T- 66 minutes

Oh I thought this day would never come. This has got to be probably one of the longest weeks on record. Maybe it's the pain I was in, or even the PMS. Either way....

Today is pure hilarity. My boss is convinced that an abbreviation of ones name as an email address is 'weird'. It means that the email (while it contains no photos, external files, attachments, etc) is probably bad and will 'let someone into the computer'. As in controlling it. Positively sure there is no way to protect said computer, she is therefore afraid to open most emails containing leads.

Convinced that MS Outlook is a terrible program, as is mozilla. Both demon spawns that will only corrupt one's system.

Take one email she opened. From a man overseas looking to buy a house 'within one month'. Sight unseen. Proper nigerian greetings? CHECK. Offering Asking Price? CHECK.

Seems legit, so she emails him back. Good work!

T-59 minutes.

faster....c'mon!

It's only Thursday. This week feels as though it will not ever come to an end!

Rob is having a good time on his trip so far, and they headed out this morning to officially start the backpacking excursion. While suffering through my workday yesterday he was kind enough to text me pictures of ice cold beers he was drinking and to tell me about the crab stuffed lobster he had for lunch.

rub it in a tad bit more. ;)


Today I came to work, well rested, in good spirits, and with a 'this will be a great day attitude'. Damn if that didn't go straight out the window first thing! At least I tried! So now I know that if I act miserable and unhappy, it has the exact same effect on her as if I were on top of the world. Note taken.

This woman drives me up the wall. She's incredibly rude, completely lacks any form of common sense, and if she can't farm business from you, she'll treat you as though you are pond scum. (oh, it's almost the realtor blog rant all over again!)

Woman - do not leave your undergarments on the kitchen counter. This, I must admit is probably what you expect when you work in someone's home office. But really? Clean, Dirty, I honestly don't care. I don't wish to see them, and I'm pretty sure no one else is the house wants to either. While we are on the topic of 'modesty' - here's an idea. When you go to the bathroom, close the door. Do not talk to me, do not talk to your clients on the phone. Take that time for yourself. I don't wish to discuss contracts with you while I can (unfortunately) hear what you are doing on the toilet one room over. Have some decency, and learn that some things in life, should be done discreetly. This is one of many that you should instill in your life.

While I am knee deep in contracts that you've gotten on my case about fixing, right now, at this very moment - because it's imperative that this or that get changed, don't call me up from my work to help you make your bed. It's a very simple task, one that I'm sure you possess the ability to complete on your own. Even with your complete lack of common sense I feel confident that you can accomplish this on your very own.

Please stop repeating yourself. Once I've acknowledged to do what you've asked of me - it means 'ok, I'll get right on it'. This means you no longer have to ask me to do it, describe how to do it, or phrase it 3 different other ways - just in case, by some misfortune, I've heard you wrong the first 3 times and do something completely off the wall from what you originally thought you asked me.


Think before you speak. Something basic. I learned this very simple concept in kindergarten. Instead of asking a question, then thinking aloud to yourself about it, then re-asking it again, just to be followed by questioning yourself if you should just do it, then to come to the conclusion that it doesn't even need to be done - take those few moments, and rehearse that speech on your mind. THEN, speak. If I said everything that came to my mind I would have been shot by now.

Thankfully it's noon. Tomorrow I'm leaving work early to go get the tags done for my car - then I get to pack up my pups and head to GA for a weekend away.

....but for now it's only noon on Thursday.

Finally Slowing Down.....

For me anyway. I drove Rob to the airport at 5AM today, and he's safely in Maine with his buds - ready to do some backpacking, camping, and whitewater rafting. (boys get to have all the fun!)

I halfway thought about flying up with him, but just getting a cheap hotel somewhere, then just venturing out on my own to take pics of a terrain I've never seen before. But...I bought a car, so can't splurge anymore.

I'm starting to recover from last weekend too. We don't usually drink, but we both had a steady buzz both Friday and Saturday night. Friday night was the 'Locust Indecent'. About 10pm we heard a strange noise out the back storm door. We got up to look to see if someone, or some animal was out there. We didn't see anything, so Rob stepped out the door. No sooner than he did that - then a huge screeching locust flies in the door and right at me. You all know I loathe things that fly. They scare the pizz out of me. Birds included. So anyway, I scream, jump up, and try to run away....while still jumping.

