First Morning of July

Was unusually cool for Dallas.
To open a window in July--well, is pretty unheard of--except for today. As I got ready for work, two Tuxies, who are brother and sister, took full advantage of the cool down:

.....and tomorrow morning may be even better! Stay tuned. 

2 Days After...

My birthday, I still continue to celebrate :) 

Did lunch with a chum today at the Cheesecake Factory, here in Dallas. Our waitress, along with 3 other waiters presented me with this delectable Oreo Cookie Cheesecake. And then they serenaded me with "Happy Birthday!"  

All nice. Nice indeed. 

Christmas Day 2012

Merry 

Christmas 

everyone!

*****Today started out with hard, cold rain and then switched to ice and snow. The beauty of  Dallas winter precipitation is it disappears in about two days.
******In the meantime, I am headed under a quilt and the TV remote.  Positive a cat will join me. Just hope there is no fighting over which program to watch. :)
*******I pray everyone had beautiful, joyous Christmas Day. Always remember the reason for the season!
You are blessed. 

July 20, 1990 was Friday

And the day I brought this kitty home

as a 12 week old kitten home from a Dallas suburb no kill shelter called, Operation Kindness. The shelter remains today in a bigger and better facility. Back on that 1990 Summer day tho, I'd been laid-off for a month and half and mourned the loss of my fat cat Morris from feline leukemia. This disease was new on the horizon. I'd let Morris run around one too many times outside and he'd gotten into a fight. Breaks my heart even after all these years. I knew I would get another cat--yet being unemployed, and already with one cat-Millee, who was actually Morris' mom, and thankfully negative for FeLv--I thought I ought to hold off.  
**A friend of mine goes, "Hold off for what?  A kitty needs you." Didn't need to twist my arm twice. 
***Anyway, the night of the 19th, I went to Operation Kindness and spent what I"m sure seemed like forever in there. As I was about to walk out--with empty hands--one of the shelter ladies, took me to a cage. This bundle of furr snoozed while those in the cage played around him. The lady said his name was Tiger. I knew right then, the name would change if I took him. I picked Tiger up, which woke him up. He was cute, yet I wasn't fallin' over backwards, until he began to lick my face. I think the shelter lady wasn't sure what I'd do, so she quickly said Tiger had been taken away from his mom too soon--hence he licked my face. In fact, Tiger had already been with somebody, but they brought him back.
***I melted with the kitty kisses, but gave Tiger back to the patient shelter lady. I'd have to sleep on it, I told her.  Of course, by the time I got home, I regretted not taking the kitten. I would have gone back then, but Operation Kindness was closed for the night. The next morning, July  20th, I called Operation Kindness ter--shortly after they'd opened.  The lady who introduced me to Tiger answered the phone and remembered me, but said another lady had been in that morning already. That lady talked like she was going to come and get Tiger.  My heart sank. The lady told me to get there PDQ--she knew I saw Tiger first, but she couldn't "hold' him. I flew out of my apartment right after I told the lady I was coming to get my cat. I'm not even sure I hung the phone up--this was way before cell phones--
****Once at Operation Kindness, the same lady helped me with Tiger, and another woman said, "Was there someone else..." And the lady who helped me told her yes, but announced how I'd been there last night and this morning I wanted him. I got there first.  I remember the other lady had a not so pleasant look on her face, but said nothing.  I hoped the other Tiger lover wouldn't shop up. As I did the paperwork, wondering where/when I was going to get a new job to pay for my newest member, Tiger got a bath and little blue collar. He wasn't happy with either one.  I just hoped he would be happy with me.
Tiger became Brenner, because of Yul Brynner being the King in the classic "The King and I" and well, Tiger was part Siamese. My sweet Brenner Bren and I had each other til 2001 when  cancer waged a good war against Brenner and won.
***Even now--after all these years, I still expect to look at a basket of warm, fresh right out of the dryer clean clothes and my own King of Siam, Brenner nestled right in the middle as if  the basket were his throne. 
I heart Cats and pretty darn proud of it.  

