Jeweled Web

I was at the library last night. Big deal. But I was at a computer and wearing headphones. I began feeling really nauseated and got a headache. I left for rehearsals, and it just got worse. I was rubbing my face when I accidently touched my right ear lobe. Swollen, painful and turned out to red. Took out my earrings and about 30 minutes later was almost back to normal, although still with the remnants of a headache. The earrings were clean and not new. It had to be something from the public headphones. YUCK! Whatever it was, my body rejected it and reacted fast. Seems like an over-the-top physical reaction, but hey, I'm just glad it's over. I don't get sick often, so when I do finally get sick I'm something of a big baby.

Oh! Now that I know how to post pictures. Here's my grandmother Genie and the Spring Teddy Bear my aunt gave her.



Later!
God Bless

If this works, these will be the first pictures on my blog!

First up is a pictures of my recent trip to Texas to visit my grandmother. Next month is her birthday, her 95th! If I posted these right there should be a short message if you place the mouse pointer over the picture. I always wondered how they did that.





These are smaller than intended. I'll do better next time!

Next is a baby blanket for my friend Stephanie who is due any moment now. It's based on the WAVY scarf pattern from the Knitty web site.



And the baby bonnet for Shelby.



Later y'all!
God Bless

P.S. Constantine????? There were two others that needed to be gone first!

A little trauma to put your petty concerns into perspective. Possible new job vs. pretty good job already. Life or death?

My friend Shelby had her baby 5 weeks ago. Happy and healthy. Shelby shows horses and was compliant with doctor orders. She did not work out her finicky show horse. She did not lunge her new Clydesdale show horse. She was riding in the ring with an extremely gentle 22 year old horse belonging to her trainer. This horse is the perfect horse for a young child to use to be a beginner rider. They were walking, not trotting, simple walking.

The horse tripped.

Went down on both knees and hit his poor head. Before going further, the horse is FINE people. Shelby went over his head and landed flat on her chest and abdomen. No loss of consciousness. She thought she'd merely gotten the wind knocked out of her. Drove home. Before getting home, the pain in her abdomen kept worsening and she thought she might have cracked a rib. Called her husband and stopped at an urgent care. They immediately sent her to the Emergency Care Department. She started getting dizzy and her blood pressure dropped to 80/40. Air lifted her to the closest Trauma One center. At that point she was so badly off (internal bleeding) that she had to be intubated and was a "hair's breadth" from coding. Complete transfusion to replace TOTAL blood volume. Surgery to remove the chunks of what was left of her shattered spleen.

After all this on Monday, by Wednesday they're discharging her because it's all over. No spleen, but that's okay really. Not great, but definately okay. Her mother had just left to go home (out of state) on Sunday and on Tuesday was back.

I work in the rehab center next door to the hospital. I can see the Life Flight heli-pad from our parking lot. I saw the friggin' helicopter that day. Had NO clue it was a close friend.

It all just makes you think.

I love the show HOUSE and Vogler, the evil witch is gone! Okay, on to other things.

DECISION TIME. I work in a hospital. I make a decent salary, but I'm about to hit my 39th birthday (yes, for the first time). I live on my income and don't get to put much away. A nursing home called me to see if I was interested in working with them. I don't really want a SNF (skilled nursing facility) job, but after seeing their facility it was much better than anticipated. However, it is a 45 minute commute and gas prices are horrible and my car has passed the 100,000 mile mark. I told myself and my friends I wouldn't accept less than a $10,000 bump in salary. The offer came today. $8900 more. Is that enough? It sounds so good, but it's not the mark I set. I told the recruiter I would have to think it over. It's not a gimmick to get more out of her, but it would be nice if it happens. I just DON'T KNOW. Is it worth it? Gas and time and auto wear and tear. Right now, I'm leaning toward the "no" category. Right now I live 10 minutes from work and I'm quite comfy. I do need the money. Crap.

Onto more pleasant subjects. THE MIRACLE WORKER opens this Friday. I never think any show I'm in is ready and always needs one more week of rehearsal time. This show is no different. However, it's coming along nicely. We'll see.

