Vicki's Journal

My Streak Is Still Alive...

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:29:38 GMT

Once again I took a trip to Washington, DC to see my daughter (that part was a blast!) and someone died. Can't seem to be in that city for more than a day without someone (usually a co-worker, but I've worked up to family members now) dying. This past week was no exception, my great uncle passed, and he was my favorite great uncle too!

Note to self, must break this habit quickly before the wrong person associated with me gets struck down in their prime!

Otherwise, it was a very nice trip: Rhett and I got to the city last Monday, and he thought he was in a foreign country.. he also thought that Maryland was an island and we somehow managed to cross the ocean without him knowing it! After we checked into the hotel, he of course had to use the restroom, and the first thing he says is, "My first pee in a foreign country!" then I spent the rest of the week explaining that although it is different and full of many people who speak different languages, it was indeed part of and in fact, in charge of the rest of the country (our country!).. I don't know that it sunk in because the Wii Vote channel has a question about if you have visited your nation's capital and he wanted to say no.. I explained that that was exactly where we had just come back from, and he MAY finally get it... kids are great! All week long Rhett had many "firsts" in a foreign country..and seemed to really enjoy the city, except for the traffic and the walking that is! I must be getting used to it because even though we were in downtown DC, the only trouble I had was circling Dupont Circle and picking the right exit. Oh, and the bus that wanted to be in the same spot as me on that circle.. bad bus.. but he was bigger, so I conceded the spot to him! My paint job is still intact.

One more trip this Spring to pick up Britt.. around May 5-7 .. and I will be done with DC until August. It's beginning to grow on me, but I still don't go anywhere without TomTom, he is my friend!

Now if I could only get over this bronchitis or whatever.. 3 weeks is more than enough, time for more drugs and another doctor visit tomorrow. Breathing is so overrated.

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:04:03 GMT

WTF???!!!!

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 23:25:32 GMT

http://www.macsmind.com/wordpress/2008/06/08/obama-wants-to-protect-america/

It's about time we took America back!

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 23:18:22 GMT

Writer's Block: Lunch Break

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:45:48 GMT

Do you bring or buy your lunch during the work week? How much money do you spend on food consumed during working hours?

Love these guys!

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:29:46 GMT

Sterling Renaissance Festival~ Celtic Celebration weekend..what a blast!

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 23:00:55 GMT

My family and friends went to the Ren Fest.. OMG how much fun was that?!!! Rhett wasn't sure about it, his imagination was not firing on all cylinders. But mine was! I had lots of fun, Guinness, Woodchuck Cider and another beer.. Magic Hats? or something like that.. yum! The food was great, the shows hilarious and very entertaining. The Highland games were super as was the Falconry show, except for the deluge of rain in the middle of the day,it was an exceptional day. I must say that I have never seen so many unbound bosoms in my life.. some should have been! Let me tell you!! This is a definite go to place for me next year, sans little children! I really didn't run into a rude person there, even the pirates were nice.. in character, but nice. LOVED IT!!!!

College time soon!

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:59:22 GMT

Not long and Brit will be off to college.. yeah!! Sure, I'll miss her, but it's so amazing to watch her blossom and become the secure young woman I knew she could be. She is taking flight and not looking back.. wonderful! My work is done, now I just have to sit back and watch offering support and guidance as needed. Go Brit, be the Eagle you are meant to be, kick butt and take names.

Now to get Rhett used to being an only child.. yikes... what a thought. Once he gets used to the quiet, maybe he will settle down too. Whew what a ride!

Happy summer.. it's almost over.

I know who this song was written for.... do you?

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 02:56:27 GMT

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:58:13 GMT

Life is hectic, graduation went very well, and college is looming.. I think that about sums it up!

Happy New Year

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 22:25:54 GMT

Well, another year has come and gone, not much has changed. That's not all bad! My brother and sister-in-law just had a baby, Avalon Alexandra..Ava Alex for short.. she is a cutie!! Congrats to them, she is a blessed welcome to the family. We are in need of more girls.. I think!

