Friday, May 30, 2008

A total Goof-Off day!!!

After posting the last post, the music on the plaza started back up so I ran out to dance some more.

Since then I've deleted a bunch of old files, move some to folders and uploaded music to my new MP3 Player...I'll test it tonight to see if it's any good. If not, I'll still play it when I'm at work or out some place bored.

Not working tomorrow... or if I do it will be only for a few hours. Then I'm off to Al's. My sister & the boys might follow me. She wants to take the guys over to the Omni to see Nim's Island. Joys... let me do a dance or something to celebrate...

Been trying to come up with a new name for my photo restoration business when I'm on my own. Want something catchy but not corny. Once I figure it all out I'll work on brochurs and business cards...and get a few of those maganet car door signs with my info on them. A girl's gotta do what she's gotta do.

One of the merchants downtown (a lady whom Dad chats with often) tried to make me feel guilty for my upcoming 'abandonment' of my father. I guess I'll have to weather the storm that people like her are gonna bring down on me. I stood my ground but didn't change her mind...she's got a preconceived notion that Dad will fall down dead if I leave him to deal with things. He'll stress out (he does that now) but he'll learn to survive.

Anyways... time to finish my stuff I'm working on and get home...the nephews and I are gonna make iCarly shows.

Dancing ...

Today is the last time we'll have "Lunchtime on the Plaza" for this year. As always the Coastline Band performed. What a talented group! They mainly do 'beach music' and oldies. I danced and danced (there was a group of senior citizens and a 'special needs' young adult group there)... I danced with whoever wanted to dance and loved it. One great thing about dancing with them is that they don't care how we dance, as long as we dance.

So now I'm back at the studio.. a little behind on my day but not sorry I am. Slightly hot and breathless...but... smiling.

It's casual Tigger T-shirt, shorts and flip flops day! Hair back in a braid and ... ready for the weekend...

Now I'm really scared...heh heh



The Children Are Our Future

This is a list of comments from test papers, essays, etc., submitted to science and health teachers by elementary, junior high, high school, and college students: It is truly astonishing what weird science our young scholars can create under the pressures of time and grades. The spellings are the original ones.

1. H2O is hot water, and CO2 is cold water.

2. To collect fumes of sulphur, hold a deacon over a flame in a test tube.

3. When you smell an oderless gas, it is probably carbon monoxide.

4. Water is composed of two gins, Oxygin and Hydrogin. Oxygin is pure gin. Hydrogin is water and gin.

5. A super saturated solution is one that holds more than it can hold.

6. Liter: A nest of young puppies.

7. Magnet: Something you find crawling all over a dead cat.

8. Momentum: What you give a person when they are going away.

9. Vacuum: A large, empty space where the pope lives.

10. Artificial insemination is when the farmer does it to the cow instead of the bull.

11. The pistol of the flower is its only protection against insects.

12. A fossil is an extinct animal. The older it is, the more extinct it is.

13. To remove dust from the eye, pull the eye down over the nose.

14. For a nosebleed: Put the nose much lower that the heart until the heart stops.

15. For head colds: use an agonizer to spray the nose until it drops in your throat.

16. Germinate: To become a naturalized German.

17. The tides are a fight between the Earth and moon. All water tends towards the moon, because there is no water on the moon, and nature abhors a vacuum. I forget where the sun joins in this fight.

18. Blood flows down one leg and up the the other.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Life sometimes isn't fair

My friend Doug who has the cute daughter named Emily wrote me yesterday... his ex-girlfriend died from cancer Monday. She was only 33.

They used to go out during high school but she moved away and they rekindled their romance last year and dated for almost a year. He planned to get her an engagement ring...One night she had severe pains in her side and he drove her to the emergency room...only to find out she was in the advanced stages of colon cancer.

During her first series of surgeries he stayed with her and afterwards, driving her to chemo, etc. After she began to recover she suddenly broke it off with him, giving him no excuses as to why.

But I can think of the reason...I would have done the same. I think in her heart she knew her time was limited and from what he said, she was a very spirited independent woman who thought she was doing him a favor.

He was angry with her for a few months but got over it enough to be a good friend to her up until the end.

My heart aches for him. You can deny that you love someone, you can pretend that it was meant be--the break-up and you can go about life--dating as if there never was a love in your heart...

but it's there and probably will be forever in some form or another.

Love doesn't die just because someone breaks off the relationship... not if it was true love... that lives on forever in the stars, the sun, the green of grass...

I'll say a prayer for him and for the ones she left behind... and write him a comforting email....

and then I'll say a prayer, thanking God for the love I have... and hold it dear to my soul.



Your Gemstone Says...



You are at peace with your life and your place in the world.

You are not greedy or materialistic. You are generally free from desire.

You bring calm to environments. You are a good mediator.

People consider you to be good luck.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

City of Amber...Ember

I got a kick out of the comment from the chick about the upcoming City of Ember movie. I saw previews of it before the Prince Caspian movie started. Reminded me of those National Treasure movies. The atmosphere was similiar.

Sorry...but don't think I'll be running to the theatre to see it. I might catch it on DVD or HBO later...but that's about it.

Oh yeah...

Talked to Sam Monday. His eye surgery is tomorrow. He'll have to stay in bed for a week. He's nervous, hell I would be too. So say a prayer for him if you pray...

Nothing like...

a quickie in the morning!

Having a fab cup of coffee right now..yummmmm

Yesterday was really busy. I got caught up with my current orders and spent most of the day working on deliquent accts--calling them, etc. Then I went through the old files on the PC...burning them to CD, etc.

