CELEBRITY Dick van Dyke Actor Dec 13, 1925 Dr-o Ludvig L. Zamenhoff Father of Esperanto Dec 15, 1859-1917

SATURDAY – DECEMBER 1, 2007

Unadodaquidena – Vsgiyi Saquu
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏈᏕᎾ – ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏌᏊ
 

I got up late... nearly noon. I fixed a bite to eat, consisting of some hash-browns and one egg. I got myself up and out and actually got to work early. I don't know how much longer I can do this. I am just wearing out.

At work today, I took the CPNI training course. Sometime soon I will have to take the INSIGHT training which will be a week long.

SUNDAY – DECEMBER 2, 2007

Unadodaquasgv  – Vsgiyi Tali
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏆᏍᎬ – ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏔᎵ
 

3:41a – I am getting my journal caught up during the wee hours here. I had to create a December page quickly. The header/banner above has pictures from last year's ice storm...and Kira's eyes looking out from the dark. It was around this time last year that she finally lost her legs and began her rapid decline. Another month will mark her passing from this world and will be a sad time of remembrance for me. I miss my "Kira-ma-dira" so much. She was by my side for nearly 14 years. There is a void there now.

I got home tonight and Skip still up. He cooked a wonderful pork loin roast, and made twice-backed potatoes. I have to got get them all put away ... and eat some now! 4:49a – I just finished eating Skip's great food (plus some broccoli) and watching "The Santa Clause III" ... which was very amusing. Off to bed now.

12:19p – I had such crazy dreams last night. A little more off the wall that usual. Once segment stand out in my mind as I am trying to escape the authorities, along with several women. I think it all started when Doug's father was (in the dream) laid off from his job, one year before his planned retirement. He was being forced to move into some Assisted Living Center ... or something like that. At any rate, it was not what he had planned on. I was somehow involved with helping get the women out of the grasp of these Totalitarians. There were 2 young girls, an older girl, their mother, and the elderly grandmother. The plan was to dress them up as Muslims and sneak them away (on a City bus, no less). I remember noticing that their makeup (to darken their complexion), was not applied very well.

3:08p – I called in tardy again today. I am just feeling so run down and lethargic. It's so hard to get up and go. I don't know how long I am going to be able to continue working on a regular basis. I took some caffeine for energy and some ibuprofen for all the pains... my hip especially is hurting today. Maybe its this weather? Anyway... off to work again now.

Elizabeth sat next to me tonight. She's a nice lady, but she constantly complains. I can't stand this job either, and I have my complaints, and I sometimes give voice to them ... but not constantly. It starts to wear one out after a while. Anyway, floor support and phone calls went about as usual. My last call went past 1:00a and, like last night, I did not get home until nearly 2:00a. The temperature when I got in the car was 26°f and there was ice over the rain puddles in the parking lot.

MONDAY – DECEMBER 3, 2007

Unadodaquonvhi  – Vsgiyi Tsoi
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏉᏅᎯ – ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏦᎢ
 

5:08a – Off to bed... way too late. I've been watching Jackie Chan's movie, "The Myth" tonight.

12:38p – Day 3. I am up, but everyday seems to be more difficult. I used to get up around 11:00a, or a bit before. Now I am getting up past noon. I've showered, but I still need to eat a bite and get dressed and out of here.

3:23p – I called in late again. This is getting bad, but I just have no energy.

I spent all day in floor support, even though I was not scheduled for it. I was busy for much of the time, but I got some respite and had a nice spell of no pressure.

TUESDAY – DECEMBER 4, 2007

Taline iga – Vsgiyi Nvgi
ᏔᎵᏁ ᎢᎦ – ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏅᎩ
 

4:32a – I watched PART-I and part of PART-II of the "Tin Man" movie. It is a take off from "The Wizard of Oz" ... yet so completely different and NOT the same! I am enjoying the movie so far, and enjoying the allusions even more. What a neat concept!

Meanwhile... off to bed. One more day of work left. I must not be tardy again. That will not look good on my record, history, or whatever. Oh... and it looks like I will be in INSIGHT training next week.

12:19p – I slept soundly last night, only waking up about twice. Nevertheless, I still feel exhausted this morning (afternoon). At least I have the next 2 days off. I can sleep all day tomorrow if I want. I am sleeping too much here lately though. Whatever.

1:20p – I am headed out now. On time today. I know... boring, boring journal entries. Go to bed, get out of bed, go to work, come home, eat ... that about sums up most of my life it seems.

I spent the entire day in floor support again. That was okay with me, though we seem to have a new wave of really "lost" agents. On the other hand, I am getting really good at some of the technical stuff and am now even "rolling modems on eMTA devices" ... which is very complicated, can vary in different parts of the US, and requires a lot of focus and concentration!

WEDNESDAY – DECEMBER 5, 2007

Tsoine iga – Vsgiyi Hisgi
 ᏦᎢᏁ ᎢᎦ – ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᎯᏍᎩ
 

3:58a – I just finished watching PART-II of the "Tin Man" series. I LOVE this series. It is "loosely" based on "The Wizard of Oz" ... very loosely. The little similarities here and there are very subtle, and very well added to the entire story. I accidentally erased PART-II from the DVR tonight. I meant to leave it incase Skip wanted to watch it. PART-III is recorded too, but I will watch that later.

... for as long as it remains available, here (above) is a great trailer for this mini-series.

4:39a – I am getting hungry ... off to appease my appetite, then to bed.

2:15p – I finally got out of bed today at a little after 2:00p. I am feeling very depressed, and the dreary gray sky is not helping.

4:37p – I picked Skip up from the train stop. It is a cold, (but not freezing), gray and dismal day. I worked on adding birthdays to THE BRAMBLEPATCH Yahoo Group calendar tonight. I cooked a small Chuck Roast. I made a beef stir-fry from it... as usual.

THURSDAY – DECEMBER 6, 2007

Nvgine iga – Vsgiyi Sudali
ᏅᎩᏁ ᎢᎦ – ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏧᏁᎳ
 

I slept later than I wanted to, getting up after 1:00p. I did nothing worth mentioning today, other than washing a few dishes, fixing a bit to eat, and watching the third and last episode of Tinman. This is a spectacular movie, regardless of it origins with L. Frank Baum who was racist and supported genocide of my Amerindian ancestors. By the time the "Wizard of Oz" movie came out, starring Judy Garland, the political and racist factors behind Baum's story were largely lost and forgotten already. With this new evolution of the story, whatever tenuous connections to those negative origins which may have survived, have been eradicated. I think it is ironic that I, a modern day Celt-Amerindian mix, would find this version of Baum's story so wonderful. I wonder what he would think of it today? I am sure he would be flattered that the story he created had gone on to inspire a 3 part mini-series (once he learned what a mini-series was).... but I am not so sure he would be happy with the loss of his racist inflections and political views. Too bad!

