Tracey's Day of Adventure in South Florida

So Alisa had to work today, which means I was left to do my own thing. Not a difficult thing to do when it's sunny and 75 degrees. I decided to take the GPS, hop in my car (I haven't seen it in a month), and hit the road. Surely with a GPS I won't get lost. Of course, that's only if you turn on the GPS. I start off figuring I know where I need to go first, and I do get there very easily. Then I get back out on the road and I see Macy's. That was one of the stops I wanted to make, and I found it without the help of the GPS. Bonus! I wheel into the parking lot and head into the store, proud as a peacock. As I'm perusing the store, I see 'mall entrance'. Mall entrance? I'm at a mall? Holy crap. What mall am I at? I actually start to go into a mild panic because I know I've only driven a few short miles, and I definitely didn't take a mall entrance. I froze in Macy's, and called Alisa. She asked how I was making out and I said 'uh, I'm sorta at a mall, but I don't know what mall I'm at'. She giggled, then asked me to describe my surroundings. I said Macy's and she informed me I was at the Pembroke Pines Mall. WHEW! I've been to this mall before, but apparently I took a different route. If I had taken a few minutes and actually walked the mall before calling Alisa in a panic, I would have recognized it. But anyway, I manage to make it back to the apartment without the GPS. I'm pretty proud of myself. The fact that I traveled a total of about 10 miles today is not important. It just means we have a lot of amenities near us, which we're totally excited about. Back in Maryland, nothing was within 10 miles of our house. Alisa has already admitted she's spoiled by the convenience of stores down here.

So I get back to the apartment this afternoon, and I start laundry and start prepping for dinner. I'm in Florida, shouldn't I be lying by a pool or on a beach? I should not be watching soaps on a bright sunny Florida day! But, I digress.

I went on an adventure today, just to try to get a little more familiar with the area. I didn't venture far, but I did manage to remember my surroundings, which is a biggie around here. I may be from Cincinnati, but we didn't have intersections that were 6 lanes wide, 4 ways, with U-turns allowed. This is a whole new ballgame. And when the light turns green? If you hesitate for even a millisecond, you'll get honked at. You don't mess with the traffic down here. Even Alisa, little Miss Smalltown, let out with a 'the gas is on the RIGHT'. I was in the passenger seat and I did the only thing I could. I held onto the 'oh shit' handle above the door. I wasn't sure who this person was who was driving, but she sure got my attention! I also had a tear of pride in my eye. My little country bumpkin is becoming citified. And she's lovin it.

I need to get down to Florida soon because she is talking way too much about selling my car and getting a Jeep.

I'll update soon!

My Mom has lost her Ever-Lovin Mind

Once upon a time, when I was a little children about the age of 14, I wanted to get my ears pierced. But I was scared, so my Mom agreed to get her ears pierced again so I wouldn't be so scared. So there we were, having a mother and daughter moment. Mom getting her ears pierced for the second time, and me for the first time. A few years later, I wanted to get my ears pierced again, for the second time. I went to the ear piercing place but they said I had to have a parent present. I was only 17 so I had to go home and drag my Dad back to the mall. He told the lady it was ok and I got my ears pierced again.

Fast forward a few years, when I'm in my mid-twenties and want to get my ears pierced for the 3rd time. I talk to my Mom about it and she very quickly informs me that 3 piercings is trashy. I consider her thoughts, and I get my ears pierced for the 3rd time.

Fast forward again, about 15 years, to present time. My Mom hit 60 and she has started a 'phase' all her own.
So, this is tattoo #5. I asked her if she remembered telling me that 3 earrings was trashy. She does remember it, and she actually says it's still a little trashy! I asked her how many tattoos she has and she told me to shut up.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against tattoos. I want one myself, but I can't decide what I want to live with forever. Maybe I should wait until I hit 60, when my skin has mostly settled into where it's going to be. I don't really need to get a rose or something on my shoulder and have it slide down as I get older. Yikes.

Or what if I were to get Alisa's name on me somewhere? It would be just my luck that in 30 years her name would become stretched out and look all goofy.

Maybe my Mom is onto something after all. We all think she's lost her ever lovin mind, but in fact maybe she is showing how smart she really is. Mom's really do know all.

