The Cutting Board

My cutting board is one of my favorite possessions. A cutting board? How in the world can that be one of your favorite possessions?...you may ask. Well...let me start from the beginning.

When The Hubster and I married way back in 1988, he already had a home which was furnished with his stuff and also stuff his former girlfriend had left behind. One of those items was a nice, wooden cutting board; one of the expensive ones. I am not sure if it was 'his' or 'hers', and it didn't matter. Because the one I brought to the combined household was a molded plastic one with a rooster on it. Probably purchased at Wal-mart. So the wooden cutting board with it's smooth surface and heavy, solidness was especially appreciated by me.

For years the wooden cutting board stayed on the kitchen counter and was used for chopping and cutting...like they are intended to be used.

One year and three months and 28 days after our wedding, Courage was born, joining Arthur, my 8.5 year old daughter from my first marriage.

The cutting board began being used as a 'lap desk' for Arthur to do homework on, and for both girls to bear down on when coloring. It was used as a serving tray when someone was sick in bed. It served as a platform for small toys (such as 'Little People') which wouldn't stand up well on carpet and bedspreads. More and more purposes were being found for the cutting board.

One day, I went to get the cutting board for one use or another, and when I pulled it from it's storage spot on the counter I nearly fainted. There were crayon drawings on the top of it! I nearly screamed! Then I flipped it over and here on the other side was another crayon drawing. I was shocked and disappointed. I felt like both the girls, now aged 13 and 5, were old enough to know better than to draw on my stuff or deface things in our home. But when I sat down to look at the drawings, my heart melted and the anger and disappointment dissipated.

I could tell these drawings were made by Courage. Arthur has a LOT of talents, but drawing wasn't really one of them. On one side, there is a pink rabbit, with very long ears and what looks like 'wings' and there is a huge flower beside it. On the other side is a house, with many windows, fluffy blue clouds and a smiling sun, and smoke coming from the chimney. They were both happy pictures. They came from the imagination of my five year old, and they expressed happiness and calmness.

Later, I asked Courage why she drew on Mommy's cutting board. She replied, well you never told me not to. She is right. I never did.

We still use the cutting board, but not for cutting food! Now it is a serving tray, a lap desk, and when covered with tin foil it becomes a sturdy cake board for church functions. Also, wrapped in foil or a towel, I use it for carrying hot casseroles to church and family functions. The rest of the time it sits in my bedroom by my desk, bringing me a smile when I see that bunny with big ears!

Regents Tests

Courage and Krumm took the Regents Test tonight. I have no worries about them taking this test...both are good at writing. I don't know Krumm's writing abilities as well, but I know Courage writes really well. They both got really good topics...Courage wrote about what she likes about shopping in big malls opposed to shopping at stand alone stores or strip malls (so fitting). Krumm wrote about what is easy to discuss with parents and what is difficult to discuss. Hmmm! I might could gain some insight if I could read that essay!

I remember my own Regents Test...back in 1986. Out of the three topics I was given, I chose to write about domestic violence and how it affects women. I made the 2nd highest score on Regents Tests taken at Gainesville College that year (called Gainesville Junior College at that time). My best college classmate friend, Spiderman, (he was all arms and legs, the name just fit him well), scored the best! We were in such competition with each other! I think it helps to have a 'competitive' friend...makes you try harder.

Anyways...keep your fingers crossed for Courage and Krumm. I'll let you know their results when we get 'em!

No Fair!

No fair! This past weekend we celebrated Arthur's birthday, I ate out once, she ate out twice. We had 'Halloween' food at work today in the juvenile court division, she ate more than I did. But who gained weight since last weekend? ME!!!!!!!! She stayed the same....lost zero, gained zero. But no! I had to gain a pound! NO FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy News!

I am very pleased to announce...Arthur and her BF got engaged yesterday!!!!!!!!!! They spent the day in beautiful Dahlonega, Georgia...horseback riding, dinner at an Italian restaurant, and walking around the little town, looking in different shops. Finally, they sat outside under the stars and BF told Arthur to look up at the starry sky, to pick a star and make a wish on it. Then he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him! She burst out in tears of joy, and said YES of course!

