Nothing special

This pic is from my aunts 40th high school reunion. She asked me to take the pic... it turned out okay.
Two nights ago we went to "Fiddler on the Roof" which I have never seen. The local community theater "Fort Totten Little Theatre" puts on plays ever summer for the month of July. I've gone every year for the past 10 or so years. We always go with Kevin's parents. There was a dinner too. The dinner and play are held out on the reservation on a historical site. Fort Totten was used way way way back in the day for military purposes.... then as a school for Native Americans... which is praised a lot because it helped give indians an education... but I don't think people realize that these children were RIPPED away from thier parents and tribe during raids on their small villages... ANWAY... TANGENT.. sorry.... so anyway it is held in this fort which consists of about 8 brick buildings, which used to be the military bunks, and Captain's home, and church, and then school and dorms.. it was like a very small town. One of the buildings was turned into a very charming Bed and Breakfast which is where we had dinner. Then across the quad (all the buildings face a large open area, a place I'm sure was used for gatherings and such back in the day) sits the small theatre that used to be sodiers sleeping quarters. The ONLY air conditioned place in the Fort.

The play was the best we've seen so far. They have a new director and instead of casting people because of who they are in the community, they cast people because they were GOOD actors and singers. Usually we have to sit and listen to horrible singing and medioker acting because the only reason people got the part is because of what position they held on the park board, you know.. community 'A' listers. But this year the singing was OUTSTANDING! they actually harmonized and no one forgot their line! It was good.

Then on the way back to town (about 15-20 miles) we were driving by the lake and saw the COOLEST most SCARIEST lightning storm EVER! Too bad there was a TORNADO 4 miles away, or that would have been awesome. The lightning was constant and it was coming right for the city, we drove as fast as we could to get back into town before it hit DL. The radar showed, however, the storm going around us. I'm glad too cause it looked really nasty.

I've blabbed on enough about nothing.

My Amy's life was threatened.... with a gun!

My friend Amy just got a new job 3 weeks ago, she is the Manager of a Hot Topic in Brooklyn Center in a town near Minneapolis. She was working today and this chick came in with her 'friends' and her twin babies and she dumped a whole garbage bag full of merchandise on the counter and demanded a cash refund. Well, obviously the stuff was stolen.. many of the same items in different sizes, and the most expensive stuff. Well Amy said if she has a reciept that she can get store credit or the amount put back on a credit card if she used one... that is if she had the card on her. Well whattya know, the chick didn't have a reciept or the credit card she 'used'. So amy said she couldn't return the stuff. Well, the chick opens her baby bag and pulls a gun out enough for Amy to see it "don't make me, bitch" and then the chicks friends surrounded the cash wrap and one covered the phone with his hand... and lifted his shirt to show his gun that he had in his pants. Amy looked over toward the door, and there was more guys standing blocking the entrance with their arms crossed. The chick said in return she wants all the Converse shoes on the shelves. That triggered Amy's memory. There has been a group of people stealing a crap load of merchandise from Hot Topics in the Minneapolis area and returning it, buying Converse items and selling them on the streets. These were obviously the people. I dont' know how Security was called, but they started to walk in the hallways, and the group walked out of the store, after tearing down some of the display things, and everything on the counter making a big mess. Amy works in a shady area...one of the Assistant Managers of one of the other stores in the mall was stabbed recently. I told Amy she can't work there anymore. I love her way too much and now I have to think about her every day. Even though the cops KNEW what the people looked like, and that they had guns... they didn't do anything. They probably aren't even going to give them ANY extra security for the next couple days. I know this stuff happens every day in bigger cities, and that we're just lucky and safer here in ND, but it's still scary when it happens to someone you know.

No, really... he didn't beat me, I really fell down the stairs

I just fell down the stairs. For real people! I was going down into the basement to change my laundry over... and on the second step... my foot slipped out right from under me... and I was thrown down the stairs... ALL of them. There isn't one step that my wrist, my tail bone, and my ankle did not slam against... all 16 of them. I was falling for so darn long, I had many thoughts like "gee I should really stop myself" and "oh my god I'm still rolling down the stairs, how many stairs do we have?!" I hit my head against the railing! At the landing at the bottom, I was so confused... what the hell? Did I really just fall down the stairs? Yup! I did, and in between groans of pain, I laughed my ass off. Cause seriously, who falls down all their stairs when they are 24 years old? So now my ankle is swollen, and my wrist is bruized and my butt... well since you asked, it is having some sort of muscle contractions from being beaten against 16 stairs! My shoulder hurts, my elbow is scraped.... I can't believe I fell down my stairs... then posted about it! But I'll be laughing about this one for a LONG while!

