I Feel It In My Bones

2010 is gonna be a good year, I can tell. I'm feeling ridiculously "up" today and the only reason I can think of is that I'm going back to mids starting on Saturday (no, it's not my "normal" midnight shift, but it's mids and I plan on going back to my real shift in July when the shift bid comes out. . . . actually that may mean I'll start on that shift in Aug/Sept, but whatever! I just want it back!

Also, I just bought a life-time membership to my yoga studio and with the midnight shift thing happening again, it means I'll actually be able to get much more use out of it!!!

B&D seem to be reasonably settled in. . . B has been cooking meals and they're pretty damned good. Now, if only I could win the lottery, I could hire them as cook and security, respectively!

BSJ is back in Woodinville, WA and sounds good. Colonoscopy went well (gosh, I love me some anesthesia!) and no adverse side effects! The dining room table is cleaned off, so we can eat there and/or have game night. Clay is supposed to release a cd this year AND tour with Ruben (yes, I'll be going but only to the "local" concerts. I have to cut back on my spending a bit). I have more energy today than I've had in years. So let's party, you guys!!!!!!! Life is lookin' pretty darned good right now.

And how's by you?

New Year News

My goodness! It's already 5 days into the New Year! Gotta start thinking about Christmas!!! No, I'm not kidding. . . . I promise you, Christmas will be here before you know it! Me, I start shopping now. Not serious shopping, mind you, but if I see something that someone I know would like, I'll pick it up now, label it and toss it in my closet. It's a system that's worked for me for years.

I got to spend some days with my nearest and dearest: BSJ was here for a whole two weeks! And he was actually kinda sad to leave (though it wouldn't have lasted; he HATES Florida weather and it's gonna warm up pretty soon).

P took time off (as did I) and we both got to spend time with our little baby boy. Family time is good. Having said that, P is a HUGE fan of eating out. . . we WILL NOT discuss how much weight I put on during those 2 weeks. Are we clear?

Got to see the "nieces". . . twins, T & L who belong to K & T. . . what a joy THEY are! Beautiful, well-mannered, intelligent and artistic. I hope K&T have bought shotguns already. . . those two are gonna break some hearts!

Special bud, Marius, joined us for a couple of days and it's always wonderful to spend time with him (I get little chores done, praise the Lord!). And I'm really thrilled to report that his lovely daughter adored the pressies her Auntie Celebhith got for her. I love when I get it right! Oh, and the windchimes are freakin' awesome, Puddy! Thanks so much for putting them up for me!

So, I have this teriffic PCP (primary care physician) who has been on my ass ('scuse the pun) to get a colonoscopy (feel free to scroll down if this gets to be too much). So yesterday, I spent the whole day not eating, and drinking this pretty disgusting crap (2 liters worth, I believe) so I could crap my brains out in preparation for the procedure, which I had this morning.

All I can say is, God bless anesthesia! My poor butt was already so sore from the . . . evacuating, shall we say, that if I'd had to do this sans drugs (as they apparently used to do in the old days), I'd have been off that freakin' table at the first touch. Besides, I don't usually do that on the first date! So, P drove me there and back and I went to bed as soon as I got home. . . and I'm feeling pretty good right now. No soreness, feeling pretty well-rested and what not.

And I've got roommates now, too. B and D, who have recently moved back to Florida after several years in GA., were in dire need of a hospitable place to live and are now bunking in BSJ's room (hell, he won't be back for a year and they'll be in their own place by then!). And they brought their baby, Domino, a black lab mix.

Now, for those of you who have actually been following my life to even the remotest degree, you will understand that I was concerned about Koa, my Chow-mix, who took possession of me and the house in under 24 hours. She and See have spent nearly 3 years learning to live together and I think we're all good now (I think Koa has abandonment issues and is just now believing she's here to stay). But I was soooo concerned about the introduction of another dog into the household.

So, last night, their move into the res was completed, doggie and all. Now, I KNEW See would love having a friend to play with, but who in the hell could have foreseen that Koa would actually welcome this newcomer and find a playful pup inside herself as well? Color me amazed! Thank goodness I have a big enough yard for them all. B&D work mids and I'm hoping to get back to that myself in the near future so life is looking really good at the moment: I've got the company of friends who love me (and maybe I'll be eating more than frozen meals now that there's enough people to cook for), the house is wall-to-wall doggies (or darned close), and I don't go back to work until Friday!!!!!

My only resolution this year is to try to blog more and keep y'all better updated on the goings-on in my life (because, hell, why wouldn't you want to know every little detail of my life?).

Wishing us all a fabulous 2010!

Happy Happy, Everyone!!!!

