Diane's Diary-ah

Nope it isn't working. Okay I'm going to post them to my Myspace page.

http://www.myspace.com/msstjames   Look at Pics under Furkids

Okay well anyway, school is just about to get started again around here. Stac is in full swing with her school dance team activities and I see the football team is practicing hard every day too. Going to be busy VERY soon. On a good note, she'll have her drivers license next month so she can take herself places after that.  These kids are growing up so fast!  I can't believe Dani is going to be 20 in January. Oye!!

Work is still going strong, luckily!  With all the trouble some mortgage companies are having right now including closing down, I am very fortunate yet keeping my fingers crossed, that my work is fairly secure.  I still have all the work I want and plan on keep on taking it for as long as it lasts. Trying to get some savings in place for that just in case....event.  At the same time need to save for taxes, help out with college and support the family. Was really nailing down a lot of debts too but I might not worry about paying all them off for now and pay less into them and more into savings.

Well I'm going to go check on the laundry and head out to run a few errands.

Later.

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Posted by: DianeStJames    in: My entries

Modified on August 18, 2007 at 6:13 AM

I actually have some forced 'down time' from work due to systems maintenance work. So I thought I'd write here for a little bit before heading out to Walmart to look for some new pots. Oh, I can write about that.  A few weeks ago I bought some nice ceramic pots to put flowers in for the storefront to give it a little more attractive look.  Finally got the plants last week and repotted them into these nice pots.  Then I asked hub to put them out back on the flagstone in order for them to get some sunlight since it was going to be another day before he took them into the store.

He got one pot out just fine, but as I watched him miss a step while holding the second pot, it was like slow motion as he proceeded to fall on his side and then down the 7 WIDE CEMENT steps to the flagstone. It looked really bad and I felt this huge lump in my stomach and my heart was racing.  Luckily he threw the pot toward the right so it didn't shatter (under him) and cut him anywhere while he was falling, but he really took a beating.  He took his time getting up and I was so worried he was seriously injured. I got that horrible feeling that no one likes to get.  The one that is there way down deep inside your soul that doesn't ever want any harm to come to your loved ones. 

He was brush burned and bruised in several places but said he didn't hit his head and he was okay except for his thigh/hip that really hit hard. He said he thought he saw one of the dogs out of the corner of his eye that he was trying to avoid but there was no dog there in his way.   He insisted on going in to the store but he was feeling nauseous later on and his injuries were oozing too which hurt him especially his socks/jeans area.  The rest of that day I felt a lot of emotions, some guilt for working so much but mostly incredible loving feelings and the reality of how hard it would hit me if suddenly something happened to him.  I guess I always prided myself on being brave, after all someone who has been married and divorced 3 times, must be brave (or stupid).  I never thought things could really bother me that much but I was really wrong.

Anyway, that was on Tuesday and Steve is much better now. Some dark brush burn scabs is about all that is there now. His thigh/hip is much better - Thank GOD!  Since his body has endured so much trauma already in his life, he can't take chances like this too often. 

Well Tika got spayed on Wednesday. She went through it really well and honestly, except for her bad chewing habits (we have a lot of woodwork/trim in this house), she is relatively mild mannered for a puppy. Our tri's were much more high energy than she is which is fine with me...because okay hold on ...

We are getting another one. Well an old lady who recently got a blue merle is sick and we are watching hers for a while until she is better and we may end up keeping her if things don't improve with this lady (at least that is what I'm telling my mom because otherwise I would never hear the end of it)!  Yes we will have our six-pack and although some may think that is way too many, I know two folks who have 7 shelties and there is one lady who has 13. Yes I AM planning on stopping with 6. But after you see this pic of this beautiful sheltie, you'll know why I want him. I have always wanted a blue merle sheltie and I doubt they'll EVER be one available through rescue - they are just too high demand.  Here's a few pics. Dang..it isn't uploading them.

I'm going to try to upload them in a new entry.

Oh, should have mentioned that Shelby's condition is just fatty deposits, nothing more. So that is good news too!

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Posted by: DianeStJames    in: My entries

Modified on August 18, 2007 at 6:15 AM

Just wanted to update...called the vet's office to see about coming in tomorrow morning with Shelby and waiting for an opening. I was in LUCK!  The vet I like the most actually had a 9:30 cancellation.  Long story short, he took some needle samplings of the lump and will let me know more than likely Tuesday.   He said if he had to guess he'd say it was ...oh I forget the word, but basically a fatty mass (just with fat deposit cells). If that is the case, we really don't have to do anything and it shouldn't ccause her any trouble (like creating cancer). He's been a vet since 1980, so I feel relieved that he really doesn't think it is anything to be alarmed about.  Wow...would be nice for something to happen in my favor for once.