At around 4 pm, three of my favorite customers popped in, one behind the other with orders for me to do and then 3 new customers came in with some stuff. Now I'm swamped again. One of my customers wasn't too happy with Dad. He put his thumb on the scale and charged her twice what I usually do... I hate when he does that. This only makes me want to leave that much sooner. Luckily I soothed her soul and she left happy, while Dad became unhappy with me. I waited for the usual "we'll never make money if you give your work away" speech but he didn't.

I noticed a 'sadness' to him. It's finally sunk in that I'm leaving and he'll have to deal with things on his own. He'll have to figure out how to fix his own messes and actually work instead of socializing.

Yesterday afternoon my brother and I went to get some more stuff out of my uncle's 'trailer'. My cousin Lee and his family were home...when they saw us drive up to the trailer, they high-tailed it out there. After all it was his wife's stuff. She let me have a few things but kept most of the stuff. I'm sure my uncle won't be happy but I really don't want to get caught up in a dispute that they've had over this stuff for the last 4 years.

He's got 3 of the cutest girls-7, 6, and 2. The middle one Leia asked if she could live in the back of my truck. I laughed and said that if her parents said yes, she could. Then pointed out that there was no TV, air conditioning, bed, bathroom, etc in there. That she would have to use a litter box and drink water out of a bucket. She had no problem with that--go figure! Then she disappeared for a very long time. We were getting ready to leave and her she comes across the backyard, pulling a large suitcase (those with the handle and wheels) stuffed to the gills, a smaller Dora the Explorer suitcase and a SpongeBob SquarePants backpack.

The little dear had packed all her clothes, all her favorite toys and books. When she pulled the suitcase to the back of the truck I asked if she had asked her parents. She didn't answer instead she said, "I've decided that I don't want to live in the truck. I'll stay in your house."

I looked over at Lee and he shook his head. So I told her the rules at my house:

1) No SpongeBob or Dora.

2) We drink Goat's Milk.

3) We eat spinach.

4) We go to bed at 5 pm.

5) No Barbies allowed.

6) No McDonald's, etc.

7) We sleep outside with chickens.

I can't remember the rest...and she had an answer for each. When her dad realized nothing I said was gonna change anything, he went over and took her suitcase and told her she was staying. The poor baby ran to the house crying. Broke my heart.

She came out a little later and asked if she could come stay with me sometime. I told her she could and that I would call her mom to see when a good time was.
That seemed to quell her for the moment.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Since when...


does a music download site serve as a dating/hook-up site?

Chachi...an old boyfriend of mine turned me on to a music download site. I recently purchased a 4G MP3 player and have been downloading music for it. I got a message from a guy with his phone number, wanting to hook-up!!! I replied that I was only there for the music, but I don't think the fool understands. When I log on, even if I have 'busy' as my status, he sends messages wanting to meet (he lives in a town close by).

I dont' get it. I don't have a photo posted nor any info, other than my location. Yet, he wants to 'get it on' without even knowing what I look like, etc. The last time he sent something (this morning at 8 am) I replied that my husband doesn't like it when I 'hook up with strange men.' It didn't deter him once!

What an idiot! Can we all say "Blocked?"

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Sunday is Sunday is...

Fun day?

It's only 1 pm and I am very tired already. I had a very busy Saturday--between printing orders, I started cleaning out the back area where we store things. I piled a bunch of junk by the back door...grabbed two arm loads and trotted to the big dumpster...only to find it already full!! I noticed the top was open (its a tall dumpster with a top and two windows to dump stuff in. I couldn't open the doors...so I threw my stuff up and over into the top of the dumpster. Felt like I was playing basketball.

Went to my room early last night after hanging with Granny for a while. She's not as bad as Jewel (her hubbie) makes out. I think he loads her up on sleeping pills and pain meds, because she sleeps all the time. She doesn't do that here, but I also believe with so many people popping in to see her it stimulates her mind more. When she first got here, she was groggy and in a fog. But I noticed yesterday and today she's more alert to what's around her and is talking more.

I just did her nails for her--filed and polished them a pretty spring pink. She's ready to take a nap I think. SO I better finish this post.

Went to my Uncle Bobby's storage trailer this morning and got a gazillion things out of it for the yard sale. His daughter-in-law had a candy/ice cream counter in the mall and closed it down 4 yrs ago...she loaded all her stuff in his trailer--to the top and he said I could get what I wanted to put on the yard sale...one truckload of stuff didn't touch a 1/4 of it. I've got all sorts of stainless steel trays, utensils, etc..and an air machine for balloons, doors, scoopers, fudge trays...and on and on... I'm gonna have to make a trip to Fayetteville after all...to dump it at Al's.

I guess I'll have make a few trips to get everything... unless I can get him to come down on his day off this Wed. to help me get stuff.

He's off goofing with his bud Rodney. Happy as can be. He needs the exercise and fellowship... after he gets done, we're going to dinner.

And then back to Fayetteville to drop off my yard sale stuff... good thing I'm taking tomorrow off.

That's it for now...I'll return sometime tomorrow afternoon.

Be cool...or stay cool...

Friday, May 23, 2008

What a day!

Not been a bad one at all.

Yesterday I was told I came highly recommended by a Lumbee Indian guy I have done quite a bit of work for in recent years. The guy he recommended told me all sorts of compliments this customer gave me. I was happy to hear this...then the recommended guy said, "Please don't let anything happen to this pictures or my mother will kill me."

I said I would take good care of them, but he wouldn't let it rest, he kept saying, "don't hurt them."

What did this guy think I was gonna do with them? Throw a party and watch them get drunk and vomit all over themselves.

So I smiled and said in a very gentle and comforting voice. "Photographs are like people to me--they are treated with the upmost respect. I don't abuse or harm people, nor do I abuse or harm photographs."

This calmed him. He left happy with my prices and confident in my work. Then this morning he called, frantic about what his mother had to say about a few of the photos that were in old timey paper photo frames--he wanted them left in the frames and copied. ToooOOooo late... I had them out and they were already copied. But I didn't let him know it. I just said, "Remember your mother's photos are in good hands." Once again he was calmed by my soft firm voice.

