Truth Be Told

Do you ever pay attention to the "truth" commercials about the cigarette manufacturers? I also heard a commercial on the radio blaming these cigarette manufacturers. Okay, folks, is it me or do we not need to take responsibility for our own actions? I am not and never have been a smoker. That is my CHOICE. I choose to breath fresh air, so please, if it is raining, either deal with it or stand in the rain. Don't stand just outside the door for everyone coming out to walk through. (sorry, my little piece) Don't even get me started on "smoke breaks". Anyway, If you choose to smoke, that is your decision. A decision, none-the-less, that is made usually out of some sort of peer pressure. But, still a decision. It is something, however, that can also be quit. (Behavior modification, to start) I'm sure it is difficult. I am not saying it is easy. I know cigarettes are nothing but bad for one's health. But, is alcohol considered healthy? ( I know about the wine for your heart, but in moderation) How can one blame cigarette companies for manufacturing cigs and not blame Budweiser for processing yeast? Do people sue Coors for someone dying in a drunk driving accident? Correct me if I am wrong, I just haven't heard of such. It is kinda the same as suing Weston for manufacturing a gun that was used in a teen shooting. The gun doesn't shoot by itself. I haven't sued Coca-Cola for being addicted to caffeine. I know it is not good for me, but I choose to drink up anyway. (I don't, though, spit it in people's faces as they walk out the door.) In my opinion, yes my OPINION, many people do not want to take responsibility for their choices. It was not my intention to bash smokers. I will respect your decision to smoke as long as you respect my decision not to. But don't come to my pharmacy to refill your inhaler and buy some cigarettes. Hello?! I do not base my opinion about someone on whether or not they smoke, so don't get me wrong. I still loved Blue Angel when she did! I don't care if someone smokes, just don't blame the cigarettes and don't blow smoke in my face!

I want to make a 'roll call' but I can't figure out how to do it. I tried doing what it said, but it's not working. Help!!!

Technical Difficulties

Okay, my computer has lost it's ever lovin' mind!!!!! As I have said before, I am no computer genius. I can't get AOL to pull up. It's saying something about reloading a disc. Hello.....don't have a disk. Then I tried to download AOL from Internet Explorer. No luck, won't do anything. I am able to get online because I have RoadRunner, but I use AOL mostly for navigating and email. What's the freaking deal!!! I really have taken a disliking to computers. They drive me nuts. Espcially at work. I'll be typing away, entering scripts and all of the sudden a box pops up saying "Due to inactivity at this workstation, this computer will shut down." WTF!! So, whatever I am in the middle of doing, I have to start over. I am about ready to throw this computer out the window, and we've only had it 1 1/2 years. It's an antique by computer standards I guess. ARGHHH!!!

I'm telling you, lost it's mind! I logged off Internet Explorer and tried again to open AOL. As soon as I clicked the icon, up it pops. Seems to be working just fine now.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So excited!! It's official. Blue Angel and I are headed to New York City on March 10th!! YIPEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! Two gals in NYC, what could be better.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Brrrrr! Oh my freakin goodness! Thursday-76 degrees, Saturday-20 degrees. WTF! This weekend, we weren't blessed with beautiful snow. We were beaten down with ice pellets. Hard as a rock ice. Not too much, but enough to "freeze" the city. Hahaha. It was a good weekend to stay inside obviously. Though I wanted McAlister's Saturday, and they must have not been open because no one answered to phone! On to plan B, Lenny's. Nope, no one answered there either. Damn! This bit of ice wasn't nearly as bad as the infamous "Ice Storm '94". It did seem to shut down most of the city. EXCEPT one huge business in particular. Can you guess.......

(Free plug for FedEx) The planes still had to fly. So, why do I care. Dave is managing one of the SnoCon teams this year. Something about preparing the ramps so they don't freeze. So, he had to go into work 3 hours early Friday night AND had to go in at 7:30 pm on Saturday. He doesn't work weekends! At least this little stint only lasts for one year. He won't have that assignment again for many years. He did get comp days for each time he had to go in for SnoCon. My point is, restaurants will shut down but not FedEx. You may not be able to get something to eat, but by golly, your package will be shipped. Just a bit irritated cuz I was really craving one of those huge Baked Potatoes from McAlister's. Instead, had to settle for some Chicken Noodle Soup. Not complaing really. Fred Smith pays the bills and has great benefits! Oh, and the Walgreens is always open too. Luckily, I didn't have to work. The fun party I was supposed to go to got postponed. :( I wouldn't have been able to go anyway. Blue Angel knows why. Stupid LEEP. In other words, someone needs to have a fun party!!!! Anyone?

