Just Sharing

I can honestly say that I am ready to put 2006 behind. It wasn't a bad year, but not one of my best.
I did a lot of traveling. Twice to VA and twice to NC. Made a trip to Vegas in June. Punta cana last April with the folks. And of course the trip to FL this past month. Not bad for someone who likes to be at home.
Saw Dave Matthews four times. Twice at StarLake, Fourth of July in VA, and once at Blossom. By the way - Stay clear of Blossom the venue sucks! But that is an entirely different story.
My friends threw me a surprise birthday party. It was one of the nicest things anyone has done for me. It was all girls and we had a blast! I was truly surprised and I still can't believe they pulled it off.
I had friends get married and have children. It was the year of Penelope! She is great.
Work went well, I won the Director's Choice Award at work. Received a small promotion, won store of the month and store of the quarter.
On the other side, I ended a relationship with someone who was really special to me for the past three or four years. I don't talk about it much, mostly because I don't think anyone but me was sad about it. If I brought it up I would get a ton of I told you so's. No one would really understand how I felt in the first place. That is my fault because I never really talked about it to anyone, so I don't think anyone was aware of how I felt. I know people that can just sit and talk for hours about their personal life and tell everyone. I feel weird putting it all out there like that. I guess I could work on being more open this upcoming year. It is still hard, but I sent my peace email to end the year on a brighter note.
So obviously, the good outweighed the bad this year. I still have high hopes for 2007! Happy New Year.

I know that some people think that New Year's resolutions are a joke. Maybe they are. I like to think of it as a chance to change some things for the best. I have a ton of things I would love to change, thus I have a ton of resolutions. Also, the more you have the more likely you are to actually keep one.

1. Quit Smoking - BIG one! Wish me luck.
2. Drink atleast four glasses of water everyday.
3. Exercise - not crazy exercise, but at least three times a week, like walking etc.
4. Do something nice for someone every week of the upcoming year. It can be anyone, and anything, as long as I go out of my way to do something nice for at least one person per week.
5. Keep in touch better with my friends. I am horrible about returning calls.

Now a dilemma on New Year's Eve. My parents want me to go to my brother's, and my friend Carm wants me to go to her house. I am going to try to mix it up. We shall see!

Last night was another great time. My friend made me the most wonderful pine cone wreath, and it is filled with a collage of black and white photos. It is so nice. She also gave me a pair of pink converse high tops. LOVE THEM! It was a late night though, and once again I had to work so I am sleepy.
Hopefully after the holidays I will be able to catch up on about 12 hours of needed sleep. I am going to another friends mother's house right after work and I have to find my way to my sister's and give her and her husband their presents tonight or tomorrow. The holidays are busy and most of my family doesn't even celebrate it. I don't know how some people do it all.

Last night was fun! It was good to see and talk to some people I don't really get to see very often. I was a little nervous about one of my gifts I made, but it was a hit! The food was oustanding, my friend is an awesome cook.
Today at work is fun too! We had our gift exchange and I got a big box of Yankee candles. They are Juicy Orange scent. I also scored a bottle of wine, gin, candy and coffee. Some of my favorite things.
Another party this evening at my friend's mom's. This one is always fun, but I am paying for last night today at work. I am going to need a nap as soon as I get home if I want to go tonight. I have to work tomorrow too, so I have to keep the festivities to a minimum.

So today started really good. Got to work early and I am finally in the Christmas Spirit! Fa La La! These next couple days at work have a very special place in my heart and wallet. I am going to a friend's house this evening that I don't see much so I am super excited! Then it happens...my phone rings. You know, you look down and think should I answer it? Well I did. True to the form of my social circle, here comes some more drama. Someone's sister told their momma that the other sister had a romantic interest in someone's ex boyfriend and now that someone's brother is pissed. WHAT??? I know that sounds like I made it up but I swear that is the situation. Then I am asked to do something to straighten it out. Who Cares? And then I think,...
Back up...I didn't tell your momma, your sister, the boyfriend, or the brother of the ex girlfriend so I am not about to get involved. Here is an idea ask your sister? Your Momma? The boyfriend? The ex? Or even the brother of the ex? If it isn't true don't worry about it.
Anyways, I am over it now, but lesson learned: If you think "should I answer it?" The answer is NO!

