The lost postcards

So I got a txt message from Sue this morning that said: I finally cleaned out my car.

My response was: um, yay?

Turns out she told me this because she found Casey's postcards from October in between the seats.

To Chris, Dave, and Cassidy - expect a hello from Alcatraz soon!

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On a different note, my scale read 143.6 this morning the first time I hopped on. The second, third, fourth and fifth times it read 142.6 - which means I lost a pound since last week! So I'm having lasagna for breakfast to celebrate and will go to the gym later to work it off :)

Fool me twice, shame on me

I'm sad today.

I'm mad today.

I am embarrassed today because it seems that I never learn from my mistakes and now I need to vent.

One of the bloggers I hired at Babies Online turned out to be very helpful, nice, and experienced in her field ... immediately I accepted her into our inner circle and considered her our go to girl. When she ran into financial problems I offered to help without thinking first. If I would have thought before I spoke I would have realized that irresponsibility is likely what got her into that situation to begin with. But as I said, I didn't think first.

You know, that phrase without thinking first seems to have gotten me into more problems than I care to admit. But I digress.

I offered to advance some money to her, thinking a few hundred dollars. She came back and asked for $2500, in return I would get 6 months of work, including one rather large project. I wanted to say no to that amount. I really did. But I've been tremendously blessed, and if that's what she needed to get out of her dire straights, then I should help. I sent the money, and don't you know, have had nothing but headache ever since.

I have to beg for examples of her work, and when she finally does send something, it's inadequate. My repeated requests for status reports and conference calls are ignored. She doesn't respond to email, her phone service was suspended, and she either doesn't get on IM or has blocked us from seeing her when she's online.

All is not lost. American Express will give my money back if and when I request a charge back. I have a date in mind when that will happen, but am still hoping she will come through and have some valid excuse for the disappearing act. I'm prepared to accept the fact that I was simply scammed, though, which makes me sad, mad, and embarrassed.

I thought I was smarter than that.

Ok, therapy for today is over. I feel much better now.

Adventures in redecorating

I have company visiting this summer, and since I don't have fancy guest digs like my Uncle Kent, I thought it was time to buy a sleeper sofa. I found one that I like (it has a built in air mattress even) and will likely buy it today. It will go in the Rock Band Room (formerly my unused formal living room) and will be utilized mostly by tweens rockin to the oldies.

This room also houses our piano and has a large picture window on the right side. To complicate things further, I am not adept at interior design, as you can tell from the room design below.

This is how the room is currently laid out:

And this is how I'm thinking of moving things around ...

If I do this, the TV will need to go above the piano, and I will likely put a little DVD/Playstation/Wii table in the corner.
Here's what it will look like with the bed pulled out...

It's a little tight and busy, but it has more of a BHG feel to it this way,
don't you?

Timing is everything

Breaking News! The American Idols Live Tour 2008 dates have been posted. The second I heard I rushed to the tour web site and frantically searched for an Albuquerque date. Of course, nada.

Second, I search for Cincinnati - YAY! The Idol tour is going through my former home town ... scan left for the date ... oh lucky day ... they'll be performing the night that I leave Ohio to fly back to NM.

Please excuse me while I go throw up now.

143.6

So here I am, back to the same weight I was before the cruise.

I remember when I was in my 20s and a size two ... I would look at women my age (now) and just not understand how they could just let themselves go. I thought a little effort is all they'd need to be thin. Stupid me. I guess you need to be in your late thirties to understand how hard it is to lose weight when you're in your late 30s.

But I am resolved to do this. So stay tuned!

The end of Casey's soccer career

Soccer season is over! Oh how I live for this day each spring & fall. This year it is especially bittersweet, though, since Casey has decided not to play soccer any more. I certainly won't miss the practices and Saturday commitments, but she turned out to be quite the little player. I'm going to miss watching her kick &%$ on the fields!

My obsession with Jason Castro

I don't know if you watch American Idol - my dad got me hooked on this show a few years back and I've been watching it ever since. Never before have I completely fallen in love with a contestant though.

Season 7 has blessed me with the purest voice and most beautiful soul I think I have ever experienced: Jason Castro

This boy just turned 21 ... he is silly and sexy and talented and I just want to rub him and his dreadlocks all over my body (yes, you may call me cougar - mrrrreoooow!)

If you haven't had the fortune of listening to him yet, you should check him out on Youtube

VOTE FOR CASTRO!

Brie is the debil

I am starting to dread Mondays. Not because it's the beginning of the week, but because it's the day that I disrobe and walk myself onto the bathroom scale. I was hoping that somehow I would defy physics and find that I had lost weight despite my lack of exercise and over indulgence of brie and chocolate mudslides over the weekend.

No luck. 144.4

I guess it's time to break out the cron-o-meter and start hitting the gym again.

Dammit.