7:55p – Oh... and it just struck me as intriguing, that "Toto" the little dog, is a shape-shifter in "Tinman." He was DG's "tutor" when she was little. (DG is the main "Dorothy" character, and Dorothy Gale was her 'greatest of grandmothers'). Toto, (the tutor), is a black man. I wonder how that would set with Baum? 8:09p – I went to pick Skip up from the train today. I was snowing when I stepped outside! The snow alternated from snow, to sleet, to rain, and hail... I expect it will be messy tomorrow.

TOTO

I took some pictures of what looks to be an oncoming ice storm. My care was already encased in ice with icicles forming on the door handles, and my rose bush had icicles forming on leaves..

FRIDAY – DECEMBER 7, 2007

Tsunagilosdi – Vsgiyi Galiquogi
ᏧᎾᎩᎶᏍᏗ – ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏧᏁᎳ
 

1:33a – I am off to bed.

12:41p – I got up in good time this morning. I feel better than I usually do this morning. I hope the boost of energy holds through the work day.

It was pouring rain this morning, yet the leak in my bedroom ceiling seems not to be leaking now. Odd. Anyway, the car was not frozen over as expected. I had brought in my snow/ice tool expecting to have the chip the car out of ice this morning, but ... it was not needed. I put it back in the trunk.

I was just a few minutes late to work today. I left in good time, but forgot I had to stop for gas. Then I my oil light came on, so I stopped and put in some oil. There was a train crossing Cam Jackson, but it was gone by the time I started putting the oil in the car. I pulled out from the QT ... and there came another damn train! I thought I might get in front of it by zipping down Range to Mildred, but I got slow-pokes in front of me... and had to wait for it anyway.

It took me about 45 minutes to get properly logged in since the ACSR program had to do another of its long, annoying updates, which usually take 20-30 minutes. I did floor support until 7:00p. My very first phone call was one of these new PIN issues, and I was not sure how to handle it... but I faked my way through it nicely.

I finally got my refund for $2.75 from last September when the "wheel of death" (food vending machine), stole my money. I really did not think I would ever see the money again. I was surprised. I also got Josh M. to fix my schedule for  me for next week. They had it all mess up. I was set to work for 5 8-hour days, but I am on 10-hour days, and I have one day of PTO that week. I should be working only 3 10-hour days (for a 40-hour week). He got it fixed up for me, but I will be working from 1:15p to 12:00. I still think that is slightly off... but, ...whatever.

SATURDAY – DECEMBER 8, 2007

Unadodaquidena – Vsgiyi Tsunela
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏈᏕᎾ – ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏧᏁᎳ
Wishes en Memoriam for my distant relative,
Louellen (Skinner) Dabbs,
who passed away today.

On the way home I had to wait for another train at Camp Jackson. I saw it as soon as I turned off of Route 3 onto Camp Jackson, so I drove very slowly hoping it would pass by the time I got to the crossing. It did not. It was a long train. I thought it was coming to an end, when I heard another train. And here it came from the same direction, running along side the first train. This second train was moving much faster, and although it was long, it was much shorter than the first train.  The second train passed by ... yet the first train was STILL going! It was no where near done. Finally it passed and I started up the car. Errr... I attempted to start up the car! I went dead on me and cars behind me began honking (which we all know will usually get a stalled car running!). I popped the hood and molested the battery until the under-hood light came on, shut the hood again (bad idea) and tried to start the car. Dead, dead dead. I popped the hood again and performed repeated violence upon the battery, while reciting profane incantations. The lights came back on, I left the hood open, so of course the car started. I closed the hood, and (slightly out of breath) ... continue my merry way on to the security and sanctity of "home."

3:23a – I am catching up my journal. I just finished watching a recent episode of Torchwood ... "End of Days."  WOW... very dramatic!!

4:17a – I made a quick stir-fry of left-over left-over left-overs and eggs tonight. It filled the space... but know I am off to bed. No work for a couple of days!

8:24p – I did not get up until after noon today, but I slept pretty soundly through most of it. I got up, stumbled into the living room and sat in front of the TV for a while, trying to get my metabolism back awake. Skip came out of his room a bit later and (of course), the first thing he says is... "Oh! You're up? Y'wanna go eat?" ... like I did not expect that! lol! We finally did head out to get a bite to eat. We went to Garibaldi's. We had a little trouble finding it (again), but far less than last time and we did not have to ask directions or call them (as we did last time). Sadly, we are finding that our first time there was a good experience, but subsequent visits, while "pleasant" enough, are not quite up to par with that first visit.

The weather has been simply atrocious today. Gray, cold, wet, ... just really nasty. Also, the car has been an annoyance, since I have to "fiddle" with the battery every time I try to start the car. We drove back toward home, but stopped at AutoZone where Skip bought us some new wipers for the car. That was a problem, and after installing just one of the wipers, we still had a problem with the awful scraping noise happening against the windscreen.  I think it is the passenger side wiper that is making the noise. Meanwhile, the driver's side wiper is much better (as per vision), but I need both sides working TOGETHER.

We had to play with the battery again to get the car started, then we drove over to Q-Mart. I learned a new word in Gujarati... "bahar" ... meaning "outside." I surprised my Gujarti friends by saying "Tundu che" ... (it's cold!). Now I can say, "tundu che bahar" ... (it's cold outside).  Actually, I remember this from living at Gentry's Landing and learning Gujerati from Jaci and friend's at "John Hernry's convenience store" in down town St. Louis.

After arriving home, and getting settled in, Skip and I sat down and watch "Ratatouille" ... the animated movie/cartoon. It was very enjoyable, and I think we both enjoyed it. I enjoyed sharing the experience with my brother....I think he did as well.

SUNDAY – DECEMBER 9, 2007

Unadodaquasgv – Vsgiyi Sonela
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏆᏍᎬ – ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏐᏁᎳ

12:05a – I have gone through most of my beer, and I am going to eat my eat my rice pot for this evening. I am also nearly through eating my listening posts for my junk communications tonight.

12:32a – I am keeping in point with my ... pointless in push. I am drunk, but in touch with me friends!

Okay... no clue what I said there! lol!!! I think I was dozing off...

1:50a – Oof! ... full ... just ate a big supper, and am off to bed now. I hope I don't sleep the day away again tomorrow, but then again, I don't want to get up an deal with depressing reality for no good reason. However, I really need to get some bills paid. It is getting very serious. I have not paid a bill in over a month or two. I have been procrastinating. Mainly because I just don't have the money to pay the bills... not because I don't want to pay them.

1:55a – Anyway... off to sleep....

12:50p – I got up a little earlier today, before 11:00a I believe. I am not terribly motivated. I just sat in the living room and watched another episode of ST:Enterprise. I don't feel good this morning. My stomach is queasy and I am experiencing heartburn.