I don't know why but lately I have been sad. I think it has something to do with winter, although this winter has been extremely mild. I hate when it gets dark at 5pm. Plus I have to work till 8:30pm, which is no fun. My friends are all fighting or going completely insane. My neighborhood is going to hell.
A couple of good things have happened. I finally found someone to B&P me July 4th, 2006 Virginia Beach DMB show. I tried three different times and no one sent it. I have faith in this guy he responded fast. I also just got two new LIVE TRAK Cds. Fenway Park 2006, and Hampton, VA New Years Show with Bela Fleck. They are pretty good, lots of new songs.
Tonight I am making candy. I have never tried so hopefully it works out. I have three recipes, they all seem pretty easy. If it goes well I will post the recipes.

It is December 12th and about 60 degrees outside. I do not think this is helping out with any Christmas Spirit. Most people I know are pissed about something. Everyone seems a bit off. Customers are bitchy. My employees are stressed. I don't even celebrate the holiday. I was always under the impression it was about family, giving, and celebration. I was certain I was missing out on something special. I am finding out that it is more about credit card debt, hurt feelings, depression, and partying. Normally I wouldn't complain, but I am in a good mood and the world is grey all around me. Santa - Bring us some snow!

Fatty is doing a great job recovering. The vet did a good job on his wounds. He had a total of 4. He is pretty good about his medicine. I have to split open the tablet and mix it in with his wet food. He eats it. I couldn't give him the tablets orally, because it requires holding his head still and half of his neck is split open. He wants outside so badly. He lays at the door and cries. He stands up on his back legs and scratches at the door and windows. The vet said not to let him out due to infection. He has his appointment this Friday. He will check his wounds and make sure they are clean. As soon as he get the ok from the vet, I will let him go out everyday but just for a little bit. No more all nighters.

On another note, my street keeps getting crazier and crazier. First, my lawn boy breaks into my house. Then my neighbor gets checks stolen from his house. Yesterday my other neighbors decided to end their 12 year relationship, which is sad in itself. But to make it even worse they decided to invite the police to the event. DRAMA central! Vehicles were keyed, guns were waiving, and citations were issued. Important lesson learned - End one relationship before starting another. If you do not it gets a little complicated.

As the vet put it, he got the crap beat out of him. He has four separate wounds all on the left of his head, and his ear is in shambles. I let him in this morning and he seemed fine, then when he turned around I saw all the blood. So I took him to the vet at lunch. They put him under to shave his head and clean out the wounds. He was supposed to come home tonight but they just called and said he needs to stay the night. I can pick him up tomorrow after they give him his medicine around 9:00am. On the plus, I never really considered him my cat. Now after this I realize he is obviously my cat. I just wonder if I should give him a more dignified name than Fatty or Fat Cat. He doesn't seem to mind, but he really isn't that fat. Neveu is fatter. Either way, I felt really bad for him, so I gave him a little extra present. I paid the extra $15.00 to give him a pain shot that lasts 4 days. So he should be sailing right about now.

I finally have something to write about. Just came home from Florida. I spent four splendid days with my entire family. It was one of my favorite trips yet, even though I had to come home four days before the rest of the gang. I am very fortunate that I was able to go for at least four days. I did miss my flight last night and was able to squeeze in another night at the jacuzzi hanging with the gang.
I was very sad to leave them. My family all live relatively close to me, and I see and talk to them often. However, there was something really cool about all of us being in one place and spending time together. We went on a cruise around the intercoastal canal, grilled out by the ocean twice, went to a huge flea market, and spent a lot of time on the beach and around the pool. I feel like we ate every couple hours, I think we did. I went sea shell hunting every morning with my nieces. We all carried our little grocery bags and walked down to the lighthouse to find the perfect shell.
My niece's made me cry when I said goodbye. They are the sweetest little girls. Then as soon as I arrived in Pittsburgh my parents sent me a text saying that they missed me already and it wasn't the same without me. That sent me into another emo-episode. I had to come to work as soon as I arrived into town so I didn't have much time to dwell on it. I was supposed to be at work by 6 am this morning, but like I said I MISSED MY FLIGHT! Strolled in about 1:30pm. My boss isn't happy about that, and I feel really awful because she went out of her way to let me go in the first place.
Enough about that, I am no longer sad, I am truly appreciative that I have my family. The fact that we are all healthy, happy, and loved. I feel like I have assumed that for way to long, so this trip just made me realize that my family is precious. We are all completely different, slightly insane, but very much loved, and that is what it is all about after all, right?