Rednecks, beer cans and homemade wine

I had a nice weekend at Al's. He worked during the day and I spent some time relaxing and doing little things...like cooking some killer meals. I was in the mood to cook something different ...and didn't have my recipe books with me...so I sorta invented a few dishes (well, maybe not invented them...more like created my own recipes).

I didn't cook Friday night. Al had leftovers because I had already eaten and didnt' feel like cooking. Saturday morning, I cooked steak and eggs... yummy... Al was happy and I sent an extra steak with him for his lunch. He left for work at around 2 and I spent the day doing some laundry and shopping.

For supper, I cooked some coconut rice, sauteed shrimp and some early peas. I melted butter in olive oil and sauteed some minced garlic, once it was soft and not quite brown I added the shrimp and cooked them until they were slightly pink and curled up.
The rice was cooked in coconut milk and salt... I added about a 1/4 of a cup of water to the c. milk and cooked the rice in that... I swear it was all 'melt-in-your-mouth' good. I'll have to add the recipes to my cooking blog later.

So after dinner, I cleaned up and Al watched TV. Al tends to channel surf when nothing's on. I did up the dishes by myself because he tends to get in the way when he's helping. After I finished, I sat beside him on the couch. He stopped on a show called "My Big Fat Redneck Wedding." The bride-to-be was showing her mom where her wedding was going to be held...at a flea market...and how she wanted bales of hay in certain spots...and that the aisle to the alter was to be directed between pool tables...if someone wanted to play pool before sitting down, that would be ok with her.

Tom Arnold hosts the show and would pop up with commentary remarks through the thing... and we laughed our asses off. The bride and groom went to the florist and told her that they didn't want anything 'foo foo' for their wedding... so the groom gets an idea and polishes off his tall boy beer that he had in a paper bag...cuts the top off and adds some stuff that was sitting on the counter ... some sort of dried straw and tells her to put flowers in it. The florist was like "You want me to make your arrangements out of beer cans?" The bride says, "I think it's kinda cool."
As the happy couple leave the place, he pees her name in front of the store. The Bride says, "I can't believe you peed my name in front of her store. It's cool but you forgot to dot the i" (her name is Gail).

They decide to have a beer can arch...and the groom supplies the empty "Bud" cans for it.

The dress arrives from the internet...a size 8, when it should be a size 28! But the helpful groom does his best to get her in it...kept saying 'Hold it in.' An oversized shoe horn wouldn't have gotten her in that dress, much less him.

The wedding day arrives and the bride's lost her teeth but don't worry...her mom offered to let her use hers. They find it. She poly-grips it and the wedding begins.

Before the wedding the groom along with his granny worked on his vows...I can't remember all of the bad rhyme but part of it was 'you're hotter than hot pockets." And granny pipes in "I looOOOove hot pockets." After hearing all of it, she offered him some advice...in polite terms she told him it sucked and to work harder. But he pulled off a really touching vow at the wedding.

When the preacher pronounced them husband and wife, instead of releasing doves...they released chickens...but that's only a side bar...they had a mechanical bull at the reception and did a mating-dance-ride on it...talk about my eyes seeing more than I wanted...

it was really funny. I can't give it justice in this blog.

Anybody can Write

My sinuses are giving me a fit again. Yesterday by 4 pm, I felt as if my head would explode, but I didn't leave work until 4:45 and only because my PC crashed. I had opened too many photo files. To make a long story short, I went to bed at 9:30 pm. I wasn't really sleepy but my head was achy and I felt a bit feverish. Thinking I needed help with my sleep, I looked for a boring book to read. I found one I hadn't read yet...a book on writing. It was in the clearance bin at Barnes and Noble, begging me to buy it, so I did.

The book is "Anybody can Write" by Roberta Jean Bryant: A playful approach; Ideas for the aspiring, the beginning and the blocked writer. On the back it gives a detailed message of what to expect (we all know how these books go and what they usually say). There are naturally some writing exercises like: Engage in paper and pen conversation, Free your creativity through escape writing, Keep an "anything goes" journal, Learn to fingerpaint with words, and Have a conversation with your muse or even with your writer's block.

So I picked it up and began to read...and found myself relating to what Mrs. Bryant had to say: that creativity can be stifled by well-meaning teachers and parents. She gave an example from her youth. During the third grade, she was introduced to finger painting. She was very excited about it and thought, 'I wonder what will happen when I put this color beside this color...' and she would dab different colors, excited about how they looked beside each other, wondering what would happen with each color. Suddenly, her teacher was beside her and asked, "What are you painting?" and she thought, "Uh?"... then said tentatively as if questioning, "Flowers?"... the teacher grabs a brush, runs it through the green paint and says, "You need to add some leaves and stems"...and she destroys Mrs. Bryant's painting...changing it from what it was...an experiment with creativity.

I remember reading "The War of the Worlds" by H.G. Wells in the 5th grade and writing a report on it. Instead of writing "color" and other words like we Americans normally do, I wrote "colour" like the English do, because that's how those words were written in the book. I got a D on the report and I asked why. The teacher said because of my misspellings--that I knew better. I said that I wrote them like H.G. Wells had done...that the report was on his book and should be written in the same way... she and I argued over this and I think she was at a loss of explanations as to why I was wrong and she was right. She knew I had a point but she also knew she couldn't let me by with it because it went against the grain of her teaching method and took away some of her teaching power. In the end, she said I could re-write it in "American" grammer. I rewrote it but the damage was done. She had installed a hint of doubt to my instinctive creativity to writing reports or any type of project. After that incident, I painfully completed essays, projects and reports, fretting over the outcome.

How many times have we been told our method of doing a task is wrong, when in the end it probably comes out to the same results?

I wish I had a hundred dollars for all the times I've heard people say to me "Oh I wish I could paint like you or I wish I could cook like you or I wish I could write poetry, etc." I always reply, "But you can. You might not do it like I do or like anyone else but you can paint or you can cook or you can write..." and so I tell the story of my crocheting experience. I can crochet but not very well...and if the person is in my house I show them my crochet project--a very crooked afgan. I have never thought I couldn't do something I really wanted to try to do. So many people experience defeat before ever trying a task or an adventure into the unknown.

You can write, you can read, you can do anything your heart sets its sights on...just because the outcome isn't exactly as you imagined it would be, doesn't mean you failed. What it does mean is that you succeeded in trying and imagining that you could and who knows...maybe your next venture will be a success.

I'm glad I started reading the "Anybody can Write" book. I'm looking forward to the adventures waiting within the pages.

You Are a Crossword Puzzle

You are well read, and you have a good head for remembering facts. You are a wordsmith. You have a way with words, and you're very literate. You are a mysterious person who enjoys dropping little clues every now and then.

What Kind of Puzzle Are You?

William Rocked

William made an A+ on his oral presentation. He got the highest grade in the class and was the best presenter. He's proud of himself...and told Mom that when I saw his grade I would scream with joy.

Glad she told me ahead of time that I was suppose to scream with joy... so I did. He grinned at me and I felt all the pride he had... how it shined in his eyes and I almost cried.

He's come so far... and it's been a long road to travel. I'm glad I've been there to hold his hand and to guide him over the rough spots. The journey is far from over, I know...and there will be rougher roads ahead, but today... for now... my heart is full of love and pride.

I just don't always understand...

...guys!

Over the last couple of weeks, I've been getting friends' requests on my yahoo messenger for guys I knew in the yahoo groups a few years ago. Each one disappeared and how they've resurfaced and want to chat 'intimately' with me. One guy who was really big in the romantic decadence poetry group calls me 'sweetness personified'. Back in the day, he used to email me poetry and wanted me to reply with poetry. The problem I had was that he was a rhymer...and I couldn't get into his method, so I didn't reply. Now he's sending offlines with poems..or partial poems. I've ignored him so far. I've changed a lot...and don't need 'online validation.'

There have been a few others who just want to know if I'm still free to cyber. I don't remember ever cybering with them. I added them to my list so I would know when they were online and thus remain invisible. It pays to keep those that bother you in your eyes' pathway.

