New Year Fast Approaching!

Where did 2010 go?  I mean, SERIOUSLY?  I look back at the year...a lot of craziness, for sure...and some big change.  If anything, I hope I learned to love more, and continue to pray that the people of this world become more accepting of each other...become more loving!

Ethics?

All kidding aside, when faced with an ethical decision, choose in the right...what is right according to the rules, policy, etc.  It will come back and bite you if you choose to try to cheat the system, and it would that really be worth maybe the few bucks you gained by breaking the rules?

This Week Is Looking Better...

...than last!  At least I have next week off...followed by 2 4-day weeks!  YIPPIE!!!

Okay...so I got a PSP as my Christmas gift, and I can quickly see myself becoming addicted...LOL.  Well, between that and those blasted Angry Birds!

Not Having A Good Day!

Today has not been good for me.  Don't want to go into too many details...as you never know who may be reading.  Let's just say that some things need to change, and they really need to change soon.  I'm tired of the current situation...really tired. 

My Little Goth Christmas Tree

Another Little Work!

I got stuck in traffic on a bridge last week, and took this with my iPhone as I sat there.

Ready For Some Dreary Weather!

Latest Work Of Art

Was standing outside with my dear husband the other night, and the moon was showing through the trees.  The image simply inspired me, so I had to capture it!

LimeWire File-sharing Shut Down, and Other Musings

We all knew it was a matter of time.  I, for one, did not use the service, because I didn't want to get caught up in all the legal crap of illegal downloading.  I know some people who are going to be ticked!!!  Oh well, I've been warning them for years.

Okay, so I have a problem.  It was my understanding that there would not be a costume day at work this year, so I only ordered one temporary spiderweb tattoo for my costume (Abby Sciuto).  Well, at the last minute, they have decided to have a contest.  I can't use the only tat I have, because I need it for a party Sunday night.  If I had the money right now (at least $50), I would just get it applied with henna and be done with it, but I don't have the spare cash right at the moment, and Friday morning will be to late.  So, I've done some research, and I think I'm going to get some tracing paper, a black marker, and some liquid bandage, and have my husband draw it on the night before.  I mean, I need to do that with the arm tattoos as it is.  Ugh...this isn't going to be fun...

Douglas Adams Quote Day

“In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.”

“There is a theory which states that if ever for any reason anyone discovers what exactly the Universe is for and why it is here it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another that states that this has already happened.”

“I seldom end up where I wanted to go, but almost always end up where I need to be.”

“We have normality. I repeat, we have normality. Anything you still can't cope with is therefore your own problem.”

“In order to fly, all one must do is simply miss the ground.”

And one all should know.....

“The Answer to the Great Question Of.....Life, the Universe and Everything.....(is) Forty-two.”

New Favorite Gibbs Quote

(After McGee rambles on about phone apps) "You got an app for doing your job, McGee."

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1.03.01

Road Bumps

Why must life contain so many road bumps and potholes?  Why isn't it possible to find a nice, smooth, paved road to ride on every now and then?  I am ready for a smooth ride...even if just for a little while!

Good Thing The Cruise Wasn't THIS Week...

Our friends on the ship have run into some nasty weather due to the tropical storm in the Gulf.  Yesterday, they had could not dock in Jamaica.  Today, they were set to bypass Grand Caymen.  One of our friends described the ship bouncing around like a toy boat in the bathtub with 3 toddlers!  Sounds pretty nasty out there.

I set up a web site today for my photographic works of art.  Trying to get the ball rolling to turn this "hobby" into a way of life for me.  Figure the first step is exposure, and the web is great place for that!

What A Day!!

Things have been a little crazy at work today after returning from vacation.  A couple of things have also emerged on the home front that are bringing a bit of stress.  I already want to be back on the boat!  I don't care if they don't get paid jack.  Put what I want into storage (including my car), sell the house, and go get a job on a cruise ship.  Room and board plus about $300/week?  I think I can do that...LOL.

