Th Rain Storm

I'm the kind of person who always has my inner child close to the surface. I think thats why kids like me so much. I can reconnect easily with the child I once was to relate to them. As one friend's niece put it one day, while talking to her cousin " Miss Cindy is the funnest girl in the world!"

Now, as a child, I loved to go out in the rain. I'd run around with my face to the sky, loving the feeling of the fresh rain upon my face. Wet hair, wet clothes--didn't bother me! I got into trouble more than once for sneaking outside to play in the rain.

I swing shifts to a degree and one day I was working 1st shift. It came time for me to leave but a monster storm hit about the time I was ready to go. I work in a hospital so I stood at the front desk chatting with the concierge and security guard, waiting for the rain to let up so I could dash for my car. It just kept getting worse. I looked around for something I could cover with to not get wet but the only thing I found was an extra trash bag that housekeeping had left behind. I thought, might as well and I pulled it over my head. Now this was a clear thin plastic bag, so I could see through it, and it came to my knees but, even though the other 2 laughed at the way I looked (basically like I was wearing a giant condom) I decided it was perfect. I headed out the door. The wind was blasting the trees to one side and no matter how fast I went, I was soaked from the knees down in about 2 secs. I stopped for a second and thought...wth. I yanked that bag off, I jumped into every puddle with both feet and laughed all the way to my car. For those few seconds, I was 10 years old again. No worries, no mortgage, car loan or bills to worry about, just the pure enjoyment of being in the moment. It felt so good. My shoes were so wet that they were squishing with each step. I was soaked thoroughly. If any of the patients or staff were looking out their window, they would have pegged me as nuts. But I didn't care. I got home, took a shower, put on my jammies and thought about how wonderful life is, if you just sometimes let go and let yourself be a child again!  

Funny

Life is funny. Crazy how your whole life can change in a day. One thing and boom, your whole life changes.
I feel that I've been kinda upside down and on edge since the ER visit in Oct. So many procedures, so many office visits, IVs, drugs, scary diagnosis......finding out my heart is failing. In that one moment, in hearing that phrase "it's heart failure", my whole life, my whole world changed. It's odd to know that my heart cannot support my life, it's odd to realize that without the pacemaker and drugs, I won't survive. Sometimes I wonder if it's all borrowed time but that really doesn't matter. All that matters is I'm still here and I HAVE to make these changes if I want to live. So my life is centered around a handful of pills in the morning, another handful in the evening. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it all. Some days, I'm scared, some days I'm sad, most days I'm ok. I have to remind myself this isn't a death sentence. I could live for many years like this...or I could drop dead tomorrow. Why worry? No one knows when their last day is going to be but I can't help but think about it. It has made me think about my priorities....all the "One day, I'm going to do this or that" stuff. Lots of things I want to stop thinking I'll do one day and start working on doing it now.
I think I notice things more too, although I've always thought of myself as someone who sees things others miss. But the colors in a sunset or sunrise seem more vibrant, the wind on my face-even when it's a cold wind-, the owl in the trees across the street from my home that I notice calling at night when I'm coming home from somewhere, the peaceful beauty in watching a silent snowfall, the way I can see the emotion reflected in friends eyes when they talk. Things I noticed before but that seem even more important now. I report what my doc tell me to family and friends but I don't really discuss all the ramifications to my life, thoughts and "internal world". I've seen that the few serious discussions I've had seem to make people uneasy, so I just keep it to myself and make jokes about it all. I guess that's the best way to handle it. My biggest fear is ever getting to a point where I lose my independence. I live alone, I like it that way, I don't want that to change. But if it has to, I'll deal with it. In a lot of ways, I feel that this has already taken a lot of my choices away. Never been much of a rule follower but now I have to learn to follow rules.
Life is funny...