But the one that sorta makes me confused is a guy I knew way before Yahoo--probably in 2000...we met in a NC singles chatroom and ended up going out a few times. Both of us were Scorpios...born just a day apart. I think we were just too intense for each other. When he touched me... in innocent ways, I felt electricity or static energy between us. It was as if he was sucking my essence out of me, just by touch alone.. So we never made it beyond 2 dates.

I didn't hear much from him afterwards..other than the occasional "I just found my dream girl" email. Well, he kept sending me friend's requests last week.. I decline a few of them but finally excepted. Last night he caught me in chat and told me he had gotten married in Dec 07...and wasn't sure it would work because the girl is a Virgo. I told him to give it a chance... and to try and keep things fresh. As I said good-bye after making sure he knew I was 'almost engaged'...he suggested we exchange numbers soon and talk one weekend while he was at work....

I didn't reply...just pretended not to be there. I don't understand why he wants to talk. We haven't in 8 years...beyond the occasional email a few years ago..I can't even remember the last time we did email... I'm thinking about 4 to 5 years ago. We have nothing in common...and if he's newly wed and happy, why contact me??? I'm sure there are local people he can talk to who want to be his friend.

This just baffles me a bit... I'm sure it will fade away ... it always does.

Feb. 29, 2008

We won't see this day for another 4 years. I usually ask a guy to marry me on this day...on I know who will say no.

So I asked Jeff Diamond, the DJ ... I told him that I would wash his oldies shirts every night... cook him dinner wearing only thigh high stockings, heels, lacy black panties and an apron. That I would enhance and retouch his professional photos so that he always looks great in publications...and I would iron and starch his boxers so that he could stand at attention, even when he didn't feel like it.

A great bargain I think...

He said "Starch my boxers...ouch... ha... you can enhance my boxers."

Well..that's true...

It wasn't until later that I realized he never said no to my proposal...

Calls to Me

Today I noticed the first blade of green grass,
pushing up through autumn leaves
that find solace in winter’s arms.

Not far away was the first daffodil,
tender petals of buttery yellow
challenging the sun’s brilliance.

I should rejoice in these sights,
knowing spring is close at hand;
days of rebirth and second chances.

But I miss the sea; salt on my lips,
winds that whip my hair into submission,
alabaster sand under my bare feet.

My soul wants to bathe in the ocean,
baptized in foam and sunlight
that reflects in mermaid eyes.

The song of seagulls carried on the wind
whispers a tune in my heart;
the words a sigh that breathes salt.

My mind’s eye pictures the twisting surf,
clinging to me like a lover’s embrace
with every inch of me touched and caressed.

Cobalt blue skies at sunset; light pink dawns
and the mysteries of sorrow in every drop
of teary water calls to me, beckons me home.

Curiosity

There are a few places in town that I like to get gas at. My favorite one is on the edge of town and I use the back road to get home, which takes me through the swamp. I noticed the other day that there are a lot of dirt paths leading into the thick woods and I wondered where they lead. But I am not brave enough to follow them...at least not by myself.

On the main road I live off of, there’s a pond with a couple of houses on it. Really nice. There’s a horse pasture and a grave yard! I can’t help but wonder how the grave yard affects those people living there... Looking at it across the pond. I can imagine how the horse pasture effects them.. Peeyou!

I’ve been thinking about the paths and the grave yard for a few days now... Two short stories are forming in my head about women who can’t fight the urge to explore the paths and the grave yards to see what’s there, regardless of the consequences. I’ll call the series “Curiosity Killed the Cat.”

Few people know that “Satisfaction Brought it Back.”

Presidency = aging

Boy, George Bush sure looks old. I wonder if Hilary Clinton realizes that if she does become President, she's gonna look older and haggier (is that a word?) than she does right now...and believe me, she looks pretty frumpy now.

Gotta Love This one

The Snake by Al Wilson!

Today... tomorrow...or not

William is here tonight. We worked on homework and his oral project on Babe Ruth. He thought he should talk in a deep voice which came out sounding like a bad hillbilly movie, so I had him axe that idea. He asked me what I was going to do while he was sleeping. I said, "Read an unwritten story. "

Hopefully trying to figure that one out will get him to sleep quickly.

It was one of those days today that was strange. I had to run some errands this morning and they went ok. Then Al showed up at around 11:30 and we had an early lunch. I went with him to the courthouse to get his passport application sent off...and when I went through the metal detectors I sent them off... I had removed everything from my coat and my jeans' pocket. They kept scanning me with that handheld thingie and I kept sending off alarms. For a moment I thought the two guards--beefy black females were gonna do a cavity search, until I searched my coat pockets again and...bingo... I found a penny wedged in a corner of a pocket. Now how can a penny send the metal detectors in a turmoil? Al went through it with a pen in his coat pocket and the damn thing didn't go off.

I confess it was nice to see Al. I've missed him these last few weeks. Think I'll leave work early Friday and drive up to Fayetteville for the weekend. Maybe we can find some quality time together. Talk about our future...whether he wants to or not. This celibacy thing isn't working too well for me... I think he should know this, don't you?

Since I've been home on Sunday evenings these past 3 or so weeks, I've been watching supernatural shows on the Bio channel. Which have gotten me to think about how I've had so many experiences...so this afternoon at work I wrote a very long essay on these thoughts... I wrote it in my word program. Then went online to paste it at myspace first...then here...and guess what? My computer crashed... I lost the article. Now I don't know if it will be recovered when I log back into MicroWord...should be interesting to see if it does. Do I read anything into this? No...just a ususal PC crash that happens nearly every working day.

Cough... damn... Cough

I can't get rid of my cough. It keeps lingering on ...like a smelly fart. (That's what William said about his math homework last night..lol).

Tune In

While I'm getting ready this morning, I'm listening to Jeff Diamond ...his station WNCT is online. So if you like oldies..that rock... go listen. It's easy and you know you really really want too...

He played Ladies' Night by Kool & the Gang just a few mins ago and I danced around in my undies...

Now he's playing Ma Cherie Amour... Stevie Wonder. The mailman sings this to me every day he's on the route.

Survey says...

Since Al is working 2 jobs until March 8, I went over on Saturday to help do some housework and cook him some food so he wouldn't have to. I baked chicken thighs, fried some sage covered pork chops, made some chili and some black bean soup... did some laundry and swept his floors.

Of course half way through it all, I thought "What the HELL am I doing???" But I knew he appreciated it and that was my reward.

At around 6 pm, I was finishing up the dishes when the phone rang. I figured it was him but it wasn't. The caller was a guy from India.

"May I speak with Allen?" he asked.
I said, "Hmm... he's not available."

"May I speak with household member about survey of Office Depot?" he asked.
"Hm...hold on for a second," I said. I pulled the phone from my ear and held it towards the cat saying, "Here...kitty... here...kitty, do you want to talk to nice man?

I could dimly hear the man saying "Miss...Miss...who you calling for survey? Miss..MISSSSS?"

I put the phone back to my ear and said, "Hmmm she doesn't want to talk to you."

He said, "Was that cat you calling just now?" He didn't wait for an answer and rushed on with "Cat not person. I talk to household member only."

"But..But... the cat is a household member. She likes Office Depot. In fact we all do. So you don't have to survey us. Just check "great, we love them" to all your questions."

He cleared his throat, then sighed and said, "I call Allen later."

I said empathically, "No you won't. He works 3rd shift and if he's disturbed before it's time to wake up, his wrath is like the finger of God ... destroying all in his path."

The India guy didn't say anything for a moment and I really thought he had hung up on me. Then he said, "Ok Miss. We not survey your household. No call back. Ok?"

"Great," I said, "Oh and we really do love Office Depot. Don't forget to write it down."

Donnie Osmond

I have a myspace page. A very very good friend of mine (whom I know offline) found it a few days ago and after reading the profile, he wrote a message that said:

"Where does Donnie Osmond fit in with the other musicians? That's Sherrie; no one knows the answer except the Reaper."

I laughed so hard when I read that message. He's right though... and I would never admit to him that he knows me way too well...for his own good.