We had a fairly productive day, despite the foul, grey, rainy, dreary and depressingly wintry weather. We drove to Fairview Heights. The car is still requiring "help" to get started every time I turn the motor off, but... we managed. First we went to Shoe Carnival and we both bought a pair of shoes. We got a pair marked down in price, and also on special (by one, get one 1/2 price). We ended up getting the same shoe (we both liked it), for about $32 each. Then we went next door to the "Dollar Tree" ... where I bought 5 bottles of cheap Eau de Toilette. From there we went to the nearby Big-K (K-Mart) and Skip spent about $100 on 3 new shirts (with ties), anther separate shirt, and at least one pair of slacks. He is getting his new wardrobe together for his new position as "Administrative Assistant to the Director of Facilities Management" ... Oh... I forgot to mention he got a promotion yesterday! Another promotion. And I am still making squat at this crappy job. <sigh> ...

The Starlings have found that they can stay warm by gathering under the exterior lights at Longhorn, where we had lunch today.

Well, the prices were so good (40% off) that I bought 3 new shirts myself. This is the most I have spent on clothing in the last 2+ years! Since losing my job, I have bought 1 pack of socks, a sport coat (from Good Will), and 2 cheap tank tops from Wal-Mart.

MONDAY – DECEMBER 10, 2007

Unadodaquonvhi – Vsgiyi Sgohi
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏉᏅᎯ – ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏍᎪᎯ

1:52a – I am off to bed now. I have to be up early tomorrow, to be at work at 1:15p.

2:35a – I got up this morning to find that the furnace is not working. I thought the gas might be turned off, but the bill is just due today. I checked with Ameren and confirmed it was not turned off. I went ahead and set up the payment anyway, along with the house phone, both cell phones, and the DSL bills. Then I called in tardy today so I could go over to Wal-Mart and pick up a couple of space heaters. I sent Blake the receipt for these, since the furnace should have been service sometime during the past 4 years and I've asked him about it. This place is slowly falling apart, and I no long have the financial means to take care of things here. I sure wish we could move, but wherever we go, it will cost more and I can barely afford things here.

Anyway, today was Skip's first day on his new job as Administrative Assistant to the Director of Facilities Management at the Washington University Medical School.  To think that he started off on the night crew emptying trash cans. I am very proud of him. Unfortunately, the new position was another "lateral" move, which he did not realize, so his pay stayed the same. He was, however, promised a 6% raise, so that is some consolation.

I began my INSIGHT training today. We cover all the most commonly used tools except the once called "iComs" ... we will begin studying it tomorrow. This class is usually 5 days long, but my group (floor support) is considered exceptionally intelligent, and only need three days of training. So far, it looks like they are correct. Oh ... I wore my new red shirt to work for the first time today.

TUESDAY – DECEMBER 11, 2007

Tsoine iga – Vsgiyi Sadu
ᏔᎵᏁ ᎢᎦ – ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏌᏚ

I nearly over slept today, which is something I have never done since working this job. I really did NOT want to get up. I had the space heater running in the bathroom, so at least I did not have to shower in a cold bathroom.

I actually made it to work and almost on time... just a few minutes off. I wore my new tan shirt to work for the first time today. I took 9 or 10 phone calls in about 1.5 hours at about 7 minutes average handle time. That was not bad.

I got to class, day 2 of 3, on time. I took my lunch with me today, but on break the wing boy was there and I was enticed to get a small order of wings. I ate all but one, and ended up eating only that one wing for lunch. It was all I really needed.

In class, we started learning the iCOMS program. I am going to dislike this program I suspect. It is very convoluted. After break, Victor, our instructor, asked for a volunteer to come up and I raised my hand and jumped into it with serious intent. I know me... I have to use the damn program if I am going to comprehend it. (Much less, as floor support, to SUPPORT it!). Well, it helped. It is still complicated and it will be a problem with the learning curve, but using it in front of everyone did help. I ended up in front of the class 2 or 3 times tonight.

WEDNESDAY – DECEMBER 12, 2007

Tsoine iga – Vsgiyi Talidu
ᏦᎢᏁ ᎢᎦ - ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏔᎵᏚ

4:09a – I need to get to bed soon, but I am catching up a few items in my journal. Blake emailed me. He is iced in with no power and apparently has trees down on his house so ... great. Now our landlord is out of commission. I told him that he needed to service the A/C and furnace, but ... he did not think it was so important. Now we have no heat and he is in even worse condition, and expects us to fix it. I don't think he realizes how dire our situation is here financially! (I don't think Skip does either, for that matter). I am trying to keep bills paid and not let the household collapse, but... one can only do so much with so little...

Anyway, we have dodged the ice storms, so far. I have a space heater in the living room. It is tiny and weak, but makes a small difference. I have a skillet full of water on the stove too, and I am cooking supper in a pot sitting inside of that skillet of water. Making the most of what I can. It's not too cold in the main areas of the house. (Well, its not too cold outside either for that matter).

I am about to go eat and I need to crash SOON!

4:41a – I ate and it was good. Skip got up for a bit and asked me if the heat was back on. Nope. Just my manipulation of the space heater and a skillet of water in the kitchen! In fact, I am fixing one more bite of left-overs now. I need to get to bed, but I am still hungry!

5:04a – I fixed a bit more to eat. Now I am over stuffed (of course). Off to bed. Way too late!

1:41p – I had to call in late today. Again. I doing that, but I am just getting too worn out. Skip called me a couple of times and left a voice mail. He has scheduled an appointment with Dow Furnace for someone to come out tomorrow between 2:00-4:00p. I called Blake and left a message for him on voice mail and gave him the number. I hope he is not going to have a problem with this.

Today was a long, but easy day. Long, even though I went in late. We continued to cover the iCOMS program. I think I have learned it about as well as I am going to without having a working sample to work with (my computer would not let me run the program, not even the training version, so I was handicapped). The other programs were all fairly simple, but this iCOMS program is going to be a pain to deal with. This class is normally held for 5 days for regular agents, but we were the "smart" class, so they only scheduled us for 3 days. We basically finished everything halfway through yesterday and were just repeating and "ingraining" today. We ordered pizza, and took an extra long lunch. Then came back and basically goofed off and "passed time" for at least 3-4 hours. That was awful. The time just ticked by at a very slow rate! Finally... we got to midnight!

Both Black and Skip called me. I very rarely receive (or answer) phone calls at work, but with the furnace being out, I considered it to be something of an emergency situation. Black called to let me know that he had contacted the furnace company with whom Skip had set up an appointment. He is prepared to pay for the repairs.

Skip called, because he had a holiday function at work and had to go back to Wash U around 9:30p and needed me to pick him up. I left work and decided to try to go down Kingshighway to get to Wash U. That was a mess. I went the wrong way and ended up at the END of Kingshighway at Florissant. I had to turn around and go back. Meanwhile, I am running out of gas and the car is (as usual) smoking and worrying me. It is also raining, but not hard.

