Recap

I suppose in summing up the year 2006 for me, I could do it with one word: normalcy. I’m still in the same house with the same job, the same pets and the same SUV that can’t stay out of the effing shop. All of that and I’m still with the man I adore with and with whom the bonds of love and respect between us keep growing stronger daily.

There were a couple of changes: We changed the name of the company where I work, and I became a partner. (This, so far, has just been a lot of hard work: I have yet to realize any financial rewards.)

Oh yeah, and I was named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year. Lots of noteriety with that, for sure!

But by far the biggest change in my life is that I have so many new friends. That’s right, this blog has been such a blessing for me. I’ve met so many people that I consider friend. People that freely give their advice and wisdom. Folks that stop by just to say hi, or tell me that they care.

So, you truly have been the best thing to happen to me in the past year. Thank you for all of the comments, chats, emails, and Christmas cards. I’m looking forward to spending another year with you!

Tomorrow, I’ll be eating cabbage and black-eyed peas with hog jowls. I’ll tell you all about it!

But for now, be safe and have a great time tonight!

A new attitude

1. I’m busy as hell today because after all it is the last working day of the month.

2. I got the call that my SUV is going to require another $300.00 worth of engine work.

3. My back hurts like hell.

What am I doing about it?

1. I’ll keep working until all of the clients are seen today, even though it will mean working late.

2. Just called Justin and invited him to dinner, we might not eat the rest of the month, but we’ll eat tonight!

3. I’m about to pop some more ibuprofen.

I’m in a good mood and I can’t figure it out. Maybe it’s because it’s Friday or because the Christmas thing is over.

But, perhaps it’s because subconciously, I’m counting my blessings…

Toilet expressions

I saved a picture until today from Christmas. Yes folks, that is a functional outhouse at my aunt’s home. Of course the house has facilities and running water, but my uncle built this one so if he was out in the yard working, he had a place to go. It’s built with hickory, which makes it an upscale model. A Cadillac in the world of outhouses, if you will.

I thought the picture turned out really nice, it has a rustic look and I like the colors.

I’m back at work. Only three working days this week! Can I get a hell YEAH?

Christmas in pictures

I’m writing to you today from a rural area in West Tennessee. I’m visiting an aunt in Adamsville, a town one hundred miles east of Memphis.

I began my travels yesterday to be here for Christmas Eve. Elvis and I got approximately halfway here and my SUV’s engine began knocking. This, after I had just picked it up from the shop Friday after an extensive rebuild of the engine.

I turned around and went back home, just hoping that the engine would make it back. It did and I was ever so grateful since I had Elvis with me. It complicates matters when you have engine trouble and you have to worry about the safety of the bird.

So, I made plans to travel here this morning with my little brother and his girlfriend today. We’ve been here since half past nine. The smells from the kitchen are delightful: Turkey, dressing, (that’s stuffing to you Yanks) corn on the cob, beans and peas among many. Ah, the aromas of country food cooked with love. It brings back so many memories of Christmas past.

Justin is at home in Arkansas with his family, having his Christmas with them. Saturday, we had our exchange of presents and Christmas meal together with a couple of friends. Prime rib was served, you should have been there. Justin was finally able to unwrap his eagerly awaited present. I got him a widescreen monitor for his computer, something he’s been wanting for a while. He got me a faster wireless router for our system at home. I’ve been having some trouble with the old one.

Well, that’s about it from here. I’m just enjoying time with family, as is Justin. I’m looking forward to him getting back home tonight or in the morning.

And, I’m trying not to think of the problems with the SUV. I’ll deal with that tomorrow.

I took some pictures today, but everyone seemed a little camera shy so I couldn’t use the pictures of family because they would duck as I snapped the shutter, leaving nothing but a blur.

Pictures, beginning at the top: “Peanut”, mine and my brother’s pony, some of my aunt’s Christmas decorations, the old barn behind the house, Allan, the brother and “B.B.”, my aunt’s bird.

Oh, and Allan snapped a pic of me when I finally laid the camera down..

Staying close to home

As you can surmise by the map, I am a traveller.

Since I’ll be in Houston sometime next month, I’ll get to add Texas.

Southern holiday wishes

Before you get busy with whatever it is you do to celebrate the holidays at this time of year, I’d just like to wish you all a time of peace, love, laughter and joy.

Hug your family and friends a little tighter this year and revel in the time you spend with them.

I would also like to thank you all for the priceless gift you’ve given me: Your friendship.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

You are HERE.

This is where I am in my mind today.

Lousy service in Metro Memphis

I borrowed the title of today’s post from Spider’s lesser known blog, only because it seems so fitting for this post.

Yesterday, after we laid a few people off in the office, my brother and I decided we’d have a beer after work, just to destressify. After a few beers and some chit-chat, I had to leave to pick up my clothes from the dry cleaner. Since they close at seven, I had to cut the after hours “meeting” short.

I proceeded to the dry cleaner which was across town and made it there with five minutes to spare. I tried the door. It was locked. The clock behind the desk showed that it was three minutes after seven. The lady that is always there would not look up to acknowledge me.

Did I mention that I’m a regular customer?

All of the clothes that I wear to work save the shirt and slacks that I wore that morning were there.

So, this morning, I had to go to the cleaner at seven in the morning so I could then go back home and get dressed. Yeah, I know, that’s totally effed up.

I decided to get there a few minutes before seven, when they are supposed to open. Lo and behold, the lady that closed the shop early the day before is seven minutes late opening the door by HER OWN CLOCK. (Of course, it was precisely seven on the dot for the rest of the world.)

This is not the first problem I’ve had there. They always say that you can pick up your clothes after five the next day when you bring your clothing in. Twice I have waited until after six, and only recieved meager apologies for my trouble.

I know what you’re thinking, after this latest fiasco I REALLY let her have it this morning and by all rights I should have. Well, either that or just burned the whole place down. But, dear friends, I did neither. I didn’t say anything to the lady at all.

Why? Because I was afraid if I began explaining how dissatisfied I was and how tired I was of planning my whole day around when to pick up my damned cleaning, I would completely lose my temper. I could feel it all pent up inside and like a volcano finally erupting after dormancy, I would have rained hot, molten, verbal lava all over her. Five years ago this would have happened. I would have had a complete meltdown. But, I suppose with a bit of maturity I’ve learned that sometimes it’s not worth it. I’ll probably go back in a week or two and explain why I’m using a different service now, but I’m pretty sure that today just wasn’t the day.

To my Memphis readers: Sparkle Cleaners on Poplar across from East High School is to be avoided.

Thanks to all who commented yesterday with their concern. These things just happen and it’s no one’s fault, but it still makes me feel crummy.

But hey, at least I still have a job.

A Monday without a laugh

We’ll have to skip Joke off Monday, folks. There is nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing funny about today.

I’ll fill you in later.

A gift and an anniversary

Pop over to Queerly Written today and read this post. What a wonderful gift Roy gave this man for Christmas. It’s not always the size or expense of the gift, it is the thought behind it. I hope you’re as moved as I was…

While you’re there, wish Roy and his man a Happy Anniversary. It’s been six years today!