Gentle Reminder

Do you ever go through those times when all you do is whine and complain and think that either your life sucks or something about it sucks anyway. The complaining goes on and on and you begin to irritate others with your whining and get angry when you can't have it your way. You ask those questions - Why Me? What did I do to deserve this? I've kind of been that way lately - mostly about my job. But after doing some reading on a couple blogs, I've begun to have a change of heart. I've actually begun to feel guilty.

Why guilt? Because I have so much and yet I was complaining a lot. These blogs I've found I want to say have really put me in my place so to speak. A reminder that as awful as I think my life is...things certainly could be a lot more upsetting. These bloggers are amazing people. The things they've been through...leave me in tears mostly. How can I complain so harshly about my job when this young woman is going through what she is? How selfish am I being?

Confessions of a CF Husband is a site I only discovered today through my reading on Gavin's Voice. I do not know any of these people, however, their stories have touched my heart and I can't help but to take a step back and rethink the way I've been acting.

Regarding work - I spoke with my new boss today and I am not able to work the four days like I had hoped. Atleast not yet anyway. He indicated that he would like to learn more about the team and the direction of the team first. I can understand and respect that. Having the other new girl on the team has been nice actually. It's been so extremely long since I've been able to girl-chat at work that it's been quite refreshing actually.

My life is not perfect, but boy things could be worse and I'm truly thankful and gracious for everything I have. The bumps in my road have made me who I am. Why should I feel like that's so bad? It's so hard sometimes to see the blessings in what appear to be such negative happenings. But I'm going to work on that.

Peace and Love to you,
Dottie

Weekend Snapshot

This weekend went fast as usual, but it was fun. Friday night we saw a movie (Baby Mama), Saturday night we went to the races and one of our friends took first. That was exciting. I didn't bring my camera though so I have no pictures of that. Sunday, my daughter and I went to the high school play (Wizard of Oz). That was very good. And, then I decided to make a few cards because it was a bit too chilly to sit outside and watch birds :). So here are the ones I made. It should be noted, I'm still in my beginner stage at card making.

Camera Critter Sunday!

Good morning! Once again, it's time for Camera Critters! I'm such a fan of this because it give me a chance to share photos that I've taken. I take lots of photos of critters so this is just a perfect fit for me. Thank you Misty! for starting this.

This week, I'm posting a picture of Peaches. She was called to Doggie heaven while we were on our spring break vacation a few weeks ago. I miss her so. She was such a sweet little dog who was afraid of her own shadow at times. She would do some quirky things at times...like walking backwards. She would look downstairs at something and proceed to walk backwards all the way back through the kitchen. She's the only dog of ours that I've seen do that. Anyway, this is Peaches.

Sky Watch Friday

This is another photo taken during our spring break vacation. I took a few different shots of the memorial, but I just really like this one - the way the sun is shining and the flag is flying in the sky. By the way, it was a beautifully perfect day while we were there.



Join the Sky Watching Fun!

Happy Sky Watching!!

One Word Survey Meme

Many thanks to Autumn for tagging me on this one.

Without further ado...the one word survey (self-explanatory).

Yourself: Caring
Your Partner: Wonderful
Your Hair: Thinning
Your Mother: Deceased
Your Father: Buda*
Your Favorite Item: Camera
Your Dream Last Night: None
Your Favorite Drink: Margarita
Your Dream Car: None
Your Dream Home: Expensive
The Room You Are In: Office
Your Fear: Snakes
Where Do You Want To Be In 10 Years: SelfEmployed
Who You Hung Out With Last: Hubby
What You're Not: Thin
Muffins: Carrot
One of Your Wish List Items: Lens
Time: Fast
Last Thing You Did: Blog
What Are You Wearing: Clothing
Your Favorite Weather: Mild
Your Favorite Book: Huh?
Last Thing You Ate: Wendys
Your Mood: Blah
Your Best Friends: Few
What Are You Thinking About Right Now: Food
Your Car: Caravan
Your Summer: Work
What's on your TV: Disney
What is your weather like: Sunny
When Is the Last Time You Laughed: Today
Your Relationship Status: Married

*Buda is my dad's nickname. My father is not someone that can be described in just one word.

I don't tag for meme's, but if you want to do this go for it. Just let me know so I can see your answers!

