Diary of a Madwoman

It has been a while....

2009-06-07T23:17:00.000-07:00

since I have posted to this blog. I know. I am sorry - lol. I have been posting mostly to my other Travel Blog since I have been busy taking road trips this spring. So this blog got totally ignored. (sorry blog!)

Anyway, my whole "thought of the day" thing got blown off...so much for resolutions - hehe. But, I do have a thought for tonite.

Distance is never that far between people who care about each other. Whether it be a mile or two thousand miles. That is just a physical address. They will always be close to me. For they will always live right here in my heart.

I know, it's a bit mushy for me, but it is something I believe whole-heartedly in. And I don't believe in a whole lot of things ;)

Mitchell Canyon Trail

2009-04-21T18:41:00.001-07:00

Mitchell Canyon Trail (4), originally uploaded by kimberzy.

It's Girl Scout Cookie time again

2009-02-09T19:38:00.001-08:00

You Are Caramel deLites / Samosas

You are blessed with a brilliant, dynamic mind. It's sometimes hard to figure out what your focus should be.

You're the type of person who does almost everything well. You are very competent but also unfocused.

You're not an easy person to pin down. You are vibrantly complex.

You have many facets to your personality, and they're often in competition with one another.

What Girl Scout Cookie Are You?

I was published again :)

2009-01-23T10:38:00.000-08:00

This time, one of my pics from Pacific Grove was included in the Schmap Guide to Monterey and Carmel.

You can see it by clicking
HERE

Cool, huh?

Thought of The Day - Jan 14, 2009

2009-01-14T20:23:00.000-08:00

I am wondering how much longer it will be before I am able to bend my stupid little toe again!!!

Thought of The Day - Jan 13, 2009

2009-01-13T21:31:00.000-08:00

Technology has made it nearly impossible for Americans to "live off of the land." Most people here would not know what to do without a cell phone or a microwave. By most people's standards, the more technologically advanced a country is, the "better off" they are. People don't think of Australia's bushmen as advanced, but if there was a catastrophe that wiped out electricity, who would be more likely to survive? A bushman or someone like Donald Trump? My bet is on the bushman ;)

Thought of The Day - Jan 12, 2009

2009-01-12T22:16:00.000-08:00

I would rather be in the company of 1 genuine, nice and caring person than in the company of 100 rich, stuck up, arrogant people.

I have been published

2009-01-11T00:12:00.000-08:00

One of my Yosemite photos was selected to be included in the Schmap online guide to Yosemite. You can see it by clicking HERE.

Cool, huh?

Thought of The Day - Jan 10, 2009

2009-01-10T23:53:00.001-08:00

I am tough on the outside, but fragile on the inside. And I hate that.

Thought of The Day - Jan 9, 2009

2009-01-09T23:14:00.000-08:00

When you are depressed, not even Blazing Saddles can cheer you up.

Thought of The Day - Jan 8, 2009

2009-01-08T21:10:00.001-08:00

What makes some baby animals cuter than others? When you think cute, you think, baby bunnies, kittens, puppies, baby elephants, baby deer, little lambs. Even baby pigs are cute. Toy companies make cute stuffed animals for the kiddies to play with. But you never, I mean never, see a stuffed animal resembling a baby rat or a baby mole in the toy stores. I think there is an untapped baby mole market out there just waiting for someone to capitalize on it. Wake up people! Ugly is the new cute.

Thought of The Day - Jan 7, 2009

2009-01-07T19:47:00.001-08:00

I hate sneezing. That's it. I have been sneezing all day long. It's all I have really thought about all day.

Thought of The Day - Jan 6, 2009

2009-01-06T18:56:00.001-08:00

There is something so liberating about a road trip. To wake up early in the morning without an agenda and set off on the road, not knowing who you will encounter or what sights you see along the way, or how long you will be gone. Only knowing that the end of the trip will be when you finally decide it is time to turn around and head for home.

Thought of The Day - Jan 5, 2009

2009-01-05T22:12:00.001-08:00

I am gonna start writing a thought of the day. That is my New Year’s resolution - let’s see how long this lasts - hehe

I just finished reading Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer. It is about a young man leaves all his money and possessions behind and embarks on an adventure around the US, ultimately ending up and dying in the Alaskan wilderness. Sometimes now when I see a hitchhiker, I wonder if he is, like Chris McCandless, on his own adventure across this country. I wonder what things he has left behind. I wonder where he is headed to. I wonder where he has been and what things he has seen, and what it was that drove him to begin his adventure in the first place. Hippies, hitchhikers, homeless people...they are all just souls trying to find the way to their own happiness. They are just like you and me.

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

2008-12-29T23:38:00.001-08:00

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

C is for Christmas Cookie

2008-12-29T22:01:00.001-08:00

You Are a Peanut Butter Kiss Cookie

You are a social, friendly, caring person.

You are good at helping people. You have a very giving heart.

You are a natural teacher or counselor. You get value from making someone's life better.

You are trustworthy, and a natural problem solver.

What Holiday Cookie Are You?

2008 is nearly over...

2008-12-29T21:59:00.001-08:00

You Remember 80% of 2008

You were paying attention during 2008.

And you remember what happened really well.

You'll be able to talk about 2008 for years to come...

Even when most people have forgotten what went down.

How Much Do You Remember 2008?

In the meadow we will build a snowman....

2008-12-06T14:09:00.000-08:00

You Are a Snowman

Friendly and fun, you enjoy bringing holiday cheer to everyone you know!

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

Oh Christmas tree...

2008-12-04T22:38:00.001-08:00

I put up my Christmas tree tonite. Isn't it purty? It took me a while, since I had to rearrange furniture to clear out a spot for it. And then, after I had already put the lights on the tree, when I went to turn them on, of course only half of the strand worked. Grrr. Luckily, it was just a missing bulb, and I took one off another strand to put on the other one (which is my favorite since it has two-colored bulbs). I feel so festive now ;)

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T11:02:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I have a nice, straight toe again

2008-11-25T22:24:00.000-08:00

Went to the doctor today, and he took the pin out of my toe. I was worried that it was going to hurt, but I didn't feel anything more than a tug, and then it was out. I have to keep wearing the post-op shoe for a while longer until my foot can tolerate actual shoes. Until then, it is slippers and that post-op shoe for me. It is very stiff and feels tight, but the pain isn't too bad :)

Just to gross you out, here is a pic of my foot that I took today:

The red stuff on the side of my foot is not blood. It is just some kind of liquid they use to keep the area where the stitches were protected. And yes, that is the word "yes" on my foot. I guess the doctor wrote it there so they would know which foot was being operated on - lol.

The bunion is gone....no more bump :) And tomorrow I can FINALLY take an actual shower and/or bath, without having to hang my right leg out of the tub! LOL. I tell you, my foot looked so nasty, with all the dry skin. I am so dying for that shower already!

Oh Christmas cards, oh Christmas cards...

2008-11-24T23:07:00.000-08:00

Been busy making Christmas cards (and even busier making a mess out of my kitchen - hehe). Thought I would share some of my latest cards with you :)

I just LOVE those Sizzix machines!!! lol

Be a Santa to a senior

2008-11-23T14:45:00.000-08:00

Click on the ornament to find out how :)

It ain't easy being green

2008-11-11T21:04:00.000-08:00

I got the stitches out of my foot today - woo hoo. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.I get to go back to work tomorrow, and I am actually looking forward to it.

In 2 weeks I go back to the podiatrist and have x-rays taken, and if all is well, then the pin can come out too :)

I took a pic of my foot without the bandage, but it is a tad nasty looking, so I won't post that - you can thank me later - hehe

I am updating my blog template....

2008-11-10T23:23:00.000-08:00

So my page may be funky for a few days til I finish. Just a word of warning ;)

I love the Fall

2008-11-08T23:31:00.001-08:00

Your Autumn Test Results

You are a dynamic, vibrant person. You aren't afraid to pursue your passions.

When you are happiest, you are calm. You appreciate tradition and family. You enjoy feeling cozy.

You prefer change to come slowly. You need a long transition period when your life changes.

You find love to be the most comforting thing in the world. You feel at peace when you're with your loved ones.

Your ideal day is spontaneous and surprising. You like to play things by ear, and you always end up doing something interesting.

You are very impatient. You spend more time waiting for something than actually enjoying it.

The Autumn Test

Mmmmuffins!

