c???

I've been wonering something for a long time.....

Why don't we just throw the letter "c" out of the alphabet? It either sounds like a "k" or an "s," so what's the point of having it around? It needs to get its own sound or just get out of our way.

so sad...........

I am so sad.

I just read an announcement on Ekoostik Hookah's website saying that they are taking a break touring this winter. They promised to return next spring, but I was really looking forward to another season of following them.

I believe that they will be back. They have such a great chemistry with one another, and they know that. I guess maybe I'm just being selfish. The percussionist, Johnny, just got married last weekend. Dave, the keyboardist just had a baby this past spring, and I know that Steve, the lead guitarist, has a serious girlfriend. So, in all honesty, if I were in their shoes, I may be ready for a little time to myself as well.

They have toured throughout the year, for the last 13 years. Plus, everyone except for my buddy Eric (the drummer) has side projects that they are always working on. They squeeze in as many shows with their other bands as they can between the Hookah shows. I can't imagine having that kind of schedule. I think I've got it rough working 40 hours a week in a hospital I live six miles from. I probably would have taken a break a long time ago.

I'm just a little worried that this will be the beginning of the end of E.H. Their message to their fans was fairly reassuring, but they have been a huge part of my life for awhile now, and I don't want to lose that. I think Eric and I will keep in touch, so hopefully I will know all the details soon.

Ryan and I are going to Hookahville this weekend, so I will definitely be asking a lot of questions when I see them. I'm really excited for the show, and plan to make the best of it while they're still touring this fall.

I'll write again after Hookahville with plenty of good stories, I'm sure.

Attics of My Life

Attics of My Life

In the attics of my life, full of cloudy dreams unreal,
Full of tastes no tongue can know, and lights no eye can see,
When there was no ear to hear, you sang to me.

I have spent my life seeking all that's still unsung,
Bent my ear to hear the tune, and closed my eyes to see,
When there were no strings to play, you played to me.

In the book of love's own dream, where all the print is blood,
Where all the pages are my days, and all the lights grow old,
When I had no wings to fly, you flew to me, you flew to me.

In the secret space of dreams, where I dreaming lay amazed,
When the secrets all are told, and the petals all unfold,
When there was no dream of mine, you dreamed of me.
----------------------------------------------


I hope each and every person who reads this can relate these words to someone special in their lives. I have finally found him.

on the road to recovery...and Columbus!!!!

Wow, what a week!!! I have been so sick. I honestly don't remember being this sick since I was a child. I literally wanted to cry a couple of times. So much for that "tough as nails" description I've been given...thanks Brian!!

Anyway, my baby took good care of me. Waited on me hand and foot. I never had to ask for a thing. It's nice to have someone who cares. Unlike the my last beau who left me alone in the ER with no ride home and no ability to drive after way too much morphine for this little body. My family will remember that, I'm sure!!!

I regret to inform everyone that neither myself, nor Ryan made the sky diving trip this past weekend. We decided we'd rather go together. I will be sure to write about our adventures as soon as I can.

Tomorrow, Ryan and I are heading to Columbus, Ohio to see a couple of the guys from Ekoostik Hookah. Steve and Cliff are having a reunion show with their old band called "Supplication." I've never heard their music, but I'm always up for something new. I know I can't go wrong with these guys!!!

Next weekend, is the big Hookahville show...I can't wait!!! I'm sure I'll have plenty to tell when I get back from that trip. I'm excited to see the guys again. I actaully got an e-mail from the drummer, Eric a couple of days ago. I am like a kid in a candy store....In seventh heaven....I can't believe he actually wrote to me!!! I feel honored. Maybe he just likes my tattoos...who knows....I'll keep everyone updated!!!!!

bummer

Well, due to some financial issues, the sky diving trip is going to be put on hold. I'm so bummed out, but I intend on fulfilling this goal soon. I just have to get a few priorities straight first.