A Time To Vent

I know most everyone has their bad days at work. It is WORK. Most of my days are pretty good. This week has been a bit of a challenge, and I have only worked 2 days this week. We have been extremely busy. I have also just found out we have enough hours for another full time technician. Why don't we have one? Dunno. Basically, my work week consists of eight hour shifts on Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat. I always work Saturdays, unless I want off for something. Again, I work EVERY Saturday!!! Do I complain? Not until now. After a little over two years, I am damn tired of working Saturdays and wondering if I will be able to get off for things I want to do. So, this Saturday, I wanted off to go to a "fun" party, which I have never gone to. I had already expressed last Saturday that I was taking this Saturday off. (Saturdays have been hell lately!) I also said something Wednesday night to another technician. I saw the schedule wasn't up, so I had planned on calling my manager today (she wasn't there yesterday) and asking her about Saturday. Our work week goes from Saturday to Friday. Thursday afternoon, I get a message on my answering machine asking me to call work because they wanted to verify that it was this Saturday, and I quote, "Two days away" that I wanted off. Forgive me for getting pissed at that comment. No, the request wasn't made weeks in advance. BUT, everybody pouts if they have to work a weekend shift. Deal with it. I deserve to have a Saturday off. Like I mentioned above, Saturdays have been really busy. Too busy for two people to handle. I have asked for another person to come in and help. Don't get me wrong, I am an extremely hard worker and when everyone else is standing around flapping their gums, I am the one answering the phone, waiting on customers, etc. Seriously, I am the hardest working person there. I work hard, that is who I am. I take my job seriously. So, for them to get pissy that I wanted off in two days, well, they can kiss it. I may have no basis for my complaint, but I just needed to get it off my chest! And guess what, I am not working on March 11 (hopefully will be out of town with Blue Angel) nor March 18 (5 year wedding anniversary), so they are just going to have to get over it. So, there.

Did you know.....

That the frogs we caught as kids are actually toads. AND, that they are very poisonous. The have venom in the "warts" on their skin that is deadly! So, mommies, don't let your babies play with toads. This fine bit of info came from my A&P professor.

I Love Me Some Strawberries

YUMMY!! I am really enjoying the Valentine gifts I am getting. These wonderfully delicious chocolate covered strawberries were given to me by my mom and stepdad. I am feeling a bit spoiled. My family are suckers for holidays. Can't wait for my Easter basket now.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!!

Just as the snow began to fall around 1:30 pm!












Before shot, looking down my street.










Two hours later. Isn't is BEAUTIFUL!




I know, I know. It's just snow. But, here in Memphis, it is a big deal. IF we get snow, it is usually coupled with more ice than anything.
unfortunately, I had to go to work just as it begun. Fortunately, there is a fairly large window to look out. And, thankfully, when I got off work that night, the roads were not bad. I did measure the snow on my car when I got home. There was 3 inches of snow on the roof of my car, even after driving home! It was an exciting day though. I'm just like a kid when it comes to snow. I just didn't get to play in it this time because I also had to go to work the next morning. Walgreens doesn't give snow days!
It is Sunday night and there is still ruminants of snow on the ground. I love it! I just wish it didn't have to be so darn cold!

Just Had to Show Somebody

Happy Valentine's Day to me, a little early! I am beginning to get a little corny. Just bear with me. My dad brought this by to me in a little Valentine bag. I am loving these! Aren't they cute? My stepmom is great! I guess I'll have to cook something with them. I have a heart-shape cookie pan to make a giant chocolate chip cookie. I think I'll dig it out.

I am also starting to really enjoy this blogging business. I also beginning to see the advantages of having a digital camera. I never wanted one until I lost my other camera in the move. I figured it was a sign to move into the 21st century and get a digital camera. Who knows what I'll take a picture of next!
I tend to be a chatterbox in person and I may start being a chatterbox in bloggerland! I need to slow down before I run out of things to say.

