omg she's so cute!! did you say she's turning 1!? she looks older than that...
normally for newyears I do something redundant like give up smoking (never smoked a day in my life) or give up eating salmon (eww....) heheheh
working in retail, I was in the christmas spirit about a month ago... it's hard not to be when we're playin the carols, and the whole store's all decked out in the decorations... problem is we started all that jazz the day after halloween... I'm kinda burnt out by now! If I never hear another carol it will be too soon... well that's not true, but they should let me at their play list, I could pick some better ones for them!! And now the customers are starting to get panicky and cranky... and generally miserable... Amber says I look so sad when I'm working, I've got to work on that... because I don't notice it.
by the way, to all of you who went YIKES when I posted that I was gonna give online dating a try, completely by accident I found the profile of amber. She didn't turn up in my matches, and I haven't been able to find her in a search again... but that day I found her... and didn't really know what to say... I think it went along the lines of hey nice pony... (she had a mini horse in her pic.) and she wrote back all kinds of good stuff about herself, and asked some questions about me, two days later we met in person (she lives 15 minutes away) and my tummy's been one big ball of flutters since! It's too early to really know I guess, it's only been a week, but I've met up with her four times now, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how this one pans out.  already I feel like I can tell her anything, and she's commented that she's usually more reserved with people than she's being with me! I'm giddy and happy.... might not last... but for now I'm having fun.

What a sweet baby, Novia.  She has a bit of a sparkle doesn't she?   Thank you for sharing!!

Welp, I'm gonna be gone for around 10ish or so days.  I will be leaving here Saturday afternoon and will be back on the 30th...er, 31st (I get in at midnight).  
**I do have a request, (eeeeek! NOT a REQUEST!?!) if you get a chance.  Mr. K and I have found an absolute steal on a "condo" (a rather lovely converted apt.) for a hugely beautiful price, no credit check, no down IF we close before the end of the year...we have to move fast, and I'll be gone during most of that time.  We are meeting with the broker/closer/I-don't-know-what-he's-called dude tomorrow to give him all the info and such, and then, I'll be literally flying into his office on the 31st to close if all goes as planned.  I am nervous as I usually get turned down for such things, and am SOOOOOO gonna be doing some positive "I am moving in on..." visualizing while I'm on vacation.  Can you just light a candle or send me some luuuuuv?  I'm nervous.  This condo will reduce our monthly living expenses considerably (cheaper than rent!), and it's also going to help us have something at the end of all this bill paying.  

Okay, enough requesting.  If y'all don't hear from me before then, have a great holiday, and enjoy the blessings of Yule!!

Hey no day off for me Amythestone until the weekend gets here. Bad thing about Nursing homes they opeate 365 24/7 bad weather not an option! Even receptionists have to be there. �

Ty for the compliments on lil one. she is def a handful for Momma. She is not yet one, walking all over the place, and is no trying to be inssistant on feeding herself. � Even trying to backtalk in baby talk. shes hysterical. Ah a Mothers payback! �

Well congrats Kathartica. sounds like you at least found a good friend if all else don't work out. And that is by far the most important part of any relationship, beginning middle or end.

SM good luck on both the vacation and the condo!!! Sounds like just what you need, and just what you'll get! (fingers, toes, and eyes, by no chice of my own,lol tooooooo early, crossed!)

Well, d***!  I was supposed to be in WA state now having a great time with my kids and my mother, but there was a white out in Minneapolis, which was my first stop and my plane got delayed.  Because of the delay, I would have missed my flight to Spokane, and when I called to "fix" it, they didn't have anything available with ANY airline from there until after Tuesday, and I wasn't willing to spend my vacation (3 or more nights) at the Minneapolis airport...alone.  I cancelled my trip.  I am devastated.  However, I have come to the realization that maybe...just maybe...somewhere along the line, my travel protection spell actually worked (rather than became void) because there was so much snow.  My ex and my kids would have had to come over a mountain pass full of snow to pick me up at the airport (If I arrived safely), and driven me to my mother's home 70 miles away on a very dangerous highway.  Then, on the way BACK to the airport on the way home, my 80 year old father was going to drive me!   I really believe that someone in this whole mess is being protected.  Even though I am more disappointed than I have ever been in my life, it is better to have everyone safe and sound than to be spending Christmas/Yule grieving their loss.  I am going to try to go during Spring break and take Mr. K with me on a road trip!  That will be fun.

BTW, we got the condo!!  

Awww,     sorry to hear your trip got canceled, but I believe you are right in that your travel protection spell worked.  Spring will hopefully bring better travel weather.

And, Yea!   (clap)  on the condo!

SM, things re absolutely aweful right now up there and it would not have been good for any of them to be on any road going over any pass right now!!!!! so yes, better safe and sad, than well, the other option!!!! When it is time, you'll get up there!!! My BIL lives in SE WA state and has a foot of snow now on the ground with more coming, and it is only going to keep on comin down for a spell by what I hear.

Congrats on the condo, like there was ever on iota of doubt!  

See the universe is just as it should be! (granted a little on tilt at the moment, but eh it's all good!)

I believe that perhaps your travel protection did work.
but sorry you'll miss your family.

we just had a plane "WRECK" here in Denver
so maybe this was a blessing....I don't know!
maybe not just for the plane ride but maybe
for your ex and the kids too, mountain driving
can be trickey at best even when the weather
is good.

may your time ahead be blessed in more ways
than you can count.

Love and Blessings,
Q

Thank you all so much for your kind words.  I read about that plane in Denver and thought that it could happen anywhere right now in snow country.  One never knows.  Just thankful my family is safe and warm inside their homes.  I will put up my tree here and drink a toast for them on Christmas.  Spring will come soon.  

Okay, I know we all work, but, let's keep the cuppa going.  I miss everyone.

