JC vs Richland TWP... round 2! This one doesn't sound as painful as the last bout, but I do have some legwork and elbow grease I need to put in if I want the porch work to be more than a pipedream. After all of my efforts "arguing my case" in various situations I think I deserve an honorary law degree.

Nie's beat the most winning goaltender record, Sgroi's back and got a hat trick, and the Chiefs beat Cincy! Wooooooot!! Oh, and I found bitchin new curtains for the dining room today, too.

You know there is a lot on your to do list when you include "Blog" on there to make sure you don't forget! Yesterday was constant running after leaving work a bit early (I worked through lunch). First a quick meal and then to the hospital to visit a friend. I ask for everyone's prayers here as he goes through potentially other undiagnosed issues that are creating problems with him keeping food down and also preventing him from continuing his kemo.

From there the girls had a vet appointment at which they embarrassed me greatly by getting into a scrap right in front of the vet. *sigh* Thank goodness there was already plans in place to meet up with Mithy for a drink... or three.

So far today the bright sunlight, despite the chilly temps, have kept me moving. First another contractor stopped to start an estimate for work, finished up and filed/printed my taxes (federal, state, and local), then some laundry, emptying the dishwasher, sweeping up dog fur in the basement and leaves from the garage, and brushing the girls (FYI - the furminator is rocking!).

At long last I am sitting down with a cup of coffee and trying to figure out the rest of my game plan that will lead me up to game time this evening. Except vacuuming, I think the rest of my list can wait until tomorrow.

So the great state of PA cannot obtain Valdespino Pedro Ximenez... the "CREAM OF CREAM SHERRY". Hmm. Much like obtaining Black Haus in NC required a bit of additional effort in the early years, so shall this quest... but I WILL be rewarded, oh yes, I will be rewarded.

Barack is coming to Johnstown. A way stronger appeal (in my eyes) than Mr. Clinton's recent visit... but alas, since I just heard of it and the tickets to attend are already wiped I'll be paying attention from afar. I am not crazy about politics and, sadly, feel voting is all about selecting the lesser of two evils. In this case I am impassioned - perhaps because of my strong distaste for hillary as a candidate much less as a woman. I can only hope that the massive numbers of old-school and/or hick mentality residents I share my state with are more gender-biased than racist, since heaven knows few people do little to learn about their voting options before casting a ballot.

Last night was one of the most enjoyable times I have had in quite a while. While the temps dropped quickly as the sun went down there was signs of spring everywhere: the robins in the trees, the light green grass springing out of the ground, the smell of spring.

Sophie came to visit us and, after a bit of an introduction, she and Danika ran and frolicked through the yard for an extended period of time while Sophie's daddy and I sipped some blueberry wine. I loved seeing the "smile" on Danika's face and the glow in her crazy blue eyes as she sprung around.

I didn't get into bed early like I had wanted to do, but I slept quite well once I got there.

Money/Calorie saving tip of the day: don't eat dinner... drink wine. Many less calories, and it takes half the cream sherry to get a buzz!

I have a sneaking suspicion this will help my sleep deprivation as well... win, win... WIN!

Broken plans = Broken heart
How to compound it? To break plans with silence. I don't want to be so easily forgotten. Ever.

Update: Just a thought that March just isn't my month. At least this didn't happen early last week.

I am sure I will hear some backlash on this comment, but feel free to share your opinions. A settlement for the families of those killed in the Virginia Tech shootings?

1). How exactly is it okay that these families can sue the govt and/or VT in the first place (which is what they're trying to avoid having happen by offering these settlements)? It's rediculous. It's not like VT or the govt had a HAND in the killings!

2). Will money bring back their loved ones or eliminate their pain? NO! Stop being so freaking sue-happy.

Don't get me wrong, their deaths are sad and unwarranted. But place blame where it truly belongs. That guy was crazy. HE did this, not the school.

