was getting to a place in her mind that told her she couldn't ever see the things she loved again. She even told me at one point that she was glad we'd gone to the Art Institute every year when I was a kid since she'll never be back now. I told her B.S.
Actually, I called the next day and some of the others to get their information about handicap accessibility for her to have in front of her. (Of Course She Can Go!)
Even Brookfield, which actually turned out to be the easiest of them all, but we'll have to wait 'til Spring to go again. I've missed it immensity, too.
 [[EMOTICON:GRIN2]]

Thanks for listening to my complains, life is getting better as the weather gets warmer. (And we dig ourselves out of the mountains of snow since around.) So maybe I was just feeling the Winter blues and soon will feel some Summer pinks.

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: HeatherN
Date: Fri Feb 25 07:55:18 2011
Comment:

Massive hugs to you!!! But, I am so happy you can be there for your mom - making good memories with her.

You may be gone, but not forgotten around here!

 [[EMOTICON:HEART1]]

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[[ POST ]] A PASSING YEAR ==============================
Date: Fri Jan 28 14:15:51 2011
Title: A Passing Year
Post:

A year ago, Sunday, we all gathered to celebrate my dad's 63 birthday. It was his last, and that we knew it at the time, was the giant Llama in the room. But the 4 of us, his 2 sisters, and 2 brothers-in-law all squished together in our living room/dinning room to celebrate how long he lived and how hard he'd been fighting.
Mom & I made his favorite dinner, Auntie & Uncle D. brought his favorite dessert- we talked, played games, talked and of course took many pictures.

As this weekend came up, I started thinking about him a lot. (Not to say I don't think about him everyday.) And these past couple of years. I also tried to come up with something to do or a tradition to begin – mainly with Mom. And I realized we haven't talked much about him. His name has come up of course, but never for long conversations about him. So maybe we should just take some time to talk and share stories- much like Samhaim eve. Or something completely distracting like movies, shopping and dinner out. Which actually may not be a bad idea since we both really want to see “The King's Speech”, we don't eat out a lot, and Mom had mentioned she hadn't been to one of her and Dad's favorite places since Dad had stopped chemo. (It was a block away from the center and they went every time he had a session.) I wouldn't want her to only associate it with those times. So I'll have to do some thinking about what to do. And it just feels like we should do something.

UPDATE: Since writing this, my sister's 'mother-in-law' (they're not married) passed away from cancer. The wake is on Sunday with the funeral on Monday. After talking with Mom for a while last night (she's been thinking a lot about this weekend also), we are deciding what we are going to do.

In the meantime, I'm going to light a candle.

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: TheSkinnyGuy
Date: Sun Feb  6 10:01:48 2011
Comment:

I think it's a great idea to share some memories or celebrate a life rather than mourn or keep quiet. Sort of like the Irish do at their wakes.

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[[ POST ]] ANOTHER COUPLE OF WEEKS ==============================
Date: Fri Jan 21 13:00:40 2011
Title: another couple of weeks
Post:

Whew! I made it another week!
After some backstabbing, the nicest ultimatum ever and the rudest email, the week ended with a customer calling me stupid. A snowy, icy weekend and...let's do it again! Whee! [[EMOTICON:SHOCK1]]

So, I've found myself lurking around in a pretty dark place lately. My 1st attempt at writing last week, I found much too evil to post especially after the events the Saturday before last in AZ. But now I feel myself sinking again. So I write this just to update, whine, get things off my shoulders and hopefully find some perspective.

1st of all a couple of weeks ago, I was given the world's nicest ultimatum at work. It went something like ~we'd like to keep you around 'cause you keep filling in in the other departments, but you suck at sales, so start selling at least this amount or it won't be worth paying you.~
At least, that's how I understood it, but as I said, it was put so nicely I felt good after. Though it didn't make anyone buy ads from me.

And the search for something new hath begun...

In the meantime, I had the great distraction of going to IA for a weekend visit. Long talks, Rock Band (I love the drums! Though the new keyboard was fun, too.), more talks, cards and Cheeseburger Chowder in a bread bowl...[[EMOTICON:THUMBSUP3]] mmmmm... oh, and more late night/early morning talks.
We never really got around to talking about the major issues which I know are lurking around on both side, but maybe that's not what this trip was about. Besides, just another reason to visit again.

It was only slightly odd being a guest in a place I called home for so long, but that's easily put aside when spending time with all the people I love, doing the things I've missed most lately. Especially since I've been feeling a little lost.

Eventually, I had to say goodbye again [[EMOTICON:SAD3]] (which wasn't near as teary as the 1st time I said it) and had the long drive home to think. Dangerous, I know (I missed my exit!).  But I've been missing the friendships, being able to go out and do things, or just sit with a cup of tea and play games or talk. Not that I can't do that now but....well, more about that later.

Oh, but while amid those crazy Iowans, I did get a great phone call which turned into a phone interview for a potential new job. Whee! My resume seems to be splitting in half – the one side for graphic design and now the other leaning toward nursing/personal care. This hopeful is on the later side, away from what I'm doing now. Unfortunately, when I went in for my meeting, it turned out not to be what I expected and want...well, back up- the job is exactly what I expected and want, but the hours will be anywhere from 4-60 hr/week, and I won't know until the week before. If I can't come in any of the times scheduled, I'm done and many other rules which made me wonder how they keep anyone long term. But the benefits and perks sound great. And the interview process is intensive, which is good for the type of job it is. But still, I hope one of the other places gives a call.

I'll finish by saying, I've been sick for the last week. Boo!
Got Mom sick, too. Double Boo!
But we will be well by next week since I got us tickets to see “Chicago”! Whee! [[EMOTICON:THUMBSUP3]]

That's how we'll be celebrating the big game on Sunday. (It's what was asked on the news last night...Go Bears! [[EMOTICON:COOL2]] )

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Fri Jan 21 17:29:51 2011
Comment:

I know we didn't get around to some of the topics we probably should have, but it's so hard to bring up that kind of stuff when the person being here makes me happy ;) Who wants to bring that down?

Another visit is of course the best answer!!

I can't imagine such an unknown work week, seems like there must be more to it, hmmm. Or, like you said, no wonder they are looking for someone.

Hope things are looking better, and health is on the mend! Maybe we could have a day we meet half-way at a coffee shop or something... Then it wouldn't seem so far.

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[[ POST ]] USW: THE SEQUEL ==============================
Date: Sat Dec 25 22:29:57 2010
Title: USW: The Sequel
Post:

HAPPY YULE!!!
 [[EMOTICON:XMASTREE1]]

Ok, here's the thing, it's been almost a year and a half since the last time I had this kind of 'fun'. What's worse, that not the longest I've gone without before.  [[EMOTICON:BLUSH2]]

Anyway, MBRH (My Beautiful Red Head) flew in to visit his family for the holidays on Sat. and Sunday came over for a visit and cards with Mom & I. Even upon entering, since I was the one at the doorway to greet him, I let him know what I was up for after we were finished playing board games. Funny, he only seemed a little surprised.

The games were fun (we taught him a new one), and we got all the updates shared. (I found one what he was working on in Norway for a week.)

Somewhere around Midnight, Mom was tired and went to bed, and we moved to the couch for more chatting when things got turned up a bit.
 [[EMOTICON:SMILE1]]   This is where it gets odd. For the first time since moving back home, I felt like a kid again - making out on the couch listening to make sure Mom doesn't come down the hall. It was even complete with dogs jumping around. The big  difference was, I have a feeling Mom knew (though, honestly, she likely knew in high school, too)[[EMOTICON:EMBARRASSED1]]  & second, I didn't really care. After a while, and the dogs started barking, I mentioned that I did have a bedroom that we should move to. We were able to shut the dogs out and began the real fun. Which lasted until 3 when he did leave to go back to his folks' home. It made for a very early morning when I had to go to work at 8.  [[EMOTICON:SLEEP2]]

I got a call Tuesday, saying he'd like to come over one more time before having to go down to the Southern part of the state for the actual holiday-relative thing. We weren't doing anything, in fact it was my birthday, and I ended up cooking a great dinner with my sister and her partner coming over. So he joined us for dinner and more games and visiting. Unfortunately, something else came for it's monthly visit a few days too early. [[EMOTICON:ANNOYED1]] So happy birthday to me. But there are many other things that can be done for fun instead, and I think we tried them all. (Well, I know there may be many more I don't know about, but still – it was HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!)  [[EMOTICON:WINK2]] 

It was a wonderful time, and it ended with me falling asleep on him. (His fault for the full body massage at 4 am!) He decided to stay the night, too. Which probably lead into the hooky playing from work the next morning. (That and I was feeling pretty crappy - physically. But a pill and more fun helped with that too.) And he may try to stop be again before flying West again tomorrow.

My fun times birthday week did end with me working graphic design instead of sales, finding out I had Friday off and getting a holiday bonus from the boss. Awesome! [[EMOTICON:THUMBSUP2]]

Oh, and to all who celebrate it, however you celebrate it...Merry Christmas.  [[EMOTICON:SANTA1]]
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[[ POST ]] NOVEMBER IN A NUTSHELL ==============================
Date: Tue Nov 30 23:04:34 2010
Title: November in a Nutshell
Post:

Hello Blog-people.
Here we are at the end of November, and I have no idea what happened to it. Hmmm, let's think what just happened to the last 30 days. Surely, it was wonderful and exciting... [[EMOTICON:THINK1]]
and hey, I was in my first craft show here which lead to a hiring and another show in December.

1st and overall, beginning Nov. 1 at 00:00:01am, I attempted for the second year in a row to write 50,000 words of nonsense. aka – NaNoWriMo. Surprisingly, being involved with the community theater actually helped. Since I wasn't in much of the show, I had lots of time backstage with a notebook, booklight and a pen. 2 hours offstage seemed to give me the concentrated time to average 2500 words a night! So for future projects, I must force myself into a room with nothing to do but write. I just get distracted to easi- oh look at the shiny.

As was mentioned, and talked about a couple of posts ago, I was in the local community theater production of Leaving Iowa. I performed the first two weekends of the month. Getting past the few uncomfortable moments when some actors forgot their lines (not me or my scenes), it was great fun and I met some wonderful people. It was highlighted by the fact that 3 of the shows sold-out, and was topped with the final show being witnessed by some crazy folks who drove all the way out to see it and have dinner with Mom & I.
It's amazing how much talk can be crammed into a few hours, when you're seeing those you haven't seen or talked with in months. It made for a wonderful night. [[EMOTICON:FKISS1]]

The cast party was the next day following the striking of the stage which I thought was a great idea and was especially amazed that not only did every cast member show up, so did several others who just wanted to help! [[EMOTICON:SHOCK2]] (More on this very odd yet strangely similar community theater later.)

The visit also takes me straight to the end of the month of thanksgiving. As I reflected over my homemade lasagna and sweet potatoes (Why should you have turkey out of tradition when one person's a vegetarian and the other doesn't really like turkey?), I realized I was most thankful for the same thing I am every year, the support and love of my friends who I also call family.[[EMOTICON:SMILEY2]] This past year, more than ever before, showed me how much I lean on them when I'm in need, think of them when I'm happy and miss them when we're separated. [[EMOTICON:SAD2]]

On the other-hand, I am very thankful I can be here with my Mom and things are working out better than I had even hoped. (we're still working on the cleaning and organizing, but getting there.) We do a lot of supporting of each other- she understands how difficult my job is (read post “welcome to the cube”) and if I do get fired, a possibility since I was recently given an ultimatum [[EMOTICON:SAD3]] , she not going to hate me. I'm just waiting to go for my CNA and maybe look into something else. And I can be here to yell at people and try to help her when things break.[[EMOTICON:ANGRY3]]  (Though I think I get more pissed, while she's upset.)

And that leads to the last week of the month of November:
Let me explain (sort of):
Thurs night- Mom's CPAP stopped working.
Thurs.- no one can help us because of holiday
Thurs.-the only place that is open will take it to be fixed. It will take anywhere from 30-60 days and no, they don't have loaners in the meantime
Thurs.-luckily, it's not bad enough to go to ER where they might actually help, but it would involve staying overnight.
Thurs./Fri.- we decide to stay up playing the new Wii Jeopardy which will keep your brain awake (and I get a lot typed of my novel)
Fri. -hospital won't help because she needs to 'go to the sleep study center first'
Fri. -sleep study center also closed.
Fri. -it would also take 30 days to just fix machine without sleep study
Fri. -tried to order one online, paying out of pocket
Sat-Sun -fight with Amazon over charging $67 shipping when we didn't get it overnight.
Mon. -fight with Active Forever because it won't be sent without a prescription. (It's just air -not even O2- people! Like buying a humidifier!)
Mon.- asked why would I pay out of pocket for something she can get paid for with her insurance if it's going to be the same hassle and wait time. He said 'for the convince'
Mon.- canceled order
Mon.- the doctor's office was too busy to talk with her
Tues.- sleep study will try and fit her in soon
Thurs. through Wed.- very little sleep being had in our house.
 [[EMOTICON:ANGRY5]] Good thing this isn't an emergency. We'll just sleep later I guess. And I can't imagine what people who really do need the CPAP to continue breathing through out the night do when something like this happens! (Who are the morons who say there's nothing wrong with our health care system?)

Pros vs Cons: overall, it turned out to be a pretty good month. The ending just seems a little sour because I've still had very little sleep. But I have hope for the future. So here's to December, Yule and the year's end, it's been a roller-coaster! But the downs just make the highs that much more fun, right?

Oh! And I finished NaNoWriMo and am officially a 50,000 word winner! [[EMOTICON:GRIN2]]

(Ok, that was a big nut)

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: TheSkinnyGuy
Date: Thu Dec  2 01:22:03 2010
Comment:

Congrats on the 50K writing. Are you gonna post any excerpts here on the blog?

The CPAP fiasco sounds like a nightmare. Wonder what most people do, do they buy a second one as a backup, or just suffer for a few weeks until they get a replacement?
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Sat Dec  4 00:23:37 2010
Comment:

What a crazy roller coaster month. Here's hoping for a repeat of the good and none of the bad in December. You forgot your B'day on your list of things to come!!

Miss you like crazy too, btw!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[[ POST ]] NANOWRIMO 2010 ==============================
Date: Tue Nov  9 15:08:22 2010
Title: NaNoWriMo 2010
Post:

I know it's been over a month now...and I really do mean to keep in contact. I even have some ideas I want to write about, but it'll have to wait.
Here's my excuse (That and my play is performing right now).
 [[EMOTICON:THUMBSUP2]] :
<img src="http://www.nanowrimo.org/widget/LiveParticipant/542542.png" />

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[[ POST ]] A REHEARSAL, A LESSON & AN EGO BOOST ==============================
Date: Fri Oct  8 01:46:06 2010
Title: A Rehearsal, a Lesson & an Ego Boost
Post:

If you've been paying attention, you know I'm a little into theater. And, I'm in a show right now with the local community theater. (My 1st with this group since 1997.)