THURSDAY – DECEMBER 13, 2007

Nvgina iga - Vsgiyi Tsogadu
ᏅᎩᎾ ᎢᎦ - ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏦᎦᏚ

I finally found my way to Wash U and picked Skip up. He had a dish of food for me, which I will fix for my 3rd meal later. This was very weird coming home with Skip! We work such different hours. We sat and watched some of his recent DVD/Movie, "Super Bad." I was not really all that interested, though it looked amusing. I suppose. Sort of. Lots of crudity, but ... whatever.

3:10a – I am so glad to be at the beginning of FOUR days off from my hated job. YAY!

I don't expect that I will be able to send greeting cards out this year due to the financial situation. I really can't afford to spend money on anything but essentials. However, that has not stopped dear friends and belovéd relatives from sending me cards. So, the best I can do is to display them in my journal to be recorded for history (or at least until my journal becomes lost).

HOLIDAY CARDS

The first card I opened this years was on the day after Thanksgiving. However, this card was very exceptional! The card was sent to me by Ron and Audrey Glossop. Dear associates of mine who are members of the Esperanto Association of St. Louis. The odd thing is, they sent this card to me LAST year in 2006! I managed to lose the card in my paperwork, and ironically found it and opened it on November 23, 2007. For that reason, it MUST take the very first position in my exposition of cards received!

I love this card! Very non-denominational, great art, and very cute. This card was from Clara Moran, my ex-sister-in-law and (I assume) family. That would include my nephew Scott, his wife Rachel, and the boyz, David & Dylan. Speaking of whom....

Inside the card was a picture of little David with Santa!
It is so weird to think that little David's great-grandmother ... is MY mother!

 

Meanwhile, from Alabama, my sister Judy and her husband, Fran,
sent this beautiful card to both me and Skip, with lots of glitter and holiday cheer!

 

From my brother Ken and his wife, Blanca, I received this rich and artistic card.
I cannot help but to feel a bit of sadness with this one, since this will be
the family's first Christmas in 29 years without Ken's daughter, Tammy,
who was taken from us on July 4th of this year quite unexpectedly.

I try to save my cards for various holidays and celebrations over the years, but I think I will try to make it a habit to put them here in

4:54a – I am off to bed now. No work tomorrow, but I do need to be up for the furnace repair person.

1:13p – I just got up. The furnace repairman should be here between 2:00p and 4:00p, so I guess I can't stay in bed all day. It's another dreary gray day outside. No wonder so many people get depressed around this time of year. The weather alone will do it.

4:10p – The furnace repairman got here about 3:15p and just left a bit ago. I am finally getting a chance to sit down with my bowl of soup that I have been cooking since before he arrived. It looks like the gas valve has gone out and will have to be replaced. I have no clue how much that is going to cost, but they won't be able to fix it until tomorrow. Fortunately I will be home.

8:45p – Wow... we just heard a crashing sound and ran to look outside. There is a van that just crashed into the stop sign at the corner by our house. Skip called the police and I grabbed my camera. I wonder how long it will take the police to arrive? They gave Skip a hard time wanting to know what color the van was. It DARK! We can only see it in silhouette.

8:51p – I heard someone talking outside now. Skip says he hears yelling something that sounds like ...  "Shut the f** up!"

8:56p – The police arrived in about 2-3 minutes. I've been standing (barefoot in December) on the front porch taking some photos.

I don't think I am going to get another Rodney King film clip tonight though! lol.... (Jeez... now its freezing in here. We let all our tiny little space heater warmth out).

10:51p – Meanwhile, my roast on the rotisserie seems to be falling apart. I am not impressed. It is not going well. It started out ok, but not is seems to be messing up on me.

FRIDAY – DECEMBER 14, 2007

Tsunagilosdi - Vsgiyi Nigadu
ᏧᎾᎩᎶᏍᏗ  - ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏂᎦᏚ

12:27a – My roast's cooking bag seemed to melt and fall apart. I am worried it was NOT a roasting bag! Oops? I am not sure. The roast came out okay any way, I am glad to report. Meanwhile, I am going to go watch something on TV.

67:09p – I did not get out of bed until about 1:15p. The furnace repair returned a little after 2:00p. He worked a couple of hours on the furnace then announced that the valve was "bad from the box" and had to go back to his office to get a replacement.

Wow... what a chaotic mess the repairman has made! He cleaned it all up again though.

He finally finished up at 5:10p. I left immediately thereafter, and pick Skip up at Q-Mart. We ran over to Schnuck's and got a couple of hens to cook on the rotisserie tonight. And now we're home... and that has just about been my entire day. Here is my home made Christmas card from Bill Grant. Bill is 94 years old as of this past October! He is still traveling around the world, and experiencing life to its fullest... bless him! He just got back from Russia. I sure hope I live such a long and full life as Bill...   11:47p – The hens have been on the rotisserie for quite some time now. I think they must be done! I have heated up some frozen mashed potatoes from Thanksgiving and they just need a bit of nuking and should be find. I made a gravy from scratch ... and it should be great. I think it will be awesome! Time to go eat now. SATURDAY – DECEMBER 15, 2007 Unadodaquidena - Vsgiyi sgigadu ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏈᏕᎾ - ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏍᎩᎦᏚ 1:13a – I just took a long, hot shower... and feel SO much better. Off to bed now. I woke up around 3:00a and could not get back to sleep. Finally, around 4:00a, I decided to just get up and go fix myself a simple chicken noodle soup from the left over chicken. We have a lot, since we only ate about half of one of the two hens we cooked. (Over kill again). I whipped up the soup quickly and sat down to eat it, and watch another episode of my W.I.T.C.H. cartoon series. However, after a couple of bites, I felt queasy... nauseous... my stomach threatened to rebel. I could not even finish the soda.

I finished watching the cartoon, but did not finish the soup. I managed to squeeze it into the fridge, which is getting to full of food that needs to be frozen or eaten. I went back to bed before 5:00a. I had lots of very weird and disturbing dreams. I realize why now.

Wednesday night I took a dose of my full meds ... (I have a few pills left over). One of them will really mess with your mind. That's why I took the meds on a night when I knew I had several days off. I don't know if it will do me much good taking one dose like that. It's probably not a good idea, but I have them, and I felt I should do something to fight "my condition." I don't really discuss my medical issues in my journal much. Some things remain kind of personal and private. Even for me! Anyway, that is probably why I felt exceptionally crappy, tired and lethargic yesterday... and why I had several dizzy spells which were unrelated to my BPPV problem.

I finally got up after 1:00p today after being tormented by dreams do demented I cannot put them in writing, and the usual dry mouth, heart burn, and painfully throbbing right shoulder. Skip had been up for hours, and had gone to look at a house (mobile home) in Dupo. (It reeked of cat piss, was roach infested and he hated it). I walked into the living room and the blind was open, revealing a front yard covered in snow! That was a surprise. I guess it was to be expected we've had so many false alarms lately.

It snowed!

I wanted to go to Soulard yesterday, but the furnace repairman was here, so we were planning on going today. However, by the time I got ready to go, it was already 4:00p ... and the Soulard Market usually closes up by 5:00p. We went anyway. However, before leaving we played in the snow a bit. Skip threw a few snow balls in my general direction... respectfully missing me. Then he started making a tiny snowman on the back of the car.