I've chosen this midway (or nearly midway) point to do my Thanksgiving/Christmas/Chanukah/Kwanza/generic holiday blog. Not for any political reasons, mind you, but because I expect to be good and busy (big change, huh?).

Thanksgiving. . . what can I say? Good food, good friends, good times. . . but, for me, it's really become more than that. To backtrack just a tad: my former cleaning lady moved out of state to be with her family and I had to find someone new. As luck would have it, I had a small, local coupon book and one of the coupons was for a cleaning service which I decided to try. They were so amazing that I didn't even take advantage of the coupon to get my discount, but that's not the point. It's a "team" consisting of a mother, her son and his wife. Usually, the son and the wife come and clean, but if one of them can't make it, the third member usually fills in. Again, this is not the point.

The point is, I believe, that almost immediately there was a connection between this family and myself, so much so that they invited me to Thanksgiving dinner. When I asked if there would be a lot of people there, the son just said, "No, it's just family and friends." So that is one of the many things I'm so very thankful for: new found friends. Needless to say, I'm also incredibly thankful for the loving friends I've had for so many years and some with whom I've reconnected. My family, small as it is, is the best ever (BSJ is coming home for Christmas!), I have a job that's pretty darned secure (as long as there are criminals, I'm in good shape), and a fair amount of financial security. You really can't ask for more than that, and I don't.

I try to remember to tell the folks I love that I do. . . and not just to say it, but to show it when and however I am able to. As this earth grows smaller (now, there's an oxymoron!) and as I grow older, I am more and more cognizant that we are all we have. . . each other. Regardless of your belief system, political affiliation, social status and whatnot, we truly are one people; brothers and sisters all and we need to treasure each other and the earth that has provided for us for so many years.

Wow! Sorry about that folks. But this is my heart speaking and I've tried to always listen to that. It sure seems to know alot more about life and living than my brain ever did.

So, on to Christmas. . . as you know, my favorite holiday (it's shiny!!!!). I doubt I'll decorate ~ BSJ could care less about that and P and I are getting too long in the tooth to make that kind of exertion for just a couple of weeks, at best. But the shininess is in my heart and, I hope, radiates outwardly to all my loved ones. BSJ will be home on the 19th and I've been fortunate enough to be able to take 10 days off work during the 2 weeks he'll be home. Life is good. Life is waaaaay good!

Oh, and because I can't resist and I kind of know you expect it anyway, here's the obligatory Clay mention: he says he'll release a new cd in 2010 (with his new label, Decca) and there is pretty solid rumor of a tour with him and Ruben next year as well. I guess I'd better plan my packing now!

I love you all, even the people I don't know yet. . . and I wish for you all the love, joy, and prosperity the Universe may see fit to bless you with. I count you among all my blessings. Merry Christmas, y'all!

P.S.

I forgot to add that NIP won the $10,000 prize from Christie's Cookies, so I want to thank everyone that I sent the link to who also voted for Clay's foundation. It means so much to Clay and all his fans.

I'm Ba-a-a-a-a-ck!

And what a wonderful trip it was! Spent 5 days in the mountains of NC before heading into Raleigh to see Clay at the Gala . . . . I'm not much of a picture taker but one of the other girls did take pics and I'll post them when i get them. . . .

However, I DID have my picture taken with Clay (once again) and Diane Bubel, his co-founder of the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, now renamed National Inclusion Project. . .


Following dinner, there was a live auction (as well as the silent auction and raffle beforehand). . . here are just some of the results. . .

A day with Clay touring the Raleigh area in his car - visiting his favorite haunts - for the winner and a friend, or if 2 people bid on it together they can go together. Went for $45K

Very nervous about this...only copy in existence...hard to part with....only copy ever....Back for More...whoever gets it can do with it whatever you want to do....mint and never made the album... CD went for$21K

Guitar signed by Clay, Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia and possibly by Ruben just went for $2200.

Tickets to David Foster and friends anywhere. Clay says Charise's CD will fund his son's college education! Comes with a meet and greet. $1000.

Fugly IT tour jacket $34K (Yikes)

Dinner with fans and Clay....he really enjoyed last year's dinner that was substituted for Celine Dion concert which was cancelled because of snow... Dinner for 10 Holy Smokes....$41,000

Shirt that he wore when he sang BOTW on AI2. $10K

Total reported Collected tonight $184,200

I wanted, desperately, to bid in the auction but it's waaaaaay out of my league! I NEED to win the lottery!!!!!! Is anyone listening????? Sheeeese!

I did come home with a Barnes & Noble gift bag, David Foster's autobiography, Hitman, and a game of Python-opoly! Marius, get your butt down here so we can play!!!!!

