Like sands through the hourglass...

If you didn't already know, I'm a pretty big Days of our Lives fan. Have been for over 20 years. It's a dumb soap, I know but I love it. I'll admit it. I think of the people on the show as part of my life -- I mean, I've known them for over 20 years!

I've never really missed too much either. I faithfully watch every episode I can. I've often said I really can't stop, I'm emotionally invested!

Anyway, imagine my excitement when I hear they're having a Fanfest **cue the trumpets and fanfare** So I talked to my good friend who is also a long-time fan and we're planning a drive to southern California on Nov. 1st if we can work out all the details (remember Halloween is the night before).

I wouldn't be so tempted if the thing wasn't totally FREE! I mean, come on!! All we have to do is drive to Universal Studios to meet all of our favorite actors?? Okay!!

TV Junkie

I'm a tv junkie. I'll admit it. I love watching tv. I'm really good at it.

But you know what happened? The tv gods created more networks and channels. Then they started making really good quality tv shows on all those networks. Now someone like me has to choose between watching one show while taping/DVRing another, or God forbid miss it altogether.

So the internet gods came around and started posting network tv shows on network websites. Now I have to check what shows are posted, which ones are not, and which ones I'm willing to catch later on DVD or reruns.

I'm a bit of a tv snob too. If I don't see a show from the beginning, I usually won't watch it. With the exception of Seinfeld and King of the Hill, this has stood the test of time.

My goal is that soon I will get a DVR that can record two shows at once and keep unholy amounts of tv at my fingertips in a little box in my living room. Until then, I have to check the VHS tapes frequently to make sure there's enough room to record stuff.

But wait....what's this? Hulu.com?? You mean, I can have a DVR-type website on my computer?? And it's free?? What????

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy...I'm so loving this!!

Sweet little Cassie Leigh

In July 1992, I had just turned 20 years old. I remember my dad driving us over to grandma and grandpa's house. Then we saw that the neighbors had some Chihuahua/Terrier mix puppies so we headed over there. The little runt came bouncing over to me and sat on my lap. My dad told the guy, "we'll take her!".

I got to name her - Cassie Leigh. I can't remember why I picked the name but I thought it was cute! Cassie slept in my room an in my bed every night. She was the sweetest little puppy! She'd crawl under the covers to snuggle in the warmth then inevitably get overheated and crawl back to the top, sticking her little tongue out panting. So funny! That's her up there next to dad's Gold Panning Association of America hat. You gotta love retired rednecks, eh?


One of Cassie's favorite people (besides me of course!) is my dad. When he would step outside to smoke, he would say 'go for smoke?' to her and she would RUN outside! He always called her his "baby girl". They had a pretty adorable bond.

Eventually, I moved out of my parents' house three years later. I would go visit her every day during my lunch time and let her out for my parents who were both working in Modesto. This continued til my mom and dad retired about four years ago.

Sadly since then I didn't really visit often. Life got busy and I knew mom and dad were taking good care of her. But every time I walked in and said her name she came running right over.

Boy, she was spry! She jumped so high and far even in her older years that people never guessed her to be as old as she was.

For the last year she's been slowly failing. She reached 16 in July of this year. I had previously told my mom if she and dad needed to, they could put her to sleep when she became too hard to take care of.

Well, in late August my mom called me to tell me that they felt it best to do just that. So now my parents are petless. My mom's thinking about a cat but is kind of enjoying her new-found freedom of a truly empty nest.





So this is dedicated to Cassie Leigh - or as I once teased her - Ratgirl! All of these pictures were taken on my birthday in June 2008.

Jessica - My breath of fresh air

I'm always amazed at the friendships that I have. Some take a lot of work - always one-upping or trying to impress each other. Others are cool 'acquaintances' that I really keep superficial.

The best are those that no matter how long it's been since you've spoken, you always have something to talk about.
Nothing feels strained. Nothing is too touchy to talk about. You don't worry what that person is really thinking about you or how they are judging you. You can trust that whatever you say to them can be held in confidence.

There have been some who have moved categories once or twice or more. Seasons I've heard that called. Some vanish without notice. Some stick around longer than you ever expected. Some surprise you by their transparency.

Jessica is a friend that just seems like she's always been there. I have a few of those. I can't really recall the exact moment we met but I know it was during a period of my life when I really needed a good friend.

She came for a visit this past week. When I opened the door I said, 'there you are!', 'is it you?' or something like that.

Jess is someone I can talk about everything with. She and I share a bond that is hard to put into words. Even though she's married to an awesome guy and has two great kids, we can still talk like girlfriends. I know her strengths and weaknesses and she knows mine. We have similarities and differences - just enough to be interesting!

I love talking to her! She is wise.
She is focused. She is grounded.
She is faithful. She has dreams that are big and a God who is bigger.

I get to see her again at the end of September for her daughter's 1st birthday. I can't wait!!

Bye Bye BFF :(

Tomorrow Angela leaves for Alaska for a year. A year!

She joined Americorps right after graduation and accepted a tutoring job in Sitka at the Boys and Girls Club. I'm sad that she's leaving, excited for her and maybe even a little jealous that she gets to go experience it.

We've become such good friends I don't know how I'll get through the year without going to Starbucks and In-n-Out with her at least once a week.

But you know what, I'm proud of her for taking this opportunity. Here's to you Angela! Have a great time and I'll see you as soon as I round up $750 for a plane ticket!

Debt is a four letter word

I just finished my debt tracker spreadsheet. Three hours later, I now know I'm more in debt than I realized. Isn't that always the way? But, I have a plan. And, if the plan works, I'll have it paid down in 2 to 2 1/2 years.

Blogging in spite of myself

It's funny that days, sometimes weeks go by and I don't blog anything. And every day I open up six windows on my computer - myspace, hotmail, sparkpeople.com, bofa.com, blogger, and MJC - as my home pages. Some pages get closed right away. Dismissed away for another day.

Myspace is usually my first stop tied with hotmail. Gotta check all my emails and 'important' messages and comments. I always check these. Everyday. Often.

Sparkpeople used to be the place I went every day to track my exercise and/or food. I've really not used it in three months. I've eaten right (and I've eaten wrong) and I've sweated thousands of calories away. But at some point enough is enough. I just don't have the desire to report all of it anymore. I haven't lost any weight though I've noticed more tone. I got a health assessment at my new job (one of those perks). I'm 39% fat which for those of you who want to know, equals 74 lbs of fat. That is not okay. I have no idea what the fat percentage was before I started my healthier living but, well, frankly in six months at my next assessment it better be lower!!!

MJC's site is a constant reminder that I should (depending on where I'm at in the school year/semester): check for new assignments on the blackboard, sign up for classes, check my grades, see what books I'll need, etc. I haven't signed up yet for the upcoming semester but I need to, I really do!

Bank of America - I have that for checking my balance. I don't do it everyday anymore since the bank sends me daily emails. Suppose I should remove that one.

And last and for some reason, least. My blogger sign in. I think I need inspiration or something. I definitely can't blog everyday. I have friends that do so usually when I see my blog home page that prompts me to look at theirs instead! I love reading about their stuff more than writing about my own. I think that some of my stuff is pretty funny and/or interesting but for some reason I don't always feel like writing it down. Honestly I think people would be exhausted if they read about everything that I do.

So never fear, sooner or later I'll get into a groove of writing fantastic accounts of life's happenings!