Brit will be graduating this year, Steven will become a Senior and Rhett will be Rhett.. who knows right now if he will be in 2nd again or move on to 3rd. The teachers worry about him, and yet he brings home 100's in most subjects.. just takes him longer to get it sometimes. His seizures are still not totally under control, and we are in the long process of weaning off one med and increasing the other, in hopes of controlling the dastardly things!

I am still doing the same job that I've been at for the last 8 3/4 years (but who's counting), and every day is a challenge. I still like my job, love the people I work directly with for the most part and enjoy the challenge of the clients. We are doing good work for a population that is easy to overlook. Gotta love it!

I am trying very hard to find the positives in my life and to improve the negatives. I have no problems, just opportunities to excel. For New Year's I had thought about lowering my standards and just giving in to the baser emotions that exist in all of us, but couldn't bring myself to even dream of it. I have standards, and I will just have to be happy being alone for now. I am looking for Mr. Right, not Mr. Rightnow, so I have to be patient and open myself up to more opportunities to find that connection. I'm working on it. As for right now, I am ok. I will be ok, and will strive to be even better.

Here's wishing all my friends and loved ones a very Happy New Year!! and all the love and joy they can stand. May you all find yourselves where you want to be with whom you want to be for the coming year(s).

You are all ok in my book!

Love and light

Vicki

Christmas joy!

Tue, 25 Dec 2007 18:25:09 GMT

The presents are opened and being played with as I type. I am in cooking heaven with the new stuff to make cheesecakes even better, who knew they made a glass bottom springform pan?! Lots of decorating tools and gadgets, love the gadgets.. gadgets rule! Ecko cookware to replace the pots and pans that others have ruined for me. Now no more sticking and burning food.. by the way, kids.... NO Steel wool on these pans, please!!! Elbow grease works wonders!!!! I have my own navigation system now, no more Magellan.. it's Tomtom now! SWEET! Just have to figure out how to get the addresses out of Gelli and into Tom... I was especially pleased with the gifts from ShopIrish.com.. love the Celtic! The letter opener is beautiful (and heavy!), the bracelets are phenomenal! Wearing the Mystic one right now! I am deeply touched and honored by all the gifts this year. I am blessed with loving friends and family, each of you are the true gift to me. Thank you.

The table is set and the food cooking, almost time to enjoy the feast... Merry Christmas, Happy Yule and blessings to all.. I love you.

V~

Merry Christmas

Tue, 25 Dec 2007 01:43:21 GMT

The hour is drawing near when the world will be filled with good cheer. The presents opened, the gifts exchanged, the turkey and stuffing inhaled til we're pained. All this for one festive day, the house in chaos what more is there to say? It was worth the effort, it was worth the stress, just to see their Christmas bliss. Thank you for loving me enough to care, thank you for friendship, for love, for being there. That is the lesson I take today, on this the night before Christmas day. I love you each and everyone, you are the moon, the stars the sun. You are the world to me I say! I give you blessing and hope for this, Christmas Day! Be merry, be bright, be happy, be light. I give you love, good tidings and cheer. I wish you well for the new coming year. My rhyming is done now, as Santa draws near. Merry Christmas to all and to all a Happy New Year.

Blessings, love and peace

Vicki

Christmas survey, please respond!!!!

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:10:26 GMT

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know
your friends.

Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not
to be a SCROOGE!!!

Change all the answers so that they apply to you.

Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know,
INCLUDING the person that sent it to you... 'Tis the
Season to be NICE!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags ? Wrapping paper with ribbons and bows
2. REAL OR FAKE TREE? Used to love a real Blue Spruce, now I have to settle for fake, allergies bite!
3. When do you put up the tree? Thanksgiving night
4. When do you take the tree down? Last part of January
5. Do you like eggnog? Nope, not even close!!!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? stuffed animals rank pretty high with me
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes
8. Hardest person to buy for? Papa
9. Easiest person to buy for? Rhett, he loves everything. Being young is such a joy!
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Don't recall, I tried to find the good in everything given because it was given out of love. I appreciate(d) every gift.
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? umm, not very good at correspondence, just ask my friends!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? How the Grinch Stole Christmas
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas ? August
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? See above, so NO!! I think of gifts all by myself with the person in mind.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas ? cookies
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Multi colored, kinda depends on the application though, sometimes the clear are more elegant.
17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Of course:
Dasher,Dancer, Prancer,Vixon, Comet, Cupid, Donder ,Blitzen and Rudolph
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? It must end and the decorations have to come down. The commercialism associated with the holiday also sucks.