What a klutz! I hope I can MOVE tomorrow morning!

Poor kitty! I can't believe someone could DO this to their cat! I found this on ebaumsworld.com If you've never see that website, you lead a very sheltered internet life. 

It almost looks animated. Very funny, I feel bad for the cat, but at the same time, you have to laugh at the poor thing. Hey Josie, remember that time you tried to make Baby feel more cool last summer. This is much worse! 

gin is the devil

Independence day was a blast! I got out to the lake around 11:15pm after work, and we shot off fireworks. There was this HORRIBLE band playing across the lake and the singer was obviously intoxicated... at least I'm hoping no one things they sound that 'good' sober! It really was the worst music I've ever heard, and to top it off they finished the night with some Tenatious D and "Tribute" or whatever it is called, so yeah, it was great.

Our good friend Jess was in town for a week. She and her husband, Matt, live in Twenty Nine Palms, CA. He's a Marine so they moved out there after their wedding. I love Jess to bits, and absolutely was ESTATIC to get to see her again. Blake and our friend Kelsey came to town from GF last night and we all went out (Amanda too!) and boy did I drink too much. Blake has proof, as he has a pic. of me kissing Carter (the bartender) on the cheek. Ah... gin. So today I layed low... very low as in didn't get out of bed until about 2pm and then I sat around all day until about 5 when I attempted to shower. Then I fell asleep again cause my head just POUNDED! but I'm better now, and ready for a good nights rest so I can be fresh to work in the morning!

Kevin says he is feeling a little 'monoish' again lately. I really hope his Mono isn't coming back, because that would just plain suck! I can't imagine feeling that tired CONSTANTLY! I think he should go to the doctor and get tested again. Thank God, now we have medical insurance!

I took some kick ass pictures of a misty sunrise last week at about 6:30am on my way to work. I took them with my film camera so I'll have to get the pics developed and scanned for you're viewing pleasure.

CONGRATS to Amber and Ben on their engagment, best of luck to you guys!

CONGRATS again to Janelle and Darren on the new soon-to be addition to their fam!

Happy B-DAY to KSoFM! He turned the big 2-9 today!

Even though Josie and Amadon have been to hell and back this week, I smile everytime I see their ultrasound pics... That baby is going to be a break in your bad luck streak! Everything will be right with the world once she is born!

My lill' sis is back in town for a while, it's nice to see her again, and so happy too! love ya hun!

Do you guys remember WRDPLYR? he stopped posting on his blog, he won't answer my email, and he hasn't commented for a while, I don't know him personally but I'm concerned cause it is weird that he just stopped posting one day. He works as a correctional officer in a jail, and I hope he is okay!

Happy Birthday America!

Hope you all are having a really good 4th of July! The city had a firework show last night, it was great. No matter how old you get, or how many fireworks you've seen, they are still fun to watch every year. I love the 4th of July, too bad I'm at work right now. But the fact that it is windy and cloudy and cold outside makes it not so difficult to deal with the fact that I am not at the lake right now. I may be going out there later tonight after work, cause Kevin and I still have fireworks we bought to shoot off. I love living in a city that you can shoot off fireworks yourself in city limits... not many places let you do that anymore.

Our kitty's meds seem to be helping him feel a little better, but this morning he let us know that his tummy still hurt when we picked him up- I hope the infection goes away soon, I feel bad for him!

oh, I better get going... laundry almost finished...

Visit to the wolds meanest, most cruel person....the vet... dun dun DUN!

So Mr. Pie was able to get into the vet today. Luckily DL just got a new vet, so people don't have to drive all the way to Cando. The car ride there was horrible, he cried and growled. We got there and had to wait in a room full of dogs. Mr. Pie did not like the dogs, but I think they got the message when he hissed and growled, cause they backed away from his carrier.