I have tried to de-stress today by doing a little photo editing work and updating my online gallery.  Just a sample:

Ugh! Just What I Thought!

Well, the scale was not my friend this morning.  I had done so well to get within about 6 lbs of my goal weight before the cruise, but now I'm up about 7.  Hoping it is mostly water weight from all that rich food and not drinking enough water.  I know we did a lot of walking which would count as exercise, and I really didn't go overboard on the food.  Did some shopping today to get some foods to help me back on track, and back to the gym for me tomorrow.

Vacation Is Over :(

Home from my vacation.  I had a blast!!!  I made some new great friends, and reconnected with others.  I have mixed feelings about being home.  I mean, I'm not ready to go back to work and live in the real world again...bills, house work, teenagers driving you insane, etc.  At the same time, as much as I would love to just go to work on a cruise ship or something, I don't think that kind of life would be good for my health!  Our new friends are members of the crew...lots of late nights, little sleep, etc.  I guess that is what balance is all about!

RAIN...RAIN...RAIN!!!

Yes, I know it has been a while since my last post.  Life has been crazy!!!  Things are finally starting to get back to their normal chaos.

I have enjoyed working from home this week and enjoying the rain brought by Hermine.  I get to enjoy it much more than if I were at work.  There is something so relaxing about the sound of the rain on the roof (which I would never hear in an office building).  Not to mention, with my commute, the rain would only cause tremendous stress on the drive in and home again, which would defeat the purpose of my love for the rain!

My vacation cruise is only about a week and a half away!  I thought it would never get here!!!

Prayer

Never let anyone stand between you and the Father! Rush into the throne room singing praise, and straight into the Father's arms!

Peeves Of The Day

1. Having to repeat myself over and over again...especially when I have to do it via email or IM.  I mean, I typed it plainly...you can't mumble when typing...but I still end up having to repeat my self over and over!

2.  People who feel they need to go behind your back or over you to get what they want, because they can't get the answer they want out of you.  You tell them no, you tell them why (and it isn't anything personal, you state factual reason why they can't do or can't have what they want) as the expert in the matter, and they go around you to a person who has no knowledge of the issue to get approval!  Then, you have that person ordering you to find a way to do it, even after you had already discussed with them in the past the reasons it shouldn't/couldn't be done in the first place!!

Geezzz...The Cell Phone Has Really Come A Long Way!

Saw this article on CNN today:

Inventor of the Cell Phone: We Knew Someday Everyone Would Have One

I remember the first cell phones!  They were so expensive, but being a "tween" to teen at the time, I thought they were amazing!!  Cell phones and car phones!  I promised myself that one day I would have one or the other!!  I mean, back then, they were so expensive...about $5,000 to buy one, and that wasn't even covering the "service plan"!!  But they were very cool, and I was sure that I was going to be that important when I grew up!

I finally got one in 1999...an old Motorola flip phone!  One would look back now, and think it was the most primitive, bulky, ugly thing on the planet...but I loved my phone!  It meant that I didn't have to sit around the house waiting for that one phone call that was either my ex-husband finally saying he wanted to see his son (and he always got mad if I was not home to answer his call), or a new job opportunity...or even a friend that I hadn't heard from in a long time who decided to call!  Nope...I quickly got call forwarding on my land line, and forwarded my calls to my new cell phone...and off I went!  Took the kids for a day at the park, ice cream, shopping at the mall...whatever our hearts desired!

Today, I have an iPhone...a personal computing device, camera, mp3 player, and phone that all fits in the palm of my hand!!  Not only do I not have to sit home and wait for a phone call, but I can get directions to that new mall that opened up, take pictures of my children (now adults or near adults) doing something crazy, and then email those pictures straight to my mom in a matter of minutes, all while having access to some of my music!  Boy, how far have we come!!!

Tired...

