Long year

Where have I been?  I have neglected my blog over the last year and here we are in 2013.  It's been a busy year, but that's not an excuse.  I just flat out haven't blogged.  So, I decided to recap some of the  major events of the year.  I took on a part time weekend job, so that keeps me busy.  My youngest was deployed to Iraq and won't be back in the states until June of this year.  (Sadness)  My dad passed away in May.   (that really put me in a funk)  My best friend was diagnosed with cancer, but she is doing well.  In fact, we spent most of today shopping.  My cousin got married and I think the third time is the charm for her!   I've been traveling for work almost non stop this last month or so.
I don't make resolutions, but I have decided that I need to relax more this coming year.  I am going to work on that.  I am going to try to spend more time with friends and family.  Here's to a great new year!!!

Excited?

I'm not quite ready to get excited yet, but I will be soon. One of my best friends is planning a cruise. We checked the Carnival website tonight and are looking at September. So, if all goes well, I'll have my 2nd cruise later this year. Sheer bliss.

Thanksgiving...A year later

Now that we are getting ready to celebrate another year, I can laugh about last year. I spent Thanksgiving last year with my son in Fayetteville, NC. He had just had surgery and wasn't getting around well. Therefore I did most of the shopping and preparing. He really wanted a fried turkey, so we bought a turkey fryer and oil. The night before Thanksgiving, I made the traditional pumpkin and pecan pies. The pumpkin pie turned out beautifully. But the pecan never set. I think maybe the altitude difference. Whatever the reason, we had soupy pecan pie. That's not too bad. Preparing the fried turkey was a problem. Two college graduates and we had trouble figuring out how to get the fryer put together. Then on Thanksgiving morning discovered that we had no matches or lighters in the house. So I got to drive to a convenience store buy a lighter. Once I got back, we couldn't get the dang thing to light. Once we figured out how to light it, the fryer wouldn't stay lit. Finally, we figured out how to keep it lit and got the turkey cooked. Thankfully his friend brought over a bottle of wine. I know that doesn't help cook a turkey, but it sure did help the turkey cooker. :)

What people reveal

Some people will post just about anything on Facebook. Tonight I read a post in which the poster was upset because she had to wait all day for her food stamps. Really? I don't think I would put that out there for the world to see. People post how much they hate their jobs...when their bosses are on their friend lists. I've seen huge fights between people on my friend list and people I don't know...but the whole fight is right there on Facebook. I don't know that social networking is as great as some people seem to think. At least people should think twice before they submit.

Decisions

Getting old sucks. Really. My stepmother is now 80 and because of her alzheimer's doesn't know anyone except my dad. She doesn't know where she is. She can't dress herself or do much of anything to care for herself. This is very difficult for my dad who has been trying to care for her. The stress has caused him to lose weight and put his health in jeopardy. That is why he has decisions to make. He is looking at nursing homes, but having a very difficult time of it. He knows that she will have better professional care in a home and that he will have less stress. But in his heart, he doesn't want to put her somewhere where she will not know anyone. It's difficult for him and all I and my brothers can do is support him in whatever he decides.

It's cold

I know, I know. Winter is supposed to be cold. But to have 62 degrees one day and 15 the next with windchill around -15 is crazy. I can handle cold, but having the wind blowing like that really blows. (Pun intended) I was driving to court in Levelland today and the snow drifts were brown. Only in West Texas. Well, I guess we just batten down the hatches and ride it out. I can't wait for my next cruise!

Neglect

I have neglected my blog. I could say I've been busy...and I am busy. But am I really so busy that I can't spend a few minutes occasionally on writing down my thoughts, ideas, happenings? No, I have to admit that I've simply been lazy. There is no excuse. It's true that I've been working, traveling, spending time with my grandbaby girl, but I also have time when I have nothing to do. So, I will try better. This is not a resolution. I don't do resolutions. They just get broken. But this is a goal that I will work on this year. We'll see how well I do.

Time marches on

My dad asked me to come over so he could show me some papers. He showed me where the life insurance policies and wills are for him and my my stepmom. He also showed me the burial plans they have made and paid for. He said he didn't want to add any more worries to me and my brothers when they pass away. Dang, I know these things are important, but I don't want to think of my dad and stepmom as being fragile. Time marches on, but I sure wish it would slow down for the parent generation. I'm not ready for my daddy to not be here.