Matters of the (Wimpy) Heart

What a wild ride the last month has been. I was born with a congenital syndrome named Holt-Oram. This caused 2 ASDs (heart) defects that were corrected with open heart surgery when I was 7. I also had 2 thumbs on my right hand and both hands/thumbs are slightly deformed and my arms are not quite as long as they should be, again a slight difference that goes mostly unnoticed. When I was
3 1/2, they removed the 2nd thumb. This was a real thumb, not a skin tag, one I could move and use. They waited until I was that old to figure out which one to remove, which one would look more natural. At 37, almost 38, I was diagnosed with arrythmias and a low heart rate (25-30) and wound up with a pacemaker. I was told at the time that with this syndrome, there could be other heart problems that come up as I age.
Mid Oct, I started having some breathing problems. Our weather had turned colder and that's usually when my asthma gets triggered, so I put it down to that. Over a week and a half, it just got worse. I couldn't sleep unless I was sitting up, I got deathly sick every time I ate, walking any distance made me gasp for breath. I still told myself...it my asthma and kept using my inhaler. On 10/24, I walked upstairs to weigh myself, because I'd not eaten more than a few bites of anything a day for a week and knew I'd dropped a few pounds. I walked up my stairs, which greatly winded me, but when I stepped on the scales, I had gained 8lbs....?!? What?? This was when that little voice in the back of my head started saying..something's happening here. I chose to ignore it. A friend called me that afternoon and wanted to meet for dinner, so we met out. I ordered, but couldn't eat as I was so uncomfortable from not being able to breath well. I got mine in a take out and she and I walked out to my car. When she saw how winded I was, she begged me to let her take me to the ER. I told her no, let me go home & think about it. I went by the grocery store on my way home and when I almost passed out on my front patio from carrying in 3 bags of groceries, I realized that I needed to do something. I fed the cats and put out a full bowl of dry food for them, packed an overnight bag and headed off to the ER. I was in such distress by the time I got across the parking lot and in the front
door that I could hardly talk to the guy at the desk--who just so happened to be someone I had
worked with in the ER at Greenville Mem years ago. He immediately called for a wheelchair and they took me straight back, started an IV, gave me aspirin, clipped on an O2 sat monitor, popped on heart monitor pads, took labs....lots of activity. I had called my friend on the way there to let her know I was going, so I called my family from the ER. The doc came in and told me they were going to do a chest X Ray. I had been looking at my O2 sat numbers and they were normal. If this was an asthma problem, they should not have been. I asked him why they were normal, and he just looked at me for a moment. I said, this isn't my asthma, is it? He answered, no, you're in heart failure. For one of the few times in my life, I had nothing to say. I just stared at him, then said, what does that mean? He started explaining heart failure, but I told him, I know what heart failure means, what does this mean to me, my life, what do I do next? He said we would talk more once the X Ray was done. They did that then the nurse came in and gave me nitro and hung a bag of lasix. My step mom and some of the people I work with were texting me and wanting to know if I wanted them to come up but the friend from earlier lived very close by, so I texted her, told her I was scared and if her offer to come
up was still open, I'd appreciate the company. So, everything pointed to heart failure. The lasix made
me trot to the bathroom every 15 mins or so but every time I went, I could breath easier. Once they released me, I headed home and even with having to get up and dash to the potty the rest of the night, I slept better than I had in a couple of weeks. The next morning, I got back on the scales and I had dropped 9lbs overnight.
So the last 3 weeks have been a flurry of tests, cardiac echoes, pacer checks, cardiologist appointments, 2 day stress tests and in 2 days another pacer query to try and pinpoint when my A Fib started. I've found out that my ejection fraction, which was 55-60% 2 years ago has dropped to 25%, normal is 50-70% and I'm in a constant state of A Fib. I'm now on a diuretic, a blood thinner and 2 ace inhibitors. This coming Tuesday, I go back to the cardy and find out what comes next. This can
not be cured but it can be managed. It could also be a whole lot worse, so I'm trying to stay positive
and remember that.

The Angels

I once saw Angels. I know that sounds nuts, but it's true. I was around 6 and had rode with my dad to take my younger sister to my grandma's to spend the night. My dad was in the yard, standing on the walk talking to my grandma who was standing on the porch, holding the screen door open while my sister was on the floor of the porch, playing with something. It was that part of the late afternoon, when it's not yet dark, but it's coming soon, and the sky has all these beautiful almost sunset colors across it. I tried to get Kim to come out in the yard and play but she wouldn't. I was very hyperactive and was running circles in the yard. I ran to the edge, towards the water tank that was across the street from my grandma's house, when something in the sky caught my eye. I stopped and looked up and there on a fluffy white cloud stood 3 angels. Now, even at my young age, I knew this was not something you normally see but I was awestruck. I couldn't see facial features but they were standing side by side, not facing me straight on but turned slightly to their left. I could see wings and halos and long flowing gowns, and they were bathed in a reddish-orange light from the sunset. As I stood there, they, in unison, raised their hands together, clasped them in a praying position, placed them under their chins, bowed their heads then all 3 slowly lowered to their knees. At this point, I was so thrilled by seeing this I ran across the yard yelling for my dad & grandma to look at the Angels in the sky. I was jumping around, looking at my dad and pointing back behind me, but when I turned and looked, they were gone. I remember a funny look passing between my dad & grandma, almost a frightened look, then my dad looked at my grandma and said...Oh kids and their imaginations. I tried to explain to him and her it wasn't my imagination, that I did see them, but they just dismissed me. I stood in the corner of the yard, hoping they'd come back until we left. I was so mad at my dad for not believing me that I wouldn't even speak to him on the way back home. As soon as we pulled up, I jumped out of the car and ran in and told my mom. She looked shocked and looked at my dad, who again dismissed it as my imagination. I was so upset with them. I know what I saw!
Years later, I had a friend over for dinner and during our conversation, I told him about this. I then picked up my phone and called my dad. I reminded him of this and asked if he remembered it. He said he did. I told him that speaking as an adult, I was telling him that I did see them, that it was real and that moment is still so clear in my memory. He quietly said....I never doubted you. I asked him why, why did you and mom say it was my imagination at the time? My poor dad said, Cindy, we were looking at you having heart surgery the next summer that no one was sure you'd survive. Your mom & I didn't want to think about what you seeing Angels might mean.
That was kind of a kick in the gut. My poor dad and mom, how this must have scared them.
But I did see them and have no doubt they were my guardian Angels.