2008-11-08T23:22:00.001-08:00

You Are a Blueberry Muffin

You are a nurturing, domestic, homey person.
Of all the types, you are the most likely to make your own muffins at home.

You don't like to rock the boat, and you're most content when you're making everyone else happy.
You are very loyal. You'll defend your family and friends, even if you secretly disapprove of what they're doing.

You tend to be a bit shy and withdrawn. You don't make friends quickly or easily.
But once you do make a good friend, the chances are high that you'll be friends for life.

What Kind of Muffin Are You?

My kitchen table...

2008-11-08T23:19:00.000-08:00

has been turned into a card-making station - lol.

Christmas Ornaments

2008-11-07T20:18:00.000-08:00

I made my Christmas ornments last nite and they came out so cute! Check em out.

I made these with clear glass ornaments, filling them with synthetic snow, snowflake sequins, some blue beads, bells, and other misc. things that would fit in that tiny hole - lol. I made a lil pom-pom snowman with pipecleaner arms and hat and tiny black bead eyes and buttons to put inside of the ornament, using a needle and thread to attach it to the metal ornament "lid," using a glue gun to both secure the thread and to create a seal on the ornament to prevent any of the fake snow from leaking out and making a mess. I put other things in other ornaments, too, such as mini stockings (with my friends' names on them), mini ornament snowmen, candy canes and holiday light bulbs.

Here are some more pics:

I love the holidays! Now to make Christmas cards.

I have a purty, pink foot now - lol

2008-11-04T18:55:00.000-08:00

The doctor changed the bandages on my foot and put a new, smaller bandage on. Isn't it purty?

He said it is looking good. I saw it for the first time since the surgery, and it looked awful to me - lol. There is a row of stitches going up the side of my foot now and it looked red and a little bloody. Plus, there is a pin sticking out of my little toe, holding it straight in place. The x-rays showed that the toe is now straight (it was crooked before), so that is a good thing.

I get the stitches taken out on November 11th, but the pin doesn't come out for a few weeks yet. I can go back to work after the stitches are out, as long as I am sitting down 90% of the time, cuz if I do too much walking, it will cause swelling and a lot of pain. I ended up taking a Vicodin today cuz, well, I HAD to go to Michael's and then to Sam's Club (I love their soft pretzels). Don't worry....my mom drove - lol. But that was too much walking and now my foot is throbbing :(

I am working on Christmas ornaments. I will have some pictures soon :) I upzipped all my computer files too, since I can do that sitting down - hehe. I HATE having to sit around. Those 2 days after surgery where I was not allowed to do any walking but to the bathroom were hell! Sitting down gets old really fast, I tell you! Now that I CAN walk around a bit, it hurts too much to do it for too long, but at least I can clean and stuff (even if I can't take a shower yet - argh - don't worry - I have been keeping clean - LOL!)

Is it just me....

2008-11-03T12:56:00.000-08:00

or does Carrot Top look like Annie on steroids?

A clear head is a good thing to have

2008-11-03T12:37:00.000-08:00

Well, it's day 2 of no brain buzzing, so that is a very good sign. Hopefully, the worst is behind me. A clear head is a good thing to have!!! I didn't realize how much I took it for granted til now.

I should be back to my old self in no time, so watch out - hehe

My journey the hell: Living thru Cymbalta withdrawal

2008-11-01T16:22:00.000-07:00

I was prescribed Cymbalta to help with pain and sleeplessness, which were caused by fibromyalgia. After helping neither the pain or the sleeplessness, I decided to quit taking the drug. I never, not in a million years, would have thought it would be this hard.

I have never smoked or done any drugs, so I don't know what withdrawal from those things is like, but if it is anything like this, then I can totally understand how people have such a difficult time quitting.

Let me tell you something: My life before Cymbalta was just fine. I never thought of hurting myself. I never had such a short temper or had such frequent mood swings. Ever since starting taking Cymbalta, my life has not been the same. I wasn't aware of these withdrawal effects. My doctor never mentioned them. I had read over all the potential side effects when I was first prescribed it, and it all seemed reasonable. Nothing about the potential withdrawal effects tho. I guess they "forgot" about those.

I have been "tapering off" Cymbalta for nearly 2 months now, taking 1 pill every other day, then every other other day, and so on and so forth. I have now been completely off the drug for over 2 weeks, and every day is a struggle to stay sane.

I shift moods from extreme anger to extreme sadness at a drop of a hat. I have hot spells and break out into cold sweats. I have horrible nightmares that make me not want to sleep. My brain feels like it is always "buzzing." I am dizzy all of the time. My head feels like it is stuck in a pinball machine, bouncing from side to side. I can't concentrate or remember things. I am easily distracted and confused. I get these strange "brain zaps." I get stressed out very easily. My head hurts all of the time. Sometimes, I feel like I would be better off dead. I can't take much more of this head buzzing thing. It is so nerve racking! I feel like a freakin' zombie sometimes.

I never had these problems before Cymbalta. Instead of helping my problems, it has CREATED new problems for me.

For now, I am just going to continue doing what I am doing: living one day at a time. Hoping to one day have my life back. And always hoping that tomorrow will be a better, brain-zapless day.

All bandaged up, all purty like

2008-11-01T14:48:00.000-07:00

Here is my foot in the recovery stage. I am not allowed to take off the bandages or to get them wet (so no showers - lol). I have my first post op visit on the 4th. So far, it hasn't been too bad. It is sore and hurts to walk on it, but the pain hasn't been too overwhelming - whew.

i am a couch potato

2008-10-28T21:32:00.000-07:00

I am back from my surgery, and it went fine. I don't have a whole lot of pain (probably thanks to the vicodin - lol) and not a whole lot of swelling either. I have to be a couch potato for a few days - no walking except to and from the bathroom, and no removing the bandages. I am glad it is over, cuz I was a basket case stressing over it. Now I feel like I was worrying for nothing - lol.

New toy ;)

2008-10-27T21:56:00.000-07:00

I am enjoying the Sidekick so much, that I went out and bought the Big Kick. It can cut mat board, fabric, craft metal and more. I am so making all of my Christmas cards this year - hehe.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Cuddles.

2008-10-27T15:04:00.000-07:00

Cuddles strikes a happy Halloween pose.

My right foot - the pain continues

2008-10-22T22:23:00.000-07:00

I am ticked off. I was supposed to have foot surgery yesterday. But, of all the luck, the doctor was sick yesterday, so no surgery. Now I have to wait til the 28th (which is my mom's birthday - lol) to have it done. So I have to continue to hobble around with my painful foot for a few more days. Go figure.

Look what I bought for myself - hehe

2008-10-22T22:21:00.001-07:00

I have wanted a die cutting machine for just about forever. Michael's was having a 40% off sale on all their Sizzix products, so I caved and bought me one ... and some dies too :) Sales are so great! I can't wait to start using it!!!! Woo hoo. I am in craft heaven :)

Long time, no blog (again!)

2008-10-20T12:54:00.001-07:00

Ok. This is so sad. I haven't posted a blog since August! Oh man. I am such a lazy ass! lol

Well, tomorrow morning is my foot surgery to remove this Tailor's Bunion I have and to realign my little toe. I am kinda dreading it, but will be glad when it's all over and my foot is all better so I can actually go walking for more than a quarter of a mile before the pain is too unbearable to go any further. Yes, that is the point I am at now. I was able to make it thru half a day at work before it started aching and hurting, and after work I didn't even want to go to the grocery store or anywhere else because it just hurt too much to do anything. But hopefully, by this Spring, my foot will be good to go again. I am thinking "Road trip" already - lol. Ah, the power of positive thinking

My foot pre-operation:
(warning: extremely UGLY foot!)

I will be off work for 2 weeks. I just wish it was an actual vacation instead of 2 weeks laid up in bed and not being able to drive anywhere - grrrr. But oh well. I have plenty of craft projects to work on (Christmas will be here before I know it, and I have plenty of cards to make and ornaments to paint) and loads of files to unzip and organize. So I doubt I will have a lack of things to do.

I can't help but be a little nervous. After all, it has been at least 10 years since I have had any kind of surgery, and that was oral surgery. I guess I am just a scaredy cat after all.

Wish me luck!

Lots of me's - hehe

2008-08-17T12:26:00.000-07:00

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
446
people with my name in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

Go HERE to see how many people have your name.

