#7 of 9

Nine things I want to do while on vacation ...
1. read
2. forget the clock
3. have a lavaflow (alcoholic)
4. use sunscreen more religiously
5. take Pa to see some of the "old haunts"
6. lose 5 lbs
7. see some old friends
8. walk or snorkle everyday
9. celebrate life

#6 of 9

Nine things I hope to accomplish before leaving on vacation .....

1. arrange "kitty sitting" for our absence
2. packing
3. lose 5 lbs
4. buy postcards stamps
5. have my performance review
6. complete the Christmas shopping
7. talk the Captain into less luggage
8. send Foo's birthday present off
9. work up to the day we leave

#5 of 9

Nine reasons for not going to work on Wednesday ....
1. little kitty wouldn't have been soooo moody when I got home
2. to accomplish more gardening that's needed
3. to continue my creative endeavors
4. to pull out the vacation clothing
5. to sew the sundress I cut out last week
6. to get some sun on my legs
7. to go grocery shopping
8. mop the kitchen & dining room floors
9. to start my fall decorating

#4of 9

Nine reasons for being at work today ....

1. Because it's my job
2. To complete tasks that will be needed for a meeting that is after hours
3. To keep me from shopping
4. To keep me from scrapbooking ALL DAY
5. To make some money so I CAN go shopping
6. To keep me social
7. Because I'm a responsible person
8. Because I have a choice
9. To put a smile on a stranger's face

#3 0f 9

WHY I SHOULD LOSE 9 lbs

1. lower my blood pressure
2. raise my energy level
3. eliminate my double chin
4. lengthen my life
5. buy a smaller size clothes
6. for the sake of my grandkids
7. less stress on my knees
8. look better
9. not shudder (as much) at the number on the scale

#2 of 9

9 things I do EVERY DAY....... (I am ONLY INCLUDING things I have done everyday for AT LEAST a year)

1. say I love you to my captain
2. go barefoot
3. think of mom
4. say thank you to someone
5. smile
6. want to pet my kitty kats
7. wish I had real eyebrows
8. apply moisturizer
9. have a cup of coffee

your turn ................

9/9/9

TODAY is MY day!!!!
The numerical equivalent to DeDe is 9 .... so this must be my day?!
The numerical equivalent to my last name is 6 -which is an upside down 9 ... this is REALLY MUST BE my day ?!?!!

okay, OKAY ... I am stretching a bit. The bottom line .... any number can mean anything we want it to if we believe, if we want it enough. IF using a number, a pet rock, a mood ring, feng shui, budda's belly, rabbits foot, incense, cloud formations, tea leaves, bubbles in your coffee, itchy palms, or the shape of the corn on your little toe will give you focus or determination to accomplish something that is important TO YOU- then by all means .... use the sugar pill to it's fullest!!!!!!!!!!

I shall begin "tip-toeing" back to work

this week I am working 4-5 hours more than last week (and the week before for that matter) . Next week, I will add another 3-4 hours (at least) and the following week ... well I am getting waaaay ahead of myself for now.
FIRST, I want to state that I have had noooooooooooo problem with working less. (well, ok, I DID have to taper my spending a bit). I have slept a little more. I have gardened (a lot), I have done more walking. I have hung out with "the boys" a few times. I have done housework & laundry (in a timely manner). I have ironed (first time in about 9 months). I have mended. And I have created without interuption or distraction. THAT has been fun (and it shows in my pages).
The Doc I usually work with on Tues & Thurs has been travelling with I-Care Int'l (these are usually my longest days- routinely 9-11 hrs.) His absence has allowed me some MUCH ENJOYED extra time to myself. It's been good. BUT I also know that sometimes, extra time off makes it difficult to get back into the rhythmn of a workday/wk- so I am "easing" into it methodically & purposely. and ....... about the time I mentally get back into the swing of things .... I WILL BE GOING ON VACATION! what a life (I'm glad it's mine!!!!)