Bliss

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 18:20:21 GMT

My Christmas decorations are finally up and I am in bliss. The house always looks more inviting and warm with the greens and lights, don't know why my family won't let me keep them up year round. It always feels so empty after the holidays and the stockings are put away, the garland undraped and the lights dimmed. It's very sad. But right now, after 4 hours or so of manipulation and adjusting, the tree is trimmed, the lights blink and the Nativity is set. All is well with the world again.

This time of year brings out the good in most people, sometimes we do run into the Grinch's and Scrooge's of the world, but you just have to feel sorry for them and move on. Hope is alive and well that this year will be wonderful to the end and a new beginning us upon us. New hopes, new dreams and new beginnings..for all.

Cherish the time we have together for we no not when it will end, each day is a gift and each friendship a blessing to the soul. Rejoice and sing from the heart, remembering the true meaning of the season, not just the commercialism that started in September in the retail world. Every gift is given with love and every thought is a blessing to be shared with loved ones. Enjoy life, live it fully for tomorrow may never come. Share yourself freely with those of importance to you and know you have loved well, lived well and been loved in return.

By whatever name you call this time of year, feel the energy flow around you and embrace you in the magic of the season and know you are the greatest gift to me. Money can't buy the best gifts, those are given freely. Namaste, peace, and love to you and yours. Merry Christmas, Happy Yule, and all the rest.. Blessings to you all.

V~

Writer's Block: Black Friday

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 02:28:16 GMT

When do you start your holiday shopping?

View 333 Answers

I make the whole family give me their Christmas lists in August and start looking then. The actual hardcore shopping starts at the end of November, but some stuff is already hidden by then.

Dresden Dolls, Coin Operated Boy.. what every girl needs

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 02:51:51 GMT

Just love this song....

Saratoga Springs was a blast!

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:46:00 GMT

Just got back from Saratoga Springs today. What an amazing city! Aside from the horse racing history, there is an arts culture there that takes over the town. The dance museum has the NY Dance Ballet in for shows at $15 a seat on the lawn, they have gardens and pathways to explore and an art district, (Beekman St) statues everywhere and grottoes all over the place. It was very clean and very friendly, I was impressed. Also very expensive and exclusive.

The Saratoga Bead store was heaven for bead workers and there were quilt shops, needle working shops and all sorts of other crafty type places. There were restaurants galore and we hit a lot of the best ones (it pays to have an inside person in situations like this)and enjoyed good wine and spirits too! The people were friendly, and one guy even wanted to marry me after just meeting me... strange, usually I am invisible to people, but he was right there while we waited for a seat and didn't leave me alone until I gave him my email and phone number. He hung around me and Vanessa (my insider) for hours talking as he was working (he is the cook at a local diner). I found out he used to be a boxer and he was from Morocco originally, has 2 children and seems relatively normal. He told me he would buy me a house and find me a job if I were to move there. Unfortunately for me, I didn't feel that spark he did. I think he is a nice enough guy, but not what I am looking for right now. I have his email and phone number if I want too, so nothing wrong with being friends..right?!

I was supposed to be resting but decided to go to some of the parties that Aireal was reading at, met lots of really nice people, some neurotic people and some just plain psycho people... sometimes it was hard to tell who was whom.. but I gave it a shot! Saturday I had such a headache and was so tired (still trying to get over acute bronchitis) that I begged off the night meeting and stayed at the B&B instead. I was in bed by 5:51pm and didn't get up until 7:30am Sunday. Guess I was more tired than I realized. It was nice catching up on some sleep without guilt or worry about other people for a change.

