Happy Happy Things

[paragraphs]

Ten reasons I am happy.

1. Nick is coming to see me in 5 months and 4 weeks, and is staying for 6 weeks.

2. My kids are a-okay about my relationship with Nick.

3. We are going to San Francisco Feb. 26 to March 2nd, and will be meeting pir8fancier. So cool!

4. We got a fantastic deal on both air fare (United, under 400 for both of us) and the hotel, The Pickwick (under 500--a special deal worth, according to the hotel, 2 grand)

5. I won the dispute with the hotel in Kiel, Germany. Remember, first they kicked us out because I was American, then the hotel they SAID they would pay for was all dark and brown, and two weeks after I got back to Texas, they charged my credit card $160.00 for that brown hotel. I didn't know what it was at first so cancelled my card and told my Bank that I found it rather odd that since I was back in the US, my card got charged in Germany, so they put the charges on hold. Then, the charges went through after some time...bummer, but by then I'd argued with the hotel unsuccessfully. Growl. But yesterday, WOO HOO the charges were reversed BACK TO ME!!! $160.00 bucks and yes that was for one night (not worth it! SO BROWN!)

6. My daughter is doing well in college so far, but I have talked to her more this week than I did the previous month. She is homesick a bit, and will be home for Labor Day Weekend. Son got his schedule all situated, and he says he feels more confident than he has at the beginning of a school year. I do love those two to bits.

7. My puppy seems to be housetrained finally. He bounces against the door to go out. I can live with that! Since Siberians don't bark, this works for me. Well, he barks at Scotty for some reason, but not anytime else. He is doing really well in learning--right now we're working on the jumping up and demanding thing. He is learning that jumping up gets him nowhere--learning SLOWLY. I reward him when he behaves. He is sitting on my feet. I so adore this baby.

8. I have lotsa happy writing projects. Squee!

9. I have a dumpster in my driveway. This is a good thing! IT IS HUGE!! 30 cubic feet, and they were kind enough to put it where I can park next to it. It is awesome, has a door that opens so we can actually walk the stuff in and pack it to the utmost. I am so happy to finally be getting all the CRAP out of the garage that has accumulated since I redid the insides.

and last...

10. I have the cutest, best, most charming, intelligent, amazing boyfriend EVER. I am so in love it is ridiculous. LOL. I am nuts, aren't I! Sure I am. Life is sweet!

C

Comments

[elbavolnu.livejournal.com]

7. My puppy seems to be housetrained finally.

What happen to all those posts about the dog being your sons? ;)

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

Well.... Yes. Um, right.

Well, you know how it is... LOL.

Pup loves him too, but I am Mommy. Can't help it. :)

[nocluvok.livejournal.com]

You shouldn't post things like #10. Nick might might get jealous seeing you gush about me so. *G*

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

LOL Hey Kevvie!!! I know a way to make him jealous--come down and help me clean out the garage. Seriously. He would SEETHE with the jealousy... c'mon down!!! Isn't that a grand idea?

[nocluvok.livejournal.com]

Pardon me, while I change clothes. Seems I laughed a little too hard when I read your comment. *G*

With all the rain you've had, you could just open the door and let it float away. Or...introduce Maddox to all his new chew toys.

Gotta tell ya, I did get a little nervous knowing Tiff was in Norman last weekend. I stopped in Salina, KS to spend the night rather than drive all the way to Oklahoma City last Saturday. Pure luck since I had no clue those folks were getting washed away. Watched a whole bunch of water rescue's on the local news Sunday morning. Do I need to send her a care package with a life raft?

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

LOL she is fine now and in fact was home during the worst of that. We waited until it had gone East before she set out back to OU.

We're all dry now! It has been a fantastic summer--I admit to feeling guilty for having that feeling, but personally, it has been wonderful. Of course, the flooding down south is horrible, and parts of the country that have absolutely baked--egads I feel for them, we are just better prepared for heat here, but here, in FW, it has been fantastic. Hard to believe it rained so much for so many days.

Darn it, was really hoping to get some help. I just went outside and opened the big door--Dang It, the dumpster people needed to have it away from the garage about two more inches so I could completely open the door. ARGH!!!! But it is open enough for me to easily get stuff into it, so I am all good. LOL.

I am so happy to have this! I am about to go out and get to work for a few hours before it gets hot.

[richtyrrell.livejournal.com]

(cough cough)...in SF...(cough cough)...funny - I live just north of there..(cough cough)....(cough cough).... ;)

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

YOU DO????!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!

Oh my goodness, I shall tell Nicholas!

So tell us, what is fun to do there? Nick definitely wants to visit Alcatraz (his idea of fun). I want to, too, though.

What exactly is on Treasure Island? Pirates?

[richtyrrell.livejournal.com]

Yes! I live in the Napa Valley.

Fun to do? Lots! What do you guys enjoy more - cultural stuff, sightseeing, nature or just a nice mix? Give me an idea and I can throw some ideas your way.

Treasure Island is a man-made extension to Yerba Buena island. It was originally used for a world's fair kind of thing back in the early 20th century, thus the fanciful name. It was used for military purposes later on. Now it's residential space - nice views of the city. Nothing of particular interest there though.

Alcatraz is usually on everyone's list - it's so infamous. It's just an aging prison with a fabulous view - that's about it!

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

We like museums, we love zoos, shopping is boring, but Ghirardelli square is a must according to my daughter. LOL. We both love walking so walking is no problem, I even love walking through parks, you know?

Neither of us are big eaters but we do like some nice restaurants, but we're blue jean kids when we travel, so that is important.

