Holy Clocks Batman! It’s June! June 14, 2009
Posted by Paula in Entertainment Value, General Ramblings.Tags: dietary adjustment, food allergies
3 comments
Yes. I blinked… and 2 months went by. Damn! Things have been good… and busy!
My house is mostly back together… although I’m still awaiting my new couch. I’ve taken about 12 bags/boxes of stuff to Goodwill. That is so freeing! But I have a LOT more to get rid of. I gave the old futon to a friend who was sitting on the floor at his place. Now, not only are he and his wife no longer sitting on the floor, but they also have a spare bed for her sister’s visits! In the meantime, I kind of expected my new couch to have arrived by now… but oh well. It will get here… eventually. The floors look great.
What have I been doing? Well… other than getting rid of stuff when I have some time & energy at the same time… I have been working every week and volunteering with the Sheriff’’s Office on some weekends. I’ve been reading and running errands. And now I’ve been accepted into the APD Citizens Police Academy. Since my stupid leg injuries (stress fractures) won’t allow for me to do the regular academy… this will have to do. This past week, I attended the first class in a 12 weeks series and it’s going to be a blast! It will keep me busy this summer. But I need make time to get back out on the gun range! It’s been about 2 months… way too long!!
Another thing that will keep me busy this summer is research!
Lake Icemaker II & A New Job April 8, 2009
Posted by Paula in Beginings, General Ramblings, Home n Hearth.3 comments
It’s been a long month!
Lake Icemaker, Chapter II:
The repair work to my home is now done and looks great. I haven’t had time yet to post photos, but I will. The kitchen had been linoleum and the dinning room had been carpet. I always thought that was kinda silly, since the two rooms are connected without any wall separation. So now, both rooms are done in ceramic tile. It looks great. It’s now more like a large, eat-in kitchen and it looks 100% better than it did! I couldn’t be happier with the way that turned out.
The living room and hallway have new carpet and also look terrific. The middle bathroom… had been linoleum and I seriously debated whether to do it in ceramic tile or a new linoleum. The upkeep in ”the cat’s bathroom” would (in theory) be easier with linoleum, and I had chosen a nice-looking linoleum. But the tile would look so great! I finally buckled to the tile and it does look great. But the grout sealer I applied, I’m not so sure about now. It’s supposed to work for 20 years… It was supposed to keep any liquid/fluid from seeping in. We shall see, but I now have some doubts. But… the tile floor does look fabulous!
So all the baseboards are replaced, all the painting is done and all the flooring is now in place. It’s nice to have the fridge and stove back where they belong. It’s nice to have my house back.
The New Job:
As some of you may remember (or not) I have been working as a temp at a local utility company for several months. My one year mark was coming up and that utility company can only have a temp in a position for one year. I was beginning to get a tad nervous about if I would have a job within a month! To top it all off, the temp agency I actually work for, is loosing the contract with that utility company. So a new temp agency is about to take over. I really didn’t know what was about to happen with me! Scary!
Last Friday, I was given an offer letter to go to work for that utility company. It is a good offer. So I accepted it. I’m very grateful to now have permanent, full-time employment. Last year, I had been hoping to apply to APD (the police department – yes, as an officer), but the shin splints/stress fractures I sustained had other ideas! I’m still not able to run without pain. So I had to scrap that goal and look at other options. Funny how sometimes life intervenes and changes your path directions! But I must say, this option is an excellent opportunity. So I’m happy to be moving forward in a positive direction.
As far as anything else, I had been turned on to “Twitter” a few months ago. But frankly, I just couldn’t initially get into it. But for whatever reason, I popped back on there again a couple of weeks ago… although this month, time has ceased to make much sense. Anyway, I’ve discovered how to have fun with it now. So I suppose I’m now… “a Twitt?” 
I completed my Conceal Carry class about three weeks ago. I qualified with a .45 semi-automatic and with a 357 Magnum revolver. Now I need to get the application fee & the application submitted. I hope to get that done this month! I need to get back out on the range! I think three weeks is the longest I’ve gone without shooting in several months!
That’s about all the news here (for now), that’s fit to print! So I’ll bid you farewell for now, wish you a happy Easter holiday and hopefully I’ll post again soon.
Be well!
~Paula
Lake Icemaker March 22, 2009
Posted by Paula in Entertainment Value, General Ramblings, Home n Hearth, Strange Happenings.Tags: broken, flood, fridge, icemaker, refrigerator, water
2 comments
Never a dull moment at my house! I sure know how to have a fun Friday evening! As if my flood-fun for January 2008 were not enough… somehow the in-line filter to my ice-maker broke open and flooded my kitchen on the first Friday evening of March 2009. As soon as a few things settle, I’ll post photos… for enertainment, of course! (rolling my eyes!)