Her ring is beautiful! I don't know all the fine details, but I understand that the jeweler whom BF purchased the ring from had acquired the diamond in the ring in an estate sale. The diamond itself is over a 100 years old, but the jeweler put it in a new ring that he designed. He said the cut of the diamond is rare these days...and it is in the center of the ring and then there are smaller diamonds all around it. I hope you can see it in the pictures shown...I will try to get a closer view soon, and the name of the cut, etc.

Arthur is on cloud nine, and me and her dad and step dad, her two sisters and brother and other family members are all so happy for her. We've already started very tentative wedding plans and details...and looking at a February wedding date!

More details to come soon!

Birthday Celebration

We celebrated Arthur's birthday a bit early this year...her birthday fell on a work night, so we changed her birth date just for this year. We had a nice dinner and then went to see DRACULA at the Aurora Theater. The play was good, but towards the end I started to yawn a bit. Arthur is 27 this year. Wow! I had her when I was 20. I looked 16. In fact, the nurses run around whispering and avoiding eye contact until I caught on and told them I was 20. Which is young in itself, but I could only imagine what they were thinking. Arthur's daddy looked younger than his years too. We were babies having a baby. I was scared to death and so was he. But when she finally came out into the world and was laid on my chest, she looked at me with those big, round, blue eyes and my heart swelled and burst with love. I then had the courage to face whatever came. I also knew that all the morning (and afternoon and evening) sickness, the fear, the pain, was worth every minute of it. And I knew I had a friend for life. She has been everything I ever dreamed she would be, and more. There were times in my life when I felt like God had turned his back on me, but then I'd see her little face, and I knew he was there. She gave me a reason to get up on the days I felt like I couldn't. She gave me hope when I felt like there was none. Wanting the best for her made me strive to make a better life for us and to set high standards. Having her was proof that God had a plan for me. Over the years we have had our struggles...we both wanted control. I finally had to believe that she would make good choices, and let go. And she has done well. She is a woman now, but when she laughs, I see the twinkle in her eyes and the dimples in her cheeks that were her trademark as a little girl. She is grown, but will always be my baby.

My Cup Runneth Over!

I do not know why, but God blesses me each and every day, so well, that I cannot even begin to count all my blessings! I wake up each morning and I thank him for that, then I thank him for other blessings, and then I ask that he bless me again and all day. I ask him to watch over my loved ones, to help me to be his servant, and to ward off evil (spirits and people!). And he does! He blesses me every day! Every hour! Every minute! I have a wonderful husband, two beautiful and loving daughters, a beautiful home, a good car, excellent health, a new job that I am beginning to like a big bunch and a group of women who make that job so enjoyable, good relationships with my extended family and I have loving friends, and that is only the beginning! I know! I am so blessed! Thank you GOD! I feel so loved by you!

Carving Pumpkins

Arthur and I carved pumpkins tonight. (Courage carved pumpkins with Krumm last week, so she had no interest in joining us.) Halloween is so much fun!

Eating to feed your emotions.

According to our WW leader (WWL) tonight, if you eat when you are not hungry, you are more than likely feeding your emotions. You might be feeling bored, out of control, anxious, angry, lonely, etc. So, you eat a candy bar, a cookie, a cake or a loaf of bread. But does that give you what you really want? Stimulation, control, comfort, satisfaction, happiness, etc? No. Mostly, it just makes you feel guilty. WWL would like for us to try a little experiment. When we want to eat, but are not actually experiencing hunger pangs, shake our hands, like they went to sleep and you are trying to regain the feeling. He says it is a little distraction for the brain. He seems to think it will help us not eat when we aren't really hungry. I'll give it a try. But I must admit, I am a bit skeptical. Of course, I was a little bit skeptical that I could stick to a diet. But tonight the scale says I have lost a total of 15.4 lbs!