Had to cancel my ongoing Friday lunch with mom though, since I was gone about 45 minutes. Going to 'work' through it today like a good girl.  Probably will be working this weekend but not sure how much yet. 

Stac may be going to Sea World with some friends.  It is going to be HOT tomorrow...so hopefully she'll drink plenty of liquids if she goes.

..later..

Well it is hot, but at least it is back to the sunny blue skies of Texas and no complaints are coming from me!  All that rain was getting depressing! 

August is here already and for my kids that means school is right around the corner.  I had to take Stac to school yesterday to pick up her schedule and her books-seems they don't want them to spend a half a day the first day, getting these things done, so they need to go in practically 3 weeks before school starts!  What I thought was going to take 20 minutes took an HOUR and I had already taken my 'lunch' hour at noon, so I was a little worried about missing work.  Tuesday was a dentist appointment for her (hope Dani has made an APPT !!) and that took 2 full hours from the time I left home. 

So, I was going to take my mom and Stac to Olive Garden for lunch because it has been ages since we ate there and we love it, but it is a bit down the highway, and I don't feel like I can take another 2 hours off work so soon. Maybe next week I can swing it.

Well the MRI bill saga continues.  Just as I sent a $200 payment in good faith with my 'cry' letter, the next day I received a statement from them.  To my dismay it listed the account as over 90 days!  It wasn't over 90 days to ME! I just got the bill last month.  Guess what else? The total was $9030 and not $6080!! It appears that my insurance company wrote off one of the $2650 charges (it had a w/o written next to it).  I am going to wait another week or so before I call them again to see if they respond to my letter and $200 payment.  If we really do owe all of it and they won't negotiate, I will pay it, but only in monthly installments.  Adding it to credit card debt is not an option that I am willing to take!

Tika is growing all the time! She is a real cutie. Have an appointment to get spayed next week and I'm going to have them check her too because she has been chewing at her paws and legs a lot! I think it is allergies but I hate to make a separate appointment for that too.

I am going to call the vet's office today about Shelby though. It appears she has a lump at the bottom of her right rib cage - may be nothing but it definitely feels different between the left side and the right side. I just noticed it a few days ago and hub said he noticed it a few days before that.  Hopefully it is nothing!!  She has been eating, taking walks, etc., just fine...so fingers crossed!  She is the last surviving of the PA dogs and I'd hate for her to be sick or have cancer.  I am not in a position to pay any huge vet bills either so let's hope those kinds of decisions are not going to be needed.  It is always something!

Well better get to work. TGIF!

PS Finally got paid Tuesday for 3 weeks back.

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Posted by: DianeStJames    in: My entries

Modified on August 10, 2007 at 4:32 AM

Tika is barking out by the fence which always bothers me when she is out there by herself.  Still worry about snakes and coyotes although I haven't seen any coyotes back behind the fence ever.

I'm about to start my workday so I'm keeping this short.  Finally got my 'p' on Wednesday. At least now my body can get more back to normal for a little while anyway.

Waiting game for pay is on again. Waiting for pay from July 12th on...suppose to be resolved in the next 1-2 business days. Always something!

Hub installed a screen door for our front balcony and said he will do the back door soon too. I LOVE it. I keep it open during the day to give our bedroom fresh air. We close it at night because need to put the A/C on, but it isn't nearly as hot when we do turn in for the night.  What I'd like to do in the fall is just leave it open (and locked) but hub will probably not feel like it is safe enough (even though we are on the 2nd floor).  :(

Finally have 4 or so days with no RAIN in the forecast! Yeah!!  I need to call the bug guy though because we're starting to see those BIG bugs (roach like things) in the house.  They aren't good about just setting up an appointment every few months.  We always have to call them! Must be nice to have so much business that you don't need to follow up!

I've recently been introduced to that new 'mineral makeup' and found I really love it.  The coverage isn't quite the same as the cream type Danielle showed me about a year ago, but it is like powder/dust and so my pores don't get feeling all clogged up and I don't look greasy nearly as quickly!  So I'm going to be using that at least for the warm/hot months.  I may sign up to be a rep for it if I'm going to be using it steady - it'd be cheaper that way.

The girls' dad is coming out for a visit this month. Don't know the exact date yet, possibly the 21st or something...

Well to work for me.