Tuesday Too Hot

Dallas' temperature was 104 degrees F
I think.
Once the mercury goes over 100 does it really matter?
Already endured a few triple digit days in a row-
However, the weather folks say we should not repeat 
70 (or was it 71?) 100 degree days this year like in 2011--
Yea, check me about mid October and we'll
Know for sure.  In the meantime, here's a backyard photo 
February 4, 2011.  We had the worst weather Dallas had
Seen in about  50 years and that was Super Bowl week 
Which was to be played here in Dallas, too.
Record snow fall. Record temps, record just about everything...
The beauty was the snow melted in just a matter of days-
Not so to say about the oven Dallas bakes in will get turned off
Any time soon. Where IS my iced coffee? 

Monday Mash

Hello everyone! Been out of pocket for a few days--mainly due to my central air conditioning on its last gallop. And, I live in Texas where 100 F temps have made their annual return. I knew the a/c was going, yet not this quick--the a/c guy  confirmed this the day after Memorial Day. He pumped my unit with three pounds of Freon at 70 bucks a pound--hoping it would last the summer. Then I could replace the whole system--which costs more than $29.99. The thought of going into more debt just right now, on an item you use to think OLD people plunked down cash for--I wasn't feelin'. My financial situation was now on the rise, and did not feel like saddling myself with this--just not now, unless of course, it was a black Mercedes C300--I digress, Back to the $210 worth of Freon--it has been a yes/no situation. My house can me sorta cool, yet not the ice berg it could be at 80 F degrees. The a/c guys says I have a leak somewhere, so  with the thought of Freon 70 bucks a pound I jimmied with the thermostat, figured I had it figured it all out. Thought I could make the hot so cool house livable.  
*Wrong.
**Last Thursday night I got home from work. One step into the house, my house was a sauna. Over 90 F degrees.  The outside temperature was close to 100F. I have cats who I instantly felt guilty for. They had to endure the roast. Had enough of this.  
*****A co-worker had suggested I get a couple a/c window units just to last me through summer. I poo'd poo'd it off--until Thursday night. Up to a big box home improvement store. Purchased a  Frigidaire 5000 BTU air conditioner window unit just for my bedroom--to see how it would do.It is for small spaces up to 150 sq ft.  A young lady helped demonstrate how to install. You could do it she said.
*Yea, by Friday night I got the sucker in. Weight of it, was not a problem. I lug heavier cat litter bags. Nope. My first issue was getting the screen OUT of the window. I would have had the unit in, if I could get get the screen OUT. Night had fallen and I afraid some bat, affected by radiation and be 18 ft wing span would swoop through the open window. I would wait til Friday.
**I did not even stop to get a Starbucks Mocha Frappucino on the way home Friday night.  I wanted to get this puppy in my the window. I got the screen out, fiddled with the unit and finally--FINALLY got it in. Secure in the window. Friday night, my room was so cool, I needed to put a cover over me.
Tis wonderful!  My cats decided they loved me more too. 
**I will purchase a bigger one for my living area. I should be able to put that unit in alot quicker--because I am so DIY and know how. The house is lots, LOTS cooler, even with this smaller unit. We'll be fine for the Texas summer. Gives me time to budget my dollars. 
**I was going to post a picture of  the window unit, however how cute really is that?  Instead here is  the kitty in who refuses to let me throw away the packing and the a/c box. She's claimed it as her own---for now.
Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go relax in the cool of 5000 BTU...

Dallas does DALLAS

....again! WAIT! DALLAS 2.0 as the media calls the show, starts a 10 episode series starts. I will be glued to the set. Hey, I was one of the millions glued to the TV when DALLAS came on. There were no VCR's, unless you had a $1000 to get one, once VCR's were invented, that is This original  DALLAS, was must see TV Friday nights. I lived in Iowa then.  My roommate and I would not leave the house, to go dance the night away, until we got our dose of JR, Bobby, Sue Ellen and everybody else in between. I do think the original jumped the shark when Bobby died, however what's done is done.  
***This brings us all the way to 2012. When I first heard about a new DALLAS series,  a year ago, I could not wait.A whole year?  UGH.  It was filmed around Dallas, including the infamous Southfork.
***Now DALLAS is back. All new. We have all aged some the show went off  in 1991.  I do not care-  I get to spend time with old friends who made my Fridays fun before I went out to have even more fun.
***Gotta get my popcorn ready. 