And get this; Arthur has lost exactly 28 lbs! Her co-workers continue to tease her about her 'baggy britches'. I say, that's a good thing to be teased about! Arthur is trying really hard to eat 'good' this week, and not get into her extra points during the week, so that she can splurge this weekend when we all go out to celebrate her birthday! She and I can hardly wait because our restaurant choice serves shrimp and grits. Ok, it probably won't be as good as the shrimp and grits we get on River Street in Savannah, but we're hoping it will be at least HALF as good! Then we are taking in a play. Details later! Arthur and I both need new clothes, but don't have the time to shop. I bought a bunch of new things when I found out I had a job, but honestly, those things are now kinda' saggy! Hmmm. Not complaining though!

Let the painting begin!

The house is coming along nicely. The porch is all framed out, all the trim has been painted a nice cream color, and now the rest of the house can be painted. The painting should be completed by o on Thursday, and then the screen in the porch should be installed. The new back patio has been poured and OBF is coming up with a new retaining wall design. It is all beginning to come together. I am hoping it is complete enough to have cake and ice cream on the porch this weekend for Arthur's birthday, if not, most definitely by Halloween!
Pic #1. The red door will be gone soon! It is being painted black.

Pic #2. The porch in the middle stages...new part around bottom, old posts, new steps but no rails.

Pic #3. The old patio is gone (along with the chipmunks. I guess the noise scared them off). The new patio is freshly poured.

Pic# 4. The porch at a later stage...with additional framing and posts, new rails on steps.
Pic# 5. A view from inside the porch...notice lovely new paint on walls! I have new porch furniture in the basement just waiting to come up and enjoy the fresh air!

Names

My new job has me looking at between 500-1,000 traffic tickets per day. First, I check them off a list when they are sent over from the police department. Next, I staple them to a card which will accommodate more information as the ticket goes through various processes. I then sort them for filing in the 'To Be Verified' cabinets. I have done this for three days.

Today I got to experience traffic court. I helped pull citation copies for persons appearing before the judge. There was a seemingly unending line of people holding their yellow citation copies waiting to get an instruction sheet in either English or Spanish and as they approached me and the person I was shadowing, I looked at their ticket and looked for the last name, then I said the name out loud so she could pull the original citation to give to the court attendant.

Names. There were lots of Hispanic names and lots of easy to pronounce common names. Then there were some that were very hard to pronounce and some I slaughtered in my attempts to pronounce. But one stands out in my mind.

This tall guy walks up and hands me his citation copy. I open my mouth in anticipation of saying his name out loud, but pulled myself up short. His name was, and I will spell it...D - U -D-U. Well, I don't know about you, but I would pronounce that Doo-doo. My mind racing, I thought well, maybe it is pronounced Duh-Duh. Either way, the silly teen-ager that still exists in my mind, could not bring herself to say this out loud for fear my voice would crack, or a big huge grin would split my face, or worse; I would burst out laughing. So, I turned to the person I was shadowing and said D - his name starts with D and the citation number is 5-4-3-2-1. After he received his instructions and walked into the court room, I could smile.

I'm sorry, that is just the silly person inside me that won't grow up and won't behave. The same thing happened when the help-line operator who sits in the cubicle with me, was helping some person named 'Ho'. I know this is a very common name in China, and maybe some other countries. But here in the U.S., Ho is not used in a nice way to describe anyone or to call someone. So to hear this sweet little lady behind me ask this person on the phone, 'Well, Ho, what did you do to get ticketed?' Hmmmm. The silly person inside me just wouldn't behave and I had to giggle. (The help operator was enjoying every minute of calling this person 'Ho' too!) I mean, how many times in your life do you get away with calling a complete stranger 'ho'?

Call me immature, it's okay. My body is 47. My mind is 15.

One thing I learned today...have compassion for all people when they are having a bad day.