I was home, but I was relaxing in my room and watching the news, blissfully unaware that Lake Icemaker was filling my kitchen. It was also stealthily creeping into the carpet of my dining room, oozing under the walls and into the middle bathroom and into the living room and hallway carpet! Lassie never came to get me… oh wait! I don’t have a dog!
The Story:
It was about 5:30 pm that Friday evening and I had just finished dinner. I was overcome by the urge to get a nice, relaxing cup of hot herbal tea. I got up, walked into the hallway on my way to the kitchen. Half way down the hallway my foot encountered, “Squish” in the carpet. I realized that I was also hearing a rushing noise… like water running. At first I thought it was the kitchen faucet and I wondered how the cats had managed to turn it on. I squished onward and rounded the corner into the kitchen… splash! I saw the faucet was not on and for a few seconds couldn’t figure out where the stupid water was coming from. Then it hit me, “The fridge! The icemaker! But how?” (more…)
February Flash! February 26, 2009
Posted by Paula in General Ramblings.1 comment so far
land in the Forest and we drank some of his fabulous coffee in front of a campfire. It was a great way to ring in the New Year… the best one in years! Since then, we’ve managed to fit in a few weekend days at the range. Over the Valentine’s/President’s Day weekend, we took a road trip, 
explored some New Mexico highways and visited Datil, Apache Creek, Reserve, Quemado Lake, and the El Malpais Wilderness area. As always, I had my camera with me and I snapped a few photos here and there.
I learned a lot about the legend of Elfego Baca in the Frisco area (now known 
as Reserve). I snapped some photos of his memorial in Reserve. And since that trip, I have learned that a family friend’s father actually knew Elfego Baca. I was so excited to learn of the connection. How cool is that? History can be so cool!
was going to add to my blog, as he was waiting to see what was new. I hadn’t realized that I had more than about nine or ten readers! haha
Happy belated New Year!
Be Well,
~Paula
I’m Still Here… November 15, 2008
Posted by Paula in Family, General Ramblings, Home n Hearth.3 comments
No, I didn’t fall off the planet. Things have just been insanely busy. As such, I’ve been having to re-evaluate some things I was trying to do.
Sometimes we imagine something we would really like to do… or something we would like to make happen. Then… life happens and causes us to realize that perhaps we need to redefine what is realistically possible given various constraints in our life situations. Boiled down… Life is what happens after you make plans! But more on that at a later time. For now, suffice it to say that I have had a very full plate of issues to deal with at home.
My 7 year old calico kitty, Ginger, has been very sick. But I think we have it under control now. I have a terrific Vet! But there for a week or two, I wasn’t sure if Ginger would make it or not. She wasn’t eating, and she wasn’t drinking enough. I had to take her to the emergency clinic twice in one weekend and then they had to keep her for 24 hours. In the following weeks, we have had to make many trips to our regular Vet, for follow-up treatments. It has been emotionally draining and has kept me busy.
Ginger had a kidney infection and now we are trying to strengthen her kidneys back to a normal level. I initially had to give Ginger liquid antibiotics, which she thankfully finished within a week or so. During that same time, I was also having to give her a couple of other different pills. Since then, there have been a couple of homeopathic treatments… one pill, and one liquid that I have to give her twice a day. I also have to give her subcutaneous fluids everyday… for now. For those who might not know what that is… I have to hang an IV bag (and tubing) of special fluids and then I have to insert the big needle just under the skin on top her neck… then I have to turn on the flow and give her 50 – 100ml of the fluid… whatever she will tolerate. She is such a sweet little trooper! She doesn’t like it, but she seems to understand that mom (me) is just trying to make her well. And after all of that, she still just wants to be in my lap. We shall see what the next few weeks bring. I’m cautiously optimistic that we can eventually take her off the subcutaneous fluids soon and her kidneys will be able to do their job on their own.
Whew! It’s been a crazy month. And two of my friends have lost their Dads this past month. So sad. My heart, my thoughts, and my prayers go out to them both! It has all had me focusing on the importance of being able to BE there when loved ones need us. Anyway… it has been a lot to think about this month.
Enough for now.
Be well!
~Paula
Lady Waiting October 5, 2008
Posted by Paula in General Ramblings, Well-being.Tags: injury, letting go, Running
4 comments
For the last week I have struggled with a choice I needed to make. I’ve wrestled with the fact that I allowed my attachment to an idea get the better of me. That attachment has had me pushing myself harder than I probably should have been pushing. And now I realize that for my own health & well-being, I must choose to release that attachment and reevaluate my circumstances. I now have to regroup and slightly reshape my plans.
