Blogs. Shmeh. It's been almost a year since my last post. Some things have changed dramatically. Some things, barely at all.  

The things that did not change:
I'm still overweight.
I'm still blessed with great friends and family.
I'm still angry about my ex shitting on his daughters.
I'm still employed (thank God) and still have a roof over my head.

The things that did change:
If I had to give a definite answer, I would say my health today is WORSE than it was a year ago. Joints hurt. Tendons hurt. I'm in the worst shape I have ever been in. But, maybe you have to hit bottom before you can start climbing back up. I am tired of hurting. Things will change in 2013. Even if I don't lose weight, I will be more physically fit.

I got a new car. Well, a new USED car. But low miles, recent model, loaded with goodies. I don't love having a car payment again, but I do love the secure feeling of having a newer car (I was getting nervous about taking roadtrips with 145,000 miles on my old car).

I got a new dog. Rescued a mutt named Maggie. She's a doll. She loves to snuggle.

Looking ahead:
2013 will be more challenging for me financially. I'm going to have to tighten my belt. Not too excited about that, but I'm still better off than alot of people. I am resolved to get to the gym more. I am resolved to get to church more. I am resolved to spend less time f'ing around on the computer (like right now, lol) and more time clearing crap out of my house. I am resolved to spend more time with my mom.

All of these are attainable goals. I like that I have written them down. Hopefully I can stay focused for the longer term.... my goal for next year's Jan. 2014 post is that I will have "won back" some of the things I lost in 2012. Happy NEW YEAR to me, and to you.

Life. It's a good thing.

Geez... Seven months between posts. Am I that boring? Yeah, maybe. Or more likely I'm just too lazy to sit and compose my thoughts. Bingo.

But it's hard to sit still sometimes when your life is flying by you at a million miles an hour. This past Fall came and went before I knew it. It was filled with great memories: Taking Missi to her first Hawkeye football game; My roadtrip weekend to Perry with Bobbie & Tracy; Taking Sue on her first trip to Las Vegas; Take ME on my first trip to Jamaica; seeing wonderful friends and family over the holidays; celebrating New Year's Eve with my two amazing daughters; and lots of other "little" memories of great cookouts, cigar-filled afternoons on the patio, caroling, movies, roadtrips... I'm grateful. Blessed and grateful.

My daughter Michalle celebrates her 31st birthday in a couple days. Just like "30" was a good year for me, it was a good year for her, too. After a rough few years (things kinda went to Hell in a handbasket for her when Charlie and I split), she is finding her way in the world, and coming to terms with what she wants in life, who she is, and how she can get where she wants to go. There are lots of sayings in life about how to be happy, but the one that rings truest with me centers around being happy with what you have. I think she is discovering how to do that, and I couldn't be more pleased.

My daughter Missi is also coming up on a birthday soon, passing the mid-way point of her 20's. She also is living life on her own terms, and I think she has a good picture of what she wants for her near future. She's working her little fanny off, going to school at the same time, and managing to keep her head above water. The only reason I wish I weren't single right now is that I'd have so much more disposable income that I could use to help the two of them out financially. I feel like every cent I earns goes into the house fund, my vacation kitty or my retirement account. It's frustrating at times. I wish I could do more for them. That's why I keep playing the lottery.

Work is work, and while I'm really grateful to have a good job, there are days when I really (REALLY) wish I could stay home. Again, that's why I play the lottery. But in the grand scheme of things, I can definitely say: Life. It's a good thing.

Water Revives Me

There's something about the sound of waves lapping at the beach that totally removes all my stress. And it doesn't have to be an ocean... in this case, it was a lake. A very LARGE lake. Cool, blue water. Lots of sunshine. Add some dogs and a boat. BINGO, my stress is gone. I was particularly proud of myself for staying off-line for the week. No email, no facebook, no blog, no nothin. Felt good to be unplugged for a while.

I need that more often.

Scotch Tasting 2011

Another year at the manse on the hill. The weather blessed us with a great day for mid-February, and, as usual, the unruly crowd was boisterous and jovial, and mostly completely plastered by the end of the day.

Stinkbait missed the gig this year for the first time in... I dunno... five years? Longer? Sad indeed. But Kirk filled in most admirably (and, I'm told, paid handsomely for it the next day).

Allen, in his South African slur, once again commented on my "GrEaT TEETS!" Sarah started speaking in tongues (or, more likely, simply made up her own language which only she could understand). And I, in the true form of the ballerina that I was in my youth, did an acrobatic face plant in the snow while trying to pelt exiting cars with snowballs.

It was a grand day indeed.

Guns 'N Roses... the later years....

Halloween was a blast this year. I got to be a rock star. Score.

Hawkeye Football = Happiness

Couldn't have asked for a more picture-perfect Fall day for college football in Iowa City with one of my favorite people. Homecoming to boot. Crisp autumn air, dogs on the grill, cold cocktails and a victory over Penn State. Life is good.

UNcrush. And awesome time at the lake.

OK. Totally lame absence... just been a busy summer!!

SO, the "crush" thing. He was in Omaha for 5 weeks and decided to move to Martha's Vineyard for a job offer!! Just packed up his junk and drove out to the East Coast. BAM. Gone. End of story. Failed before it even got started! HA! Oh well, c'est la vie.

But the summer's not a complete bust... just got back from a week-long visit to Lake Okoboji with some BFFs. Had a blast. The lake was clear and cold. Cocktails and cigars on the dock. Booze cruise boat rides, swimming dogs, sleeping in, and lots of laughs. That, exactly, is what summer is all about.

Now it's back to reality. BOOOOO. :oP