A Time To Reflect

Well, here it is the dusky hours of 2007...

I was just sitting here reflecting on my past year, and the changes that have been made. Where was I one year ago, today.. How has my life been altered?

It hasn't.....

I am in the same position with work that I have been in for several years. Okay, I make a few more pennies. But my point is that I am no closer to being at home every night. No closer to getting off the road... No husband in sight. No pets to snuggle with.

My love life, well, it is in the same dire position that it was a year ago.. No ships sailing in the horizon.

Financially, I may have paid down a few balances, but still do not have the down payment for a house.

It just seems to me that this year yielded no fruit... I am no better off than I was at the end of 2006, with the exception of being more physically fit. And even that needs to be worked on still.

I am not going to post a bunch of resolutions that will go unaccomplished or forgotten by the end of January.... Rather simply, I will acknowledge there are a few things that I need to put more perspective into... Actually work towards some goals and not just state that I am going to do it.

Moving to Alabama in 2008 seems very daunting to me at this moment. The current position I hold right now is the single most consistent thing in my life, and I would be lying if I said it didn't scare the crap out of me to think of giving it up. But I also know this, If I do not give it up and move home, I will be in the exact same situation on New Years Eve of 08...And that my friends, is not acceptable.

I want a home to call my own. I want to sleep in my bed every night of the week. I want to be able to have a pet. I want a yard to plant flowers in. And the only way to obtain all of that is to say goodbye to my beloved NorthEast Route...... I absolutely love that route and all the people I see each and every week.. But I know in my heart, I would love the above mentioned desires even that much more.

Don't look for me to walk away from it in the next month or two, but this is definitely the year it is going to happen.

Game Called On Account Of PAIN

I Have been doing wonderful on my latest attempt at gearing up for the big run. Yeah, I know, it is 5 months away (no, reason that I should not be ready). Sometimes I get a little rushed and don't stretch as well as I should. Sometimes I don't cool down as long as I should. So, this go round, I decided to do it the proper way and actually get the results I am striving for...

I have streeeeeeetched, and I have cooled down . I alternate running and walking so as not to over do it.

I get to Bama this weekend to spend just a little extra time with the Bro and his Family. We break out the new Wii to play a little friendly game of bowling.. See, last weekend, while playing against Asti Spumanti, I finally developed a technique that guaranteed a strike every frame... I wanted to show off my new form....Instead, on the first roll of the first frame...

I pulled my hamstring!!!!

Seriously pulled it... The Bri-Baby has to help me in and out of my shoes and I have learned to hobble with grace and finesse in the past few hours.... The muscle is screaming from the butt all the way down through the back of my knee, but what is feels like is someone played a good round of frogger on me arse.

I even brought all my running gear so I could continue my efforts while out of town, but I think I am going to have to pass for now....

Back To The Grind

I am pleased to announce that I was able to get another 5 miles in today.... The first 2 were quite the struggle, as I just could not seem to clear my mind and my muscles were screaming to stop. The next mile was the inevitable decline of my will power. I ended up walking / jogging this one. And just to finish it off, I did the last 2 miles in at barely more than a fast walk.

But it still counts, right? Of course it does. Consistency is the most important thing at this point. I have 5 months to be totally prepared to run an amazing race in the RedWoods.... Yeah, I should totally be ready by then.

Sucker Punched.....Yikes

It has been so nice being off from work these past ten days. The time spent with friends and family was definitely delightful. But honestly, I am ready to get back to work.



Now, If I had a mini-vacation planned then I would appreciate the fact that the Boss Man just called and told me that I would be off an additional eight more days. I know originally, I posted that I would be off two weeks, with no pay, but that original game plan had been changed. We had the option to work the 3 days after Christmas.... The potential for income on those three days was not enough to merit coming home early from my Bama excursion. So, I opted for two days holiday pay, and 3 days partial unemployment. We had also been told that it would be back to business starting with deliveries on Jan 2nd.



So, I fully expected to climb into my Truck on New Year's Day and get to it.



Kapow.... oh this hurts.....



I just received a text, asking if I wanted to be off next week as well. WOT?! Feeling confused, I called the Boss Man and jokingly remarked, "I did not know next week was optional, ha ha ha?!"



Turns out it is. You see, all the larger runs were taken by those who have more seniority, That leaves a Chattanooga and three Atlanta runs, which would be merely okay if I could run all four of them. But I am only able to choose ONE. And just so you know, none of those deliveries would earn even $100.



Oh Dear, I was definitely not prepared to be off for eighteen days. Looks like I better go stock up on the saltines and bologna...



I know it sounds like a lot, but I would have only worked eight of those days had it not been a holiday. And out of those eight days, I am actually receiving three days of holiday pay, and am also eligible for 7 seven days of unemployment....

But why look a gift horse in the mouth. Hey, now I can get caught up on everything on my To Do list.....Any body need any chores done??

Georgia Drought 2007

With the New Year approaching rapidly, it is time to dust off those resolutions. Get back on track, so to speak.