It didn't work.

I have a bruise the size of a softball.....possibly larger, on the side I landed on when I toppled over on the kitchen floor. Rob tried not to laugh. Can't say I blame him though....no doubt it had to have been a riot watching all 5'9" of me fly through the air and hit the ground. I refused to step anywhere on the main level of the house until that wicked screeching, winged devil was gone.

Saturday night was the neighborhood Silent Disco party. I had no intention of getting in the pool in my swimsuit due to the fact that I looked like I had been beaten with a baseball bat. Brutally. But we didn't let that get in our way of having a great time. Nothing like walking by a pool to see a bunch of half-lit adults dancing with no music to be heard.

By 1am we somehow thought it was a fantastic idea to order a pizza, and do cartwheels in the front yard while waiting for it.

Here comes part 2 of my injuries. I strained a muscle in my abdomen while doing cartwheels (which I had not done in well over 15 years). Finally today I'm able to move around without wincing in pain. Note to self - if I hadn't learned it already - anything I think about doing that sounds fun after I've had a few drinks, is probably a really bad idea.

Not much else going on. I turned down a job offer last week for probably one of the most monotonous jobs I've ever interviewed for. Yesterday when I had to help my boss tilt the handle down on her vacuum so she could use it, and then plug her cell phone charger into the wall for her (in pain) because she couldn't get it, I began to question my decision.

This week could not be dragging on any more. Things are slow, and I hate having to find work. Then being asked every 10 minutes just what it is that I'm working on.

Where's the warp speed button when you need it?

Jo's Excellent Midwest Adventure & Weekend Kayaking

Wow has it been a full weekend and crazy past few days. We spent the weekend in GA visiting family, repairing a house, and playing with goats. Sunday for Lu's birthday we headed to the Chattahoochee to do some kayaking. I was pleasantly surprised that mom was even interested in going. All through scouts when we were younger she would never even toy with the idea of going white water rafting with us - so I was happy to see she was getting a little more adventurous. The morning started off foggy, and the water was freezing - mom, of course wore her sweater. On the river. In July.








and my handsome river guide:


We all had a blast and the 2 hour journey went by all too fast. It was just wonderful to be out and doing something as a family. It had probably been 4+ years since the last time we had. We need more weekends like that.




And now onto my Midwest Adventure - I didn't publish much before hand - thoroughly believing if I had, then I would have jinxed this entire thing.

Good News - my plane did not crash in a fiery wreck, and I once again, did not die on the flight. Whew.

I enjoyed my trip back across America's Heartland. I've always wondered how much corn needs to be grown in order for Kroger to sell it 10 ears for $3. Now I know. Illinois is nothing but corn. Mile after mile after mile. I spent 7 hours in total driving through Illinois. But don't get me wrong - it's absolutely beautiful, and with a can or two of sugar free red bull, and some tasteful Rap CD's, it's enough to keep anyone wide awake and hyper - even through a 7 hour drive of corn.

My favorite part though was the windfarms. Those machines fascinate me and I think it's one of the most beautiful man made creations we have in this country. If it wasn't corn I was driving past, it was windfarms - watching our fields produce energy for us all to use. I love it.



It wasn't a bad trip back at all, and that 91/2 hour drive went by quicker than most 4 hour drives home to GA to visit family. I used to drive distances like this all the time when I was younger - I never remember my back hurting this bad. I guess I'm starting to show my age! And if you can believe it - I didn't bring a camera. I almost brought my full DSLR setup, but I knew I'd want to just get home, but I still wish that I had it with me.

For my sister....

I know I'm a few days early, but weekends are hectic and I don't have the time to blog. So I wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday. You've been my best friend through my childhood, when no one else was, and you were my partner in crime through our teenage years.....