Over the years I have become increasing angry when I learn a certain group of non-U.S. Citizens have come to our country and break the laws we have in place. I feel that if people come into this country to stay, they need to learn our language, learn and obey our laws, become legal, etc., etc., etc. Well, let me tell you this; When you see a group of people standing in line to face the judge, even if it just for a traffic violation, you see the fear on their faces, no matter what color their skin is, no matter what language they speak, no matter if they are dressed nice or not so nice. They are all afraid or anxious because they don't know what is coming. They know they have done something wrong and don't know what, yet, they are going to have to do to make it right. Most of them know it is going to involve either one, some, or all of these things: Pay a fine, do some community service, take some type of class, lose their license or maybe even go to jail. When you see the fear or worry on their faces, you can't help but feel a little bit sympathetic. It is not for the ticket taker to judge them.

The first thing I noticed is that the person I was shadowing didn't always greet the person as they stepped up. She mostly she just reached out for their ticket. Sometimes she would say hi or good morning. But mostly not. She is trying to get everyone in the courtroom as quickly as possible. She was very polite in giving them the instructions, but rather impersonal. So, I started greeting each person with a smile and 'hi' or 'good morning'. I could feel the difference immediately. They smile back and greeted me in return. The first thing I think these people want to feel is that this person, a ticket taker basically, is NOT judging them. I tried to treat each and every person for what they are; a human being.

I ask God to help me each day to have a good attitude at work, to always remember that Heaven is for all walks of people, all colors, all nationalities, all sizes, all shapes. Not just for people who look and talk like me. I ask God to let people I encounter each day see Christ in me in some small way. Even if it is just in a smile and a greeting. And when I can, to call them by name.

(5) Five pound Bags of Sugar

Arthur has lost (5) Five pound bags of sugar, plus some! This is her 15th week on Weight Watchers and she has lost a total of 26.6 pounds! Next time you go to the grocery store, put five bags of sugar in your cart to give you an idea of how much weight she has lost. This is such an awesome accomplishment. I cannot contain my pride in her!

I have lost a total of 14 pounds. I am shooting to lose 3.4 pounds more, and stop there. Then, after 6 weeks of maintaining that weight I can become a 'lifetime' member, and not have to pay WW dues anymore - yyyeeeaaaaahhhh!

Oh, by the way, even though Amber lost all those 'bags of sugar', she is still just as sweet as ever!

Just a Quicky Post...

...this is just a quicky post to let everyone know my first day on the job was very, very, nice! I like my new boss. Yes, a man, but seemingly a nice guy! We found out that we both worked at the same little department store in our teens, maybe not at the same time, but we know alot of the same people. Also, after more discussion, I figured out that I went out on ONE date with a very good friend of his, whom he is still very good friends with, and that's guy's wife was one of the H.R. ladies that I have been working with in the hiring process. What a small world it is!

I met about 15 ladies today. I can remember maybe three of their names. But each and every one of them made me feel welcome and comfortable. The work so far is extremely easy. I am going to be trained on the help line, which I dread, because I don't speak spanish. Keeping my fingers crossed on that one! There is one lady there who has only been on the job one week, so I am not the only 'newbie'. I like that!

It's only been one day, but so far I LOVE it! Thanks to everyone who wish me well, prayed for me, and otherwise encouraged me!

Ryrede's Story

Arthur always had pets growing up. She had cats since she was about a year old or so. She's had a rabbit, two mice, gold fish and hamsters. We even had a dog, Charlie Brown, briefly. After me and the Hubster married when she was 7, the cat we had when we moved into his house ran away. Then we got her a kitten for doing so well when she had some oral surgery. It ran away. So, for years, we only had the hamster, rabbit, goldfish, and mice. The Hubster claimed he was severely allergic to cats, and I knew for sure he was allergic to fleas because I saw how infected his legs became after an attack.

When Arthur turned 13, we convinced Hubster to try a cat again. We agreed to have a cat that was declawed and strictly indoors. I took Arthur cat-hunting and we had quite an experience! The first place we went to, a Pet Smart in Stone Mountain, we encountered an angry yellow cat that turned his back to us and attempted to spray us with poop! We also had a cat snap at us. Snap, like a dog! He was a Siamese and he yowled really loud! We left that Pet Smart and headed to the one in Duluth. We had better luck there.