My Mom still wants us to bond over a tattoo. Maybe we will. Someday.

But only when Alisa won't have a coronary.

A Brief Update

Well, we're in the process of moving to Florida. And I say 'we're' in the process, when actually Alisa has already moved to Florida at the end of January. I'm still here in Maryland, trying to sell our house like a 2 dollar whore. We are technically living apart, seeing each other every 2 weeks. I have very quickly learned, if any more than 2 weeks apart is OK with a couple, then they aren't very close anymore. We are dealing with the 2 week separations as well as we can. Knowing it's only temporary helps. We use webcams, IM's, and of course that ancient thing called a phone. I still have all the animals with me, so Alisa is missing all of us. She is living the life in south Florida, hence the reason I call her every day. She needs to remember she has responsibilities she left behind in Maryland. HA!

I made a trip to Florida a few weeks ago. It was the first time we saw each other for a few weeks, and I didn't hold back. Of COURSE I hugged her like I hadn't seen her for a long time, and I even snuck a kiss on her cheek. I didn't want to be obvious but I also wasn't going to hold back just because someone might find it 'awkward'. Alisa didn't flinch at all, and I thought she might. South Florida is working its wiles on her. She's getting more comfortable in her skin, and finding that people don't really blink an eye about sexuality. This is a huge eye opener for both of us, and I'm really anxious to get down to Florida so we can experience this completely together. My next trip down to Florida just happens to be planned the weekend for Ft. Lauderdale Pride. I think we may actually make the 15 minute drive up to see the parade. I've been to one several years ago but Alisa has never been. Won't she be surprised at what she sees!

So, there it is. We're selling our house in Maryland and moving to Miami, Florida. I thought Alisa would have a more difficult time than I would. I grew up in the big city and she grew up in the country. Turns out she hit the big city running, and I'm the one who is playing catch up.


We'll keep you posted.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! I hope Santa was good to everyone, and more importantly, that everyone had a good time with family/friends.

I needed a place to vent, and I originally put this over on my Myspace blog, but it occurred to me that people may not read my Myspace blogs, so I thought I would copy it over here. I guess one could take that to mean I'm making sure everybody reads my thoughts, no matter how they may try to avoid them.

Christmas Day is supposed to be a blessed event, a relaxed day filled with peace and love. If that's the case, then why wasn't my day filled with peace and love? It was mostly filled with silence and ignorance. And a valium and a cooler of beer.

To make a long story short, Alisa accepted a promotion within her company, which just happens to be in Miami, Florida. So we're moving in the very near future. Alisa told her Mother we are moving, and boy isn't it a treat now being around her mother. Her Mother says Alisa is choosing work over family. Her Mother says Alisa doesn't want to be around her family anymore. So I suppose in an attempt to guilt Alisa into not moving, her mother has decided to pull the silent treatment. Maybe I should state here that Alisa is 31 years old. What's that? Old enough to make her own decisions for her own future you say? WOW, what a concept. Can somebody please tell her mother that?

Traditionally, on Christmas day, we have several stops to make, starting with her parents house. Initially I was just going to meet up with Alisa at her Uncle's house later in the afternoon, just to avoid her mother. But after giving it some thought, I realized that I couldn't let Alisa go thru what could be a potential explosion on her own. So we went to her parent's house around noon on Christmas day. We walked in the house, announced MERRY CHRISTMAS, and we were greeted by her dad and brothers. Alisa's mother completely ignored us. I didn't realize adults actually did the silent treatment. I know I experienced it from younger adults (actually teenagers who didn't get their way) but I don't believe I have ever seen it in an adult. It's pretty embarassing, for them I mean.

I guess I have a question. Do people (especially adults) really think the silent treatment will influence a decision? Does somebody really think that when someone makes a decision, and someone else doesn't like it, that if they pull the silent treatment, then that decision will be changed? I feel sorry for whoever may think their silent treatment will change a decision. This silent treatment is only pushing Alisa away quicker. Not only does she want to move, now she says we won't be coming back for Christmas next year. This year was just too stressful, so next year, we are going to gather 'round the palm christmas tree and sing Feliz Navidad :) Of course Margaritas will be flowing.