"And after the spanking, the oral sex. "

The Lumberyard guy, John saw "Spamalot" this weekend. Reading his post reminded me of something...

A while back I was dating a guy who was 11 years younger than I. We got along fairly well even if the romance faded rapidly, we still went out to dinner or movies or shopping when he needed to buy something for his daughter or whoever. I never worried about a long-term relationship because I knew our age difference would catch up with us sooner or later. And since I'm young at heart, it took a long time for it to happen...and it happened it stages.

The first time it happened we were in F-ville at the mall. We dropped in Spencer's (a novelty shop that had 'head' stuff, adult stuff and goofy stuff) to look around. To my surprise there was a huge display of all thing's "Grail."

I said, "OMG, the Holy Grail. I love that movie."

He said, "What movie?"

I stared hard at him, wondering if he was joking. "Monty Python and the Holy Grail."

He said, "Never heard of it."

My mouth dropped. "Wha...t? Monty Python is a comedy group out of England. Hell, they are England. Haven't you ever seen the show? It's on PBS quite often."

He yawned, "Nope. I have no idea who they are." And he walked away while I stared at his retreating back, thinking "We are truly doomed." And the first nail went into the coffin.

The next nail happened I asked if we could go see "KC & The Sunshine Band" at the HOB in Myrtle Beach. He said no after promising me if I went to a "Beach Boys" concert with him that he would take me to see whatever band I wanted to see. His excuse was "I don't 'get' the 70's."

I lOOoooOOooove the 70's. And aren't the Beach Boys a part of the 70's????

Then one night, he called and asked, "Sherrie, what are sea monkeys?"

My answer was drowned out by the hammer hitting the final nail and the heavy thump of dirt covering the coffin.

2000

According the my dashboard, this is my 2000 post. A milestone in ways but really it's not that important. All milestones end and others begin, right?

So what do I say in this post? Something witty that will make the world smile? Something profound that will inspire poetry or music or art?

No, I think not.

I will just say this. I love this place. I can write what I want and not care what others think. I can get things off my chest. I can make you smile or laugh or even feel sad.

Words have so much power. If we could harvest their power, just think of what we could do with it. No more oil .... I believe that even solar power would dim under the power harvested from words.

Now that is quite the thought....

and I'm glad I have that fuel.

I keep forgetting...

Did I mention I am super happy today?

spelling

Thought you guys might like to know.. I'm very happy today... ever been like that and could barely contain it. I know you're happy for me... and can barely contain it too. lol..

I was helping William with a project on Babe Ruth the other night. He kept misspelling words like joon for June or.. Kankies for Yankees (Don't know where that one came from..).. so I pull up the google search engine...and type in Babe Rooth.

lol... that kid rubs off on ya.

Love...

I'm bubbling over with happiness today.

I got to Al's house at about 4:30. I let myself in and the house was real quiet. I knew he was probably sleeping because he worked the night before and had errands to do that morning. So I said hi to the cat, put my stuff on the table and slipped my shoes off before slipping into bed with him.

He woke up and promptly pulled me into a total body embrace. We stayed like that for a very long time, not speaking but kissing softly, then deeply, then softly..and so a vicious cycle was born. But neither of us minded. We were so happy to be together again. We finally broke apart long enough for me to give him a total body massage from the top of his head to the tip of his toes...ok..not a total body massage since his privates are still off limits, though I did get to massage his sexy ass.. How I managed not to ravish him...I guess I'll chalk it up to sheer will power.

We made a delicious dinner of blackened catfish fillets, steamed broccoli, baby lima beans and a salad. Then hung out until it was time for bed. We talked, we laughed and my heart is full of our love today. My happiness is too hard to contain... I'm glowing and everyone can see ... and as the mailman said, "Glowing is always a good thing."

I love this man...with every fervored grain of my body...with each molecule of air I inhale. I feel recharged, ready to face life again...and in a few more weeks, his second job will end and we'll be back to spending more time with each other. This time apart ( 17 days) has proven to both of us how much we enjoy each other's presence, how much we need it to recharge and face whatever life has tossed at us. Like Al said last night, "We fit together."

And did I say I'm happy today?

ah... Smell..I can smell again...

Finally getting a little better. My head doesn't feel as if it's gonna explode at any moment and my cough is a quiet yelp instead of a deep bark. I'm just on my second tissue instead of the tenth. When I take a deep breath and exhale, my lungs don't whistle.

So yes.. I'm feeling pretty frisky.

On top of it all..I'll see my sweetie this afternoon and the world will be right again. Except for the pollution, the crime, the immorality and high inflation....

Man I swear just when I'm ready to give up on Nip Tuck, they knock my panties off and make me want more. Last night's finale was great! That's all I'm gonna say about it. Because unless you're a viewer...anything I write won't mean a thing.

Sunday evening I caught a great show that I knew about but couldn't see in the past. Dexter. It's orginally on Showtime and I don't get that channel. I'm an HBO whore. CBS is showing the first season--edited for primetime I'm sure. But it caught my attention from the first second. I'm an addict now. Can't wait to see the next episode and hope it continues to be as great.

I don't remember much about my Saturday night. I had a fever and kept falling asleep on the couch...and I spent a lot of daylight sleeping on Sunday. But I did caught some great flicks Sunday night. Like Pan's Labyrinth. It's subtitled but such a great movie. And the Lost Boys! I don't think I've seen that movie in over ten years. I had forgetten some of it and had a few laughs at Corey Haim's outfits. So gay looking, even for the 80's.

After Dexter went off, I was going to turn off the TV but channel surfed for a while and came across "Epic Movie"...a spoof movie that hits on Narnia, Snakes on a Plane, The Da Vincci Code, Pirates of the Carribean Deadman's Chest (Darrell Hammond of SNL does a killer Jack Sparrow impression), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Crispin Glover is a perverted Willie Wonka), Click, Cribbs, Nacho Libre, X-Men, Borat... the list goes on. I laughed my ass off. It was so damn senseless but so funny too. Probably due to my meds..lol..

You Are Bare Feet

You are a true free spirit, and you can't be tied down. Even wearing shoes can be a little too constraining for you at times! You are very comfortable in your own skin. You are one of the most real people around. You don't have anything to hide. Open and accepting, you are willing to discuss or entertain almost any topic. You are a very tolerant person. You are accepting and not judgmental. You should live: Somewhere warm You should work: At your own business, where you can set the rules

What Kind of Shoe Are You?

You Are Basil

You are quite popular and loved by post people. You have a mild temperament, but your style is definitely distinctive. You are sweet, attractive, and you often smell good.

What Spice Are You?

Cough... cough...Sneeze..Where's that damn tissue?

Well, I caught William's cold and it's turned into a nasty respiratory bug. I feel like crap. It's as if someone is sitting on my chest and I can't get them off.

I think I've gone through 2 boxes of Puffs (they don't blow out like Kleenex does when you have to honk your nose.)

And tomorrow evening is when I go to Al's for that romantic dinner...and I feel horrible. That's my luck of late.

We had some bad storms Sunday night at 'dead time - 3 am'...they were so fierce that I thought the house was gonna be lifted up and I would end up somewhere over the rainbow. Now, don't get me wrong...I'm up for the adventure but I think those ruby shoes would be hell on the feet.

as you can see...

my poetry muse visited me last night. I was about to turn out my light, when the small sherku popped in my head... so I quickly grabbed paper and pen. I knew if I waited that it would become lost in a dream...

then the other two followed on its tail.

I feel rusty...as if I was asleep for ages. Maybe my muse will stay longer and get over the walking sleep she's been in.

At least I hope so.

Across Sand, Rushes Time

Across sands, rushes time,
like galloping horses on the surf.
Grains and foam freckle the horizon;
minute moments~forgotten youth.

I dare not whisper my desires
into the hollow ears of conch shells.
They cannot keep quiet secrets of sex;
those that flame loins and snare minds.

Naked, I stand on the sea shore,
a salty breeze my invisible cloak.
I taunt time to gallop by me in
a rush of sea foam and lust.