The Snow Thing comes ALIVE!!! ... from the trunk of my car...

We finally got through goofing off... wasting more time... and headed off to Soulard. Most of the stand were closed, but I did get another 6 pounds of onions for $2, a container of peeled garlic for $1, 3 bunches of turnip greens for $2.50, and 2 bunches of cilantro for $1.00. I tried to find some jalapeños, but ... no luck.

Much to my surprised and pleasure, we ran into Jeff and Grace. We wandered about a bit, look for some open stands, with little luck, then we all agreed to meet down the street at a new "St. Louis Bread Company" store that had just opened up. Skip and I head out immediately and arrived around 5:00p or a few minutes before. Skip got a huge cup of coffee and a delicious fruit pastry, but I am poor, so I did not get anything. I figured I would wait for Jeff and Grace to join us.

Skip's pastry snack ... mmmm... it looked SO good!!

Jeff and Grace seemed to be taking a long time getting to us, so finally, at about 5:15p, I decided we should go ahead and order our food. (We were wanting their French Onion soup). Much to our surprised, we found that they CLOSE at 5:00p! We did not know. However, the management was EVER so gracious and not only did they allow us to order, they let us have it for free! That was like TOTALLY awesome of them and I give them mucho-kudos for that!

The decor was warm and inviting... I felt luxuriously warm and comfortable in this place.

But it did not end there. I called Jeff to let him know they were closed, but ... his phone did not work right and so I had to leave a voice mail. A few minutes later, they arrived at the front door, and the manager asked if they were our friends. Of course, they were, so they were let in. They TOO were given a free bowl of soup and a drink.

/
A warm hearth was the most welcoming fixture ....

None of us paid a dime, and sat there while the crew was cleaning up. That was just amazing. You don't see that kind of hospitality much these days. I loved their fire place, which look like an aquarium, except that it had fire in it. Skip and I sat right under it at first, but I moved us to another table. First, I was too hot there, and second, I did not want to force Jeff & Grace to sit in "chairs" while we sat in cushioned booths. We stayed far longer I suspect than we were welcome, but it was so nice sitting there chatting, and enjoying the camaraderie, that it made leaving most undesirable. However, we could not keep our exceptionally patient hosts tied up any longer, and so we wrapped up our session and headed out. Meanwhile... the snow had continued to fall, and darkness had fallen with it. Jeff returns to his car with Grace....

Snow was again falling, and we had to get the scraper out yet again to clear the windows and such. Jeff had a broom and was using it to clear his windows, so I went over with my ice scraper/sweeper and helped a little (he had done a fine job with the broom already though!).

Skip and I headed back home to Illinois and I played around on the icy surfaces just a bit, intentionally sliding the car around. I was not wild enough for Skip though, and he refused to give me "skill points" ... (that is a gamer reference).

I learned some new words in Gujarati tonight. "Budup" means "snow" and "paré" means "falls." "Budup paré che bahar ... budup tundu che" means "snow falls outsied ... snow is cold." I am learning a bit at a time. It's fun. My Gujarati friends get a kick out of me.

We got home and there was our "Snow Thing" ... where I had moved it, to the top of the trash bin. Snow is still falling and it looks like it may accumulate tonight. However, I took some pictures, and then got the tri-pod out from some night shots.

The "Snow Thing" has evolved a bit over the last few hours!

11:20p – I have been spending quite a bit of time catching up my journal. My day was short and seemingly uneventful, yet it is amazing how much one can document with pictures and interesting (interesting?) commentary!

SUNDAY – DECEMBER 16, 2007

Unadodaquasgv - Vsgiyi daladu
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏆᏍᎬ  - ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏓᎳᏚ

12:14a – I am still updating. It is still snowing. I have not figured out what I will have for supper.

1:09a – Whoo! I feel a bit exuberant. I just took a trip around the block with my carmera, at night, in the snow, very COLD, taking pictures of the neighborhood. Here is a picture of our house in the snow tonight...

2:30a – I need to get supper out of the way and go to bed. I have the annual Zamenhofa Bankedo tomorrow!

3:52p – I am rushing to get ready for the annual Zamenhofa Bankedo.

* Jerry Johnson - David Fallert *
* Ron Glossop - Lee Lewis *

MONDAY – DECEMBER 17, 2007

Unadodaquonvhi - Vsgiyi galiquadu
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏉᏅᎯ - ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᎦᎵᏆᏚ

1:07a – I have been working all evening on the EASL 2007 site. I have too much to do, and I have to be at work for the the next 2 days. I am off to bed for now. I will try to get caught up later. Including my date headers...

Holiday card from my dear friend, Anne Rash

I almost had a wreck on the bridge crossing to Missouri today. Some ignoramus in a big white pickup truck just started merging into my lane. I was going about 50-ish and slammed on the brakes and the horn. The tires screeched and I smelled burner rubber for a while. I am sure I left some of my tires melted into the surface of the Poplar Street Bridge today! Stupid people... stupid drivers... they shall be the death of so many...

I did not have floor support scheduled for today, but people were missing and Jen and ended up covering floor support all day. Snow still covers the ground everywhere, and parking lots have snow heaped up in piles.

TUESDAY – DECEMBER 18, 2007

Taline iga - Vsgiyi neladu
 ᏔᎵᏁ ᎢᎦ - ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏁᎳᏚ

2:01p – I seem to be getting more and more tired every day. I could not get up this morning and had to call in late again. I don't know how much longer I can go on like this. I don't want to go on disability, but I may have no choice.

3:36p – Off to work... late today, but at least I am making it in. I have to find another job, or start giving more serious consideration to SSDI.

WEDNESDAY – DECEMBER 19, 2007

Tsoine iga - Vsgiyi soneladu
ᏦᎢᏁ ᎢᎦ - ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏐᏁᎳᏚ

5:22a – I am up late, have not eaten, and MUST get to bed now.

An elegant yet simple card from Ron and Audrey Glossup.
Members of the Esperanto Association of S. Louis, MO
Received today...

The following document was also written by Ron and handed out at our banquet last Sunday.

10:51p – I slept until about 2:10p. Did mostly nothing except check email and watch some TV. I picked Skip up around 5:30p from Q-Mart. I am cooking a couple of bunches of mustard greens with various "left over" meats from the ice-box for supper. Nothing special today. I remain a bit depressed. Life is not really going well for me these days.

11:43p – I just dipped some of my greens and meats into a bowl to cool. It looks good. Trying to catch up a few loose ends on the computer now...

THURSDAY – DECEMBER 20, 2007

Nvgine iga - Vsgiyi talasgohi
ᏅᎩᏁᎢᎦ - ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏔᎳᏍᎪᎯ

1:01a – I am off to bed... much earlier that last night. Supper was very filling and satisfying. Anyway... time to crash now.

