A Lovely Day Off

I had decided to make it a four day weekend and boy was I glad. This turned out to be a beautiful day. After an already fun weekend, including an awesome family graduation party, today was spent sleeping in and watching chick flicks (Love Actually and Notting Hill). Then I decided to take a dip in the condo pool. Now mind you, the pool is about the size of a postage stamp, (and each of the 30 units spent $50 to get new pool furniture - must be inlaid with gold or something) but it was cool and refreshing and I was the only one in it. I'm reading an enlightening book entitled For the Love of God, Handbook for the Spirit. It includes writings from The Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, Barbara De Angelis and many others, and it was sent to me while serving in Iraq --- did I mention I procrastinate from time to time? Anyway, I've actually taken the time to do some reading instead of so much TV watching, and this has been delightful. The only fly in the ointment was that I had difficulty actually getting inside the fence of the pool. The key the condo association provided would go into the lock, but it wouldn't turn. Now I was determined not to let this ruin my day, so I did what any red blooded American would do. I hopped the fence. No cops came with guns a blazin' so I think I'll be OK, although in the next newsletter, I'll bet somebody puts a "gentle reminder" in to use the key instead of bounding over the fence. The condos have eyes . . .

Monday Monday

Ugh - glad it's over - just finished watching "The Secret" last night about the Law of Attraction and told myself it'll be a good day. Even after I got a splinter in my finger walking the dog because I took the corner of the steps too fast, even after I got to work 5 minutes late and everyone was waiting on me, even after I got a stain on my uniform . . . then I finally said screw it, I must be attracting negatives today . . . will try again tomorrow :-)

Too Long Gone

Where has the time gone? Can't believe it's been a few weeks already since I posted last. Sure was a lot easier to post while taking a break during work - faster computer there but probably not what I should be doing during the duty day - hehe. Must get DSL here at home - dial up is toooo slow.

May is flying by - Mother's Day was very nice - went to Mel's Crow's Nest- http://www.anchorsawaymarina.com/crowsnest/ - Love that Place - with the folks and then went for a walk on Catawba Island back in some hiking trails on cemetery road. Other than being just a bit muddy, it was a nice and relaxing walk. We did see some poison ivy along the trail but thankfully none of us got any on our skin. I used to get it so bad that it would drive me crazy.

We've also had a few retirement parties at work in the last couple of weeks. While I love the partying part, I'm very sad to see these people go. We've all been through a lot together and it won't be the same there without them. There are so many young kids coming up through the ranks and so many of those (to whom I was a protege) leaving that I'm realizing that I am now becoming one of the old farts in the unit. It doesn't seem possible that I've been in the military for nearly twenty years. I remember stepping on the plane to leave for basic training as if it were just yesterday. April 4th, 1988 - kids in the unit now weren't even born then - oh my gosh - I'm OLD!

Tomorrow is my sister Lisa's birthday - woo who - hope her present gets there on time. I'm such a procrastinator that I'll probably be late for my own funeral . . .

Even a Blind Squirrel . . .

Well I passed the test the other day with an 85%. I should just be happy with it due to the fact that I waited 'til the last minute, but no, I want more than a 90% - note to self - you must at least READ the material ONCE to score above a 90%. I'm a weird bird . . .

Speaking of birds, I was talking today with my buddy Kutch after work out in the parking lot, and an Eagle flew over, low and close - WOW - they are so majestic - I get goose bumps every time - how COOL!

Tomorrow is the Friday before drill weekend - joy joy! What stress - it's great to see all the people you haven't seen in a month or so, but preparing for all the activities can wear a girl out - it's time for some shut eye . . .

Can you say Procrastinator?

Why do I always do this to myself? Each time I have a deadline for something I wait until the absolute last minute to get it done. It's a wonder I survived high school much less college. I am a total crammer when it comes to studying. The only trouble is, I can't cram like I used to. For the first hour or two my mind is still trying to wrap around the fact that I'm actually using it again . . . Tomorrow I have to take my Operations Management Journeyman Career Development Course Exam. It consists of three books containing military and civil engineering "stuff". And God love the Air Force and Air National Guard. The test I take covers information from an Air Force Program IWIMS that we don't even use in the Air Guard. But to be awarded my AFSC - Air Force Speciality Code, I have to take the test on that program. Thankfully they waivered my formal school or I'd have spent six weeks at some Air Force Base learning stuff I'd never be using. It is actually good for my brain, I guess, to try to comprehend new concepts, but I'd much rather be spending the day off doing something more fun. And whose fault is this anyway? Ummmm - let's see - I've had four months to read, study and learn this stuff and I'm doing it the day before the test - hmmm - guess it's my own fault . . .

I'm posting when I should be studying - another attempt to fend off the inevitable. I must study! If I keep finding other things to do, I'll be pulling an all-nighter just to squeak by on this test - wonder what the minimum passing score is? Yep, I think I'll be a minimalist on this one.
Speaking of finding anything else to do to keep from studying, I think I just figured out how to actually put a link in a post - let's try . . .

http://www.lauriedoll.blogspot.com


too cool - it works - but now I've noticed it put 7:15am in as the time I posted. It's like thinking I'm on Pacific Time. I need to figure out how to fix that. But no, I've GOT TO STUDY - OK, I'm turning the computer off now . . .

Coach's Autograph

Coach's Autograph
Originally uploaded by kruzer69.

As if the trip weren't perfect enough, I was flying back last evening from Phoenix to Chicago and I had had a few beers at the airport (imagine that). Anyway, there was only about an hour left in the flight and I was sitting towards the front of the airplane. They allowed us to use the first class restrooms and guess who I saw when I returned? Yep, Mike Ditka! I went back to my seat and was all excited. The guy in the row in front of me said he'd been at the gate for a few hours before the flight. That guy got his autograph and a picture with him. See, if I hadn't had that last beer in the bar, I'd have probably been able to "meet" him and get a picture with him. Arghh - I have to pay more attention when I'm traveling. Well, since I'm the HUGEST Bear's fan, I called for the flight attendant and asked if he'd have Coach sign my business card. He DID!!!!!! Too Cool!

I'm a happy girl --- didn't get home 'til 2:15am so I'm very jet-lagged and somewhat "out of it", but I'm a very happy girl!

Sisters Laughing

Sisters Laughing
Originally uploaded by kruzer69.

As if class wasn't fun enough, my Sister was able to come to Phoenix for a few days. We visited with her friends Erin and JD and ate at all ALL the best restaurants. This was in front of Pizzeria Bianco - the BEST pizza place EVER! Oprah has even been there. We also had the absolute BEST Mexican food EVER at Los Dos Molino's - Yummy! And check out this place:

(I linked it this time - I think)

http://thefarmatsouthmountain.com/

It's a working Farm that has the coolest restaurants and gift shop - it's Awesome! Spending the evenings with Lisa and her friends was absolutely the most fun and relaxing time I've had in a long time. What neat people!

I wonder how many more superlatives I can use in these posts???