Things have been crazy...still!  Will it ever slow down?  I often wonder.  Wouldn't be so bad if it were just work, because then I could walk away from it at the end of the day or for a weekend...but it is everything...everywhere!  I'm really going to need my vacation when September gets here.

I am a bit excited.  The company I work for is being acquired, and they will be paying out my stock options.  There is also talk that they may pay out my unused vacation so that I can start fresh on their vacation plan.  If so, I'm buying a very nice digital SLR camera to use in my new found hobby of photography!  I already have an idea of which one I will buy, and I'm really hoping things will pay out before our vacation...both so I can have the camera on the trip, and so we will have a little additional play money!

One Of My Latest Creations

For some reason, I just love this picture:

One can view my online portfolio HERE.

Finally Getting An iPhone

So, because my husband wanted the new iPhone 4, I will be taking over his iPhone 3G.  I think it will be cool...will probably find it very useful.  Just haven't seen the NEED for myself to have one as I've always been good with my regular cell phone.  I don't know.  Will have to play with it and see how "WOW" I am about it.

Other than that, it has been a killer week already...not in a good way.  I've been super busy, and I feel so drained!  I need a break.

Burn Out!!!

I really hate these periods when I have to work 12 days with no day off!  8 days in, and I'm feeling total burn out.  I'm cranky...I'm moody...and I have a feeling that everyone needs to stay the heck out of my way!

First Day of Summer

Today is the first day of summer.  Me, personally?  I'm not too keen on the idea!  I know there are those that are excited about the coming months...trips to the lake, barbecues.  No, all I think of is sun, heat, humidity, and no rain in sight for months!  I already miss the winter AND the rainy spring!

I Need A Vacation....NOW!

I don't know if I can last until September!  Things are so crazy right now, I just want to run away.  Between work, kids, everything else...I feel like I'm running ragged 24/7!

Interesting Day!

Found out today that the company I work for is being acquired by another, much larger, company.  Acquisitions and mergers are always interesting transitions!  It sounds like the whole thing could be of great benefit to me, and there is a little bit of excitement.  Things will definitely be different by the end of the year!

New Inspiration!

I found someone who's work I aspire to be like! I've recently been thinking about taking my hobby of photography seriously (started my own online portfolio at http://www.wix.com/SubiGirl/DarkImagryPhotography). Today, I came across a photographer who's work I am simply in love with...Annie Bertram (http://www.anniebertram.com/)! This is the kind of style I would like in my own work...with my own twist, of course. I mean, this is one of mine:

Here is one of Annie Bertrams:

Why?

Why is it that people put in same day requests after 2 p.m.? How is that even legal?

Update!

Well, none of the things I had in the fire panned out. Huge disappointment! Instead, I figure I'm going to simply just work on my thoughts about things for now. I heard this in a sermon this past Sunday, and I am holding on to it...TIGHTLY:

"I was not delivered into this world in defeat, nor does failure course in my veins."

Favorite Video Of The Moment

Favorite Abby Sciuto Quotes

"If I keep going to Crazytown every time one of you gets hurt, I'm going to have to have my mail forwarded."

"I have guns in my Ballistics Lab, and I know how to use them."

It Could Be Worse...

You could be having one of those dreams where you go to work in your underwear, only to realize...YOU'RE NOT DREAMING!

Okay, so that would probably still be better, because then I would have an excuse to turn right around and go home!

Please keep praying!  The things I have in the works may start to reveal their outcomes here very soon.  Please pray for things to work out in my favor!!! 

Still Looking For The Light

Still going through some tough times.  My dear husband bought me roses yesterday to cheer me up!!  He is such a wonderful man!!!

Yes, I'm Still Here!

Still hanging in there.  Heard some news today on one of the things I've going cooking, so hopefully that will pan out here soon, and I can get a much needed change!

Too Cute!

 

If toast always lands butter-side down, and cats always land on their feet, what happens if you strap toast on the back of a cat and drop it?