Clay said he's been in the studio and we're expecting a cd in 2010 with (fingers crossed) a tour to boot! I had a terrific time and even lost 3 more pounds that week! Yaaaaaaaay!

National Inclusioj Project. . . and More

In just 3 days I'm leaving for North Carolina and in 10 days I'll be face-to-face with the man of my dreams! I have to say, once again, how proud I am of Clay himself, of his foundation and its work, and to be a Clay fan. . .

Clay Aiken – Top Rating Posted: 06 Oct 2009 12:14 AM PDT Congratulations to the National Inclusion Project! The following announcement was posted on their website on October 5th. 10/04/2009 Charity Navigator gives National Inclusion Project Four Stars! On behalf of Charity Navigator, I wish to congratulate National Inclusion Project on achieving our coveted 4-star rating for sound fiscal management. As the nonprofit sector continues to grow at an unprecedented pace, savvy donors are demanding more accountability, transparency and quantifiable results from the charities they choose to support with their hard-earned dollars. In this competitive philanthropic marketplace, Charity Navigator, America’s premier charity evaluator, highlights the fine work of efficient charities such as your own, and provides donors with essential information needed to give them greater confidence in the charitable choices they make. Based on the most recent financial information available, we have calculated a new rating for your organization. We are proud to announce National Inclusion Project has earned our 4-star rating for its ability to efficiently manage and grow its finances. Approximately a qua rter of the charities we evaluate have received our highest rating, indicating that National Inclusion Project executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, and outperforms most other charities in America. This “exceptional” designation from Charity Navigator differentiates National Inclusion Project from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust. Forbes, Business Week, and Kiplinger’s Financial Magazine, among others, have profiled and celebrated our unique method of applying data-driven analysis to the charitable sector. We evaluate ten times more charities than our nearest competitor and currently attract more visitors to our website than all other charity rating groups combined, thus making us the leading charity evaluator in America. Our irrefutable data shows that users of our site gave more than they planned to before viewing our findings, and in fact, it is estimated that last year Charity Navigator influenced over $10 billion in charitable gifts. We believe our service will enhance your organization’s fundraising and public rela tions efforts. Our favorable review of National Inclusion Project’s fiscal health will be visible on our website as of October 1st. We wish you the best in all of your charitable endeavors. Sincerely, Ken Berger President & Chief Executive Officer Press here to see the report on the National Inclusion Project. The following video is a wonderful look at the National Inclusion Project. Thank you, LovesClaysVoice……..the video is so special! and . . . and one more for the road. . .

News Update

Well, disability seems to be out of my reach at the moment. You have to be out of work for one year or earn less than $900 per month, so I don't qualify there. What gets me is that the word "disability" strongly (to my mind) suggests a medical problem of some kind. So they want me to be out of work AND have no insurance for that same medical problem for one year????? Not me, but some people could be dying in that year, right? Makes no sense to me. So now I'm looking into the cost of buying my own health insurance and retiring now. Prices seem to have come down, so that's the next avenue for my explorations. Then I could meet their criteria. . . maybe.

This week has not been good for me at all. . . Monday (my Friday), at work, I was in pain all day.
Tuesday, I woke up in tears, so I'm back on the Lexapro . . . constant pain really takes its toll. Wednesday and Thursday I had migraine and nausea (and apparently, some puking, though I thought I dreamt that). Friday, same thing, but I went to the doctor, who gave me some new meds and they actually worked! Saturday morning, (my Tuesday at work) I took the new meds and the migraine never hit (yaaaaay!), but my back went into spasm so badly that by the time I got home from work, I was nearly in tears. And that was despite having taken Flexeril twice that day. Took another when I got home from work and another before bed. This morning I'm very much better, though I can feel my back is dying to go into spasm again. I've taken the meds and have one with me so we'll see how I do. Cross your fingers. I can use all the good luck and prayers y'all have in you.

My former midnight co-worker, who leaves when I get into work, asked me if being on day shift was helping. . . it seems to be but then you have to remember that I've been getting PT and doing yoga as well. . . so it's hard to tell exactly what's responsible for improving my backache (did really just type that, after how I spent the last 3 days??????). I have to stay on this shift for a year and whether there's improvement or not, I'm hoping to get my midnight shift back, if I haven't retired by then. A game of Yahtzee anyone? 'Cause that's how my life feels right now. . . a f*cking roll of the dice and I either have a good day or a crap one.

Sorry, guys. . . I really AM trying to be more positive. I'm fully aware my attitude is probably not helping my condition and I'm trying like hell to wake up and say, "This is going to be a great day!" It's just harder to do when you can't move without crying.