In the ocean of my mind,
there is a madness that has method.
I can't stop time nor rush desire;
grains on my breast~foam on my loins.

Sex Lust Scent

wrapped in satin
sex-lust scent
my perfume

kiss wicked desires
on my thighs
~decadent ones

shatter my softness
with stone edges
of you

rhythm of one
you and I
'til dawn comes

My heart

my heart
tossed up to heaven
~Star-shaped pieces

Happy Valentine's Day!

Romance on Valentine's Day

I won't be getting any... Al has to work both jobs and also work the weekend. So I won't go over there. NO sense in driving 38 miles to watch him sleep and tip toe around.

He told me tht he wanted to make me a romantic dinner but he wouldn't have an evening free until next Wednesday. I really have little choice in the matter so I said yes.

I told him years ago...when we were first dating that a dozen red roses on Valentine's day or a box of candy or perfume or any other frilly feminine thing didn't mean as much as something that you put your heart and soul into...like a romantic dinner or a love letter.

When I was engaged, Charles bought me dozens upon dozens of red roses, peach roses, pink roses, yellow roses, mixed flowers, gave me cards that said how much he loved me and all the while he cheated on me. Thus, canceling all of the above.

I know that many think that Valentine's day is a consumer spending day to steal your money on cheap paper cards, generic chocolate, roses and even jewelry. But that's their choice on how to view or use the day. Me... I like to express beyond the usual "I love you" how much my love means to me...how much this love empowers me, lifts me to the stars to look down at heaven...

so yes, I can wait another week...after all Feb. 14 is just a date..it's not a feat of love.

Quote of the Day

By Daphne du Maurier
Women want love to be a novel, men a short story.

Spamming Myself

One of the problems I had when I had my Opalrose.com site was spoofers. Spammers who somehow spoof addresses from my site. For example: gl00xxb@opalrose.com

It went beyond annoying because I would get 'spam reports' from websites and from yahoo about sending spam. Even deleteing all the email accounts except for the webmistress one didn't help.

I decided to end the website because I didn't have time to work it and I felt as if I were throwing money away.

And where does the spam go? Back to me. I'm getting email about viagra, loans, endowment of manly bits and other spam from (insertusernamehere)@opalrose.com daily.

The ghost of my website is haunting me...via spam.

A Journal By William

About a year or so ago, William found one of my journals that I write poetry in. It's illustrated with pencil drawings or pen & ink, little doodles I add to brighten it up. He asked for a journal.

By chance I had an orange one with a green, purple and blue snail on it. I gave it to him. Last night I was looking through some of their school supplies and books for a kids' book that's got fractions and stuff in it. And I found the "Snail" journal.

On the front William had written "The Evil Thing" Book Two by W. T. Hardin. Ilistrated by William.

Inside are bits and pieces of sentences with drawings like:

"The evil roller coster goes round." ( and a drawing of cirlces and turns, with a stick person screaming.)


"Do not read out loud. The evil will come alive." (Red crayon scribles around the words)

"The evil thing is a grewsome beast." (A circle with fangs staring off the page)

And so go the little kid things he says...about "the grewsome beast and it's vicktims."

"Don't cri out loud. The evil thing is not real."

But at odd places he has written some funny things like "I see you like to read." and "Feel free to Browse."

It's as if he knows I'll sneak a peep at his words, blatantly disregarding the very first page: "Do not read or sufer the conseconsequences (marked out--then rewritten) consequenes."

I wish that kids his age could see the humor in him, the wit that he isn't even aware of. This type of humor is a gift and I'm so glad he's been blessed with it.

Crunchy Crumbs served Grunchy

Mom gave me a box of Nautre Valleey Crunchy Granola Bars (Peanut Butter flavor). Well I just ate one and don't like it. It crumbs very easily and I hate having crumbs all over my chest. The flavor is ok but damn...the crumbs kill me.

As I wiped them off my boobs, I thought, "Damn, these look like toaster scrapings."

I wish I had The Bundys address. They would love these things.

Another Cup of Coffee... Please

I hate Mondays, but not as much as Thursdays because sometimes I think Thursday is Friday and when I realize I'm mistaken, I get angry at Thursday for the deception.

I had a very calm and quiet weekend. Saturday night I watched Mystic River. A very good movie. I have the audio Book and the movie followings it pretty close. Then I made a mistake...I pulled some things out of a closet and disrupted the whole evening. I should have stayed out of the closet because I was putting stuff back in it until 2 am.

Sunday Mom and I drove over to Holden Beach to see Granny. It was a pleasant drive, although my Mom scares me. She tends to drive with her elbows while doing crazy stuff, like putting on hand lotion. To keep from snatching the wheel, I stare at the passing tree lines... a blur that doesn't require much thought and try to think of safe things like...teddy bears or chocolate.

Granny was in a pretty good mood. We did some stuff around the house to help her out, like dusting the furniture, taking down her Christmas tree and hiding the bleach. Granny thinks every item of clothing needs bleach in the wash--not just a drop but at least half the bottle. I think almost every dark item of clothing she owns is now a lighter shade of pale.

We got home at a reasonable hour--around 5 ish. My youngest nephew is sick with a flu like bug, so we dropped in to see how he was doing. I call him my baby bird and I hate it when he's not chirping.

When Mom dropped me off at the house, my brother was home from spending the weekend at my Uncle Bobby's. His friend Ricky came over and they got the DSL running--so now the PC is back up. A word of advice...if your copy of Windows does not validate and you get a warning from Microsoft to validate it. Do so...and if it fails validation, all you have to do is tell them you bought your copy from someone and didn't know it wasn't a real one (I did.. I bought mine from an ebay store last July and the store is no longer in business), they will give you a free product key to use to reinstall Windows)...if you don't.. they will cut your ass off and you won't be able to log on to the internet...

I watched two movies last night... Gaslight..the old black and white film ( from free on demand movies)-such a fantastic movie and American Psycho which was on HBO. Can someone please tell me what the hell happened at the end? I believe I blinked or had a mind fart or something... but that movie sucked eggs. I lost it when the villian chased the hooker... he had a chainsaw and was wearing nothing but blood and sneakers. Why sneakers? I guess it's an 80's inside joke or something. Maybe I'll go to the wikipedia site and see if it's there... to get some insight on what the hell happened. I like vagueness...it's a status I employ but I don't like it in films--at least not to that extreme.

Life & lemons & tigers & bears..Oh My

What a flippin' week! It's been a wild ride but I managed to stay on without having to eat dirt.

First the PC at home wouldn't connect to the internet because the copy of Windows XP I bought last July was pirated. But sweet ole Microsoft gave me a new product number--aren't they just the cuddliest thing around--and I had to reformat the PC...alls I have to do now is download a network driver and I'm all set.

Then my truck died in traffice Wed afternoon...so terribly inconvenient. I was at one of the worse intersections in the city. Luckily people who knew me came by and helped get me off the road... my Uncle Jerry came and we got it going, but it stopped again (the fuel pump kept sticking). He towed me to his auto mechanic and they're working on it right now. Let's hope it gets fixed right this time.

I had plans to go see Lady BJ (an online friend I know off line) but I guess I'll stick around the house and test drive the truck before I get on open roads.

Al's working two jobs this weekend. He started working at Harris Jewelry in the Mall and the pay is much better than at Food Lion Distribution, plus he doesn't have to do all that driving and work 3rd shift. I am glad he's taking the jewelry job. We haven't talked hardly at all this week. Feels like it's a dream. He gets home from Food Lion at 8:15 am, goes to bed and sleeps til 2:45, works at Harris till 9:30 pm, rushes home and changes then drives 40 some mins to Dunn to work 3rd shift. I think he has a few days left. I caught him this morning for a min and he sounds so exhausted. I told him to hang in there... it would be over in a few days.

I know he wishes I would go up there. But I don't see the point and too...the truck needs to be tested around town before I get on I-95.

So I guess I'll do some stuff around the house...like clean out my bedroom closet and make room for new spring clothes..

oh yea..that's the ticket!