I am going back in the Spring to help with teaching the energy classes Aireal was there to lay groundwork for, so who knows who I'll meet and what will happen from here. It was just very nice to be able to relax and be myself for a while, no expectations, no goals for the day except to have a good time, and no stress. Loved it. Needed it. Now back to the grind...

The holidays are just around the corner, so the schedule should be hectic until the end of the year.. this break was just what the doctor ordered!

DC was a trip

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:05:07 GMT

Well, 5 college searches in one day is a bit extreme, but we managed it! My first trip to DC went well, loved the area, architecture and the food. The traffic wasn't as bad as I thought it would be; in fact, I wasn't really intimidated by it. I surprised myself with that. I did have sweating palms and a sore jaw from chomping my gum driving in, but I did it. I know it was a holiday weekend and traffic was less than on any other given day, but I survived and had no close calls; the people slowing down or braking for green lights was a bit annoying, but for the most part people were polite and travel was easy.

I was also shown the Metro system by my daughter, she was very proud to show me "her city" and all the things she's been doing for years when she visits her grandmother. I really enjoyed it. The museums were nice and the Mall was lovely (if a bit brown from lack of grass due to too many people walking it) and the only down side I can think of besides the crowds at Pentagon City mall where the empty faces of the people on the trains. It was like the life was sucked right out of them. So sad to see in such a lively place offering so much. I could almost smell the history in the making.

If Brit decides to go to school there, I would consider moving closer to DC. There was life and movement; hope still finding a fragile handhold and hanging on for dear life that spoke to me. I met some very nice people with lots to offer, places worth seeing again and a glimpse of a world yet to be explored. Fantastic city to visit, don't know that I would want to be downtown, but close by isn't so bad.

Yeah, I'd definitely do DC again..

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 20:05:52 GMT

Women's retreat was fantastic.. here are some pics from it, filled with orbs. Honoring Our Ancestors was the theme, and it seems like they came to visit! Enjoy!

Going within means getting out

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 23:56:57 GMT

This it traditionally the time of year that we are to start introspection and slowing down, going within for the Winter months and planning what will come for the new year and Spring. For me this year, I am getting out of the rut my life is in and actually enjoying some time away. There is the Women's Fall Retreat this next week at the Abbey of the Genessee, October 26-28th, then I am making my first trip to DC to look at colleges with my daughter November 9-11th, followed by a trip to Saratoga Springs, NY later that week, November 15-19th. Then home again for Thanksgiving and Christmas decorating! I am not one to go anywhere. In fact, this past July was my first real vacation away from home in 14 years..never again, I vowed to myself, would I wait that long to get some fresh air.

Life has offered me some opportunities to get away and release some of the frustration I am feeling and I am taking full advantage of that offer. I may see friends and family along the way, but the monotony of my days will change. I expect that my perspective (and attitude) will change as well. I am a solitary person crammed into a house of 5 people with no escape in sight; this will be a much needed break and chance to recharge a very depleted battery.

As the holidays draw near I hope that all of my friends and family have opportunities presented to them to feel a release and recharge. Connect with yourself and you connect with Universe; I am going forth to connect with myself and find some solace in solitude. Know that we each have needs that must be met, and don't be afraid to meet them. For if you don't take care of yourself, no one else will. Be well, be happy and be you. You are worthy! I am worthy.

Interest Meme

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 20:41:40 GMT

Comment on this post and I will pick seven of your interests. You then explain them in your journal and re-post.

Basilwhite chose for me:
cooking- One of the things I like to do for myself, but primarily for others. It is a release and a joy for me. One of the few things in life you can't blame on others if it fails, unless you have them helping you. Baking is my favorite genre of the cooking realm.

paranormal phenomenon- I've had too many personal experiences not to believe. My circle of friends have channeling classes and angel/sound healing workshops where we explore the power within each and every one of us. The world around us is more alive than most know, there are things that go bump in the night.

bands- I live for music, simple as that. I enjoy a plethora of styles and find it soothing, emotional and a release for me. I listen to music as it suits my moods and emotional needs, expressing myself in the music I choose. Sometimes the words fit what I want to say to other people, so I send them songs. Sometimes, it's just for myself.