Whew

Sooo...I'm zipping back to Lubbock from Amarillo this afternoon in my rental and pass a DPS car. I'm only going 72 and nobody gets pulled over for 72 on I27, so I don't slow down. Lo and behold, on come the lights and over I go. I can't believe it. The officer approaches my car and says, "Good afternoon, ma'am. I'm pulling you over because you don't have a front license plate and they are required in Texas." Whew! I quickly told him that I was in a rental and showed him the contract. I told him where I work and why I was traveling today. He smiled and asked me to do him a favor. Of course I said, 'Sure." He asked me to tell the rental company that they need a front license plate and then told me to have a good day. What a nice officer!

What do you think?

I was talking with a friend about how slow the forums have been. Is it the fault of Facebook? Facebook does seem to take a lot of time, but I don't think it can take the place of forums and blogs. Of course, if I spent as much time blogging as I do facebooking, I might run out of things to say. The way I see it, forums and blogs allow one to analyze, debate and consider things in depth. Facebook is more of a snapshot of what you may have on your mind at any particular moment in addition to socializing and playing games. I like the fact that I can stay in touch with family, friends and even ex-inlaws on facebook that I haven't seen in awhile. I couldn't tell you the political or religious views of most of my friends on facebook. And that's okay. The forums cover that.

That's what I think. What do you think?

Adventures in Flying

I was booked on a flight from Lubbock to Dallas this morning at 9:30. When I checked in I was told the plane might be delayed because Lubbock ILS (Instrument Landing System) wasn't working and without ILS the pilot has to be able to see the runway. The cloud level was at 600 feet, which means the pilot can't see the runway. So we wait..and wait...and wait. Then we were told that planes with crews trained in the GPS system could land. Unfortunately, the crew on our plane wasn't trained. So we wait...you get the picture. Finally, another crew was put on the plane in Dallas and here came our plane. We boarded and were ready to take off a little after 12:30. We taxied out to the runway and then sat. The pilot then announced that we were going back to the gate. Apparently, the computer system said the number two engine had a problem. The pilot announced that maintenance would come check it out and we would be on our way. So we wait...and wait. There is no maintenance on site on Saturday. The mechanic had to be called at home. Then we were told to get our belongings and deboard the plane. We were going to fly on another plane from another gate. Unfortunately, the plane we were to board was not in Lubbock yet. So we wait. The plane landed. We boarded. We taxied out...and waited. Then, the pilot announced that we were going back to the gate to pick up some flight attendants who needed a flight to Dallas. Due to the weather, the flight attendants had to remain seated during the flight. So we didn't even get peanuts. We finally landed in Dallas about 4:30 this afternoon. All in a day's work.

What am I most afraid of?

We all get those emails that ask questions so that others can get to know you better. You know the ones...favorite drink, birthday, etc.

One question on those surveys (for lack of a better word) is what are you most afraid of. I've never really been able to answer that question because I truly didn't have an answer. Yes, I have fears. I'm afraid of rattlesnakes, but I certainly don't lose sleep over it. I'm afraid of making a fool of myself sometimes, but again I don't lose sleep over it. To me, the answer to this question should be the one thing that will send you into a cold panic, and I've never been afraid of anything to that extent...until my surgery. Now I know what I am most afraid of. Losing control of my body. I was given a spinal tap. What the doctor didn't tell me was that I would not be able to feel or move my legs as I was waking up. I could see them, but unable to even wiggle a toe. In addition to this, my body temperature was 93. The nurse put heated blankets around my head and on my body, essentially demobilizing me. I realize that I was still groggy from the spinal, but never have I felt as panicked as I did in that recovery room. All I could think was that I couldn't move and I couldn't help myself or protect myself if anything happened. I didn't panic outwardly, but my mind was not in a good state. I never want to experience this again.

New Year

Yes, the new year is here. And I, for one, am going to be a whole new me! Okay, that's a bad joke for having a total hysterectomy. I'll blame it on the drugs I am taking since I just had surgery yesterday. I'm feeling good, now. I have never had a spinal block before and I'm not sure I ever want to again. Yes, having morphine in my system for 24 hours was nice, but coming out of surgery and not being able to move my legs, feet or toes is one of the scariest feelings I have ever had. I like being in control. I was not in control of my body for awhile yesterday. I don't like that and hope I never have to go through that again.
On the bright side, I have been given the best care imaginable. My doctor is awesome and the nurses have been wonderful. And, I plan on being more energetic than I have for months or possibly even years.
Last, but not least, I have the most wonderful friends anyone could ask for. Thank you to all of you who have encouraged me and prayed for me. You guys are the greatest!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all. This is a time for reflection and giving thanks. I'm not going to get sentimental or into deep pondering (to borrow a phrase from a good friend), but I do want to say thanks to all my friends near and far. A life without friends would be lonely indeed. As this year draws to a close, know that while I usually don't say it, I value each and every one of you. Thank you for being a part of my life.