The volunteer at this Pet Smart introduced us to 'Cindy'. She was a 6 year old Siamese who had already been declawed and 'fixed'. She had a fawn colored coat with darker paws, tail and ears. She was a little thin and her coat was patchy, but Arthur fell in love with her. Obviously, she saw potential!

Cindy's story was that she was a purebred seal point Siamese, who was was owned by an older couple who felt like they couldn't 'deal with her' anymore. They said that their grandchildren terrorized her. The notes on the paperwork said she was a 'talker'. But, the volunteer told us she was quiet. She seemed quite loving with Arthur at the store. We felt really heartbroken for her that her owners kept her for 6 years, but didn't feel enough love for her to keep her. We brought her home that day to become a part of our family.

Arthur immediately renamed Cindy Margo. But Margo didn't really stick. Next thing I know, me and Arthur both are calling our new family member Siamese Kitty, then shortened it to just Siamese. Over the years she had several variations of 'Siamese'. There was Siamezer, Rymeeze, RyReeGee. But the one that really stuck was Ryrede.

When we first brought her home, 'Cindy' hid under Arthur's bed for a week or more. Then, slowly, she started getting used to her new surroundings and us, and she started sleeping in bed with Arthur at night. She was absolutely loving to everyone, but Arthur was her favorite.

As this new kitty morphed from Cindy to Ryrede, she helped Arthur through years of growing pains. She saw Arthur threw several boyfriends and broken hearts, nights when she was scared but had that furry security blanket to huddle in bed with, and I don't know how many of Arthur's tears soaked her fur after she and I had an argument. She was even once or twice the reason for one of mine and Arthur's arguments. Let me explain...

One night, after Arthur and I had already been at each other's throats, I was in the kitchen, mad and frustrated. Ryrede was already getting on in years, and was becoming more and more forgetful and frustrating. In her later years she would come down meowing in a very demanding manner because she had forgotten she had already had dinner. This particular night, her meowing was grating on my last nerve, partly because I was already frustrated with Arthur, and I admit, ashamed as I am, I kicked her in the rear end. Well, unfortunately, the tip of my big toe went up her rear end and sort of lifted her hind legs off the floor and she let out a squall. Well! The mother instincts in Arthur came flying out and I got blessed out for kicking her cat! Whew! I really felt absolutely awful first of all for kicking her, 2nd of all for violating her body with my toe, and for letting my emotions get the best of me to the point that I deliberately hurt someone I love. (The cat and Arthur). Fortunately, I think they both forgave me.

Ryrede, in her later years, would creep around the house like she was consumed with arthritis and seemed stiff and sore. However, one incident occurred that made me believe maybe it was all an act to gain sympathy. One day I opened the door to the garage and a small bird flew into the house. Immediately, Ryrede's ears perked up, her eyes widened, and zoom! There she went! She chased that bird all over our house! Up stairs and back down. She ran up the sides of walls and leaped feet off the ground in her pursuit of that little bird! I couldn't believe my eyes. After I got over my initial shock, I decided I'd better catch that bird before Ryrede did. So I threw a towel over it and let it loose outside. Ryrede's heart rate finally calmed down after a while and she crept back upstairs to take a nap.

Ryrede saw several new additions come into our family during her lifetime. First was Blacky. Blacky hissed at her and earned herself some rolls of toilet paper thrown at her from Arthur. When our little male kitten, Bitty, joined us, she hissed a little, but mostly she avoided him and ignored him. She only got irritated mostly when he tackled her and tried to wrestle with her. She welcomed Courage's new gold fish by scooping the black one out of the tank while we were away at work and school. He died on the carpet. Luckily, Goldy didn't get scooped!

One year Ryrede had a gland near her rectum to burst. It was the most awful thing you ever saw. It looked like she had two anuses. Arthur would have to hold her while I put meds in the hole with a Q-tip. Believe me, she didn't like that one bit and she clawed her way out of Arthur's arms!