I'm printing his order now... just so the originals can get back home...safe and sound before he and his mother have a nervous breakdown.

~~~~~~~~~~~

On a lighter note, I've already been offered a job .... managing a printing shop. How about that? A newspaper man that we do business with is renovating an old store and is entertaining the idea of opening a printing service. He's 90% sure he'll do it and I told him that I would keep it in mind and if I was offered a job that starts immediately, I would check with him first.

While he was here talking to Dad, I overheard Dad tell him about the studio building being sold and that I was gonna find a job and work my restorations on the side. When the guy heard this, he shouted, "Sherrie, I've got a job offer for you."

I jokingly said, "Working in your harem?"

Dad cleared his throat, so I got serious and listened to the job offer.

I would be perfect for me...I've got lots of experience working design and I understand printing perfectly. Maybe he'll hustle on the renovations now that he knows I'm available but still looking.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
And on to another topic. A couple of friends from an erotica site I'm on...(that no one who reads here knows about) turned me on to a new social site that is deliciously sexy. I've been goofing off there instead of my usual haunts that I visit while online during work. In fact, I may delete my erotica group and move my stuff there.

It's refreshing to find a spot that I can let my hair down at and not worry what people think.

~~~~~~~

I'm very worried about my friend Sam...aka...Blue. He has a detacted retina and when I talked to him yesterday he was very bummed out. I was in a very good mood and filled in the silence with silly banter and some jokes. I kept apologizing for it but he said, "I like it when you're like this. I need your laughter to lift me up."
After we chatted for another 30 mins, I could tell his spirits were up and I felt better about his mental state. So say a prayer for him... will ya?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, Granny arrives today. She's not doing that great. I hope this visit will refresh her a bit. I'm sure I'll find time to blog this weekend, since I'm not going to Al's.

Enjoy your Friday... I am.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Tits, Clits and Bong Hits

The title has nothing to do with this post. Just felt like foolin' witcha... Though I do have two of the above three and have done a few of the last one.

I called in for jury instructions last night and the recorded voice said:

"Attention all jurors, this is the Clerk of Court. Those jurors who started their jury duty on May 19, 2008 are now excused for duty. You have completed your responsibility to the county. Do not report in tomorrow. You will not have to serve on jury duty for two years. Thank you. This tape will self-destruct in 5..4..3..2..1 seconds. (Boom)."

So very groovy. I'm done and have no worries for the next couple of years.

Our landlord dropped by the studio yesterday and told Dad that the building was under negotiations and might be sold soon. As soon as he left, Dad came charging round the corner to where I was and asked if I heard what was said. I did.

What kills me the most about this situation is how Dad acts like he's just heard the news! The man told us in early August that he was going to sell all the buildings he owns. Hell, he's in his early 80's...and his health is bad. I would too under the circumstances.

Dad said, "I don't know what we're gonna do."

I took a deep breath, because even though I told him this before doesn't mean he took me seriously. "Dad, I'm actively looking for another job. It's time I got out on my own and did something different. I've spent 19 years with the studio and I feel a little burned out."

He didn't say anything. I really believe this is the first time he's actually heard what I said.

"You can work out of your home, doing commerical work and wedding. Heck Dad, you could even put a building out there? It's not far from town and think of the money you could save? I can do my restorations on the side at home. I've got a list of my clients."

He still didn't say anything. Funny how you ramble inside uncomfortable silences. So I said, "I've got a lot of skills. I can get a good job that pays more that we're making right now. And if it doesn't work out, then I can start a restoration business full time or even work in Fayetteville. There are a lot of jobs there that I qualify for."

Finally he said, "You could get your teaching certificate."

I shot that idea down. "No way...I am too old to teach and that's not what I want to do."

He frowned and said, "I hate this is happening. I don't want to work out of my home. I feel like a failure. What will people say?"

"A FAILURE??? You aren't a failure. If the studio suddenly started putting out bad work or you launched a new champaign to bring in business and it bombed...then maybe you would be a failure. You aren't ... in fact you should be proud of the fact that the studio hasn't closed sooner. Look at all the studios that were once opened but have closed down because of lack of business. We can't help that a new era in photography hit us, Dad. The public can get the same camera as professionals can. There's little use for studios now, except commerical work or daycare and weddings..oh and restorations. We're the 'Horse and buggy' of our time...once automoblies arrived...they almost became obsolete... soon we will be too. It's time to do something different."

I was surprised he didn't interrupt me...but I think he knew this already and wanted to milk some sympathy out of the situation. My brother and sister say he's trying to make me feel guilty for moving on... maybe, but the guilt isn't going to work. I've paid my dues long ago and it's time for Shere to fly away.

All of her days have gone soft and cloudy
All of her dreams have gone dry
All of her nights have gone sad and shady
She's gettin' ready to fly

Fly away (mmmm)
Fly away (mmmm...Fly away)


I really don't know what the future holds but I feel a lightness within me...an excitement and a little fear of the unknown, but I think I can handle it.

Hell, I know I can.

Nuns and Hot Dogs



Two nuns took their first trip outside the convent. They had never seen a baseball game, so they got tickets. Once inside, they sat in the bleachers, and hearing a vender selling hot dogs, one said, "We've never had hot dogs before," and they decided to order a couple.

The first nun unwrapped her hot dog, and proceeded to quickly wrap it up again, saying, "Oh, my!"

"What's wrong, sister?" asked her companion.

"Well," came the reply, "which part of the dog did you get?"

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian



I must confess I was skeptical of how good this movie would be. I knew it had great battle scenes, but that doesn't guarantee a great flick. And after watching the first one, I wasn't all that impressed.