Ryan will still be going, and of course I will be there to watch. One of these days, we'll be jumping together. Until then, I'll keep my eyes on the sky!!!!

I'll let everyone know how it goes with Ryan this weekend.

quick update

This entry is regarding an issue that needed to be resolved a long time ago at the hospital where I work. If you refer back to my entry entitled "I'll Kill Her with Kindness," you may recall a very vocal co-worker of mine. Let's just call her the trouble-maker.

Well, the trouble-maker, is no longer employed with us!!!!! Everyone in the department can finally rest easy now, knowing that we don't have to deal with her ever again. I don't wish any harm on anyone, ever, but I do believe in karma and the fact that things you say and do in your lifetime will come back to haunt you. She was let go from her position due to attendance problems, mainly. However, there were several other factors taken into consideration. She has had multiple complaints from co-workers, patients, and the doctors we work for, regarding her poor attitude, her inability to get along with others, and her unwillingness to help out in extra areas when asked.

All I can say is, it's a blessing to our department, which is full of outstanding people who ALL go above and beyond their call of duty. It is absolutely amazing to me how one person is capable of dragging an entire department down. The moral here has been so low for so long, and now I feel like that will be turning around very soon. It's very sad that it took someone losing their job to make everything better here. However, that is a very unanimous feeling.

So, I wish her the best in her future ventures. I truely hope she will learn something from this.

nothing exciting

Well, I haven't done anything too exciting lately, but after next weekend, I think I'll have a different story to tell.

Ryan and I are going to go sky-diving for his birthday. I am so excited!!! We are both going tandum, which means you are strapped underneath someone who controls the chute and everything. Basically, you're just along to enjoy the ride. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time, and couldn't find anyone as crazy as me to go along. Ryan, on the other hand, he'll do just about anything, so this was not a difficult decision for him at all.

I love it that we do so many things together. I think we have done more in the last year together than I ever did with my ex-husband, who I was with for about eight years. It's almost hard to find time for work with everything we've got planned in the next few months. I just LOVE this guy!!!

So, wish me luck. Hopefully I won't need it.

I'll keep everyone informed on my adventures!!!

Sharing Memories of my Father

Last week, August 3rd, marked the seven year anniversary of my Dad's death.

Wow!!! I can't believe it's been that long. In some ways, the time has flown, but then again, it seems to have been more than a whole lifetime since I had my Dad around.

I have to say, I have managed to keep myself afloat a little better than I thought I would without his guidance. Even though he is not with me in the physical sense, my Dad is always with me in my heart. Absolutely every important decision I make, I still consider how my Dad would feel.

When my Dad found out he was sick, we started discussing his final wishes. He wanted to be cremated and have his ashes scattered out at Adam's Mill Covered Bridge. That's exactly what we did. Now instead of going to visit Dad in a cemetary, I get to go out to a beautifully restored mill and covered bridge. It's so peaceful there. I never once have felt sad or solemn when I go there. Just like my Dad, I am a lover of the outdoors and nature. I think he knew it would be easier on me if his remains were in a peaceful setting. The pictures above show the bridge in the condition it was in when Dad passed away (1998), and then, in 1999, after the bridge was renovated.

On the anniversary of his death, I always go to Adam's Mill and take the tops from daisies or carnations and throw them into the creek. It is so nice to watch them float downstream knowing that they're following the same path as my father.

Even though my love, Ryan, never had the chance to meet my Dad, he has made a tremendous effort to get to know everything possible about him. I know that my Dad would be thrilled to know that I have someone so loving and caring in my life. Ryan knows how important my relationship with my Dad was, and jumps at the chance to learn about him. I am so thankful to have someone who is involved in everything he knows is important to me.

On August 3rd, Ryan and I went to Adam's Mill. It was the first time I have ever taken anyone with me besides my mother. He was so compassionate, and so tender with every word. We took my puppy, Franklin, and had a little picnic together. I felt so close to the two most important men in my life that day. It was very serene.

I love sharing memories of my Dad with Ryan.