Thank goodness for the rest of Alisa's family. Everybody else is being very supportive, which seems to be helping. Her Grandparents have given the 'anything you need' speech, and her uncle and aunt have also said they will do whatever we need to help make this transition easier. Even her goofy little brother Bradley, he sees free vacations in his future. And you know what? I'm very close to just buying him a plane ticket to come visit when he doesn't have school. I believe he is good for Alisa. He may be a little nutty, but he's a good kid. Alisa loves spending time with him.

Anyway, so I guess I'm done venting. I hope Alisa's mother will realize that she isn't putting work before family. Alisa got a job promotion. Most parents would be happy for their children. Alisa is trying to further her career. Her career in the company means she will have to relocate. We won't be in Florida forever, in a few years we will probably have to relocate again, so Alisa can move up in her company. How can a parent not be proud of their child for progressing in a nationwide company? Maybe someone needs to let her mother know that there is life outside of Garrett County.

Merry Christmas! Or as I'm going to be saying this time next year...Check me out and my spanish...

Feliz Navidad y prospero ano y Felicidad! (That would be Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! Thank you Jose Feliciano!)

Rosetta Stone, here I come.

Where has the time gone....

So I am enjoying breakfast and purusing the internet this morning and realize it has been a looonnnggg time since either of us have posted over here. Apparently this is what happens when you become addicted to MySpace. Toss in the fact that MySpace now has a nice little application for my Blackberry and well...no posts on Blogger.

Soooo...I figured it was time to update everyone on the happenings at the Casa as of late. The animals are well....crazy as ever. Seems though that Rascal (aka Crack Dog) isn't so much of a crack dog anymore. Apparently Austin has now taken that title over. His favorite hobby...chasing cats and boy do they LOVE that...lol. Tracey is still a non-smoker and I am so proud of her for that. I have been very busy at work with projects and trips....which is not unusual. Tracey is in between jobs at the moment so while that is happening, she has a new title....AB (aka Alisa's B**ch)....lol. Who knew that job even existed. Something tells me though that is why she is so aggressively trying to find a new job title...the pay is horrible.

So that is a brief summary of the happenings in our world. Nothing exciting, just entertaining.

What to do when you can't talk....BLOG

Well, so much for thinking I only had a cold. Turns out I have Tracheal Bronchitis. What is that you might ask? I ask the same thing, so please let me know when you figure it out. I googled it and I came up with a bunch of bunk and one link that got my attention. Tracheal Bronchitis in dogs, aka kennel cough.

So there it is. I basically have kennel cough. NICE.

I woke up this morning and had absolutely no voice. That's never happened to me before. I've been squeaky, I've had the whiskey-janis joplin voice, but no voice at all? Never happened. I had to text Alisa to call my Dr. to get me an appointment this morning. I went to work, and as soon as I opened my mouth, the laughs started. Yeah, they aren't too compassionate at my work. Fortunately I was only there for an hour and a half before I had to leave for the Dr.

So at the Dr's office, she asks if I smoke. I very proudly said (whispered) NO, I just quit almost 2 weeks ago. She was obviously happy to hear that, and proceeded to tell me that my lungs were clear, so my infection was in my larynx. This is where she starts spouting off doctor stuff and I'm trying desperately to identify at least every other word she's saying. Really, I'm only listening for those magic words....'I prescribe', and 'antibiotic'. Finally I heard those words, but then she added some unexpected goodness to my visit. 'You need to rest at home, losing your voice is nothing to mess with, can you be off work'. Can I be off work? Did I really just hear that question? Well hell yes I can be off work. I don't remember the last time I had an actual doctor's note, but I have one now. I am to be off work for 2 days so I can 'recover comfortably, and not be tempted to talk at work'. SWEET. My orders are to take my antibiotic, and not talk. Not even whisper. Apparently I am to use hand signals or hang a dry erase board around my neck. Alisa leaves for an out of town work session on Tuesday, so being silent shouldn't be a problem for me for the next couple days. Tonight, however, was a bit difficult. I dare you to try to not talk to someone you live with. It's hard to do, even if you have no voice. When I want to get Alisa's attention, and no words would come out, I would make that clicking noise with my tongue. Sometimes I snap my fingers if she doesn't hear the clicking noise. Fortunately I'm not bothered that she's laughing at me when I do that. It really is comical to see. All I need is a helmet to make sure I don't lick the windows. Ohhhh, I didn't say that.