The vet looked him over and pushed on his poor, painful little bladder and made him pee all over the table. He let out the most heart wrenching cries and wales... but the doc. got a sample and looked at it under the microscope. Turns out Fuzzybutt's body doesn't produce enough acid for his urine. This means it is easier for crystals to form and bacteria to grow in his bladder and kidneys, which is exactly what happened. He said that some cats just can't eat regular cat food, so we got a prescription cat food now, to help his body fight bacteria and make more acid. The ONE bag of cat food that will last about 2 and a half weeks is $15.00 This is the cat food the doc. says Mr. Pie should eat for his entire life. We also have to give him and antibiotic twice a day until its gone. Fuzzybutt does NOT like the meds. But he doesn' seem to mind his new food. He already looks like he is feeling better. He's walking around and doesn' mind if we pick him up. The whole visit cost 80 bucks, but for a healthy kitty, it's definately worth it! His old food only cost 8 bucks for a bag that last about a month. If anyone cares, the vet said that Perina Indoor Formula for cats is actually worse for them then regular formula.

SO anyway, yay for healthy kitties!

Highway accident

Yesterday when I was driving home to DL, I was approaching the small town of Lakota when I noticed that the road was completely blocked... by a semi truck. So they were directing around through the service road for the town. As I pulled around, I saw that half the semi was in the ditch, and in front of it was another vehicle. I can't tell you what kind of vehicle because it was completely smashed up... and teetering on its hood and drivers side. There was a rescue guy trying to pry open the passenger side, and while I was driving around he popped the door open more and started pulling someone out. This person was limp and bloody. There was no ambulance there yet, and no cop cars either, I'm assuming I came across the accedent very shortly after it happened. I couldn't figure out how that may have happened because the truck and the other vehicle were positioned on the highway like they were both going East on the West bound side. Oddly enough the first thing I thought was "would it be wrong of me to stop and take pictures?" I decided it would be wrong and kept driving. I entered back on the highway and as I drove West away from the accident I saw four police cars racing East with their sirens and lights going, then shortly after that the ambulance shot down the highway.

I watched the news last night and found out both the driver and the passenger were dead on the scene. The semi driver was fine. I guess the black Ford Truck (I think thats what they said) entered onto the highway without looking and SMUCK! right into the semi... hitting the passenger side and making both vehicles spin and go into the ditch. wow.... wear your seatbelts and look both ways!

My baby is sick!

Fuzzybutt is not feeling well... actually he is very sick. I went to GF last night and got back into DL around 3. I went home and hung out for a while. He was going fine then, he came up and loved me and purred a lot. I went over to a friends house for about 2 hours, when I came back (Kevin was with me by this time) Fuzzybutt tried to walk out the door, so I grabbed him around his midsection like I always do, and he let out the loudest most startling cry I've ever hear come out of him. It was most definately a pain cry, so as I was putting him back down, he peed on the couch a little. He never does this, so I don't care about the couch. When I bent down to feel around his tummy, he just wimpered and gave out another "ouch!!!" meow. then he slowly wobbled over to a shoe box laying on the floor (that had a plastic bag on it from a recent purchase) and he squated down, obviously straining to pee he just wimpered. I didn't want to move him to the litter box cause he wouldn't let me pick him up, besides at least he crawled into the shoe box.

Nothing happened, just a little came out... then he slowly made his way to the tile between the front door and the stairs. He just layed there, obviously in pain. I went over to pet him and console him, and he just yelled at me to stay away, as he was laying there on his side, he started to pee... but it was not just pee, there was blood in it too... and not just a little. So I freaked out, especially since he was making no effort to get up, it just.... came out.

Now, DL doesn't have a vet... yup that is REALLY stupid. The only vet in town does large animals like cows and horses. I mean what kind of town doesn't have a freakin' VET!!!! So we called anyway to see if maybe they do emergencies... got a machine with the number of the vet in case of emergencies... called the number and got this lady "um.. he isn't here, I don't know where he is... or when he'll be back, bye" So I called the vet in Cando, a town 30 minutes away. No answer (cause it is after 5) but we called the emergency number they gave us... no answer. We left a message but no one ever called up back.