Wednesday night we had a bonus rehearsal. (We've only been doing 3 nights a weeks so any extras are good.) The real reason, we found out, was because the author of the show was in town & being interviewed for a local magazine. Since we are doing the show, of course it'd be a great photo op. But the even better reason he wanted to see the practice (and I think I was one of the only people who didn't know), our director is his aunt! Oh, good to know.
I knew he was from the town, but I didn't know it was a family affair. No wonder he's donating part of his royalities back to the theater.  [[EMOTICON:THUMBSUP1]]

Well, the guy showed up about an 1/2 hour in and really just sat in the back & watched. Nothing really odd (though a couple, including the lead got pretty nervous). As one said, "if we can perform in front of this guy, we can do it in front of anyone".
Nothing odd that is until we got to one scene and the director paused to give a note. Then the guy stood up to make a comment which turned into an hour actor's & playwright class.
Very interesting and a great guy to listen to. I may have learned more in one night than a term of classes. (I did think making us pose gathered around listening to him while the photographer contiued was a bit much.)
Still, the guy was really fun to watch. I blame it on his passion about everything he spoke about. I love listening to anyone who feels that way about anything. And someone who gets paid to feel that way. Well, I just want to kick him...but first I'll let him finish talking.

He also used 2 of my scenes (I play 4 different characters) as an example. And told me I was doing a great job & was very funny.  [[EMOTICON:BLUSH1]]  (Pretty nice coming from the guy who came up with the dang thing...so I didn't kick him.)

All in all, the most unusual rehearsal I've ever been to. But it was an awesome experience.
And I now have a couple of new tricks to try writing & on stage. [[EMOTICON:THINK1]]

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Mon Oct 11 02:50:03 2010
Comment:

What a great memory in the making!! This seems to be a very unique circumstance, how funny that it's your first one back. We keep saying you were destined for that show, lol.

I miss the days when every rehearsal was a learning experience, how awesome that you got to experience that again, even if for just one night. You rock!!

BTW, I miss ya already, can't wait to see the show!
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: TheSkinnyGuy
Date: Fri Oct 15 23:10:03 2010
Comment:

Kimba,

Interesting post. Reminds me of a community theater group that a friend of mine has gone to for years (me too for part of them). They don't make a ton of money, just do it for the love of theater. I'm guessing they also live for a day like you had. Sort of makes everything worthwhile I guess. Sounds like you had the perfect trifecta - meet the author, praise for your work, and an acting class, all rolled up in one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] WELCOME TO THE CUBE ==============================
Date: Fri Oct  1 23:11:57 2010
Title: Welcome to the Cube
Post:

I've started my new job. (Yay, PAYCHECK!)

I will start by stating that I have a theory that everyone will do anything for the right price. Myself included. And when out of work for over a month, those prices drop. Now, my theory will be tested in a way I wasn't expecting.
But...
Instead of running away, I plan on trying to learn from this. Let me explain...

1st of all, I am now working for a local paper. (Perfect!) Except instead of the composition dept. like in the past, I'm an Ad. Rep.  (Even though I swore to do everything to keep away from anything in sales.)

Anyone who knows me, probably cringed when they 1st heard. [[EMOTICON:AFRAID1]]  I'm incredibly shy when it comes to talking to people, I hate talking on the phone (which is why I'm scared of losing friends who live far away), and I'm horrid at sales.
Perfect job, huh?

Well, I decided to say hell with it and throw myself in. And already my first week proved a challenge. The place is full of joking, sarcastic people so Of Course I don't belong. [[EMOTICON:WINK2]]
...But what does bother me is the very open floorplan. (There are no walls and I'm facing a wall with 2 short walls and my back to the rest of the people...stressfull for many reasons.)
And the fact that everyone (possibly because of the floorplan) is very quiet. It's like working in a library. Which does make me wonder how much better it would be and how much more would be done if there were more walls.
This makes the idea of trying to convince strangers over the phone to buy ads from me even worse.

I've been trying very hard to come up with any ideas or plans to push through my fears. (The main one being- get over it or get fired.)
And I would love any feed-back or thoughts on this. I have the chance to make some good money at this, but getting there might give me a panic-attack at work (and everyone will see thanks to that damned floorplan.)

UPDATE: I've finished 2 weeks, and haven't been fired. Actually, I was called into the office (1 of 2).  The publisher wanted to talk to me & tell me what a good job I'd been doing for my 1st couple of weeks, and don't compare myself to the other sales reps who'd been at this for years. Also, they're going to start me working in composing (yippe!) one day a week starting this coming week. There's hope! [[EMOTICON:PRAY1]]

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Sat Oct  2 15:14:48 2010
Comment:

I will admit, my eyebrows raised when I heard about the ad rep part of the job. But then I remembered all those sales rewards you got when working at Movie Gallery. You can be a great salesperson, when you have to be [[EMOTICON:WINK1]] . When mom told Deb you were an ad rep, she said she would have hired you in a heartbeat if she'd known you were interested.

Sounds like you handled it well, I of all people understand how hard this must of been. I think it could be an opportunity for you to break free of the limitations you put on yourself. You can do anything you put your mind to, I know that, and you should too! And always remember that you are an actress, this is just another role.

And there's no getting rid of me! [[EMOTICON:COOL2]] So no worries!!

I hope you do get to come next weekend.
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: TheSkinnyGuy
Date: Tue Oct  5 23:51:56 2010
Comment:

Kimba,

Poking around and found your blog. Nice place, will return. My favorite so far was the crap sandwich line. Loved it, and it is definitely true.

For the ad job, looks like it's a double plus of money and a chance to get your foot in the door for the other departments.

Skinny
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Kimba
Date: Fri Oct  8 01:54:31 2010
Comment:

Yuena, I'm glad I won't be rid of you (and Capt.) and good to know I have a job if I move back. [[EMOTICON:WINK2]] I wondered how much talk there'd been when I got on at the paper.

Skinny, thanks! I'd love to take credit for the crap line. But sadly no, it goes to a puppet/robot. I did go & check out your blog. Not bad yourself. [[EMOTICON:THUMBSUP3]]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] DAY OF REMEMBERING ==============================
Date: Tue Sep 21 21:41:51 2010
Title: Day of Remembering
Post:

Two Saturdays ago was Sept. 11th, now know to most as simply 9/11.
Do you know where you were on that day? How you felt?

Along with the documentaries, memorials and the marathons of certain reality shows, MSNBC aired an all day replay of that day. No commentary, no insightful information about the day just the original newscast.

Mom & I caught this while looking for something to watch while playing cards. Like me, she thought this was going to be some sort of documentary about the victims, the families, possibly even the newscasters themselves who were there covering the attack as it happened. But no.

After a few minutes, we decided it was too distrubing & not being one to even care about the Kardashians much less how to keep up with them, we started a Dick Van Dyke marathon. (I got her season 3 for her birthday.)

We started chatting about the idea of replaying a newscast like that. Getting past the idea of being that lazy. (There was no thought involved with planning those 12 hours of airtime.) Why replay the day?

Is this a sign of the times? If there had been cameras all around would we be re-living the bombing of Pearl Harbor? Or the assination of JFK...oh wait, we do see that footage over & over. I guess we love to repeat tragic events. But why? Is it so we won't forget? As if we could.

So that's it for my rant this time. Just wondering, does anyone else have feelings about reliving, moment-to-moment, events like this?

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Wed Sep 22 02:19:36 2010
Comment:

Personally, I'm not a fan of the re-living the moment thing, especially with tragedies. How are people supposed to move on with this stuff constantly shoved in their faces? I don't think anyone who was alive will forget the events of September 11th, so I don't feel the need to relive the horror. I would sooner like to see a tribute to the victims, let the people be remembered, not the tragedy itself.

When remembering my loved ones, I picture the good times, not the moments right before they passed and the events around it. Maybe as a nation we could adopt a similar strategy.
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: HeatherN
Date: Wed Sep 22 08:48:47 2010
Comment:

Ditto to what YZ said. Exactly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[[ POST ]] ...THE MORE THINGS SEEM DIFFERENT ==============================
Date: Sat Sep  4 16:51:06 2010
Title: The More Things Change
Post:

...the more things seem different.

So it's been a month already. [[EMOTICON:SHOCK1]]   I can't believe it. Time flies when you're not doing anything. [[EMOTICON:STUNNED1]] 
But here's a small update on my first month living with Mom.

It's both very strange and not as odd as I feared living at home again. I think it might be that I left home for college 12 years ago and never moved back.
 
Obviously, I've changed a lot in those years, and the experiences I've had have made me into a very different person than I was back then. (I should hope so![[EMOTICON:SMILE1]] ) The main change I've noticed is my confidence. I still have a long way to go, I believe, but when I remember how I was back then compared to today, I realized how 'behind a wall' I was. It will be a challenge to live in this area again, without retreating behind the safety of the wall.
It helped that day 3 of B.H. (back home), I auditioned for a community theater show (called, of all things, Leaving Iowa).

The auditions were one of the few times in my life I've gone out and done something like that on my own. It was daunting walking into an audition without the support of a friend on my arm (not literally) or at least knowing the people in the group. But for as weird as the experience was, as are all auditions, it felt like a big move forward...and I got a part (actually 4 parts). [[EMOTICON:SMILE1]]

I haven't found a job, yet. Unfortunately, I've seem to moved away from the one area in the nation which actually is hiring right now. In the month before I left, there were several opportunities in the paper which I would have been interested in. Even some of the 'McJobs' had hiring signs. Here, there's been very few help wanted ads, and some 'McJobs' aren't even giving out applications.

I've also had a problem discovering how much Spanish is needed. The last job I tried for, I decided to disqualify myself since my Spanish wasn't good enough to even find the manager or main office.  [[EMOTICON:ANNOYED1]]
I much as I'd like to go into a rant about that, I'll hold back and say I've started really trying to learn. I've been using the Spanish section of the library to find some of my favorite children's books to practice with. And it has seemed to help, at least when it comes to reading the language. YAY, Harry Potter y Piedra Filosofal! [[EMOTICON:THUMBSUP2]]

I've found how much I love having a yard. It was one of the main drawbacks of apartment living, not being able to dig and plant. Since it was always my father's domain, the yard as gone a little wild the past couple of years. Now, it's my daily meditation. I've tried to tame the wildness, brought back some of the flower beds, changed the massive garden (it was ¼ of the yard) into a small raised garden and created a compost pile. [[EMOTICON:THUMBSUP3]]

So, those are the main events of the last month. Begging for work, worming my way into a new theater group, spending time at the library and digging around in the dirt. (Oh, I also learned how to use the lawn mower.[[EMOTICON:BLUSH1]] ) Not a lot has changed really. I still miss being able to call up friends to go out or even stay in a talk or play games. (Mom refuses to play Rock Band or D&D!)

But Mom & I do get along very well. Somehow, she raised me to be her best friend, and we have the same attitude about life and things in it, most of the time. The house is a little quiet and odd at times without Dad, but I think this situation will work. Even if she baulks at me trying to organizing everything and posting a'chore chart'. :D

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Fri Sep 17 02:28:37 2010
Comment:

Can't wait to read about your new job!! Not to mention play rehearsals!! You got lots to fill us in on now!! [[EMOTICON:THUMBSUP1]]

;P ;) ;D

Yes, I admit, I have a winking problem!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[[ POST ]] RAINDROPS ON ROSES AND WHISKERS ON KITTENS ==============================
Date: Sun Aug  8 15:30:31 2010
Title: Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens
Post:

Those are nice, too, but for now I'm going to sing the praises of Iowa. If you read my blog, you know that soon I am moving back to the Land of Lincoln.
And while it'll be nice and all (I'll sing it's praises at some later date), I've be taking note of and trying to emjoy some of the things I'll miss around here. (Lest you think all the Midwest is the same, you'd be surprised to see the differences if you lived here.)

The stars go all the way to the ground. I love to drive a little way out of town, lay down (or on the car) and look up and all around.

The way everyone looks you in the eye sometimes waving or saying 'hi' as you pass. Even while driving. There have been times I've felt like I was in a parade waving at people.

Oh and that leads to: going shopping during the day and finding out what a townie you've become. The night I thought I'd just sneak out for some milk wearing my PJs and was stopped by at least 6 people I knew, opened my eyes (and made me button my coat).  [[EMOTICON:BLUSH1]]  As weird as it is, it's still a nice feeling to know everyone.

Putting a message on FB that I was moving and having about a dozen people show up the next day. People are so friendly & helpful...especially when only offering pizza and pop as payment.

That's just a quick few off the top of my head. And as I pack up my things and spend my last weeks with friends, I'm sure more will be shown to me.

A Kimba Note: I know this was short & abrupt, but I've actually just moved. With all the crazyness of that task, I never got my laptop out & posted the message. Just wanted to be up-to-date.

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Tue Aug 17 01:16:56 2010
Comment:

I'm glad you put the note at the bottom, I was so confused, lol. [[EMOTICON:CRAZY1]]

Iowa misses you!!
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Sun Aug 29 17:52:27 2010
Comment:

Where are the blogs?!? You need to give up some info about life in Illinois!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] CRAP SANDWICH: 1ST REPORT ==============================
Date: Wed Jun 23 03:19:50 2010
Title: Crap Sandwich: 1st report
Post:

"Life isn't like a box of chocolates. Life is a crap sandwich; the more bread you have, the less crap you have to take." -Tom Servo  [[EMOTICON:ROFL1]]
I don't know which one of the MST3K guys wrote that line, but thank you. After the laughing died down, I began to realize how sadly true that statement is. And I've begun an experiment initially called: I'm Going to be a Bitch. (clever huh?)