Do you ever wish you were a tinman?

Today's horoscope

Jana,
You might know exactly what you want, but someone close to you still believes that you are undecided. This is because it could be difficult for you to clearly explain your point of view. The easier way out is to simply keep it all to yourself. On the other hand, disclosure increases the possibility for you to get what you want.

Yesterday's
Jana,
You have the ability now to absorb data from your environment as if you were lying on a beach and soaking in the sunshine. Overt action is not needed; instead, make use of your intuitive abilities. Have faith that your instincts are leading you in the right direction. If you are unsure, trust that feeling too; it may be best to wait until you are more certain about what you want to do.

One day I am unsure of what I want and the next I know exactly? Just like me to be indecisive. Hmmm....very interesting.

Leeps and Bounds

Well, I survived! The much anticipated LEEP was nothing. Seriously. My mom insisted that she go with me even though I was not told that anyone needed to go with me. But, it was comforting to know that she was in the waiting room. Ok, so I get there, undress from the waist down (one good thing about this was not having to be completely naked!) with the exception of the socks. Gotta have the socks. The nurse returns to the room to let me know the doc is on the way and leaves again. She comes right back and says, I quote, "Oh, I know one thing I need to do. I need to ground you." Ground me! I told her that sounded a bit freaky. But since they were going to have an electrified wire inside of me, I guess I needed to make sure I wouldn't get electrocuted. The doc comes in, explains a few things and lets me know that the preparation is the worst and longest part of the procedure. Ya know, she was right! The only thing I felt, and it was a minor twinge, was the first two needle pricks of the numbing agent. After that, I couldn't feel a thing in there. They started up the machine, which is kinda loud, told me not to move and in 3 seconds it would be over. And it was. I was in and out of the doctor's office in 30 minutes. The LEEP was so much better than the colposcopy.

The doc told me she was a little conservative in removing the tissue, didn't go too deep to ensure no problems with my cervix whenever I get pregnant. I learned that these cells were at Stage 2, which is a little high risk for developing into cancer. Though she did say she didn't believe they were even pre-cancerous yet, but she wanted to be safe. I was able to finally exhale and relax. I go back in 4 months for a check-up, and I should hear about the results in about a week. For those that gave kind, encouraging words, thank you. I really had nothing to worry about, but I worry. That's just who I am.

A Short Story

Every so often, my niece and nephew have to come to my house before school because of the scheduling conflicts that sometimes arise between my mom and stepdad's schedule. Marshia and JJ live with my mom. Marshia is in first grade while JJ is in Kindergarten (they are 13 1/2 months apart). Obviously, kindergarten at Bartlett Elem. has gotten creative in ways of teaching the alphabet and the sounds the letters make. They have had dress up days like clown day when studying the letter 'C' to name an example. Well, last Friday the kindergarten classes were learning about the letter 'H'. Thus, it was "Horrible, Horrendous Hair Day". What fun, I thought. It also happened to be a morning that the kids were coming to Aunt Jana's house before school. I was going to get to "fix" JJ's hair. Except, he wasn't to thrilled about the idea. See, he has a little obsession about his hair. Basically, he just likes it to be neat and not sticking up. I have witnessed him getting frustrated trying to fix his hair. He's 5! But, my older brother (JJ's dad) has this thing about his hair or at least he used to. JJ must've inherited that little quirk. Back to my story, JJ did decide to participate in "Horrible, Horrendous Hair Day". So, I got the honor of messing up his hair. Dave uses this hair glue stuff, so I thought it would be perfect to use in JJ's hair. I proceeded to wet JJ's hair and smear the glue in it. I had it very 'horrible' looking. It was perfect. Wrong. JJ looked in the mirror, walked out of the bathroom, and whined about his hair. He didn't like it messy! I laughed because the glue was not going to come out of his hair until it was washed. I really didn't know what to do. He asked me to make his hair spike up in the middle. I thought, okay, a mohawk. Cool. Nope. This is what he wanted.


I know, not very horrible. But it is for JJ! He couldn't see the back of his head so I did have that messy.