Homemade Coasters

So, I have a friend with a birthday coming up and I decided I wanted to make her a unique, one of a kind gift. She's a wine lover so I made these cute wine label coasters. They were so much fun to do, I thought I'd put the steps here:

I bought 4x4 sandstone tiles at a local home store. They were less than $4 for a square foot, which of course, is 9 tiles.

I added these cute felt stickies on the underside. I did add a drop of glue just to make sure they stayed 

on. 

I found pictures I liked on line and did a screen shot, trimmed them to the size I wanted then reversed the picture. I printed them up on my printer on plain paper--don't use picture paper, it won't work. There are many free apps you can use to do this. 

Now, I painted the top of the tile with Modge Podge and put the picture face down on the tile. 

Let this dry completely. I usually let it sit overnight, but you can put it under a fan for an hour or so. 

Once dry, put the whole tile under running water and soak it well. 

Then gently start rubbing with your finger. The paper will rub off and leave the print on the tile. 

Once it looks acceptable, allow it to dry, then brush on a clear glaze/protectant. 

And here's the finished product. Suitable for use as coasters or to use as decoration!

The Problem with the Security Guard

A number of years ago, I had a roommate. We took turns running bills to be paid...etc...although we did split all down the middle. Now at this point in time, I worked an odd shift (4:00pm-4:30am) and my roommate worked evening shift (4pm-midnight). I had more days off than she and we were both night owls. This means that bill paying, most of the time, was done at dropboxes in the middle of the night. 
On the night in question, I was off work, my roommate was working until her usual time and we had pizza and a movie planned when she got home. The power bill was on the table and I decided, before she got home, I would take it to Duke Power and drop it in the dropbox. I got the bill and payment and headed out the door. She was usually home by 12:30 but she was picking up the pizza so I left out sometime around midnight. Greenville is a smallish town but even in the smallest of towns, traveling after dark can be a little scary. I always circled the parking lot and made sure I saw no one around before I'd get out of the car. I saw the security guard standing to the side of the door, in a large glass window--there was one on either side of the main door--so I felt a little safer getting out of my car. Now, I am a somewhat shy person, even more so then than now. The guard just stood there as I approached--me not making eye contact. He just stood there staring, not moving. I threw him a quick wave and he still didn't respond. I dropped the bill in the box and again waved but he still just stood there staring. I wanted to look him straight in the eye and give him a dirty look, he was being so rude, but I didn't, I scurried back to my car and left. 
I got home and shortly after, so did my roommate. We ate a couple of slices while I told her about the very rude, unfriendly security guard at Duke Power. She couldn't believe he was so rude either, so, we decided to drive back up there, in her car, and she would march right up to the door and wave at him while looking him in the eye. If he ignored her, she was going to tell him off through the door. We went back up there and I decided I was walking up with her. We parked and started towards the door...and he was still standing there. However as we got closer, we both cracked up laughing. The "security guard" was actually a cardboard cut out of the maytag repair man they had placed in that window. We got back in the car but we're laughing so hard it took a few minutes for us to get it under control and go back home to cold pizza and a movie. We never did tell him off!

Gloom, despair and agony on me......ohhhhhhhhhh

Deep dark depression, excessive misery. If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all. Gloom, despair and agony on meeeeeee!
Remember what that's from??
This has been my attitude for months now. Months! I go through my bad moments, we all do. But I've been in this black depression for months that I can't shake. This is unusual for me. I have my poor pitiful me moments, but I get over it quick. These days I'm feeling particarly ....... Useless, pointless, of no good for anything, like all I touch turns to crap.  I'm tired of friends who are only friends when they want something from me. Too much has changed in the last 5-7 years and not all of it feels for the best. Maybe I feel things too deeply. But I'll never show it. Maybe that's part of the problem.
I dunno. All I do know is that functioning day to day is becoming a major struggle. I don't sleep or I sleep too much. I've lost joy in anything in my life. Just go through the motions, no thinking, no happiness. I can fake it, I've always been ablet to hide what's going on in my head from others.
I have an appointment with my doc on Feb 2. Something's got to give. I can't be this person. This isn't living.