And I now confess that I was WRONG! What a great movie! Even better than the first one. Though a lot darker than the first one, the battle scenes weren't horrific or bloody. Nor were they predictable...in fact I had no idea what was going to happen nor could I predict it.

The siblings were all more likable this time. No squabbling other than normal stuff. They banded together and... Ed kinda grew on me in this flick...well, I better not give too much away.

I'll say this..Prince Caspian is a hottie. Hubba hubba...a little young for me..that's why I channeled my lust to one of the centaurs... a man beast I can ride in more ways than one. (heh heh)

Two of the dwarves were very familiar to me.. Trumpkin was the dwarf from Nip/Tuck and Nikabrik plays Flitwick on the Harry Potter movies and the dwarf in the movie Willow.

So if you want to see a great movie, I suggest you drop in on Prince Caspian and friends. They won't mind it a bit. Just bring a sword or bow & arrows...and some tea for the fauns.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

A breath...



It's only taken two hours to sort things out at the studio, call customers who called me and do scandisks-virus/spyware removal, etc from where Dad strayed online.

After doing all this, I sat down in front of the PC to do some restorations and realized I am at least 2 weeks ahead of my work and... I deserve a day of leisure...

so I'm gonna blog... read some blogs, write some email and work on my website...

Like I briefly mentioned earlier, the family reunion was a lot of fun. I was feeling a bit off due to a sinus headache but I managed to hide it and enjoy myself. We had over 50 to attend and even got a few newbies that no one had seen in a very long time. My chicken salad was a success. So was Mom's Red Velvet cake. We decided to continue to organize it every year... I told Mom that I would continue to help her..after all we've got the routine down to an art.

Yesterday was a total waste of time. We had to sit in a cramped courtroom waiting to be called. My legs were cramped and I thought they would fall off by noon...but they didn't. My juror's badge kept falling off. I got frustrated with that! Hell, go ahead and stamp "Juror" on our foreheads--that would work better. About 40 of us were called to a courtroom to be selected for a criminal trial (murder with malace, attempted murder and robbery). I wasn't picked for the first go round. We sat and watched the DA question prospective jurors. It was boring until he got to one gal who had a bad experience in court and didn't mind telling him about it. She was dismissed. Then two others were dismissed due to their religious belief that only God can judge.

We were released for an hour and half for lunch. I did errands and got something to eat. All the time I was away, I kept thinking, "They are gonna call me. I've got the Parnell luck."

While we were all waiting for the courtroom to open, one of the girls selected said she thought the guy was guilty. I knew she would be dismissed. And she was... I felt sorry for her...it seems a cousin of hers was killed during a robbery with a shot pointblank to the head...and she was sitting right beside the victim's family during the first part of the jury selection. And they were visiblily upset, which caused her to remember how she felt, sitting in their place during the trial of the guy who killed her cousin. She told the judge that she couldn't give an unbiased and fair decision if she was on the jury panel, because if the defendent was sitting in court that meant he had done it...if he hadn't then he wouldn't be here. So he let her go...so that left four empty seats...

and my name was called immediately. I answered the questions from the DA... told him I worked a few blocks away, that I had a cousin in the DA's office, that I knew numerous policemen and other courthouse employees and that I was the victim of several crimes. He seemed satisfied with my answers and after questioning the others, told the judge he was done and approved the jury panel.

Now it was the defense attorney's turn to question us. He asked some interesting questions, mainly about our hobbies and our methods of keeping up with current events and news. Then he focused on me and one other person regarding the crimes against us and our views on being a victim.

This guy and I were very clear and procise in our answers. In a few replies, I cut him down because he made light of a certain crime against me--the indecent exposure crime back in 92 or 93. Even though it wasn't a violent crime, it still was a crime and I was terrified for a long time. I told the attorney that "once you are a victim, you remain one for life. Even if the event happened years ago, the memories linger. I've managed to come to turns with everything that's happened to me, but that doesn't mean I've forgotten them."

In the end, he asked for 3 of us to be excused. I was one of them and happy to be so, becasue to be honest...the defendent stared at us with dead eyes while we were being questioned and he made jokes to his lawyer, laughing and smirking. If I were accused of such serious crimes and I were really innocent, I would be sitting there terrified and somber, not relaxed and smiling. So did I form the oppinion of guilt--yes I did...and with any person on trial, the priviledge of being innocent until proven guilty should be so and his jury panel should feel that way too.

So I went home...helped William study for the EOG test...it runs today through Thursday. I turned in early because I was so tired from all the strain of the day. I slept like a baby and woke with a freshness that I hadn't had in a few weeks.

Today hasn't been so bad...it's windy out and the door to the studio keeps blowing open. My brother and I are going to see the second Narnia installment at the Cinema tonight...

oh yea..bring on the popcorn!

Ah...smell that?

Fresh air...no cold courtroom atmosphere. I'll blog later about it..

for now...I've got to get to work and see what sort of mess dad's made of things.

Couldn't resist this quiz!




You Are in the Genital Stage of Development



According to Dr. Freud, you've reached the genital stage of development.

Whatever issues you may have had in your childhood have been resolved.

You don't have any hang ups, and you are able to function as a stable adult.

You are the model of being well-adjusted, and you are able to balance your life beautifully.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Don't forget

I've got jury duty this week, so I might not be posting until later in the day.

The family reunion was a total success. We had relatives no one's seen in 30 years to show up... Mom out did her self and everyone told me how lovely everything turned out.

I finally watched Narnia last night... I give it a B+. I'm thinking that maybe something gets lost when you don't get to see a movie like this on the big screen and wait to watch it at home on your TV. My brother and I are going to see the next one tomorrow night. Hopefully it will be better.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Weekend Fun!