After some snarky comments hinting that I may not have far to go with this change.  [[EMOTICON:ANNOYED1]]   I had to explain my theory further. You see, with years of retail jobs & general people-watching behind me, I've seen a very troubling trend. The louder, ruder & obnoxous a person is, the more they're handed. While those who try to be nice, not make trouble for anyone get screwed.
So after spending my life trying to be as nice as I can be, I'm flipping the Golden Rule. I shall treat people as they treat me. (Which means I still get to be nice to my friends.) [[EMOTICON:SMILE1]]

And the very 1st day of my new bitchy-ness saw my very 1st test.
I received a phone call from a certain wife of a community theater board member.
This woman is not well-liked by...well, actually...I haven't found anyone yet who gets along with her. Mainly, she's a manipulative bully who has disrupted our group since taking an interest 4 months ago.[[EMOTICON:ANGRY4]]
She wanted to ask me what her chances of being on the board were. I mentally took a breath (here's your chance to be nice & tiptoe or be blunt & honest, Kimba), and told her she had zero chance of getting any votes.
For the next hour, I proceeded to explain all the reasons (I've heard at least) people don't like her.
The world didn't come crashing down after (though I thought it might during the last board meeting). And maybe she'll learn something from the talk. If not, it's out there, she can't claim she never knew, and I felt better.

My test contiued through the week, with a confrontation at work with a man who's been very offensive to most of the staff & making others do his job for him.
Now, charges are being filed, he's doing more of his job & frankly, for the sake of the residents, I hope he's fired. But again, I feel better for getting it off of my shoulders.

I've only had one recent mishap with a friend & an online comment. [[EMOTICON:BLUSH1]]  And that has already been put to rest after a face-to-face talk.

A strange side effect has been the slight easing of my social anxiety.
I've even found myself a couple of times speaking back to complete strangers at the store or library. [[EMOTICON:SHOCK1]]  Maybe more of this, and I just won't care what people think anymore & I'll feel much better.

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: HeatherN
Date: Thu Jun 24 22:41:29 2010
Comment:

Well, as Alanis Morrissette says, "You live, you learn." Good for you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] GOODBYE TO THE HAWKEYE STATE ==============================
Date: Fri Jun  4 05:30:37 2010
Title: Goodbye to the Hawkeye State
Post:

It's offical, I'm turning in my notice at work (over a month's warning, too [[EMOTICON:SMILEY2]] ), calling on friends to help me move my stuff again and heading out East.
OK, I'm only going over the Mississippi River, but still...East.

If you read Yuena's blog, which you totally should, I'm the one moving (at least I think she was talking about me).
It was decided that my Mom really wants and needs a roomate after my Dad passed away. (Actually, our dog, Coffee, passed away a couple of weeks ago, too.)  [[EMOTICON:SAD3]]
So, after much back & forth, I said I was moving back to IL
Honestly, I'm a little torn on the matter. I've always wished that I lived closer, or they were closer to me. Because I worry about and miss my family, but I really do like where I'm at now.
On another hand, my career and some of my personal life have sort of stalled out, maybe a drastic change would be good. (Though I doubt living with my mom is really going to help my personal life.)

I'm going to miss my friends more than I think I even know now. [[EMOTICON:SAD2]]  But I look at the shinking world through the internet, and know that I certainly won't lose track of them. Plus, I know how fast that drive back is, and since I won't be as worried about spending all time off with Mom, AND couches have already been offered, I know there will be many visits in the future. (Though, setting up the Kimba Hut in the backyard sounds like fun...sort of)

So, I've called storage units (because I'm not moving all of my stuff & who knows that I may convince Mom to become an Iowan [[EMOTICON:SMILEY2]] ), started again collecting boxes, & am deciding what to take with and what's not needed. And trying to cram in all the things I want to do or will miss in before the end of July. (Let's see some camping, a play, some D&D, maybe some fishing, late night talks with BFFs...) [[EMOTICON:GRIN2]]

And all in all, I'm almost looking forward to what this change will bring. [[EMOTICON:STUNNED1]]
 And until then enjoying my last few weeks of living alone.
 [[EMOTICON:SMILEY1]]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[[ POST ]] DOES ANYONE HEAR THAT? ==============================
Date: Thu May 20 02:41:46 2010
Title: Does anyone hear that?
Post:

No, really, doesn't everyone hear that slight high-pitched, sometimes loud, noise? Thanks to an episode of BBT  [[EMOTICON:ROFL1]]  (one of the greatest shows on right now...next to Glee) & some ads I've seen, I've discovered that this isn't normal. But, much like being color blind or not having a sense of smell (like my mom), it just not something that's noticed. And if you've always had it, it seems completely normal.
So I started asking people around me. No? You don't hear a strange mix between a buzz & a ring? Huh.
I happened to be at my Mom's house when one of these ads came on and asked her about it. Nope... we have A LOT in common
 [[EMOTICON:SMILE1]]  but this wasn't one of them.
I found out, it may be something called Tinnitus. (Aren't ads ever so helpful?) [[EMOTICON:SMILEY2]]  And of course I Googled it. It's because of some sort of pressure in my inner ear. (Short version)
The ad also listed all the reasons having this was so bad: hmmm, a scapegoat!
Cause of my non-restful sleeps?
Cause of my short temper? Oh, maybe I can blame all sorts of things on this! Hmmm...how about my weight or my lack of funds. Maybe not.
So, Mom has a great, very large drugstore in town, and the next day we went. There were 2 versions of help suggested to me. One (cheaper) in ear-drop form. The other (really expensive) in pill form. Yes, I opted for the drops. Besides the price, it made sense to use drops for something in my ear.
I've been using them for a couple of weeks now. The noise hasn't gone away, but I did notice the ticking clock at work for the 1st time last night.
Anyway, I'm really curious if others have this issue, & what do you do about it. [[EMOTICON:THINK1]]  And I hope one of these things work- I'd love to know what it would be like to have complete silence..........

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Fri May 28 02:39:00 2010
Comment:

Huh, I'm afraid this is one I can't identify with either. I have had a ringing in my ears that took a while to go away, but most of the time my crazy thoughts are all that fill the silence.

I'll be interested to see if your drops work. Have you always had it, even as a child? I was wondering if some of your ear troubles in relation to illness could have caused the problem. You should ask my mom, she has tons of ear problems.

Is it an octave above middle C? Could be from all the swirlies you got at church, lol.
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Kimba
Date: Sat May 29 02:12:21 2010
Comment:

Thanks [[EMOTICON:GRIN2]] It's closer to a Bflat.

And I had it for as long as I can remember which is why I never thought it was odd (just annoying [[EMOTICON:ANNOYED1]] ).

Until you said it, I never thought to link the bad ear infections with it. [[EMOTICON:THINK1]]

So, what's it like to hear silence?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] HOW TO SAY IT... ==============================
Date: Fri Apr 30 00:22:25 2010
Title: How to say it...
Post:

On my 30th birthday, I started a series of letters to my child...whenever that may happen. A month ago today, I got one of the worst phone calls of my life. After the first week of trying to get my world to right its self, I wrote a letter. And here it is:

“Dear Child,
March 29, my dad passed away after 2+ years of fighting cancer and a very hard few months at the end. He is finally at peace and in no more pain.
I've been driving to be with Grandma during the week and back to work a couple of days on weekends. I was there at the funeral home to help settle matters and went back to pick up his ashes. For now, he's at home until his service down in MS in June.
His sister, my Auntie, went into ICU the day before with a torn artery. And we will wait until she is getting better before going South.
Grandma, me & Aunt K. played cards that first night once we were alone. At some point, Aunt K. asked if we ought to be more sad (sitting around crying). But we decided that keeping our minds busy was the best for now, and we kept him in mind as we did what he and Grandma did almost every night for the last few years: talk and play games. Now, it's just a limbo time, being with Grandma and figuring what to do next.
I regret that you will never know him, though you will through the photos you see and stories you'll hear. I understand how sad he was at times that his father passed away the year before I was born.
Your Grandpa was sometimes a difficult person to be around. He liked things his way and nothing else. If things didn't work out the way he thought they should, he would get very upset. But he was very fun to be around playing games (though he hated the Nintendo when we got it, he because obsessed with PacMan and Tetris). He used to set aside time and play for 1 hour every night before bed.
I remember being very young and coming home from school and him teaching us the “Hoky Pokey” just because it was something everyone should know. There were aslso the nights as he got ready for bowling (which he loved and did faithfully up until 3 years ago), he'd play this odd game of jumping out of the bathroom, face covered in shaving cream and growl at Aunt K. & I. Who, of course, would go shrieking down the hall only to try and sneak back and repeat the game.
He did not have the easiest of lives, as my Uncle C. said, the day after Dad's passing. 'I looked at that empty shell and thought: Jerry, at least your no longer in that body that failed you so often.' To which I said, 'everything that could go wrong did for him, but he fought through everything thrown at him.'
He was legally deaf and could hear, somewhat, with hearing aides in both ears. And if you got his attention first. He told the story of sitting with Grandma and a couple of friends asking what each sound was when he first got the aides.
He was legally blind. And though he had bad eyesight all his life, the blindness came later. Only now did I learn that his first surgery for a detached retina came after he and Grandma had been married only 10months! Which also says something for Grandma and how she took care of him, and later us girls, from almost the beginning.
The other eye went blind a few years later. He and my Grandfather were putting together a swing set for us when a pole came loose and hit him in the eye. He was lucky there were able to save it at all much less his sight.
Things like that continued the rest of his life. Just a few years ago, he fell off a bike and shattered his hip and leg. The doctors were stunned. They said it was a million-in-one chance he could've fallen just right to do that. Yet, he recovered in record time and never needed a cane.
He was a special man, I will miss him everyday. I'm sorry he'll never know you or be around to be the granddad I know he wanted to be, but he'll be around in spirit. And through us, you'll know him.“

I can't believe it's already been a month...I'll miss you, Dad.

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Kimba
Date: Fri Apr 30 00:29:53 2010
Comment:

Why do these post an hour late? [[EMOTICON:CONFUSED1]]
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: HeatherN
Date: Sat May  1 08:34:22 2010
Comment:

Beautiful. Major hugs.
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Sun May  2 02:23:51 2010
Comment:

Thank you for sharing that with us, it was very touching. I'd never heard about the shaving cream game, how cute! A great memory to have.

Big Hugs!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] A MONTH OF LISTS ==============================
Date: Tue Mar  2 17:38:28 2010
Title: A Month of Lists
Post:

If you read the last blog, you heard about making a list for 3 days off. Well, Sunday, along with an amazing full moon, came a new month (Happy March Everyone!). And I started looking forward to another couple of days off. [[EMOTICON:GRIN2]]
I was at work and began to think (no smart-ass remarks), 'what should get done this month?'
And came up with an idea; at the start of every month, I'm going to make a list like I did for those 3 days. Then pick a project of two and try to get them done in my free time by the end of the month. (Guess I could do this along with the full moon, too.)
It doesn't have to be a chore, but necessarily something fluffy either. [[EMOTICON:ANNOYED1]]
So off the top of my head; here's my ideas for March:
High school or college scrapbook, community theater scrapbook ( I found a new hobby!),
again- clean out the bedroom closet,
art projects,
do research for my next NaNoWriMo book,
clean out book shelves and find a used bookstore or donate to the library (hey, less books to move next time!),
learn to knit...nah,
paint and stencil the shelves in the studio

Any other ideas???

(Looking forward to April...get an early start making MayDay Baskets.)  [[EMOTICON:GRIN1]]

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Whit's Whittlings
Date: Tue Mar  2 18:00:03 2010
Comment:

Kimba:

Don't forget to bake some cookies. [[EMOTICON:THUMBSUP3]] [[EMOTICON:GRIN1]]
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Kimba
Date: Tue Mar  2 19:17:34 2010
Comment:

ooo...good idea. I have some new sugar-free recipes to try. [[EMOTICON:SHOCK1]]

Thanks for the idea.

mmmmm...cookies. [[EMOTICON:THUMBSUP2]]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[[ POST ]] 2 NIGHTS, 3 DAYS, 4 MOVIES ==============================
Date: Mon Mar  1 22:55:58 2010
Title: 2 Nights, 3 Days, 4 Movies
Post:

A few days ago, I had 3 days off (after working 96 hours in 10 days).  [[EMOTICON:SLEEP1]] After a day of sleeping, I decided not to waste the precious time with video games, tv or books and do something big (or several small somethings). As always, I made a list 1st of the first few things to pop into my head that I'd been wanting to do but just kept putting off.

Organize my portfolio, clean out the closet, work on pieces for Art on the Square, blog and write a best selling novel all made the list along with some house chores which got scratched. [[EMOTICON:YUCK1]] (Looking for a fun something here not something I have to do once a week anyway.)

What finally made it was something I've put off for 2 years: the scrapbook of my trip to Ireland. Frankly, I had all the pieces and a box of memorabilia, but the task seemed way too daunting. And, this would be my 1st scrapbook.

So I decided to just clear the dinning room table, pop in some movies and start until sick of it. Then leave it out and work on it like a puzzle.
It worked! 3 days later (maybe 4) I had a large, fun way to remember and show off my trip! Whew!   [[EMOTICON:SMILEY2]] It was a blast and interesting to do.

Plus, it needs to pass the Ozarks-Girl inspection. Ozarks-Girl is a friend in the AK who, to me, is the scrapbooking queen. (You know her; she has a room devoted to it and makes awesome presents.)[[EMOTICON:LOL1]]
Until then, here's a few samples from it. I based the design on the “Ology” books (Dragonology, Wizardology, etc.), which I'm in love with...photos flip over, there are fold-outs, and pockets holding small souvenirs. [[EMOTICON:SMILE1]]

Any scrapbookers out there? What do you think? [[EMOTICON:THINK1]]


 [[EMOTICON:ROFL1]]

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: trisha
Date: Tue Mar  2 00:01:20 2010
Comment:

ahh that's so cool!! I wonna make a scrap book o.o I jsut don't have anything interesting to make one on yet lol. is Ireland cool??
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Kimba
Date: Tue Mar  2 03:23:43 2010
Comment:

Thank you very much.

Yes, Ireland was Awesome [[EMOTICON:LOVE1]]

We spent 2 weeks there and ran around the whole country. (There was a wedding half-way through, too. The reason for the trip.[[EMOTICON:GRIN1]] )

I think you could find something...anything can be a scrapbook.
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Whit's Whittlings
Date: Tue Mar  2 18:02:55 2010
Comment:

Kimba:

I like your scrapbook idea. It is so much more interesting than simply mounting photographs in a scrapbook.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] WHAT I'VE LEARNED FROM NANOWRIMO ==============================
Date: Wed Feb 24 17:26:53 2010
Title: The NaNoWriMo Experience
Post: What I've learned from NaNoWriMo

1.I really do work better under pressure...well, maybe not better, just faster.

2.To have comparison I started looking up other books:
~the first Harry Potter book = 76,944
~the final Harry Potter book = 198,227
~The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe = 37,492
~the final Twilight book = 188,266

3.I need an assignment to get another done.

4.It helps to have friends joining you on your mission...they understand what you're doing, help with ideas and quick questions & provide competition.