I wanna be Samantha for a day

You're familiar with those movies (It's a Wonderful Life) where the subject gets a chance to go back and see the impact their presence has brought to the world. The movies where a person gets to go back and do things differently to see if it would change their life and "magically" things turn out (totally) different .... yatta yatta yatta .... the bottom line in them is that the person realizes the choices they already made were the right ones. The chain of events that brought them to this place in their life was the best path .... Again, magically, they are happy about something that an hour and 35 minutes ago, they were despondant over .... BUT- since I have wondered on occassion the outcome of my "what ifs" - I decided today that (maybe) I would like to be Samantha the Witch for a day instead. I am willing to play by some rules and not win the lotto, or rewind time if the are guidelines are such. I just want to perhaps shorten a line, keep my latte warm all the way to the bottom, make someone's cell phone disappear, think about the perfect dinner & have it appear, find the perfect melon, watch T play professional volleyball, see LouLou published, leave work on time, have an extra full moon, longer lasting bubbles in my bath, dry hair without frizz ......
I would NOT twitch my nose to see what I would look like 30 lbs lighter (unless it would stick), I would NOT pull my ear lobe to see what life would be like if I had never met JRH .... since it might have meant the Captain & I would not be together. And though I would be tempted ... I wouldn't chance seeing the results of putting Chris thru college, if there were even the slightest chance of of not having Addy & Anthony. (but I wander how it would have affected T). BUT .... it would be a joy (I think) to avoid some of lifes daily "annoyances" with a wand or a broomstick at my disposal. I know it's not going to happen, but I can still dream! (what would YOU want to change?)

don't YOU WISH you were our neighbor?!

this little puppy gets hand-delivered to a few choice neighbors today.

yum yum !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so I admit it ....

I am a little embarassed to admit that I watch some of the "real housewives of" episodes. I feel good about the fact that I don't record them (although sometime I wish I had) so it is a hit & miss thing. Last night I watched an episode where one of the gals arranged an "alter ego" photo shoot for the 5 of them. Very cool idea really (and drama over it of course). BUT, bigger than the life they portray of themselves was how it got me thinking. DO I HAVE AN ALTER EGO? When the Captain and I were taking a stroll on the beach this morning I was trying to explain to him (again) the kick I get out of watching something as outrageous as this type of program. We talked about this particular program and tried to figure out what my alter ego might be. I am still wondering. That "second self" or shadow of myself ? It's bugged me all day long.
anyway ..... the idea of the photo shoot was really cool. A professional photographer takes a full shoot of BOTH egos & mearges them together into one picture so you are virtually in a photo with yourself. pretty cool. anyway .... made me think, might make you do the same. I am thinking it is easier for someone to tell you what that alter ego would be, since we aren't usually very objective about ourselves?!
ummm .... I smell the Captains catfish coming off the grill so I am off to the dining room :o)

Captain .... stop tooting my horn!

Ok, OKAY - without a doubt, the Captain is my biggest fan- but sometimes .... I get a wee bit embarassed (but in a good way). Both today & last Thursday, the Captain accompanied me to work and .... worked. Yup ... this guy who is retired. This guy who usually does more in a given day then I get done in thrice the time ... went WITH ME to work and did as much (if not more) than I did. The idea of the venture was that I would put in a couple of half or three quarter days while the doc is away to catch up, clean up, & gear up for his return. Part of that was asking for a little bit of maintenance help from my hubby .... which would make the day not even seem like a work day cuz we would be hanging out together! Well .... he jumped right in (and over the top as usual) and the (1st) part day turned into a 9 hour day and I STILL got little more than just barely anything done! Hence .... he volunteered to come along (again) for another short day to help with a couple other things. It was shorter, true. (although not short) But a lot of work was done AND I am still behind my goals !!?!! SO, as sad as it may be ..... next Thursday, I am going BY MYSELF :o( ... and probably at the crack of dawn for a r-e-a-l-l-y long day (and not turning over the open sign til noon!!). However, all that being "planned" .... I must say that I am VERY pleased that we have a newly painted and WELCOMING front door to the office and some shelves that will make filing soooooooooo much easier, plus some ever-present clutter banished from the premises. I ended up bringing a half days' worth of stuff home to do from my office with a view so that I can pretend that I am not working, but feel better about not being sooo far behind! Even though I have put in some time unplanned, I have ALSO had some time off that has spoiled me rotten with time for an extra latte' some mornings and a REAL breakfast! (thanks Capt)
Just another example of how much harder the Captain works now that he is retired !(?) Special thanks my wonderful, enthusiastic, agreeable, & hugable hubby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ILY
oh yea, yea, yea ... the reason I said I get embarrassed at times - was because the Captain would toot my horn (loudly) in response to patients who came in and said something nice about me when he was there with me these couple of times.