1:25p – Darn. I planned on getting up at 9:00a, but I slept over 12 hours and just got up (a little after 1:00p).

10:24p – I picked Skip up around 4:30p from the train depot. Later, we spent the evening bottling beer.

I fixed supper tonight, which was supposed to be lunch for tomorrow also, but it was so damned good I ate it all! Ooops!

FRIDAY – DECEMBER 21, 2007

Tsunagilosdi  - Vsgiyi talisgo saquu
ᏧᎾᎩᎶᏍᏗ -  ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᏌᏊ

I hated to get up this morning, but  that's no surprise. I was trying to get up by 11:00a, but got up around 11:50a instead. I had lots of email and (as usual) got engrossed in that, but I tore myself away and got my shower taken. I did not have time to fix any food. I managed to get dressed, put oil in the car and still make it to work on time. I stopped at Rally's on the way and got a couple of burgers and fries which I ate on the way to work. I saved one burger for "supper" later.

Two new Holiday cards today. I feel so guilty not getting any cards out this year. I have a box with cards sitting just to my right, but I have just not had the time (or, to be honest, the will power) to get them processed. It would help if Skip were into this too and would help, but when I do it all by myself... it's just not the same. Meanwhile... here are cards from Marty and Jeff...

From one of my oldest and most steadfast friends since moving
out here to the St. Louis area. Marty Koirtyohann has been a great
friend and I am happy to show off his card in my journal...

 

This is my first card from Jeff Bunyard, owner of the prestigious
Hair Salon in St. Louis' French Quarter...
HAIR FETISH
Jeff has become a close friend and we share a common love
of our Cherokee ancestry.
In Cherokee, I say to Jeff, "ᏩᏙ! ᎠᎴ... ᏓᏂᏍᏓᏲᎲᎯ!!"
(the Unicode font to read this can be found at languagegeeks)

Some minor good new for today. I found that I got a whopping .10¢ raise (a 1% increase) and my job title has been stepped up from "Customer Account Executive" to the more lofty and verbose, "Customer Service and Problem Resolution Representative II." I am hoping I may be one of the recipients of the $100 bonus... but I am not holding my breath.

SATURDAY – DECEMBER 22, 2007

Yuletide Day!


Unadodaquidena - Vsgiyi talisgo tali
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏊᎢᏕᎾ -  ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᏔᎵ

2:47a – I came home and relaxed in front of the TV for about a half hour, watching the remainder of what appears to be the penultimate episode of ST:Enterprise. I only have one episode left. It may be the last one. I hope not. I don't want them to run out... but I know there are not many left.

So now I am busy trying to catch up my journal and maybe some bills. The water is going to be disconnected in 2 days! Darn. I will have to try to pay by phone during the holiday period. That may be a pain.

4:47a – I just finished off a steamed potato & veggies. Now I am off to bed. No work tomorrow... YAY!

11:38a – I tried to get up a little earlier today, though I did not get to bed until nearly 5:00a. We have things to do today. I am going to wait until tomorrow to cook the turkey thought. Skip has a coupon for $30 off at some place in Fairview Heights, so we will eat there today. We also need to get our hair cut, and probably do some grocery shopping.

Just before leaving, Skip checked the mail. We have cards from Rubydancingmoon... one for each of us. How nice! I am again ashamed that I did not make/find time to get cards out this year. I could have done at least a few. Skip opened his card (I did not see it yet). I left mine for later.

7:17p – We just got home about 30 minutes ago. I am exhausted. Even Skip says he is tired. We did a lot of stuff today. First we head out to eat at "Lotawata Creek" ... a "Southern grill" style restaurant in Fairview Heights, IL. Skip had a $30 gift certificate from his boss, so we had a nice meal. I had the "Steak Porcini" (Beef steak tenderloin medallions smothered with Provel cheese and Brandy Cream Porcini mushroom sauce. Served with two sides $13.29). I had the creamed spinach and corn on the cob for my sides. Skip had the Steak Tenderloin and Shrimp (A 10 oz portion of steak tenderloin medallions with four hand breaded butterfiled shrimp. Served with two sides. $13.29). He had a sides of mashed potatoes covered in cheese and bacon bits, and a serving of red beans & rice.

They were very busy, but that was to be expected during the holiday time. The decor of the place was very pleasing, but the service was a bit slow and the waitress could have been more attentive. We kept trying to get her attention at one point to get some bread, and were starting to think we were invisible. It was a good experience for the most part though. They were busy.

We left Lotawata, in the nasty drizzle of rain, and walked next door to the Antique Mall. I never knew it was there and had no idea what the place was. It turned out to be quite fascinating and interesting!

I was enthralled by all the old things which, in some cases, took me down my own "memory lane." Such as the old Singer Sewing Machine, and the Polaroid camera... both which look exactly like those Mom had back when I was a child in the sixties. Wow... makes me feel old. That is happening ever more often of late it seems!

Of all the items I saw, the one that I MOST wanted to have for my own was a authentic Blackfoot breastplate. It was selling for $600, which I think is a great deal, but still far beyond my means.

Authentic Blackfoot Breastplate

One other thing which I thought about buying, for only $10.50, but ... I decided to decline... was a Dam Troll from 1986. I (sort of) collect Trolls, and the Dam Trolls are the original line. If I had surplus funds (like a few years ago) I would have bought it without fail.

An original, authentic "Dam" Troll from 1986

8:00p – I opened my card while chatting with RD, and expressed my appreciation directly. This has been a very nice Yuletide day so far. And of course... here is her card to me. I will get Skip's later...

We left the "Antique Mall" ... both of us pleased in our separate ways at what we had found. We head off to Best Buy. Skip wanted to go. Not me. I just get depressed, because I can't afford anything. We parked in a small lake and strolled through the drizzling rain to the store. Lots of neat toys. Many shoppers. No money. Back hurts. We left... (this was not the highlight of the day... obviously). Back through the parking lot lake to the car... then we headed off to get our hair cut.

Skip was seated right away for his hair. I had to wait a bit, (but the scenery was nice... erth' asw' ey' ~asheia t'geiny' izh' erh' utke. I got my hair cut, leaving the 3-digit wide "Mohawk" like strip down the back. I hope to be able to braid it in a couple of months. Oh... I need pictures!

I plan to have this in a
braid for next Powwow!

 

My Christmas card from my VERY dear friend,
Rubydancingmoon (ᏊᏈ ᏅᏓᎠᎵᏍᎩᎠ) in Hampshire, UK
Wado ale Danistayohvhi! - ᏩᏙ ᎠᎴ ᏓᏂᏍᏔᏲᎲᎯ!

10:17p – The lights are flickering... it's storming out. I hope we do not lose power!

11:29p – Skip and I sat in the living room and had a few shrimp from his part platter tonight. He is watching "Sling Blade" ... what a classic!

