Stormy Weather

Growing up in Vegas, we rarely had stormy weather, when we did, the worst thing I remember was "flash floods" mostly affecting Ceasar's Palace parking lot. Since then, moving to California, rainy weather, forest fires and earthquakes were problematic. Then in Texas, Ice Storms and threats of Tornados, but now in Memphis, the Tornados are not just threats they happen and happen frequently.

Who would have thought that this West Coast girl would one day be stuck in Memphis TN with my dogs and family in the utility room waiting for the sirens to quit and the warning to expire. I guess I can put up with anything.

Obviously, it wouldn't be my choice to be here in Memphis(Millington actually) but I'm here until I win the Lottery or die I suppose. I'd be in California today had the economy not been so bad even back in the 90s Totally unable to own anything, even then and paying income tax and state tax every year drove me out of that state, but its my true love. Would that I could. Just like a bad boyfriend who uses and abuses you and you keep longing for that one more kiss.

So I'm stuck here and maybe one day I'll retire and will hopefully have some money to live on if the Govt doesn't steal the last bit of money left in Social Security, and we'll leave here for East TN where at least its beautiful and if I'm living in my car, at least I'll be looking at nicer scenery.

Aug 2011

I realized this morning how long it had been since I'd written anything in this blog. Unbelievable how time flies.

My son is now 14. A teenager who began his freshman year and had his first drum lesson last week. I hope he finds his passion in the drums. Everyone needs a passion for something, if not playing an instrument, singing, sports, writing, anything that furthers their inner talents.

I have a friend who has an artist's heart, she writes, she dreams of what could be and has struggled with hurts from her choices in men. But she has the talent to not just write but draw people into her life, people care about her and involve themselves in her life. She has 4000+ friends on FB, who gets that many friends on FB without being a celebrity? Just think the impact she could have with the written word with 4000 people?

I too have passion to write, but cannot sit down and put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) long enough to get started on that first best seller, I want to be able to focus long enough, but my every day prevents that from happening. Every day of work and responsibilites of home and family. Its passing me by. So maybe this will be my start, back to my true love of writing, not just idle thoughts, but substantial words that make a difference.

Raise your glass to Cody's Mom and her new day.

Millington Flooding

The temperature was perfect today at around 75 after a week of 87 it was a welcome cold front. We had major flooding here in Memphis and throughout TN with Nashville seeming to get the worst of it. I can't imagine what those who suffered such loss must feel. Good friends own the Commodore Apts in Millington and they are working dawn to dark trying to clean out the bottom floor of all those apts what a mess. FEMA arrived yesterday to start their analysis. I just saw that Memphis MotorSports Park is under water, we normally drive by there every day, but we can't get there due to the bridge being closed between our home and Memphis, we're forced to go way out of the way to get anywhere in Memphis. Hopefully they'll get that situated before long.

Gosh, been a long time since I posted anything. Lots of stuff since then. Here's the newest picture of Cody, unbelievable how time has passed by.

He's grown into quite the young man. Will be 13 in June going on 16 (wantin to drive and all) I hope I don't pay for my raisin on that one.

YouTube - what if His people prayed - casting crowns - worship video

YouTube - what if His people prayed - casting crowns - worship video

State of Tennessee "Career Center"

You know, they can name it what they want to make all of us feel better about ourselves, but Unemployment is Unemployment. For someone who's never been let go from a job in my entire working career, its an eye opening experience. Most everyone in the building has been there numerous times and can tell you exactly what's going to happen next. Of a room full of people there were 3 of us who'd never filed for unemployment before. By nine in the morning, there were probably 30 people and when number 31 came in, she told him it was a 5 hour wait. I was number 25 and that was getting there at 8:00 when they opened? Figure that one out...there are "carry over people" who they let in at 7:30 to get in line first. Then there are people who come in for assistance in finding a job, they're required to fill out a form and sit and wait until someone can counsel them and send them out on an interview, so in a room that holds 40, 20 were there for that and 35 were there for filing for unemployment.

Now its lunch time and number 22 is called back. We're all starving, because its taking so long, and they suddenly call back 6 of us into a conference room. This is under the premise that "they" want to help us get outta there faster. After 10 minutes, we discover that two of the people had not recorded their reason for dismissal correctly. See, only the laid off people could be in this "fast track" meeting. Once she talked to me, it was less than 5 minutes to get all she needed and give me what I needed. So, why do you think it took 4 1/2 hours to meet with 21 people? I have my suspisions, but that will be another blog.

I am planning to write a letter to Govenor Bresdesen and ask him why in the world Tennessee doesn't follow the rest of the states' lead and have a phone registration process. Evidentally (from one of many conversations while waiting) TN is the only state that is still in the middle ages. I know that might mean closing some offices and streamlining a process that has evidenally become too combersome for the small and aging workers, but, I believe I pay taxes in this state and the salaries of these folks and I vote for a reduction in staff and a telephonic process for unemployment. Anyone Second that emotion?

Well now that I've registered, there is a week long waiting period before I will call in and then another week before I get a check which is at the max for me, at $275. per week. If I remain unemployed for 5 weeks, I'll get that first week, but, if I get a job before 5 weeks, then I never see that first week's pay. I don't think that it will break the bank, but that seems cheesy, not to get that money, another note on the Bredeson memo....

At any rate, I've interviewed for two and spoken with another one who'll set up an interview for a third and I've been out of work a week. So, By God's grace, I'll not be unemployed for my $275. Its all good, and God is good, the State of TN is weak with their policies and procedures.

CD's List

CD - This is for You

A – Age: 50
B – Bed: Queen
C – Chores You Hate: Cleaning the toilet
D – Desert You Love: M&M Sonic Blast
E – Essential Start Your Day Item: Coffee with vanilla creamer
F – Favorite Actors: Tom Hanks, Will Smith, Roy Scheider (RIP)
G – Gold or Silver: Silver
H – Height: 5’8”
I – Instruments You Play: Played the flute from 10 – 13 yrs (none now)
K – Kids: 4 including step children and 3 grandbabies
L – Living Arrangements: In a beautiful home with two living areas shared with my Mother.
M – My Name Is: Cody's Mom
N – Nicknames: Net, Netters, Netski, Nettie
O – Overnight hospital stay: Gallbladder surgery, C-Section, Knee Surgery
P – Pet Peeve: My 70 lb puppy Gunner, figuring out how to open my drawers and getting stuff out.
Q – Favorite Quote: 2 Cor 1:20 For how many so ever be the promises of God, in him is the yea: wherefore also through him is the Amen, unto the glory of God through us.
R – Right or Left Handed: Right
S – Siblings: 1 Brother (deceased)
T – Time you woke up today: 4:00am
U – Unique Habit: Watching the 1st 48 hours
V – Vegetables You Hate: Mustard Greens ewwww
W – Wishing for: To win the lottery
X – x-rays You’ve Had: Chest, Knee, Teeth, ankle, Shoulder,
Y – Yummy food you make: Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Z – Zodiac Sign: Libra