reading- Another means of escape for me. Reading and writing go hand in hand for me. I can be whomever I wish to be in a book, or feel emotion, experience the moment of things I would never dream of doing myself.. that may be a good thing since I primarily read psychological thrillers and murder/serial killer books...

internet- connection to the outside world for me. I've been hooked up since the 90's and escape from ho-hum-dom via the www. I am still learning about it and what it is capable of doing, what I am capable of doing.. it's fun, educational and ...well, fun!

spiritual equality for everyone- To each their own. I may not agree with everything someone says or believes, but I believe they have the right to believe it. First do no harm, then explore the Universe and all that is offered. Keep your eyes, heart and soul open to new things. I don't believe in having religion interpreted for me, I am smart enough to get the message myself without a spiritual leader hand feeding me what the message is supposed to tell me. I have my own filters, and can use them.

painting- decorative painting is a new like of mine. I've painted my office at work and helped with Brit's room. I have plans to work on the house some too. It is very satisfying to see the outcome from hours of work and labor.. better than childbirth, less painful anyway. I enjoy the freedom of expression it allows.

another test to entertain you

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 00:18:05 GMT

62.9/100RateMyLife.net - Find out if you suck at life

Nerd Quiz

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 01:46:03 GMT

Okay, so I like to read, sue me! And with the internet I can always get sex, right?!! I hate interacting with real people! I don't consider myself a nerd, dork or dumb..awkward maybe, but that is because I don't care enough about fads or trends to get involved with them. I may live in the realm of literature and fantasy, but I don't have to live in everyone else's shared fantasies..mine are much better! Why am I explaining myself to you anyway. I am what I am and that is all that I am, like me as I am or not, your choice.

Phantom was Phantastic!

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 13:17:45 GMT

I finally saw Phantom of the Opera yesterday with my daughter, I've waited 20 years to see it. I commented to Brit that I felt like the Genie in Aladdin..."Oy! 20 years I've waited to see this play, what a pain in the neck!" Well, it wasn't Michael Crawford, but it was very good. I would definitely see it again! Amazing stage effects; we talked about that since Brit is in Drama Club again this year, and how close to our imaginations and the movie it came. She picked up on the re-writes right way, I was very impressed. The costumes were fabulous, the acting superb and the music enchanting. Well worth the 2 hour drive there.

Of course, Brit had the pleasure of riding with me and figuring out that maybe a large city isn't where she would like to go to college, traffic and construction were insane. I did prove that I could drive like city folk if I have to, I just don't like to. And she never once offered to drive, smart girl! She did experience the Vicki factor of driving though. I think she is still trying to figure out how we could go 30 miles in 18 minutes while driving 72 mph, or 20 miles in 8 minutes doing the same. I tried to tell her about the space time continuum or time warps. It happens all the time when I drive. Mom said it's supposed to be a 2 1/2 hour trip to Syracuse, I made it up in 2 with construction and detours, and 1 1/2 hours back with different construction and detours; not to mention that Magellan (GPS unit) tried to get us on closed ramps and made us drive in a circle when I could see the pub I wanted to go to right in front of me! Not to mention it couldn't find the same route home that it sent us to Syracuse on.. it was funny listening to the poor thing beg me to do u-turns and having to recalculate the route because it was so confused as to where I was going. Luckily at a certain point, I knew where I was and could just mess with the machine's head a little.

The energy and excitement of the experience will last a while for both of us, now I just need to find Les Miserables and I will be a happy girl! My daughter did give me a compliment though that really meant a lot to me. We went to Coleman's Authentic Irish Pub after the show for dinner, very nice establishment and lots of Irish culture that I loved! Brit had the deep fried cheesecake for dessert though, and although it was very good, she said that my cheesecakes were much better... high praise from my daughter. Or maybe she was just wishing I'd make her another cheesecake soon... nah, couldn't be.

The music of the night is still playing in my head, the Irish music mingles with it, and the strains of Les Mis are in the background supporting the orchestra..I live for the music!