Remembering Mom

July 20th, 1966- This is the day my whole world collapsed. This is the day my mom drowned while we were on a picnic at Hartwell lake. My whole life was turned upside down and everything in my life changed. In a matter of months, we moved, I had open heart surgery, my sister and I moved in with my dad's parents, dad became someone I rarely saw or spent time with and he was usually drinking heavily when I did and was difficult, at the least, to be around. 
As it turns out, my "grandmother" did not want me but did want my sister. I know this because she told me this daily, among many other horrible, soul destroying things. Needless to say, my childhood was not an easy one. I missed my mom, I missed my dad, I missed my granddad James and all my family from my mom's side. When things got really bad, I would go find a quiet place outside to hide-to cry or think or write. When things were really bad and I was at my lowest, this butterfly always showed up. A yellow zebra swallowtail, every time. It would land near me sometimes but many times it would land on me, my arm, my hand, my shoulder or chest and just sit there waving its wings. I always believed that this was from my mother, letting me know all would be ok. It was the only sign of hope I had back then, the only thing that kept me from running away or hurting myself. 
Saturday was the 47th anniversary of mom's death. I've gone back to Madden's Bridge, which is where it happened, a few times over the years but do not feel the need most years to do this. This year though, I've had this on my mind very strongly for a couple of months. I decided that I was going to get some roses and have my own memorial and drop the roses over the side of the bridge into the water. I was going to do this alone, but then decided to ask my oldest friend, Gee, to go with me. I thought I might need the distraction afterwards. I'm not much for showing emotion, hate to cry, and didn't feel particularly emotional about doing this, just wanted to honor my mom's memory. So Gee and I rode down with 6 beautiful red roses. The water was back up to full level so I wasn't able to get back to the spot where we picnicked that day but that was ok because I wanted to drop the flowers off the bridge anyway. We walked over to the side looking over the spot, then we crossed the road and looked over that side. I wanted to find a spot where I could drop them and they would float under the bridge then out into the lake without getting caught in shallow water or float onto a bank. I moved down the bridge until I found the perfect spot. I asked Gee to stay on the opposite side and let me know when they came out on that side of the bridge. I really just wanted to be alone when I said what I wanted to say and dropped them. I think Gee knew this even though I didn't tell her. I said what I wanted to say, then slowly dropped the roses in, one by one. I took some pictures and watched until the last one went under the bridge. Still not feeling particularly emotional, just sad. I walked across the road and Gee and I watched the flowers float free of the bridge and out into the lake. There were some people way out in the lake, evidently practicing their skiing and we watched them and talked, mostly about how this spot, that day, had had such a major impact on my life. After the flowers were out of sight, I told her I was ready to go. She started walking towards my car, which was parked on that side of the road just beyond the bridge. I hesitated and turned to look back to the other side one last time.....and sitting on that side of the bridge was a zebra swallowtail. I cried out and pointed and before I thought, ran out into the road. I realized what I was doing and ran back, thank God no car was coming! Gee ran back to me and asked what was wrong. I just pointed and then I totally lost it. I was crying so hard that I couldn't even tell her. The butterfly sat there for a few seconds, then lifted off and fluttered up and down across the bridge then went into the trees on that side of the bridge. Once I was able to speak again, I told Gee about the butterfly. She started crying then and we both just stood there crying and hugging each other. I don't think I've even seen her cry since we were kids. This wasn't my imagination because she saw it too. 
I really feel that this was mom again, letting me know she knew why I was there and what I had done. Its a nice feeling, that even all these years later, she's looking over me. I understand now why I felt the need to do this. I wanted to honor her but she needed to get a message to me too. 
Love and miss you mom!

I'm so honored (blushing)

I'm so honored! I've been nominated for a Versatile Blogger Award! Thank you Sunny!

Versatile Blogger Award

These are the rules for the Versatile Blogger Award:

1. Nominate 15 fellow bloggers who are relatively new to blogging. 
2. Let them know that you have nominated them.  
3. Share 7 random facts about yourself.  
4. Thank the Bloggers that have nominated you.  
5. Add the Versatile Blogger Award picture to your blog post.