I'm sharp! hehe

2008-07-06T21:44:00.000-07:00

You are a Knife

You are precise, determined, and detail oriented.

You mean what you say, and you say what you mean.

You enjoy taking risks and living on the edge.

You are a controversial person. You opinions tend to be divisive.

What Utensil Are You?

Long time no blog, part deux

2008-06-25T22:08:00.000-07:00

Shoot, it has been a long time since I blogged. I have been busy road trippin' on the weekends. But with gas being over $4.49 a gallon nowadays, am gonna have to limit my trips to maybe 2 a month. And I already met my quota for this month - lol. But I am going to the Easter Sierras next month. Already have a campground reservation at Rock Creek, near Mammoth Lakes. I just love that place. The Little Lakes Valley hike is gorgeous! I can't wait to go! I wanna take a drive to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite on the way back, because that place is absolutely beautiful.

You can check out my TRAVEL BLOG if you wanna check out the pictures I took on my recent trips.

I had some good news from the doctor. My MRI came back normal. Thank goodness. My back has been feeling so much better. Of course, now my knee has started hurting. But my doctor gave me a cortisone injection yesterday, and tho, while sore, it has already started to feel better. Now I have a freakin' bunion on my little toe, so I have to go to a podiatrist. But that ain't gonna stop me from that Little Lakes Valley hike. No how, no way!

I got a new car, too. A 2008 Saturn Aura, and I love it. My little Chevy Cavalier took me so many places, and I miss it, but my new car is bigger and has 4 doors, which makes it so much more convenient when I go grocery shopping....or any shopping for that matter. It has OnStar and XM Radio too, which are great. I had hit a big rock on one of my road trips (it was an unmaintained road that had a rock slide recently). Came around a hairpin turn and it was right in the middle of the road. I tried to stop, but was unable to avoid the rock, and it just messed up the poor Cavalier's transmission, oil pan and radiator. It was either hit the rock or go tumbling down the side of the mountain - lol. I am going to stick to the good roads in this new car from now on! No more rocky bumpy roads!

It has been hotter than the devil's crotch here in Bakersfield. Shoot! It was 112 or some ridiculous temperature last weekend. And it is setting up to be a blazing hot weekend this weekend too, with temps getting up into the high 90's. And with all of the wildfires burning in California, the sky is an ugly brownish color from all of the smoke. Yeah, it is just soooo lovely here in Bake-O.

Well, that's all for now. See you in another few weeks - lol.

Bork, bork, bork!!

2008-05-22T22:26:00.001-07:00

You Are the Swedish Chef

"Bork! Bork! Bork!"

Your happy and energetic - with borderline manic tendencies.

No one really gets you. And frankly, you don't even get you.

But, you sure can whip up a great chocolate mousse

The Muppet Personality Test

2008-05-13T22:55:00.001-07:00

What Your Feet Say About You:

You are pretty average in your expressiveness. You can express yourself well, but you don't always want to.

You are a very passionate person. You are highly charged and easily inspired.

You are an assertive person at times. You'll pull out all the stops to get what you want, if it's worth it.

You don't fall in love easily. It's hard for you to connect to people, and you don't have many attachments.

You are not afraid of anything. You are brave and courageous, even when most people would be terrified.

You are very practical and down to earth. You're more concerned with action than thoughts.

You are an amazingly hard worker. You aren't spoiled and you don't mind getting your hands dirty.

You are easily influenced by other people. You're quite impressionable, so you should only be around people who are a good influence.

What Do Your Feet Say About You?

My slogan is...

2008-05-13T22:52:00.001-07:00

Your Slogan Should Be

Kimberly; What You'd Eat if You Lived on Mars

The Slogan Generator

Just when you have learned to live with something....

2008-05-13T22:50:00.000-07:00

...something new comes your way. They always say, "when it rains, it pours." And ain't that the damned truth?

Well, I had x-rays done on Friday to see what was going on with my bones. I have been in so much pain lately. It hurts to walk. It hurts to sit. It hurts to lie down. It hurts....well, it hurts to live! lol.

The doctor called me back today. Ugh. You know it is never good news when the doctor calls you.

The doctor said there was inflammation in my spine. She can't rule out ankylosing spondylitis yet (basically it is a form of arthritis that affects the spine, hips, knees, etc, which could lead to spinal fusion and all that good stuff). I need to have an MRI. But she said there is a high probability that I have that, and that I will need to go on new meds (steroids and something else).

I had accepted the rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis and prepared for the road ahead. But this new possible diagnosis is really freaking me out. It sounds pretty debilitating and I am just not ready for that. I hope it isn't that. I hope I just hurt my back or something and that the pain and inflammation will go away. I am not gonna get too stressed out til I have the MRI and get the results. In the meantime, life will go on.

With a whole lot of pain, that is - lol.

Isn't getting older just soooo much fun???

Long time, no blog

2008-05-08T21:24:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a damned long time since I have actually posted a blog, and I have no real excuse. I have been busy going on road trips on the weekends. But instead of going into detail on every darned place I have been, I am simply going to say that if you want to know where I have been or what I have been up to on the weekends, you can visit MY TRAVEL BLOG to see. I am not about to re-post all of my pictures - lol. I am somewhat of a photographaholic, you know.

I was so sick on Sunday and Monday that all I did was lie in bed and curse my fate. But I am feeling a whole lot better, and the weekend is nearly here, so I am already planning my next road trip. But with gas averaging around $3.71 a gallon here in town (and it is higher everywhere else it seems), my road trip days are going to have to come to an end eventually. But not before I see Sequoia National Park, Yosemite National Park, Mammoth Lakes, Mt Tamalpais, maybe the north rim of the Grand Canyon and a drive up to the Sonoma County area...lol

Yeah, I'm the wanderer. I roam around, around, around ;)

Been a' rambling...

2008-04-27T17:13:00.002-07:00

I have been off on roadtrips most weekends, so not too much time to blog. But you can check out my other blog (click HERE) to see what I have been up to if you want :)

Sometimes you feel like a nut...

2008-04-27T17:13:00.001-07:00

You Are a Hazelnut

You are very unique and distinct. You may even freak some people out.

Most people don't really know how to interact with you.

You get along best with anyone who is super sweet.

But you really do get along with almost anyone. You just need a chance to wow them.

What Nut Are You?

2008-03-20T21:53:00.001-07:00

What Your Easter Egg Says About You

You are whimsical, spontaneous, and fun loving.

You connect well with people, but nature is your true love.

Changing locations and scenery is important to your creativity.

You are inspired by the surroundings around you

The Easter Egg Personality Test

...and the saga continues

2008-03-19T23:03:00.000-07:00

Ok. Now I have 2 addresses in the DMV system too. Apparently I live here and in South Carolina. And I am a truck driver. I have never even been to South Carolina. And I have never even driven a pickup, let alone a damned commercial truck! lol

I tell you, it just keeps getting better and better.

I'm wanted....dead or alive

2008-03-17T20:09:00.000-07:00

I am so pissed off!!! I have never been so mad in my entire life. Seriously!

It all started when I went to Death Valley National Park on Saturday. I left at 5 am, and I got to the park around 8:30 am. It started out as a beautiful day. The sun was shining. Not a cloud in the sky. I did a small hike in the sand dunes first, then I went to Scotty’s Castle and then out to the Racetrack (Which, by the way, is 27 miles of a rocky, bumpy dirt road), then to Ubehebe Crater. Boy was it cold up there!!! It was starting to get cloudy and windy, and I had to pee soooooooo bad, so I headed back. On the way back to Stovepipe Wells, I got pulled over by the park ranger because apparently I was speeding. I didn’t realize it, because I hadn’t seen a speed limit sign anywhere, and I was looking at the scenery and not at my speedometer. Well, the ranger proceeds to run my driver’s license and he comes back and tells me, to my utter shock and horror, that it had been suspended!! I was like, WTF?!?!?!?! He tells me it had been suspended due to failure to appear on a traffic ticket. In 2006! I hadn’t had a ticket since 2001. And that was the only damned ticket I had ever had in my entire life. I was dumbfounded! The park ranger was nice. He let me off with a warning. But he told me he could have had me arrested and my car impounded. I was so upset, I wanted to cry. I didn’t have a clue. Not this whole time. Apparently I had been driving on a suspended license for over a year and a half without ever having been notified. I asked the ranger how they could do that without even notifying me and he told me that California doesn’t always tell people this kind of thing. Again, more shock. Needless to say, my day was ruined. I stuck around the park and went to Badwater, Devil’s Golfcourse, Furnace Creek and Zabriske Point too, since, well, I was already there, but it just wasn’t fun. I drove the whole way home with my cruise control set to the speed limit. I was paranoid - lol.

