All things change. I grew up in a small town. Would not go back.

It would be better to say, re-avaluation of living and life shouldnt be left for too many years (like 8 yrs and not see the change, or it might bite you in the butt!) I have really got to try for sleep! LOL. TOOO Philosphical,for me, LOL, going going gone.

I agree on the small town atmosphere, Walks'....it was a choice that I made for my daughters benefit....a good choice but now she is heading off into the world....nothing here for me by myself....time to move on....good night

Get a DOG - #1 deterrent for invaders - Get a BIG dog! I am sorry to hear about this - I, too, live alone, and it worries me, but fortunately, the neighbor's dog spends most nights on my front porch, so I feel somewhat better. There are just a bunch of bored/addicted/lazy people living near, and preying on, people - no one is excluded from the possibility of crime.

I miss city living. I am always jealous when CarrieB mentions some ethnic meal, festival or whatever.

I do love my place and I am looking forward to working in the yard. Seed catalogs are arriving! can spring be far behind?

jc who is wrapped in a quilt in front of the stove watching the soaps and the birds on the barrel feeder outside my window. 20 something today in tennessee

Much warmer here today in western Kansas....35 degrees...home early today because things were slow and feel a bit of the cold coming on...supposed to be 50 tomorrow...I look at it as 2 less days of terrible temperatures until spring

Come for a visit, jc! There's this terrific, inexpensive Vietnamese place I'd just LOVE to take you too. And anyone else here, of course, is invited to join us. Crispy vegetarian spring rolls with rice vermicelli, vegetables and some kind of heavenly Vietnamese sauce

Twenty something here today. Windy too! Brrrrr. The wind just tunnells through the streets, between the buildings. The seed catalogs are coming in here too. And the plant catalogs. Yesterday, I got Plant Delight's catalog. I think that Plant Delights is (almost) surpassing White Flower Farm as my favorite plant porn.

Off to yoga. My winter exercise. Summer, it's bending over in the garden.

LOL, Ms. Carrie - Plant Porn - I like that! I am the 'porn' Queen - have more plants than the Garden of Eden! Thanks for a great laugh!!!

I got online yesterday and ordered some new catalogs. I am really looking forward to working in the yard this year.

Carrie, when this job ends, I am coming north for sure.

up to 43 today! woohoo a heat wave!
I will go to town and walk.

jc

31 today and brisk winds. Wind chill must be in the low 20's. Maybe I should head south for a while!

jc, you just come on up. No reservations required for Vietnamese food or for my air mattress. Hell, you can have the bed, my dear.

Kayjones, your garden sounds lovely. I've tried to stick more plants than the Garden of Eden in my little city plot, but alas, they won't all fit.

today is a hard day. I am working weekends and just sort of on call, as needed through the week for another family. Some weeks, the part time people don't use me, but I like going. I know they need help. They try to care for their mother themselves as much as possible. I also have my home and dogs ~smile~ this life that I complain so much about.

There is a family calling about their 101 year old aunt who is in a nursing home and wants to come home. I wish that I could go and stay with her. I have been sitting here trying to come up with a way to do it all, and of course, it is impossible. I could tell my part-time, some-time job that I will not be available and work weeks at the new job and weekends at the current job, but it is hard to find live-in help for the weekend. And I would never be home which is not fair to the dogs. and I would burn out quick and be of little use to anyone.

I will not over extend myself. I know better....but today, I am sad.

jc

It must be hard, jessie, to live a life of helping people and finding meaning in it but never being able to feel like you are doing enough because there's always so much more help needed than one (albeit, one talented and powerful and generous) woman can achieve.

I think of your house with the dogs and you in it and what a lovely refuge it must be. You need to be there enough to nurture the dogs, and especially to take care of you, too. Which I know you know.

It is cold and windy again here today, but sunny and bright. I just got back from doing a vermicomposting program with a classroom of 8th graders. I was terrified but it went well. The kids were engaged and interested underneath their youthful urban bravado and some feigned indifference.

