bobakins

End of 2007

2007-12-30T23:35:53Z

Said it before...I'll say it again, where as the year gone?

It's amazing to me that tomorrow is the last day of 2007. I still can't quite get over it. Was it so uneventful a year that it just went by? Or maybe it's cause there was just so much happening that it did...I don't know. But it certainly did.

Sick and Sleepless

2007-12-29T07:24:55Z

So...here it is, 2:14am, and I am wide awake and unable to sleep. I'm just so uncomfortable. I took my Nyquil, but it's not doing it's job too well. Maybe cause I've pretty much been sleeping off and on since I got home today.

I left work early today, pretty much cause it's the only day I can and I'm doing all I can not to be sick anymore. Hate feeling poopy. I've been fighting a bug since just before Thanksgiving...and so far, have been the victor - but that may have come to an end. Now I'm just trying to ward off the most annoying part of the "ick", the runny nose and cough. So far it's a VERY soar throat and alot of conjestion, which makes my head hurt, and adds to my crankiness (another reason why I needed to leave work today - before I started removing the heads of my staff). Fortunately, when I'm home, I'm mostely asleep or groggy - so Joe doesn't experience TOOOOO much Sybil from me.

My head is pounding, my throat is killing me and I woke up in a cold sweat. I drank some hot tea with lemon for my throat - that seems to work better than the losenges. I bought some instant oatmeal to have for breakfast later - something soothing on my throat. I bought some daytime decongestant stuff to help with the drum line in my head so I can be somewhat civil later at work - hope it works.

Any suggestions are VERY welcome.

Post-Christmas

2007-12-27T03:17:39Z

Well, it was back to work for me today... Hope everyone had a wonderful Chrismas.

I finally got a new printer, mine went "tits-up" some time ago. Joe bought me the mack-daddy of printers, which was WAAAAYYY groovie. Mom bought me a new red, fuzzy robe - much needed, it was definately time to retire the other won, especially since I singed he cuff on one sleeve - don't ask. This robe is REALLY warm. I wore it a bit after I opened it, and got a bit too warm.
This is definately a winter robe.

Joe bought me some massaging slippers. These are so cool. you turn them on, slip your feet in, and they message your feet while you're standing in the kitchen doing dishes, cooking, sitting in a chair...whatever. They feel AWSOME. His Mom got me some other slippers that are heated. They have a little pouch that you put into the microwave and then put into this little velcro compartment in the sole of the slipper - they stay warm for a long time....and....when you heat the pouch up, it smells like cranberries...
Between these 2 pairs of slippers, my feet are set!!

Everyone pretty much knows how much Joe and I love Sonic...well, Mom hooked us up there with Sonic cards. We'll be taking full advantage of them very soon.

Post Christmas, and I'm actually feeling pretty poopy. My throat is REALLY sore and I have NO energy with a ver long week ahead. Think I'll fill a tub of hot water and some relaxing lavender bath salts, followed by some relaxing lavender body lotion, perhaps use some of the massage oil and twin ball massager, while my tootsie are worked on in my massaging slippers while sitting in my cozy red robe, drinking some delicious hot apple cider. Or maybe I'll just have a nice hot bowl of soup...that part really undertermined as of yet.

2 Days Till Xmas

2007-12-24T02:01:18Z

Well, it's 2 days till Christmas, and I can't wait. Joe and I will actually have our Christmas tomorrow so as to avoid hauling everything up North, just to bring everything back again...it just made sense.

Today we had off together, it's happening more and more often, which is nice. We started our day with breakfast at Magnolia Grill, followed by a bit of shopping and a movie. Then it was home for some quality football viewing. What a great day.

We went to see National Treasure, it was great. I really enjoyed the first one, but I think this one was a bit more entertaining. Next cinema adventure, hopefully, will be Sweeney Todd.