5.Which leads to...I love competition. Though at the same time, I hate to see other people lose. [[EMOTICON:CONFUSED1]]

6.Try not to completely change your story on day 21.  [[EMOTICON:BLUSH1]]

7.Don't attempt NaNo while everything around you is going crazy.

8.Even if the book isn't finished in time to win the contest, you may still continue writing. (This thought has just come about.)  [[EMOTICON:THINK1]]

Overall, it was a fun project and a wonderful learning experience, and I already have plans for this coming November's book.

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Sat Feb 27 01:20:11 2010
Comment:

Your numbers were an interesting persepective. I love that Harry Potter more than doubled!!

You certainly CAN finish your novel, in fact, I will now start bugging you about how your doing with it. You see what you've done?

So, how's your novel coming? BTW, did you finish mine yet?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] WII WONDERS ==============================
Date: Wed Feb 17 16:17:05 2010
Title: Wii Wonders
Post:   

My father's been doing much better than he was in November. Between the end of radiation, hospice nurses and finally putting him on the right medication, he's eating more and trying to move around more.
           
        Over the holiday visit, I packed up and took my lovely Wii system. Since Dad used to bowl every week for as long as I've known (I was born on bowling night) [[EMOTICON:ROFL1]] , it's been one of the things he misses most in the last couple of years. So I thought, if he could, I'd teach him and Mom how to play. I never thought it'd go over so well. He stood up and walked sans walker! [[EMOTICON:SHOCK2]]  (We kept having to tell him to stop walking forward.) Mom fell in love with the 91 pin game, and it seemed to get them both up and exercising. [[EMOTICON:WINK2]]
           
         So when I went back at the end of January for Dad's “39+” b-day, the Wii came along again. It was just as big of a hit. Every night, we played a series of bowling, after cards of course. By day 2, I woke to find Mom already up with it on, playing against herself (using my Mii) exercising each arm in turn.
           
         I think, if we didn't have other things to do, they'd play until the remote's batteries died. And they have an anniversary coming up, what should my sister & I try to get for them... [[EMOTICON:THINK1]]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[[ POST ]] ONE TALE OF STORE WHORE ==============================
Date: Fri Feb 12 16:20:46 2010
Title: One Tale of Store Whore
Post:

A TALE FROM NOVEMBER:

'Alice' has been fired (because of the Store Whore), everyone's very nervous to do anything (because of the Store Whore), and now I'm even a little scared of something personal happening because she wants me to do part of her GED for her and got really mad when I didn't jump right up. (if I reported this, it would be my word against all her "partners". She has told me she has other people doing other parts of the test for her too.) She also told me the reason she's getting her GED is for part of her probation for trying to build down a police station and taking a swing at an office! AHHH I'm trapped in a pycho world!  [[EMOTICON:SHOCK2]]

She also has been talking about being the one who stole some money from the store (for which Alice was blamed and fired), but of course all the managers are on her side (because she's the Store Whore).
Oh, and she claimed to have H1N1 on Thurs., but it must have been the 24hr version because she was seen at a bar Friday night and back at work Monday morning. (She's been pissed because "someone's been running their mouth and better learn to shut it" and reported the bar sighting to 'Dave' the store director, who of course did nothing.

_End of Rant_ thank you for listening.  [[EMOTICON:SMILEY2]]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[[ POST ]] PART 2 ==============================
Date: Wed Feb 10 15:39:51 2010
Title: Part 2
Post:

Previously on "All Who Wander..." a bunch of crap (good and bad) happened...

When we left off it was a brand, new year...

PART 2
            On the 4th, I walked into my 1st day of the new job. Met a great co-worker and spotted some odd red flags tossed about.
            It's a few weeks in, and though I've already grown attatched to most of the residents, and the actual work isn't bad (surprisingly) I have discovered that my interview was almost one huge lie (or several little ones).[[EMOTICON:ANGRY4]]   Now, I feel a little stuck and am looking for a real full-time job already.

            Also early in the year, I moved into my shiny, newly remodeled apartment. With the help of a large group of awesome friends, it only took a few hours. (And there were only a few complaints about the books.)

            So now, I'm unpacked, trying to find a stable job (where there's not so much back-stabbing) and home life and enjoying the new place (complete with laundry and dishwasher[[EMOTICON:ROFL1]] ). Let's hope 2010 gets a little brighter.[[EMOTICON:PRAY1]]

            One final thing:
            Alright, I know I keep disappearing, but I'm back for now. And I won't make any more promises about trying to write more. That being said, I do have a few stories to tell and some free time on my hands. (We'll see how long that lasts...)  [[EMOTICON:BLUSH1]]   

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[[ POST ]] THE GIANT UPDATE: PART 1 ==============================
Date: Tue Feb  9 14:38:03 2010
Title: The Giant Update; part 1
Post:

Hello again, miss me?
            I just wanted to write this up explaining (sort of) my disappearance. Then I realized that would take far too long and no one has the time (or patience) to read it.
            Instead here's a long list of what's been going on. It may also be a list for future blogs telling the tales of the past few months.
           
            When we last left off, MBRH had just flew back to the west coast after a fabulous weekend. Halloween was an interesting fiasco of greed and bad parenting. A long way from the celebration of the dead or the trick-o-treating of 20 years ago.
           
            Starting in November, the UK triad put down our books and picked up our pens (or laptops) and tried our first go with NaNoWriMo. (Go to: www.namowrimo.org) We started with a bang and met every Sunday at a local coffeehouse (cliché but very comfortable to write & talk).
            The other 2 had brilliance and inspiration spewing forth, and I stalled. [[EMOTICON:GOODGRIEF2]] Until ½ way when I tried a different tacit, and though it was better and I never gave up, I was inspired enough to finish. Instead, I admire the other ladies' “winner” prize from afar, want to read their novels (though they haven't been handed over yet), and have better hopes for next year's try.
           
            Also in November my father's fight with cancer took a new turn. Doctors have decided the radiation isn't doing much more than causing pain and stopped. Dad decided to stop eating and begged to end it. Hospice took over, and he has daily nurses helping him with his needs.
            Crazy as it seems, he's now doing much better (comparatively). He eats more, is more active and is walking again with a walker. (It was a nice Christmas event when he walked out to the living room asking to play cards and talk).[[EMOTICON:SMILEY2]]
           
            Store Whore's reign at the grocery store grew, and I found that both she and the 16-year-old sack-of-useless each got a nice raise while a couple of us were told there were cuts being made and raises weren't possible. I guess I needed to be more open to being a team player on my knees.
           
            [[EMOTICON:XMASTREE1]] Yule came with love from family and great friends and saw me securely into my 30s (sigh). Then came the call, interview and job offer on my birthday! I was hired as the new Activities Director of an assisted living facility. With the possibility of extra hours at night working as a patient assistant if interested.
            Full-time, holiday pay and vacation, benefits, working doing something I'm more trained and suited to do...hmmm...choices... Quiting the chaos of the grocery store was a nice start to my b-day. The day out with friends & the Wii was an excellent end!!![[EMOTICON:SMILE1]]
           
            Christmas came and brought me almost two weeks with my parents. And my sister appeared once during that time. It was a very calm, pleasant visit which unfortunately ended with an argument and tears.
           
            The New Year's USW was canceled due to illness[[EMOTICON:ANGRY4]] , but was made fun by friends and interesting by Miracle Berries[[EMOTICON:GRIN2]] . HAPPY 2010!!!

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Mon Feb 15 01:10:24 2010
Comment:

Yay, welcome back!!

Honestly, I had quick checking your blog much, I will have to start watching again. [[EMOTICON:THUMBSUP1]]

P.S. I am currently editing my novel, and will be sharing it as soon as I've polished it up a little.
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Kimba
Date: Tue Feb 16 19:06:03 2010
Comment:

3 months is a long time between blogs, so I assume will be a while before people notice I'm back.

Thank you for checking. [[EMOTICON:SMILE1]]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] USW: THE SLIGHTLY DIRTY TALE ==============================
Date: Sun Oct 11 19:03:39 2009
Title: USW: The Slightly Dirty Tale
Post:

Here is the slightly dirty (your not getting details) tale of one great weekend.

He arrived a day late, after some delays and a cancellation due to foggy weather. (Wimpy planes) Luckily, I had a back-up date for the evening, since Capt. Tiki ditched his wife for pizza, her and I went out together. We had much too much food and a great long talk. [[EMOTICON:THUMBSUP2]]

As pleasant as her company is, I was very happy to see My Beautiful Red Head (MBRH from now on...until I think of a better online name for him). He came in, sat down and after some small chit-chat, we agreed that we could both wait a while for food...we never made to the bedroom.  [[EMOTICON:BLUSH1]]  And I discovered how small my couch is and how handy the coffee-table is.

After tiring of the floor, we did finally move to the bedroom for a second go around.
Eventually, I got tired of hearing his stomach growl and decided to get up and find food. (That took another hour or so.) I'd mentioned the new Greek restaurant which had opened, and saw his eyes light up as this is his favorite type of food. So, as he took a quick shower, I called for times. After a quick shower of my own, off we went.

Another night of great food, nice talk and rants about work and getting to see the flaming cheese dish (he didn't want it because he would have had to yell things, but I was fine doing that). We headed back home and decided to watch a movie. Yes, we're exciting. But really, he had never seen "Idiocracy", and everyone needs to see that one! He liked it very much, too. Before the credits were over, we were testing the springs of the old couch, and honestly I have no idea when we eventually went to sleep. (We did make it to the bed at least.)

The next morning was much of the same, though it was about this time, that I discovered I wasn't able to lift or move my right arm without extreme pain in the shoulder. [[EMOTICON:BLUSH2]]  I never did figure out what exactly happened to it, but was able to manage with one arm for most of the day.
We went out to lunch where a young friend (he's 14 years younger than I am) works, because A) it did sound good for lunch and B) he “wanted to met MBRH to make sure he approves.” Cute.  [[EMOTICON:GRIN1]]
It was very fun and MBRH was very assumed and impressed by the young friend. (He doesn't usually like kids.) Though the good impression was somewhat dimmed, when the young friend told us to go see “Fame” for our fun night out. When that was met with two arched eyebrows, he suggested the “Toy Story” double feature. [[EMOTICON:STUNNED1]]

I asked what MBRH would like to do more than anything if he were home, he stated his new passion, snowboarding. Little hard to do right now. So, we did the second choice which was to go for a long walk. Which was longer than expected, but very nice and worked off most of the food for the past couple of days.

By the time we got back to the car, it was time to meet with The Ladies (Mrs. Tiki & The Teacher) to celebrate the full moon. More talking and surprisingly little meditation over The Goddess. But a very pleastant and chilly night anyway. We each headed home, and the two of us watched “Soylent Green”. A film MBRH had always wanted to see and never had.
This movie you must watch we the right people. We gave it the MST3K treatment, and were in tears by the end laughing so hard. [[EMOTICON:ROFL1]]

Later, I did get to shock MBRH by being 'ready' for him under the covers while he got ready for bed. (I usually start off in p.j.'s when we go to bed, this time I thought, “what the hell, this saves time.” And the look on his face was worth it.) Another late night for us, and really late morning. We stayed in bed until we Had to get up, shower and talk over our fruit and bagel breakfast because *sigh* he had to leave again.
BUT, we ended on a high note (doesn't always happen) and have already made plans for another USW around the New Year.

I waved him off, watched him disappear around the corner and (for as much as I was staying neutral) wished he lived closer.  [[EMOTICON:SAD3]]

We did end up talking for most of the night, because....he plane was delayed again!!!
Oh, well, he got home safe (just 6 hours later than he should have), it was an excellent weekend and my shoulder is better now.

And there's only 81 days until New Year's USW! Whoo Hoo!

Oh, and I think I'm going to try to learn snowboarding.  [[EMOTICON:SHOCK2]]

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: HeatherN
Date: Sun Oct 11 23:08:46 2009
Comment:

YAY!! I've been waiting for this post! I'm so glad you guys had fun.
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Whit's Whittlings
Date: Mon Oct 12 12:14:41 2009
Comment:

Kimba:

I can see that there was some sex involved, but where is it dirty? [[EMOTICON:GRIN1]]
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Kimba
Date: Mon Oct 12 16:02:36 2009
Comment:

Your welcome and thank you, Heather.

And, ok, so I'm a prude and can't write that dirty. I'm blushing just thinking about the weekend. That's why it's the "Slightly Dirty Tale".

I guess it's up to your imagination how naughty things were. (They got very crazy.) [[EMOTICON:BLUSH2]] hee hee

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] THE END OF A SHRINE ==============================
Date: Fri Oct  2 15:29:21 2009
Title: The End of a Shrine
Post:

Today I finally finished the dismantling of my Harry Potter collection (also known as 'the HP Shrine'). Yes, I am a collector. Through the years, I've collected unicorns (you should have seen my bedroom), Star Trek (the beginnings of nerdom), RHPS, Playbills and non-sport trading cards.
           
            Harry Potter has been it the last few years. My favorite pieces are actually the things based on the books before the movies or the really unique, not found in most stores things. It helped that for a time I was working in a video store and could keep the P.R. items sent out by WB. [[EMOTICON:THUMBSUP2]]
           
            But now, it's time for the scale back. I brought the thought up at a meeting of the minds (the members of UK). Which led to a discussion about collecting. Why do it? First of all, in my family, everyone must collect something. It makes gift giving easier. If you go on a trip, you know what to look for and everyone always gets something. (My dad gets a hat, my mom gets a mug and my sister gets a snowglobe. Every place has them.)
           
            2nd, I love the look of the collection displayed. Looking at all the different pieces laid out together.  [[EMOTICON:SMILEY2]]
           
            3rd, for me, it's almost like putting together a puzzle. Which is where the end of the collection comes in. At some point, I look at all that stuff I've bought or received over the years and realize, hey, it's finished. The collection in complete. No, I don't have every thing with the HP name on it (and I wouldn't want to), but it's complete in my eyes.

            So, for the past couple of weeks, I've borrowed an idea from one of those home decorating shows. I've taken a photo of each and every piece of the puzzle. And seperated the whole collection into two totes. One for my sister to look through and see if she wants anything, if not sell on eBay (anyone want some HP collectables? [[EMOTICON:GRIN2]] ). The second is the for the items I'm keeping. Yes, I'm still stuck on some of it. They are pieces too cool to give up. And now, as I look at it, they are all things someone else gave to me. So the memory might be feeding it, too. (Or my loved ones know what I'd like best. [[EMOTICON:THUMBSUP3]] )

            It the house I will be moving into next Summer, there is a single, build-in bookcase in the living room, which has been shouting out at me from the beginning, “I'm perfect for the new, down-sized HP Shrine!” When the walls talk, I have to pay attention. [[EMOTICON:SHOCK2]]

            So now, I have a small, specialized collection, 3 extra bookcases, a much cleaner looking living room, and 2 extra totes in the closet. And 168 photos in a folder which needs burned to a CD. I love fall cleaning!