This Morning (A *Sherku)

This morning...
a sunset and mourning dove
cooed to me

~ ~ ~ ~
*Sherku are my form of haiku. Not set to any syllable except a breath.

Say.. "Cheese"

Yesterday I was working away at the front desk, logging in orders when Harry a friend of Dad's came by with his 4-yr-old grandson, Cole.

Cole always wants to help me do stuff, so I sent him over to the kids' corner, where I have books and some kids chairs and a table and had him "straighten" it up for me.

Harry and Dad settled down for a long talk... Harry who just had a Colonoscopy was telling Dad about it. I tried to block it out until Cole's little head popped up from the Mickey Mouse book he was looking at and he asked, "What's that Grandpa? Whats a coinopsopy?"

Harry looked uncomfortable. Dad looked amused and I was ever watchful, wondering how he was going to answer this one. Harry looked at me for help and I quickly looked down at my log sheet.

Ole King Cole wasn't going to let it go. "You're not telling meeeeee." He sorta sang it.

"Err..um..er, let's see...the doctor takes a light and a small camera and looks at my colon to see if it's ok."

Cole said, "Where?" He was confused. I think he thought Harry meant a coin. Because he came over and tried to put his little hand in Harry's pocket.

Harry turned 3 shades of red. I think he realized the kid wasn't going to let it drop so he said, "Colon. The Doctor went up my butt hole with a camera and a light and took some pictures."

Cole stood there silent, taking it all in and then said, "Did you smile?"

Beer

Saturday afternoon I made my grocery list. I already had 85% of the items I needed for my Superbowlful of Feastly Foods.

What I lacked was:

1- Blue Cheese
2- Velveta Cheese (for the sausage dip)
3- celery
4- sour cream
5- OJ (for my lemon chicken)
6- Beer, preferably Killen's Red. (for my drunken beans and my beer bread.)

So off I went and naturally a few other items found their way into my shopping cart. And dang it...they had no Killen's. I had to settle for Michelob Amber Bock. I love rich dark sweet beers. They are great tasting and the best to use in recipes.

The two checkout lines weren't that long. In fact I rarely mind waiting as long, as I can stand by the gossip tabloid papers and read the headlines. Of the two lines, I picked the lesser of two dweebles--the smart checkout girl and the clumsy bag boy over the dingy checkout girl and the lazy bag boy.

My checkout girl wizzed through my items and kept giving the clumsy boy dagger eyes because he was so damn slow. I smiled at her apologically and she rolled her eyes at him. He had two items to bag...my beer and my OJ. I watched his awkward bagging and prayed he wouldn't crush anything...when the bag that had the beer in it broke. Instead of taking the six-pack of bottles out of the bag and putting it in another, he tried to put it in another bag by turning the six-pack sideways...

Crash! Two beers fell out. He looked at me as if it were my fault. The check-out girl didn't bother to hide her disgust. He said, "Oh man. I've got to go get another beer." He promptly walked off...in the opposite direction of the beer case. The girl had to go get another six-pack.

Behind me were several old women...race unimportant...they were old and prudish. One said to the other, "That beer bursting is a sign from God that she shouldn't drink."

I wasn't going to say anything, but they stared at me down their judgmental noses, which pissed me off.

So I said, "Ladies, if God was giving out signs, yours would say "Don't Judge, Least ye be Judged."

Then I took my beer and I left.

Giants

What a game! I was happy the Giants won. And totally impressed with Eli Manning. I wonder if he'll be giving pep talks next year too!

My wings were delicious. My blue cheese dip was a big hit and...my sausage cheese dip was too die for. One of my guests told me that he thought the Superbowl commericals were lame but he didn't care because the food made up for it. Now that, my friend is a top-knotch compliment on my cooking.

Finally a Breath

Today wasn't so bad! I finished some hand-coloring and printed some order forms and price lists.

A friend of mine also asked me to format an 11-page business proposal for him. Seems his Vista keeps screwing up the text and headings in his word program.

I've decided to post my blah writings in my yahoo starry journal, so that I won't bore everyone. Sometimes it's best to keep private thoughts just that.

Talked to Sam yesterday... he gave me an idea of what to write for my friend Steve's upcoming e-zine. So I'm working on that this weekend while Al works.

William got great marks on his report card. His teacher wrote a note "Great job. I'm proud of William." ...well, teach so am I. We work hard at his homework and math. I had to help with fractions last night... mixed numbers, etc. He said, "I think you're a Mathmatologist." William speak for "Fraction Genius."

Autism and "Five for Fighting"

Jeff Diamond sent this to me. I support Autism awareness and hope that you guys tke time to click on this link and help fund research that will eventually find a cure to Autims.

The band, Five for Fighting, is generously donating $0.49 to Autism Speaks for *each time* the video is viewed. The funding goes toward research studies to help find a cure. When you have a moment, please visit the link below to watch the video and pass it along to your friends and family. They are aiming for 10,000 hits, but hopefully we can help them to surpass this goal.

Click here to view it: Here

Earth Bound

earth bound
severed wings
all aflutter

an angel
fell hard

shattered haven
her impact
a potent tattoo

a blemish
on hell

clouds gaze
downward, weeping
grey dew

roses bleed
heaven's sorrow

another angel
lost to lust
carnal bound

Stifled

I'm feeling a bit stifled. Don't really want to go into why but the last week or so I feel a bit used by so-called friends... and taken for granted by family and yes, even Al.

I want to escape...to run away for a bit...to unknown places where I can blend in and breathe...just breathe.

That's all I want...is to just breathe.

women and jewels... the myth

For the last few years, Al has been putting out resumes to different places. One of them was to a jewelry store, who was seeking people to fill management positions. I think he put in a resume back in September. Well yesterday they called for to schedule an interview. He's excited because it's a big chain and the starting pay is very mindblowing, plus the benefits are terrific.

He called me at 10:30 am this morning to ask me questions about jewelry. Questions like "Is 14k the standard on gold jewelry?"

I never give yes or no answers, so I said, "I wear some 10k because it's more durable than 14k, especially for every day wear. And from what I understand, the higher the carat of gold the weaker the jewelry."

He said, "Huh? Is 14K the standard on gold jewelry or not?"

I said (still refusing to answer yes or no. "Well, it's probably the most sold of all the carats."

He sighed and let it go... to move on to the next question. "What are the 4 C's in Diamonds. Isn't it cut, clarity, color and carat?"

"Hmmm, yes I think so. Sorry Al, but I don't know much about jewelry, other than what I wear."

He stammered, "But..but... you're a girl."

Flames flew from my eyes, which is a good thing that he wasn't there or he would have been insinerated. "Don't even go there. Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I know every womanly interest like...jewelry...Mr. T knows more than I do. Hey... You're a guy but does that mean you know the working of an engine..."

He stopped me with a laugh, "ok, you're right. Sorry... I shouldn't believe every myth I hear about women."

"Well, believe the multiple orgasm one..."

You Should Rule Saturn

Saturn is a mysterious planet that can rarely be seen with the naked eye. You are perfect to rule Saturn because like its rings, you don't always follow the rules of nature. And like Saturn, to really be able to understand you, someone delve beyond your appearance. You are not an easy person to befriend. However, once you enter a friendship, you'll be a friend for life. You think slowly but deeply. You only gain great understanding after a situation has past.

What Planet Should You Rule?

Looks like the World's safe ...from me

You Are Not Destined to Rule the World

You are destined for something else... Like inventing a new type of cupcake. You just don't have the stomach for brutality. But watch out - because many people do!

Are You Destined For World Domination?

my Weekend Report

I survived it. Al had to work 3rd shift Sat and Sunday, but I managed to entertain myself by cooking and doing laundry. It was weird in a away...trying to be quiet while he slept. We didn't have much time together.

Sunday I was actually able to spend a few hours at Barnes and Noble, reading and sipping expensive coffee.

He's off next weeekend, so we'll do the Superbowl dance and maybe cook some wings and other superbowlable food.

