Okay, I'm off to work on Jace's graphics! :o)

F R I D A Y
Fun
Really
Is
Derived
After
Yoga
because we are doing yoga after work and then the slackerliness begins. Woo HOO!

So, Hi. Yes, I am on and posting very late into the night. I am at Misty and Ed's pad. The gang is watching Smallville (the ep we taped last night) and I have seen this part already so... here I am! Went to din @ Sheffields. Good grub. Lots o' food.

Then we went and got da Baby's b'day presents. He's gettin a telescope and a camera and a combo model/electric car and a cute little skateborder dude. Hope he likes it all. Guess who gets to design the paper and wrap it? Ooh, that would be me. :o)

Happy dance...I got my American History paper DONE and turned in today! WOO HOO! Happiness is mine.

Okay, maybe happiness is a little strong. I still have issues in the back of my brain that are nagging at me. My heart still hurts and I cannot go into why. Things will work out for the best, right?

P. S. And yes, things would be simpler if people just listened to Stu!

Yes folks, she's back! Not for long, though, because 1. I have to get my history paper finished and 2. I have training from 1 - 4 today. More blogging tomorrow, I hope!

Hmmm... I can't do any editing on my page cuz Blogger is moving to a new server. But I guess that means that things will be bigger and better, yes? :o) When I do get to edit, I have to add the following to my site:

Today is a very tiring day. Not that it has been a bad day or a hard day. Just a tired day. After work out time with the girls tonight, I am going home and crashing. I just need some sleep. Oh, and Mikey Snuggles! Mikey Snuggles are good things.

Have I told you that I love Jace Campbell?

"It's okay, I've got you." is just one line from a writing of his. Something about that one line touched my heart. Maybe it's my frame of mind or maybe it is because Jace is such a dear friend. Or maybe because it is written in the middle of such an intense scene that you would not expect something like that.

Either way, he makes me smile.

Looking forward to more amazing and breathtaking things from him.

Happy Monday After Thanksgiving!

The holiday was quite nice. Lots of friends and family. Started off the holiday by going and visiting with Jocelyn and friends at her home. It was such a great time. We were not going to stay very late, as Misty had to get on the road home for the holiday, and we did not want her traveling so late. But time flew and we had many laughs and made great new acquaintances.

Thursday was a good holiday. Slept in a little late, Mike went and picked up Aaron. Went to the Sheffield lunch, whereupon we gained Max for the afternoon (yippie!) and then went down to Marked Tree to the Steele dinner. Again, we had many laughs and fun at both gatherings, and the food was just too good for words. (Broccoli Rice casserole - YUM!!!)

Friday was errand and traveling for me. I got my car's oil changed. I took Mikey some lunch. Then I headed out to Misty's parents' home and met her cousin and cousin-in-law. We discussed SCA stuff and had a good afternoon. Then I came back here, Mike went and got Aaron, we ate dinner, and YIPPIE: SCOTT AND MER came to town!!! So, we all stayed up til around midnight, planning our activities for Saturday. Regan was with the Grand's, so Mer was free to shop as she wished!

Saturday came and Scott and Mer brought breakfast over and then Mer and I went in one car, and the boys went in another. Mer and I had lots of time to shop, chat, catch up, vent, rant, laugh and just spend time together. (It is very hard to spend the necessary amounts of time together when one sister lives three hours away, and the other is immersed in her career and upcoming marriage. So the times together are more precious than I can say.) We met the boys for lunch at the Mean Pig. (Yes, it is a bbq place, and it is so very good.) Then we disbursed again and Mer and I went to Hobby Lobby to get stuff for a project, and to Once Upon a Child to get clothes for Regan. Oh, and I got Regan a GLOWORM!!! We came back home, Misty came over, and we chilled for a while. Mike, Scott and Aaron caught up with Jeff, so all of them came to the house. Stu came over (FINALLY! - Hey, I miss my cousin too! :o) )and he brought Kemp with him. (Good to see Kemp - its been too long.)

Mer, Misty, Stu, Kemp and I piled into Mer's van and went to Hastings and then to Wal-Mart for groceries for jambalaya for dinner. Stu also got stuff for meaty rotel dip. YUM! Ed FINALLY got off work and came over too. We got back home, cooked, ate, watched "Shrek" and then goofed til very late.

Sunday morning brought 10:30 a.m. fighter practice, cause we were all Jonesing to practice with Scott, and we knew they had to be on the road home fairly early. So, we practiced until 2:30 or so, and then I had to go prepare for the business meeting.

Meeting went really well. Had three event bid presentations. Fielded questions from the group. After the meeting, several of us stayed and talked while Misty, Jerry and Allen played guitars and sang. Of course, before we left, everyone (mostly) chorused in for "It's Been a While" and it sounded very good. Then, we locked up and left the library, and Misty, Jocelyn, Me, Ed, Jeff and Mikey all went to Ryans for dinner. My friends are a hoot. Then we all left and went to the Oak Street Residence. Ed and I worked on his webpage, FINALLY finding out the solution to the long-standing problem we've had!!! :o) Everyone else talked and laughed and Ed played dj for us. Jo had to go home, cuz she was fallin' asleep. At 1, Jeff announced that he was going home because it was 1 in the morning! Ed and I did one final thing on the page - not finished, but had to pause! - and then Mikey and I left.

So, all in all, the holiday was just great. I got to see a majority of my nearest and dearest. Of course, this accounting left out details, (like the 4 stickers I got at Ryans from the gumball machine because Mike and Jeff gave me quarters....) Good times. Great friends. I love my life! :o)

Quick Blogging today... since I have to be the ONLY ONE who works in my office tomorrow, my boss has decided to let me take this afternoon off! So, I need to post this and get back to work.