Have a good one,
Dottie

What a Sweet Surprise

Madeleine of Madeleine's Book Blog owns a black and white Jack Russell Terrier and today's post includes a picture of her Oliver and my Zoey. How cute are they? Ok...head over there and take a gander at her April 22 post. Go now!

What a cute couple huh? Thank you Madeleine. That was very sweet of you!

Weekend Snapshot

I'm happy to say that most of my weekend was actually spent relaxing. Today was absolutely gorgeous out! It was in the 70's and a light breeze. I sat outside and watched the birds and of course took photos too! It was SO relaxing. I loved it.

I took lots of pictures, but I'm just going to post one of a Robin. The other is a photo of the bird bath I have out for the birds.

Have a great week!

Camera Critter Sunday!

This is an exciting meme because I LOVE ANIMALS. Not only that, I just love Misty who is responsible for coming up with this most awesome meme. My first entry for this is a shot I took at the zoo about a month or so ago. I was looking through my photos and when this one was on the screen, my hubs says "I like that one. Just the way he's looking up at you, it's like he awoke from his nap just so you could get a picture." Yeah, maybe. I don't know; to me the look kind of says "what do YOU want? Oh, lady with a camera. Take your shot and be done now. I'm still tired." Anywho...chose the picture because hubs thought it was cute.

If you want to join Camera Critters, click on the header image to go to the Camera Critter site and see what the fun is all about.

Great! I'm Fruity!

You Are Fruit Flavored Gum

You are quirky and independent. You don't tend to follow any one style or rule book. You are a mix and match type of person, and you draw inspiration from many sources. While you're definitely a bit unusual, you get along well with other people. You're eager to welcome anyone into your world. You are not judgmental at all. You form close bonds with your friends, and your relationships tend to be very secure. You hold firm to your beliefs and values, and you don't let anyone talk you into compromising them.

What Flavor Gum Are You?

The Name Game

I saw this over on Tammy's blog and thought it looking kind of fun.

The Name Game (rated PG 13)

1. Your rock star name (first pet, current car)....... Lady Caravan

2. Your gangsta name (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe)...... Mocha Sneakers

3. Your Native American name (favorite color, favorite animal).......... Yellow Dog

4. Your soap opera name (middle name, city where you were born)......Marie Grand Rapids

5. Your Star Wars name (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 of your first name)...........Hen-Do

6. Superhero name (2nd favorite color, favorite drink)......Green Margarita

7. NASCAR name (the first names of your grandfathers).......Herbert Robert (this is actually my brothers name)

8. Stripper name (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy).......... Apple Chocolate.

9. TV weather anchor name (your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)........ Smith Seattle

10. Spy name (your favorite season/holiday, flower).......Autumn Lilac

11. Cartoon name: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now)......Mandarin Orange Shirt

12. Hippie name (what you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)....... Burrito Burch

13. "Adult Film" star name (first pet, first street where you lived)............Lady Arianna

Let me know if you decide to do this meme so I can read your names.

Signs of Spring!

I came home from work this afternoon and was quite excited to see these beauties. I'm quite eager for spring. I can't complain because these last few days have been sunny and in the 60's. Today was actually 70. Heavenly!





Have a beautiful day!

♥ Dottie

Sky Watch Friday

Hey! Welcome to another Friday. TGIF is all I can say. I was on vacation last week and the first week back to work always seems long. The photo below is one that I took while on vacation and I'm thinking it was taken in one of the Carolina's while traveling the highway heading north. It was a perfectly beautiful day!

(c) Dottie May 2008

If you are not participating, but would like to, head on over to Wiggers World.

Have a great weekend and Happy Sky Watching!

♥ Dottie

Thank You

Thank you so much to everyone for your kind words regarding my dog. I still think I'm in a bit of shock. I can't believe that she's gone. My other female Pom (Sophie) is pregnant and due May 22, which is a few days before my birthday. It will probably be very hard not to want to keep one of those pups. I'm such a sucker for dogs. It's crazy. I'm crazy.

Today is nice out and I'm stuck in this cubicle. But I brought my camera to work and I think I'll be going out at lunch time to the park and see if I can get some photos of something...probably ducks. Maybe the fresh air and sunshine will help perk up my sour attitude. I'm sure I'll perk up while I'm out there...I'll just sour down again when I begin my walk back into the building.