Now my problem is that I don't follow 15 bloggers. I will add the ones I do follow, and the 1st one is my wonderful friend, Sunny, who nominated me and who is the reason I started blogging! Thank you Sunny! I still miss you terribly.

http://sunnysez.blogspot.com/

http://thriftathome.blogspot.com/

http://literallybooked.blogspot.com/

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/

http://www.southernplate.com/

http://www.lifeasaplate.com/

http://sunnyovertherainbow.blogspot.com/

http://thegymismynewbf.blogspot.com/

http://thecountdowntoonederland.blogspot.com/

7 Random Facts About Myself:

Hmmmm....

1)   I love the beach/ocean. Any beach/ocean, anytime, anywhere. 

        Something about looking at the ocean calms my soul.

2)   I wanted to be an artist as a child

3)   My right 2nd toe is longer than my big toe on that foot, while the

        2nd toe on my left is shorter.

4)   I was born with 6 fingers on my right hand, a real extra one, not a

        skin tag. It was surgically removed when I was 3 1/2. If I'd been a

        boy they would have left it because as my dad says, " You would

        have had a helluva grip on a football or baseball".

5)    I am more comfortable with animals than with most people.

6)    I am the most insecure person I know, but have learned to mask

         this fact fairly well. It is a daily struggle.

7)     I absolutely detest so called reality shows and believe they are the 

          biggest threat to society today. I secretly lose respect for anyone  

          who talks about watching them and wonder about their intelligence

          level.

Sorry to all my reality show watching friends, but, really??!!

Pranking Pam

   Pam's Cat-Even she thinks this was funny!




I love pranks. Not mean ones, but simple, funny stuff. I have the perfect person at work to pull these pranks on and another co-worker, Rodney, and I have pulled many on her over the years. Now Pam is a very intelligent person but somewhat gullible. 


So, I work in a hospital lab and someone, I don't remember who, brought in this big, black, very realistic looking rat one day as a joke... you know, he was the lab rat, as we were. Of course, I realized the opportunities immediately. My lab is part of a huge hospital system in the area and there is some testing that has been farmed out to us, which means that we do all that particular testing for the entire system. The couriers will drop off the samples around 9 am each morning. They arrive in these large, brown, non see through zip lock bags. Pam was scheduled in this department one morning and decided to go have her breakfast and coffee before the courier drop off. About 5 mins after she left the area, the courier arrived and put her bag in her area. I saw my opportunity and found the rat. I opened the bag, dumped everything out, dropped the rat into the bag, then put all the samples back into the bag. I then went back to my assigned department and to work. Some time later, Pam returned to her department. The counter she sat at was a high one and she was in a taller, wheeled chair, tall enough that her feet would not touch the floor. Underneath the counter was a metal wall that ran from beneath the counter to the floor. I am looking through the microscope, reviewing a slide when all of a sudden, I heard a blood curdling scream, followed by the metal wall being kicked then the sound of Pam's chair slamming into the counter behind her. Everyone, including me, went running to see what was wrong, then Pam yelled "Cindy, Rodney, I don't know which one of you did this, but that was not funny!" By this point we're all gathered around the doorway to her area and there was a few seconds of complete silence while everyone took in the sight of Pam, red as a beet and against the opposite counter, then the pile of sample bags on the counter with that big, black rat sitting on top... then everyone started roaring with laughter. Pam was not amused. She glared first at me, then Rodney and said "I know it was one of you". I just shook my head and tried my best to look innocent. We all started walking away, still laughing, and, Rodney, who's 6'4" leaned down to me at 5'3" and whispered.."You did that, didn't you?" I grinned and nodded and he patted my back and said "Good one". Poor Pam. It's amazing that she doesn't hate us.


There were many, many more incidents with the rat and one day, it just disappeared. I suspect Pam. But there's always other things to take its place..... Rubber snakes, the large air pillows that come with supplies and make such a loud bang when you quietly lay them on the floor behind someone then jump on them, plastic roaches....... So many possibilities. 


I love my job!