Started a new book: THE GREEN RIDER. Not sure of the author, it's fantasy though. It's started out well. Still working on the PS2 game CHAMPIONS OF NORATH. I haven't played in about a week though. I have a very tough vampire to kill and last time he kicked my ever-lovin' behind.

Oh. New Pope. Not sure what I think of him yet although my mother is pleased. He's only 6 years younger than the last Pope. Hardliner. Could be good, could be bad. All I know is Karol left a large cassock to fill.

Anyway, dress rehearsal tonight. Gotta run!
God Bless

I just got my secret pal name from the knitty board! I can't tell you who it is, because it's a SECRET! But I already am thinking of things to send her.

Oh. Books A Million had my book ready and waiting for me on the 12th as promised. I'll wait and see about the next new release date I have coming up before saying things are "fixed". Angela Knight's MASTER OF THE MOON and Charlaine Harris' DEAD AS A DOORNAIL are due out in May. Janet Evanovich's new Stephanie Plum novel is coming out on June 21st. And July will bring Mary Janice Davidson's UNDEAD AND UNAPPRECIATED as well as the long awaited HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE.

I foresee a summer of happy reading as long as Books A Million holds up their end of the bargain ... you know, the one that says they have books?!

There's a new show on t.v. this season that has really got me hooked, HOUSE. I love Hugh Laurie anyway, from the old Masterpiece Theater series JEEVES AND WOOSTER. House is such a different character than Wooster that that in itself amuses me. I have a co-worker who watches as well. She and her fiance really like the show but were wondering if the actor really limped like that. That amused me too, I assured her I believed he is only acting.

My step-dad came to town yesterday and surprised me, taking me out to lunch. It was wonderful. Especially since he and my mother are about to go travelling around the mid-west for most of the summer. I didn't get my step-father until I was in my mid-twenties. However, he and my mother have known each other since she was fourteen years old. He really is a sweetie.

Anyway, gotta run!
Take care and God Bless

New diet. Okay, old diet that is about to become new to me. It's a moderation sort of diet based on lower calorie, lower fat, and not carb loading, but not carb counting. It's based on the American Heart Association. Lot's of fruit. Smaller meals throughout the day. Just takes more planning and effort than what I do currently. We'll see!

I went to Crystal's baby shower yesterday and gave her a hand knitted bonnet and sweater. I was worried if she would like it, since she is a very trendy person. But she seemed genuinely thrilled, so I was happy. But now, ANOTHER co-worker is pregnant. Shelby had her baby and is off the list. Crystal and Stephanie have already had their showers and gifts have been knitted and delivered. That leaves: Emily, Amanda, Anne Catherine, April, Teresa, and now Nicole. I'm working on a small cabled blanket (in yellow) for Emily's little boy. Next due is Teresa, then April, Amanda, A.C. and Nicole. THEN maybe I can work on a felted bag for myself finally! Or socks .... hmmmm .... no, bag first.

Rehearsals for THE MIRACLE WORKER are going well, we open the second to last weekend in April. We introduce the dog to the rehearsal process soon. Marley has been in productions before, but I've never had to work with one on stage before. So now I have to shepard two children under 10 and a dog. Ah well.

Later y'all!
God Bless

A small battle has been fought and won .... oh joyous rapture. Or something pretty darn close.

I moved to a very small town two years ago. The closest bookstore is in a larger (relatively) town about 15 minutes from my house. Books A Million. (Books a Hundred? Books maybe?) Now. I am someone who likes certain authors, A LOT.

Laurell K. Hamilton
Raymond Fiest
Anne Bishop
Stephen Brust
Charlaine Harris
Mary Janice Davidson
Christine Feehan
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Tom Clancy
Angela Knight
Jennifer Crusie
Janet Evanovich
J.K. Rowling

These are just a few and are listed in no particular order. However, I am VERY aware of when their new books are due out. I like to get them as soon as possible. My local BAM store is not so good about getting them out on the day they are released. I have pushed several times for people to go into the back and FIND my book that is supposed to be out on the floor. I can go to the BAM in Wilson, 30 minutes away .... but why should I when they are supposed to have my book in the local store? I spoke with a manager, finally. He told me a secret is to pre-order a book and it will be ready and waiting on the release date whether or not the books have been put out on the floor.