I had forgotten that the Mid-Atlantic Fly-In was going on. My house is not far from the airport and the planes are flying by. It's sort of exciting to see them. The show is always the same weekend my family reunion is on. I always say that after the reunion I'm gonna drive over and see some of the show but I never do.

Doing my cooking for the reunion now. My brother decided to go spend the night at my Uncle's house. My mom is at her boyfriend's place. The nephews are at home with their mom...and I'm alone.

The house is quiet. The windows are up and a breeze is drifting in. Another plane is flying by as I type... it's drowning out the sound of my neighbor's lawnmower. Later I need to water some of the flowers...the ground is already dry...I dread this summer and the drought we'll probably have.

My chicken is cooking. My eggs are cooling and the jello I made for the kids is chillin'. All I need now is a glass of wine ...and I'm set for the evening.

Al called with some great news. He's #30 in sales nationwide and #1 store-wide. He also won a $100 gift certificate to any high end restaurant in town. He said, "Sher-bears, take out that low-cut dress and dust off your heels. We're going to dine at any place you want."

I jokingly said, "Why the low-cut dress? You can't have me for dessert."

"True, but I can drool on the display case."

Well, I should go check the chicken, then clear off my digital camera and... find time to watch the first Narnia movie...my brother wants me to go with him to see this new installment...

Friday, May 16, 2008

Family Reunion #26



Sunday is the Cox family reunion. I'm making chicken salad, mac & cheese (for the kids) and some jello (for the kids). That's all I think...

I didn't go to last years. But since our family is the host I must attend.

Let's hope there's some fried chicken there...or my brother will become the Hulk and destroy the whole area.

I LOOoooOOOooOOOooOOOove my


...thumb drive (flash drive).

It's portable. I've got two programs on it and files I want close at hand. Everyone should have one, especially if you have files that you want to keep private and can't because others use the PC too.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

CSI Spoiler

I wasn't surprised that Warwick was 'killed off.' The way the other characters acted in the diner ...saying good-bye like they did..I knew he was gonna get wacked.

Sorry to see him go...he's been a favorite.

Thank Heavens for forever syndication...lol..

Boys

Most Thursdays I chat with Sam on the way home from work and then later after I have dinner. Today I did so after checking my post office box. We always talk about our health first. He can tell immediately if I've got any respiratory funk going on and I can tell if he's tired or under-the-weather...all by the sound of a voice.

Today I was crystal clear and he exclaimed how great I sounded and for once he didn't sound tire. But I could tell something was wrong...

turns out it's his buds--three guys he pals around with and how one of them gets 'all girly and emotional' when another does something he doesn't like. He went on to tell me all sorts of incidences that lead up to the break-up of the four buds having fun group.

After listening for 30 minutes, I started laughing and said, "Sam, this sounds like stuff high school girls fuss over. Hell, my girlfriends and I don't act like that! Where's the macho in you men?"

He said, "Exactly. I don't want to hang out with them anymore."

Then we talked about me and Al. Usually Sam has some out-of-the-box thought he tosses at me but this time all he said was, "You know, it's a tragedy Al doesn't realize he holds a precious jewel in the palm of his hand."

I didn't know what to say ...so I said nothing. But I did think to myself, "maybe he does..."

I can chew gum and type

Few people know this, so keep it under your hat.

Four nights of crazy dreams, being on the rag, too much caffiene and vague answers can make a pretty potent poison. And I drank deeply.

After posting yesterday, I felt a calmness. Thank heavens for blogs. On the way up to see Al, I had time to think and realized that I had to put things in God's hands. Al's doing the best he can. He's been hurt so much in the past and plays his cards close. While I put mine on the table for the world to see. No wonder we clash sometimes.

He's used to making decisions and not having to think of another person. Al's done this for a very long time. On the flip side, I understand that my decisions affect many. I've got to be understanding and remind him gently that we're a team and keep reminding him until he remembers.

We're in a different place than we were ten years ago. I've got to remember that and put the old pain and disappointments of our old relationship behind me. This is a different Al--an Al who loves me very deeply and expresses it more often now than he ever did in the past. Both of us have to get over our fear of talking about our future. When I ask direct to the point questions, he runs. When he makes veiled hints, I stay quiet hoping to hear more...and don't, which makes me antsy about us. Instead, I should encourage him to talk, because I think it's his way of introducing topics he's not sure how to openly discuss.

I know you're wondering if I demanded an engagement ring... no, I didn't. I got to his house about 15 mins before he got home. He had worked at Valerie's, trimming all her azaela bushes--9 hours of clipping. His back and arms were killing him, so he got a shower and I played ball with the cat. Once he was out, I gave him a massage until he loosened up. While I massaged him, he talked about work and other stuff...then gave me an opening by mentioning that he had weird dreams all night. A small voice told me to keep quiet, so I did.

He drove my truck to the theatre and I made jokes all the way over there. And we fell into a light-hearted banter. We got our tickets to see 10,000 BC. We got popcorn and found seats...

the movie was different than we thought it would be...like Al said, "It's a love story told differently." During the movie, popcorn kept falling on me. I thought some kids a few rows up and over were throwing it over their shoulders...but no, it was AL!!! He was tossing it overhand. After we finished our popcorn, he put his arm around me and I put my head on his shoulder and watched the rest of the movie.

We got home... and hung out, talking about different things while we watched some shows. I went to the bedroom first, while he stayed in the den and read his Bible. After getting in bed, I said a prayer, asking for guidence and for a sign...for what to do...

When Al came to bed, he wrapped himself around me and we didn't move until the morning. I slept peacefully and dreamt...

We woke up at around 8:30 am. I started to get up, but he said, "Stay a while." Then wrapped himself around me...his face breathing in the fragrance of my hair. I felt content. After a while, he turned onto his back and I turned towards him, rasing up on an elbow. He gave me an inquiring look.