Beach Trip and Swinger's Club

Several years ago, I got together a beach trip for myself and some friends. We rented a beach front unit, very large one with 3 bedrooms, large living room with a pull out bed, 2 full bathrooms, a kitchen, dining room and a private balcony. We were on the 15th floor and the view was incredible! The plan was, whomever could come would come down on the days they could (we had it 10 days) and we'd split the cost each day based on how many people were actually there. I think, there at the end, we had about 14 people. One guy slept in a fold out beach chair on the balcony every night! He loved the sound of the ocean and there was always a great breeze blowing.
Anyway, the 1st night was just me and my friend Sandy. The 2nd night, my friend Tim came and was there a few nights, so it was just the 3 of us at first. On Tim's 1st night there, we all decided to go eat seafood. On the way, Sandy and I were talking about how much we loved playing on line trivia. Tim had seen a bar that had a sign saying "Play NTN Trivia Here". So, after dinner, we found this bar and went in to play. Sandy and I went to the bar and got controllers, Tim just sat back alone at a bar table-one of the tall ones-and ordered a beer and just sat there watching Sandy and me play. Sandy and I played quite a bit at home and worked together to get high scores. This guy was sitting a few stools down, noticed we were kinda working together on the game (the point being to get your bar into the top 10 or 20 in the country) and came over to us to see if he could join us. Those of you who know me know that I'm friendly to everyone so I agreed. Sandy was a bit shyer than me and seemed to not be as ok with this as I was, but she was always a good sport. I'm a true gemini, the more the merrier. The 3 of us chatted and talked during the game and on breaks. He introduced his 2 friends he was there with, a couple who hung back at another bar table, beside Tim as it were. They acknowledge the intro, but really didn't approach us. I kept glancing back at them during the games and they seemed to be in deep conversation, but kept nodding towards us. I just dismissed this. All 3 were somewhat scruffy looking, but hey, we're at the beach, lots of us are scruffy while at the beach! After we played a couple of games, we quit, then moved to Tim's table to drink a beer and talk. The couple still hung back, didn't join our table, but sat there watching us intently while we talked with their buddy. Tim looked pretty thoughtful and didn't say much-which is NOT like him at all, and Sandy seemed a little unnerved. I didn't know WTH was wrong with everyone! I was on vacation and looking to have fun!
So this guy starts asking where we're from and I tell him. He told me that he and his group were driving back to New Jersey via Greenville and maybe they could call me and we could all go out to dinner. I said sure, I'll give you my number before we leave!  Sandy gave me a very mild kick under the table. I thought it was accidental. So, he tells us about this club he's a member of. This club encompassed all of the USA and was open to anyone who wanted to join and was great fun. They would meet locally a couple of times a month and engage is some type of fun activity, then, once a year, they would do a national meeting, always at a different area of the country and this year, they were at the Myrtle Beach area (we were at Garden City). He went on to say that they had booked a yacht and were going out for a whole day out in the ocean. There was going to be a band, free drinks and food, and a great time was expected for all! Sounds like fun to me! He asked if I'd ever been on a yacht and I told him no. Nuther little tap from Sandy and now Tim is shooting me these weird looks. He asked if we'd like to go and I immediately said YES, that sounds like a lot of fun!! I saw Sandy's eyes get big, the quiet couple started smiling and whispering amongst themselves and Tim was looking stern. I did not understand all this--let me say here that I am not a subtle person, I do not get hints.. if you have something to say to me, just freakin say it, cuz if you give me funny looks or hints or subtleties, I will not get it!!! 
So this guy tells me, that's great, we'd love to have all 3 of you join us tomorrow and maybe, once you meet the others and see what we're all about, you'll want to join the club too. Sounded cool to me!
He told me what time the boat was sailing out and said he could pick us up at our hotel. He asked where we were staying and what our room number was. I told him Water's Edge in Garden City and we're in room number--and Sandy literally kicked the crap outta me under the table--THANK YOU for that very unsubtle hint Sandy, that one I got!!  I tried to not react to Sandy's kick and hesitated on the room number, then told him that I couldn't remember the number but we were up high...hahaha (my nervous little laugh, cuz I didn't know what was happening but knew it probably wasn't good). I then told him, maybe my friends and I need to discuss this, why don't you give me your number and I'll call you in the morning IF we decide to go with you. I did catch a strange look that passed between the 3 of them, and they didn't seem to like that answer, but he gave me his number. Tim then said he was kinda tired and were we ready to leave? We left.
As soon as we got to the car and were on our way, I asked them what just happened back there?? Turns out these guys were part of a swinger's group. When the guy was talking to us at the bar, before he knew Tim was with us, his two friends were sitting beside Tim and Tim was listening in on their conversation. They were discussing the 2 newbies this guy was going to talk into going and how funny it would be once we were on the boat and realized what was happening.... among other things. Sandy asked if I hadn't picked up on the weird vibe from the guy talking to us..... Ummmm, no, do not catch subtle hints here, that's why I'm such a weirdo magnet. 
I was embarrassed, they had a laugh at my expense and  we went back to the hotel. Tim went on to bed, said he'd had enough for one night. Sandy and I, both of whom were a little tipsy, decided to go sit by the pool. It was about 1am-ish at this point. I grabbed my sketchpad and a pencil, cuz, hey, drunk sketching! We sat by the pool, in deck chairs with our feet on the wall overlooking the beach. She made me laugh about something and I dropped my pencil over the wall. We had to go rescue it, my sketching pencils are precious, especially when I'm tipsy! So, here we are on our hands and knees feeling around in the sand against the wall. As I found the pencil and stated so, I heard Sandy give a little gasp. I looked around and there are 3 sets of legs standing there. I looked up and, OMG, there are the 3 people from the bar. Poor Sandy looked like a deer in the headlights. I stood up and asked them what they were doing there and the talky guy says oh, we were just walking on the beach and happened to spot your hotel and hoped we might run into you here. We wanted to let you know how much we really want you guys to go with us in the morning and how much fun it will be. Well, now that I'm clued in, I can be firm! I told him we had discussed it and had already discussed plans for the day before his offer, and we also had some more friends coming down and weren't sure what time they were arriving, so, although we appreciate the offer, we were going to decline. None of them seemed to like this and he started to say something else, but I told him again, no thank you, but I'm sure you guys will have a great time without us. I then took Sandy's arm and asked if she was ready to go up and she nodded. We left them standing there staring at us. We beat it as fast as we could, taking the stairs for about 3 flights before we felt safe enough to get on the elevator. Could not believe they came to our hotel to track us down-scary!
It would have been nice to take a ride on a yacht, but I guess being forced to participate in an unwanted orgy would have sucked all the fun right outta that ride. Oh well, maybe someday! The yacht ride I mean, not the other thing.......

