Happy Saturday, everyone! I cannot believe that Christmas is only two days away. I have all of the Christmas-y kind of things done except two: the grocery store and stocking stuffers.

Katie just gave me a great line for the day "I love it when it's peaceful and quiet in here" LOLOLOL - but of course, it's not 'cause she's talking! She's sweeping the floor, so, hey, I can't really complain. She has been drawing this afternoon (Shana, for some reason she has drawn a couple of things for you) and was supposed to have cleaned her room. She is so excited, she can hardly stand it. Santa's arrival is just a couple of days away *g*

I actually sent my Christmas story to my esteemed editor last night, and we have already discussed a couple things on it. As soon as I get her final edits back, I'll load it up. It's short, but hopefully will give some warm fuzzies (my editor felt it was warm)

Well, I'm off to slice up some chocolate chip cookies for tonight, our first Christmas gift exchange gathering. This will be us with some of our very best friends - they are Godparents to our children, we are Godparents to theirs. It will be relaxing - just the two couples and the four kids.

And an update on my weight. I started on Monday weighing (dear God, here I go spilling my guts!) 163.2. Today's weight? 159.8 Just an FYI for anyone keeping track, I weighed 138 last may when I had my surgery. My goal is to get to 140 or so - I don't mind being a little heavy due to muscle mass, just as long as I fit into my clothes.

Happy Saturday, gang. Take care!

Em is drawing. one piece of artwork here IS scanned, and I'm hoping to load that soon on her web page. Not sure if I know how to do thumbnails, or if it's easier to just load the pages with wordy kind of links. Also got her a guest book set up, and need to do that page as well.
posted by... deb at 5:03:39 PM | Link Me!

Wow! What a day!

The party was ok, hopefully most folks enjoyed it. But it was over by 1:00, and I was out of the office by 2:00. WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOO! Start the holidays! Our company takes the next week as holidays, though a few folks will be in for coverage. Not me though, well, at least not all day any of the days. Will likely pop in an hour or so here and/or there - check e-mail, look at the US Mail. But nothing over an hour at a time. It's a holiday week, damnit. And I'm going to enjoy the time off with the kids and Mark...

And guess what? I got something from my Wish List! Thank you to you and your sweet husband! You are too kind, really.

I also had a pleasant afternoon at the Coffee Haus. I picked up the girls and by 3:00 we were there. Cathy decided to join us for a bit - she had gifts for the girls (and for me). Emily sat on the computer and blogged a bit, and then played at nick.com Katie played checkers with a little girl she met there. And Cathy and I talked. and talked. and talked. Next thing I knew, it was almost 6 PM! Very nice passage of time. We even discussed the lesson I learned. Don't let me forget to blog about that later...

Oh! And this morning I dropped off one of the pictures of Katie to Jeff. Also gave him the calendar that came with the newest issue of FHM magazine - not like I want to look at a bunch of scantily clad girls! But he should enjoy it: but he's young, he's single. He'll likely want the magazine when I'm done. I don't think he reads any of the articles to the magazines I pass off to him, I think he looks at the pictures...
posted by... deb at 9:40:34 PM | Link Me!

Still having blogspot problems? Think about moving to Blogphiles.. Think about moving to Blogphiles. Not free, but not a fortune either. $2 a month might well be worth it....
posted by... deb at 9:09:34 AM | Link Me!

Yep, Day 5. Can I get going into making this a new habit? Mornings instead of evening? Evenings can really suck, and sometimes I just get too tired to go after work.
So, yea! Day 5!

Conversations with a neighbor...

I talked a minute to my across the street neighbor this morning. Yep, conversation with a neighbor at 4:50 AM. He's a police officer, but he works here for Arlington, not with Mark. He's a K-9 officer, and watching him and his partner "Doc" inspires part of my Mac & Bushkin characters. Bobby comes home most mornings when I'm heading out to the gym. I had forgotten that our schedules meshed like that - odd that I mainly see our neighbor at such an odd hour. Anyhoo, I had wanted to tell Bobby that Misha (his pet German Shephard, not his partner) had been out in the front yard late last night, and when I told her to go home, she walked back to the fence, pushed the gate aside, and went into the backyard. Bobby wasn't home, so I just hoped that she would stay in the backyard.

Bobby almost dashed to the fence and placed a bucket of some sort against the gate. Turns out, it WASN'T his dog, but another K-9 officer, spending the holidays with Bobby and Doc. He was glad that the dog minded, though, and went back into the yard....

Never thought much about dogs having sleepovers...
posted by... deb at 5:50:23 AM | Link Me!

oh, sorry, THAT was a rude way to end, wasn't it. I'm just a bit overly tired, and want some quiet. I wanted to go to bed, not cook.