But, wait, it gets even better.

So I called the DMV this morning. The lady there told me there was nothing they could do. The court had to take care of it. She gave me the number, and I called the court. The lady on the phone at the court told me that the ticket was for a mutilated or destroyed license, and that it was for a Kimberly Ann Perkins (That is NOT my middle name) and it was issued on a vehicle with South Carolina plates, and it was a big rig of all things! Do I freakin’ look like I drive a big rig?!?!?! The lady then told me that if a driver’s license is mutilated and they are unable to read the number, they send it to the DMV who then looks people up in their database who fit the name and date of birth. I guess I was the unlucky one, as this Kimberly Ann chick has the same date of birth as me. Of all the freakin’ luck!

She then tells me to go to DMV and explain the situation. So I took off from work and went to the DMV with my mom. The supervisor at DMV was an arrogant, rude beeeyotch. She treated me like I was a freakin’ criminal. Telling me that "how do I know you weren’t driving someone else’s car," and "you should have gotten something in the mail," and all this crap, basically trying to get rid of me. I was so pissed that I started crying (lol). And the lady was rude to my mom too. Ugh. She told me that the court had to fix this. Man, I was mad!

So, my mom and dad and I all went down to the court and spoke to them in person about this. I requested a hard copy of this ticket so I could see it. But I can’t get anything done about it til March 25th. I have to go before the judge and everything. All for something that I did not do!!!!!! I can’t believe this happened to me. But the supervisor at the court told me that DMV does this kind of thing all of the time. It is a scary thought.

So, now I have to have my mom take me to work and pick me up all week cuz I am too afraid to drive. I don’t want my ass landed in jail or something. It is so ridiculous! And just damned wrong.

So, be aware, all you California drivers. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.

Where is that damned Irish luck anyway? I want some!

I love spring!

2008-03-09T22:07:00.000-07:00

I love spring! It isn't even officially here yet, but damn, I love it. The weather is finally getting warmer and with daylight savings time, the daylight is lasting longer.

And that is fine with me. I love it!

In the last 2 weeks, I have gone to a national park, a national monument, a state park and a wildlife refuge. Did I mention that I love spring?? Spring time means road trippin' time, and everyone knows I love a good road trip...even if it means driving all day and into the night. It gives me an excuse to use my camera. Not that I need an excuse or anything.

Anyway, I posted some pics of my trips on my blog. Click HERE to see them.

I plan on going to Death Valley this upcoming weekend. I heard it is purty out there right now.

I love spring!!! lol

mmm spicy!

2008-02-25T22:40:00.000-08:00

You Are Cilantro

The bad news is that there are some people who can't stand you.

The good news is that most people love you more than anything else in the world.

You are distinct, unusual, fresh, and very controversial. And you wouldn't have it any other way.

What Spice Are You?

Say What?

2008-02-25T22:34:00.001-08:00

You Are a Question Mark

You seek knowledge and insight in every form possible. You love learning.

And while you know a lot, you don't act like a know it all. You're open to learning you're wrong.

You ask a lot of questions, collect a lot of data, and always dig deep to find out more.

You're naturally curious and inquisitive. You jump to ask a question when the opportunity arises.

Your friends see you as interesting, insightful, and thought provoking.

(But they're not always up for the intense inquisitions that you love!)

You excel in: Higher education

You get along best with: The Comma

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

Besame mucho, damnit!

2008-02-12T23:04:00.000-08:00

Your Candy Heart Says "First Kiss"

You're a true romantic who brings an innocent hope to each new relationship.

You see the good in every person you date, and you relish each step of falling in love.

Your ideal Valentine's Day date: a romantic dinner your sweetie cooks for you

Your flirting style: friendly and sweet

What turns you off: cynics who don't believe in romance

Why you're hot: you always keep the romance alive

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

I am fruity - hehe

2008-02-12T22:56:00.001-08:00

You Are a Banana

You are mellow, easy going, and a total softie on the inside.

People find it really easy to get along with you. You suit most tastes.

And while you're very sweet, you're not boring or ordinary.

You have an attraction to the exotic, and you could show up anywhere... doing almost anything!

You are spirited, energetic, and a total kick to be around.

You're also quite funny. Your sense of humor is on the goofy side, and it fits you well.

What Type of Fruit Are You?

Cleaning House Is A Job And A Half!

2008-02-08T16:10:00.001-08:00

I have been on vacation all week, and what did I do? Cleaned. I cleaned every room of my apartment, plus the patio and porch. I must have lugged 10 bags of trash down to the dumpster (plus a broken coffee table and an old computer desk chair). So that could be the reason my back is in pain. Oh lord. I must have pulled a muscle (or 2 or 3) cuz damn! When I breathe in, it feels like someone is stabbing me with a knife. Ouch.

Not only did I clean, but I also made Valentine treats for my unit at work, and finished up a few little craft projects I had set aside from before. I organized my closet and all of my craft and scrapbooking supplies. I have done a lot of stuff over this week. Now, all I have left to do is laundry and touch up paint on the walls. I feel pretty proud of myself for not slacking off - lol.

Now, I am gonna take some Advil and lie down. I think I deserve break...or 2

The Story of The Soggy Cellphone ... Or Bathtime for Blackberry

2008-01-27T22:19:00.000-08:00

I broke my Blackberry (oh no she didn't! ) Oh yes I did. I sure as hell did.

I have been having these memory problems, which my doctor has told me is probably due to my sleep deprivation. (more on that later). It is annoying, yet useful, as it gives me an excuse for being so air-headed and flakey. Well, I had gotten a phone call from my brother, which was short, since he very rarely has anything useful or informational or SANE to tell me (sorry bro - hehe). So, as usual, I hung up on him. Then I put my cell phone in my robe pocket as I was getting ready to take a nice bubble bath. Well, I went into the bathroom, leaned over to check the water temp, and SPLASH....my Blackberry plops right into the tub. Frantic, I searched thru the bubbles for it, and finally found it. I immediately shut it off and took out the battery, then I tried to blow dry the thing...using cool air on a low setting. (see I was thinking! hehe). I tried to turn it on (BAD idea, as I was later to find out....I guess I wasn't thinking too smartly after all), and it came on, then fizzled out. Blackness. That's all there was....blackness.

Luckily, my SIM card wasn't damaged. And even luckier for me, I found my old cell phone and charger, so I at least had a working phone. But I was sooooooo pissed off at myself for breaking the damned phone to begin with. I had never broken or lost a cell phone before this. And I have had at least 6 or 7 cell phones over the years. Bad me! BAD BAD BAD ME!

I have tried it again and again over the last 5 or 6 days, and the screen will come on for a few moments, then black out again. I guess it is broken for good.

So, I ordered a new phone, cuz, well, I needed a new one (one that has internet and music and all that good stuff on it - yeah, I am a nerd). I got it on Wednesday night. By Thursday morning, I was having a heart attack thinking I had already lost it.

I had a dr appointment on Thurs morning, so I thought I would get some gas before I went to the appointment. I stopped at Mobil and got some gas and went to the dr office. I opened my purse to write a check for my copay, and was shocked and horrified to find that my cell phone was not there. I looked all over my car (or so I thought) ...under the seats, in the back seat...but no phone. I was so stressed out! Cuz not only had I lost the cell phone I had gotten the night before, but also lost my SIM card. UGH!

So, I went to my appointment, and my blood pressure was like 130 over 82 (I am normally 120 over 80). I was so friggin' stressed out. My dr prescribed me trazodone (to help me sleep, since I don't freakin' sleep!) and lyrica for the pain. She basically said most, if not all of my problems (pain, memory loss, stiffness, etc) are probably linked to my sleep deprivation. So that made me feel a tad better.

I got home and looked under my couch, since my purse had fallen on the floor before I left the house. But no cell phone. I was in full panic mode by this time. I searched my bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room....still no cell phone. So I decided to look out in my car one more time.Just as I was about to give up and pledge to never own another cell phone again, I found the damned thing. Wanna know where it was??? On the passenger side, on the floor mat. Freakin' A! Am I truly that blind??? I guess I am. After all that stress, it was in my car the whole time.