Ryrede escaped at least once that I can remember. Arthur had taken her to the vet and upon their return she said Ryrede was howling so loud, she was so frustrated, that she opened the car door to get out and out Ryrede scooted! She somehow got under our porch which is very tall from the ground on one end and as the ground slopes up gets very close to the ground at one end. Ryrede got under the porch, which is enclosed with lattice, and wouldn't come to Arthur. Arthur had to crawl under the porch, all the way to the short end, and pry Ryrede off the side of the Lattice and carry her inside. She tore Arthur up! She had scratches all over the front of her body. I think that is one time she wanted to kick Ryrede!

We always delighted in the times that Ryrede acted like a kitten. Everyone once in a while she would get silly and chase a toy or catch a dangling ribbon in her mouth. We didn't know her when she was a kitten, but these times helped us to imagine what she was like when she was younger.

Ryrede loved to lay on someone. Mostly Arthur, but if another body was close by and available, she took advantage. And when they notion struck her to get up, she often 'scratched off' which could really tick you off when you weren't expecting it.

When Bitty came into our family, she mainly looked at him with disdain and did her best to stay out of his playful reach. But as he grew older and more mature and calmed down, Ryrede found a good sleeping buddy in him. You often caught the two of them curled up someplace, sharing some sunbeams streaming through the window or a dining room chair. Every once in a while you would also see Blacky in this furry huddle.

Ryrede loved to clean Bitty's ears. She would lick the insides of his ears until they must have become sore, because all of a sudden he would either jump up and leave, or he would start wrestling with her which would usually make her take leave!

Her licking could drive you insane. She loved to clean herself and she was quite loud and sloppy with it. I often heard Arthur yelling STOP IT RYREDE, and I knew she was having a big, slurpy, bath!

When Arthur was 24, and Ryrede was 17, they moved out. Arthur got an apartment and took her cat with her. So I had two to leave the nest at one time. By this time, Ryrede was truly showing and acting her age. Over the next year, she became thin and bony. The hair on her face and ears got whiter. As the months passed, she continued to get more 'senile', her coordination was getting worse, she would occasionally poop outside her litter box, she didn't clean herself as much as she used to, she was losing her eyesight and she slept more often.

In the meantime, Arthur had adopted another kitty. A Siamese mixed female, who had similar colorings as Ryrede's, but she had longer fur. This new kitty was named Buffy, after Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She also adopted Buffy's brother, Lex, named after Lex Luther, but I ended up with him because he wouldn't stop beating up on Ryreded.

Buffy was a God-send for Siamese Kitty. At this time in Ryrede's life, she wanted more and more to spend all her time laying on Arthur. But of course, Arthur had to work and she had a new man in her life and, naturally, she wanted to spend time with him. Buffy, like a little angel, came into Ryrede's life and gave her something she really, really needed; a friend. After their initial huffiness with each other, they became buddies. Buffy layed with Ryrede and ate with her and played with her. The most amazing thing was that Buffy guided Ryrede. Buffy would walk to different places in the apartment, making a little prrrprrrrprrr noise as she went. Ryrede would walk beside her, almost like leaning on her, and I think listening to that little noise Buffy made, and followed her all over. Together they would go to the window and jumped up on the ledge to lay in the sun and watch the birds in the tree branches that were near the window.

Over the months, Ryrede's health continued to decline. One day, Arthur was getting ready to go to work when she noticed Ryrede seemed to be having a really bad day. She went to work and returned that afternoon to find Ryrede in terrible shape. Her back legs wouldn't work and she was crying. She knew the time had come. That she would have to take Ryrede to the vet to be put to sleep. Her heart was breaking in two, but she didn't want Ryrede to be in pain and suffering. She got the kitty carrier out and put Ryrede inside on a towel. She said this whole time that Buffy was just running around them, purring, and generally acting upset and anxious. After she closed the carrier door, she said Buffy got up on top of the carrier and laid down, extending her paws down and into the carrier, trying to touch Ryrede, and ppprrrrr-pppprrrrr-ing. I know in Buffy's little kitty heart, she knew something terrible was happening. Amber had to make her get off the carrier.

At the vet's office, Amber gave Ryrede some last loving words and love and had to let the doctor give her an injection to put her to sleep. Needless to say, Arthur's heart was broken. She hated for her little friend to leave her, but yet, didn't want her to suffer and hurt.