$19 to fill a very very thirsty Durango (Autumn)... but $36 to fill Drake (Tiburon). Eh - the point of this post? $ off at Giant Eagle rules.

Ok... so I didn't peel out of the garage, but I did stall at the top of the driveway, which meant I had to jump it a second time. Never really thought about stalling as such a huge factor. Let me tel you how much I sweated stalling on the drive itself. All went well however, as I did a-okay once out of the slanted part of the drive way. Of course, at the dealership they noted that because the sticker on the front was June and the sticker on the back is March that they could inspect it, but it didn't need to be done until June. Great deal... except now I had a car that was recently jumped, so I drove down 219 a ways and back. Scratch the thought of going back to nap.

I decided to try and stay moving so I headed to Ollies and Big Lots for my routine discount trip. I love coming home with bags and bags of things for under $100. Snagged the other scripts from Iggle and ta-da. It seems so strange to have a Saturday with nothing I HAVE to do. As such I am cooking up a pork roast to grub before heading to have a drink for Carrie's birthday. Mmm grub... and maybe a drink before I go.

Still feeling a bit of a headache periodically through the day and night, but nothing I can't deal with. The shoulder is still feeling way better than it did before my recent massage but I can still feel some strain and tension there.

Packed up the girls last night and headed to Ashville for a private session with a trainer. She reminded me of all the things I've let lax and are creating the squabbling issues at home. It is so much easier to address issues with other people's dogs than your own. She also made a comment that made me realize I was turning into my mother with my own girls, which almost made me cry.

Regardless, the scales have been lifted from my eyes and it's time for me to step back up into my alpha role. Look out girls, the prong collar is coming back out and I am contemplating a citronella collar for Vix to keep her settled during the day and as I come home.

The super busy feeling is lifting even though I keep scheduling other to dos. Just a quick appointment scheduled this evening and I can perhaps get a nap in. Saturday I'll be nervous as hell to see if I still remember how to drive it, but pulling the Tiberon out for an inspection and oil change. Let's hope I don't lay tire in my garage.

I had my first trip to the emergency room as a patient this morning. I just couldn't take the headache anymore and assumed my doctor wouldn't be able to get me in at any point within reason. I did NOT want to miss work. This was the second worse migraine I've ever had. The worst one, by far, was my first (self-diagnosed) migraine where I laid in bed whimpering and kept the ex awake most of the night... ok maybe he slept between his less than comforting comments to just 'go to sleep'.

One shot of imitrex and some time later and I feel a great deal better. I can still feel what was the pain dancing in the middle of my head like a wobbly feeling, but I am able to focus and take deep breaths without throbbing. They also did a CT scan, which, was a shock to me when the doctor suggested it. Negative... so, as suspected, I have no brain. I can't wait to see what the healthcare ends up dumping my way to pay for. Right now I'll say it was worth it, to be painfree, but when I get the bill I am sure I'll be bitching away on here.

Some of my evening plans have been delayed due to the illnesses of others, which is fine with me for tonight, since there is no predicting how I will feel come 6pm. I suspect I'll be turning in early tonight so I can get a night of sleep that is undisturbed by a throb or two.

Time for weekend updates, but let's start with a healthy dose of whining due to my headache. I spent most of today out of order thanks to yet another boomer. It started yesterday, but seemed more like a sinus issue. I guess I should have known better when tylenol didn't touch it. I am really hoping for some changes to my birth control pills that will reduce the number of times a year I need to deal with this crap. I rarely say this, but I'd rather be at work instead of losing vacation time that I could get paid out for at the end of the fiscal year. I did notice it got rather warm out today, when I went to get the mail, but I didn't even get to enjoy the nice weather since I was either sleeping or whining all day.