It looks like it may be time to end my Internet dating carreer, hopefully for the long term. My use of the Internet as a tool to meet my life partner, well, I'm thinking maybe it worked. I am hopeful and scared.

Carrie, that is GREAT! My best wishes to you. Take care, Kay

woohoo CarrieB! I have been wondering where you were. That is fine news. "hopeful and scared" are good signs ~smile~

and thank you, friend, for the kind words

My day was excellent!!....I have been fretting about a major job that had been literally dropped in our laps and that I was expected to handle...after seeing the blueprints and meeting the builder, I had a very bad feeling about it...last week I informed my boss of my concerns and if this contractor turned out to be what I thought, that I wasn't going to put up with this guy and it'd be up to the boss to decide if he wanted me around after I dealt with it....I will be sleeping very nicely tonight and still employed.

Congratulations on sticking up for yourself, Mike. Feels good to do that, doesn't it?

Thanks jc and kay for your support and good wishes. I've got major butterflies, but am somehow calm and confident in my anxiety - which I know makes absolutely no sense.

Thanks Carrie, yes it does feel good....I've never had a problem with speaking up, because I have a pretty good feel of what my abilities are and the companies that I have worked for respect my experience....A friend told me last night that my mom should have named me "Frank"...heh.. sometimes I am too frank for my own good, but I'll take my chances......and good luck to you on this new relationship...keep us informed and keep stopping in even if you do get to the point where you aren't single anymore. You're a key part of the board.

I agree CarrieB. Don't disappear.

I can think of nothing to say. I cleaned house a little, went through a ton of mail, and got tax papers together.

and where is everyone else and what are you all doing? You can't be doing less than me.

jc

Where is everybody else?....I skeered them all off!

Aint none of yuz done scared me off! Thanks Mike and jc. This thing works out for me, you know I'll be here every day singing the praises of Internet dating!

I was supposed to have dinner with a friend this evening, but she ended up working late instead. So I went to yoga and then did a little cleaning at home. Talked to a couple of my friends on the phone and have a load of wash on spin right now.

I am still here. A little scared after the breakin. Still scared to leave, and panic attacks when I come home. My cats are more used to the alarm, its talking and beeping than I.

Wishing you such good luck Carrie! Keep us updated? OK?

Hang in there Walks..((())) ~smile~ my first cyberhug

The weekend was awful and nice. I was pulling out of my drive to go to work Saturday morning and a big, expensive car scratched itself on my bumper as it passed. We exchanged information and I went on to work. I finally get a call back from an agency I work through sometimes, telling me that they had found someone to work the 101 year old with me. I am elated! I call the famly (who called me three times last week!) and they tell me that she went to asssted living Friday. So I undo all that. I panic, thinking we should have called law instead of leaving accident unreported. My weekend job lady went to the emergency room last week. I panic over that ~laughing~ the more I crumble inside, the calmer I appear on the surface. Weekend lady and I had a very nice two days, even counting getting her naked and into the shower before discovering there is no water in the shower ~sigh~ She is a really good sport and lots of fun. Came home this morning where I am free to be crazy, talked to insurance people (apparently, all is well) and got a call about a night job close to home that I have been wanting. I start tomorrow night. woohoo! Turn up the heat. I can pay the light bill. Crawl under the quilts.

I made it.

jc

Jc, sorry you had a lousy weekend, but glad you have another job. You must work contract?

I am glad there are people like you! Stay warm and sleep well, my friend.
Back at ya. (((JC))). ~ :)

Hi walks and jc. Anything new with the dog search walks? It sounds like you're heading in the right direction. Slowly but surely. Good luck with the job, jc. Glad it looks like your weekend crisis (how do you spell the plural of 'crisis') seem to have resolved themselves.

I decided over the weekend to quit my job. My friends and new potential BF have been surprisingly supportive. Will tell my boss today or tomorrow. Had dinner both friday and last night with the man. Things seem to be headed nice and slowly in a pleasant direction.

