Ever had one of those days when.....

Have you ever had one of those days when you feel like your eyes are glued shut. No matter how hard you try, you can't hold them open and keep falling back to sleep? That's me this morning. But, it's Saturday so I really don't care. I pledged to myself to get my laundry caught up and here I am sitting here at the PC doing this. I stayed up late doing absolutely nothing but watching the flames in my fireplace until the wee hours, then suffered an attack of insomnia when I finally turned in.
I have had lots of stress this week. Maybe that's the problem. One of my coworkers got fired on Tuesday. This is almost unheard of in a school system, and I am wondering just what the problem was. The rumor mill around the school is nill. No one is commenting one way or another. I talked to her after it happened, and she was still unclear just what their justification was. Maybe it was something personal and she just didn't want to share it. We had a close working relationship, but not a personal one to speak of. She had been with the system for a long time, as have I, so I am wondering if I am next. Maybe they see it as a way to cut down costs. Other aides there have not been there as long and don't have the pay grade that we do. I guess time will tell.
Another thing bugging me and adding undue stress is my lack of interest in anything going on around me. I have a real "I don't give a s**t" attitude right now. I haven't sang with the choir for a while now, and I miss that, but when it come time to practice on Wednesday night, I would rather sit at home and gaze at the fire. Maybe it's the biting cold that had just reached inside me and turned me inside out. What ever it is, I don't like it. I am not happy with myself and this funk. I have gained about 10 pounds back of the 30 or so that I lost and I am not happy about that either. My life sucks right now. Really, I don't even have a life per se, and that's no one's fault but my own. I am really feeling the loss of my life's partner and I miss her a lot. That's probably at the root of what is going on in my head. I hope that when the weather gets warmer, and I can get out of the house more comfortably, that this attitude will improve. Until then, I guess I will continue to muddle on. It's still better than the alternative.
Boo Sob!
Peace,
JE

What I Read #7

Hollywood Moon by Joseph Wambaugh is good. Not wonderful, but a really good read. Although I thought about 3/4 of the way through that I had read the same stuff over and over. So I did something I NEVER (well almost never) do and skipped about 30 pages and read the last few chapters. You know what? I could still pick up the thread of the plot and missed some mundane parts that were not too important. I enjoyed this book but was glad I hadn't spent my money on it. Thank the literary gods for libraries.
Happy reading,
JE

What I Read #6

Loitering With Intent by Stuart Woods is another great read by Woods. Stone Barrington is his usual rich self basking in the good life even on a serious case. Key West, FL is the setting of this well written novel. The only drawback to this and all of Woods' works is his "author's note" at the end of the novel. Where most writers us this space to thank readers as well as editors, etc., Woods uses it to tell his readers what/what not to e-mail him and what he will and will not answer. It's an insult to his readers. This guy must have an ego the size of NYC. It's almost enough to make me not read his works. Almost, but not quite. Since Stone is one of my favorite characters, I will continue to read. But I won't buy them any longer, just check out from my local library.
Happy reading,
JE

What I Read #5

Drawn In Blood by Andrea Kane is a chilling thriller. Asian mafia, Albanian mafia, and the art world all clash in this suspense filled read. I highly recommend it to all who like a real page-turner.
Read on, folks!
JE

Good News!

On a brighter note. The latest ultrasound report from my daughter-in-law confirms my suspicion. My new upcoming grandbaby is going to be a BOY! Now the big question is...what to name him. They liked Liam for a long time and now they aren't sure. I am going to call him Liam even if they don't. Because I like it.
Another grandson. Wonders never cease!
Peace
JE

G'bye, ol' Friend

Today I buried a dear friend. This was a "forever" friend. We had known each other since my time began on this earth. Her dad and mine were high school pals who remained best friends all their lives. Therefore, Jan and her sister and my brother and I were raised together. What a quartet we made! Lots of fun growing up. Lots of sorrows, too. When Jan's sister was 14, she died of nephritis. This was the first close friend I had lost. I was 13.
As we all became adults, we grew closer. I thrilled over the birth of Jan's children, as she did mine. Although we didn't see each other all the time anymore, we kept in close touch. I sympathized with her over her divorce, and she was there for me when my wife died. Now she is gone. Taken too early, and leaving behind three wonderful children and lots of grandkids. Her funeral today was the kind of funeral everyone should have in my opinion. Jan's grandson spoke on behalf of all the grands. He talked about all the fond memories they would keep in their hearts about their grandmother. He struggled, his mom handed him tissues, but he did a fine job. The pastor read some scriptures, then he read some letters that Jan's second graders had written to her while she was in the hospital. Out of the hearts of children come truth and sincerity. We all knew what a wonderful person Jan was after hearing these messages from the heart.
After listening to Mercy Me sing "I Can Only Imagine" and Alan Jackson and Dolly Parton's "When I Get Where I'm Going," I came away knowing that my friend is resting comfortably now. I can only say, with a heavy heart, g'bye ol' friend. I will miss you!
Peace,
JE

I Feel Yucky!