Now for the weekend tidbits:
- Got to see the new location of Prime Design Solutions - very cool little joint, I am looking forward to watching it evolve.
- A continuing Packrat game addiction.
- Chiefs are rather short benched right now, but still managed to come back to beat the Royals on Saturday night. Nice heavy hits during the game.
- Out to see the Rain after the Fri game at the Haven which produced a few things of note:

1. Archie, the sweet little hockey loving child that lived next door to the ex and I on Saylor, is legal to drink. Yeah, this makes me feel extra old... but worse still is knowing he's 22. How old was Paulie when he played here? Yeah.
   
2. Trying to get someone slapped by suggesting he offer beads to random women - fun stuff. Better still his drunken response of "these people are way too nice, they won't even hit a mutha-f*cka". Yes, he was eventually successful, but with someone he initially was grossed out by. *laugh* Win-win.
   
3. A discussion that leaves me a bit pensive but frustrated. I understand where the conversation was coming from, but I can't keep myself happy and until I can, I can't see myself going out of my way to try and make others happy. It isn't like the topic hasn't made me cry 101 times either.

- Finally got some chinese food which I've been craving.
- Assisting in target practice and hearing the resounding "tink"-sound of a good shot.

This week has quite a few evenings planned out as well, so it should go fast and have lots to make note of. Hopefully the headache will be a distant memory. Time to take another pill and wipe out.

Chirping and twittering is what I woke up to this morning. I love the sounds of birds heralding the impending spring. I can't wait for the weather to cooperate enough to sleep with the windows open so I can enjoy the delicate smell that accompanies spring. Matter of fact, I caught a whiff of it in the air over lunch on Friday. It's there, it's coming... there is a light at the end of the white cold tunnel.

Ah the voices in my head that keep me awake and wander back and forth all day long. Sometimes it's therapeutic to just get them all out... so here goes a conscious stream of thoughts. First and foremost on my mind is cancer. From one beloved who is not doing well in the midst of chemo to another who is currently having tests run to examine something on their brain and to another who is well into a new year of putting breast cancer behind her and even the woman who sat beside me at the Bouly who's mother was awaiting a diagnosis that sounded awfully dismal.

I click through the news stories online each morning and start to wonder what my biggest fear is. Is it still fire like it was when I was a child and even into my twenties? No. I think I spent long enough preparing in my mind that I've laid that fear mostly to rest. Is it cancer? Not even. Earthquakes and other natural disasters rank fairly high, perhaps anything where there is complete lack of control and such ambiguity that one cannot even try to plan.

I have tried to plan for my life in general, and for the most part I am not afraid of what lies ahead. Being laid off once in the past I know how awful that can be, not that I am prepared for or expecting anything of that nature I've survived it once I know I am strong enough to get through that. I've even survived the biggest betrayal I can imagine and came up relatively unscathed (even if it did take five years and some wounds still reopen on a dime). I think the thing that scares me the most is the lack of control we have over our lives despite our best laid plans. Some days I just wish I knew what lie ahead for me so I could truly prepare myself mentally if it isn't what I feel I want.

As I've told several people lately - success depends on the measuring stick you're using. What markers denote success in your book? To me it's the total package - and there are days I'd give up some of the intelligence or education or stability to have some of the pieces of the puzzle that are missing. It's not just finding someone special, because that can be fleeting (be it through divorce, cancer, or a million other things).

So, yesterday I washed the Durango in one of those wash it yourself stalls - it was that comfortable outside. Today, more snow on the ground. *rolls eyes*

Two loads of laundry, vacuuming, cleaned up kitchen, sanded spackling in bedroom, groceries obtained, a meal made, and part of a bottle of cream sherry consumed! I haven't had this productive of a Tuesday in a very long time.

Today - a mini-rant and a new goal. Where to start. How about with the new goal... I want to get rejected by every team in the NHL. So far: Columbus, Nashville, New Jersey, Florida, Pheonix. I'm so glad I have that education and experience that makes me so marketable.