Still Waiting To Hear...

Really hoping that the coal I have on the fire results in something good!  In the mean time, ponder this:

"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes." -Jack Handey

Quote Too Good To Pass Up!

“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.” -Robert McCloskey

Trying To Hang In There

It is getting more and more difficult every day to get myself out of the house and come to this place that I find myself hating more and more each day!  Yesterday, I just wanted to cry because of how bad I didn't want to be here.

I have decided on a creative outlet...photography and editing.  I learned how to do selective coloring the other day, and I think these are pretty good.

Thought Of The Day!

If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?

Serenity Prayer

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference."

Praying for something to break soon!  I know God is my provider, and my keeper.  I know He doesn't like the things that are happening right now, and He will deliver me through all of this!

Still Hangin' In There

Keep praying.  Put a few more coals on the fire, and still trying to get things worked out for the better.  Still dealing with feeling under the weather.  Yesterday and today felt flu-like symptoms, and my headache returned this afternoon (but I know what the trigger is).  Something is going to break soon...I know it is!

 

Light On The Horizon?

 Things have been on a downward spiral...constant stress, not feeling well...no hope in sight.  That was until this week.  There is some light at the end of the tunnel.  Be praying that some things I have in the works come to pass, as they will make my life much better!

Grrr!!! Days Are Here Again

Yes, the Grrr!! face is back!  Things are not going well, and this is how I feel!  I would be nice to just one day...one day...be able to post something positive on here for once, instead of wanting to go lock myself in a sound-proof room and scream at the top of my lungs!

Responses I Wish Were Acceptable

"Have you ever heard of a little thing called PATIENCE?"

"Really? Every day? Don't you have anything better to do than bug me?"

"Um...hello?  Could you please verify that there IS a problem before sending the issue to me?"

Stupidty Has Run Amok!!!!

Not Looking Any Better!

Got slammed with work the second I got to the office this morning, and still haven't gotten to have a break.  Sucks, because my husband wanted to go have lunch with me, but I can't even leave here to do that because I'm not at a good stopping point!  I'm feeling so burned out!

Not A Good Day!!!

I'm not having a good day today...not at all.  Lots of stress.  An urge to go into a room and scream at the top of my lungs.  The worst is people asking dumb questions today...stuff where the answer is right there in front of them, but it is like they are trying to get something different from me.  I have been interrupted numerous times with this kind of thing today.  I mean, if it says right in front of you in the ticket "All sites are to have the same name and url", why are you coming back and asking me if the requester asked for all sites to be the same name and url?  It says it plainly right there in the ticket!  If I respond that something is designed a specific way by development, and that is the way it is, why do you come back and ask ME if there is any way to work around it rather than asking the developers?  I just told you...this is the way it is!  If I knew of a work around, I would have told you!  Makes me want to ask all of them a very important question: "Do you have ANYTHING better to do than bug me, because I have way too much to do to sit here and entertain your stupid questions!"

Blog Redesign Again

 I'm really happy with the latest redesign of my blog.  I think I'm getting a little better with manipulating the HTML code.  Was just too plain before, so I had to spruce it up a bit.

Flipping through channels today, I just realized that Danny Glover was in the movie "Saw".  Why?  I guess it was a pretty big movie, and he made some good money from it.  I just didn't expect someone with Danny's reputation to be in a movie like "Saw".

Speaking of movies...I so want to do a "Final Destination" marathon, though no one else in my house appreciates those movies the way I do.  LOL.  I'll have to find some weekend when I have the house to myself or something.

Did a little cleaning today.  Now, that my son has FINALLY moved his junk to the bigger bedroom, we can start thinking about using the spare room we have.  Part storage...part exercise room.  Maybe put a twin bed in there in case we have a guest for church or something.  I now have a whole closet to use for things like our Christmas decorations, so the Rubbermaids are just stacked in a corner somewhere.  We have a place to put the bikes so that they are not out in the middle of everything where everyone who comes in the house can see them.  It's kinda nice to have a spare room...something we never really had with 3 kids.