            Now, what should the next collection be?  [[EMOTICON:THINK1]]

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: HeatherN
Date: Fri Oct  2 22:43:26 2009
Comment:

All works on fiction by D.H. Lawrence.

Since I know you loved Lady Chatterley's Love. [[EMOTICON:ROFL1]]
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Sun Oct  4 17:37:22 2009
Comment:

R.I.P. Harry Potter Shrine, you had a long run [[EMOTICON:SMILEY1]]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] THE LITTLE THINGS PART 2 ==============================
Date: Tue Sep 29 16:56:52 2009
Title: The Little Things part 2
Post:

Whew, after that last one, (and the one before last), I'd better come up with something a little more cheery. Hmmm. Who wants to hear my Pollyanna list part 2? Hmm? Any takers?
            Well, too bad, here I go anyway.

~Fall has begun. I love the smell of Fall. The colors of Fall. The cool snap in the air and all the people pulling out they're coats even though it's 70 out. I even love the squirrels running around like crazy things.

~I found a new way of doing my budget and guess what? ...I'm actually keeping to it! Ahhh. I might actually be saving money! [[EMOTICON:SHOCK1]]

~I purged and am still Fall cleaning my home. There is much less clutter in my physical life right now. I even liked the moments when it looked like my stuff had exploded all over the living room while I sorted though it.

~This past month, I have found a way to sell some of my crafts and help continue making more. Go to www.EkesArt.Etsy.com (yes, that was a sameless plug, but I am still excited about it.) So far it's been a great place to try and sell things, find very interesting crafts and I've already met some very nice artists from all around.

~I have a very fun weekend planned. A dear, old friend is coming for a visit. Whoo Hoo! (So far there are 2 names for this 4-day event: U.S.W. or the 2000 mi booty call.) He is going to be here from Friday until Monday and so far I have all 4 days off of work to enjoy his...company. [[EMOTICON:BLUSH1]] Please leave food at the door and no phone calls will be taken.

~I found a small treasure during my last trip to IL. A book I didn't know about by an author I love. Found at the Dollar Store for *Cough*,  $3. But, still it made me do a little happy dance in the middle of the store. [[EMOTICON:GOODGRIEF1]]  At least my mom thought it was funny. (She understands finding a good book dance.)

~I passed the 25lb mark on my secret diet (shhh...don't tell anyone). And my work pants don't fit right. Hee hee! I still have a ways to go, but I'm happy with the start.

~And it looks like the newly remodeled apartments may be finished soon and I can move into one. (The months of listening to construction will have been worth it.) I'll have new carpets, kitchen cabinets and appliances...including a dishwasher, a washer & dryer in the apartment! I've already heard from someone who has already moved that they are awesome! Can't wait to be able to get into mine. Now, who wants to help me move?  [[EMOTICON:PRAY1]]  I'll buy dinner and refreshments...

~I have friends who support, let me rant, and join me in dressing up in strange costumes at random just because it's fun! (These are the only friends whom I can call and be called Nerd and hear it as affectionate. [[EMOTICON:FKISS1]] )

Well, those are the biggies I just though of. Stay tuned for part 3 whenever things start to get down a bit. It really helps to stop and take stock of what's going right around us, when the bad things seem so much louder.

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: HeatherN
Date: Tue Sep 29 20:19:44 2009
Comment:

You sound content, and I am happy for you!!!

I have a truck I will be glad to loan for moving purposes!
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Tue Sep 29 22:08:32 2009
Comment:

Just let us know when you need help you big NERD!!

and BTW, are you trying to pass me in losing weight?!? Congrats on hitting the 25 lb. mark. Soon we'll both be skinny bitches[[EMOTICON:CRAZY1]] !

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[[ POST ]] I JUST NEED TO GET THIS OUT ==============================
Date: Sat Oct  3 10:53:16 2009
Title: I just need to get this out
Post:

Alright, I know I seem to pop up from time to time, and don't write as much as I truly intend to. But, for now, I'm back, until the next shiny thing crosses my path...oh, a lava lamp...
           
No, actually this isn't going to be a very happy note, so please look away if you must. I understand. I just need to put it out there. Therapy if you will, here goes.
           
Last Sunday I drove the 4+ hours to my parents' house for a long-awaited visit. My Aunt M. from Texas was staying with my Aunt G. (both sisters of my Dad). So it was planned that we would all go over and spend a day at Aunt G's house while I was around.
           
Monday, my Dad had a Chemo session at the cancer center. (He was in remission for a year and now it has come back in the colon.) Anyway, the day started with both aunts and Uncle D. meeting us in front of the center. We had made plans to see Dad settled and head out to lunch and maybe a visit to the new bookstore depending on how long he would be.
           
He went in and started with the blood work which went pretty fast and was called back to the 'chemo room' where we said our byes and had a visit with his doctor. This is where the day turned. (Look away now.) Dr. B. wanted to gather us and tell us that the new lump that has formed is actually in a lymph node (??? that part was kind of fuzzy for me) and the cancer is now going to start spreading through his blood and going to other organs. He told us that the chemo may no longer work, but it helps my dad so they will continue as planned. But he told us he guessed my dad to have 3-5 more months.
           
Ok. so off to lunch we go. WTF?! Yup, my family went out to lunch, I guess we still needed to eat, and get a take-away meal for Dad. But as we waited for our table, Aunt G. pulls me aside and tells me to make sure my sister makes peace with Dad. And I have a talk with Mom about fighting with him and being a bitch to everyone who just wants to help. (I came very close to punching a 60+ woman that morning.)
           
The meal was fine, and just as we had ordered Dad's lunch, the center called saying he had finished and was already good to go home. Wow! (Chemo times change depending on how well the patient takes the drugs into the blood. I guess they found a good vein this time.) It was a positive note for the day. Also, he wasn't too tired or sick for the day and enjoyed his meal.
           
So, that was it. Really, for the rest of the trip it was never mentioned again. Mom, Dad & I went over to Aunt's G.'s on Wednesday and had a wonderful day of games and food (it's what we do) [[EMOTICON:GRIN1]] . And overall I really enjoyed the trip.

But this still has kept me up at night, thinking. Once I was home, it really hit me since the whole rest of the week, I was trying to ignore the purple hippo (thank you, K. [[EMOTICON:SMILE1]]  ) along with everyone else.
I try to look at the fact that this is the same doctor who was shocked (and yes, he said so) my dad was still alive for his checkup a year after the first time. And how stubborn my father is.
           
But, the logic side of me, has started wondering...but that's for a later confessional.
           
For now, I know that he is fighting hard. Whatever comes, we will survive it (though I don't know how I feel about being warned yet). Despite my aunt, I know that my mom is doing everything she can for my dad. And I know I will be spending every chance I get driving back to visit. (Even if I have to watch every Andy Griffith...I draw the line at Judge Judy though. [[EMOTICON:ANNOYED1]] ) Because you never know what's going to happen next.

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Kimba
Date: Sun Sep 27 01:53:11 2009
Comment:

And I forgot to say: thank you, those who read the whole thing, for letting me get this out. [[EMOTICON:SMILEY2]]
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Sun Sep 27 14:00:43 2009
Comment:

WOW, not something that's easy to hear, but please remember that western medicine seems to love to give people expiration dates. I have yet to hear a time that they were right, which does make one wonder why they keep throwing it out there.

Let me know if you need to talk, or if you think he might consider an alternative approach finally. I'm ordering some Essiac tea in my next order, if nothing else, I'd be happy to give him some.

Talk to you soon, hang in there.
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: MrOrnery1851
Date: Sun Sep 27 15:08:17 2009
Comment:

That is the good thing about Blogstream. It makes an excellent place to vent. Stay well and may your dad continue to confound the "experts".
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: buffy
Date: Thu Oct  1 08:51:14 2009
Comment:

oh I love andy Grifith and the judy judy judy episode!!!

Sorry for the bad news, I'll be praying for you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[[ POST ]] A FISHING TALE ==============================
Date: Thu Jul 23 16:24:40 2009
Title: A fishing tale
Post:     

            {The following is based on a true story. The names of those involved have been changed to protect the innocent. Please don't take anything I say to be serious...hardly ever!  [[EMOTICON:WINK2]]  Thank you.}

     Once, long, long ago, I went fishing with a friend of mine. (We'll call him Capt. Tiki.) It started with a text asking the all important question, 'do you have your license?' No, but luckily, we have a 24 hour (shall remain nameless) super-center store in town. One license later, I was picking up worms and a fabulous hat and we were on our way to the nearby lake.
     We waited (almost) patiently while an older couple (awww) figured out if they were coming or going and finally got out of our way. Then, put the boat in and headed out.
    
      1st spot: no luck. And the breeze kept moving us into some nearby downed tree limbs. But, I did get to try out my new “Go-go Gadget Fishing Pole (my name, not the one on the box) which I received as a Christmas gift last year. It fits into a pen sized container and pulls out into a full sized fishing pole! Sweet! (I may or may not have giggled every time I used it.) [[EMOTICON:BLUSH2]]
     2nd spot: The Capt. landed a bass. He measured it against the official ruler and deemed it a tad too small (I would have said it was fine), but back into the water it went to grow another inch or so. I landed a good sized Bluegill, but Capt.'s professional opinion was that it took a few that size to make anything worth eating. (We were there to catch Catfish anyway.) Back into the water Mr. Bluegill went.
     3rd spot: We had noticed another boat out around a bend. They seemed to be having some luck, and now had left for the day, so since they were so nice to give up the spot, we headed that way. I started hitting Bluegill. One was worth of a photo, so out came the camera-phone and off the photo went to Mrs. Tiki to prove we weren't just out enjoying the lake for no good reason. After sending yet another confused fish out and Capt. was casting again, I landed another photo-worthy Bluegill! I was a little scared for my little, plastic fishing pole which seemed to be bending in half. So, I let the fish swim around while Capt. grabbed the handy net and got it out for me. I head an advertisement about the metal and how awesome his 5 fishing poles were and they were each hand crafted by monks up the mountains of a faraway land (or maybe not...I don't know if I was listening. That would be awesome though.) I then explained the fine craftsmanship of my pole and how it was only $12 and said Pirates on the side of it. He repeated his claim with it's unbreakable diamond filament (or something like that), and I asked if his had an equally fine photo of Johnny Deep on the reel?  [[EMOTICON:LOVE1]]  No, well, no sale for me.
     After my 3rd or 4th Bluegill and one Bass the Capt., who earlier had scoffed my use of plain old worms, asked if he could try out with one of them. The old ways did seem the best, in my opinion, and we caught a few more Bluegill (which would have may for a good meal, if we had been keeping them from the beginning) and a couple of Bass (sadly all under the qualifying mark).
     This did lead to the discussion later, though, of next time using the live-well and if we have a good day, keep them. If not, they may all go back about their lives. I did note that that seems like a very odd game of Blind Man's Bluff to play on the fishies.  [[EMOTICON:GOODGRIEF1]]

     The day was still a success in my book (wonderful day, good conversation and just fun being on the Capt.'s awesome boat). Best of all, there was even a new, wise quote for our list of wise quotes from Capt. Tiki: “Every thing's all fun and games until your shit gets tangled up.”  [[EMOTICON:THUMBSUP1]]
     I fine and thoughtful way to end the day...and the story.

           
     The Tally:
            ~# of fish caught: 3 Bass, I don't remember exact count on Bluegill, 0 Catfish (what we were after, remember)
            ~# of fishing poles used between 2 people: 6
            ~# of fish kept: 0
            ~# of snakes spotted swimming around: 1 (enough for me, thank you)
            ~# of great new quotes I've now been repeating: 1  [[EMOTICON:ROFL1]]

Thank you Capt. Tiki for a great day at the lake, and please forgive this fishing tale. [[EMOTICON:PRAY1]]

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Wed Jul 29 13:13:16 2009
Comment:

I vote for the Jonny Dep pole also. [[EMOTICON:LOL1]]

Fun story.
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Kimba
Date: Wed Jul 29 16:15:47 2009
Comment:

Thank you for your support! [[EMOTICON:COOL1]]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] HERE WE GO... ==============================
Date: Mon Jul 20 22:43:47 2009
Title: here we go...
Post:     

A roller-coaster of a month has just ended, causing my lack of writing. Though I've had many ideas running through my head.
           
     The last two weeks were the most deserving of Six Flags so I'll keep focused on that.
           
     I saw the fireworks of the 4th of July from my car as I drove to my parents house for a few days. My father had a surgery planned on the 6th, and I was driving them into the city and staying with for the 2 nights we'd be spending the in nearby hotel. So, though the visit with them was nice, the company of my aunt and uncle who met us at the hospital was pleasant and the hotel had WiFi, try spending a couple of days in close quarters with your parents (or any other family members[[EMOTICON:NOCOMMENT1]] ). (whee!)
           
     The surgery was a great success! (up the tracks go...) My father's bandages came off the day after surgery and he could already see the nurse's fingers and the chart across the room. He has already been back for his week after check-up, and the doctor is most impressed with the clarity of his cornea. Though he is still a little disappointed he isn't allowed to ride his lawn mower for a while.
             
     I came back to utter chaos at work. The boss has “quit” and we're unsure of what is coming as a replacement. (whee!) In the meantime, we've been told to “do the best we can” without making any real changes. Today, it was decided that our assistant manager has been passed over for the 2nd time and there will be a new manager coming in sometime in the near future. [[EMOTICON:GOODGRIEF1]] (raise your arms....whee!)
           
     If we all survive that long. There are two ladies who are causing great drama in the department. [[EMOTICON:ANGRY5]] (Fun to watch, like my own little t.v. show at work. But I'm trying like hell to stay out of the whole mess.)
           
     Which leads to the hope of a new job. A friend gave me a little hint of a job opening near her, and I applied right away. (whee!) But have since heard that in the 1st 3 days there were already around 50 other applicants. Let's hope I outshine them all!
           
     Another inspection made me straighten up my apartment, wash the floors again and do the dishes. (Well, they needed to be done anyway.)
           
     Last Saturday, saw another fabulous meeting of the fabulous ladies of the fabulous UK Book Club! Hosted by moi. True, the book wasn't as fabulous as we had hoped[[EMOTICON:ANNOYED1]] , but we spent a long time discussing how it could have been better. And still had fun. We also changed our line up and are going full out next time with Candide. (Whee!)
           