I said, "I've been having nightmares about us all this week."

He laughed, "What? Have I turned into a monster?"

"No...most of them are about you and ex-girlfriends... one was about you abandoning me and terrorist captured me...it was horrible...they almost raped me but I got away."

He frowned, "I'm sorry, baby."

"It's ok. They're just dreams but they upset me. In the last one, I was cleaning up cat shit off the floor (he laughed when I said that) and you came in with an Asian woman...I think it was (the name of a woman he dated before me). You said, 'Sorry Sherrie, but I'm upgrading. We're through."

He interrupted, "She's not an upgrade. I don't want her. She's ugly inside."

"Well, I just know that my dreams have upset me all week. They may sound silly to you but they aren't to me. So..."

I paused and took a deep breath, "last night while you were reading your Bible, I prayed about this...and asked God for a sign that I was on the right path with you."

He held his breath, not taking his eyes off me. I continued, "And I had a dream...we were on our honeymoon at a beautiful exotic island. And we were laughing and so happy..."

Al pulled me into his arms and squeezed me...after a moment I said, "but you were pissed...the travel agent didn't tell you that the beach we were at was the one where the Travelosity Gnome and his buds vacationed. We were the only humans there and every time we stepped on one they kicked us in the ankles."

He started laughing and I joined it...

Then he kissed me deeply and said, "Sherrie, if gnomes are all we have to worry about, we'll be okay."

I left with a new found hope for our future and sense of purpose to conquer doubt and Gnomes if need be.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Taking Charge of SHERE!

I haven't hidden the fact that I'm unhappy with Al's decision that we remain 'celibate' until we're married. Nothing's changed on my part since he made this decision alone.

With this decision, he's become the driver of our relationship. I'm just a back-seat driver who's not allowed to say much about where we're headed. When I try to talk about it or complain, he says that he doesn't know when he'll be "ready" and asks "Aren't I worth the wait?"

That's besides the point. I want to know what's going on in his head and I think that's not too much to ask. Every person in a relationship deserves that.

Every night this week, I've had nightmares and bad dreams about he and I. So bad that one of them woke me up at 4 am Tuesday morning...I was crying and covered in sweat. The dream was so horrific I immediately blotted it out. I can't continue like this.

So tonight...after our movie, I'm going to tell him I need a 'physical' sign that he isn't pulling my leg over our future...

I think you know what I want...

a fucking engagement ring.


"Aren't I worth that?"

When Snails Attack



A sloth named Herman is walking through the forest one day. A gang of snails approach him and beat him up. He is left at the bottom of a tree with several cuts and bruises.

Several hours later he gathers up enough strength to go to a local police station. Herman walks into the Sergeant's office. "What happened to you? the officer asks.

"A gang of snails beat me up," Herman replied.

"Can you describe what they looked like?"

"I don't know," the sloth says. "It all happened so fast."



Your Body's Element is Water



You are a joyful, relaxed, and luminous person.

You love people. You live for making new friends and helping others.



You are enthusiastic and the ideal person to work with.

You don't mind doing hard tasks, and you have a generous spirit.



Your energy tends to be: conserved



You power color is: black




What Your Taste in Music Says About You



Your musical tastes are intense and rebellious.

You are intelligent... but in a very unconventional way.



You are curious about the world. You love doing something new.

In fact, you enjoy taking risks and doing things most people would shy away from.



You are very physical. It's likely that you're athletic, but not into team sports.

You have the soul of an artist. Beauty and harmony are important to you.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

She folds and ZooOOoom...


Yesterday afternoon, I made a paper airplane that actually flies... high...and fast...

it doesn't crash and burn at the nephews feet like the ones I've been making since 2001...William's face was priceless when he sailed it the first time. I knew he was thinking, "Wow, it flew!!!!"

I know... big deal but it's kinda like a guy who's never baked cookies without burning them and by a miracle produces melt-in-your-mouth cookies that his mom would be jealous of...

Such a little feat but a major one to me...

Doing a happy jig here...

Where's my metal? I've got plenty of chest to pin it on.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Lovely Day

Today is one of the nicest mildest days we've had in a while. It's around 66 F, windy and sunny. I love it!

And I've managed to confuse my customers ...all by accident. My hair has gotten pretty long--it falls to where my bra goes around my back--and I've decided not to cut it until my birthday. This morning at Al's I didn't have time to curl it, so I made a lovely braid and that's how I'm wearing it today...

I greeted the mailman a while ago and he said, "oh Miss Sherrie isn't working today?" I said, "Yes... I'm Sherrie." Then turned so he could see my braid. He said, "Wow...you look different but in a good way."

Then a customer and her brother came in. I greeted them and she said, "Where's the girl that waited on me the other week?" I turned so she could see my braid and said, "I'm she. I braided my hair today." She said, "Oh OoooOk. I know the girl that I talked to the other week had a head full of hair."

Always nice to keep the customers guessing...

I had one of the nicest weekends in a while. And one of the easies and smoothest Mother's Days in years. I got up early Sunday, put my chicken in the crock pot, boiled my chicken for the chicken & rice, went out and cut some roses for the table's centerpiece and made some iced tea. We were to eat at 3 pm but my sister was suppose to drop by at 2 and help me get things ready. She showed up at 2:45 and I had all the food cooked, the table set and the glasses waiting for the tea. I figured she wouldn't be there to help but it was no biggie. In fact, I work faster when I do it because I have to pause and give instructions when she's helping.

Lunch was so delicious. Everyone was surprised my lemon chicken was so tender and yummilicious. And my cherry pie... unstoppable in the yum factor. We had a lovely time together and not one problem immerged. Since Granny couldn't come visit, we called her and boy, she sounded really groggy, didn't say much. We plan to have her down for Memorial weekend. With Granny rapidly declining, I feel that we really appreciate each other more than we realize.