At that point, I decided I should not leave the house for the rest of the day. It was just safer for everyone that way.

God Hates You, Westboro Baptists

2008-01-23T20:06:00.000-08:00

I heard some news this morning that has been angering me all day long. I heard that that lame-ass Westboro "Baptist" Church group who hates gays and pickets the funerals of soldiers is going to picket at Heath Ledger's funeral. Why? Because he supposedly "promoted" homosexuality by portraying a gay cowboy in Brokeback Mountain.

People like these assholes make me ashamed to be a human being. What kind of inhuman, unfeeling person would picket at a person's funeral??? (you would think that a group of hatemongers like them would be celebrating a funeral, not picketing.) That is just not right. It is so not right on soooo many levels. Who gave them a right to judge people? Don't they remember God's decree of "Judge not, less ye be judged?" Why don't you see them picketing at funerals of people who have played serial killers and monsters in movies? Shouldn't they be doing that too? I mean, if you are gonna picket one thing, you gotta picket it all. You have to be consistent (haha). None of it makes any sense whatsoever. They say they believe in God. They call themselves "Baptists." Assholes would be a better name for them. Yeah. The Church of Inbred White Trash Ignorant Assholes. Has a nice ring to it, don't ya think?

They have a website. You wanna know the website's address? It is godhatesfags.com. Yeah. That's really what it is. I checked it out. You wanna know what the "welcome" message says on the website? It says "welcome depraved sons and daughters of Adam." You wanna know what one of their little logos is? It is an upside down US flag. They apparently hate West Virginia, Sweden, Mexico, and a whole bunch of other places. They hate the US (well then move the fuck out of here, you fuckers!) They have signs that say, "God Hates You," and "God Hates Fag Enablers." I have many friends who are gay. God MUST hate me. Yeah right. How a group of people can be so intolerant and ignorant is beyond me. It angers me that these people think they have the right to go around picketing at people's funerals. Sure. We have a thing in this country called Freedom of Speech. But what about common decency? Whatever happened to respect?

I looked at their website, and threw up in my mouth a little when I read their "blog" about Heath Ledger's death. I wanted to leave them a little hateful comment, but I guess they don't allow comments. Cowards!

All I can hope is that one day when this world is over and they have to stand before God and be judged, that God throws them down into the pit of hell and they have to spend all eternity being anally raped by Satan.

Now that would be justice.

Went to see Cloverfield today...

2008-01-19T23:28:00.001-08:00

Freakin' awesome movie. Starts off slow and then BOOM!

Disaster.....destruction....carnage. I loved the movie. My mom and bro didn't seem too impressed, but that's too bad for them. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a real nailbiter. I literally was biting my nails - lol. It was the first movie I had seen in the theatre in a long, long time. And what a trip it was.

I'm not going crazy...I'm not going crazy...I'm not!

2008-01-09T22:25:00.000-08:00

I'm not going crazy....Somehow, I feel like if I keep telling myself that I am not going crazy, then everything will be ok. But, oh good lord, I seriously feel like I am going insane!!!!!!

My head....oh my head. I really just want a head transplant. Do they do those yet??

This dizzy/empty/crazy head feeling I have is going to lead me to a loony bin. In the morning, I am ok. The "weird head" feeling is not so bad. But by midday, I just can't take it anymore! UGH! I have had this feeling for like a month and it seems to have gotten worse. What the hell is wrong with me??????????

For those people who have never experienced "weird head" (for lack of a better description), consider yourselves lucky bastards. Cuz this shit is driving me crazier than Britney Spears at a Cheetos convention. I have been reading up on it on-line, and I am just SO glad that there are other people out there too who have had this. At least it is not just me.

This is what it feels like: When I look left or right, it feels like my eyes are moving faster than my brain. It is not so bad when I look up or down. It is this strange, pulsating feeling in my head that also affects my eyes and ears. I cannot tolerate loud noises. When someone is talking really loud next to me, my ears seem to shut off and I feel that strange pulsating feeling in my ears, too. Like a rush almost. But definitely not a good rush! I am almost always dizzy or feel lightheaded. I will be sitting at work looking at the computer, doing my work, and when I look away, I feel like the room is spinning. Like vertigo almost.

Maybe it has something to do with my ears, since an ear injury, infection or disease can really mess with your equillibrium. (and lord knows I am already clumsy enough as it is!!) Of course, one website says this dizziness can also be caused by an autoimmune disease....and I have one (or two - depending on which friggin doctor you talk to) of those. I know it's from none of my medications, cuz I have been taking the same stuff for a long time now.

All I know, is that this "weird head" thing I have is literally driving me crazy. I can't concentrate. I can't sleep. I have disturbing dreams. I get these weird "brain fogs" where I can't remember people's names or simple stuff like that. So, if I don't remember your name right away, I am not being rude. Honest. I just can't think straight!

One thing is for sure...if this shit does not go away soon, I am going to go insane.

It literally feels like this room is located on top of the ocean. I feel like I am on a boat - LOL!!!

It is funny, and it's not. I have a dr appt next month. But I may have to reschedule it sooner if this doesn't go away. I don't know how much longer I can put up with this.

And oh yeah. I am also going thru one of the worst RA flare-ups I have had in a long while. Pain really sucks. And pain and dizziness really sucks big hairy donkey balls (you can thank me for that lovely visual if you want ). My legs are stiff all day long. I walk like I am 80 years old. Every joint in my body is just a mess of pain. My skin even hurts to touch. My left knee is hurting me again. It felt pretty good last year after the cortisone shot. But I think the shot has worn off now -lol. To make a long story short, I am a mess - lol.

I know this was a pretty depressing post, but I had to get it out. Maybe I am secretly hoping someone will comment saying, "yeah. I had that weird head thing too and it went away and never came back."

Freakin' a - I am going to bed and TRY my best to sleep for more than 2 hours without waking up.

And please......no more dreams about falling off of cliffs or jumping into pools of boiling lava. For heaven's sake...please brain, please be nice to me tonite. lol

Me , cheesy? no way! lol

2008-01-09T20:11:00.000-08:00

You Belong in 1988

Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day.

What Year Do You Belong In?

2008-01-09T20:05:00.000-08:00

Your Slanguage Profile

Aussie Slang: 75%

Canadian Slang: 50%

Southern Slang: 50%

Victorian Slang: 50%

British Slang: 25%

New England Slang: 25%

What Slanguage Do You Speak?

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T00:30:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!

Just waiting around til my friend calls me to come pick her up from the bar - lol. I am the DD, but I didn't go out. I was just not up to it. I am still getting over this cold, and frankly, I don't want it to come back! But I do resolve to go out next year to ring in the New Year.

That is my only resolution. I don't normally do resolutions, but what the heck. It can't hurt

I have to go back to my mess of a living room. I am in the middle of "project organization." I am organizing my craft supplies and computer supplies. But to organize, you must first make a mess. And I sure have succeeded in that step - hehe.

Happy 2008!!!

--- someday I may even get around to revamping my blog template...but not tonite ;)

Merry Sick-Mas

2007-12-24T22:20:00.000-08:00

Once again, I am sick for Christmas. How did Santa know I wanted a cold for Christmas?! So while you are all enjoying your turkey or ham and opening presents, think of me. I will be sneezing and coughing and shivering under blankets and eating soup for dinner - lol.

Anyway, I want to wish everyone a very merry (and, hopefully, sick-free) Christmas. Be safe out there! You know the streets are full of crazy drivers!! Don't drink too much egg nog or eat too much (or any) fruitcake.

By the way, A Christmas Story is on tv....if you miss it, don't worry. It will be running for a full 24 hours on TBS. If you haven't seen it yet (and if you haven't, what planet have you been living on????), watch it. It is hilarious!!!!!!

May your days be merry and bright. Keep your tongues off frozen flagpoles, no matter if someone triple-dog dares you to! And for heaven's sake, don't shoot your eye out!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

I'm a nerd...and I'm pretty proud of it

2007-12-21T21:49:00.001-08:00

'Tis The Season

2007-12-18T22:17:00.000-08:00

am very work-stressed right now. They just dumped something like 60 cases on me...90% of which are Spanish-speaking, and the most Spanish I speak is besame culo....kiss my ass. Yeah. 'Tis the season to be stressed!

So I apologize, in advance, if I come across as rude or asshole-ish to anyone.