While out shopping, I ran into my friend Linda's sister. She's the friend with Ovarian Cancer. She's really not doing well. They've admitted her into the Hospice program, and the people at Hospice said they were not expecting her to make it more than a couple of weeks or so...she's really going downhill quickly. I told her my friend Scott and I were planning on trying to get out there to see her around New Year's - Scott will be here then. I really hope she hangs in long enough for us to see her. It's so hard getting over there to see her with my schedule, lack of custody of the car, her appoitments and feeling up to company. "Hold on Linda long enough for me to say good-bye and tell you again how much I love you and how very special you are to me and so many others."

Where Has The Year Gone?

2007-12-20T14:01:10Z

It really seems that 2007 has gone by so quickly. It's amazing that we only have 9 days left of 2007. So much has happened to everyone in this passing year. Hard to imagine, isn't it?

Destiny Is Out of Our Hands

2007-12-14T01:56:06Z

I spent much of my day off today with my friend who's dying of cancer. She's stage 3 Ovarian Cancer and not responding to the chemotherapy. It broke my heart to see this woman, who was so vibrant, so strong, so full of life; who watched what she ate, drank only bottled water, and tried as best as she could to live a healthy life, laying there mostly bald, so weakened and fragile. Since she's not responding to the chemo, she has decided to stop it - there's just no point. With that, her hair is starting to grow back - slowly. She closely resembles a baby bird with it's tiny pin feathers coming in. I fear that she won't see another Christmas after this one, that this will be the last time she'll see the ball drop in Time's Square, that it won't be long until this angel joins her mother and father on the other side. At the same time, it will be a blessing that she will no longer have to look in the mirror to see a stranger, rather than a beautiful, classy, Long Island Italian woman peering back at her. That she will no longer feel the discomfort she feels, the inability to do all she used to do and enjoy. She will leave this world knowing how loved she was, as the community has reached out to her with their hearts and prayers in this time.

I will do all I can to spend as much time with my Linda until the time has come for her to leave us. I will so miss her when that day comes.

bobakins @ 2007-12-11T07:42:00

2007-12-11T12:57:43Z

Yesterday morning, when I arrived to work, I had realized that I was locked out of my store - my keys were in the store from when I worked on Saturday. So while I was waiting for the calvary (the person scheduled at 10am), I decided to take a walk down to the mall office. I came across this fellow on my route who seemed anxious for Samsonite to open. I've decided to call him Stewart, as I give all of my critters names. He was such a character, and Stewart is definately a name that depicts character. Upon arriving back to the store, Shonda informed me that she felt bad for me, my day was about to go to poop. Why, I asked? Because yesterday morning we received a directive for a large transfer of boots and booties to be comleted by Wednesday - without fail. That's very interesting - what boxes would they like me to use? I packed up so 20-something cases yesterday, and have several more to do today. She was right - about the day going to poop part. Later that evening, when opening the back door for UPS (they had a large pick up), I noted this glorious site. It's visions like this that make you appreciate the wonders of His works. However, it didn't make my day any better - getting these transfers out of my life and going home were the only things going to do that at this point. Then is was finally time to go home and make dinner for my man - yes, we eat at piculiar times of the evening. Tonight was turkey pot pie, made from left over turkey and gravy (that had been frozen for just an occasion), corn, peas, diced potatoes and chopped carrots. It turned out very nicely. Love Thanks Giving leftovers!

Days of Us

2007-12-09T22:30:52Z

Today was another day off together - a rare event that has happened twice now, quite close together. I love our days off together, sleeping in, snuggling up, going on outing together. The only problem is, it's the holiday, and I can't get away from him long enough to "take care of a few things." There is, however, Thursday...

A girlfriend and I (well, she's since bailed the mission I think), have been committed to a flickr.com project - The 25 Days of Christmas.  So I have been quite busy taking pictures of all things holiday lately. I'm truely enjoying this - it's fun. She had also given me a photo editing program to play with. I haven't done much with that yet, but with what I have - it's been great fun. Thanks Ches!

Today we went to see the Golden Compass, what a great movie. I really enjoyed the magic and whimsey of it. Joe said he enjoyed it except for the chatter-boxes behind us that just kept talking throughout the movie.  I agreed with him, though to be completely honest...I was so into the movie, I never heard anything...