The power almost went out while we were watching. The TV lost signal and freaked out... a few lights went out and the server rebooted. Meanwhile, I went out to the car and got Skip's card. Anyway, after leaving the hair salon, we went next door to the Cellular phone store. Skip needs a new phone. Oops... we went into the wrong store! This one is for some kind of stationary, or something. So, we slipped out and went one more store down. Oops... still wrong! this is US Cellular! Wrong store again! So again, we slipped out and went one more store down. Finally, we found ourselves at the Cingular/AT&T store and had a long chat with "Alison." I convinced Skip to read some material I have at home first, before committing to anything. We will see. I looked at a $400 iPhone. Damn...I sure would like one!! We left the cell phone store and went to Super Wal-Mart. I picked up a few meat products, and some hair dye. I am going to darken my hair more. Skip did not have his cell phone with him, so we spent way too much time in the store...not knowing where the other was. We left Wal-Mart and went off in search of "Lonnie's Liquor Store." SUNDAY – DECEMBER 23, 2007 Unadodaquasgv  - Vsgiyi talisgo tsoi ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏆᏍᎬ -  ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᏦᎢ 2:27a – I have the Yuletide turkey all ready to go in the oven in the morning. Skip will be surprised when I get up, put it in the oven, go back to bed, and its cooking already! Heh heh!

2:30a – I am off to bed now. I will get up early tomorrow, put the turkey in, and go back to bed!

2:48a – Okay ... NOW I am off to bed! lol...

1:41p – I got the turkey in the over at 9:00a, went back to bed, and got up just after noon and took it out. Skip has eggs cooking for deviled eggs. I am going to make a variation of Mom's "golden salad" ... but this time I am going to use shredded cheddar instead of diced Velveta.

7:37p – I can't believe we have been cooking ALL day! And now the food is basically done, and we don't feel like eating. I had just some mashed potatoes and my new version of Mom's golden salad. It came out very good I think.

MONDAY – DECEMBER 24, 2007

Unadodaquonvhi - Vsgiyi talisgo-nvgi
ᎤᎾᏙᎠᏉᏅᎯ –  ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᏅᎩ

I got up around 6:50a with heartburn and took some Alka-Seltzer and went back to bed. About 10 minutes later I was suddenly VERY ill and rush to the bathroom with my hand over my mouth. Skip was in the bathroom! I rushed toward the kitchen thinking to go outside, but it was too late. I threw myself over the kitchen sink and lost everything. I ended up going in to work late, and I was sick all day. I had some milk before leaving for work, and a little bowl of chicken & rice soup. That was all I ate all day.

Chuck sent me a card from Florida with a note inside saying,
"Hoping to get together in '08!"

My only card from a co-worker this year.
Julie Kehn gave me this card accompanied by a hug!

TUESDAY – DECEMBER 25, 2007

Christmas Day!


Taline iga - Vsgiyi talisgo-hisgi
ᏔᎵᏁ ᎢᎦ –  ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᎯᏍᎩ

2:47a – I fixed a bowl of turkey & rice soup for supper. No beer for me tonight. My stomach is too queasy. Off to bed. I hope I feel better tomorrow.

12:59p – I got up a little after 11:00a. I feel much better this morning. I spent a half hour chatting with Ken, so now I am running behind schedule. But, I've got my shower taken and some soup on the stove. Skip just stepped outside. He says, "Damn! It's T-shirt weather!" We're opening windows to air out the house some.

1:27p – I am headed out now. It should be a slow, but long day.

Oh ...
my ...
Gods!

This was, like, the MOST boring day! I took a few chats, but mostly I spent 10 hours trying to keep myself amused with what I could find online (and we are NOT supposed to be surfing ONLINE in the first place). But, at double pay, I and deal with it!

Rosanne Lytle brought in some cookies. I brought more Cherry Cordials and shared. I had a "Charbroiled mushroom burger" from "the wheel of death" for lunch. My stomach is MUCH better than yesterday! (obviously).

WEDNESDAY – DECEMBER 26, 2007

 Tsoine iga - Vsgiyi talisgo-sudali
ᏦᎢᏁ ᎢᎦ – ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᏑᏓᎵ

4:16a – I got home without incident once again. I am worrying about my tires a lot. I hope the hold out. I don't know what I will do if I have a flat in my physical condition and in this cold weather. I just worry about that a lot... for good reason. Oh well... will deal with it as it comes.

I got home and after getting settled in, I put the latest "Harry Potter" DVD to watch. (HP:The Order of the Phoenix). I watched a portion of that, then retired to updating my journal and checking email. One of my emails was an online Christmas card from Todd, over in China. This is the only "online" card I have presented here, only because it was new and unique. The others I have received were well known and I received many duplicates. (I still love all the senders and respect their consideration though!!).  Here is a snap-shot of Todd's interactive card...

ᏩᏙ! ᏔᏛ...
 ... and here is a poem he wrote in Tsalagi that I found to be really awesome.
I am not much into poetry, but when combined with the linguistics,
the Cherokee script, etc., I could not help but to love it!

by Todd Cornell

4:23a – I am now trying one of my sampler beers, purchased last Saturday. This one is the Widmer "Hefeweizen" wheat beer. Not bad. Slightly fruity for a beer, with a cool tasted. Very smooth. I like it.

12:30p – I got up around noon. Skip has already called me twice... on his new phone. I am trying to get the water bill taken care of before they shut it off. I've been trying to pay this bill for days, but they are never open. Now, with Christmas over, hopefully I will reach someone. I called a moment ago, the phone rang once, but then my cell phone started ringing. It was Skip, so I hung up the call to the Water  Department. Once I was off the phone with Skip, I called them back... and got a busy signal. Time to try again.

1:05p – I found out (not unexpectedly) that one cannot pay the bill by phone with the Water Department. I will have to drive down there in person. How inconvenient!

1:51p – I am back. It was not far. I was lucky to find it though. I had to turn off of 157 onto Jerome Lane, and there is NO sign marking Jerome at all. The first intersection I found which DID have a sign was so faded that I could just barely make out the letter "J". Typical of this area. I am still so spoiled by Central Florida and its efficient roadways and signage. I used to complain, but little did I realize!

Then I came home and practiced my levitation in the back yard...

Not too fancy, not much height, but at least I am off the ground!

8:49p – I fixed a couple of so-called "Bacon Wrapped Beef Steaks" which we bought over the weekend. We are very disappointed in them. We thought by "steak" they meant "steak." Apparently the meant "hamburger meat". Nothing on the package says anything about hamburger, or ground beef. I think there is a brief mention of "chopped steak" ... but again we are seeing "steak." It was a very misleading purchase.

This is what the box looks like. BEEF STEAK...

What the HELL is a 30% solution? ... a solution of what?

This is what one of the "steaks" really look like... hamburger!

9:28p – The odd part is, after all this complaining, is that they taste great. I enjoyed the product. I just did not like being  "lied" to about what I was buying. That was more important that the actual quality to me and Skip.