     Finally, this past weekend the lights were on again, the ugly costumes found, and the set painted almost as much as our faces as we in the local theater group performed our 2nd show of the season. I was a bit nervous going into the show Thursday. Maybe it was the kind of comedy or maybe the 2 months of rehearsals, but I didn't see the show as being very funny. Not to say everyone was great in their parts; I just didn't care for it.
           
     But, come opening night, I was proved wrong. The audience roared! They clapped at every blackout. They even responded to the cheesy cue-cards used in the show! Wow! To get that kind of unexpected reaction was like going through a double corkscrew (have to keep the roller coaster thing going...whee[[EMOTICON:SHOCK2]] )! Then, even better, it happened again the next night and the next! [[EMOTICON:ROFL1]] That buzz kept me going through the entire cast party without a drop of caffeine or anything stronger.
           
     So, now I sit here, with my costumes washed, still eating leftover pizza from the party with a slice of cake from the boss' going away party. Not believing that tomorrow I'll go to work (hopefully it'll be quiet), go to the library and order 3 copies of Voltaire's novel (I'll try not to be too smug about it [[EMOTICON:COOL3]] ), and come home with nothing to do but maybe write another blog. AHHHHH....bliss.
           
     ....When does the next show start again?   

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Tue Jul 21 14:24:06 2009
Comment:

It seems unreal that you might not have thought that show was funny, cause it was hilarious!!! [[EMOTICON:ROFL1]]

You were especially good in your part. [[EMOTICON:COOL1]]
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: HeatherN
Date: Tue Jul 21 14:32:15 2009
Comment:

Probably because we'd been through it so much, it just wasn't funny to us anymore. LOL

[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Kimba
Date: Thu Jul 23 16:15:57 2009
Comment:

True, Heather, [[EMOTICON:THINK1]] it wouldn't be the first time that's happened with a show.

And thank you Yuena. [[EMOTICON:GRIN2]]

Kimba

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] I HIT 10 ==============================
Date: Sun Jun 21 15:11:41 2009
Title: I hit 10
Post:

I'm past the 10 blog mark! I admit I'm not the best here at blogging as much as I should (who's telling me should... [[EMOTICON:CONFUSED1]] I don't know). I admit that I get distracted by shiny things and books and have many started, but unfinished blogs on my desktop.  [[EMOTICON:BLUSH1]]

But, I've been noticing that the 1st blog I wrote was still on the front page of my site. It bugged me, taunted me, laughing and pointing out that I don't contribute as much as the others.  [[EMOTICON:GOODGRIEF1]] But then it's just a little line of code on the side of my screen. I'm better than that, and maybe no one else even notices little things that.
Then, it was finally about to be bumped off. I almost wrote a blog just talking about it just to get it gone. But I thought that would be silly and pointless...oh.

Poo.  [[EMOTICON:GRIN2]]

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: AZRON
Date: Sun Jun 21 20:16:48 2009
Comment:

hey keep writing - cruise around the stream and see the different kinds of blogs and get ideas...

meanwhile welcome...
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: HeatherN
Date: Sun Jun 21 20:51:51 2009
Comment:

Congrats on the milestone!
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: RoieVanBib
Date: Wed Jun 24 23:55:51 2009
Comment:

Thanks for stopping by my blog, Kimba. I read your posts. Good! It would take you several years to read mine, since that's about how long I've been blogging. I certainly have loved being on Blogstream. Found a lot of friends-well made a lot of friends rather. I'm so wrapped up with my sick hubby, our five children-all grown and spread out from one coast of U.S. to the other, four grandchildren, one due in October,church, friends, other family, Facebook and the list goes on, I haven't been on the Stream as much as I have in the past. OOH, it's getting late, have to wake up Hubby out of his favorite chair and get him to bed. For the first time this week, we have a day tomorrow without a doctor appointment for him, so hopefully we'll just sleep in. Glad you joined the Stream. You sound like a very talented young woman.

Blessings,

Karen
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Mon Jul 20 00:27:12 2009
Comment:

So you reached 10 and decided to stop?

How about a post about the last show you were in? Drama at work? Crazy friends? Come on gal, I know you can give us something [[EMOTICON:COOL2]]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW ==============================
Date: Sun Jun 28 11:55:58 2009
Title: that was then, this is now
Post:

Yet another stolen idea. Thank you, all, for your support on that idea.  [[EMOTICON:GRIN1]]

Now, let me take you back many years ago...  [[EMOTICON:SAD3]]  To the years between '94 & '97. I was younger, lighter & I believe a little angier at the world. I was a teenager. I listened to Nirvana, Green Day, Guns & Roses and Broadway Musicals (still do!) I lived at home but had little time for my family. Overall, I was trying to find my way in the world.

Here's a list I found to give you an idea of how I've changed in all these years...sometimes, not at all.

1. Did you date someone from your school? Who?
Nope

2. Did you marry someone from your high school?
Not married

3. Did you car pool to school?
By the middle of Soph. Year, I drove my own car and whomever needed a ride to or from school...the biggest carpooling would come at lunch time

4. What kind of car did you drive?
That red thing with the white stripes which I won my Freshman year...oh, senior year I think I had the Ford after being in a crash with that 1st car

5. What kind of car do you have now?
Maroon, Dodge Century I think  [[EMOTICON:CONFUSED1]] ...i mean Buick.  [[EMOTICON:ROFL1]]

6. It's Friday night...where were you (in high school)?
Football game (marching band) or at the theater...if it was later, Petrol Truck Stop or out with Gene

7. It is Friday night...where are you now?
Playing D&D...or at the theater (Some things will never change!)

8. What kind of job did you have in high school?
Washington Inventory Service and paper route
 
9. What kind of job do you do now?
Whatever is asked of me                                                                                                                               
10. Were you a party animal?
Only sometimes

11. Were you considered a flirt?
I doubt it...I was considered weird [[EMOTICON:AFRAID1]]

12. Were you in marching band, orchestra, or choir?
All of the above plus Academic Team, Drama and Speech...Go Nerds Go! [[EMOTICON:THUMBSUP2]]

13. Were you a nerd?
See above...Oh, & sometimes I played D&D!

14. Did you get suspended or expelled?
I was one of the 'good ones'  [[EMOTICON:HALO1]] except 1 In School Suspension which was totally not my fault!

15. Can you sing the fight song?
We had a fight song? "Go Hubs Go!"?

16. Who was/were your favorite teacher(s)?
Dr. Reynolds (of course), Mr. Welle, Ms. Weidmann

17. Where did you sit during lunch?
1st table over by the back entrance to the school, I can picture it clearly. Or else we went out to Subway or Little Ceaser's

18. What was your school's full name?
Rochelle Township High School

19. When did you graduate?
1997 (the year of the Ox) & the highest number of pregnant students in one class, ever!

20. What was your school mascot?
A Hub (no, no one dressed up and did cartwheels...they should have!)

21. If you could go back and do it again, would you?
No, I've moved on

22. Did you have fun at Prom?
The night of prom yes! But I wasn't at the thing.

23. Do you still talk to your prom date?
I still talk to the persons I was with that night.

24. What did you want to be when you grew up?
An artist, maybe an architect

26. Any regrets?
Not really...I think I learned from everything that happened

27. Biggest fashion mistake?
It wasn't a mistake, it was AWESOME! It was the grudge-age; it's like making fun of my parent's high school photos

28. Favorite fashion trend?
Earlier the big hair (i had lots of it) [[EMOTICON:COOL3]]  but senior year I loved my short, blue hair

29. Are you going to your next reunion
nope [[EMOTICON:NOCOMMENT1]]

30. Who did you have a secret crush on?
Not telling, because I still talk to him...actually, I don't know if it was that big of a secret  [[EMOTICON:BLUSH1]]

31. Did you go on spring Break?
Yes, Florida...whee!

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Thu Jun 25 16:13:18 2009
Comment:

I have got to ask, what did you check that confirmed your car as a Dodge Century?

I'm pretty sure Buick makes the Century, lol. I know, but at least you got the color right, only part that matters really.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] FUN FACTS AKA THE STOLEN BLOG ==============================
Date: Wed Jun 10 22:17:05 2009
Title: Fun Facts aka The Stolen Blog
Post:

Okay, this is the 2nd attempt to post this (the 1st one disappeared, and I gave up for a bit.)

I've had a complaint that I need to update my blog more often. I agree, and in fact, was writing a blog about my writer's block. I do better with an assignment, and funny enough, The Taoist did give me a bunch of ideas, but those will take a little more thought and time. So, for now, here's an alphabetical list of Kimba Fun Facts (which has been totally stolen from Yuena, too.

A
- Adoption: a very good idea
- Available: for friends
- Age: 30
- Annoyance: slow working things & not understanding something [[EMOTICON:ANNOYED1]]
- Animal: I'm not allowed right now, but I hope to have a menagerie later

B
- Beer: no, Guinness
- Birthday: Yule
- Best Friend: 2 wonderful, funny ladies
- Body Part on opposite sex: hee hee, that's dirty [[EMOTICON:BLUSH1]] ...OH! What I notice! The jaw & no, I can't explain it
- Best feeling in the world: at peace
- Blind or Deaf: my father is legally both
- Best weather: Indian Summer
- Been in Love: thought so once...I got over it
- Been on stage? What haven't I done on stage?
- Believe in Magic: in everything

C
- Candy: not really, maybe chocolate/peanut butter bars
- Color: all hues of blue
- Chocolate/Vanilla: New York or Homemade Vanilla
- Chinese/Mexican Food: Chinese
- Cake or pie: pie or maybe some cake...maybe both a la mode
- Continent to visit: all of them
- Cheese: I love cheese on, almost, everything

D
- Day or Night: night
- Dancing in the rain: all the time

E
- Eyes: Blue
- Everyone's got: dreams
- Ever failed a class?: No.

F
- First thoughts waking up: I try to remember the dreams
- Food: Chinese please or Olive Garden

G
- Greatest Fear: losing everyone & small spaces
- Goals: to not worry over everything
- Gum: only to improve breath, then out it goes
- Get along with your parents?: my mom's one of my best friends & my dad and I have come a long way

H
- Hair Color: natural now (dark blonde), it's been every color of the rainbow
- Height: 5' 51/2" since the 6th grade
- Happy: I like to be
- Holiday: all, for different reasons but Halloween has always been pretty special for me
- How do you want to die: peacefully, or in a flaming ball taking out many others

I
- Ice Cream: Moose Tracks!
- Instrument: flute, tenor sax, little trumpet and some piano

J
- Jewelry: yes thank you, sapphires are my favorite
- Job: artist, but for money I cook

K
- Kids: someday...if not, I'll be a great 'aunt' to those around me
- Kickboxing or karate: Tae Bo, is that kickboxing?
- Keep a journal?: dream journal, food and work-out journal, & 'letters to my child' which I started on my 30th birthday

L
- Love: a chemical imbalance
- Letter: E, the beginning of everything
- Laughed so hard you cried: 2nd to last D&D adventure [[EMOTICON:ROFL1]]

M
- Milk flavor: any kind! I drink lots of milk!
- Motion sickness: very bad when I was a kid
- McD’s or BK: BK but this town doesn't have one so maybe it's just because it's a treat...no, onion rings! mmm
- Movie: Currently watching: Walt Disney: Behind the Myth

N
- Number: 2 is my lucky number

O
- One wish: only 1? um...to be comfortable

P
- Pepsi/Coke: if I must, Dt. Coke...if it's there, Sprite
- Perfect Pizza: homemade with lots of cheese and mushrooms
- Piercings: 4 in the ears, though I'd like to do my eyebrows, but my job now would frown on it
- Pirates: Arrgh! I sometimes I've been seen as one

Q
- Quail: strange small birds

R
- Reason to cry: laughing!!
- Reality T.V.: It's getting out of hand! but I do watch Survivor and Big Brother with The Ladies
- Radio Station: usually KTWA or NPR (92.5 when I'm in IL)
- Roll you tongue in a circle: nope, why I can't speak Spanish well
- Ring size: I honestly don't know...fat

S
- Song: Last heard? “Fine Line” from Avenue Q
- Shoe size: 7W
- Salad Dressing: whatever the dressing is that you get at the Olive Garden
- Skinny dipped?: only in a private pool
- Shower?: at night
- Strawberries/Blueberries: ANYTHING Strawberry!

T
- Tattoos?: one tiny one & maybe someday a couple more; for now, henna
- Time for bed: when I'm sleepy or 6 hours before I have to be up
- Thunderstorms: wonderful, great sleeping weather

U
- Unpredictable: makes things interesting

V
- Vacation spot(s): anywhere on the globe...well, let's not limit it

W
- Weakness: people I care about
- Which one of your friends acts the most like you: depending on the situation: Yuena or The Teacher
- Worst feeling: uselessness
- Wanted to be a model: A role model
- Worst Weather?: Ice (“white death”)

X
- X-Rays: hand, ankle, jaw, knee and lots of my teeth
- Xanadu: no, I just wanted to sing...Xanadu! [[EMOTICON:ROFL1]]

Y
-Year it is now: 2009.
-Yellow: mix with blue to make green or red to make orange

Z
- Zoo animal: all of them, as long as it's a nice 'open' zoo [[EMOTICON:THUMBSUP1]]

Now you know a little more, whether you wanted to or not.

Sorry and Thank you, Yuena!
 [[EMOTICON:PRAY1]]

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: HeatherN
Date: Wed Jun 10 23:02:34 2009
Comment:

Nice! Fun to read. Of course, you know I'll probably have to do this now. [[EMOTICON:GRIN1]]
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Kimba
Date: Thu Jun 11 22:04:50 2009
Comment:

and the stealing continues...we're all rogues!

 [[EMOTICON:STUNNED1]]
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Tue Jun 16 18:18:26 2009
Comment:

Does it make you both feel better to know that I stole it from Kristin?
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: RoieVanBib
Date: Tue Jun 16 18:52:15 2009
Comment:

In the words of my granddaughter, "This is way too cool!!!!!!"

Yep, stealing an idea is not a crime. That too is cool. Think I just might have to do this as well, for medicinal reasons only-to keep Ahlsheimer at bay!

