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.

Old friends

It's nice to see a friend you haven't seen in a while. I got to see an old friend today and we had a great conversation. I like that even though we hadn't talked in a long time, we picked up and visited just like we had seen each other last week. She'll be in town through Monday and we might go to lunch Monday. Our visit was a highlight on an otherwise pretty blah week.

Too busy

A friend of mine succumbed to cancer. I haven't seen her in a month or so. I knew she was sick, but I just didn't seem to have time to call or visit and see how she was doing. There's always something going on. Now, I am feeling bad because she deserved more. I could have easily called her just to say Hi. I went to her viewing tonight and her husband, son and daughter in law all hugged me and seemed very happy to see me. I, of course, gave the usual platitudes of, "If you need anything at all..." But did I really mean it? I do mean it, but what happens next week when they don't call? I go on with my life. I think we all do this. We mean well. At least I do. But life intervenes. And that is sad. Linda, I miss you. I know you are in a better place. Your faith inspires me and I'm sorry that I wasn't there at the lowest points of your life. Thank you for being my friend.

Music, fun and friends

Last night my daughter in law had her 29th birthday party at my house. It was at my house because my son, daughter in law and their two daughters have moved in with me. Do they ever leave home? Just kidding, as I am happy to help them out and have them live with me even if I have lost some of my privacy. But that's another story.
We had probably about 30 or so friends over last night for the party. At least five of them brought their guitars and we had a couple of drums, so it was jam in the back yard night. I do hope my neighbors didn't mind. I didn't get any complaints, anyway. What I found so very interesting though, is that there was such a good mix of people and everyone had a great time. We had the musician, hippy set of friends, the amptgard, geek set of friends and friends that I have known for over 28 years that are almost family. Other than the fact that I am so tired today, I wish we could do this more often. The only thing missing last night were my online friends. Unfortunately, most of them live too far to come and I missed chat. But, we do have our get togethers, also.

Music and friends

My DIL and I went to a music jam tonight and enjoyed some great music and good friends. It's been awhile since I've done something like this. Having friends who are musicians does open doors. Singing and listening to them play is a great way to spend a night. I hated to have to leave, but tomorrow is a work day. Although one friend told me to just drink coffee, coffee, coffee. Maybe I'll go back out next week.

April's going

Here it is April 30th and I've neglected my blog all month. I have been very busy working. A 71 hour week and a 77 hour week make it hard to blog. Not to mention the time I couldn't get to my computer because I was in San Angelo. Anyway, I didn't want to get through April without at least one blog, so I guess I will post some random thoughts about my month.
April was an extremely busy month. With the removal of over 400 children in El Dorado, I ended up going to San Angelo to help out twice. I also had three adoptions consummated. I should feel like I accomplished alot, but right now I just feel relieved that April is over. May is looking good.
One of my young friends has started his own blog. So everyone should check out Chris's blog. I have it linked here as one of my favorites. Some of my very good friends celebrated birthdays this month. Happy birthday, my friends!
Sista went back to Canada. While I miss having her here, I know she was glad to get back to the mister and the kids. TORONTO SUCKS!!! GRITS RULE!!! That was for the mister.
Now, bring on May!

Busy

I feel like I have been neglecting my blog. I am so busy at work and stressed with work that when I do have down time, I can't think of anything I want to blog about. My supervisor keeps telling me that things are going to get better. Of course, she usually tells me this right before assigning me another case or otherwise needing me to do something. I was feeling so stressed earlier this month, that I felt like I was about to have a melt down. But I have some wonderful friends who helped me through it. You know who you are, guys. Now, nothing has lessened at work, but I've decided that I do what I can and the rest will still be there tomorrow. I've got to take care of myself also.

Friends

The greatest wealth in the world is to have friends. I don't mean people who say, "Oh yeah. You're my friend. See ya sometime." I mean friends that call you because they can see that you are in a crappy mood and want to make sure that you are allright. Or friends that call you at 3:00 AM because they are in pain and want someone to take them to the ER. That has happened to me and I'm still planning on an appropriate way to get back at him. Which is okay, because friends are allowed to reciprocate. Friends can yell at each other and be back to normal in hours because friends know more about each other than family ever will.
I treasure the few people that I can really call a friend because those few people know things about me that could get me in big trouble but, because they are my friends, will never use the information against me. Of course, this works inversely as well.

Chat

I enjoy chatting with wonderful friends I have made on one of the boards. We have a chat room that has really been hopping lately with ten or more members in the last couple of nights. Unfortunately, with that many in the room and all of us talking and visiting I don't always get a chance to read everything everyone says or to respond to everything. It can get a bit confusing also. Once in a while a new chatter will come in and have a difficult time keeping up due to the speed of the chatting and the quick change of topics. I was discussing this tonight with one of my friends in the chat room. Her motto is, Just jump right in. Brandy, you are absolutely right. It's hard for new folks to get started. I went through that when I first started chatting. But, it is worth it to get your feet wet. All new chatters are welcome. I hope we regulars don't seem rude or unapproachable. I think we get caught up in our individual chats sometimes and forget that new chatters are in the room. I am going to work on being more cognizant of that. Of course, being me, I will probably have to be reminded time and again of this goal.

I wonder

I've been pondering (to borrow a phrase from my good friend, sisser) about how people can say mean and hateful things about other people and then turn it around to look like they are the victim. I've had my fair share of arguments and yes, people who don't like me, but none of this has overtaken my life. I have friends who are accused of many things that they are innocent of on forums and then the accuser twists their own words to make it look like my friends started the accusations. I think that some people must not have fullfilling lives. I would feel sorry for them if it wasn't so scary.