I've decided that instead of thinking of this whole change as negative, I'll turn it around into something positive, like maybe paint more or write more... or even go visit friends like BJ in Wilmington or Joyce in Greenville...

One really great thing about this is that I get to watch what I want to on Television while he's sleeping.

Yay me...

But there's one bad thing...I'm alone at night in a house I sometimes don't like. So sleeping was really difficult.

My today started off crappy though. Al got in from work at 8:15 am. He took a very long shower and drained all the hot water. So guess who took a cold shower...me and I didn't even need it... There's nothing worse than no hot water when you really need it to wake up. It set my mood and I haven't been able to shake it yet.

Maybe another sip of hot coffee will help... oh yea...that's the ticket.

Shrek 3...

Friday night, the nephews and I watched Shrek 3. They kept telling me that I was in the movie and when Snow White popped on the screen, they shouted, "There you are. That's you."

At first I wasn't impressed, until she said a few 'smartass things' and got mad at the woodland creatures for bothering her. When the Princesses burned the bra, and got ready to do battle, I was like "yeah...this is more like it."

As they escaped from the jail cell, and went into commando mode, William said, "Sherrie, this is our favorite part." Along comes Snow White--singing a beautiful song that entrances a gazillion woodland creatures. Even the Lords of The Ring Tree herders who are guarding the perimeter of Far Far Away are absorbed by her beautiful voice.

Then Ben jumps up and shouts, "There you are. That's you." And poof, Snow White issues a battle cry and all the woodland animals attack the Tree Herders. It was so completely awesome.

After that part of the movie was over, Ben said, "Snow White's tough like you are, Aunt Sherrie."

Never in my life have I been given such a cool compliment! I am honored more than they know.

TGIF

For such a short work week, it's been a killer. I am current on my work, meaning that I don't have to meet any major deadlines until Feb. 9.

Al started a new job this week, working at the Food Lion Distribution center in Dunn, NC. It's about an hr drive round trip (I was wrong in an earlier post..it's not an hour away for him...for me it is.) He's working 3rd shift--7 days, off 2, then 7 days off 4...something like that. He hates it but right now the Direct TV installations are slow and his lawn care work is nil, so he has to do something to make ends meet. The pay is good but the work is hard.

It will take a while to adjust to not spending as much time with him on the weekends when he has to work. I told him I would come up and just be there while he sleeps and is at work. Don't know how it will feel being alone in the house at night. Just me and Slick the cat. His PC is up but he's not online. Maybe I'll take a few of my stories to edit or just do some writing.

There's been some conflict between Al and me. So far we've come to common grounds on it. I've decided not to worry too much... things tend to work out for the best and all I know to do is follow my heart. We've just passed the 2 yr milestone...and this year is gonna be our break it or make it year... Im taking a 'wait and see' approach, mainly because he's asked me to be patient with him. Those of you who really know me, know that I am the most patient person in the universe.

Talked to Sam aka Blue last night for a very long time...he's got a novel in his head too. We talked about it extensively ...he's asked me to help... I said I would. He's like I am... writes it in his head and feels overwhelmed to put it to paper. My newest novel is still there...in my noggin waiting to fly off my fingers, unto the keyboard and into a word program...lol...

Tonight I have the nephews. Ben has asked me to play Tater Head with him (Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head toys). I said I would. I had a Mr. Potato Head when I was a kid. And what fun it was! Still is, though Mrs. Potato Head doesn't have as many cool things to wear.

I have a gift card to Victoria's Secret... so you know where I'll be Sunday after lunch. ;)

Have a great weekend, peeps.

Out of the Loop!

(Thanks Lorraine...for sending me this laugh)

You Are a Banana

You are mellow, easy going, and a total softie on the inside. People find it really easy to get along with you. You suit most tastes. And while you're very sweet, you're not boring or ordinary. You have an attraction to the exotic, and you could show up anywhere... doing almost anything! You are spirited, energetic, and a total kick to be around. You're also quite funny. Your sense of humor is on the goofy side, and it fits you well.

What Type of Fruit Are You?

Nuts

and not the good kind. ;)

For the last two days, I've been running around work going crazy over a last minute vender booth Dad purchased at a "Prom Fashion Show" that will be held at RCC. Or so I thought he had purchased it.

I worked on posters, on flyers and brochures. I printed and printed...buckets of them. I printed photo samples and gift certificates...

only to find out just now that the people in charge couldn't get any other venders, so they've decided not to have any. But they will gladly use the gift certificates as door prizes.

I've wasted time I could have been using on paying clients. Oh well...tis life.

I was able to get deferred until May on my Jury Duty... I'll be in Civil court instead of Criminal and that means I'll probably do one day. Sort of wouldn't mind being a juror on a murder case but they might not pick me.. I'm all for the death penalty...hell, prove 'em guilty and we'll lynch out back. (no this isn't a racial slur or anything like that...I believe in equal opportunity death penalties.)

I'm hoping tonight I can catch up on my email and stuff. I was going to last night but decided to post some recipes in my Cooking Sherrie Blog. And goof off on myspace... I think everyone (well, almost everyone) has a space there.

Opera

William is spending the night. He's got school tomorrow but that's not a problem. I'll get up and fix pancakes. Lisa said she would bring Ben over and they could eat together, then she will drop them off at school.

Will and I had fun tonight. It was Opera night. When we talked to each other, we sang the words and did dramatic hand dances. It was fun. Once the phone rang and I was in Opera mode...the poor cable salesman didn't know what to say when I sang out a 'Not interested' in a very bad soprano voice. William thought it was funny. My brother thought I was nuts, but that's nothing new.

We took a break while he watched Ninja Warrior on the G4 something channel. It's one of those obstacle course type shows where the guys or gals have to do very hard tasks to win prizes. They subtitled English..and I lost it a few times. Mainly because William was trying to speak Japanese and the subtitles read like "He is still wearing his baseball cap and waving his arms" and "the water swallowed him whole."

William brought home a cool book from his school library: "Authur Spiderwick's Field Guide to Fantastical ...something" (dang I forgot the whole title)... you've probably seen the movie trailer. I swear it's the coolest book. We spent almost an hour reading it together. I might have to see that movie. William's not sure ...he thinks it might be too scary. I'm all for it... even if it's not an Opera.

Petals

As I place petals
on my bed,
I think of how
soft your kisses are
and how like velvet
these petals feel.