Life is full of funny coincidences!

I had the funniest thing happen yesterday! I had worked my usual hours Sat night and had gotten off Sun morning, headed home a slept for a few hours. Once awake, I called a friend and met her and her friend out for a late lunch. Once I left the restaurant, I decided to go ramble around the "Old Time Pottery" store. When leaving the store, I noticed a young woman holding a beautiful huge painting that she appeared to be placing in her car. She was parked a few spaces from me and I approached her and told her how beautiful the painting was, she thanked me, then laughed and said she was going to have to return it as it was too large to fit in her car! She says she was so disappointed, as this was perfect for the wall over her couch. I told her that I drive an SUV, and I thought we could easily fit it in my car, then I could follow her to her home. She got so excited about that and asked me if I was sure, and stated she just lived down the road on Roper Mountain Rd. I told her it was no problem, that I would hate to have to return such a gorgeous pic if I were in her shoes. She was literally doing a little dance as I went to pull my car up beside hers. We got most of it in, with it sticking out the back, but secured with bungee cords. I followed her, but the whole time I'm thinking she looked somewhat familiar. We arrived at her apartment complex and detached everything and took the pic out. She thanked me profusely and I told her it was no problem, I was happy to help! I help out my hand to shake hers and said "I'm Cindy, by the way". She shook my hand and replied "I'm Toni". My jaw dropped and I said, OMG, you're Toni C*******! She looked shocked and I said Teresa's daughter, right!! She started laughing and asked how in the world I knew that. I told her that her mom was an old friend of mine and that she, her mom and I were friends on Facebook!! We both started laughing and hugging!! I told her that the last time I saw her, she was still in diapers! Her mom and I had been very good friends and co-workers many, many years ago, but had lost touch once I went back to college in the early 80s. We had just reconnected last summer and met with each other downtown. She asked me what my last name is and I told her--she said she had heard her mom mention me her whole life and tell her how much she always thought of me and what a good friend I had been! She said she was going straight in and call her mom!
Ain't life just funny sometimes??!

Death

I went to a funeral today. During the service, the pastor said "Death is not the end, death is just a transition to another state". I hope when I die, I transition to Colorado. I really like Colorado. Or maybe somewhere warm with a beach. (JK God!)

Uh-Oh

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Maybe you should clarify??

Facebook

I just love it! I've gotten back into contact with so many people from childhood through high school. I'm even getting in touch with people I really didn't know that well back then. I was an unbelieveably  shy kid/teen, so it's fun communicating with these folks now. 
About a week ago, I had a friends request from someone who had been a very good friend in HS. She also lived at the other end of the road we moved to when I was 16, so we spent a lot of time together. Once out of HS, she got married and I went to school in Ky. We just lost touch, so it was great hearing from her again. All this reminded me of a story.....