Gingerly...

Listening to the 
Rhythm of the
Fallin' rain...

Saturday Done

Heat has made its way back to Dallas. I guess the not too hot not to chilly weather could not last forever. And of course, my house's a/c decides to not work like it should over a holiday weekend. So the a/c guys won't be here until 7:30 Tuesday morning.  I do have some cool air coming out, just not as as cool as it should be. Got a ceiling fan in just about every room, plus a Starbucks on just about every corner.  
The tabby cat in the photo is named Noir. He gets to savor the last bit of whipped cream from my  Starbucks White Chocolate Frappucino.
Yep. Summer is bout here.  After Tuesday and the a/c guys do whatever they need to do, bring Summer on! .... :) 

Saturday Sun

Chilly Dallas day, yet my cat MaxMaxx was able to catch a spot of sun. MaxMaxx is my "Big Baby Boy." I think he still believes he is a kitten, even tho my back breaks when I try to pick him up. :)














After I ran my errands, which included to buy a new vacuum cleaner, I came on back home. MaxMaxx was pretty much in the same position. And a new vacuum cleaner was nowhere in my purchases. New lipstick was. Yet no vacuum cleaner. Hmm. Imagine that.
Saturday is OK fine for the cat and me.

Tuesday....all ready?

Yep it is. How's it going with all of you?
Had one of those 'what if thoughts....."
Like for instance, if I decided to move back to Iowa after
I got laid off from the job that actually brought
Me here to Dallas, instead of stay in Dallas
There would be no Blue Bell Ice Cream
Flavors, in Iowa, for me to call friend..... :)

104 and counting...

The temp here in Dallas today. 25th or 26th straight day of at least 100 degree heat. Heard it's our 30 something total day of at least 100 day heat-In fact the other day we got to 106.

Yea baby.

So whatta ya expect one to do when in such a furnace...?



Well. you certainly do not argue with the cat....

Like Before

Horses, a dog, corn fields and my orange car. Iowa. Screams IOWA, huh? You may need to click on it, to biggify it. Well, maybe all except the orange car aka my Pumpkin. This was snapped at a chum's house. They have 5 acres of mowable yard, the rest somebody farms on. They live on a gravel road. I'd forgotten how tricky gravel can be--if you go a bit too fast--trust me.

Iowa. This is the first visit, since my dad's passing in 2001, that the visit home felt different. It felt good. See, even tho Iowa was my home, I had no home to go to. My dad wasn't there to great me with his infamous King Edward cigar in his mouth. Would be an emotional roller coaster, the few times I did go back to Iowa. A classmate, who lives in Iowa, still says it's sometimes hard for her to come to our hometown, because her parents are gone too. I thought I was alone--yet more and more adult children, more so those who have moved away, experience this. I still have friends and other family---however it just wasn't the same.

This trip tho--I didn't feel all the emotion. Sure, I cried when I headed out to the cemetery to see my parents' graves. I told them I still wanted to make them so proud. Outside of that--I felt closure. All was OK.

In fact, I had the BEST time in Iowa, I'd had in a long, long time. I was asked if I would ever move back. I don't know. Being there, did feel right. Maybe because all the classmates, back for the reunion, knew me 'before'. Knew me from the first. And I liked that.

Lots to ponder as I drove south on I-35 and smiled when I finally saw this sign:

Would I move back? No clue.

I do know, I have lunch tomorrow with a classmate who's lived in Dallas, maybe just a bit longer than I have. We hadn't seen each other in a few years until this past weekend. Sadly he's now a widower. Our Saturday night chat was filled with sweetness, fun, and laughs.

Just like I remember.

Just like before.

May 4, 1990 was Friday

I got laid off.

Nope--not on this day in 2009, but back then. The company that brought myself and a few other co-workers to Dallas from Iowa, announced at 9am we were history at 4pm. We saw it coming, yet in denial. Greyhound Bus Lines' drivers were on strike. Without any drivers, or even replacement drivers, there wasn't enough work for us. I was a Charter Bus Travel Rep. I enjoyed that job--when it was in Iowa. When we moved to Dallas, I dunno--something just was different. Worked with a fine group of folks, yet something was missing. Bigger City, Brighter Lights. Not sure.