I stayed home today with the yucks. I have a headache, feel achy all over and my stomach is roiling and is very unhappy. Sitting here at my PC and trying to look at the screen even hurts my eyes. Oh, to heck with it! I'm going back to bed. More when I feel better.
Yuk!
JE

What I Read #4

This book is one of the best political thrillers I have ever read. It's really two stories in one. Elise and Scot are the two main characters, but have nothing to do with each other. The way Brad Thor wove these two stories together and made it work definitely shows his talent as a writer. I am anxious to read some of his other work. This is the first of his that I have read. How have I missed him on the library shelf? Read this one!
Peace and happy reading,
JE

What I Read #3

Mixed Blood by Roger Smith. Takes place in Cape Town, South Africa. Crooked cops, hookers, bank robbers, druggies, and gangbangers. Their all there in one of the crudest, rawest reads I've have the misfortune of reading. I only kept reading to see the "fat" bogus bloodthirsty hedonistic cop (who was a total looser and asshat,) get his in the end. I won't be reading this author's next work, however. Too raunchy for me, and I thought I could read about anything!
Peace,
JE

What???

What? Where did this come from? I bought a new sportcoat yesterday. Professor called it "dapper." Said, and I quote,"You will look quite dapper!" Now I've been called a lot of things, but dapper? I think Rhett Butler was dapper. Charlie Chaplin was dapper. Boy, do I now feel OLD!
Remaining "dapper"
JE

What I read #2

This was a fantastic read. I had never read this author before. As a matter of fact, Professor brought this home to me on the off-chance that I would like it. I liked it so much that I googled the author to see when his next book would be out. Unfortunately, I found out that he passed away in July, 2009, of leukemia. How sad for his family and sad for his readers. I know he has written a plethora of other books, but I don't want to read them if they would leave me hanging like this one did, and no way to finish the "story." Guess I will have to read something else. Bummer!
Peace,
JE

What I Read #1

Instead of keeping a list of all my books that I read in 2010, I am just going to do a post about each one as I go along. I will keep them numbered and I even might include a short revue of one if it really is a good one. So keep watching. I'm out to best my record from last year! This is #1 on the list fro 2010. Good read if you are interested in Native Americans and their folklore.
Peace,
JE

Facelift!

I have a new template. It's called vintage paper! I think it's very appropriate since I am vintage! But like good wine, maybe I'll improve with age. Anyhow, I think it's cool. Thank you Professor for uploading (or downloading) it for me. Enjoy!
Peace,
JE

It is well with my soul.

It's the new year. 2009 came and went. It brought changes in my life. It brought losses, and it also brought the promise of new life.
I have had the privilege of getting to know my daughter all over again. I have gotten to know my grandson better. I have learned a lot more about what makes them both "tick," and am proud of what I have learned. I have watched my son be successful while pursuing his college education. I have watched both he and my daughter-in-law become fabulous parents. It's fun watching them with the Divine Miss K, and knowing she is in such good hands.
Loss in my life this year was met with some trepidation. The loss of both my in-laws ended an era. I faced their loss as matter-of-factually as possible, yet knowing that there was very little love lost on either side. For me, saying "goodbye" to them was done with sort of a sign of relief. No longer was I under their magnifying glass.
The promise of new life came with the news of preparation for another grandchild, due to arrive to my son and family in early June. There is something about the circle of life being completed which brings contentment to me.
I feel promise in the air. Promise of good things happening to my family and I. I know that Professor will find the right job this year, Kiddo will go on to his senior year of high school with high marks, my son will graduate with his degree in criminal justice, and I will be able to retire at long last.
All of these things make me feel content. At peace within myself and reminds me again of the words to my favorite hymn, "It is Well With my Soul.
Peace,
JE