Candle Of The Lord

Lord, I am your candle
Gently flickering in the darkness
I may be small and shy
But this is far from weakness

My flame goes to and fro
As I dance a dance for you
My light shines brightly
The darkness I break through

Not wind nor rain will ever
Extinquish my burning flame
For I will live my life
Declaring your Holy name

Natural Healing

Was thinking today, I would like to share of my natural remedies, seeing as God has given us everything we need on this earth:

1. Clary Sage Oil - Use in an oil burner close to you to help with stress, tension, or insomnia.

2. Green Tea - Antihistamine...drink at least one cup of quality green tea during allergy seasons.

3. Thyme - Decongestant...add to your tea in a steeper when brewing.  It is an acquired taste, so try a little at first, and increase to taste.

4. Chocolate - Primarily dark chocolate...natural pain reliever and a daily serving will do the same for your heart as an aspirin a day.

5. Tea Tree Oil - Put in shampoo to help treat head lice, or put in pet shampoo to help treat for fleas.  Can also be used to help treat acne.

Those are my tips for the day!  Now, if I can get through this work day without having the NEED for chocolate!

Music...

I've really been getting into organizing my music lately...ever since iTunes lost it's mind on the last update, and ended up wiping out my library file!  I had to reimport ALL of my music (from the hard drive, of course).  For some reason, when the stuff imported, the work I had done categorizing stuff was not coming across correctly.  I had a bunch of stuff that listed as Unknown Artist/Unknown Album, when I could look at the files on the drive and see their ID tags were correct.

Anyway, in getting everything back to the way it was (including ALL my playlists, which were now gone), I started digging into how stuff was classified.  I found out I could put in keywords for my stuff, and then I can group by the keywords, especially when a group crossed genres...like New Romanticism and Post-Punk.  I've been doing research on the web, looking up how things are supposed to be labeled.  This has been quite a learning experience, and I know probably have one of the more organized music libraries on the planet (library file backed up, of course).

I leave you this this....

"That which does not kill me, had better run pretty damn fast!"

Ahhhh....The Weekend!

'Tis finally here...the weekend!  I plan on keeping the computer turned off all weekend (my work computer, anyway), and ignoring it all!  Maybe I'll see about hitting some thrift stores this weekend.  Yes, that sounds like fun!

Things Are Getting A Little Better

I'm actually finally caught up at work.  Took some doing after being slammed Monday and Tuesday!  I hate leaving at the end of the day with things to do pending!

The diet and gym thing is also getting a little easier, though I really had a tough time getting out of bed this morning.  Cardio day!  The thought of spending an hour on the demon machine (aka elliptical)...oh well, I survived another day!

So NOT In A Good Mood!!

Just started a new diet yesterday.  Just started back at the gym yesterday.  Yesterday and today have been terrible days at work...tons of stuff getting dumped on me all at once to do!  My vacation is still so far off!  UGH!!!!  I want to run away...but September is so far away!!!  If I could get past the hunger of just starting a new diet (not so much hunger as it is craving for junk food), then maybe I wouldn't be as grumpy.  In the mean time...BEWARE!

Seabound Again!

Just booked our cruise for September.  Oh, it seems so far away!!!  Guess that means I need to get with the program in terms of diet and exercise if I am going to look the way I want to in 6 1/2 months!

 

Conquest...hope you are ready for us! We are on our way back!

Melting Away

The snow is now melting away.  It was fun while it lasted.  Hope it isn't another 20 years before I see a snow like this around here again!

It Really Is Snowing!

 

 It really happened this time!  The weather folks weren't just jerking my chain!  Actual snow!  My son had to go to school and my husband to work.  Husband thinks he will start heading home around noon, as it hasn't yet started to snow down in the city.  No word yet on if they will bring my son home early from school.

