Gotta Love Amazon.com

OK, so usually I end up throwing all my read and used books into the bin at Good Will or giving them away at a yard sale. I tried something new last night, since I and my brother have been buying used books at amazon.com lately. I listed about 18 books for sale trying to price them as the lowest in the category they fit (new, used-good, etc.) to compete with the other people selling. Some of these books I have had for several years and never touched. For Example: Arabic Verbs & Essential Grammar. I wasn't sure if it would sell, but sure enough it did. So far in the 12 hours or so since I listed my books, I have sold 3 for a grand total of $22.60. That isn't bad considering I get so much for postage. All I have to do is put them in an envelope and take them to the post office. I am well on my way to paying for my weekend DVD purchases with this new book gig. Not to shabby considering the alternative of nothing at Good Will, since I never ask for a receipt for tax purposes. In fact you all know me, I usually dump things in the bin late at night when the place is closed. There were a few books that it wouldn't have been worth my while to sell due to the low prices on amazon (competition) and postage, so if anyone is interested in San Francisco, by Thomas Cook or The Complete Idiot's Guide to San Francisco & The Wine Country, or The United States of Europe, just let me know.

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to all! I must say almost every Valentine's Day in my life has been a disappointment. The one that stands out as not being a disappointment is the one where my father sent me flowers when I was in the second grade. I still have the card that came with the flowers tucked away in my baby book. I went through this phase where I was obsessed with flowers and always wanted to stop at the florist. My parents obliged me often and whenever anyone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I would tell them a florist. A florist was a big step up since my previous answer had been, a cashier. I always thought it would be so neat to push all those buttons on the cash register. How embarrassing that answer must have been for my parents. I must admit I am jealous of kids today who have mini cash registers to play with, we didn't have them when I was growing up. I caught myself playing with one the other day with my little 2-year-old friend Kylie. The credit card swiper is so cool! My dad is the best, he aslo sent me flowers several times for my birthday when I was in high school and college. The notes were always so sweet, one read "Happy Birthday, I will miss you when you go away to college next year." I guess my dad will always be my valentine. I hope that doesn't sound too lame. I seriously doubt my Egyptian honey knows when Valentine's Day is, and I am not the type to announce those types of things-I figure if you have to announce that is like asking for something, which defeats the purpose of the holiday to me.

Children Can Cure What Ails You

Today was a crappy day until evening. My head had hurt all day and the night before, I was having sinus troubles, had a lot of caffeine (which I gave up a couple of years ago except for maybe a coke once a week) which makes me stressed and high strung, had a reaction to my allergy shot, didn't eat enough for lunch and my blood sugar bottomed out due to a medication I take, and I am pretty sure I am suffering from PMS. So I made plans anyway to get out of the house and have some girl talk time with my friend Tonya. She needed my help with taking the girls to Gatti Town (pizza/arcade/ride place since her husband was out of town. Well I had only communicated through email to make the evening plans, so Tonya had no idea I was ailing so terribly. I got in the car and within 5 seconds she was asking what was wrong with me. I told her everything and she stopped the car and nearly took me home afraid I shouldn't go out. I told her no, we were going. Well I felt completely better within 5 minutes of being in the car with Kylie (almost 3) and Adison (10 months). I was making faces and jokes with Kylie and trying to give Adison a bottle as we were driving down the road. We also rode the carousel twice. It is amazing what kids can do for the soul. Can't wait to have some of my own one day, but geez they wear me out.

Let it snow........

After several years of NO snow days off from school we have had 3 days off in the last few days, including today. What's with the weather lately. We have been in the teens and even some single digits with below zero wind chills for about 2 weeks. We got a snow day about two weeks ago, that really wasn't necessary at all. Then we should have had one a few days later and we did not, it was really dangerous driving to work. Parents complained of the danger and then we got this Monday off, which was nice, but not necessary. Yesterday we went half the day and got out early because a snow storm moved in earlier than expected. Today we also got the day off. We are now up to 2 days we have to make up in the summer. It has been nice but they are getting a little carried away. I don't think we had a snow day in several years since the big ice storm of '02, when we got a week off because no one had electricity, that week was nice because we got to call it an "emergency" and didn't have to make up the days at the end of the year. These snow days this year have all been for less than an inch of snow. I miss the days of the early and mid nineties when we had several big snows of 2 feet or more. Darn this global warming!