It's Subway Sunday - 2 12" subs for $8... woohoo! Goes great with football. I hate to tell Joe, but I gain custody of the TV tonight - I have Christmas specials to examine...   : P

O' Christmas Tree...

2007-12-08T12:53:38Z

Last night was the lighting of the town tree, and all that goes with it. Joe said it was pretty much over when he got there, so he just brought the camera with him to pick me up from work so I could take pictures on the way home. We made a couple stops on the route to snap a few. When we got to the tree, I was so disappointed. Half the lights on the tree were out - so disappointing. The town, on the other hand, really stepped up to the occasion. Lights/candles were in windows everywhere lighting the way for the holiday. It was very festive - though the weather is warming today - bummer!!

Christmas Cookies

2007-12-07T03:46:10Z

Today was a day off to spend together for Joe and I. We slept in, had a nice breakfast, lounged around and watched some TV together, went up the beach to do a little light shopping and lunch, came home and baked cookies, and continued the lounging activity. What a great day we had together.

The weather is finally cooling off enough to make it feel like Christmas. The lighting ceremony on the town tree is Friday, and I have to work all day, so Joe is going to brave the chilly evening to take pictures for me - what a guy! I love the tree lighting ceremony in my little town. There are of course the speeches, then there is come caroling in conjunction with the lights being illuminated. It's an enormous tree right on the waterfront. When the tree is lit, all of the residence light their candles in their windows - it's tradition and so lovely. Then there is a Parade of Homes, which is a contest of sorts for holiday decorations. There is a walking tour of the homes entered in the contest, ballads are submitted and a winner is announced and marked with a yard staked sign -"Holiday Winner". I love driving around (or sometimes walking on a nice evening), just looking at all of the festively lit homes. It's wonderful.

Tuesday Torture

2007-12-05T04:54:36Z

Tuesday usually means shipment - not today apparently. It also didn't mean business unfortunately. Who could blame anyone though? It was windy and cold - basically miserable to be out and about in. Great day to stay at home, cuddled up under a blanket in your cozies, with a cup of cocoa and a great movie. It just seemed the more often I looked at the clock, the slower it got. What a long day it was.

Happy Birthday Joey

2007-12-03T01:34:50Z

Today was my Joe's birthday, he turned 34 (yes, I'm robbing the cradle). Last night after midnight (12:12 to be precise), I wished him happy birthday and gave him my gift. Now first, you have to understand this man - if there is such an understanding, he loves to lounge in his "jammy-pants", and lives a very simple lifestyle. He has no hobbies except sports, and apparently WOW. So what do you get for the man who wants for nothing, or at least very little, and who you still need to get Christmas presents for? MORE "JAMMY-PANTS". I had purchased some for him from Big Dogs that were cozy and baggy - just like my man likes them.

This morning, I made fresh apple turnovers for my birthday boy's breakfast. We didn't get to bed until after 3AM (watching movies from Netflix), but I was up at 6 making pie crust, peeling and chopping apples. Woke him up to fresh, hot turnovers and a cold glass of OJ. We layed around for a bit, the decided to head to work (him, I was off) early so we could stop and feed the birds. Originally, we were going to just sit at the top of the steps at a beach access (there's no traffic on the steps this time of the year), but realized we had forgotten the crackers to feed the birds. So we decided to stop by Sonic, get a couple of drinks and grab some tater tots. There were so many birds there, we decided to just stay there rather than go to the beach and get cold (neither of us are feeling uber-healthy these days). As we were throwing tots out the window, I looked in the rear view to see a gull sitting on the trunk. Then a minute later, there were 2 little brown birds sitting on the hood...it was hilarious! I wish I had brought my camera. WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?!?! We laughed about it the rest of the way to his store.