It is snowing here! and the air is soft. Dogs, birds, and woman are fed and content.

I know you are relieved, CarrieB, to have made this decision, and you will feel even better once you have given notice. The relationship in progress sounds very nice. "Supportive" is a very good quality in a PSO (borrowing from Daisy ~grin~).

I am self employed, Walks. Been doing direct care for 20 some years. I went to school intending to teach special education, changed to soc., and took every anthropology class offered. I got a good paying job in a grocery store my last year and did not finish. My girls were small and it made more since to work. By the time I got back in school, I decided to take a nursing course instead of finishing college. So I have no degrees, licenses, or whatever, but I think my education is well suited to my career ~smile~. I ask people to pass my number around to anyone who needs it, and that is one reason I do not move. It takes time to establish yourself and be able to make a living. I could not move to a new place and expect to work like I do where my work is known, and I am too old and contrary to consider a straight gig again.

Well...I am chatty this morning ~smile~. Better get up and get moving.

jc

Hi, JC and CarrieB.

Carrie, wish you great luck in your new life! Career and love! Sounds exciting and full of possibilities.

JC, I so admire you. What great and rewarding work. I didnt realize. I am such a corporate monkey. Sigh.
Good luck and best wishes to you both!

I like my new job! The dogs are happy. Life is good. I always worry when I start something new.

Walks, what sort of monkey are you? I have had a couple of jobs with a desk, no window, and one of those chairs on wheels. I cracked pretty quick ~grin~ Be glad I wasn't down the ladder somewhere in your operation. I love the grocery business. I worked when I was a kid for a gentleman who taught me all he knew about it. When I got a part time job in a big union store, I made "full time" (unusual for women at the time) and a much bigger salary than I would have as a social worker. I have always liked physical work. This did not make my family happy ~smile~ They viewed my college education as wasted. How can education ever be a waste?

Where are all you singles out there?
Tinman.....are you snowed in? Candler, come and tell us about your day. I am hogging the conversation.

And of course, we want a lascivious glimpse into your life CarrieB. What are you all having for dessert tonight?

jc

I'm telling the boss today that I'm heading out of here. I'm not cut out for 9-5 and I'm finally going to make a go at doing otherwise.

Walks, are you still nervous? Does anything work to calm you? I'm not really into aroma therapy or anything like that, but I'm thinking that perhaps it could work for you. Maybe some essential oils? Candles?

Not much lascivious to report...yet. Did share a decadent slice of chocolate mousse cake on Monday night, and have plans to see him this weekend. I think he's more nervous than I am.

Where is everyone else???

CarrieB.

I want to say this. I am very good at managing money which sometimes means I spend none. I do not have health insurance, a concept that scares many people. My living expenses are minimal because my living conditions are ~smile~ primitive. I don't think I am any more or less happy than most people, regardless of income, but it can be daunting when you first jump into life without a weekly paycheck.

I know you can "make it" and I do not think you should stay in a job that makes you unhappy. I was just thinking that I tend to paint things a little rosey.

jc

Barbara the lurker here...

Just has lasik surgery today... seems everyone I talk to is ho hum about it... no one to share my excitement...

Oh well.

Barbara_Tampa

Congratulations, Barbara. I've known several people, including my little brother, who had lasik, and all are delighted with the results.

Thank you, jc. I'm on my way. I think I can I think I can I think I can.

oh Barbara! I am excited and want to hear all about it. I want it myself. So please tell all.

I have never worn glasses except the ones from the $ stores the last few years for looking up phone numbers, etc. but I notice I am reading less.
I want to hear everything please.

jc

Barbara, I'm highly impressed that you had the surgery just yesterday and you were already typing last night! And you typed perfectly. Others, it took a day (I think) before they could even see comfortably.