This advance apology is good until after I am done with these cases , which may be a while .... hehe

Oh...one thing that made me laugh today is hearing that Britney Spears's lil sister, who is 16, is pregnant.

That's what happens when you have this whack-job

for a sister.

Thanks Spears family, for making me feel better about myself.

HO HO HO

2007-12-17T20:40:00.000-08:00

Home for the holidaze

2007-12-16T20:29:00.000-08:00

I am all done with Christmas shopping. I even went to the post office on Friday to mail Christmas packages to my far away friends. Ugh. The line wasn't too long at the post office, but this one lady was just asking question after question. I was holding packages in my hands and just praying for her to leave before I dropped the presents. Luckily, I was able to hold on to em. Tomorrow, I am mailing out all my Christmas cards. After that is done, I will be all done with Christmas stuff :)

I thought the post office took a long time, but Kinko's was even worse. I went to make color copies and (of course) only 1 color copier was working. Grrrr. So, about 25 minutes later, I left with my 10 copies. Sheesh.

Anyway, not much else has been happening. It is cold. I hate going outside in the morning to go to work. I hate that it is Sunday. I am just so full of hate lately! lol. I got soooo sick on Monday. I ate some eggs from the cafeteria that tasted funny and about an hour later, my tummy was hurting and I got so sick and I went home early. I am not eating cafeteria eggs anymore!!!!!

I have a mess in my apartment. Between the Christmas craft-fest and present wrapping, it looks like Michael's exploded in here. Now, I have to try to find space to put everything away. I think that might take a while

Here are some pics of my messy room...

Punkin and Cuddles are now officially cage-mates. I put them together on Friday in a "neutral" zone to see how they would react to each other. Of course, there was some rumblings and pouting, but there was no fighting, so that was a good sign. There is still some rumbling in their house, but that is just the 2 of them trying to be each other's boss. It really is quite funny to see the 2 of them playing follow the leader. They are so entertaining - lol.

Here is a more recent pic of Cuddles...

She is just so cute!!!

I am so gosh-darned tired tonite. I realy don't wanna work tomorrow.

2007-12-16T12:48:00.000-08:00

Your Elf Name Is...

Twinkles Snowballer

What's Your Elf Name?

Of course I was nice...I am always nice - wink

2007-12-16T12:47:00.001-08:00

You Were Nice This Year

You Were 40% Naughty, 60% Nice

Okay, so you weren't *entirely* nice this year
But Santa doesn't expect a modern girl to be perfect
You were good enough - and you'll be rewarded for it

Were You a Naughty Girl or Nice Girl this Year?

Yumm!

2007-12-16T12:44:00.000-08:00

You Are a Gingerbread House

A little spicy and a little sweet, anyone would like to be lost in the woods with you.

What Holiday Food Are You?

I have a very shiny nose

2007-12-16T12:43:00.001-08:00

You Are Rudolph

Sweet and shy, you tend to be happiest when you're making someone else happy.

Why You're Naughty: You sometimes stick that nose where it doesn't belong

Why You're Nice: Christmas would be a sad affair without you!

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

Stupid Things I Did Today

2007-12-04T20:03:00.000-08:00

Just to show everyone how much of a dork I really am, today after I had shut down my computer and was getting ready to leave work, I went to turn off the light above my computer and turned on the computer instead.

And this morning as I was leaving for work, I "found" my sunglasses on the 3rd peg on my key/mail holder, exactly where they had been hanging since Saturday. I went to work on Monday thinking I had lost them, because they are usually hanging on the 1st peg along with my keys. Had I looked a little to the right, I would have seen them. I really need to start seeing the big picture.

Not only am I a dork, I am a blind dork!

Long time, no blog

2007-12-03T22:11:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I know it's been a while since I have blogged, but for a while my internet connection sucked! The Bright House guy came out and replaced my modem, so I am back in business

I had a super busy weekend. I went Christmas shopping on Friday...pretty much all day. Went to Target, Borders, the Gold Crown store, PetCo, Barnes and Nobles...everywhere! But I got pretty much all of it done that day. Then I came home and did some online shopping. Then all evening I spent hot gluing ornaments together. Big fun - hehe. By the time I was done, it was near midnight and I was tired! But I stayed up and watched some tv, and by the time I went to bed, it was almost 3 am.

Saturday, oh my lord! I went to Michaels because I had forgotten to buy more glue sticks (DUH!). Big mistake. It was hella busy, and just dealing with the parking lot was enough to raise my blood pressure sky high. By the time I found a place to park, I was fuming mad! lol. People just don't know how to friggin' drive! But I got what I went there for and went to a few more places and then went home.

Then, the guinea pig cage saga began. About 2 weeks ago, I had ordered this plastic bottom to make a cage out of for my lil Punkin, since she needed a bigger house. Well, apparently the seller got the address wrong, because when I called UPS to check on the package status, it said it had been delivered...to someone named Scott. Well, it turns out the seller put the wrong apartment number on the box. The UPS lady told me what apt it went to, so I went to that apartment to see if the dude was home.

Now, there is this dude in my apartment complex, who, like the building, is, well , complex. He can be seen around the building walking and talking to himself. Well, it is more like cussing to himself. I have heard him on several occasions telling himself that he is gonna "kill em all." (who "em all" is, I am not sure. I just hope I am not one of them - hehe). Well I often refer to him as my "scary neighbor." When I was walking to the door of the dude who got my package's apartment, I was just praying it wasn't the scary neighbor. It was. Yikes. But he gave the package to me after I told him who I was and what had happened. Turns out scary neighbor wasn't so scary after all.

Well putting the damned cage together wasn't so hard. It was just labor intensive - lol. I had to move all the furniture and stuff on the right side of the living room to the left side and vice versa. It took a while - lol. The I had to put the cage together, which was a source of pain for me, since I pinched my damned fingers between the wire panels on several occasions. But, all in all, it wasn't so bad, and Punkin is much happier now in her deluxe condo This is how it looks...

It has a loft and a ramp (which I made - hehe) and everything. Pretty nice digs, huh?

Well, after I built the cage and stuff, Alicia, Alana and I went out to Don Perico's and had some dinner. I was starvin' by that time, and my head was pounding. But the food was yummy. I even had some left over for lunch the next day.

Well, sometime during the night, Peanut, one of my hamsters, managed to become an escape artist and got out of his cage. I noticed he was missing on Sunday morning, and I, once again, had to move furniture around in an effort to find the little critter. After ruling out my bedroom, the bathroom and most all of the furniture in the living room, I figured he was either 1) under the fridge, or 2) under my entertainment center...neifher of which I even attempted to move (that would have resulted in another strained back muscle....which I had already managed to do earlier in the week... or perhaps broken bones - lol).

I set out some food in the middle of the living room with a trail of it leading up the cage door, hoping he would follow it into the cage. Well, around 10:30 pm, I walked out to the living room to get some paper and low and behold, there was little Peanut, munching away on some carrots I had left out for him. I put him back in his cage and made sure it was escape proof this time. I don't want to move any more damned furniture!!!!!!!!

Today after work, I went by Petco to get a little bed for the mini monsters, Flip and Truffle (the dwarf hamsters), and I saw the cutest guinea pig. I have been meaning to get a friend for Punkin, since they are social critters and like the company of another piggy, so I bought her and took her home. Her name is Cuddles, and here she is....

She is super sweet and also super shy. But she will be a good playmate for Punkin, who I am sure is lonely. I have to keep her isolated for a few weeks, just to make sure she doesn't get sick or anything. So right now, she is occupying Punkin's old house.

Oh, this is Flip, one of the dwarf hamsters...

(Truffle looks just like him - lol)

And here is Pretzel...

I got him after Lil Oreo died. He is a cutie and is just as sweet as Peanut.

Well, that is all I have to report for now - lol.

My new little buddy

2007-11-04T19:24:00.000-08:00

Well, after Lil Oreo died, I had to get another little buddy. I was originally gonna get another hamster, but after a trip to PetCo, I saw the cutest little Guinea Pig ever. She HAD to come home with me. Just take a look at her cute lil face...

Her name is Punkin. The name suits her well. She had the cutest little mohawk "hairdo" when I bought her, and she looked like a punk rocker - lol. She is so shy right now, but I am sure she will warm up to me soon. It took a while for dear old Lil Oreo and Peanut to get over their shyness, and now, Peanut is so friendly and sweet. So was Lil Oreo. But she sure had a feisty side to her - lol.