We're there Feb. 26th through March 2. A little chilly but we have coats of course--lol they happen to somewhat match. It was NOT on purpose--I had mine already when Nick got his, and mine was actually swiped from my daughter. Tee hee. Matched!

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

It's a great list. There is so much love in it that I had a big lump in my throat when I first read it. That's why this comment is so late... *hugs*

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

I am very happy. My history is long and tangly, had some really hard years there (husband was sick with heart problems after having an aortic aneurism repair--he lived three years after the surgery, died at 40). Nick and I met the day before Kel died. My kids were 12 and 15 at the time. It was very tough, the years after his surgery were tough, and before his surgery, I'd already somewhat lost sight of who I was.

Since knowing Nick, which started out just as a friendship across the thousands of miles, I've found myself again. I didn't have a bad marriage, but it was a hard one those last years. It aged me lots. But the last two years, I've recaptured all that, lost alot of weight, had a long-wanted breast reduction surgery, fell in love with that boy across the ocean who is the heart-and-mind mate I never thought I'd find, learned how to be happy and truly love myself again. Gosh. Gush gush! He would say this is all smarmy. Too bad. LOL. I can honestly blame him LOTS for being where I am today. LOL. If one can call it blame!

Anyway, rambling and putting off going outside to dumpster--my job is a research analyst for an engineering company that handles all the map, geospatial and data info for BNSF Railway. I have been there 6 years, and the 4.5 years before that, worked at BNSF as a contractor in the department I now work with via my company. So, 11ish years with the railroad one way or the other. I love it except for the stress due to so much work (trying to hire some help now actually--we have 2 positions open) and I have lots of control and freedom there. My boss adores me, LOL, in fact I am a lifeline I think for him. We're the same age and the oldest of the crew at this office. Our main office is in Topeka. It is a weird job, what I do, but I deal with maps, with utility research, and I help people who have questions about the railroad. I am quite good at that--oh I know so much. LOL!!!

I just wish I was paid more. I don't make enough. Am okay right now due to son's Social Security (it was awesome when I had daughter's too) but after he graduates, I am quite nervous about that.

Sigh.

Anyway, time for dumpster fun. Can't put it off any more. LOL!!!

[cruentum.livejournal.com]

Actually I'd say 'smooshy' but I still love ya.

Man - we have been together for ages now. :P

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

Smooshy. Yes, that is your word. Sorry. :)

Long time babe--we're looking at the 3 year mark since we met. Crazy huh.

Off to the shower--am very pleased with this morning's progress. I think I will have this thing filled by the end of the weekend! May have to get one more, the smaller one, for the odds and ends. I really am pleased with this dumpster company. LOL.

Smooshy. /kiss/

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

My highest respect and kudos to you for your history. You've been through a lot, and I can only imagine how tough it must have been. I guess you must have been so used to caring for your husband and your kids that you had no time and energy left for yourself.

It's wonderful that you've found Nick! There is so much warmth in the way you talk/write about your relationship, and I really love to read your replies to each other - if I might say so. You deserve every happiness you have with him! And you sound so very active and like you are embracing life - such a wonderful thing. &hearts



You job sounds like an absolute mystery to me. Lol. I don't mean this in a bad way, it's more like I have never thought or heard about that kind of job before. Cool! So, your data input comes into play at the building period for new railways? What kind of question do you answer about the railroad? What kind of stuff do you analyse? Anyway, I think it's great that you love your job. :-) I wish there were more people who'd love their jobs - too many simply hate it.

I hear you on your wish to make more money! Highly seconded. Pricing is still my most serious issue. *sighs*

How did the dumpster fun work out?

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

Dumpster is almost full--it was costly but brilliant to do that. LOL. Glad that I did. I still have a bit more to do this morning but am IMing with Nick so of course the garage can wait. :)

Long distance is tricky--but it has taught me how to be completely honest. Nick knows everything (just about) going through my head. LOL. Given I hid 65% or more of myself from Kel the spouse, I have had to learn how to be like this. It is alot of trust, and alot of flexibility, and alot of No Jealousy Allowed. We see each other about every 7 months or so, and that honestly works for us.

My job IS a mystery--I have a unique position but it is a good one--I talk to people dealing with other railroads and they lament there isn't someone at those (including the other biggee, Union Pacific) to help them easily. I really always go above and beyond to help people. LOL.

People call me who need maps. It sounds like an easy thing but BNSF is made up of over 100 little railroads in addition to the ATSF and the Burlington Northern, and each railroad had their own way of doing things. I know them all. LOL. That includes the mapping and the contracts and deeds (which I hate dealing with). I also handle utility requests--which is researching what contracts deal with certain sections of the railroad--all the wirelines, pipelines, crossings, etc.

I am sore this morning--lol--and delaying going outside. I am so bad!

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

Sorry that it took me so long to get back to you. But my time to answer got tangled up in the last weeks of holidays and work. Work before or between holidays is always worst, isn't it?

I strongly second the No Jealousy Allowed approach. It takes too much time and energy away from what is really important, especially if there is so little time to spend together. I wouldn't be willing to be with someone who is jealous - it's simple as that. I find it really interesting what you say about sharing. I can be very secretive towards the ones that are near to me, to spare them or me the details that might hurt or irritate. Maybe that's not the best approach of all. I have to think more about this...

Your job sounds interesting. So you help people to the information how to organise their transportation on the railroad? It's not about individual travelers, but about business transportation? I guess there's a lot of stuff you have to know about security and guidelines and things like that. And then find the best solution for each customer. It's nice that they tell you when they are satisfied - many people open their mouths only to complain.

[klgrem.livejournal.com]

:)