I'm so excited...and nervous.  We are closing on our condo (it's really a glorified apt.) tomorrow, and I have so much to do.  My head is going in 50 different directions, between my job, and the condo, and the decorating, and this, and that...Whew!  I have decided to take today as a rest day.  
My friend from Egypt just got a job as an AP in one of our sister schools, and I'm so pleased and happy for her.  She will be great!  The school she is in is actually closer to our home, so we are going to try to get me in there for the next school year instead of where I am.  I drive 30 miles in Houston traffic to get to the branch I work in now.  It would be such a quick drive and won't be as much wear and tear on my car.  (So, that's my next visualization project.  I am having way too much fun with this, Thank you, Stacey!)  

Today has been absolutely beautiful out.  It's in the 70s and the sun is smiling at me (and at all the other Houstonians that are noticing him today!)  I think I will go out and soak in some good solar energy before he beds down for the night.  (tanning)

Alright, guys.  Somebody post on this soon.  I feel aloooooone here. (candle)

Yeah, I've been missing everybody, too.  Work, holidays, family, just not taking the time to check in.  

Seamonster, I'm so happy for you getting the condo....a new place....a fresh, clean start, but I don't envy you with all the sorting, packing, cleaning, moving, cleaning, unpacking, putting away and decorating.   (faint)  I'm sure you'll have fun.  And you have your friend with you now to help you and to enjoy all that fun!!  

Glad you posted SM.  I hope you and everybody else had a good holiday.

This time of year brings about some depression my way.  Something about one wonderful year coming to an end and the "not knowing" of a new year coming on.  One of my closest friends is going out of town for 4 days with her new found man friend, another close friend and her husband are attending a New Year's Eve party, my children all have their families and plans (as they should) and me, well, I'm used to being alone.  Even when I was with my ex, I was alone thru Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, my birthday and Valentine's Day.  Guess I wouldn't know how to act if there was a reason for me to feel differently, although, it would be nice to find out.  LOL.  

The good thing is I know that when I make it past the end of February, the rest of the year is a memory in the making.  A good memory, none the less.  So the journey continues.   (Up)

Well we don't "ALL" have jobs.     Though I sure wish I did.  Just keep applying/sending emailing Resumes to anything I could be remotely qualified for.  

But It's great to hear you got a condo for cheap, Seamonster.  

There isn't alot new going on round these parts except for snow and then cold and then ice and then cold and more snow.

Email from the Radio station I interviewed with on the 12th said to touch base in another 2 weeks, as they have another 10 first round interviews over this and next week.  

So I have to wait another 2 weeks to learn anything.  

The New Year can't come soon enough.

I hope they give you a speedy, "YES!", Earthmother!  Hugs in your direction.  The waiting is always the hardest part, but in the end, all will work out well.  You'll see!   (hug)

Sorry I've been MIA around here.

Hubby is on vacation this week, oh please, just shoot me now! That and Friday I downloaded the new mystery case files, and Saturday
I did NOTHING but play it, and did not in the least feel bad about it might I add, and I beat the thing in 15+ houtrs, with penalties added for skipping some puzzles, and am now 2/3 of the way thru it for the second time.

Hubby tackled the tubbie, and now I can finish the 'face lift' of it to make it better, and flow better (good since my toilet is the money section of our house in feng shui, lol.

Also he went and used hi bonus $$$ from work to buy US a new tv for our room! yeah! a 32" flat screen!  (Happyfeet)

Got Xmas packed up and put up already. Now they have the infernal valentines day shit out! Crikies!!! Let us recoup from Xmas first will ya! No wonder we are all sick of holidays!

here's havin' fingers crossed EM!

SM glad you are watching over the pot for us!!!!

I'll try to get in here more often!

Youngest turns 17 on Saturday. She is going to a dance club with some friends (ok they are taking the 5 year old brother, no alcohol allowed!) I want her to have a good time. Cause in a year, i know she'll fly the coup! (Now to just pry my som outta here!) (I know bad bad bad mother!)

[marq=left:d0f875a23e]GOOD MORNING ODSS!!!![/marq:d0f875a23e]

Seems we have all grown a tad quiet this year.

I myself have been trying, being the operative word here, lol, to get my financial self reigned in and at least get that wild horse into the corral and will work on taming him slowly, lol. Computer came with Quicken '06 so I fugred since they gave it to me I might as well use it, now there's a concept! Got all my old stuff shredded out of the file cabinet this weekend, so am starting with a clean slate there, filing I'm good at, tracking not so good at.

Have started watching the Oprah series this week on making a better life for your Self. Started about falling off the weight wagon Monday, last night was knowing your health. Tonight is about spirituality.

I also started myself a food journal. Ya know when ya put it all on paper,   , lol.

Well guess I best eat my breakie and finish my coffee and head out, but wanted to stop in and visit the family first!

Tigger Pounces and Huggles to everyone here! (and special one's to those MIA!)

Good morning all!!  Sorry I've been away for so long, family all home for the holidays and it was hectic, and busy, and FUN!!  Everyone's gone now and I'd thought the quiet would be depressing but actually it's a bit of a relief.  

SM good luck with your new place!  I'm so glad for you!

Amethystone - I'm right with you, being alone through the dead of winter is a challenge.  I've lost myself in some good novels and realized how I had forgotten what real romance was like, it's been such a long time since I've felt like that that I had actually forgotten it existed and it was a shocking realization.  Guess what my visualization project is for the new year! (Along with the ubiquitous losing weight and getting  in shape   :roll: )

EarthMother, I'm wishing you the best of luck with your job search. I remember going through that about two years ago and it wasn't fun.  Something good will turn up, you have all of us keeping good thoughts for you!

Novia, always good to hear from you!