Siblings, No Rivalry Though

Me and My Brother, Kevin
For the first time since I was 17 and he was 10, Kevin and I have our picture made together. Wait, I think we had one made when I was 22 and he was about 15, whatever--its been a while since we had a photo made of just the two of us. His wife, Jennifer, took the photo. She did a fantastic job. We had the same teacher--O. Rufus Lovett. Rufus was an intern of famed photographer Ansel Adams.

Kevin lives about 20 miles from me but I hardly ever see him and Jenn. He works a lot and they used to be real busy with their friends, I guess they still are. Plus, my work schedule is not conducive to socialization. I miss out on a lot because of my crazy hours. People don't even call me because they are afraid of interrupting my sleep. Anyway, I am happy to see them when I can.

OK, I am still in my funk, but its getting better. I had a doctor's visit last week, just a routine check up but they did some lab work. The blood tests revealed an elevated cholesterol level--big surprise. The nurse said the overall level is 209. Next week, I go back in for a fasting blood test and they will test my HDL, LDL and Triglyceride levels so we will know for sure what is causing the elevated amounts.

I looked on Web MD and it said 209 wasn't an extremely high amount so I am not really concerned. I have made MAJOR dietary changes this past year, I am willing to make more and add exercise to my routine. I wanted to get a membership to LA Fitness, they have water aerobics there. I am going to look into the cost, I would appreciate prayers that I not only afford LA Fitness, but once I get a membership I am inspired to go and work out on a daily basis, or as my work schedule will allow.

The lab tests also revealed I had E. Coli (is that poisoning or an infection?) Either way, I have to take a seven day supply of antibiotics--yuck! Just think, I almost didn't go to this appointment. There seemed to be nothing wrong, so why go right? As an afterthought, the E. Coli explains a few things about the last few days though. RELIEF, I thought it was just a bug going around.


I don't know who all I've told, but I started chronicling the adventures of my separation and divorce. I don't know if anything will ever come of it, but my best friend Teri thinks it could be something to help others going through a similar experience. I infused the painful parts with wit, humor and a bit of sass. Maybe I will sample it here for you at some point. We'll see.

Things at work have been slow. I am very concerned about this. When I started at this job last January, everyone warned me that in the summer the workload would increase significantly. So far, it has not increased at all and with school starting, things are slacking off. There are too many people and not enough work. I am really worried about how this is going to play out. I would appreciate prayers for guidance. I don't know if I should look for another job or continue sticking it out without any hope for a raise or future production bonus. I do have terrific insurance and other benefits that I don't want to lose.

Until next time. Have a good holiday.

BUSHISMS

I thought with all the political talk that has been going on, I would take some time to reflect on some of the most profound moments of President Bush's term.

Please, don't misunderstand. This is not to be considered an attack on the president. I enjoy humor, and find it in the strangest of places. I have been told my sense of humor is quite wicked, others think its non-existent. I just laugh at them.

Here are some "Bushisms" and my thoughts on the subject.

“give my chance a plan to work."— April 24, 2007—Well, Ok then.

"Trade is an important subject here at Caterpillar, and the reason why is because a lot of the product you make here, you sell to somebody else, sell overseas to another country. That's trade. And yet it's—it's a topic of hot debate."— Jan. 30, 2007—Economics 101, right?

"And one thing we want during this war on terror is for people to feel like their life's moving on, that they're able to make a living and send their kids to college and put more money on the table."—Jan. 16, 2007—I put my money in the bank, he puts his on the table.

"You never know what your history is going to be like until long after you're gone."—Washington, D.C., May 5, 2006—Do you really ever know what your history will be?

"That's George Washington, the first president, of course. The interesting thing about him is that I read three—three or four books about him last year. Isn't that interesting?"—Showing German newspaper reporter Kai Diekmann the Oval Office, Washington, D.C., May 5, 2006—What’s more interesting, that he read three or four books or that they were really Curious George books?