ANYWAY, I'm on my own for the next few days, 2 of which will be spent completely at home, alone, with the animals and no talking. This will definitely be an experience. Hopefully I don't drive myself bonkers. I will probably be online a lot, just to hang on to my sanity. I can't even call the dogs. I try, but nothing comes out. I wonder how quickly they can react to finger snaps and pointing? We shall see. So far they just look at me funny. As if they are saying 'Mom, why are you squeaking?' I think they only come to me out of curiousity instead of minding me.

Since I can't talk, I will probably blog again very soon. I need to talk SOMEHOW.

And yet again, off to my couch I go. One day I'll be able to sleep horizontally again. Sleeping propped up on the couch is WONDERFUL for the back.

*cough* g'nite *cough*

Excuse me, can I bum a smo....sucker?

So Day #11 is in the books, onto Day #12. I have to say, this is much easier than I ever thought it could be. Of course, I have to remind myself that it's probably easy because I have that nifty little patch on my arm. At first I thought oye, 8 weeks of patches, but now I'm thinking only 8 weeks of patches? I imagine when I reach that 8 week mark, I'll be ready to say goodbye to these stinky patches. Fingers crossed.

So, my reward for becoming a non-smoker? A cold. Yippee skippee, a freakin cold, with a cough that is far worse than any cough I ever had when I smoked. Talk about irony. The cough actually concerned me so I did some googling, and low and behold, once a person stops smoking, they can expect to cough, usually very 'productively', for 1-3 weeks. It's the body getting rid of all the crap in its system. Super. I stop smoking, I get a cold, and I have to sleep on the couch so I don't keep everyone awake at night. This stopping smoking thing is GREAT.

I had a coughing fit at work. One of the ladies there hollered from across the room 'hey, how's that non-smoking thing working out for you', sarcastically of course. I however answered her. IT'S *cough* GREAT *cough* bitch *cough*. She laughed, and went outside to smoke. Probably smoking one of the cigs out of a pack I had leftover and gave her. I stop smoking, I get a cold, I get a cough, I sleep on the couch, someone else smokes my smokes. YooooHooooo....where are you silver lining? Come out come out wherever you arrrrrre.

I have noticed I don't have specific days that are harder than others, I have specific times. Like right after a big dinner, ooh that's a biggie. Or when I'm taking the dogs out, that's a big one there too. Standing at the stove making dinner, I didn't realize how often I smoked when I made dinner. But apparently it was all the time. Let me just say, when a sucker won't do, there have been a few straws that have met their untimely demise.

So, the bottom line is I'm still on the non-smoking wagon, and surprisingly, no slips. There were even a couple days when I left the house in the morning and forgot to put on a new patch. I was a little nervous, but I didn't smoke, didn't even crave it. But that's not surprising, since I didn't normally smoke during the day anyway, only in the evenings. I know, crazy. But regardless of when/how often I smoked, it's still a challenge. The weekends are also tough, especially now during football season. Maybe I can make a pact with myself. Only smoke when my Bengals score a touchdown. I'll never smoke again.

So here I sit. Practically middle of the night, waiting to get tired to hopefully grab a nap on the couch in between coughing fits. I may be enjoying a beer, and I may be up late, but I'm NOT smoking. It's a process, and hopefully this stupid cough will go away soon so I can sleep in my own bed again and attempt to get back on my normal schedule. Sleeping on the couch makes me feel like I got in trouble, when in fact I'm trying to do the exact opposite.

Slapping a patch on every morning now seems more like a habit than smoking does. I wonder if there's a program to help me get off the patches?

Maybe me getting a cold is a way to help me get off the smokes. I never smoked when I had a cold, which means I would go 2 or 3 days without a smoke. Maybe I should have taken those hints.

Off to my couch I go. I hope to report back soon with a Day 22 report. I am a non-smoker now. If I slip, it means just that, I slipped, but I am a non-smoker. Yay for me!

*cough* G'nite *cough*