Naked, I slip under
the satin sheets
and let the petals
kiss my skin
the velvety way you do.

~~~~
a revised poem from 2002

Heath Ledger

I'm totally reeling from his death. I've always been a big fan of his and his Brokeback Mountain performance still moves me to this day. In fact, I watched it last week several times, honing in on the ending especially. Even my mom keeps watching the movie because she thinks he does an incredible job with that role. And if you're a rabid reader of this blog, you know how I feel about that movie.

I read an interview he did regarding his upcoming movie "The Dark Knight" (a batman flick) where he plays the Joker. It was a dark role that troubled him so much that he had a hard time sleeping at night.

Whatever reasons --whether accidental or on purpose, his death is a sadness to me and I think the entertainment industry has truly lost one of its best.

Snow day

We had some snow flurries Saturday. I skipped work and drove on up to see Al. It was raining really hard and so dang cold... he was surprised to see me so early. We hung out for a while and talked.

That morning Ben had told me that it was going to snow. He kept looking out the windows, giving hourly reports. I told Al about it and he said, "We're not getting snow. Hate to disappoint the kid, but we're to far south of the storm. Kids don't understand how the weather works. "

Then I went to the IGA grocery store and behold...as I stood in the check-out line, big fat flakes of snow fell and I called Al... "Look out your window." He did and said, "Wow. Snow."
I said, "Guess who was right?" ...

"Ben."

"Yeppers, a kid."

I guess it snowed about an inch or so. It stopped that night and was a pretty sight the next morning. In fact, snow was still on the ground when I drove home yesterday.

It was too cold to work in the studio so I left early. Dad hadn't done a task I asked him to do (he had 3 days to do it) and I knew it would take most of the day, so I said, "See ya tomorrow."

So I went home and was told the TV in the den didn't work...that the picture was all scribbled. I thought it was probably the cable but my brother's worked, so I assumed it was a tube or something. The tv is a 32 inch screen and huge. But I moved it off the TV stand and put the small TV from my room in its place. Hooked up the cable and guess what...

it was the cable all along. So I called the tech number and they reset the signal. The TV was too hard to move the first time...from the stand to the floor, so I waited for Mom to stop by and we moved it back.

Schools out a few days. I kept the boys last night because Lisa's been at her job for 25 years and they gave her a party at work. The guys and I built a castle out of Legos. It's for rent if anyone needs a home. You'll have to put up with the dinosaurs that patrol the perimeter.

I'm so tired of

sucking on these!

Finally...

a breath.

It's been a hectic week, because I had to redo a lot of work from last week. I tell people all the time that working on photos requires deep committed mental concentration and if I've got a sinus headache that won't go away, I can't do a good job on my work. And that's how all of last week was, so I spent the last 4 days, doing do-overs.

And I've caught up, except for what's due in the next 2 weeks. So I'm coasting right now.

.....

It's been an interesting week outside of work. I had a bunch of people join my starry starry night yahoo journal. Who they are I don't know, but the group is set for moderator posting only, so if they are spammers, all they'll be doing is the air they breath. I've been tempted to delete the people I don't really know and start writing there again...mainly private stuff that the public can't find if they do a web search and find my blog by mistake. A few private issues have popped up and I'm not sure I want the world to read about them.

One is about Al and I. One's about my friend Sam and another is about my Goddess status...lol.. just kidding on that one.

******

Weekend Football

I watched all four games. It amazed me how those guys played in a snowstorm. I felt sorry for the guys in short sleeves. What were they thinking? But I confess I was pulling for the Green Bay, so maybe the shivering cold helped.

And hated that the Patriots won. But what can you do. I wore my ECU sweatshirt and painted a big red 9 on my right cheek, hoping that it would help the Jags, but it didn't.

My next hope was that the Colts would win. But no...Payton fizzled and they lost. The Chargers played a good game but dang...what's up with giving the Colts fans the finger, Rivers? I told Al that if I were a player, I would ignore crap coming out of the stands. Heck, that's what fans of the opposing team is suppose to do...HECKLE.

And so the Cowboys hand the Giants a gift. T.O. never missed a smile for the camera, even when he dropped the pass. Way to go T.O... and I noticed that when the camera was on him before the game, he limped a little but when a wide angle shot was shown and he was walking over to talk to someone, I saw something missing...yea, the limp.

I think that the Patriots have been handed the Superbowl Trophy without even having to play the game. Maybe just maybe, Green Bay will win. Can you pull it off, Bret?

William's Birthday Party

He had a blast! He didn't freak out over the attention. He didn't get upset when he got clothes instead of toys as a present. All the kids bowled and had a great time.


William bowling.

William's big smile says it all.

Doing his dance: The William Stomp

Happily opening presents!

Kinston Indians Need a PA

My friend Jeff Diamond was PA for the Kinston Indians for 11 years. He resigned after this season due to so many demands on his time. The Kinston Free Press has an article up on their site about his leaving and the hole that will be hard to fill.

article



Jeff throwing the opening pitch this past summer.

Jeff throwing the opening pitch during 60's night a few years ago.

Happy Feet

I keep hearing the coolest songs in my head: "Boogy Wonderland, Kiss, Somebody to Love"...but none are song by their original singers... but my PENGUINS!

Yes, I have Happy Feet Fever!

The movie is playing on the HBO channels. I think I've seen it 10 times. It's such a sweet movie...and you have to admit that Elijah Wood does a great job as a Penguin, I swear that Mumble looks sort of like Frodo.

Now if only I can get the songs out of my head..maybe I should hire some killer whales to toss my brain around.

I just realized this...

Decadence gets the worm... not the early bird!

Psycho T

Even the tallest player can't stop Tyler when he's in the zone.

Go Tarheels!

Don't ya just love College Hoops?

Cross-eyed Tits

Yesterday I wasn't in the best mood, so I stayed away from mostly everyone. Didn't even work on the new novel because I didn't want it to be any darker than it might become.

Went home... had to deal with William's homework. I wasn't in the mood for division or fractions but with the help of divide 'addition'...I mean intervention, we got through it.

Got online late and did some surveys for a survey site I joined years ago... sent a few emails out, visited my space, etc..

then I went into my bedroom and decided to clean out the drawers of my night stand. Found an old photo of myself from ten years ago...and realized that I still look the same and... being 45 has nothing on me...lol...

I also found some folders with old stories from before the internet...when I wrote things out in long hand and kept them just for myself. I decided to wait until I was bored to read them... even though I wanted to read them right then. But looking at the clock, I realized that 2 am wasn't the time.

Lately, some things that are beyond my control have been affecting me. I realize that the people I love will do their own thing, even if it's not the best thing for them. They will follow their hearts, even if it's the wrong choice. And later down the line, when the choices bit them in the ass, no matter how much I want to say 'I told you so,' I can't. All it does is harbor resentment. But what kills me the most is the 'poor pitiful me' attitude that's taken. I don't want to be around that type of attitude.

But sometimes you can't escape it, even if you want to run away to a deserted island or mountain.

I guess that's part of my funk.... that and the fact another year has gone by and I still haven't had sex with Johnny Depp.

:))

This morning I stopped and got some gas... I am wearing a black cashmere sweater that clings to my form. I gave the guy my money and stood waiting for my change. Usually I make small talk but not today. He turned from the cash register with my ten bucks-a five and five ones. I put my hand out and he couldn't seem to count back. He kept messing up and also, kept missing my hand. I noticed he was staring at my chest. So I snuck a peep and there were my nipples...one was looking up at him and the other was focused on the counter--both hard as nails because it was cool in the store. I blushed, closed my hand around the money and said, "I believe it's right. Thanks. Have a good day."

I took off to the truck, jumped in and started laughing. When I got dressed this morning, I tossed on my clothes, slammed a little make-up on, brushed my teeth, grabbed an orange and a banana and ran out the door. Seems I forgot rule #103: Always check the position of your nipples after putting on a bra.

So I fixed that problem when I got to the studio. It's so amusing how something as simple as an embarrassing encounter can make you think how it's okay not to take yourself, others and life in general too seriously.

You are a Hippie

You are a total hippie. While you may not wear birks or smell of incense, you have the soul of a hippie. You don't trust authority, and you do as you please. You're willing to take a stand, even when what you believe isn't popular. You like to experiment with ideas, lifestyles, and different subcultures. You always gravitate toward what's radical and subversive. Normal, mainstream culture doesn't really resonate with you.

Are You a Hippie?

A Novel in My head

I've got a novel in my head. When I took the garbage out Sunday night, I realized how badly Al needed to trim his azaleas. And how quiet the street was. And that I wasn't appropriately dressed--long sleeve tee (ECU) and a pair of Al's silk boxers I swiped from him. And... I had on fuzzy socks with flip flops. It was hard to keep them on my feet.

I thought how I could easily be abducted and not one person would know. How would that effect the neighbors? Al's street dead ends ...and there are only 6 houses on each side of the street.

Since I couldn't get online yesterday and I had a minor work load, I let the story steal me away.

The first Chapter is in my Sher Writes blog. The link is on the right.

Happy Birthday Elvis

You hunka hunka burnin' love!

I don't really have an Elvis memory...just a vague one of a babysitter when I was around 4 or 5 who played his albums all the time and had Lisa and I dancing with her to his tunes....

Tuesday is Special Guest Star Day