21 days

Passport - check
Luggage - check
Excitement - check
21 days and counting until I am cruising. I and about 16 co-workers and friends are headed to warm seas and I can't wait. No phones, no computers, no working. And I absolutely refuse to talk about work while we are gone. This is a vacation. :)

Normal?

I have never given much thought whether my family would be considered "normal". But, apparently activities that I enjoy with my sons are not run of the mill activities for most families. I have been sky diving twice and would have gone the third time, but the planes were grounded due to heavy clouds. The first time I sky dived was also the first time for both my boys. The instructor was quite surprised that mom and boys were jumping. My youngest loved it and now skydives when he can. My second time to skydive was when he graduated from West Point. He jumped right before I made the tandem jump and we have a cool DVD of the jump. I visited him a couple of weeks ago in North Carolina and we went to the wind tunnel. He has a membership and goes almost daily. He also skydives almost daily. I got to go in the tunnel and loved it. It's probably a good thing that there are no wind tunnels near here. I don't know if I could afford it. Both of my sons like to go to paintball with me. And they are brutal. A friend of my youngest told me that I was lucky to be his mom because he wouldn't try to kill me. Ha! I'm the first one he shoots. And honestly, if he wasn't such a quick kid, I would have taken him out! I'm not sure what "normal" moms do with their kids, but I wouldn't change the things I do with mine. I may be "vieja" (the little brat's word for me), but I have fun. And so do they.

Flying

I fly a lot. But, apparently I have never flown when I have had sinus problems. I have never felt the pain flying that I felt this morning as the plane was descending into Dallas Love Field. My left eye felt like it was ready to pop out. And my left sinus cavity definitely was and still is to an extent bleeding. Take off and the flight itself didn't bother me at all. It was the descent. Knowing this, I was somewhat prepared that I might have pain as my next leg of the flight started descending into Kansas City. I was prepared, but once again, the pain was pretty bad. I discovered that if I press my temple and rub, the pain is lessened greatly. That is good to know as I am in the Kansas City Airport waiting for the next leg to Chicago and from Chicago to Raleigh/Durham. Two down and two more to go. At least I know it's going to hurt and that I can alleviate the pain somewhat. It's worth it though. I have a week to enjoy the ambience of North Carolina and my son (even though he will do his best to annoy me. That's why we have such a good relationship.)
Bonus for having my longest layover in KC...free Internet. Not all airports offer that. :)

Trust

I got a call asking if I wanted to go on a cruise. I should have said no. Why? Because I know the friend that asked and I know that he tends to act without thinking. Here we are, six days away from departure and he finally contacts the cruise line to finish up the plans. There are supposed to be five of us on this cruise. There are no reservations. Apparently my friend got scammed. Now, I have a week off work and no cruise. Luckily, I had only paid $100 so far and my friend is promising to get that back to me tomorrow. He hopes to be able to get his money back. He was afraid that I wouldn't talk to him anymore. I told him that I won't stop talking to him just because he's an idiot. He can't help it. I am upset that a trip that I was really looking forward to isn't going to happen. I'm also kicking myself because I know that I should not have left the details in my friend's hands even though he called me about going. Luckily, there are about 20 coworkers that I am going to go on a cruise in November with. I still plan on taking off most if not all of next week. I don't know what I plan on doing, but hey, I have a round trip ticket on Southwest that I can use if I want. Hmmmmm, whatever I do, I am not letting someone else do the planning.

I feel so bad

I have been ignoring my blog. I have things I want to write about, but life just seems to get in the way. I am going to try to do better, but not today. Today I went to the doctor with a 101.5 temp and sinus infection. I'm just trying to make my throat and ears quit hurting today.

My friend

I want to blog a series about my trip to Cancun. But not tonight. Tonight I want to say good bye to a dear, dear friend. Nancy has been a close friend, family for all intents and purposes, for the last 29 years.
Nancy, we shared laughs and tears. We've gone dancing, had Thanksgiving and Christmas together, played cards and drank endless cups of coffee at the table together. We didn't get to go on the cruise we were planning last year, but you are now on your final journey. Take care, my friend. You have loved ones here that will miss you dearly. But, I know that you are now pain free and joining those who went before you. Give George and Henry big hugs for me. I miss and love you.