IPOD & Song Memories

My dad got me an IPOD for Christmas and I absolutely love it. I had never seen one up close, or even had a remote idea of how to use one. My dad's partners used them in the Operating Rooms apparently you can just stick them into a base with speakers and they can act as your stereo. I don't have one of those yet. My brother plugs some old computer speakers into his and has a stereo in his room. So far I have 316 songs loaded on mine and it isn't even half full yet. I take it to the gym to use when I work out, if I don't want to plug the earphones in and watch TV. I lay in bed at night and listen to music. The best part is I can plug mine directly into the car because my new car is equipped with an outlet in the arm rest. That's right, I have taken my favorite songs from my Cd's and put them on my IPOD, not more toting CD's everywhere or changing them out! I also love my Sirius Satellite Radio. Most everyone knows how important music is too me. My favorite Satellite station............why Hair Nation of course! All the hair bands of the late 80's to Early 90's, I also love the 80's, 90's & now, Alt. Nation, and Octane! Kim L. M.'s one of my good friends growing loves Alt. Nation and Octane as well, in fact she is the one who got me interested in satellite radio when I went to Florida to visit her this summer. Thanks for driving to play putt putt with me Dave! Why do all my friends move so far away? I have 3 in Florida and one in California, just for starters. Anyway that is off the topic. I plugged in my IPOD and listened as I watched the news and paused the IPOD when there was something I wanted to hear. Oh how the songs brought back memories. I heard Chris Issac's "Wicked Game" and it took me back immediately to the early 90's, it was '90 or '91 and I remember it playing on the radio on a cold snowy February night as my friend Jessie and a few of our other friend's were piled in her mom's car where we were being dropped off at Joe Bologna's to celebrate her 16th? birthday I believe. Ain't it grand how music can just take you back, or am I the only one it does that to? I had another story of a song that took me back, but then I just don't know if I want that story immortalized forever on here, vote and let me know if you want to hear it the song was from the album "Night Songs" by Cinderella. One last thought is that a not widely so widely known song titled "I Saw Red" by Warrant always makes me remember sitting in the living room watching TV at my teenage friend Jessie's home, I think it is because the video came on TV once while we were sitting there talking one night during a sleep over. So my friends what songs hold memories for you? I could write a whole book on the memories that songs hold for me.

Working on the Changes

What have I been up to lately? I have been working on being positive about my job, even though I don't like it very much. It is better than before, but I am starting to look for something in ESL again next year. I also joined the gym again to try and get my butt back into decent shape. I couldn't really afford the next item, but I felt it had to be done-I hired a personal trainer at the gym once a week. That has been kicking my butt. I have been so tired and hurting in places I didn't know I had, but I am already starting to feel better again. I am not seeing any results yet, but I have only been at it 2 weeks. I got my taxes finished last night, yea! I am proud to say that I have been doing them on my own or with my dad's help since I was 18. I also have a Spring Break trip to Jordan planned. I just finished making arrangements for 4x4ing in Wadi Rum and a camel ride through, plus a night in a bedouin tent or out under the stars, however I prefer. Hopefully this camel trek will be better than the last on e in Egypt, for those of you that know that story! Haven't told the family yet, just because I didn't want them to spend months worrying, I figured I would just give them a week or two closer to the trip and I don't want to hear about it.....at least they got their wish and talked me into not to moving there. Check out some of it if you want: http://www.bedouinroads.com/

Why Can't I seem to post all the time

Ok, my hairdresser Rodney, whom I am good friends with was asking me yesterday as he did my hair why I hadn't posted on my blog in a long time. I had no answer except I had been busy. But sometimes I just don't have anything to say or I can't think of anything to write about. Then I felt guilty because my other friend Jessie writes and attaches photos to her blog all the time, but then I decided that she has more things to talk about, especially her kids, so I cut myself more slack. Also, the first time I did my blog, I only had one person that read it all the time, but it does appear that I have more readers now, but maybe I lost them again. I will try to do better folks! If you are still there.