THURSDAY – DECEMBER 27, 2007

Nvgine iga - Vsgiyi talisgo-galiquogi
ᏅᎩᏁ ᎢᎦ - ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᎦᎵᏉᎩ

I got to work late again today. No real excuse today, except I just didn't want to go in at all. I am finding it increasing harder to make myself go to this job. Also, I am worried a tire may finally be going out on the car. I am getting a vibration that is worrying me.

I received a box in the mail from Shining Woman today. I have not had a chance to open it. She had told me she had a gift she was sending me. (I love surprise gifts!)

On the way to work I was listening to NPR as I often do and they were discussing the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto. I have been following her return from self-exile back to Pakistan, followed by Musharraf's imposition of emergency martial law. (I know, they called it something else, but it sounded like martial law to me). As I listened to the radio discussion, I started to get a suspicion that this was more serious than I had thought. They seemed to make several references to Bhutto in the past tense. My suspicions were soon confirmed when I learned she had been assassinated. I am not overly surprised, but I am deeply saddened. The world lost a great woman and Pakistan's progress from a military dictatorship to a democratic government has taken a major set back.

FRIDAY – DECEMBER 28, 2007

Tsunagilosdi  - Vsgiyi Talisgo-sudali
ᏧᎾᎩᎶᏍᏗ - ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᏑᏓᎵ

5:25p – I finished watching "Borne Ultimatum" with Matt Damon this afternoon. Made a pork steak and eggs for first meal. And spent a lot of time cleaning up my journal for this month, getting all my Cherokee daily headers corrected and uniform.

I spent the evening on the computer and/or in front of TV. Boring life. I did get a few things accomplished today. I got the cans (for recycling) bagged up; did some laundry; got Skip's electric grill cleaned up; and got some food and dishes cleared out of the icebox.

I finally got Shining Woman's gift open. It's a Cherokee Dictionary compiled by J. T. Alexander. This look like it may be about the most extensive Cherokee Dictionary I've seen.

SATURDAY – DECEMBER 29, 2007

Unadodaquidena  - Vsgiyi Talisgo-sonela
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏈᏕᎾ - ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏔᎵᏍᎪ-ᏐᏁᎳ

11:53a – I am up. It's another work day. I had an exceptionally busy night full of dreams. They were mostly good dreams and entertaining, though I can't remember them much already. I remember one fragment where Skip speaks to me and says, "You sleep to much." In another short dream, Randal James from Orlando, was riding a horse in a busy down town area. A police man seemed to be admonishing him, but Randall and his horse would spin around like a top, and end up further away. The cop would catch up admonish him again. This happened 3 or 4 times, when Randall got off of his horse and grabbed the cop by the hair and held his face to a shop window. Apparently, there was a crime being committed within and Randall was rather forcefully brining it to the cop's attention. That's about all of that dream that I can remember.

SUNDAY – DECEMBER 30, 2007

Unadodaquasgv  - Vsgiyi Tsosgohi
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏆᏍᎬ - ᎥᏍᎩᏱ ᏦᏍᎪᎯ

4:34a – I got home just before 1:30a. I watched "Star Dust" on DVD while making supper. I made a mixture of turkey, vanilla infused pear chunks, bell pepper, cashews, sesame seeds, sumac, and other ingredients, to make a flavorful mixture to cover rice from this morning, which I heated with some butter. Meanwhile, I am off to bed. I have at least 3 more days of work.

3:15p – I slept badly and felt exhausted this morning. It's getting harder and harder to get up every day it seems. I called in late again. I am just so tired. But... I am off now. Steve if doing floor support by himself, and I was due on at 2:30p.

I spent until 7:00p in floor support tonight, then I went on phones for the longest spell I have had in a while. I think I may be on phones all day tomorrow though, so I better brace myself. Elizabeth brought me over some of those "Lindor Truffle" chocolate spheres... OMGS ... they are SO delicious! I am going to have to buy some. I got "Brian W's" email and added him to my email list tonight. He's seems like a nice young man. Intelligent and personable.

MONDAY – DECEMBER 31, 2007

Unadodaquonvhi  - Vsgiyi Tsosgo-Saquu
ᎤᎾᏙᏓᏉᏅᎯ - ᏦᏍᎪ-ᏌᏊ

2:58a – I drove home without incident, but I am still worrying about that vibration, which I think is a tire going bad. I have not even turned on the TV tonight. Just been catching up email, journal, etc.

The turmoil in Pakistan continues. I feel very connected to their plight for some reason. I am still deeply saddened by Madam Bhutto's assassination. It was a very bad thing... for the world.

3:05a – So ... we are now on the last day of 2007. My very first "New Year's" was exactly FIFTY years ago. I wonder where I was then? I really don't know. Maybe in Texas...

Here is a picture of me from around that age. I would have been 3 months old for that first New Year's Eve, and I look to be just a little older in this picture.

I am guessing this was taken in either Texas, where I was born, or in Munford, Alabama, where my Mom was from. I am the baby sitting in the lap of my great-grandmother, Ethel Elnora Riddle. Just behind me is my mother, Daisy Colleen Dabbs. The other 3 children are my cousins, Artie, Jackie and Bryan. I have become in touch with my cousin Artie again in the last 2-3 years, and in fact, this photo came from her. I had never seen it until about 2 years ago!

4:33a – I just finished watching Star Trek - Enterprise episode "Observer Effect." I thought this was the last episode, but it may just be the last episode I have seen. I have no more recordings now. I am very sad. I have really enjoyed this series! It has been the best Star Trek series ever, right next to "The Next Generation" ... a great series. I saved and watched this "last" episode on the last day of the year. I hope I have missed some episodes and have a few new delights in the future!

Anyway... I must go eat my concoction of macaroni and turkey, and get myself to bed!

I took calls for a while at work, then I was asked to do floor support. I ended up in floor support for the remainder of the day, oddly.

4:56a – I am off to bed. A bit later than desired, but not too bad.

12:12p – Again it was the usual struggle to get out of bed. My dreams were the usual mêlée of bizarre sequences. In one dream, I was building a giant clay pot, big enough for several people to stand in. I had someone helping me. It was being put together in segments, and had a very complicated design which I can remember, but could never put into writing. Johnny Carson was in that dream. He discussed my camera with me and offered me some batteries for it (but they were the wrong kind).  

Barbara "Blanca" Terrell Sister-in-Law Dec 6, 1972   Tom Murry Co-worker Dec 8, 1946 Dale Lange Co-worker December 11th Lola (Muñoz) Sosa First Cousin December 13th   Scott Kuhr Founder of KLAW December 16th Someone has been ELFED! Debbie Rudder Former Co-worker December 20th Judy Marie (Terrell) Almond First Cousin & Half Sister (I have not seen her in decades) December 21st Dennis Bury Co-worker Dec 22, 1959 Donna Holleritter Long time Friend from my Skating days! Dec 26, 1946 Jack LaPlante Best Friend and "blood brother" Dec 24, 1963 Calisa M. Selfridge My Youngest Sister Decemeber 28, 1963