"I like my buddies from west Texas. I liked them when I was young, I liked them then I was middle-age, I liked them before I was president, and I like them during president, and I like them after president."—Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 1, 2006—Just to be clear, that hasn’t happed yet, right?

"You took an oath to defend our flag and our freedom, and you kept that oath underseas and under fire."—Addressing war veterans, Washington, D.C., Jan. 10, 2006—I guess some of them were underseas in submarines.

"Those who enter the country illegally violate the law."— Nov. 28, 2005—Can you say, “DUH?”

"I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep on the soil of a friend."— June 29, 2005—YUCK!

"It's in our country's interests to find those who would do harm to us and get them out of harm's way."—April 28, 2005—Are we protecting those who would harm us?

"And so during these holiday seasons, we thank our blessings. ... "—Dec. 10, 2004—What kind of religion does he practice again?

"Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYN's aren't able to practice their love with women all across the country."—Sept. 6, 2004—I must remember to interview new doctors.

"I want to thank my friend, Sen. Bill Frist, for joining us today. … He married a Texas girl, I want you to know. (Laughter.) Karyn is with us. A West Texas girl, just like me."— May 27, 2004—Is George hiding something from America?

"I'm honored to shake the hand of a brave Iraqi citizen who had his hand cut off by Saddam Hussein."— May 25, 2004—What is he shaking again?

"[B]y the way, we rank 10th amongst the industrialized world in broadband technology and its availability. That's not good enough for America. Tenth is 10 spots too low as far as I'm concerned."— April 26, 2004—Is this some of that new math?

"[T]he illiteracy level of our children are appalling."— Jan. 23, 2004—Although his wife instituted the No Child Left Behind Act, its too late for George.

"Just remember it's the birds that's supposed to suffer, not the hunter."— Jan. 22, 2004—Quick, someone notify PETA!

"I'm the master of low expectations."—June 4, 2003—Everybody’s got some kind of talent.

"We spent a lot of time talking about Africa, as we should. Africa is a nation that suffers from incredible disease."—June 14, 2001—Is there such a thing as new geography?

"You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test.''—Feb. 21, 2001--How profound. I guess if you teach them to fish, they will be able to fish?

Travelling Guru

A friend of mine is on vacation in California. It's a dream vacation. Fly in to San Francisco, sight see for a few days. Rent a car and take a couple of days driving south on the famous Highway 101. What it must be like to be able to go on a vacation.

Photo is courtesy of Charles Green.

It's been years since I went on a real vacation. I think about 10 years to be exact. The ex and I went camping, tent camping at that, in Arkansas--in the mountains, in October. Not really MY idea of a vacation, but it was a vacation nevertheless. I got to cook outdoors, clean up outdoors and freeze my tail off, outdoors.

I have always wanted to travel. Before I got married, I wanted to go with a group of relatives to Jamaica, couldn't afford it. During my marriage, I wanted to drive to Las Vegas. Not that Vegas is really a place I am dying to see, but the drive--you know getting there is half the fun. Obviously, money was a huge factor and a trip like that wasn't affordable. Later in the marriage, the ex didn't want to go anywhere, he didn't even like going out with my parents to dinner.

This year, be it 2/3 of the way over, has been about the new me. I have made resolutions not to repeat mistakes of the past. Here I am, a 37 year old woman with no husband and no kids. Why shouldn't I travel? Ok, money is still an issue, but I am working on it. I want to go places, experience new things. I want to see San Francisco, that has always been one of my desires. I also want to explore Seattle, parts of Oregon, the Redwood Forest, British Columbia, New Mexico and--at least once in my life--I want to see Bora Bora.

I've devised a system for funding my travels. Once a week, I am going to "borrow" five dollars, no I mean ten dollars from various people I know. Now, just to be straightforward with you, I never intend to pay you back. I also want to hit up others for "gas" money, about $40 or $50 should take care of that. I will also sell items that may or may not belong to me--after all, can we really own anything? Maybe by the time my birthday rolls around in November I should have enough money to take a trip to Fort Worth. I know what you all are thinking. Yes I live in Grand Prairie, but I am not good at being deceitful so I probably won't get very far.