Now for my mini-rant. Work is so gung-ho about encouraging people to carpool that they're offering them special parking spaces (note: THEY don't need to walk from guam in the shit covered parking lots) and chances to win gift cards for gas. What about those of us that don't choose to live an hour away and CREATE the need to drive so friggin far? Shouldn't we get something?

I remain quite against the altered daylight savings time. It is just too early to have changed the clocks, and, once again, I neglected to realize I was due to do so until late today. At least I didn't end up late for work tomorrow. I did end up an hour EARLY the Monday after the last time we changed the clocks.

I spent my weekend catching up on sleep and enjoying my routine date - hockey. Saturday's game reminded me how much I hate some people and their kids. Seriously, I know kids are energetic, but I don't want your kids feet on my jersey or seat and I don't want your kids barely out of a diaper ass rubbing past my head every 30 seconds. Granted for every pain in the ass kid there is one that is well behaved thanks to attentive parents... but the inattentive ones always have the seats behind me.

While embarrassing to admit I do swear to not censor on here, so I have to tell you that I had my first foray into electrolysis on Saturday morning. I'm half Italian, what do you expect? My goal - to lighten hair in less than feminine places and to not need to shave delicate places as often. Is that too much to ask? Does it hurt - well, yeah, a little. It's very different from a tattoo. Adrenaline never seems to kick in and numb things completely. It's strange to feel the heat down inside your flesh.

I screwed up and left chicken sitting out a bit too long, so I didn't get to make a casserole earlier today. Gratefully I was invited to a yummy dinner, not that I'll be wasting away any time soon.

My shoulder is bruised and sore... but in a new way. I can put on my coat without pain and can reach up over my head with ease. Ahh. Now to keep it this way. It is friggin hard to retrain the way you've gotten use to sleeping. Wasn't a big deal last night - I WIPED out - and didn't want to move this morning when the alarm started its chant.

My appointment was rescheduled for later this morning... *fingers crossed* I did let go of some of my bad mood last night partially through some retail therapy at Ross and TJ Maxx and partially through pleasant surprise. I guess some people are more in tune than I gave them credit for even wanting to be. It's comforting - and comfortable - something even the massage couldn't compete with.

WAH! They cancelled my massage! *sigh*

I love my mother. I do. Really. I just wish she could be the one I could call when I am frustrated or irritated - and just dump. Maybe she'd say nothing, maybe she'd have words of wisdom. Either way I know I wouldn't hang up feeling even worse because she made frustrating points about my current grump and brought up OTHER friggin issues that are currently relevant in my life.

So, I hauled over to try and order the new bed rails for my existing frame - because, as we learned a while back, Young American Furniture STILL had the bed my ex and I bought what... 11 years ago? Well, their lackluster enthusiasm to help me this evening and responses of "we order from this book" had me leaving without having placed an order and rather downtrodden. I had decided... I was getting a new frame/rails and this bed would live on in my master bedroom until I was ready to dump the cash to order a queen size set with a new matress and all at which time it would retire to the spare bedroom. Now my game plan is trashed. So yes, I left sad. I just wanted a little comfort which I couldn't get with a telephone call... so instead of finishing overdue grading I sat and had a few drinks at the Corners. Thanks D for lifting my spirits in many ways.

Gratefully I have a theraputic massage scheduled for tomorrow - I can at least release some of the tension from my neck, shoulder, and arm. Wednesday the Durango goes for routine maintenance, and there is just a little while longer to end the week... I can make it. Really I can. The weather is up into the 60s after the near-foot of friggin snow we got the other day. Why am I so inexplicably stressed on a Monday?!

Back in Johnstown and rested back up... sleep, coma, same difference. I am shocked that Reading had zero snow and here we sit with nearly a foot. At least everything here is attempting to melt. Trip to Reading went well, always great to see the guys step up and win on the road. I am grateful I crossed so many things off of my to do list on Friday night. I'm just going to sit here and chill watching Wayne's World. Ahh, lazy days.