By this time, I'm really freaking out cause not only is this kind of an emergency, but I dont even know if I'll be able to get him in tomorrow! The good news is that after the little peeing incedent, he seems A LOT better, we can pick him up, and he is cuddling and using the litter box. I'm sure he has Urinary Track Infection (common in cats) and I blame the DL water. we've been giving him filtered water (Brita pitcher) but the water here is so nasty and full of metals and minerals and things you shouldn't have to drink. I think maybe that has caused him to get blocked up.

Poor kitty!! He needs medicine, and I hope we can get it for him before its too late and perminant damage (or worse) happens. Before we moved here, we brought him to the ver in GF just for a check up because we knew DL doesn't have a vet. We thought he may have had a urinary track problem, but she thought he was fine, and sent us home with meds to give him just in case. Well we gave him those meds and now we're out. Maybe I can call GF and have them mail it 1 day priority.

I don't know what I'm gonna be like when I have kids and they get sick cause I'm totally freaked about Mr. Pie and he's just a cat!

Fun Stuff

Two days off.... I'm excited. My last day off wasn't actually a day off, I got called in so tomorrow, I'm not answering my phone.

Tonight we went to Champions bar. Threw some darts (I'm learning... getting better) Played some foosball (Kevin and I suck as a team we won 1 out of 4). Then we played Blackjack. I've never played before, it was fun. At one point I was up 5 bucks (started with 5) but then I lost it all. Kevin on the other hand... he started with 5 and left with 30 in his pocket! He has the best luck with that stuff though. Amanda also walked away 15 bucks richer. I kept getting crappy hands. I blame the dealer.

Now I'm home and I am really really tired, but tomorrow is my day off and I'm determained to stay awake as long as I can, just because.

I'm thinking of driving to GF tomorrow. I told some peeps here in DL that I'd meet them to play bar bingo (hey, I live in a town with pop. 8,000 or so, what else is there to do?) tomorrow night, I don't know what I'm gonna do. I wish I had more exciting news... but I don't. sorry.

Here's something to think about... I found the following statement on a girls blog tonight.. unfortunetly I can't remember the name of her blog or the address... but here ya go... chew on this...

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Words
If words are enough to describe your life.......then talking about it is a conundrum or rather rhetorical.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMBER!

YAY Amber is the big 1-9 tomorrow!!!! She gets to celebrate her Birthday in Florida (I think she's still there) So Amber, I hope you have a wonderful, fun-filled birthday!!! Only 2 more years.... thats only 24 months... so the countdown begins...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!

Mr. Pie 

Mother Nature Hates Me...

Today I had lunch with Kevin. It was a beautiful day here. almost 100 degrees. As I was walking from the coffeeshop where we met for lunch to go shopping, the sun was shining, it was hot, but it felt good. I bought two skirts and they were on sale! I was having a beautiful day. The sun was putting me in a pretty good mood. I decided that I don't really like the idea that my job is so spiratic. I don't like that fact that every time I plan something, work ends up ruining it. I hate working holidays, so i thought to myself "self, you need to find a job that REQUIRES you to have weekends and holidays off, you need a federal job" So with that thought in mind I drove myself to the post office. I found out that they are having a workshop tomorrow for people interested in being postal workers. Its perfect! So, with brochure in hand, I walk out to my car (wearing my new sale skirt). I'm havin' a pretty darn good day thus far and I figure it is a beautiful day to go to the lake and just hang and read and relax. So I decided to quickly run to get my new license and head out to the lake. I get to the DMV... closed. Yup, 100% CLOSED. ON A THURSDAY, how completely RANDOM is that! I obviously need to work for the DMV being they have all weekend AND every thursday off... but then I'm just annoyed. I did my hair and made myself look cute so I'd be ready for the damn mug-shot they were going to have to take of me and all that for nothing. SO I threw my hair up in a pony (it was still 100 degrees and humid) and marched on over next door to the hotel where Tab works to see what she's up to, perhaps she would like to go to the lake after she gets off work?! I walk in the door and look to the west and think "looks like we're gonna get some rain, it's looking rather dark over there" Not five minutes later, whaddyaknow, it's pouring out side. The wind picked up very quickly. The next thing I knew, the power was surging, and hail was POUNDING on the building. The windows were shaking, and the radio said the temp had dropped from close to 100 to 65 in 15 minutes! That only means one thing... TORNATO! And sure enough, there was a tornato 3 miles from where we were. Luckily, it wasn't IN town, but we got some really fierce winds! The clouds were soooo dark, and the rain was whipping around so hard, you couldn't see out the windo at all for a good 5 minutes. I called Kevin to see where he was and he had high-tailed it home so he could be safe in the basement instead of in some clinic sucking up to some doctor (he needs to shmooze doctors to get referrals sent to him for PT) Anyway, I wasn't happy by this point. No lake, no mroe skirt for the day, no new drivers licese. So when the wind calmed down a little I drove (quite quickly for a non-licensed driver) home. Trees where down all over town, there were live cables down, and the cops where all over. But I got home, and the sun came out (even though we were still under a tornato warning!) I called Tab and made a dinner date thinking that this darn weather is NOT going to RUIN my day off! Then my phone rings...