I guess I can scrimp and save like everyone else. One day I will get to one of those "exotic" places, but for now at least I can dream about it and live through my friends. Today this friend of mine went to Alcatraz, I hope they didn't keep him there.

Family

Ladies and Gentlemen, my brother--Kevin Jackson

I am totally jacking this from my sis-in-laws blog.

I wrote a blog about Kevin & Jen bowling--he practiced without her knowledge. When he challenged her to a game, he totally kicked her rear end. They went to an alley near their house in East Fort Worth, the games on Sunday are a dollar each. They had to rent her shoes (I think, wait, she may be using her mom's shoes since the mom is laid up after surgery.) After three games he was ready to whip her again--she begged "NO MORE."

Until next time.

The New Adventures of (Not So Old) Teri

OK,

Teri (who should be driving) and Rachel, I never realized how much they look alike until this picture. I told Teri that Rachel is growing up so fast and she looks so mature (she will be 12 in September), they had better keep an eye on her 'cause the boys will be doing just that. Also, Rachel and her dog Pookie--who's lucky to be here after Teri ran over her.

OK, we now continue with my blog, The New Adventues of (Not So Old) Teri. No, I don't like the title either but it came to mind and wouldn't go away, like a pesky insect buzzing around your head. Well, back to Teri. My best friend -- we met in first grade. We were both the new kids in class, plus we live half a block from each other. We hit it off immediately. We had the same interests: barbies, boys, skating, boys, playing pretend bewitched, boys and something else, oh yeah, boys! We also tried to avoid Zoe, a girl in our class. She wanted desperately to be friends with us but Teri and I stood firm, we would not let her in -- we were terrified of her. Zoe was mean with a capital MEAN, plus she didn't like boys.

Throughout our lives, Teri and I have maintained our friendship -- actually, we are more like sisters than she and her own sister. We have gone through so much, moving away from one another-then back again; high school graduation, college and getting real jobs; marriage, kids, divorce, marriage, kids, kids, and more kids. (She has four-I have zero, she won that contest--or did I?)

When I moved from East Texas to the DFW area, Teri was sad-but she understood I was doing what I had to do for myself. She was only a couple of hours away and I still go back sometimes to visit Mom and Dad, so I knew I was going to see her. Well, in May she moved with her husband and kids to Mississippi, OK, that is still close enough for me to go see her and she can come back to East Texas to visit her family right?

Naturally, that is not the end of it--there one thing I know with Teri, wherever she is living, whatever she is doing, I will see her again. Now with cell phones having free long distance and nights and weekends free, I still get to talk to her more than when we were in high school and she moved to Tyler. Back then that seemed like half way across Texas. Technology has increased ways to be with loved ones who are so far away. Since Al Gore invented the Internet, we can thank him for e-mail. We can instantly and daily communicate with family or friends--or people we've met on chat sites--who may be on the other side of the globe. Cell phones allow you to talk to friends while you are on your way to work. Gone are the days you have to be at home to receive a call. Although, that is where I am most of the time because I get so few phone calls.

Back to Teri. A couple of weeks ago, she and her family caravaned to North Dakota, where they have settled down, and they even bought a house. This makes a long weekend trip to visit her a bit more difficult. Since I haven't found a sugar daddy, frequent flying is out of the question, I don't even know if they have a nearby airport. Wal Mart doesn't yet exist--she says it opens next week or the week after. She says there is nothing there. It makes Hankinson (?) sound like Hooterville.

I no longer have anyone to go get manicures and pedicures with, do lunch, go window shopping, laugh like we were kids again. I miss her and I know she misses me, but I guess that is part of life, moving on.

I just hope she is happy. I know deep down that in our crazy mixed up lives, our paths will cross again. We have been friends for far too long to let her fall to the way side, plus she still owes me money from 11th grade. I loaned her $5 to get some popcorn at the movies. Not really, just kidding. She got a large, it was $7.

Until next time.