Congratulations Barbara!!! I know how exciting it is -- I had mine done almost 3 years ago. Please keep us posted on your progress and please, please, please follow all your surgeon's instructions regardless of how well you feel you're doing. Best of luck with your recovery!!

Janet

I have the afternoon off (paid) today.....things were nice and quiet and too late in the day to start a big job so I had the option (duh!).....getting my chores done around here today so that I can play this weekend.
I wish I would get snowed in, jc.....the moisture keeps missing us but we get the cold temps.....another storm due in this weekend but I'll believe it when I see it...I hate snow, but my main customers are farmers and depend on it, don't get some soon, I'll have to be looking at a job offer that I have in Arizona....I hear it's a dry heat though..lol

It is mighty quiet here

I just got in from my night job and will leave in a little bit for my 48 hour stint. I wish I could stay home. Not because I am tired, but because it is a warm 30 degrees with a big soft snow falling. A perfect day to sit home in front of the fire ~smile~

My night job check was $20 dollars less than anticipated. I thought about it on the way home. I will let it slide. I like the lady I am staying with very much. It is an easy gig and close to home. Not worth mentioning (~laughing~ except to you all).... but I won't forget it. A very nice lady reccomended me for the job and is a friend of the family who pay me. I would not do anything to cause her embarrassment.

I am rambling. Best get up and get moving. I do wonder where you all are and what you are doing. Tinman, I never know how to respond to the southern dialect thing. It doesn't offend me. I have made fun of enough yankees in my time ;-)

CarrieB, I read your post in Pets. Change the animals to children and you have the reason why I never remarried. The dog can be trained. Whether or not the owner can be trained is the real issue....which I think you know already.

thinking about you all, and hoping health problems are resolved for some, and others are feeling safe in their homes again

jc

Good Morning to all. Have not checked in lately. Everything here is back to normal and I feel much better than weeks ago.

Well, I am off to bathe a long hair stinky cat. Any takers in the help department. LOL!

I'm glad you're feeling better, Walks. Hope the cat washing went OK, as well. What is it about your stinky feline that makes it unable/unwilling to keep him/herself clean? If it were cat toothbrushing you needed help with, I'd be the first to offer assistance. Cat bathing, on the other hand, is beyond my area of experience.

I was offered a part-time, but significant, job on Friday afternoon, only to get home to a phone-message offer retraction...apologies, funding-cut, we'll keep you in mind...Blechh.

I went for a walk yesterday afternoon with my new possible SO, in the NJ Pinebarrens. I'd never spent any time there, and it was lovely. JC, of course, you are right about the dog and the owner. So far, it seems OK. A little growling, barking, but the cats don't seem too phased, a little miffed, but no cat-pee, which is the true test as far as I'm concerned.

These first few weeks are always so stressful. Fun and all, but every little thing seems open to interpretation.

Hi all... been a while since I was here too. Pretty bad couple of days - working on repairing some damage with my guy... how many times can one person apologize for saying something so stupid?

I know I'm beating myself up on this one, but there's no one to blame but me.

Add some major stress at work and a root canal this morning and well, you get the picture.

Hopefully tomorrow will be better... hey wait! It IS tomorrow!!!!

Nite all,
Barbara_Tampa

Oh Barbara. That's the worst kind of feeling bad, when you're beating yourself up. Hopefully, your guy understands that sometimes things are said without thought, you shouldn't have to apologize over and over, once, with sincerity should do it. Forgive yourself.

Accchhh. And with root canal and stressful work on top of it! It seems like when bad things happen at once, instead of it spreading out the bad things and making each seem milder it actually exaccerbates each one and reduces my ability to deal with individual events and stressors. They tangle and muddle in my mind till I feel completely overwhelmed and incapable of dealing with any.

But, as you say, it is a new day. Root canal is behind you, yesterday is behind you. I hope it is sunny in Tampa today!