I've been thinking...(yeah..scary isn't it). I've always wanted to be part time, but I can't. I can't because I carry the health insurance for the family and part timers cannot get health insurance for their spouse. So...alas I work full time. But, I might approach this new boss of mine and see about working 4 days a week in the office - 9 hour days or so and then work 4 hours from home one day a week. I think it might give me the illusion of being part time. Maybe I'd feel better. I think I'll definitely talk to the new boss about it. I'm going to be honest and tell him exactly how I've been feeling about work. It certainly can't hurt.

Ok...I suppose I'll stop now. I do need to do some work while I'm here :)

Have a good day,
Dottie

We're Back

We arrived home last night and just as I figured.... I cried hard when I walked into the house and there was no Peaches to greet us. Thank God our other dogs and cat were here, but it was still very hard. I cried for a while and my husband hugged me to offer comfort. I think he expected me to cry when we got home. He's a great man. I thank God for him too. Thanks to those who have said very nice things in the comments. I do appreciate it.

It's been a long week and there's lots to do. I imagine I will start catching up on blogs tomorrow.

Take care.

Wednesday - Vacation

It's a beautiful Wednesday morning here in Savannah GA. The sun is shining and of course it's nice to see. We left for vacation last Friday afternoon and spent the first night in Kentucky. Spent the next couple nights in Lakeland FL with family. It rained quite a bit, but was still pretty warm and sticky compared to what this Michigander is used to. Of course, it was probably the small trailer that the father in law lives in. Sister in law and her daughter and granddaughter were also there which was quite a bit for that small mobile home. But it was fun. We did drive around Lake Parker Park and Saddle Creek Park too...got a few photos, not a ton though because the weather wasn't the greatest. We left Lakeland Monday evening and headed over toward Orlando...we stayed the night in Titusville, FL. The next day we headed north on 95 and toured off the highway and went through Daytona Beach. That was pretty cool. We stopped at some beach along our drive and the girls put their feet in the water. I took a couple pictures. It was very neat even though it was chilly and no sun. We continued north and spent last night here in Savannah. Savannah is a cool city...pretty large too. Very different from what I am used to that's for sure. We may wonder around Savannah a little before we start heading back north again.

So far, the trip has been good. However, there is a bit of bad news. As we left our hotel on Saturday morning in Kentucky, we received a phone call from our neighbor who proceeded to tell us that our beautiful dog Peaches was dead! All four of us in the van started crying heading down the highway. When we asked what happened... he told us that they had Peaches over to their house and let her outside with their dog (Female jack russell in heat) and their dog attacked her. Mauled her to death! At that point we were extremely angry. We couldn't believe they would put her out in the same small penned area with their dog (knowing their dog doesn't get along well with our pomeranians) and left them unattended. We were all crying and all very angry and just felt sick. I still am sad and know that when I get home, it will be very rough. I'm finding it hard to forgive at this point. I just don't even know what to think. Our dogs are much more than pets to us. They are like kids...and we are very saddened. My husband was even more angry if that is all possible. And he mentioned finding out from our local humane society if he could have their dog euthanized. Don't know about that. But we are sad for sure. And it did dampen the vacation. I just prayed to God and asked my mom to take care of Peaches now. Rest in peace my canine baby. I love and miss you. I don't even know how I'll be able to face the neighbor when I get home.

Sky Watch Friday

I'm thinking it's Friday because I have tomorrow off and we will be heading off for vacation so I'm doing this early! And, I couldn't really make up my mind which photo to use so I've posted a few. Besides, just in case I'm not able to post next week, this can kind of make up for that.

This first one I just took this morning looking out the window on the east side of the house. I was so excited to see sun! It's been a little dreary around here.

This second one is of some pretty blue sky, a little clouds and some tree thrown in :).

I wasn't in the greatest location for trying to get this shot of the skyline downtown, but it's okay.


If you are not participating, but would like to, head on over to Wiggers World.

Happy Sky Watching!

Work...Changes

Wow! Yesterday I posted more grumblings about work and how one of my friends from the team is leaving the company and that it saddened me. I wasn't quite prepared for the announcement that came yesterday afternoon.