And it's not really Mark's fault. Some nights they are so busy that he can't get away from the calls to eat; other nights, I think he just tires of what the town has to offer. It's a small town; there are burger joints and pizza joints. a couple of mexican places (counting Taco Bell). Oh, and did I mention burger and pizza joints? So, I sliced up a couple of Earl Campbell hot links, pan fried them, and now they are in the fridge waiting - just need to be nuked a bit.

I've loaded up my car with stuff for tomorrow: an ice chest for drinks, my crock pot for queso, presents for folks at work. I still need to pack my gym bag, and decide what the hell I'm going to wear tomorrow. Tomorrow I'm going straight from the gym to work, which means I can hit the office sometime between 7:00 and 7:15!

NO, I didn't finish my freaking story. It's close, soooo close. Damn.

And for anyone following my Charmed obsession, it was a re-run tonight :(

Later folks - hopefully some bloggy notes from the gym...(That will make it five early mornings in a row!)
posted by... deb at 10:03:59 PM | Link Me!

shit, I'm so tired. I just finished wrapping things for a few of the girls at work.

Tomorrow is supposed to be a short day, but I'm dreading it. The party starts at noon, and folks get to go home afterwards. But since I'm in charge of the party, I doubt I will get out of there for a bit. and the party is interfering with my work. I have stuff that needs to be done, ya know?

I cannot believe Christmas is so very close - and I still feel so unorganized. And the freaking house is a mess.

And shit, did I tell you I was tired?

I need to log off and get some things done. and then get to bed. 4:30 is going to come awfully early in the morning.

Well, fuck. The phone just rang and it was mark wanting me to fix him something for dinner since he hasn't been able to get out and get something. God fucking damnit to hell. Like I don't have anything else to fucking do. Like all I have to do is sit around twiddling my thumbs and then fucking cooking at 9:00 at night.

fuck me!
posted by... deb at 9:18:30 PM | Link Me!

Bloggy reading...

Ahhh, Faith. I'm a southern gal. Didn't you ever hear that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. And besides, I really AM amused. I'm 32. I've heard more jokes than you can IMAGINE about the size of my boobs. One day there was nothing, and the BOOM they were there. I've been a D-cup or bigger since I was in the eight grade. I can remember Craig Calloway (a guy in high school) making up a song about my name: "D is for the d-cup that you wear; E is for everything you do..."

Karen! You did imood! The coding is pretty darn simple. AND I'm glad you are moving your blog. In all honesty, it is very unlikely that blogspot will go down again in the near future - and I'm not exactly sure how well AOL handles the FTP process. AND you are off the pills. Cool! Of course you will have to keep us updated with *all* the details....

Chris, chris, chris. I'm SO very sorry about all of the health issues. Do what you need to do, and GET WELL. It IS great that you are moving forward on the wedding stuff! The centerpieces sound like they will be pretty - and NO, I didn't know about you and the candles. I love candles, too
posted by... deb at 8:28:28 PM | Link Me!

Hip, hip, hooray! Blogspot is back up and going!
posted by... deb at 8:12:07 PM | Link Me!

OH, and THANKS to Misty and Karen for the recent supportive e-mail. I'd link to ya, but I can't get your blogs to come up. Damn this is frustrating - for those of us who want to know what's going on with you. I KNOW it is frustrating for you, too.

My only advice to those of you who have your blogs on blogspot?

MOVE YOUR BLOG.

Did you hear me, Misty? Karen? Tina? DQ?

MOVE YOUR BLOG

Do it now! Re-publish everything. I wanna know what's going on!!!! I miss you!! I miss reading your thoughts, and what's going on in your life.

:::whimper:::

And for anyone that was concerned...

Daniel has just reported to me that he is feeling better today, and he appreciated my advice (which was a hot toddy at bedtime). Couldn't leave the gym without reporting on that *wink*

Catch ya later guys. Have a great day!
posted by... deb at 5:55:25 AM | Link Me!

Morning bloggy reads...

See, underneath that Grinchy kind of exterior, there is a heart. (thank you darlin for your kind comments) So folks, don't worry about me - and don't be offended for me. I'm trying to learn to take myself a little less seriously. And besides, I'm a big girl, and can take care of myself. ;-) And for my Trixie friends: If Eric were a Bob-White, he would be Mart....

Kyrie! You changed your graphics! And Shana, I'm glad you finally blogged again! No specific comments on your thoughts, of course *g* But I do wanna say that I personally LOVED your story from last year.