I drove to Al's at around 6. We were going to see 10,000 BC at the Omni but he had to work late. Instead we watched the Survivor finale. Wow...what a wonderful season. I told Al that Parvati would take it all and she did. I believe this has been one of the best seasons in years.

Since I'm not going to Al's next weekend due to the Reunion, I'm driving up after work on Wednesday. We are going to try to see the movie. Lately Al's been driving me crazy... I'll blog about that later...

Right now I should get back to work..

Friday, May 09, 2008

Hard Wood

Flooring is done...now I have to put all the stuff back in place and clean up the carport.

Not feeling the best in the world today... starting to get congested again and am very droozy....I knew I was out of things when I put instant coffee in the coffe maker instead of ground coffee...and yes, it tasted like crap.

I've decided to cook dinner for Mom as part of a Mother's Day gift and have Lisa and her family over. Al doesn't know it yet, but I'm not going over there until Sunday afternoon...if then.

Though it would be fun to watch the Survivor finale. This has been a surprisingly good season. I was skeptical at first because of the All-Stars edition, which sucked eggs in my book--all those pros letting Rob-father run the show when they had the power to put him down...that drove me nuts.

I know one thing...I've missed my nephews this week. William hung out for a while yesterday afternoon. We worked on his math and then played at toontown.com.

When I get off, I've got to run to Office Depot to get ink for the new (used off ebay) printer I got for home and then drop by the bank... I think the boys are staying. Ben wants me to help him make a Mother's Day card for his Mom. William is dying to get the new printer installed. He wants to print out pictures from the Spiderwick Chronicles movie.

And me... I think I'll turn in early so I can face a busy weekend. Be well and take care.

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Heavy Metal Sushi

I've got this song in my head...it's by Skid Row ...hair band from the late 80's.

Help me get it out!

Dude...

I swear sometimes when I see a picture of Clay Aiken, I think it's of a woman! The older he gets the more squirrely girly he looks.

Schoolyard Politics

The nephews are enrolled in the afterschool program at the daycare where Mom and Lisa work. A daycare van picks them up (most days) from the elementary school and drops them off at the daycare.

It seems Ben has gotten into trouble while riding the bus. He and a few of his little buddies got into an argument with some girls. According to the 'sweetest girl at the daycare' Ben told her that he "was gonna hit her with a rock and kill her family."

I laughed when I heard Lisa telling Mom about it and watched her have a 'talk' with Ben about it. She said, "Ben, Macy said that you told her you were going to hit her with a rock (he framed an explanation on his lips when he heard this part) and kill her family (then got wide-eyed and shocked when she said this)."

He tried to explain but she went into a lecture about not being mean to sweet girls and never threaten to hurt or kill anyone.

Personally I don't believe he threatened to kill her family...because when he and William or Uncle John play soldiers or army or Star Wars or any fighting game, he always insists that the bad guys are wounded...never dead.

And I know a few things about 'sweet nice girls' because I was labeled thus all through my lower education years and I was anything but sweet.

Probably somewhere in the statement a grain of truth begun and as we all know the youngsters can take something and run with it. Ben probably did say some things he shouldn't and I imagine the other kids were putting in their share of it.

After the lecture I said, "Ben next time threaten her with a wet noodle."

My mom and Lisa both jumped on me about it...and I can see their point...any sort of threat isn't a good thing. So I simply said, "Well Ben, since you can't use physical force, play dirty.... tell the girl that if she doesn't be nice to you that you'll marry her when she's older."

That's a more menacing threat that throwing rocks ....lol

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Coughy and Coffee

Man, my cough is back... I swear my lungs just won't stay clear.

I've decided that McDonald's has the best coffee in the fast-food world. I crown them King.

And how about that Burger King robot who's good with his hands??? I wonder if that pack of rabid moms ran over the real Burger King King and now they're having to use a robot in the commericals.

For the longest time I've thought that the Burger King King was the creepiest fast-food mascot, but I've changed my mine. That jack-in-the-box man-thing is pret-ty scary.

But getting back to me... I've gotten a load of advice about how to get rid of this congestion forever...like eat a handful of raw garlic or drink down two tablespoons of vinegar a day, get some moonshine and honey and lemon--make a hot totty or toddy or toady or love potion.... rub an onion on my throat and chest before I go to sleep..

home remedies... maybe I should experiement with these fast fixes and then do a major article for a health site on them...lol.. oh yea..that's the ticket...

maybe not... I don't think I can stand smelling onion all night.

Obama Wins NC

No surprise there...

I got in an arguement with a Democrat while waiting to vote. And the topic was about the Democratic ticket. The person--a very opinionated woman declared that the decision of who would take NC was clearly a racial one.

I disagreed. I said that if Obama did pull it off that it wouldn't be based on race, it would be based on the fact that many people are feed-up with the Clintons--they're in our face every time we turn around. Here I am...a Republican...waiting to vote and get drawn into a Democratic battle. All around me people were saying "I'm voting for Obama." And 99.9 percent were White!

How can that be a racial decision?

One guy said, "Bill Clinton had his eight years of Presidency. He doesn't need anymore."

A lady a few years younger than me said, "I got sick of seeing him plastered on the newspaper and television. Didn't he visit every town in Robeson County? His smugness gets under my skin."

I read somewhere online last week after Bill came to L'ton that he said in so many words "I've talked a lot of people over to Hiliary's side." Maybe he did but it sure didn't help her in NC.

Our country is in need of repair. And sadly I see no great choice in our pickings for Presidency. All I can do is hope that God has some plan for us and to keep the faith.

But I do know one thing I wish...

that the 'race' card would get torn in two...and for people to see our candidates for what they can do for the country and not what 'color' their skin happens to be.