Tonight, we went to dinner after he got off work. On my way to pick him up from work, I was nearly (and that term in NO WAY is used loosely here folks) in an accident. I was driving thru an intersection, looked to my right and saw a set of headlights only feet from my passenger door. Seriously, I don't know how he didn't T-Bone me, let alone take out the back end of the car!!! After clearing the intersection, I pulled over to the side of the road. I was shaken, to say the least. A police car pulled up behind me only moments after and asked me if I was okay. I told him yes, that I was just shook. He said he could understand that, he was shaken just watching it. I told him that I didn't know how he didn't hit me, he said he didn't know either, that I must have just hit the gas at the right moment in the panic of it. He said it was a good thing I had looked over and saw him coming thru the red light, otherwise, I may not have paniced and hit the gas, and might not be talking to him now. At that, I thanked him for stopping to check on me, assured him I was fine and started the car up. He told me to turn the car off and take a moment. He could tell I was still pretty shaken. I told him I was going to be late picking up my boyfriend from work. He said "he'll be fine, at least you'll get there - just take a moment, breath. He'll just be glad to see you." At that moment, I broke down in tears - REALLY concidering what could have happened. Then he suggested that I take the beach road the rest of the way up (less traffic). I took the beach road as the officer had recommended, called Joe to tell him I was on my way, got to his store, and gave him a BIG HUG and cried. I told him, "I don't know how he didn't hit me, how I'm sitting here now." Joe said, "It's my birthday, nothing bad is allowed to happen to me today, and that would have been the worst thing possible." I love this man.

Quiet Times

2007-12-02T03:12:49Z

Well..what do we do at the store when we have a few moments of no customers and no clean-up? We take pictures of ourselves and paper snow flakes hanging from the ceiling.

Chesnee conducted her very own photo shoot with me as her subject. This was for a project she was doing for her"25 Days of Christmas". It was fun, and in the end, I was in tears from laughter. She got some cute photos out of it I guess. Can't wait to see what she does to them in the editing process....

Then we took pictures of us - all wearing the same gi-normous purple scarf. I had made this scarf last year, when I first got my loom. It was the first one I had ever made, and I guess I got a little carried away :P, but that's okay, I rather like it really long and snuggly. You know it's long when all tree of us can wear it at the same time though.

Trimming the Tree

2007-11-29T07:07:10Z

Today I decorated the tree with clear lights, mini pine cones, glittery orbs, strings of pearls, and little candles as the end of the branches (not real candles obviously). Of course, my man's favorite team was also well represented on our tree.

The wreath on the door is a work on progress. I don't much care for all of the bows on it, but only one was out of proportion, and I didn't have ribbon (of the right weight, color and texture) to make a larger one right now - so I'll take pictures as it evolves. Meanwhile, it's still a nice way to be greated when I come home. A beautiful, aeromatic wreath on the front door, and a small happy tree in the entry.

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

O' Christmas Tree

2007-11-28T06:06:07Z

Today Joe and I decided we were going to go get our tree. I was so excited.
Usually I wait until the 2nd week or so of Christmas
- but I just couldn't wait.

I took all of our decorations down, went thru them to
decide which lovelies would adorn our tree


After deciding what would go on the tree, I started scattering other bits of the holiday around the loft.


After picking up my hunny from work, we went directly to the lot to pick out our first tree together.
Joe found this lovely one. It's not as tall as trees of the past, but like I said, it's our first together
...and my Joey found it first. It's lovely.


Tomorrow there is still much to be done,
but the loft is definately starting to feel like the holidays are on their way.

Puss-N-Boots

2007-11-26T00:41:08Z

When I got out my shower today, in preparation to AGAIN head into work (com'mon Wednesday), Joe instructed me to look out the window. Looking out the window, I saw nothing much of interest. He then told me we had a tiny visitor, that he had put a small dish of milk out for her. I opened the door, and there she was, Puss-n-boots. She's the grown kitten of a kitty I call Momma-kat. She looks just like her mommy, only she's much more social. She's been dorned with a blingy color - by who, I don't know, but like I said, she's very social. She used to visit more often, but comes by rarely now. We see her about town, crossing the streets, making her rounds I would imagine. I guess she was thinking, "it's been a while since I've been to see the people upstairs..."