Where the hell else IS everyone? Not very many bloggy updates. What else am I gonna do here on this bike if I don't have stuff to read??!!
posted by... deb at 5:52:20 AM | Link Me!

grrrrrr! I STILL cannot get any of the blogspot blogs to appear.....
posted by... deb at 5:36:43 AM | Link Me!

wow!!! is Blogspot really back up??!! GREAT! Now I can catch up with more folks!!!
posted by... deb at 5:36:21 AM | Link Me!

Well, we did it. Emily got her own blog. Yep. shall be interesting to see how it goes. I'm going to help her set it up (of course) and I had to be the one to sign up for her web page (you have to be over 13 to sign up on your own, and she's 9).

But then, I'm going to try really really hard to be as hands-off as I can. I think that journaling is a great tool in many ways - a way to improve you writing skills, as well as a way to get to know yourself better.

She has already written her Charmed Fan Fic (that we need to type) and she wants me to scan some of her drawings, and to do some work in "Paint" and load it up as well.

She really is a great kid, though she does drive me a bit nuts sometimes. See, Em is incredibly intelligent, she just doesn't always have common sense...

More later, folks. Gotta download some graphics - and FINISH that story.....
posted by... deb at 8:26:27 PM | Link Me!

If you cannot tell, I'm at the gym. Hopped on earlier to warm up a bit before I did my leg workout, and now am trying to get some quality cardio time.

Yep, it's a miracle - 3 days in a row! And getting up at 4:15 was WAY easier today. Actually stopped and filled up the car with gas on the way here. It was cold - but at least that is done and over with!

From the excuse me, but files...

Do I look like I NEED to know your life story? That I can digest every detail of your life in the few short minutes of contact we have? I guess I can.

And do I look like your mother?

I mean, all of these young guys at the gym, not old enough to be my kids, but still a good 4 or 5 years younger than I, see me, I guess as a mother figure. I KNOW it's not that they see me as someone to hit on, after all I'm someone's mother. And I do feel a little maternal towards many of the trainers (have felt that way about Jeff for a couple of years now).

This morning, Daniel (one of the trainers here at the Q) told me about: being sick for the last 3 days; moving (it's a furnished apartment, but he doesn't like the furniture, so he's moving THAT furniture out and his own in) ; how many hours he works (40 a week) ; how many hours he trains (20 a week); that he trains with both a boxing coach AND a martial arts coach (he will be entering Golden Gloves this year); and that the Martial Arts work is helping his footwork. He's a natural brawler, but he needs to be better - because he IS going to win his division. I forgot what class it is he's going to fight in, but I DO remember that his fighting weight will be 168. I also know that he doesn't feel like being here today, but the desk needs to be covered - and since he feels it is important that a trainer be on the 2nd floor "in case something happens" he's here.

All I said was "good morning. how are you?"

And don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't care. He's a really nice guy, has a great sense of humor. But I guess I just wonder "WHY me? Do I look trustworthy or something? It's not like I'm going to tell his life story on the internet..."

Oh, wait. that's just what I did....
posted by... deb at 5:41:01 AM | Link Me!

shit! where IS everyone? No new bloggy reads from most of my Trixie Friends. What gives folks? Is it blogspot? the holidays? Hmm.....
posted by... deb at 5:10:37 AM | Link Me!

grrrrr!! phone line issues!!!

why is it that since I've had that additional phone line installed, that it freaks out about once every six weeks? One minute it's fine, and the next, there is this NOISE there. Of course, it's my modem line. I hate to drag a long-ass phone cord all the way over to my desk.

So I sat and stared at the computer for a good five minutes, not quite knowing WHAT to do since I couldn't connect. I couldn't e-mail, couldn't blog. Nothing.

So I wrote. Yep, actually wrote about 3/4 of the Christmas story that's been on my mind. Now if I can just follow through....
posted by... deb at 5:10:11 AM | Link Me!

Ok, so I'm still a little pink due to my blushing and embarassment. And my imood indicator may just stay embarassed for a day or so.

BUT Had to share this pix I picked up yesterday. Is she too damned cute or what? Sometimes it's hard to believe she's my kid.

If I only had a picture of Em to share, too. I'll look around, never know what I might find.
posted by... deb at 7:48:08 AM | Link Me!

OH MY GOD

Talk about taken out of context!!!

Here I was, minding my own business, pedaling away on this netbike, and going to catch up on some bloggy kind of reading. I hit all the Trixie folks first, but since blogspot is down, I can't get to some of them. Then I go along over to Kitty, then decide to see what that Brooks character is up to. Little did I know he was up to quoting me! I truly didn't expect folks, other than those I "know", to be reading me. It all goes back to my dealings with endo and the damned drug Lupron.