Well, aside from the pet stuff, not much else is happening. This time change is sure crazy though. It feels so much later than 7:20. And I can't believe it is already November! It is almost Christmas. Damn! I have my supervisor test on Wednesday. We'll see how that goes - lol.

It was a sad day...

2007-11-03T22:19:00.000-07:00

My little buddy, Lil Oreo passed on to the great exercise wheel in the sky yesterday. She was nearly 3 years old, which is very old for a hamster. (the average life span of a hamster is 2 years). She led a long, happy hamster life. Rest in peace, little buddy. Rest in peace.

Lil Oreo - October 27, 2007

I seriously have the worst luck!

2007-10-29T22:37:00.000-07:00

Today sucked. It just sucked! First of all, it is Monday, and that is bad enough. It is freakin' cold at work, so I was wearing my jacket all day long. Then, the new meds the doctor put me on made me soooo sleepy that I skipped lunch to take a nap at my desk. And now I have cotton mouth on top of it. Damned medicine!

Well, after work, I went outside to my car and it is just nasty looking...and windy as all hell. Driving home was pretty awful with all the leaves and dust kicking up in my windshield. Got to my folks' house ok. But about a half an hour later, my bro walks in and says "What happened to your license plate?" I was like, "huh?" He said it was missing. GRRRR! Some ass munch stole my frickin' license plate...the whole damned thing....holder and all. So I had to call the police and make a report. They said they would contact me within the next 48 hours and then I can go to the DMV and get replacement plates. Of course, I have to PAY for those, plus a new registration card (cuz now I will have new plates) and registration stickers. I am so mad I could spit! I know it happened at work, because the plate was on my car this morning when I left for work. I swear, there are assholes everywhere!

Well, we had quite a thunder-and-lightning show tonite. It was freakin' awesome! My mom, of course, hated it. I don't think the people who are without electricity right now thought it was so awesome though. But I thought it rocked! Plus, we need rain! With all the wildfires down south, some more rain would be more than welcome. I guess my cousin is working down there helping to put out the fires. My aunt said he told her that he had never seen flames that high before. Crazy, I tell you.

Well, I am still pissed about my license plate. I had just recently memorized the damned thing, and now I am gonna have to memorize another one. I just hope I don't get pulled over for not having one.

But knowing my luck (or lack thereof), I will.

Say Cheese !

2007-10-21T20:04:00.000-07:00

Peanut's Halloween Picture

2007-10-21T19:30:00.000-07:00

Lil Oreo's Halloween Picture

2007-10-21T19:29:00.000-07:00

Long time, no blog

2007-10-21T14:58:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't blogged in a long time, but there hasn't been much to blog about really. It's been the same old same old for quite some time. And I am afraid the same old same old is just here to stay. Not much happens in Bakersfield. And not much happens to me - lol. But I guess that is a good thing.

I am going to the dermatologist tomorrow to have a mole removed...the one on my forehead that I have had for years and years. No, it's not for cosmetic reasons, and no, it's not cancer. It is just annoying! I always hit it with my comb or brush, which just makes it bleed and hurt, and I have burned it a few times with the curling iron. It has just got to go! And by tomorrow afternoon, it will be gone, gone, gone. Yeah, it will probably hurt, but I don't care. Good riddance, mole.

Fall has finally arrved. No more 100 degree days. It has actually turned quite cold. I am having to actually sleep under the covers - lol. I just hope we get some rain this year. It has been so darned dry. I went to Yosemite a few weeks ago with my folks, and the waterfalls were not falling. They were all dried up. And today I heard on the news that a wildfire is buring in Malibu. All the dry grass and the Santa Ana winds have made it hard to contain. I heard it is even threatening Pepperdine University.

Well, that is all the news I have had to report. Sooooo very interesting, huh.

Fun with Photoshop - hehe

2007-09-22T00:38:00.000-07:00

I heard OJ is already working on his next book ...

Ain't Photoshop just the best thing ever? ;)

Does anyone else find this just a TAD odd??

2007-09-22T00:36:00.000-07:00

As many people know, I have had an ear infection. Well, now my freakin' left ear is plugged up and I feel like I am constantly in a tunnel. I hate having plugged up ears. So much so that I went to the store today and bought some ear drops. When I got home and read the label, I was slightly disturbed by one of the ingredients....

Did you see that??? FLAVOR?! What the frig is FLAVOR doing as an ingredient on an ear wax removal product? Are the makers of this product concerned with how people think it tastes? Who the hell eats ear wax removal drops? Ummm....nevermind. I don't want to know.

Is it just me or is this weird???

My friend Arlene had a book published!

2007-09-07T10:03:00.000-07:00

My friend Arlene has had her book of poetry published. Too cool! It is available online now, and will be out in the bookstores on December 4th. Check it out HERE

I am back!!!

2007-09-03T20:34:00.000-07:00

Well, I am back from my trip. I had a great time...aside from the long ass drive. I was so tired when I got home on Saturday nite. Soooo tired. I have posted pics on my blog. Click HERE to see if you wanna. I haven't posted a narrative of the trip yet since I am still tired and it took a long time to post all the pics. Plus I have an ear infection and a freakin' headache right now so it will just have to wait. I am not in the mood to write a long ass story right now - lol. Enjoy the pics :)

Yay, vacation!

2007-08-28T18:41:00.000-07:00

Well, I am off for 6 days, and I am off to another adventure. This time, I am going to Crater Lake National Park in Oregon and to Redwood National Park in northern California. I am leaving around 4 am and will hopefully get to Crater Lake by mid afternoon. (it's about 643 miles from here - close to a 10-hour drive - yipes!) I got my maps ready, my gas tank is full and I got my camera all ready to take tons of pictures :)

I wasn't really sure til about yesterday whether or not I wanted to go. But I figure since Crater Lake is only accessible for a few months out of the year (late June thru September - the roads are often closed due to snow - they get some 44 feet of snow a year up there), I better go now or I will have to wait til next summer. And while I am up there, why not check out Redwood Ntl Park, too? It is only about 3 hours from there.

So I am outta here for a few days. Happy trails to me!

Happy computer...happy feet...we're all happy here

2007-08-20T23:53:00.000-07:00

I have been living with a slow internet connection for quite some time. And it has been bugging the crap outta me. I get soooo impatient with the damned thing! And lord knows, an impatient me is a MEAN me. There were many times I have been tempted to kick this damned computer down the stairs.

But, after reading up some on the internet (though it took a while for the page to load up - hehe), I found a solution. Ditch the lousy Radio Shack cable splitter I have been using forever and upgrade to a better quality splitter. I went to BEst Buy and bought 2 2-way Monster spiltters (at $19.99 a piece mind you). And what do you know?? It worked! Now pages load much faster and that makes me a happier person. And a much happier me equals an unkicked computer.

I am sure it is thanking me right now.

By the way, I have to use a splitter since my apartment has only 1 cable hookup and it is in the living room. Yes, just one. But I can't complain. I don't have a separate cable tv bill since it is included in the rent ;)

Ahhhh happy me. I ordered 2 pairs of shoes online after a fruitless search for cute size 10 shoes here in town. It is too hot outside to be fooling around going store to store trying on shoes. I just don't have the patience. Had I been lucky enough to have a size 7 or 8 foot, I would have come home with some shoes. But alas, I have big tuna boat feet. Luckily for me though, Famous Footwear is having a buy-one-get-one-half off sale and it also applies to their online store - and they have free shipping. I spent only $56 for 2 pairs of shoes.More happiness for me! Happy feet for me too.

Even more happiness is coming up for me too. I have some vacation time coming up next week. I am still not sure whether or not I will make the journey up to Oregon to Crater Lake, but I sure want to. We shall see. If not, I will enjoy the time off anyhow. Maybe go to the beach or Sequoia Ntl Park or something else. In any case, the folks and I are going to Lake Tahoe in October for a few days. So even if I don't make a trip on my vacation, I will still have Tahoe to look forward to.

On a less than happy note, we lost another worker in my unit, so I got his leftover cases. Oh well. More work makes the day go by faster at least.

On a completely unrelated note, but a very funny one (to me at least), I read that Steven Seagal claims that the FBI investigation on him ruined his career. HA! His ACTING ruined his career. I don't know how the hell he got a movie career in the first place. He sucks! He is about as talented as Britney Spears. Maybe the two of them should do a film together. It would be a fabulous train wreck. (hmmm...maybe a movie about a train wreck....but I digress)

Speaking of Britney Spears....the bitch is crazy.