Although Joe is allergic to cats, who can resist this sweet face?

Thankful

2007-11-22T22:26:17Z

It's Thanks Giving, the first for Joe and I together...and we are as stuffed as that bird (was).

Menu: Roasted Turkey with Pan Gravy
             Herbed Bread Stuffing
             Candied Yams
             Buttered Sweet Corn
             Green Bean Casserole
             Homemade Apple Sauce
             Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest
             Creamy Whipped Potatoes
             Glazed Baby Carrots
             Hot Buttered Dinner Rolls

             Fresh Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Topping
             Sweet Cherry Pie

             Fresh, Cloved Spiced Apple Cider Served with a Cinammon Stick

I know...a bit excessive for dinner for two. Best part is it's our first together and we didn't have to get dressed - we lounged around in our sweats and t-shirts all day. What a great day it was. We watched the Thanks Giving parade, some football, a movie on Lifetime (don't know what it was...but...), followed by a Peter Pan movie (not sure of the title of that one either), and took naps.

We had a discussion about the day. What are we thankful of:
      Each Other
      Our Family
      Our Friends
      What good fortune we have that others may not
      And that we have an entire day together with no pressures and no agenda. Just relaxing and enjoying the gifts we have been given.

Happy Thanks Giving To All

2007-11-21T23:50:17Z

Painfully Anxious

2007-11-21T13:08:43Z

Well, it's the day before Thanksgiving - so much to do, so little time. My right arm and shoulder has ABSOLUTELY been killing me. I think I've over done the "Super Bobbie" acts or something. I have to remind myself, I'm getting older, and just need to start limiting some of the physical stuff a bit. I think this might well be my body's way of telling me.   I actually have to ask Joe to blow dry my hair this morning, cause I can't lift my arm high enough - ugh! It helps that he rubs deep heat rub into my arm and shoulder every night - the rub feels sooo goood. When I'm sitting in the living room watching TV, and when I go to bed at night, I keep a heating pad on it...that helps too. But then I have to start functioning again, and the aching comes back.

This is a piss-poor time for me to be out of action. The store is completely destroyed from the contractors (handy-men that were not sooo handy) who moved a bunch of stuff around and such. So, we not only have markdowns to do, along with a floor move to complete (for obvious reasons, I didn't get much done yesterday), stock out on the floor, window graphic and displays changed, but we also have to clean grit off the display tops.   The worse part is that I'm not much help to the girls today in accomplishing all of this.

Who am I kidding...pain or no pain, it has to get done. You know I"ll do it anyway... I haven't listened to my body in years, why start now?

After work today, it's pie time.   More pain is very possible there - making the crust. I'll also be working on a few other things that need to go into the oven so the ol' gobbler can have the room to himself Thursday.

Thursday will be great. Parades and decorating will commence. I'm so excited, I love decorating for Christmas....woohoo. Again, pain-shmain... So what if I'm completely crippled by Monday?

Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be interesting..... MADDNESS SHALL INSUE...

Productivity

2007-11-19T00:33:22Z

Today was a very productive day for moi... It started by taking Joe to work, on the way, starting at sonic for one of our faves - the Super Sonic Breakfast Burrito Combo. Usually, I get it with a raspberry iced tea, or cranberry lime-aid; but today, I got a hot caramel latte - yummy.

On my way back from Duck to Nags Head, I noticed that my favorite tree lot has began setting up. Thankfully, there are no trees there yet. I hate seeing the trees out soooo early. I much prefer when the trees are out a little later, as they have a better chance of not drying out before New Years (I typically take it down just after NY). Food Lion already has trees piled in front of their store. I look at them like a large pile of trees that will likely be purchased by people who will discard them directly after Christmas, because by Christmas, they will have already dried out so much, that they are half bald. I can see the tree lots setting up their trees early, they keep them watered and tended. But Food Lion just leaves them out there to become compost...grrrr... Way to let a symbol of one of my favorite holidays go to poo.