Blessings,

Karen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] IMPATIENCE ==============================
Date: Mon Jun  1 20:51:15 2009
Title: impatience
Post:

OK, I am the most impatient person around. I like things which are fast, people who are decisive and having a plan. In a very bad twist, or maybe because of it, I also get explosively angry when it builds up.
That being said, you'll understand if soon you see a computer flying out of a 2nd story apartment.
I tried to use facebook and couldn't farm because it was too slow. I just finished a blog only to have it disappear when I tried to post it because I'd timed out. I'm getting really sick of the bull* at work and being the one people have to plan around.
So I'm breathing in the good and out the bad and going to try later.
This was just to let you know I did try to blog, but I'm quiting before I go insain.

I love to hear any ideas (besides meditation since I already do that) to help become more calm when shit happens.
Kimba

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Sun Jun  7 16:51:37 2009
Comment:

[[EMOTICON:SHOCK2]] ooooh, poor Kimba. You sound very frustrated, I'm so sorry. I don't have any good advice, so I'll just say that sometimes stopping and taking a deep breath before any action can save the life of a laptop.

Also, best to think of how to not let it happen again. Perhaps typing your blog in wordpad and then copy and pasting into blogstream would be good for that one.

Sorry I'm not more help, try thinking about a half orc cutting off his arm to impress you, that might at least make you smile. [[EMOTICON:WINK1]]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ==============================
Date: Tue May 26 23:24:35 2009
Title: and now for something completely different
Post:

The lights have faded to black for the final time. The set was struck and all have recovered from the cast party.
Yes, the community theater production, which I directed, is now over...now what?  [[EMOTICON:CONFUSED1]]

For the first week or two after any show, I always feel a little lost, confused, like I should be running around like a mad person until I realize, 'hey wait, the show's over.' So, to prepare myself, I've made a little list (it's what I do people) to help me through until the next show (in 11 days). Here's the first 10 to come to mind:

1. sleep  [[EMOTICON:SLEEP1]]...which I did Sunday since I didn't have to work.
2. paint- I just started the sketches for a new commission
3. scrapbook- it's time to get rid of the box(es) and put together some books  [[EMOTICON:BLUSH2]] 4. clean- well, ok, it's gotten bad around here but I blame the play!  [[EMOTICON:SAD3]]
5. exercise- i know, blah. But I have a new tredmill and damn it, I'm gonna use it!  [[EMOTICON:YUCK1]]
6. Blog more  [[EMOTICON:THINK1]]
7. Write more- non blog, I have a couple of things I was working on long, long ago. Let's see if I can get them going again.
8. Organize my studio and maybe even my closets... [[EMOTICON:SHOCK2]] -really it's been a long time coming.
9. Summer Clean -I missed Spring cleaning, and I can probably come up with a few boxes of things for Goodwill.
10. Get things ready and help put everything in order for the next play...d'oh! sorry, I can't help it.  [[EMOTICON:SMILE1]]

Any other distraction ideas?
have fun
Kimba

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Wed May 27 14:24:06 2009
Comment:

A good list, not much time in between shows this year, you might have trouble getting all that done in less than 2 weeks!!
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: HeatherN
Date: Wed May 27 16:34:16 2009
Comment:

That's a pretty good list. I echo Yuena, though, you might have trouble getting all that done!
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Mon Jun  1 17:20:03 2009
Comment:

K, I'm ready for something different!!!

I want to see a blog about:

Your ups and downs in the art community

Your favorite movies with some favorite quotes

What music your into and why

Hopes, Goals, Dreams and Aspirations - where do you WANT to be in 10 years

What super power would you love to have, and describe a situation you'd use it in?

What are some interesting books you've read lately?

I'll give you more later, but thought maybe this would help get you going. [[EMOTICON:GRIN1]]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] CALLOOH! CALLAY! ==============================
Date: Sun May  3 23:46:17 2009
Title: Callooh! Callay!
Post:

O frabjous day! Well, actually, a pretty fabulous weekend. Or even back up to the great time I had Thursday night with the community theater's Red Carpet Event.

Saturday began early, since I was asked to come into work 4 hours early (whoo hoo, extra hours). I got to leave a bit early and headed over to the theater. I found Dr. J. already hard at work putting up the flats for the set. In fact, he almost had the walls of the set finished by the time I'd changed clothes and began to help. Since, he was doing fine and others had begun to show. I stepped out to call my mom to make plans to visit this coming weekend and to check in with my father. As it turns out, they'd just been on the phone with the hospital, and he is finally cancer-free! [[EMOTICON:ROFL1]] Callooh Callay! They're starting the process to clear the infection he'd developed from the treatments and the doctors are very hopeful. Then onto helping his eyes! I was also updated on what the weather had been doing, what the dogs had been up to and recent interesting shows on t.v. (in that order). I can't wait for the visit. Which I hadn't even realized will be over Mother's Day until I started to wrap up her gift. [[EMOTICON:BLUSH1]]

Back on stage, the walls were being finished, I sliced my knuckles open trying to open some cans of paint [[EMOTICON:GOODGRIEF1]]  (don't ask), tied something around it because the blood was getting in the way, and had one person painting set pieces outside, while 'the Nurse' and I painted the walls. Everyone else scattered to get various other projects done. A couple hours later, voila!, an almost finished set! O frabjous day!
A shower, change of clothes, and a few bandages later, off to the high school to watch the senior One-Acts. Four one-act plays directed, and in one case, written by the students. I met and sat with some other members of the community theater enjoying the productions (with very little wincing). [[EMOTICON:SMILE1]]  A good end to the night.

Sleep and back to work. Both yesterday and today were better than the last week. Lately, another co-worker and I have 'paper, rock, scissors' over which one of us would be washing dishes. (We're in a sad state when two of us would rather scrub baking sheets until our fingers bleed just to avoid the insanity.) But today, the subject never even came up.

Well, the work day ended, and I gathered some sugar-free and low-calorie snacks and headed home. It was my turn to host the UK Book Club. (We just passed its one year anniversary I must add.) 'Mrs. Tiki' & 'the Teacher' arrived, make fun of the 'unfit' state of my apartment, ate healthy snacks, and discussed many topics...including the book we'd just finished. And planned the Cash & Fabulous Prizes party for the house I (hopefully) will be moving into this time next year. Proving again how wonderful these two ladies are. [[EMOTICON:GRIN2]]  The closest thing to a downside for me was by this point, I was feeling the effects of too much running around, not enough sleep and don't know how clear I was. (Well, I'm not always clear anyway so my sleepy state may have been overlooked.) So, because of insomia and the need to jot these happy moments down, here I am. Still not sleeping, watching a South Park video I got in the mail and already looking forward to the next D&D adventure as I level up my character (did I just prove how nerdy I am?[[EMOTICON:BLUSH2]] ) Oh, well, now I think it really may be time to get some sleep and see what the next week will bring.

PS to the members of UK: I forgot to talk about two of my favorite moments...the sabotaging the sale of the house “*cough* is that mold?” or the snake in the tub [[EMOTICON:SHOCK2]] AHHHHH!      
[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Mon May  4 00:31:26 2009
Comment:

Callooh! Callay! O frabjous day!

Did I miss something? [[EMOTICON:CONFUSED1]] If this is an inside joke then I just find that rude... [[EMOTICON:ROFL1]]

I loved the snake in the tub & mold bits too, can't believe we forgot them [[EMOTICON:SHOCK2]] !

Great to hear about your dad, and FYI, I didn't really notice your sleep deprived state, so no worries. [[EMOTICON:SMILEY1]]

P.S. Yes, you proved you're a nerd!! [[EMOTICON:WINK2]]
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Kimba
Date: Mon May  4 13:38:10 2009
Comment:

it's from the Jabberwocky poem in Through the Looking-Glass. [[EMOTICON:GRIN2]]
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: HeatherN
Date: Tue May  5 18:39:32 2009
Comment:

OH YEAH! I forgot about the mold! That was classic - I think I would have been too chicken to do that.

Happy Hump Day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] ALL THE WORILD'S MY STAGE ==============================
Date: Thu May 28 17:46:05 2009
Title: All the world's my stage
Post:

The lights dim, the whispering dies down, you find your way in the dark, set yourself, your heart pounds, you take a deep breath and bright lights come up on you. Welcome to theater. And it's time again for another show with the local community theater group. If which I'm happy to have already been a part of for the last 5 seasons. With the start of a new production including many new and returning actors, and a new blog to keep track of these things, I sat last night trying to recall the shows I've been a part of here. (Later, I might try to come up with list before moving here.) Trust me this was harder than I thought it would be. I have a very odd memory when it comes to this kind of thing and most plays are gone from my head as soon as the cast/crew party is over. But here's the OCT list I have:

2003

“We Found Love and an Exquisite Set of Porcelain Figurines Aboard the SS Farndale Avenue” -'Felicity'...the nervous, well-meaning but incompetent actress who dies slowly throughout the 2nd act.

2004

“That's the Spirit” -'Bella Donna' the psychic with her “assistant” Chester the dummy </ADDRESS>
2005

“Altar Egos” -'Dinah McMasters' the mother of the bride

“The Legend of Robin Hood...Sort Of” -the Director (and fight choreographer)

“Fright Night” -'Prof. Fether' a phyciatist with a bad pen-clicking habit in “The Telltale Heart”, 'Mary White' the freaked out mom in “Monkey's Paw”, 'Red Death' the statue in “Midnight Wax”

2006

“The Butler Did It” -the Director

“Deathtrap” -'Myra' who gets killing before intermission (Sydney!)

“The Musical Comedy Murders of the 1940s” -'Marjorie Baverstock' the backer who gets stabbed early on

2007

“You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown” -the Director -who never took on a musical without a music director before (thank you H. K. & C.!)

“The Beverly Hillbillies” -'Mrs. Drysdale' who screamed and whined a lot.

“Our Town” -'the Narrator' who talked for many 75% of the show. Quick survey: who's sick of listening to me yet? (“Hey what is that other person doing talking?”)

2008

”Mixed Nuts” -'Mother' the overbearing figment of the lead's overactive imagination

”The Butler Did It, Again” -the Director

”Death by Chocolate” -'Sweetpea Meadowbrook' a woman eating herself to death (I really got sick of crackers during this show.)

2009

”Acting Rich” -the Director

THE TALLY:

times I died: 3 1/2

times I had to scream (not counting stand-in screaming for other actors/screamed as director): 4

times I directed: 5

times I was going to kill member of the cast: lets not count

times I swore and ranted while wearing a 'Shirley Temple' wig: once a night for one show

times I wore a beard: 1

times I danced around in a square dancing/hillbilly dress: 1 (and I'd do it again)

number of chips consumed as Sweetpea: approx. 3.5 full boxes (bleh) [[EMOTICON:YUCK1]]
number of shows I'll be involved with in the future: hundreds would be fine with me

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Wed Apr 22 04:06:18 2009
Comment:

A really fun synopsis of your time with the theater, says the person who was with you for almost all of them. As a matter of fact, Farndale was spring of 2003, FYI. We moved to Osky in November of 2002.

Anyway, it will be fun to have documentation of the shows and happenings, better than relying on memory for stuff. What show did we do when [[EMOTICON:CONFUSED1]]
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Kimba
Date: Wed Apr 22 14:14:37 2009
Comment:

Thank you, the change has been made. [[EMOTICON:BLUSH1]] I wanted to make the list just to try and remember what happened when. I'd like to see your list now and H's too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] ANOTHER GIANT ==============================
Date: Thu Apr 16 18:32:54 2009
Title: Another giant
Post:

I've found out that one of my uncles, Edward F. Kavina passed away on Monday. [[IMAGE:http://images.blogstream.com/i/userImages/118/118699_69654.jpg,269x269,50%]]
He truly was a great man. A strong, sometimes private, and very funny man who made an impression on anyone who met him. Uncle Ed was a giant in the family, in the Navy and in the Freemasons. He was loved for his joking attitude (there's a certain, white-haired, member of the local theater group whom is a great friend who's personality reminds me very much of Uncle Ed). I know everyone in the family will miss this treasure very much, along with those who've already gone before him. And I look forward to seeing them all again someday.  [[IMAGE:http://images.blogstream.com/i/userImages/118/118700_69654.jpg,533x400]]

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Sat Apr 18 00:19:20 2009
Comment:

Again, I'm sorry for your loss. [[EMOTICON:SAD2]]
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Kimba
Date: Sun Apr 19 23:47:16 2009
Comment:

Had a long talk with my mom about it. Things are somewhat better on that front. She and sis did go to the wake though.

thank you [[EMOTICON:SMILEY2]]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] THE LITTLE THINGS ==============================
Date: Wed Apr 15 23:54:13 2009
Title: The Little Things
Post:

Lately I've been upset about some things and  have been pretty down. So I've decided to come up with a list of things that make me happy or give me a giggle. Like Pollyanna, I've been playing the 'glad game'. I hope without being too syrupy sweet, and I'm trying to look for something good in everything everyday. It surprising how it helps when all you want to do is wallow in what's going wrong or you're listening to the people around you complain. Usually, they'll stop and think (or get really annoyed) when you point out an “at least” about their woes.

Here's a few simple pleasures I've found in the past few days:

~I have very comfy new work shoes, which I found for a very good price. (I know, odd one to start with.[[EMOTICON:GRIN1]] ) They even after the non-slick bottoms, so perfect the klutz that I am. It's been like walking on pillows the last couple days. Amazing how much your shoes affect your day.

~I have my own place to live. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love my privacy and independence. Every once in a while, I walk into my apartment and draw up that feeling I had the first time I walked into that place. No, it's not perfect, but it's all mine.

~For as many problems as there may be right now, I have a job. In a time when so many are being laid off and fired, I'm still glad I have something to keep me going.

~I love that there's a huge bike/walking trail near me. (It actually surrounds the entire town.) It's so nice to be able to go spend the day outside and not have to fight the cars or people. Most of the trail is shaded and there are benches every few yards so it's a great place to rest or read. Also, as it's a cemented and maintained trail. It's open all year. Nothing like a crisp walk in January in Iowa to make you feel...well frozen and questioning your own sanity.

~My friends are always giving me a giggle or at least listening to my rants when I'm not in such a Pollyanna mood. I think the people I'm close to here are the reason I stick around. But honestly, why would you live anyplace for any length of time just because of the town. Isn't it the people around you that make you feel at home? I don't have many friends, but I'm very close to the ones I do have. And I don't think I would live anywhere without them nearby.

~Chocolate hollow bunnies. Man, I love to smash those things and eat the pieces. [[EMOTICON:CRAZY1]]

~I love that it's nice enough and easy enough to walk to work. I started last Fall, but when the weather started to turn icy and cold I said, “hey, I don't have to take this, I have a car for a reason.” But now, it's wonderful to start the day with a 30 minute walk and wake up the body. (Saving the petrol is nice, too.)