Its work. Sonya's mom died and they were wondering if I could come in and work for a while. It was 4:30. I told them I'd come in AFTER my planned dinner date. So, I went into work at 5:30 and worked till 11. The ND school for the Deaf is having an ALL class reunion this weekend. Luckily both my parents work at the Deaf School so I konw how to sign which made the night go by MUCH smoother than it could have with another employee. The Manager asked if I could work tomorrow morning, I said I'd prefer to work the night shift (so I can make that Post Office workshop tomorrow AM) and he didn't have a prob. with that. I'm gonna get so much overtime this week!

But still, now I dont' have a day off until Tuesday and I've worked every day since last tuesday Thats ANOTHER 7 days in a row. and don't you know it, the skies cleared up and it got beautiful out again once I got to work! No lake for me for a while! That is my story on WHY I think Mother Nature Hates Me. Hope you enjoyed my story. I've had a pretty long day.

A day off, now what?!

So today is my day off... tomorrow was supposed to be which would have been nicer, but I've learned that the schedule is CONSTANTLY changing, and to never make plans because more than likely things will change. For example: I had a get together planned for the 4th of July. We were gonna have a luau! It looked as though I wasn't going to have to work, but now a coworker is leaving earlier than planned so now I work the 4th from 3-11. No fireworks for me! We finally live in a city that it is NOT illegal to shoot off your own fireworks, and now I cant. Okay I'm done whining. So we can't have our Luau on the 4th, thats okay, we'll just have to have it someother weekend. I work the next three weekends (and the last 2 mind you!) so I don't know when we'll get the chance but I'm excited for it!

Today I'm going to get my drivers licese renewed. I got a new one when I got married and changed my name, I didn't realize that it was only good for a year and a half! most of them expire 4-5 years after you get it... so here I was driving illegally with and expired license for 3 months and I didn't even know it! I hope they don't make me take that stupid written test again, I'd prolly fail it! I mean I know how to drive, but I don't know the technical stuff like "how many meters should be between you and the car ahead of you?"

I know you all are wonder how my diet is going right?! Well, its not really going yet. But I have been watching what I'm eating, I've passed up a cookie here and there, and I've chosen to eat two peices of pizza instead of 5. Thats a start right? I'll get the hang of it soon enough.

I drove to Forks on Sunday and stayed until Monday. Blake and I took in the ND Art Museum. Karissa and Doug were right, it really did suck. The whole exhibit had a purpose I'll give it that. It was to raise awareness about soil conservation and such but the fact that some tree huggin' hippie took some pics of dirt and got into a museum kind of makes me think I have a shot some day.

Well I'm off to meet Kevin for lunch at the Liquid Bean. Haven't been there in a while, should be fun.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY DAD!!!! I LOVE YOU!!! 

Ahh... Feeling good

Today was long, but fun. I worked my 6th day in a row, which really isn't that bad, but I suppose I better complain about it. After work, Kevin, Amanda and I met my mom and dad and sister out at the lake. We grilled, we boated, and we had fun. Here are a couple pics for ya. My sister and her friends went tubing. It was really windy, so hell if you'd find me out there in the water, but my sister is a nut, so that is her excuse I guess. Enjoy!

hahahahahahahahahahaha!!! 

there they go.... hold on little sis, it's going to be a bumpy ride! 

So this pic isn't exactly in focus... but I had to hurry. This is my dad pulling the girls behind the boat. He is a MASTER when it comes to skidding and flipping tubes, he is also an excellent wave diver.