After dropping Joe off at work, I proceded to my mall to do a bit of shopping - mostly for Christmas, a little for me - yeah! There were some great sales, and I had every intention on investigating most, if not all of them. After shopping, I slipped into my store to do my numbers - then POOF! I was gone. Off to Food Lion to do some shopping and to redeem my much appreciated $15 Butterball gift certificate - who doesn't love turkey?

Tonight Extreme Home Make-Over is pre-emted for the AMAs. Since I'm not terribly interested in most of the music award shows, Joe and I will spend it snuggled up in front of the TV with rented DVD's (Knocked-Up and Evan Almighty), hot apple cider and possible some yummy nabs of some sort.

Sleepless in Manteo

2007-11-18T02:53:14Z

I've had some trouble sleeping lately. I find myself waking up at 3:00, 4:00 or 5:00 in the AM, for no apparent reason. So, what do I do? I tidy up the living room and kitchen. Heat up some water in the kettle for some instant spiced apple cider, pop some delicious Orvell Redenbacher, and pop in some chick-flix. If nothing else, I'm catching up on my romance movies.

Thursday Night Birthday

2007-11-18T02:47:57Z

My friend Vicki Burford turned 45 Thursday. Her son is/was also getting married on the following Saturday (today), so you can imagine that the last thing the thought would happen is a get together of the people she loves, and that love her, on her birthday.

She had been emailing me for months working on the details of her son's rehearsal dinner. All the while, her husband was emailing me about the details on her birthday celebration. It's fun being in the middle of happy stuff for a change.

The dinner went off without a hitch - baring a couple of hair pulling moments, ie: not knowing where on earth I was picking up the cake (long story, won't go there now, lol). The cake was as rich as could be. Yummy, moist, and very chocolately (this from someone who typically doesn't care for chocolate cake). During dinner, I kept teasing Vicki about the poles on the dancefloor (use your imagination). Those that know Vicki will understand - she's been known to dance with chairs when she drinks. I just thought I would change it up to a pole. I think this intised her to tease Joe about doing a strip tease for her. Those that know Joe would have a hard time figuring out where this came from...but he played along like a trooper. I think he's understanding by now that my family, and extended family, are a bit bizzare, and there's no point in trying to understand, nor fight it. Just roll with it, as he did by shrugging it off and stating, "it is her birthday."

The evening ended early as most were tired, including myself and Joe. Everyone had a big weekend ahead of them, and many of them had traveled all day. It was a really nice evening though. To finish it off, Joe told me last night that my Mom said to him as we were leaving, "Thank you for making my daughter so happy." It's wonderful to have so much love around you. I'm a lucky girl, and by the attendance and laughter we all shared, so is Vicki. Happy Birthday Vicki Burford.

Put'n the Hip in Shipment

2007-11-14T04:15:02Z

I was a litte gitty today for a shipment day, not sure why. Maybe I'm just loosing my mind with such a long 2 weeks, maybe it's cause is was one of the EASIEST shipment days we've had in a while, or maybe it was just that we are void of one employee for a week... I'm not sure. None the less, I was definately in a very good mood.

My mother called today at the store to let me know what her plans for Thanksgiving were. During the conversation she mentioned that my sister had just gotten crappy news about her adultering husband. Apparently, there are a few more promises he won't be able to keep - what a shock. That was a bit of a downer. Oh well, she'll get thru this too...she has a great deal of support.

Marathon Day

2007-11-12T03:26:16Z

Today was the 2nd Annual Outer Banks Marathon. I was really expecting an insane drive into work today, but it wasn't so bad. Last year, it took me 1/2 an hour to get to work (it normally only takes me 10 minutes). This year, it only took me 15-20 minutes...not bad at all. The longest wait I had was turning into the mall.

I took a few pictures on the way in. Mind you, the marathon began at 7am, and these pictures were taken at about 9:45/10:00am, so many of the runners had already made it in to the finish line. Also, the shots are too hot since I really didn't sit still much, therefore, I had to keep my eyes on the road, not on the camera. That's okay, you get the idea.

bobakins @ 2007-11-10T10:19:00

2007-11-10T16:23:21Z