I really used to dig The Mickey Mouse Club when I was a kid. Oh those were the days...each day a special one.

My weekend was pretty good. A quiet one on a quiet street. Al and I hung out, watching games Sat night. Go Jags... I had on one of my old ECU tee's. David Garrard is an ECU alumni. Since my teams wigged out, I'm pulling for the Jags.

Sunday I goofed off a bit. Al took a long nap and I found things to keep me busy. BBQ-ed some chicken, since it was in the 70's. Hey where did the frigid cold of winter go?

At around 7:00ish, we caught the tail end of Duke's basketball game. But what we were really waiting for was the Carolina/Clemson game...and what a game! The #19 team almost beat the #1 seed--UNC. Talk about a nail bitter! Mine are all gone. Earlier that day, I read an article in the Fay O about UNC could make it a perfect season. I told Al that's a lot of pressure on them. And I think hard to live up too... and lord, if they didn't almost lose the game. But that final play was pure gold on UNC's part... and it won them the game.

I'll say this about Clemson--they are a strong team, young but very strong and I can see them being a #1 seed in a year or so.

Hmm...

It's sorta funny how you can log into the post window to write and suddenly from nowhere there appears a shadow over your shoulder. Now, whatever you had on you mind evaporates into nothing and you are stuck with what to write...until the shadow runs away, but...reappears when 'it' realizes you are writing something and wants to read it.

The shadow is William... as I logged on, he stood reading the screen and I thought maybe he would disappear...but he's still here not really trying to read, more like discussing my typing skills and asking how I know where the words were on the keyboard.

I just do...dude...

Now he's off to play army guys with the Benster. They're discussing K-rations and Ben's theory that jungle animals make great soldiers too.

It's Saturday morning and I should be getting ready for work, but I'm lazy. Last night I turned in at 9:30 pm and slept until 8:30 am. Don't know what's up with that but I did. And I feel much better today.

I was talking to Sam Thursday about the new year and how I feel that a big change is coming--that I'm not afraid but actually prepared for it. Nor am I sorry for whatever losses might occur because that's how life is...sometimes to move forward we have to suffer loss.

A Dr. Phil Test

Jeff Diamond sent this to me. I scored a 38/41... meaning that on one of the questions I couldn't decide on the answer. I guess my Libra side was battling my Scorpio side on that particular question. Anyways, here it is...

Dr. Phil's Test: Here you go. Try this!



Below is Dr. Phil's test. (Dr. Phil scored 55; he did this test on Oprah - she got a 38.) Some folks pay a lot of money to find this stuff out!


Read on, this is very interesting!


Don't be overly sensitive! The following is pretty accurate and it only takes 2 minutes. Take this test for yourself and send it to your friends.


The person who sent it placed their score in the e-mail subject box. Please do the same before forwarding to your friends (send it back to the person who sent it to you.) Don't peek, but begin the test as you scroll down and answer.


Answers are for who you are now --- not who you were in the past Have pen or pencil and paper ready .


This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept. At many of the major corporations today. It helps them get better insight concerning their employees and prospective employees. It's only 10 Simple questions, so grab a pencil and paper, keeping track of your letter answers to each question.



Ready?


Begin.


1. When do you feel your best?

a) in the morning
b) during the afternoon and early evening
c) late at night


2. You usually walk...

a) fairly fast, with long steps
b) fairly fast, with little steps
c) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
d) less fast, head down
e) very slowly


3. When talking to people you. . .

a) stand with your arms folded
b) have your hands clasped
c) have one or both your hands on your hips
d) touch or push the person to whom you are talking
e) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair


4. When relaxing, you sit with. . .

a) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
b) your legs crossed
c) your legs stretched out or straight
d) one leg curled under you


5. When something really amuses you, you react with...

a) big appreciated laugh
b) a laugh, but not a loud one
c) a quiet chuckle
d) a sheepish smile

6 When you go to a party or social gathering you...

a) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
b) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
c) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed


7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted...

a) welcome the break
b) feel extremely irritated
c) vary between these two extremes


8. Which of the following colors do you like most?

a) Red or orange
b) black
c) yellow or light blue
d) green
e) dark blue or purple
f) white
g) brown or gray


9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep you are...

a) stretched out on your back
B ) stretched out face down on your stomach
c) on your side, slightly curled
d) with your head on one arm
e) with your head under the covers


10. You often dream that you are...

a) falling
b) fighting or struggling
c) searching for something or somebody
d) flying or floating
e) you usually have dreamless sleep
f) your dreams are always pleasant



POINTS:

1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6
2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1
3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6
4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1
5 . (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2
6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2
7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4
8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1
9 . (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e) 1
10 (a) 4 &n bsp; (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1

Now add up the total number of points.

OVER 60 POINTS: Others see you as someone they should "handle with care." You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.

51 TO 60 POINTS : Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality; a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.

41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.

31 TO 40 POINTS : Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.

21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions & who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you're boring. Only those who know you well know that you aren't.

Sewn Up

I got a new sewing maching for Christmas...sew... you know what that means, right?

You say your heart's been broken,
torn in two by the mere touch
of a cruel hand.
The pieces are thrown to the wind,
in a million jigsaw shapes.

There is little hope for you,
the test of love has failed
and you fear the frost
of winter's grasp, the ice
of loveless days.

Let me sew you back together,
the tug of needle and silken thread,
strands of hope and desire
won't hurt as much,
as the chill of loneliness.

With each stitch, I'll sew
you how love can be reborn,
how dreams can canvas your heart
and that each seam will seem
like a new beginning of love.

Today has flown by...

All day long I've wanted to drop in and blog but myspace has kept me occupied. Funny how that goes...one day a site is active and the next it's dead. Changed my background to a cool background the Nancer made. I just love it when she shares her men with me.

I believe yahoo messenger is nothing but a big fat cow that wants us to eat "chikins." Because today it keeps freezing and also does something to my anti-virus program that removes a shell extention...which means I have to shut down and reboot. Yes, Yahoo Messenger is the anti-christ.

Goofing off

I'm working but also finding moments to goof off online. I'm sort of behind some sites I like to read at or participate. They finally fixed myspace so I was able to go in and read some messages, check out some blogs, etc.

Decided to remove some clutter like my erotica groups on yahoo. I haven't had time to manage them like I should and think it's time to move on from them. I'll keep my poetry group, Rose Blush Verses because it's thriving on its own and I like that. I've decided that if I want to write erotica again, I'll join an adult site I know that has a good audience for stories.

Created a squidoo page. Once I've finished editing it, I'll post the link. I want to promote my sip of sherrie book and also my art. This seems like a good site to do it at, plus it's free.

I'm addicted to chocolate dipped mints (altoids). I want to eat them all the time...sleep with them, caress them...make them mine...all mine!

First Quiz of '08

People Definitely Like You

You are very well liked, and many people admire you. You are friendly, well mannered, and fun to be around. Of course, you're not perfect... but that's okay. Your friends are usually willing to accept you for who you are! What People Like About You: People like that you take responsibility for your actions and admit your mistakes. They appreciate your maturity. People like that you take the them to get to know them and make a connection. You make people feel important. People like that you truly take and interest in them. Everyone likes to be liked!

Do People Like You?

Another year is here

Why does 2008 feel like 2007? I hope everyone had a great holiday. Mine was nice. Al and I had a quiet evening with some friends. After being away for 4 days, I was ready to get back to work.

It's not so busy today, although I've got several photos to restore, none are rush jobs.

Talked to Sam last Thursday. He's very upset with Myspace because his poetry in blue group on myspace was hit by a squadron of spammers, posting 285 pages of spam that he couldn't delete. My space was of no help. He's deleting the group unless he's changed his mind. I've got a message from him at myspace but their site is screwed up. I think they're changing their homepage because mine is all crinkled and cramped together. None of the links work. SO I guess I'll check it out at home later tonight. Sam gets easily discouraged over things. The group had/has over 7000 people in it and it seems to be active. I think I would try to figure out how to get rid of the spam and keep the group. I'll talk to him tomorrow and find out what's going on.

It's finally cold here. I think the temp is in the lower 40's F. It was almost too warm this weekend--wet but warm.

I Resolve

I hadn't planned on making any resolutions for 2008. But I changed my mind. So here goes:

1) Be healthy--mind, body and soul.

2) Remove negative energy, regardless of where it comes from

3) Be thankful for what I have.

4) Stay in touch with friends more often.

5) Buy something sexy once a month.

6) Encourge creativity in those around me and myself.