So, this week I began running/walking again. Five miles running alternating with one hour of walking every day that I am home, and out on the road with weather cooperating. I managed to get my five miles in yesterday which really helped to quiet the holiday blues that I have been experiencing since I let go of Superman. Today, I opted for one hour of walking (don't want to overwork those little muscles).



I thought this would be the perfect time to introduce you to my pleasant little jogging path. I really wish that I had taken a picture of it back before the drought, so you could see how different it looks. But at least you can get an idea.

The track is approximately a half mile course around what use to be a delightful little pond. It was home to all sorts of wildlife including deer, red fox, mallards, and the occasional Canadian Geese. Oh, and there was that Blue Heron that made an appearance last spring. But as you can see, the watering hole has dwindled drastically in size. Yes, there is water present in these photos, but that is due to a substantial amount of rain over the past few weeks. Not nearly enough to break the drought. In fact, if you click the link provided above, you will see that the predictions for 2008 are much worse.

This photo is a bit more revealing. In all actuality, one third of this shot should be nothing but water.

In fact, this is the most water I have seen in the pond in over 5 months. *sigh* and I have to yet to see any wildlife since June. It still offers a nice place to get away from it all and stretch my legs, but I hope it not destined to remain this way for much longer.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Well, I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.







Mine was just as wonderful as always. I got to spend four days in Huntsville with the brother's family and his in-laws. That is always a treat.







On Saturday night, we went out for an evening without the children in tow. It was a delightful experience, as I got to dress up a bit more than normal.







Sunday we ventured down the road a bit to spend the afternoon with the Mother in Law's family. That was also a treat. I did not have intentions of attending this function, but when I found the Bri-Baby whimpering in a corner, I changed my mind. She told me that she was sad that she had to spend the afternoon away from me. So, I changed my plans and tagged along. It turned out to be quite an experience. My brother and I ended up out in the yard playing tag with about 15 kids.







Monday (Christmas Eve) , I picked my mother up for some last minute shopping (not my fault someone else had already purchased the exact same item) and lunch... There is always a moment or two spent with her and some heart felt topic of conversation... I wish I could do something to put a big smile on her face! Alas, it was par for the course. Monday evening (back at the ranch) after happy hour and a lovely pork tenderloin dinner, we commenced to opening presents. woo hoooo. We finished out the evening playing with the new Wii gaming console.





Christmas Day...... We commenced to playing the Wii again, had breakfast and passed out stockings, to which I have my own hanging on the mantel in Huntsville ( BIG SMILE). G even cross stitched a little reindeer on it for me last year. And then we were off.....





I headed to Russellville, Alabama to visit my oldest brother and his family. There we spent hours bowling and golfing..... (on the Wii) and it was so much fun.. Family time is awesome, and I do not get enough of it. Soon though, very soon!





The next morning (today) I was up at the crack of dawn to head home.





I will actually head back that way Saturday to spend another night in Huntsville before heading to Tuscumbia to have Christmas Dinner at my Father's house.





You know, I felt very loved this week. And it felt really good. So here is my display of the gifts I received this year..

Look !! Two new reindeer for my collection, Thanks Sammie!!

Wii Would Like To Introduce ...

Over the Christmas Holidays, it seems the big must have item is the Wii game console.



After spending a little time with playing with the Bri-Baby and Wonder Boy on their new game console, I ventured over to the oldest Brother's home and spent several hours competing with Asti Spumante and family. This is the most awesome interactive gaming console I have ever played with and now I want one too.



But the purpose of this post, my friends is to introduce you to my oldest nephew and my oldest brother. You see, you are able to create your own characters to use on the Wii system, and these two characters could not have been more realistic in appearance.



Check it out, Rick.... I can not stop laughing!! OMG.... it looks just like Bobby Jeff......

Pee Wee's Next Big Adventure

OMG... I am totally going to do this !

I just got through exchanging a few emails with the darling and delightful Mischka. She is going to begin training for a half-marathon race to be held May 4th, 2008. I myself had just gotten home from running for an hour and felt completely exhilarated.

Now, a half marathon seems unfathomable to myself at this time, but I was thinking I could fly out for a visit and cheer her on, maybe help her celebrate this accomplishment. She simply mentions that there is a 10K and sends me the link. After browsing the site for a mere 30 seconds, I declared my urgent lust to experience this course for myself....

So, stay tuned boys and girls.....Here in about 5 months, this little girl will be leaving on a jet plane to take a run through the Redwoods! Ahhhh, I am so excited!!!

A Moment Of Truth

I am very blue right now....

I am so tired of waiting for the next boyfriend to come along. I would just like to meet the One. Whereas I never have any problem finding a boyfriend, they just never seem to be the One.

I guess this is just the Holiday Blues setting in, and I am having my own personal pity party. But really, I am 35. No children, no pets, and my family lives miles away... I am planning on making the move closer to home which will help with these feelings, but is it too much to ask that I have someone to share my life with, someone to make life long memories with....

I just feel like having a good cry...but will that solve anything.. NO, oh well... Maybe next year.