Despite all the fights when we were little- the hitting, the kicking, the slapping, I love ya. (and I'm glad we are past that phase) :D

I think more about the 'village' we built in the sandbox with JT - using moss for grass, little plastic horses, and hot wheels. Playing Littlest Pet Shop, Precious Places, or Sylvanian Families, Building Forts out of sawhorses and blankets in the backyard, and practically living outside on our summer vacations.

Here comes the cheese............

I can't imagine having grown up without you.














See you tomorrow Lu!

Where'd all the good people go?

The follow up to my July 4th blog. The pride I feel for my country - I don't always feel it.

I'm frustrated. I'm frustrated with people. Not all people, but I'd say about 40%, easy. People are so self absorbed. So caught up in their own little lives they can't look around and see beyond it. Each day I look around and wonder if there really is more good than bad. And I honestly don't think so. People are only out for themselves. They don't want to be inconvenienced by anyone or anything. That cell phone call they are on is more important than being polite and respecting the cashier in the check out lane. Cigarette butts are something that can and should be thrown out the window.....don't mind the person in the convertible behind you. Really. Don't realize the fact you are throwing something out that does not belong on the shoulder of the road.

People litter, and they waste. They intentionally tick off other drivers on the road just for kicks. 50% of Americans don't pay taxes. Those are the ones that don't work, and have the government pay for their food, their cell phone, their housing.....and these are the people who aren't even the REALLY bad ones! Don't even get me started on people who rape, hurt children, or abuse animals.....they deserve just what is coming to them.

I've seen an SUV full of mexicans stop in the middle of the road, open their car door, and drop an entire garbage bag out on the street. It's things like this that disgust me. People just don't care. There is no 'treat others as you would like to be treated'. People don't try to live a good life, and maybe it's just me, but I find it really disturbing. My boss even, who claims to be a woman of God, belittles me and insults me on a daily basis - blaming me for anything that goes wrong. If I make a mistake, I'll admit it. People - take responsibility for your words and actions!!! It is no ones fault but your own!

Maybe I'm just old fashioned. I want to help people. I want to help kids, I want to help animals.....I want to give more than I have. Nothing really great comes to me. No success, not great paying job so I can do more for others. I must be doing something wrong. I know I'm not alone....there are others like me who struggle and do good things in life, and feel like I feel.

Nothing in life is fair.....

and no statement is more true than that.

/Wednesday Rant

On This July 4th....

Unlike some Americans, I don't use Independence Day as an excuse of a holiday just to drink. Because of my family's history in this great country, it means much, much more to me.

My family came over to this country from England on a ship after the Mayflower in the 1600's. Seeking religious freedom from Great Britain, my ancestors came to this unsettled country in search of a better life. They endured more than any one of us can even fathom just to be here. They took absolutely nothing for granted. They were far braver than I will ever be.....

They contributed to the settling of this country. As new generations were born, they made their way west. They founded towns in the midwest, they not only survived, but they struggled for greatness......they helped to make this country what it is. That alone makes me proud to live in America.

On this day in 1776 we adopted the Declaration of Independence - stating our separation from Great Britain. All of us who's ancestors were beside mine should have the same pride and excitement for this day as I do. To realize what we did hundreds of years ago is almost unimaginable now.

My family was in the military. They fought in the Civil War as Union Soldiers and were held captive at Andersonville Prison in Georgia. They fought for freedom, and what they believed in. It was humbling for me to walk through Andersonville nearly 150 years later - knowing that my distant Grandfather struggled to stay alive while here.




My Gradfathers were in the military in the 40's and not a day goes by I don't appreciate all they did for us....for my parents, their siblings, and now all of my cousins and their children.

(Phillip Reifschneider, my mother's father)


(Milford Chester Totten - left us July 2004)



My uncle fought in Vietnam.....bearing stories in his soul that no one will ever hear. For us, and for our country he endured terror.

And now we live in a much, much different world now. One I'm not so sure about some days. Where some people don't support our founding beliefs and morals. They don't all support our military overseas, fighting for us and for our freedom. THEY ARE FIGHTING FOR YOU!

I stand by what this country was founded on. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

This is not a freedom we should take for granted, and we should never forget that. Happy Independence Day America.