Really?

The weather folks are calling for an accumulation of up to 1" tomorrow of ice/snow.  Hmmmm...really?  Is it really going to happen this time?  I mean, March is just around the corner, so if it doesn't happen now, it probably will not happen at all this season!

All Of Me!

 

 Here I stand, Lord
I don't have much to give
But I am giving all of me!

May my life be Your Kingdom.
May my heart be Your throne.
Use me as You will, for Your will!

Same Day Deadlines?

What is the sudden deal with same day deadlines? More and more, I've been getting requests...usually around noon or later in the day...with same day deadlines! I'm supposed to be getting 2 working days to complete all requests. What? Is someone else dropping the ball and I'm now having to make up for the fact that they aren't doing their job in a timely manner? How is that right?

Priceless!

Goes perfect with my "...And then Buffy staked Edward. The End" T-shirt!!!

Why Can't They Leave Me Alone?

For one, I'm tired of being the only one at work...besides the boss.  It has been like this for the last 2 weeks, and it is really getting old...especially when the work load is up, and I don't have anyone to delegate any of the work to!  What's worse, is I keep having to redo work (as usual), because the information given to me is not correct the first time!  I have gotten to the point I cringe every time I see the "reopened" queue go bold.  Every now and then, it is a case that I goofed up...I'm not perfect.  But 90% of the time it is "Oh, I gave you the wrong..." or "Now, the client wants..."  It simply gets old!  I'm getting burned out, fast!

I can't wait until I get some time back.  I haven't even been getting to the gym because I'm simply too exhausted, and that extra hour of sleep each morning seems so much more important.  I am hoping to get back into my routine next week.  I just have to!

Oh well, back to work for me...to deal more with the idiocy of the world.  I wish the world would get smarter...if it would get smarter, maybe I would be nicer!!!

Keep Waiting...

I'm still waiting for the craziness to stop.  It will get better soon...I hope!

At least I've had many a rainy day to look forward to, and the forecast has many more to come.  Something so relaxing about the rain.

I woke up a bit upset today.  In a dream, I came up with the totally awesome praise and worship song.  Unfortunately, all I can remember now that I'm awake is that it was awesome!!!  I remember singing it over and over, and looking for a notebook or computer desperately to put it down...knowing that if I saw the words, even in my dream, I would remember it.  Then, I was abruptly awaken....grrrr!  I hate that, because that causes me to forget details from my dreams!  I tried to go back to sleep immediately so that maybe I could get back to where I left off...that happens sometimes.  But no, could not get back to sleep, and can't remember the song to save my life!  I know it is there in my brain somewhere, but how do I get to it?

So frustrating......

Will it ever stop?

All week has been a crazy week at work, and life outside of work hasn't been any better! I feel like I'm running around ragged!!! When will it end?

At least the day is dark and rainy...just like I like 'em!

Exhausted!

Live is just throwing too many things at me at once! "Cedar Fever" making me feel like crud, our church moving to a new building, recent family stuff...I am longer for some normality again! Of course, at this point, I'm beginning to wonder what is normal, as the craziness has been going on for so long. Is the craziness now my normality?

Lord...help me find the strength...help me find peace, again! Help give me the time to be alone with You, and give me poems to share about your glory and promises!

Fish Heads!!!!

The Cold Is Here With A Vengence!

The cold is definitely here today!!!  Just wish I was at home by the fire instead of here at work dealing with fire of a different kind!

New Year...New Beginnings!

The start of the new year always seems to bring the thought of new beginnings, be it starting that diet over or just being nicer.  I've started off trying to get back into my regular routine.  The holidays threw me completely off...didn't get to the gym as much as I wanted and ate a bunch of junk!

I'm also planning on trying to write more this year.  Started writing small poems at the end of 2009, and want to expand on some of these.  Thinking I may turn some into songs...Christian Gothic or something of that nature.

Here's to the start of a new year...and a new beginning!