This worked well ... ONCE.

Then they "lost" an order, took forever looking and couldn't find it. But they found me "another copy". I get home from this trip and there is a message on my machine that they have my book. *sigh*

Well. Last week I went into BAM to pre-order Laurell K. Hamilton's new Merry Gentry book. They said they were not due to get ANY of her books (best selling author that she is) and even if I order it, it would not be shipped until the release date. Meaning I MIGHT get it a week later.

I did something I've never done before. I called the customer service number and complained. No names were mentioned, I am not after anyone's job. I didn't think I would get much response.

Last night (during American Idol) they called. Were shocked to find out of my series of unfortunate book-searches. Assured me they would look into whether the problem was with the store or the distributor. Right. But hey, American Idol was still on when the store manager called me in response to a call from his disctrict manager. They assure me that the HAVE MY BOOK (remember, they told me they weren't getting any copies) already in stock. It can't be sold until the release date, but they have put aside a copy with my name on it.

I have to say, I was pleasantly suprised by the quick and painless answer to my complaint. I was ready to give up on Books A Million, but now I will withhold judgement .... at least until April 12th.

Happy Reading and God Bless

The world has seen the passing of a wonderful man. But this is not a time to sorrow, but to celebrate. Celebrate a life well led, who in turn helped lead millions. He has passed from this world and into the next. Congratulations.

I may have heartily disagreed with some of your stances and ideals, but I have always loved and respected your leadership.

God Bless

It's raining. A big ol' gully washer and frog drowner as some might say. I don't mind because I have to work today. This way at least I'm not missing a really nice day. I do have to run some errands after work though, and I hope it's cleared up by then. Selfish maybe, but truthful.

I have to head over to Big Lots and return a bar stool I purchased for $12.99. Some assembly required. I opened and there are no instructions! It says right on the box, "instructions inside". Nope. Nada. And I learned a very long time ago not to try new things without at least glancing at the instructions (a certain experience with boxed macaroni and cheese comes to mind in a sad reminder). So, back it goes hopefully to switch out. I need the bar stool (and not an expensive one) so that I can play my video games in comfort.

I am currently level 10 in CHAMPIONS OF NORATH, but my t.v. is set up higher and my current chair is low enough that it makes my neck start hurting. Thus ... the bar stool. I would theoretically sit up higher and ease the strain on my neck.

LOST: Is yanking our chains! Love this show, but I hope that we get some kind of answers soon. What's up with the light inside the mysterious hatch??? Will Boone survive without Mystery Island intervention? How did Locke get to be in a wheelchair? Hmmmmmmmm ... nope, I'm not interested in watching this show at all (ya bums).

Ta ta for now and God Bless!

Well, I spoke with my grandmother last night and she denied any problems. I asked her point blank about "what did the doctor say?". She said she has gout. Now gout is an incredibly painful disease dealing with uric (sp?) crystals collecting in certain areas. But it is not necessarily an indicator of kidney failure.

It comes down to this. My aunt is apparently an alarmist and reads into things the worst possible scenarios. My grandmother likes to gloss over things and keep us from worrying. I think the truth is somewhere in between them. From several states away, it's kind of hard to get a grip on how things really are.

It is April 1st. My friend Eddie's birthday! I hate that I won't get to see him and April until next weekend. April and I conspired and bought him seasons 3 and 4 of RED DWARF for his birthday. (Good thing he's too busy with Grad school to read Blogs now isn't it?!) I hate that I have to work this weekend. I now have to work every third weekend. When I started this job, it was every 7th or 8th weekend. August will be my 5 years with this job and I will be fully vested. I'm not necessarily looking to make a change, but if something turns up I will probably think about it seriously ... after August.

APRIL 12th!!!!!!!!!

Laurell K. Hamilton's new Merry Gentry book is due out on April 12th! Frost for King! Or at least consort ... hehehehehe!