YAY!! I can do this picture thing. I am going to try to do more with pictures.

That morning when they arrived, of course I had just crawled out of bed (it was 6:30 am, not my time of day), Marshia thought she would be funny and tell me that I could go to school for Horrible, Horrendous Hair Day! Kids can be so honest sometimes. Gotta love 'em. There may be more posts of my 'babies' as I call them. They are a big part of my life!

This is him on Grandparents day!

What Superbowl?

To start, had a pretty busy weekend. Went to a wedding Saturday night and out to dinner and drinks with Blue Angel and our hubbies. Had a couple of daquiri's and was out cold when I got home. Refer to lack of sleep post..... Anyway, Sunday was another adventure. My mom has been married to my stepdad for 16 or 17 years, so I have been around the Bartlett Fire Departments most of my life. Superbowl Sunday was my mom's birthday. My stepdad invited a few of us out to station 4 to have shrimp, chicken wings, chips, cake and ice cream. Kind of a combination Superbowl party/Birthday party. Honestly, I don't think the other firemen liked us being there during the game. But, who cares. We made sure we did not walk in front of the television. They are lucky they didn't get a call during the game. I can hear the moaning and groaning about that. Anyway, at one point in the night, the lights in living area flickered. No one really thought anything about it. My mom kept telling me she smelled something burning, but I couldn't smell anything. A little while later, one of the firemen got up and felt a lightswitch on the wall. Next thing I know, I hear "WE HAVE A HOT WIRE!". Okay, you are thinking, "so, that doesn't sound funny". Well it was the fact that this fireman appeared to go into panic mode about this hot switch and hot wall. I thought he was going to go get an ax and bust through the wall. At this point, I don't know whether to be concerned or not. No one else seems to be. A couple other firemen went over to feel the switch, but the other two kept their eyes glued to the television. I wish I had my camera cuz it would have been a classic picture. You would think taking off the plate to get to the wires under the switch would be a one man job. But I quote my mom "How many firemen does it take to take off a switch plate?". It really was quite funny. At least we were at the best place to be if the wires had had time to burst into flames. Seriously, I appreciate the work of our Fire Departments, but it was just funny to watch. So, Happy Birthday to my Mom and thank you Bartlett Fire Department #4 for the entertainment.

****Help!! As I was reading my post I leaned against my keyboard, and now every website I bring up is in GIANT letters. How do I change it back?*****

Nevermind, I kept leaning on it and messing with the mouse. It is back to normal now.

Sleep

Who needs it? That's a bold statement coming from someone who really loves her sleep! But, lately, I haven't been getting much of it. It's almost 1:00 am right now. Not only does my secret night life (haha) keep me up late at night but school work as well. For some reason, I seem to get more done at night. I like to clean at night, do homework at night, basically anything. (I get that from my mom) I guess it is because I am home alone and must pass the time. If I just sit on the couch all night, my minds starts going ninety-to-nothing about everything. Sometimes it is just not good to think too much. Okay, I am not going to correct that typo....it is kinda funny. Maybe some sort of Freudian slip. (in case you don't know..."my minds" is what I am referring to) It doesn't help that my soap comes on SoapNet at midnight either. I may be tired and can hardly keep my eyes open, but I will put off going to bed, even when I am not doing anything. I have to do something to clear my head at night, mostly I do this with a hot bath. I also think I will miss something while I am asleep. Sometimes, I just force myself to take something. Not often, and I'm not a pharmacist yet, but I do not recommend prescription sleep aids except for occasional use. Anyway, I may take a Benadryl or Melatonin, in dire cases. The problem with that is, I have crazy dreams when I take something. My guess is because I get into a deep sleep. For example, the other night, I dreamt napagirl's sweetie sweetie (sorry, not to worry you) had been in a horrible car accident in Florida and died. It woke me up in a panic that night! I remember telling myself to wake up. I was glad when I finally did. Most of the dreams I have when I take something are of someone dying. I forget that when I take something, then remember in the morning what I have done. But, from now on, I think I will swear off taking anything at all. If I am going to dream, why can't I dream about some fantasyland, ehhemm.
So, off to bed I go only to wake up tired cuz I have to work, and I stayed up too late. The story of my life.