She brought Ryrede back 'home' to my house to bury her. The BF dug a hole next to Bitty's grave, and placed her body, wrapped in plastic, into the hole. As he covered her with earth, Arthur and I hugged and cried.

It is so hard to say goodbye to those we love. But we know that Ryrede's kitty spirit is in pet heaven and her memories will live on with us forever!

Crow Pie

Ingredients:
1 crow
stuffing of your choice
salt and pepper
shortening
flour
2 Pie crust mixes
2-3 hard-boiled eggs

Stuff the crow. Loosen joints with a knife but do not cut through.
Simmer the crow in a stew-pan, with enough water to cover, until nearly tender, then season with salt and pepper. Remove meat from bones and set aside.
Prepare pie crusts as directed. (Do not bake)
Make a medium thick gravy with flour, shortening, and juices in which the crow has cooked and let cool.
Line a pie plate with pie crust and line with slices of hard-boiled egg. Place crow meat on top. Layer gravy over the crow. Place second pie dough crust over top.
Bake at 450 degrees for 1/2 hour.

This is a real recipe from a collection of weird and different recipes, I think from some guy in Canada.

Yes, I am eating crow. I have the job at Gwinnett County. I start on Monday.

I really didn't plan on returning to the working world for a while, but this job just kind of presented itself and I applied. As you know, I was not first pick. The mother of a friend's friend got the position. However; according to the stories I have heard since, she could not produce documents proving some of the claims on her resume. I ask no questions.

Now, I am going shopping for a quail, because I don't think the grocers around here sell crow.

Pass the salt?

Just a heads up...I MAY be eating crow soon.

As you all know, I was very dissapointed and bitter after not getting the job at Gwinnett County. Well, as it turns out, the lady they hired did not work out. So I am getting a second chance at that job. I pray if this is right for me, I will get it. If it is not right for me, something will happen and I won't get it.

I promise if I don't get it this time, I will keep my mouth (and fingers) quiet and not complain and write ugly posts.

Do you have any good crow recipes?

The Mean, Lean, Queen!

You are seeing much less of us this week! Yep! Arthur lost another 2.6 lbs this week, for a total weigh in at 25.4 pounds lost! Yeaaaahhhhh! She is looking absolutely wonderful! She is a lean, mean, probation officer queen! She has brought over a bag full of clothes that are too saggy and baggy for her now, and has instructed me to give away, destroy, or sell. (Our WW leader says it is not a good idea to save clothes that are too big!) Arthur also got a charm to go on her WW key chain to mark her milestone.

I did much better this week myself. I lost the weight I had gained the previous week, plus another little bit, so my total weight loss is now at 13.8 pounds! I am now wearing a size 8 comfortably, but even some of those are loose. My biggest problem is that some of my weight is coming off my almost non-existent butt. This makes finding pants that fit and look decent are hard to find. I've never had much of a butt to start with, but now it is pitiful! 13 lbs was my 10% of body weight lost, so I got the wonderful WW key chain!

Thanks to everyone who has encouraged Arthur, noticed her weight loss, and commented on her improving physique!

We treated ourselves to Mexican food after our WW meeting. But we both still stuck to the WW guidelines and ate well within the limits! We got chicken and bean burritos with guacamole instead of sour cream and we each ate 12 chips or less, and of course, lots and lots of salsa!

What I have in common with the Lone Ranger

I have something in common with the Lone Ranger. We both have a 'Trigger'. His was a horse. Mine is a thumb.

I have 'Trigger Thumb'. http://www.handuniversity.com/topics.asp?Topic_ID=28 .

Since about the first week of July, my right thumb has been hurting. I thought I had over extended it when I was helping the Hubster carry shelving from the foot of the drive way up and over and down to the basement. I wore a hand brace purchased from Wal-mart to stabelize it, until it rubbed a good size blister on my thumb. It didn't seem to help anyways.

Then, I thought maybe it was arthritis. I started taking extra strength Tylenol and exercising my thumb every day. I would wake up and it would be so stiff, so, I would run warm water over it, move it back and forth, etc., loosening it up.