With the layoff, came a decision: leave or stay? The co-workers I cared the most about didn't hesitate. Back to Iowa before the U-Haul was even packed. Me, I wasn't so sure. I'd lived in Kansas City twice, plus lived in Des Moines (which was 35 miles away from my hometown). I couldn't stand the fact of moving back home---again. Honestly, I think I worried too much what folks would thing, when actually I shoulda cared less.

I was so in love with a man then (when wasn't I?) Problem was, he wasn't in love with me as much--like not at all, but that came into play later on...which of course is another post. Yet, I didn't care. Maybe for him, I decided to move here, even tho he didn't realize that. Greyhound wanted to send me to Atlanta to work in a 2 person office. I would have been the other person in that 2 person office. I thought about it --hard. Even met the other person, who's job was to wine and dine me so I'd consider the Atlanta move.

Part of me wanted Atlanta. For once I'd be part of the majority, instead of always being the minority, as was in my hometown-where I was one of the two black students in my entire high school. But, I didn't like the thought of moving somewhere -again-where I didn't know anybody ala Kansas City. That's another reason, outside of the man I loved, but who didn't love me, I chose Dallas. I would be moving with folks I knew.

So while others caravaned back to Iowa, I pitched my tent and stayed in Dallas.

19 years ago. Any regrets? More like what if's. If I'd moved back to Iowa, just one more time? If I'd gone to Atlanta, in 1988, instead of Dallas? How would my life be different? Because I was so nuts about this guy back then, I didn't give any other guy a chance. If I had, maybe I'd be married, kids, more cats, a dog, a Cadillac Escalade...OK, getting a little materialistic, yet you get my point.

Hmm.

Just hafta remember, He didn't bring me this far to leave me.

Two Tuesday

Today is Donny Osmond's 51st birthday. And the picture here is me and Donny Osmond -again-around 2002 or so (wow--even I think I look different now!). Outside a local Dallas radio station Kiss-FM 106.1, while Donny waited for his driver to take him to the next radio station interview. It was also right before Donny asked me if I could TAKE him to that next radio station! His driver was late, which made Donny even later, and my car was parked just across the street. Panic flowed thru my veins. See, on the way to see Donny, I'd dropped a pretty much filled bag of Doritos chips in my car--and well, they were still there. Sure, Donny had five sons, but I really didn't think of that then! Within seconds, his driver showed up, passed up Donny (and his assistant or manager--a guy was with him)and did a U turn to come back for them. After that, I drove straight to the car wash and vacuumed out my car. I mean, you never know when Terrance Howard or Brad Pitt may need a ride.

Second. We may have a snow flurry or three tonight. The wind chill is 27 degrees with a north wind of about 30 mph. That wind zipped to the bone and reminded me of Iowa all right. Wasn't it just yesterday I had my window open as I typed on my PC? Yes...yes...it was.

Hmm. If Donny is 51 today, that means in 120 days, I'll be....uh...well. I won't worry about that now. I have a bowl of soup to get from my crock pot, a blanket to get under and a remote to use to FF thru the not so exciting parts of the Young and the Restless.

$1.52

Is what I paid per gallon to pump gas into my Pumpkin. Was it that long ago, the cheapest was $3.85? My car was more on "E" than I realized because 15 gallons fill 'er up went in for 23 bucks.

For about a second--and I repeat--second--I thought, "Hmm, I could almost drove the 750 miles, all up I-35 (except for the last 35 miles), to visit family and friends, for that price." Then a clip of Northern air blew through me. Then the radio person told me it would be about 27 degress tonight in Dallas. Well, Dallasites call that 'bitter cold'. So reality hits how the Northern air in Iowa would be colder. Plus the temparture of 27 degress might be considered 'balmy.' And, ya know, I'd have to pull out my winter coat out of neccesity. Pesky little frostbite thing. But that's the not the biggest worry.

Where IS my winter coat? Why worry about since the weather will close to 60 in a couple days? So, no Iowa in Winter. Catch me maybe Spring...after the final snow. Maybe.

Sorry family and chums.

Ice Cream Says it All

I love ice cream.