There are six (well five if you don't count Mr. J who is leaving) on this team...two of them support our MITS (Task Program) and they are moving to another team under another supervisor. The remaining three of us are moving under another supervisor as well. The team is being split. Our current supervisor will be working in another area of ITS. Honestly, I'm not sure if I have any opinions on this change yet. However, my current supervisor is a family man with five kids and has always been quite lenient as far as taking off for kid events, etc. I'm not sure how the new supervisor will be so I'm a bit nervous about that. In addition, there's a woman on this team that we are joining who I worked with before. We get along okay, but she has said some awful rotten things about me in the past so I'm a bit edgy about that as well. I suppose what I'm getting at is - I'M SORRY I COMPLAIN ABOUT WORK SO MUCH!! That is to say I'm fearing that this change is my punishment for complaining so much. Although, maybe I shouldn't think that way. It could be just fine. I'll keep you posted. ;)

♥ Dottie

Heads or Tails

I used to participate in this, but for some foolish reason stopped. I think I'll give it a whirl again. So today's theme is appropriately FOOL. Today is April Fools Day. Honestly, I don't do too well with pranking others. I usually don't participate. My attempts in the past have been poor so I just don't do it.

The first thing that really came to my mind with seeing the word Fool was the song Nobody's Fool by Cinderella. Yup, one of the hair bands I listened to back in high school. Aahh...the good 'ol days of hot guys with big hair! Times have changed.



Oh and if you want to play Heads or Tails, you can find it here.

Enjoy!

Work

Good morning to all. I'll apologize up front for making another post about work, but I'm just a bit bummed and thought it best to write things out. So, I work in the Information Technology (referred to as ITS). I work on a team of 6 (4 guys, 2 gals). That doesn't include the Team Lead who is also a guy. You'd think maybe I'd connect well with the other woman on the team, but no not really. The one on the team I seem to connect with and have a good friendship with, relate to well, whatever you want to call it is a guy. He's funny and asks me how I'm doing everyday. He's an all around great guy. He's a great family man too. Anyway, he's been here for just over a year and has decided to move on to somplace else. I'm quite bummed. I'm happy for him because he'll be getting paid quite a lot more and is starting out with 25 days of vacation. To top it off, he'll be working 4 days a week and have 3 days with the family. It sounds great for him. It stinks for me. I already complain about working here and now I fear the days will drag even more when he's not here.

Thanks for the comments on my last post regarding Monday Again... they were quite insightful. I am trying to understand what it is that makes me not want to be here. Really, the job isn't all that bad. There are bad days, but every job will have that. Maybe it's not really the job at all. As Jeni suggested maybe it's just my attitude. For whatever reason, my attitude about the place stinks. Why do I not want to come here 5 days a week? Maybe my desire to be part time is getting stronger and stronger and it's making me bitter for having to work 5 days. Maybe it would seem better if I didn't feel like I had to be here. I need to remember some words that my great-grandfather once told me... if you work hard everyday and do your best, the things you want will come to you. I was so envious of all he had. He was such a wonderful person. And I know that all he had certainly wasn't handed to him. He worked hard for many years, then learned how to invest wisely and was able to sit back and live comfortably. My head hurts and I wanna cry. I wanna go home, crawl under the covers and cry. Why? Dammit! Why? (Maybe this headache isn't helping right now) I don't consider myself an overly religious person, but I do pray everyday and I start my prayers with "Thank You". Because really, I am grateful for all I have. I'm just a bit miserable having to go to work every day. I'm thinking that on top of my attitude, it's my weight. Once my confidence level rises as I lose more weight, I think that'll help a lot too. I'm going to be 37 in May and that's not that old. If this is how I feel now, I'm really hoping that I have things under control when I turn 40. That's not old either, but that seems to be the age a lot of people have trouble with...well some anyway.

I'm just babbling on now and unfortunately, it's not comforting to the ears like a babbling brook would be. I'm sorry.

By the way, I placed a flickr badge in the side bar over there. I've started uploading some of the photos I've taken. I've got lots more to do, but it's a start.

Ok... I'll let you move on to more fun stuff. Maybe I'll go check out the HoT meme and consider giving it a whirl again.

Peace,
Dottie