~ With all this walking, a special cereal with a giant K on the front every morning and a few other things, I seem to be losing some mass. (finally, whoo hoo!) I'm going to try to keep those fun little numbers going down.

~The fact that my mom sends me comic strips and newspaper clippings. Just like her mother did to her. (The day she realized she was acting like her mother, gave me a smile too.) I wonder if someday in the future I'll be sending random articles to one of my kids...maybe I'll just email them.

~The birds outside my window. They're just fascinating to watch.

~Bonus one as I'm typing: I came up with a new hobby (because there's not enough crafts cluttering up my table.[[EMOTICON:BLUSH2]] ) and with the “free time” I have from work, I'm being very artsy and crafty lately.

Well, that's a start, and I feel a bit better. I might make another list later when I need it. Maybe it gave you a smile that you can pass along. They're free and everyone loves to get one. (okay, that was too Pollyanna for me. [[EMOTICON:EMBARRASSED1]] BLAH! @!?*#%! Bah Humbug!)   

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: HeatherN
Date: Fri Apr 17 17:54:12 2009
Comment:

[[EMOTICON:COOL3]] This made me smile!

Just do me a favor, though. Don't try to climb out of the tree when you're sneaking off to the bazaar, and fall and paralyze yourself. You don't have a big enough house for all your friends to gather to make you feel better.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] JUST BE A PARENT RANT ==============================
Date: Mon Apr 13 00:18:40 2009
Title: Just Be A Parent rant
Post:

Welcome to the first of (possibly) many random rants. It's just something I do and they may not always make sense. Be prepared or else move on to something else. You have been warned.  [[EMOTICON:ANGRY4]]
            Start of rant:

              What the hell is wrong with being a real parent? I know some perfectly normal people who had rules and guides growing up. I know some people who are parents now and raising wonderful, creative and intelligent children who will go on to be productive members of society. Unfortunately, they may be alone. Right now the trend I've seen seems to lean toward being friends with your child before ever being a parent.
              Here's the example: I work in a cafeteria-style eatery, a woman walks in with her young child and starts to order. Instead of just ordered for herself and the little boy, she asks him what he would like. Fine, teach him to make decisions for himself and let him be independent. Good. Only the young man looks to be about 3 years old and is far more interested in the balloons we have up as decoration than picking out something for lunch. She continues to try a coax him over to the counter and pick something to eat. “Come on Joey, come over here and tell me what you want to eat. Come on Joey.” When I suggested the three choices for a kids dinner, she responded with, “well I don't know what he wants to eat. He won't tell me.” At this point 'Joey' has run off to look at something else, and the mother-of-the-year candidate doesn't move. She doesn't even raise her voice as she asks him to come back and chose his dinner.
              Fast forward 10 minutes and 'Joey' is now interested in the food. He points at everything. (Not too picky for a kid.) We settle on a chicken leg and when asked what else, he wants the Cookies 'N' Cream fluff from the desert case. When I tell the mom that he already gets a desert with his meal and maybe he could pick out a real side dish. She looks concerned and says, “well I don't know if he'll eat anything else. He said he wanted the fluff.” (And why are children more and more overweight?) So I start to talk to 'Joey' and suggest a couple of the other, less sugary, sides. Turns out he's just as happy with them as with his first choice. And I only just met the kid.
              Now, lets rewind that transaction and start again at the beginning. What would have happened if mom offered Joey his choice of meals, he either chose one or if still uninterested, mom picked? They paid, had lunch and moved on with their lives. I have a pretty good catalog of childhood memories, and I really don't remember ever ordering my own food until much older than 'Joey'. The most I got was the  'did I want a hamburger or nuggets' choice. At least until I could read the menu on my own (and even then sometimes Mom picked).
              This was just one story, but I've seen the same type of show played out in different places, concerning different things. But I've never seen a parent just take control and decide something for the kids, except for the few “real parents” mentioned earlier. What kind of adult do you think this will make? Will this teenager be the one walking over their parents and doing whatever they please with their parents beside themselves not know what to do? Is this the start of the “entitled mentality” or does it lead to something else? Not having kids of my own, or being around parents who act like this, I'm not sure. And I don't know if I want to know.
              For now, just eat at home!

            End of rant. [[EMOTICON:WINK2]]

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Tue Apr 14 23:36:55 2009
Comment:

You know I totally agree with this. It does seem like being friends or being the "cool" parent is the priority for a lot of people. Sometimes decisions you have to make as a parent are not cool, but is in the best interest of the child.

Ironically, I've seen several times that the other type of parent is considered cool by many kids. [[EMOTICON:COOL2]]
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Sybil
Date: Wed Apr 15 15:11:25 2009
Comment:

As a parent of three (ages 20, 18 and 17) and one of the younger parents in their group of friends, sometimes we (Hubby and I) have been thought of as the "cool" parents only to pop the bubbles of the kids that thought this because of our rules. I've have found that most of the "older" parents tend to try to be more of the friend to their kids than we do as the "younger" parents. We both have good relationships with each of our kids and we are friends with them to a certain extent but bottom line we are still their parents and there are still rules (even at their ages....my house, my rules...bottom line). In the case of "Joey", I think at a certain age, and especially in public where others might be waiting, make the decision for the child or at the very least, give him a maximum of two choices. Do you want this or do you want that? If no answer, pick for him. I agree that kids do need to make their decisions on things but I also believe that there is a time and place for such things, especially when young.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] NA-ATHAR'S DUNGEON #4 ==============================
Date: Sun Apr 12 02:29:24 2009
Title: Na-athar's Dungeon #4
Post:

Saturday has those crazy gamers meeting again. After watching the local high school's Prom walk on t.v., it was discovered that the soup had simmered a bit too much. So an emergency pizza call was made and the newest chapter of the game began.

The Players:
Pearl the Wizard (Gnome) and Prickles the Hedgehog
Onyx the Rouge (her twin)
Roc the Paladin (½ elf)
Wolfgang the Druid (½ elf) and Ruger the Wolf

            When last this adventure ran, our group had saved an entire town. As we tuned in, the group was still surrounded by the celebrating village and were rewarded with any free item from the local merchant. The Paladin, Roc, took this time to try a sell the shield which was gifted to him by Pearl. (This was followed by much discussion over Roc's ungratefulness.   [[EMOTICON:ANGRY4]] ) After much time browsing the shop, Onyx ended up with some cool gauntlets, Pearl got some magic robes, Roc found a lion shield, and Wolfgang got a much needed ring of protection.
           
            The group then headed off to the tavern to continue enjoying their hero status with free dinners. Roc immediately started looking for evil to fight, but the closest he could find was the town's whore. Pearl watched as Roc tried to save her. Somehow, his words and flashing his holy symbol didn't sway her and after giving both her and her “friend” 5g each, Roc gave up. [[EMOTICON:GOODGRIEF2]]
       Meanwhile, Onyx was providing the  unknowingly Wolfgang with an unending supply of ale.
           
            The the group then headed to the inn and had to stop Wolfgang from turning into a bear to scare the townsfolk. (This is what he comes up with when drunk?[[EMOTICON:CONFUSED1]] )
           
            All, is peaceful at the inn except a little night visit to Wolfgang's room by Onyx who's trying to search through his belongings. Unfortunately, or fortunately (depending on which side your on), Ruger was guarding over his passed-out master, and Wolfgang woke to find the rogue spilling a story about wanting to try the large, scary wolf for a mid-night walk. And he believed it, or just wanted to go back to sleep.
           
            Morning arrives with much commotion. A large house on the far side of town is on fire and everyone is running to it. But once there, our hero's notice no one is actually doing anything about the blaze except watch. There is a child hear and 3 of the heroes run around back to go to the rescue. Once inside, a ring of fire appears and so does the demon, Na-athar. (This was corrected spelling handed down by DM.)

(Out of game, the rogue gets a text telling her she doesn't have to go back to work....there is a quick happy dance, some 'whoo hoos' and they head back into the game.[[EMOTICON:ROFL1]] )

            Roc suddenly falls through a hole in the floor. There's a small incident involving a bucket of water to someone's face, and the rest of the group goes into the hole. A fireplace is discovered with hand holds. Roc, after some false starts, begins to climb. The rest stay behind to figure out a 'Ruger sling' to get the wolf up the chimney. (Wolfgang begins to ask about the breaking & entering at the inn.)
           
            Halfway up, Roc can't help touching a strange looking stone. Suddenly, a fire trap starts coming down from above, and he falls back down to join the group.
            A very cool spell is quickly memorized and cast by Pearl, and suddenly the group is joined by “Spider-Gnome”. She straps the wolf sling to her and climbs the wall of the chimney, avoiding the odd stone. The rest climb up with some ease.
            Next, our heroes find a collection of precious stones. The rogue, not being able to help it, grabs the black sapphire and disappears. Pearl spider climbs above the emerald she grabs so she came jump into the trapdoor. Wolfgang and Roc both grab a stone and go through the trapdoor.

(Out of the game, DM tells the Gnomes to switch places. There are some worried glances and some have a bad feeling about this.)

            As it turns out, Pearl and Roc find themselves together in the same hall. While Wolfgang and Onyx are together in another hall. (Wolfgang asks about the break & entering at the inn.) Onyx's gem begins to vibrate and tries to fly away, but Onyx refuses to give up her gem that easy and hangs onto it until it explodes and burns her hands with acid. Pearl's emerald turns into a swarm of fire spiders and earns a hole in her pack. And finally, Wolfgang finds himself (plus Ruger) covered under 5 inches of ice thanks to his gem. onyx cools burnt hands.

            Pearl and Roc get the worse of the bad gems as they try to rid themselves of the fiery storm. A fumbled ray of frost hits the wall, and the lighting gauntlets kill some. But the ice storm finally kill them all off.

            Meanwhile, Wolfgang communicates with Onyx (one blink= yes, 2= no). She holds up an oil lamp and some tinder twigs (2 blinks). She holds up her crossbow and flaming arrow (many blinks). She holds up a miner's pick (many blinks). Finally, she just starts a fire near his feet and waits for the ½ elf and his wolf to melt.
Both pairs find doors with riddles. Pearl and Roc apparently answer correctly because their door opens.
            Wolfgang and Onyx are wrong and begin to explore their surroundings. (Wolfgang asks again about the breaking & entering at the inn.) They find another door, which after many attempts to unlock it or break it down, turns out to just push open. The room leads to a big Wrasp. Wolfgang finally gets to turn into a bear and kills the monster.

            Roc and Pearl find a Salamander with a flaming spear. Pearl hits it with lighting for 27 points, Roc hits it dead and gets his axe! Pearl finds a glowing dagger, and they both start grabbing all glowing weapons. The separated  heroes decided to make camp and find each other next time.
Tune in next time for the continuing adventures of Spider-Gnome and Prickle's ...I mean, Na-athar's Dungeon.

The Tally:
# of times a ½ elf turned into a bear: 1
# of times the Paladin “laid hands” to heal: we tried to look away
# of times the inn break-in was asked about: 6
# the prayer hands were used: 2
# of whores saved: 0 [[EMOTICON:FKISS1]]

What a wonderful way to spend the evening! [[EMOTICON:THUMBSUP2]] 

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Sun Apr 12 18:32:55 2009
Comment:

Great synopsis [[EMOTICON:LOL1]] .

I switched it to number 5 and put my disjointed notes in between as to keep it accurate for the adventure as a whole.

Can't wait to see where this goes!!!
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: HeatherN
Date: Sun Apr 12 21:09:33 2009
Comment:

Thanks for the recap!

The town whore escapade and the seemingly three-day chimney climb were truly brill moments! [[EMOTICON:GRIN2]]
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: HeatherN
Date: Sun Apr 12 21:12:16 2009
Comment:

Oh man, love the tally at the end.

The whore's going to have to reappear in this adventure...that's all there is to that!
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Kimba
Date: Sun Apr 12 23:42:16 2009
Comment:

I can't wait to continue the adventure. I hope work doesn't screw it up, and we can play. (Right now I'm closing Sunday but trying hard to change it.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[[ POST ]] HOW TO WRITE YOUR 1ST BLOG ==============================
Date: Mon Apr  6 02:00:32 2009
Title: How to write your 1st blog
Post:

After many failed tries, I'm finally attempting my own blog.
I have friends who are constantly giving me food for thought or entertaining me with their writings, and I hope to be half as interesting.

As with everything I do, I had a bit of trouble coming up with where to start. So I did what every modern, internet using person does...I 'Googled' it.
The site "How to write your 1st blog" told me to state:

1. "Who you are"...I am a single, Mid-West woman.

2. "Why you are bloging"...the site said this is the most important information to get across, and yet I'm still not sure why I feel the need to blog. As I already stated, the initial reason was to join friends already sharing their thoughts so freely. Maybe I just want to keep up with the others. Maybe I'd like to be able to express myself more freely. Maybe I'd like to have a place to put my thoughts if only to an unseen audience. I guess I'll discover that more as I continue.

3. "What you will be blogging about"...Whatever pops into my head. I love lists, so there may be a lot of those. I work, play D&D, am involved with theater, paint, read and have countless other things going on in my life. So I really can't pinpoint what I might be blogging about. You'll just have to wait and see.

I hope I can amuse you, give you something to think about or at the very least make you curious enough to check in again. (Though I can't promise how often I'll be posting.)

welcome to the inner workings of my brain...bwahahahaha!
have fun
Kimba

[[ COMMENTS ]] ==============================
Name: Daisy
Date: Mon Apr  6 02:04:42 2009
Comment:

Welcome to Blogstream, Kimba, and I hope you find what you are seeking.

~ Daisy
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Name: HeatherN
Date: Mon Apr  6 08:03:29 2009
Comment:

OMG!!!! You're here!!!! Welcome!!!!!

LOVE the title! Was my second choice. [[EMOTICON:LOVE1]]
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Name: Yuena Zhen
Date: Mon Apr  6 15:00:18 2009
Comment:

1st of all, welcome to the stream. [[EMOTICON:SMILEY1]]

2nd - I just read your 100 things about you list, and while most of it I already knew, I laughed out loud when I read about the 200 movies in your Netflix Queue. My thoughts were of the night you were sitting there while Captain Tiki ( [[EMOTICON:LOL1]] ) and I talked about how we were about out of movies on our queue. I can't help but wonder what was going on in your head!! [[EMOTICON:BLUSH1]]
[[ == ]] ==============================
Name: Kimba
Date: Mon Apr  6 23:16:20 2009
Comment:

Well I didn't want to sound like I was bragging or anything! [[EMOTICON:WINK2]] or maybe it would've just told how boring I am. [[EMOTICON:BLUSH1]]
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