I am going to bed.

Scattergories

2007-08-06T19:27:00.000-07:00

This is hard - especially when your name starts with a K!

SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks! Copy and paste into a new blog. *Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following... *they have to be real places, names, things...nothing made up!

Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.

What is your name? Kimberly
4 letter word: Kink
Vehicle: Kia
TV Show: Kimba The White Lion
City: Knoxville
Boy Name: Kyle
Girl Name: Kelly
Alcholic Drink: Kamikaze

Occupation: Killer - hehe
Something you wear: Khakis
Celebrity: Kyle McLachlan
Food: Kiwi

Something found in a bathroom: Kinky hairs - hahaha
Reason for Being Late: Killer headache
Cartoon Character: Kim Possible
Something You Shout: Kinky people!!

It is too danged hot here!

2007-08-02T21:43:00.000-07:00

For the last 3 weeks, I have been in hell...aka work...up to my neck in cases and Spanish speaking clients who I can't talk to because, hello, I am a gringo. But at last, I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I have 2 pending cases left. Yes, I got thru about 80 or so cases in 3 weeks. I totally rock - lol.

But oh lord it sure caused me a headache (or 2). I went home early on Monday with the worst migraine I have had in a long, long time. There is nothing like a nice dark, quiet room when you have a migraine.

I had more good news this week, too. My car insurance went down by about $20 a month. Cha-Ching! It pays to be a good driver - hehe.

I bought "Hot Fuzz" on DVD when it came out on Tuesday. That movie is so hella funny. I loved it! It was deliriously hilarious. I haven't laughed that hard during a movie since I saw "Team America!"

Only a few more weeks til my vacation. Gosh, I so need it right about now. It will be nice to get out of this hot-ass town. It has been over 100 degrees for the last week. I think it is actually supposed to drop below 100 by Saturday (only supposed to be 99 that day - ha ha). It is 9:30 pm and it is still 90 degrees outside. Ugh. Summer sucks!

My new hat

2007-07-29T20:52:00.000-07:00

Isn't it just totally me???

Bakersfield sign "art"

2007-07-29T20:42:00.000-07:00

Shame on people for defacing perfectly innocent Wal Mart signs ... shame on people!!!

Too freakin' funy!

This is me....

2007-07-28T21:06:00.000-07:00

Simpsonized!!!

You can do it yourself, too. Go here.....http://www.simpsonizeme.com

Confessions of a Whiner and Complainer

2007-07-22T14:34:00.000-07:00

OK - So I have been doing a whole hell of a lot of complaining about work lately, and I know I sound like a whiner. But this is the deal....it is hot, I am PMS'ing and I am stressed. So I have a right to whine, damnit! lol. Anyway, it is pretty stressful having all of these cases due at once, but I am dealing. And I am working on them as fast as my stubby little fingers can type. Someday I will be able to relax again. Someday.

But I do have one little piece of happiness. At the all staff meeting at work on Friday, I got an award! Yes...me! I guess people do appreciate me after all. It really made me week so much better. I tell you, on Thursday I was ready to just up and quit. But now, I feel better. It is amazing what a piece of paper and a candle will do for a person's ego - lol.

I got a new cell phone this week. I got a Blackberry Pearl, and it rocks! I am having issues with picture messaging, which I will have fixed by tomorrow (when I have access to another phone - lol - I only have the cell phone here in my apt - no need for a land line, too - or so I thought). Anyway, I love my new cell phone. It will come in handy on road trips when I need to get a map or find a hotel - hehe.

The weather has been hot - but that is normal for summer. It has been in the 90's , but I heard the 100's are gonna make a comeback next week :( All I know is that I am tired of being hot. And so is my head. I had such a bad headache yesterday that I took a nap to sleep it out. But when I woke up, it was still there. I ended up falling asleep early and waking up in the middle of the night at 3:30 am and couldn't fall back asleep. Now I am sleepy again - lol. Nap time!

Just call me.....

2007-07-08T21:54:00.000-07:00

More Fun Quizzes at QuizPox.com

So hot, hot, hot

2007-07-05T20:50:00.000-07:00

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know I haven't blogged in a very long time, but then not much has happened in a very long time. It is damned hot today. It got up to at least 110 degrees today. It is 8:30 pm and it is still 102 outside. Ugh. I am sure I have said this before many times, but it bears repeating ... I hate the summers here.

I was sick last week. Fever, nausea, body aches....I had it all...including some unmentionable things too. It sucked ass. The week before, I had pulled a muscle in my back and it hurt like hell. I left work early and went home and laid down on my bed with pillows and smelling of Icy Hot (which REEKS by the way). I went to work the next day and brought my heating pad and a pillow. I just have had a run of bad luck lately.

Last weekend, Alicia dragged me out to the bar. I was the designated driver . But I had a fun time.You don't need to drink to have fun....especially when Alicia is around. She is hella funny when she is drunk. It was very entertaining. hehehehe

The 100+ degree weather is supposed to last thru next week. That doesn't thrill me one bit. In fact, it makes me rather sad.

I guess I have to look on the bright side. At least I don't live in Death Valley. It is supposed to be 129 degrees there

I was born under the wrong sign

2007-06-23T17:06:00.000-07:00

Your True Sign Is Aquarius

Wacky

Rebellious

Cutting Edge

A Total Freak

Unconventional

Difficult to Predict

Breaking All The Rules

Independent and Inventive

What Sign Woman Are You, Really?

You Know You're From Bakersfield When....

2007-06-23T10:29:00.000-07:00

You will park a mile away from the entrance just to have your car parked under a tree.

Instead of people thinking youre "rich" for having leather seats, they think youre stupid.

You laugh when people complain about 95 degree weather.

You're bored one day, and decide to go to 6 Flags Magic Mountain.

You're not worried about the big "California fires" cause by the time it gets any closer, they close the Grapevine.

You've seen the "Stairway to Heaven of lights" while coming back to Bako at night on the Grapevine.

You know what "White, Ming, Rosedale, Calloway, and Panama" mean

When you go out of town & you see a sign saying "Union Ave" you expect to see a hooker.

Rosedale is a world all its own.

Rosedale ALSO needs to be turned into a sitcom.

You remember the TWO times in the last 25 years that it snowed in Bakersfield, and you remember everything you did that snow day.

Everyone always says they're going to leave, but you know that if you try, you get sucked right back in.

You take the "California Roll" at a stop sign to a whole new level.

You know where all the "haunted houses" are when Halloween comes around

You know what an "08er is", where "the Dale" is, and what a "Dalion" is.

And then people who actually MADE it out of this city sit here & laugh at these because they know they're TRUE.

One of your friends owns a house on a spot where you had field parties in high school.

You know the ingredients in a George's Special, or have ever had a "Black and White" for lunch.

You get mad every time you see "Best of Times" when Taft wins at the end. ...or... you get mad every time you see "Best of Times" because who the heck are the Bakersfield Tigers?

You comment on how expensive Mexican food is in any other city in the country.

You have ever offered someone a Dewar's Chew from a bowl on your coffee table.

You claim to hate LA but go there at least every other month.

You have ever debated the merits of water skiing at Lake Ming versus Buena Vista.

You have to explain to friends from out of town what animal a tri-tip comes from.

You think beans and salsa go with everything.

You think a restaurant is chintzy if it doesn't come with soup, salad, spaghetti, and fries.

You think a red light is just a suggestion.

The best restaurants in town serve pickled tongue.

You think $400 a month for rent is way too high.

You know a swamp cooler is not a happy hour drink.

You know the pool can be warmer than you are.

You realize that Valley Fever isn't a disco dance.

Anywhere that takes longer than a 10 minute drive is way too far.

You think you're better than people from Fresno.

Someone mentions "the fair" and your thoughts turn to Cinnamon Buns, First Christian Church corn on the cob, and Boy Scout potatoes.

You have to "explain" to someone about Beach Park.

You complain about how boring Bakersfield is, but still make fun of people from Delano, Taft and Tehachapi.

Someone from out of town talks about how foggy it is and you tell them, "Just wait."

You swear that just last week there was an orchard where there is now a whole development of houses.

You drive just as fast on a on a foggy day in December as you do sunny day in June.

You no longer associate bridges or rivers with water.

You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from Bakersfield..