Postponed Again… September 19, 2008
Posted by Paula in Body-Mind-Spirit, General Ramblings, Well-being.Tags: injury, Running
3 comments
Sigh… I’m so disappointed!
I was suppose to get that run out of the way this weekend. But that just ain’t happenin’. The stress-fractures/shin-splints are being such buggers!!!
A couple of weeks ago, I thought I felt up to a little bit of sprinting. I thought it went Ok. But… a few days later, not so much. It seems I aggrevated them. After a couple of days went by, the swelling had gradually increased… especially in the knees and ankles. And they ached again. So… back to taking it easy… and just cycling. I guess that I’m pushing too hard, but I’m trying not to be a wuss! There is a balance somewhere, but I don’t seem to have that down yet.
So I have had to postpone the run test again. :-( But I just have to trust that this is for the best. (more…)
Something Quick… September 7, 2008
Posted by Paula in General Ramblings, Well-being.3 comments
Ok, once again, I get to this and it’s late. So just a quick bit here. I’m gradually healing up the stress fractures in my shins. But I need to be ready to run in two weeks. I tried some sprinting this past week. I think it’s Ok… the aching only increased a very little bit and while there seem to be new lumps in my legs, they are minimal. I’ve used up my 3rd tube of Traumeel and need to get more tomorrow. My chiropractor is going to try something new on me this week to help speed the healing, if we can. I’ll let you know more about it when I remember what it’s called and when we see how it works.
Hey, that reminds me, I just recently heard of something called “Compression Socks.” Have you heard of them? Do you know anything about them? Do you think they would help me with the run?
In the meantime, I’m finishing a bunch of paperwork for the cause. Who knows, maybe in the background check, they will run across my blog. To them I’ll say: ”Hi guys and gals! You know… that paperwork was a real bugger! Trying to remember all those names and addresses! Whew! But thanks for the stroll down memory lane!”
Anyway, I gotta go make my lunch for tomorrow and put laundry in the dryer.
Good night,
Be Well!
~Paula
Summer Sneaking! August 13, 2008
Posted by Paula in General Ramblings.4 comments
Holy Cow! I just can’t seem to keep up! Just yesterday, it was a month ago! haha Ok, so I need to contribute a little something here, but it’s getting late. That always seems to happen when I log on to my computer… this update happens, and that update needs to happen… then the e-mails are all piled up and have to be gone through. Before you know it, the evening news is coming on, it’s time to pack my lunch and go to bed!
My class with the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office Citizen’s Police Academy wrapped up a couple of weeks ago. We graduated at the end of July. We had a graduation banquet at the Sandia Casino. It was fun. I’ll post some photos of that… either here or on Flickr… soon. I have to get the photos downloaded off the camera. Author, Michael McGarrity was our guest speaker. He is a favorite author of mine.
My running had to get put on hold when my shin splints developed into stress fractures! Nasty buggers! It is the weirdest set of sensations. I don’t like it. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it buzzes, sometimes it just aches or throbs, sometimes it tingles… mostly just uncomfortable… even when I’m just sitting!! What a pain! My ice-packs have been getting a workout lately. Oh… and it’s 20 pounds gone now.
So I’ve been cycling, instead of running… to keep stretching up the endurance. I also decided to invest in a “bike trainer”… the thingy you put your regular bicycle on… indoors… and make it like a stationary bike. Cycling for all seasons… especially for us wusses who hate the extreme temperatures. (more…)
All for a Good Cause July 1, 2008
Posted by Paula in General Ramblings.4 comments
Holy Cow the year is screaming by! Can you believe it’s already July? My mom just finished her first mystery novel and submitted it to a contest. My step-dad just retired as of today. And I have lost 11 pounds! If you find them, give them to some skinny person who is trying to gain!
I am still working with my trainer and I’m gaining strength and endurance. I’m not quite where I want to be just yet, but I’m getting there. My trainer is very happy with my progress and says I’ll be more then ready by my deadline in August. I have scheduled my entrance exam and my physical tryout. We shall see if I have what it takes to land my goal. When I know more, I’ll let you in on what that goal is.
The relatively new job… the temp job… is going fine. There are good days and… not so good days. The working out helps difuse the stress. All the working out… whew! It leaves very little time to get anything else done! All part of a bigger plan I suppose. Hopefully, things will calm down soon and I can get organized, straighten my house and improve my backyard. In the meantime, it’s all for a good cause!
I hope all your summer plans are working out well. Enjoy!
Be Well!
~Paula