9 or 10 more posts on this thread and we are going to have to start a part 2....it's been a good venting thread for our days....maybe the next one can be "how was your week"...Mine has been a long one....a 600 mile drive to Texas and back to take my daughter to her mom with a 15 minute break one day and logging another 400 miles during the week is enough to keep me from behind the wheel for a while...heh.....I'm just going to relax and regroup this weekend..Happy Valentines to everybody!

I will let someone else start t6he next one.... due to my erractic keyboard, I am almost embarrased w6hen I look at t6he title of t6his one. ^Hmmmm...

^Happy Valentines Day to all!

Tinmantu, is it a visitation for your daughter? Sorry if it is too personal. I remember reading, she wanted to live with ex? Just wishing you the best.

Nothing exciting for me today. A cat may need to go to the vet. I think she has bladder problems. UGH! Nothing like a high stressed cat, she will pee, just trying to get her in the carrier. Wish me luck, again.

Sorry, I do love my animals!

CarrieB, my cat is too fat to groom herself properly. But I now think something else is going on. I would take a lesson in teeth cleaning!

Jessie, you are too 5good for words. I am 5glad you like your job.

Barbra, I loved reading about the lasik. Lots of good info. Thanks for sharing. Sorry about the root canal.
Talk to ya, later.

Hi Walks....that's a weird keyboard quirk that you have there...Don't be embarassed though....this turned out to be the most popular thread in perhaps the history of TSL..way to go!.......As far as my daugther, it's a permanent visit. A combination of missing her mother and things not going well at school here...She's a senior this year and I hated to see her do it (my entire family has tried to talk her into waiting just a few more months) but she has her mind made up. She is enrolled in a school down there now but with different graduation criteria, she is looking at summer school in order to get her diploma. She has driven me crazy the last few weeks but I think that this is the best for both of us.
I'll start the next "How was..." thread unless someone beats me to it and put a "6" in there in honor of you..gigglin'

As far as cats go, this one that I "inherited" is going to have to be shaved before long...it's a long hair mix breed that's starting to mat up and no way am I going to try to clip it out...heh

Tinmantu, you sound like a good father. You listened and then let her go. Time for adult decisions and the consequences, in a controlled environment. Expect to hear from her soon! You have know idea what you have given her, in the years of raising her. She will be back asking you....Good Luck to her and you. (Disclaimer, I have not raised kids, just been one myself!)

I am here wasting time. My cat is at the vets. May stay overnight. Sigh. I really did not need anymore trauma to my boring life.

I wish they would shave her and bathe her before I get her back. We will see.

Best thing, Tinmantu, is drop the cat off at a groomers. Not too much for the bathe and detangling. If my cat wasnt so high stress she would go once a month.

Start the new thread. I am afraid, I might of scared some off!!! Read it. Post 6(s*x) 6here!!! ROFLOL. Kill this thread. (I try to edit, but it always doesnt work. Next.)

Amen to the decisions and consequences....that has been my stance and guiding principle for her entire life....I won't let her starve but she knows that it's time to "cut the cord"

Hopefully your cat comes out ok, Walks....I know that it's tough....I come across as a tough guy with my daughters cat and act like I could care less that it's around but when it cuddles I'm as big of a doter with it as I am with my daughter when she needs something...heh

I tried to find the reference that you cited about chasing anyone off but must have missed it...don't give yourself that much credit, only "I" have that power :) ..I'll give this thread a few more posts and then start a new one....the way that I kill threads though, that might not be a good thing....if it's dying, feel free to step in and type your 6's and ^'s

Well, I am back. After many phone calls, I will leave my cat at the vet. They tell me, if my cat has blockage,etc, it is not as bad as a male cat. I have gone thru this with my male cat, and never want to see it again. I will leave her.

At 8:00 tomorrow, I will be there to either remove her or decide. I feel like I left my right arm.

Decisions...

XOXOXOXOXO

XOXOXOXOXOXO

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOOOOO

Oh la la la de dah!

Your turn, Tinmantu. Onward to chapter two.