Folks who know me and/or read this blog know how much. Back in my hometown, being taken to Moxley's, the ce cream place, was what made my day. A strawberry sundae was my order just about every time. Not until I got so out into the world, like 40 minutes to Des Moines, did I learn there were 31 flavors to be had under one solitary roof. My cousins and I ordered champagne ice. We always if this would be the time we'd get a buzz from it. Hey, we were all under ten--imaginations ran wild.

So fast forward to today. A great sale at a supermarket named Kroger--- $2.99 for 1/2 gallon of Blue Bell Ice Cream. Blue Bell has not lowered their 1/2 gallon to the what seems common lower weight of 1.75 quart...what IS that anyway? Once I moved to Dallas, it took me awhile to get on the Blue Bell bandwagon. You see, I had such a big crush on a guy back home, who's folks ran our town's version of a Dairy Queen. There was no way I cheat on their establishment, even if it was 750 miles away.

Then my co-workers kept going on and on and ON about Blue Bell. Said it was the best. I needed to try it. So, it happened to be on sale. To be safe, I got vanilla. I mean, if the vanilla is messed up, it doesn't matter what flavor you have.

Vanilla wasn't a mess. It was quite 'nilla-tasty. Hooked, that's what I was. Still am. Hooked.

In fact, my Blue Bell Chocolate Covered Strawberry 1/2 gallon of ice cream awaits in the freezer.

It don't get any better than that!

Monday Is Here....Finally...

Not really one for Monday Mornings-work, and all. Yet this Monday couldn't get here FAST enough. All ready for work. Lunch packed. Cats and birds (outside) fed. Boxes cleaned. Coffee is cooled by the fridge for my iced coffee tonight. When I get home, will do a quick walk, get the trash out to the curb, take the contacts out and get my popcorn ready.

Cowboys. Eagles. Tonight.

Cue this older version, yet still quite relevant, song.

Wednesday...

Rain in Dallas. Temperatures no higher than the 80's today. Off to work....Well, two outta three ain't bad.

I'm blessed to have a job. I realize that. Think more and more of the ministry God has for me--just wish I knew what it was! :) I know I need to make sure the mortgage is paid, the car payment and kitty litter in tow.

Doing more writing of late. Sent a submission to Guideposts, the other day, plus a photo to another magazine. Will be working on another story today at work--

So the VP's are to be announced soon....of course, nobody asked me--so I'll wait patiently to see if John McCain picks a pro-choice Democrat and see if Barack Obama doesNOT pick Hillary Clinton.

Off to work...

Tonight...

Walked tonight.

A storm blew through earlier, which cooled zapped the Dallas heat. Loverly! I headed to the park—again forgetful with the bread for the ducks, turtles, fish and other birds there. I promised I would bring it next time. I love to stroll outside. That is the one thing I do miss about the apartment complex I lived in: The park just next door.

During my recuperation, that park’s walk path (three times around equaled a mile) was my gauge for regaining strength. Benches were situated around it, so if I ever needed to stop I could. And did—often at first. As my strength increased, one bench was my reward after my laps. I called it my “Forrest Gump Bench”. I sat there so many times. Prayed. Cried. Wondered. Rejoiced. Strike up chats with folks, pet every dog, enough to know their names. I do miss that. Especially a little Yorkie, named Annabelle. She would see me, dash and hop on me, then love all over me. Her human said, “She has her favorites.”

I miss that park.

Yet, my new Park seems so much more infinite. The wildlife. The landscape includes inclines. Trees. I love the feel. There are some benches, if I need to stop. And I do. Often. I watch ducks waddle; the cranes scoop unsuspecting fish in the pond. Kids laughing. Young lovers basking in their young love. Smile at the woman who says she has to walk six miles, yet her heart beats so fast after just one lap. I look at the horizon. Just nice.

Now I sit here in my ‘office’—which so far includes my pc, and two cats crammed in the window. A light breeze floats through the window. Both cats are attentive to the cardinal's coo from the birdfeeder. I like the window-faces the street, so the cats and I can watch the world.

Yep, a storm blew through Dallas earlier. Cooled things off. So different from yesterday’s 100 degrees. I got to enjoy my park today. My windows are open for what fresh air we can savor.

I miss some things from my life, just a few months ago. Yet, I am so joyful for what I have now.

Not bad.