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

ya know...

sometimes spam headlines can be fun to read:

Man's Response Erection for Sexual Activity.


No kiddin'!

Hard wood

...floors! That's what is going on at my house. I decided to take up some of the old carpet and put down flooring. Especially since the carpet is really old and worn. I must say it all looks nice so far...and I think it will help with my allergies.

Plus increase the value of my home. ;)

Convicted

For the last month or so I've noticed there are a bunch of 'Inmates Working' signs out here and there. I can remember one instance when I was around 13 and was over visiting one of my 'step-sisters' who was about 5 years older than me. She had gotten married and we were decorating her new home. It about 6 months after her father and my beloved first stepfather's death.

It as a lovely warm fall day and there was a knock at the door...an armed deputy who informed us that convicts were going to be working on clearing the ditches on her road and for us to keep the windows and doors locked and to have a phone handy. He promised they would be done as quickly as possible.

And they were...we were sorta afraid, mainly because of an incident back when I was around 6 years old where some convicts broke out of a chain gang, killed two guards and held a family hostage for a few days...that family was my 2nd step father, his step-mother and father. It was a terrible event, because the lady was raped (she was close to 60 but that didn't matter to these monsters) and the father had just experienced eye surgery. It took a force of deputies to storm the house and rescue the hostages. Luckily no one was killed but the psychological scars were permenant, especially for my 2nd step-father who used that excuse for the mental abuse he gave me and my siblings during the ten years he and mom were married.

But in the last few years, I've noticed that there are many areas of the county were convicts are working on the roads. I'm assuming they are no risk but what happened to common courtesy from the Prison officials... especially in residental areas. Is it so hard to have a guard or deputy drop by and tell us that inmates will be working in the area and to be on guard?

I don't think so. All it takes is time and effort.

Monday, May 05, 2008

ZzzzZZzzzz

I am so sleepy today.... Saturday and Sunday, I didn't take my medicine that helps loosen phelgm and give me a productive cough...because it makes me slightly groggy and I knew I needed to be alert for jury duty.

But in the middle of the night, I had a long coughing bout where I couldn't get the phelgm up..it was horrible. So I took a tablet this morning...and now I'm groggy.

Good thing jury duty was postponed. Not just for that reason but because Dad forgot I had JD and didn't show up for work until 11:57 this morning. And we had a slight rush first thing--which is good I was here.

Sometimes I wonder about Dad's thought process. I told him all last week and 3 times on Sat that I wouldn't be here Monday...

My weekend was very restful. I was really exhausted from my drive up to see Al...and took a 3-hour nap when I got there--but only after putting on my famous lemon chicken. I felt rested and was surprised that I could sleep all night long. Al actually had done all the housework. I was totally shocked. So on Sunday, Slick the cat and I watched movies.

We saw "Darkness Falls" (I give it a C-), Constantine (I know it's nothing like the comic but I still like the movie --A-) and Pride and Prejudice (an A+++).

After the movies when off, I drove over to Walmart to get some stuff. At the check, I was surrounded by Army guys. They were so cute and friendly. I took the time to thank all of them for serving our country and for all the sacrifices they make and continue to make. And I got hugs for all of them. The cashier was teary when I got to her. She said, "I never hear people telling them that. And I'm ashamed I don't."

No matter what stance each of us has on the war....I think it's important that we show support to our guys who risk and give their lives to keep ours free.

For supper I made Shrimp Alfredo...and boy was it good. Al kept giving me two thumbs and two big toes up... never had that kind of compliment. I went to bed at 11 pm and was promptly awakened an hour later by Al, telling me a huge raccoon was staring at him through the sliding glass door. I know it's unusual but ...jeez... I'm sleeping here... I told him to ignore him or make a hat out of him. I didn't see a hat this morn, so I am safely assuming the raccoon is still alive and kicking.

I was sorta surprised at the amount of people ordered to jury duty and equally surprised at all the no-shows when they called roll. And I was very happy when the lady told me that I could come back May 19. But I know it won't be much better and but for now... I'm cool with that.

Vote tomorrow


Here in NC, we are voting tomorrow. I can't express how important it is to get out and let your voice be heard...

Happy Dance



What luck! My jury duty has been deferred to May 19. Yes, let's dance, baby.

Friday, May 02, 2008

Juror 69



What Joy! I have to appear for jury duty at Civil Court bright and shiny on Monday morning. Could be worse...could haven been criminal court. I wonder if it will be as entertaining as Jerry Springer's show...

probably not...

oh well... joy anyway.

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Nothing much to say...

...but I'm sure something will pop out of the keyboard.

Feeling very sleepy today. I think the toll of being sick last week is catching up with me. When I get off, I've been trying to catch up on housework and yard duty. Not resting like I should. Maybe after CSI goes off, I'll hit the hay for an early night...maybe...

Been having woes with Page Builder on the yahoo website create/manage area...thingie. I guess I'll have to download Sitebuilder to get the pages finished. My website will be more professional looking...sorta hate to lose the 'Sherrie' touch.

Can't believe it's Thursday. The week has flown by. My brother and I are going out for Chinese food tonight... I think or maybe to a local steakhouse. I bet he leaves it up to me to decide.

What about Survivor? I'm betting Cierie will win. There have been a lot of bonehead moves this time around.

Going to Al's this weekend. I think time apart makes him appreciate me more. We'll see if he's done any housework these past few weeks.

That's about it I think.... hmmm.. yep that's it...for now.

Ex-President Clinton

Here's the link to the article about Bill being in Lumberton. Dad said he "looked just like he does on TV." And a friend of mine who went said he was "sexy and charming" (I noted grass stains n her knees...haha..just kidding).

I wish I had went to hear him speak, but someone had to mind the studio.