In August I had a doctor's visit for some other minor thing, but mentioned my thumb, and the doc x-rayed it and declared it 'not broken' and no sign of arthritis. I wasn't convinced it wasn't arthritis. She did say if it was ,indeed, arthritis, it was in such an early stage of it, it didn't show up on the x-ray. I thought to myself then, if this is early stage arthritis, I truly dread the day I get advanced arthritis!

The rest of August and all of September, I kept waiting for the old digit to get back to normal. It didn't. It got increasingly stiff, increasingly swollen, increasingly tender and weak. And low and behold, the first joint of the doggone thing starting 'clicking' and 'locking'. I would have to 'unlock' it with my other hand. Whenever I exercise, the thing swells up bigger than a ballpark frank and gets as hot as one right off the grill. I popped extra strength Tylenol and aspirin ,and later, fiber tablets. I rubbed it in Aspercream and other analgesics . NOTHING HELPED MUCH!

After many tries to get an appointment with various orthopedic doctors, I finally got through to one in Snellville and set up an appointment. I saw Dr. Traub today.

He diagnosed me within one minute of walking into the exam room. Trigger finger. He reassured me that it was not an injury and not arthritis (not yet anyways). He said it is something that just happens, not because of anything I had done or not done. He informed me he was going to give me a shot.

Where? I asked. 'In your thumb, where it hurts'. He answered. Oh no! I am the biggest baby when it comes to needles. Do we have to? Where will you put it in at? Will it hurt? Yes, I have to in order to try to help you. I will put it in the thumb between your thumb and first finger. Yes, it will hurt. What are you injecting and what does it do? It is cortisone and it reduces the swelling and inflammation.

If you heard a loud scream and yell today,around 3:30pm, in the area of K-Mart in Snellville; That was me.

He inserted the needle and proceeded to push with all his might until the needle was inside the joint and hitting the bone and burrowing into the bone and surely felt like it was coming out through the palm of my hand. He then pulled it out, repositioned it and plunged it in again. I yelled so loud that Courage, who is normally not squeamish at all, jumped and nearly hit her head on the ceiling. The intern, or whatever he was, I am sure may have gone straight home to change his major in college. All I could think of is this,;Jesus withstood three nails in his hands and feet, and they were not to help him. I can take a needle because it IS to help me. But oh Lord! It hurt so bad.

The doctor was very nice though, and told me several times he was sorry for hurting me. He had a very good bedside manner which I think makes me feel better immediately.

Right now, my entire hand and wrist are sore, even after taking an extra strength Tylenol.

According to Dr. T, about 50% of people who have trigger thumb are helped with a cortisone shot and need no further treatment. The other 50% require surgery.

I go back to Dr. T in four weeks. We will see which 50% groupI am in. Please pray that I am in the former group who will need no further treatment.

Home Improvements...Moving right along!

The Home Improvements are coming right along! Of course, not fast enough for my liking, but the guys stay busy and they are meticulous and I feel like they are doing a really good job. The first three shots are of the house with all new siding!

The last two shots are of the makeshift window treatments we have right now. Wow! Am I going to miss those (NOT!!!!!!).

Monday, the guys are going to finish up putting new trim around the final two windows, paint the new trim, and then start painting the outside of the house. We have chosen a sage-y green with gray tones, off white trim, and maybe black shutters.

Next, they will screen in the front porch. I can hardly wait for that! Yes!

Finally, there will be some 'miscellaneous' work done; pour a new back patio and re-make the retaining wall.

OBF is guessing about 2 more weeks of work on the house. But it won't be over then. Oh, no. Next, the roofers will arrive! (Look at that roof in these pics. You can tell it's really about had
it!) We have had the house for 15 years, and it stood empty for 2 years before we purchased it (we are the only owners), so the roof is 17 years old and according to our neighbor, who is just an all around great handy man and fixer-upper, the roof has hail damage on top of just normal aging and wear. Wonder if I could convince the hubby to get a tin roof? I love to hear rain on a tin roof!