If you are here based on what Eric had to say...

I do ask that you take a moment and look around - find out there is more to me than 38-DD Boobs. ;-)

OK, so I'm embarassed, but I'm also laughing my ass off.

Good one Brooks, good one. And thanks for the e-mail. Notice folks that Mr. Brooks HAS been added to the listings at the left. Do enjoy him, and remember to take him with a grain of salt.

PS. and NO, there will be NO nude picture of me, even though you have that nice note from your doctor. You will just have to imagine what they look like
posted by... deb at 5:38:28 AM | Link Me!

Give me a hand

Here I am - at the gym. NOTICE the time: 5:32 AM.

It was much harder getting up this morning that it was yesterday. But I was still here by 5:00 and moving around by 5:05. Did weights today - and it was soooo nice to be able to move around, get to the machines I wanted, etc. without having to wait on other folks.

See, the huge advantage for me to coming in the mornings over coming in the evenings is the people - LESS people, that is. And no one tries to hit on you in the mornings (unlike my friend "Mel") 'cause if you are at the gym at 5 AM, you are NOT there to see people, but to work out, ya know?

I'm off to do some catch-up on all my bloggy reading. Cheers!
posted by... deb at 5:32:09 AM | Link Me!

Oh, and Shana, sorry I had to go. My neighbor just stayed and stayed....And Cathy, THANKS for talking me through a detail of my story. Maybe I'll get it written and posted SOMETIME this week.
posted by... deb at 7:51:53 PM | Link Me!

Does anyone have their shopping done yet? I'm *almost* done, but not quite. Just have a couple of things to pick up. I'm soooo far behind this year. so very very far behind my usual. I hate it. I feel all disorganized.

But otherwise, I'm feeling pretty darn good. I really do think that, even though I haven't had a period, that my hormones are beginning to "kick in" a bit. Don't know if it's natural or if me recently adding Phyto-Estrogen to my diet helped. I don't care what, I'm just thankful I'm beginning to feel more like my old self. Likely why I'm beating myself up a bit inside over being behind - no Christmas Cards this year, no little Christmasy things to my friends per say.

BUT, get this. Ya ready? Ya sitting down?

I went to the gym this morning

It's been since late September or early October that I even ATTEMPTED to get up in the morning and hit the gym, instead going at night (which I HATE). But I set the alarm for 4:30 - left the house at 4:45 - and was on the treadmill by 5:05. I did 30 minutes on the treadmill and then another 15 minutes on the air-walker thingie. I even went to the sauna and did a little mediation before hitting the shower.

So give me a hand, and send me all of your good thoughts and karma - and maybe I can hit it the rest of the mornings this week. I HAVE to.

HAVE TO.

I've gained a total of 21 pounds since my surgery - and gone from a size 8 back to a size 12. My boobs are HUGE. And while that may not seem to be a problem for most of you, but I had gotten down to a nice 36-DD (almost a D!) and shooting back UP to a 38-DD(D) is a killer on the old back - and my shirts are all tight looking. I feel like at least 5 of those 20 pounds is in my chest - LOL.

and changing the subject

and, OH MY GOSH! I heard about a site called "pornolize" and I put the splash page to The Other Side through it. All I can say is "beware if you click this". and OH MY GOSH!
posted by... deb at 7:50:25 PM | Link Me!

NAKED BLOGGERS WEBRING Any one wanna join? You have to have a blog, and have to admit to blogging na-kid at least once....
posted by... deb at 7:27:14 PM | Link Me!

Things found while reading....

How rude for someone to post that in your guest book, Kitty.... Gee, the sensuality of the designs is attracts me to so much of your work!!

Amen, Rayna. Amen! I feel your pain. I do!
posted by... deb at 7:24:35 PM | Link Me!

How is everyone?

I usually take Saturday and Sunday off from the web, except the occassional checking of e-mail on the web bike. But this morning, the girls and I went to the Coffee Haus (remember me telling you about it before?) And they have two computers all set up for customers to access the web. There is a 15 minute time limit if others are waiting, so I will be brief. I came to get coffee for my boss for Christmas - cause this place has THE BEST coffee (yes, even better than Starbucks!) but it just isn't as convenient for me to get to.

Tina, tina, tina. I'm SOOOOO sorry. Have you been able to recover anything? I've sent you an e-mail with the addy to The Other Side. I'm more upset about your stories though.

More later, but do check me out as a wee one *g*
posted by... deb at 8:52:51 AM | Link Me!

I did it!

If you wanna see me as a baby, go check out Firda's Babes on the Web Project....had to choose a picture that shows my true nature...:-)
posted by... deb at 8:45:49 AM | Link Me!