Several of the boys in my neighborhood had motorcycles back then. Of course, I thought that was cool and was forever getting rides. One day, the friend I spoke of above, Cyndi and her then boyfriend (now hubby), Frank, had walked up to my house. Hobbled may be a better word for it as Frank had an injured leg and a cast up past his knee. My parents house has a patio-type front porch, maybe a foot off the ground, and we all sat on the edge of it. Frank had his injured leg stretched straight out in front of him, between 2 of the azealeas my step-mom had planted that summer and was so proud of. As happened a lot, a few of the neighborhood kids gathered in the front yard. One of those kids was a boy named Keith, who had ridden his older brother Phil's motorcycle to my house. Phil was at work and I'm still not sure if he knew Keith was riding his bike. He pulled up and parked in the front yard. We were all talking and I had gotten up to admire the bike up close. I started asking Keith to let me drive it, just around the house once. He was not very agreeable, but I kept at him. He finally asked if I had ever driven one before (I had not) so I told him, yes I had, many times. He finally, reluctantly handed me the keys. The bike was parked to the left and side of the patio, parallel to it. I hopped on, pushed in the clutch and cranked it up. I was so excited. I remember looking at Cyndi and grinning as I popped that clutch out and.....immediately lost control of the bike. I went careening towards Frank's outstretched leg. Poor guy had to dive out of my way and I remember being impressed that anyone could move that fast with a cast on. I fishtailed all across the azealeas, destroying every single one of them in the process, then flipped off of and wrecked the bike when I hit the driveway. Thank goodness I missed all the cars. Everybody was running around and yelling, except Frank, who didn't look very amused. Keith was yelling that Phil was gonna kill him, then come after me, and making everyone swear they wouldn't tell Phil about this, my step-mom had run outside and was yelling about the azealeas, Cyndi was laughing her head off and I was inspecting myself for any exposed bone fractures, which I was sure I had several of. Keith and I worked for over an hour picking azealea material out of and off of the bike, after which we washed and shined it back up. Keith was sweating bullets the whole time. We had to have it back in the same condition it was in when he took it, and it had to be back in it's proper storage spot before Phil got home from work. 
It's truly a wonder I survived into my 20s..... And I bet Phil still hasn't been told by anyone about this!

The Garden

At its peak. Zucchini on the right, cucumbers on the left, maters standin tall in back. There is also potatoes behind the zukes and cabbage behind the cukes. I had to pull out all the zukes a coupla weeks ago cuz I got infested with squash bugs and borers. I also have a lima bean on the metal frame in the back right. It has just hung out, a tiny little thing, all summer, but all of a sudden, its growing. It had flowers today..! Might get a pod or two yet, we'll see. 
Gonna start working on my fall garden in the next week or so. I've told all my neighbors to feel free to pick all the maters & cukes they want as those plants are dying back. I've still got somewhere around 30 tomatoes in various stages of maturity and many, many more flowers. I hate to cut them down while they're still producing! Looking forward to starting my new stuff tho!

Don't mess with the old guys

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My Little Garden

I'm so proud! I'll be even prouder if stuff grows!

I have tomatoes, romas & better boys (?), 7-8 squash and zucchini plants, corn-that is now waist high, ichaban eggplant, carrots, potatoes, spinach, cabbage and onions. I plan to start some bean seeds in the next day or so--limas, soy & purple eye peas. I'm thinking about butterbeans too. I love beans and one of my favs is anasazi beans. I have some dry ones....wonder if I can sprout and grow those too?? Worth a shot! I've been looking at fall crops too. My spinach is not doing too good, but it is a cooler weather crop so I may try them again for fall. I am definately trying brussels sprouts in fall too...my fav veggie! 

My boy, Bacchus

He's home. I worked all night Sun and got off work at 7am on Mon. I went to breakfast, then picked him up at 9am. He did not like the carrier at all, but I can't say I blame him. I brought him home and held him for a few minutes, but he was more interested in going out on the deck with Tibbe & Liu-Liu. I piled up in the recliner planning on getting a little sleep. About the time I dozed, he crawled up on the arm of the chair and woke me. He crawled onto me and just started purring so loud. I just held him and let him sleep while I held him. Poor baby was so happy to be back home, and I like to think with me. I wound up with very little sleep, but with a happy, well loved little guy. He is still on meds. One is a powder that I sprinkle on his food and the other is a pill. OMG...have you ever tried to make a cat swallow a pill? He threw me all around the kitchen. These pills are to keep him calm, but getting him to take it greatly upsets me & him! I tried hiding them in his (wet) food, but he ate all around them and left them sticking out of the food. I went to Petsmart today and got a pill pocket-you hide the pill inside this tasty treat-great idea in theory. He wolfed up the treat and spit the pill back out. I gotta call the vet and see if I can crush it up and sprinkle this on is food too. I don't think I can go through this every night and he is supposedly going to be on these for life. I'm just so glad to have him with me again. He slept curled up at my side last night and up until about 2 mins ago, was curled up on the recliner with me. He's such a sweet little guy!

Don't make him mad

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