I shan't go into all of the emotional duress that a certain person has put me through these past few days, but let's just say that Mike changed the locks on the house last night (thanks for the locks, Ed!) and I feel somewhat safer now. Granted, it is a very long walk between here and my car, but I think I will be okay if "He" tries anything. I just want all of the drama to be OVER.

Enough of that mess. Let's get to good news:

Stu will be here this weekend! He's going to be with family the first part of the holiday, and then he'll be with us on Saturday and maybe fighter practice Sunday! :o)

And, Meredith called me last night: they are coming to town too! YIPPIE!!

So, things are lookin' up. And, Jeremy just brought me the newest picture of Benjamin... what a cutie! :o)

And, please keep in mind that there was no "kiss and make up" last night. He is still not in good graces. I am just so finished with the whole thing. I am tired.

So, how did last night go? Well, perhaps this will sum it up: "He" sent an e-mail to several of us this morning at 7:30-ish. The Subject: Goodbye. The Message, in its entirety: Goodbye. Enjoy yourselves.

That is it. So, I guess he didn't like the way things went last night. But, I guess I'll need to tell you what happened last night to paint the picture.

Yesterday's post told how he "called a meeting" between "She" and I. Well, when I talked to "Poppie" and told him what was going on, he said there was no way he was going to let the three of us talk alone. Okay, so it is almost 6:30, time for me to meet her and "Chickie" to go walking. "Poppie" starts getting ready to go with me. I asked if he wanted to go for exercise or to serve as protection. He sheepishly admitted, "Both." So he and I get in the car and when we get to the track, there is nobody there. So, I hop on the cell phone and call "Chickie". She says that their mom is just leaving and that she is on the way. I ask her if "Baby Bro" was coming and that Poppie wanted to talk to him. So, she puts Baby Bro on the phone. Poppie just tells me to ask Baby Bro to come too, so he does. Chickie and Baby Bro get to the track about 5 minutes later and join Poppie and me in stride on the track.. They tell me that "Big Brother" will also be joining us...I'm like, "WHO?" to which everyone laughed. Sure enough, Big Brother files in a few minutes later. So, the five of us are hoofin it around the track and then we see "She" (all names, btw, changed to protect the tired and innocent.) so the six of us go around the track in several formations, walking, jogging, running, whatever. At one point we looked like the Secret Service jogging with the president. I said, "man, now all I need is a pair of sun glasses and a cheeseburger.."

So, we finish our walk, and then regroup at my house to plan where we were eating. (Okay, I am a lame chickie... I HAD to go and touch up my makeup before we went out...) We then piled in cars and went to eat at El Barzon...GREAT Mexican food, btw...and somewhere it was decided that we'd all be at my house at 9 for the "meeting". Sure enough, "He" shows up as planned, and I could tell that he was wanting to talk to just "She" and me. He even said that he was uncomfortable talking in front of an audience. But, he plunged in anyway, talking to me about how he *&^$ed up by using my phone, etc. I told him how mad I was. (I did not raise my voice or my fist either. I am proud of me.) Then he turned his talk to "She." She too told him how bothered she was. These two conversations went on for about 30 minutes. Then, at one point - and I don't remember what sparked it - he started to say something to me, and Big Brother stood up, pointed at "He", said, "You. Come with me." and headed for the door. Now, let me interject one thing... I never, repeat NEVER want Big Brother to call me out like that. This man has power, let me tell you.

Anyway, so "Big Brother" and "He" were outside for almost an hour. At one point we were wondering if they were even still out there. Then, they came in, and "Big Brother" - after a brief detour - sat back down in his chair and crossed his arms and gave me this oddly wicked yet reassuring smile. "He" sat down, apologized to me - yes, apologized - and then did the same to "She." Then we all kind of wondered where to go from here. "Big Brother" looked at "He" and said, "I gave you the answers. I spent the last hour giving you the answers." So, "He" left a few minutes later. By 11:15 everyone else was gone too. I asked "Chickie" and "Baby Bro" to follow "She" home. Well, Big Brother decided to head on home too, so they all followed "Her" home.

And this morning I come in and find the e-mail. I wonder what it means?

Well, today brings a quick post and then I'm outta here. "He" comes by my office today and tries to put me on some sort of guilt trip. Then he insists that he talk to me TONIGHT. So, I called Mikey to find out what our plans were, and then I told "him" that I could see him at 9 o'clock tonight. Then, I go and take a break and check in with "She", the one he is obsessing over, and she said that he told her to meet him at MY HOUSE tonight at 9! It's like in his mind he has interwoven me and her in these feelings he has for her ... I know he thinks of me as a sister but I have NOTHING to do with this - which I told him, BTW - and he insists that I DO. So, I will see She in a little while (before the meeting at 9) and I've invited her to dinner with us. (Mikey, Misty, Ed and me) We'll see what happens. Hopefully he can say his peace, get on with his life and then we can all be friends - or at least get PAST THIS EMOTIONAL TIDE!!! Wish me luck!

Just when you think you are full up, life decides to add more to your plate. (And since we are using a food reference, obviously I am not happy with what I am about to write about!)

Betrayal. I have two friends. Let's call them He and She. Story of unrequited feelings (he has them for her) that has gone on for several years. Her phone number is private. When she gave it to me, she asked that I KEEP it private. Well, last night, he came over and asked to borrow my phone (which is odd because he keeps his phone with him at all times.) I said sure, but where was his phone. He told me it was at home (in a tone that I knew he was lying!) so then I asked who he was going to call that he didn't want to know it was him calling. He said nobody. So, I told him sure, he could use it. When he left, I went and checked my call history, and sure enough, he had called nobody.

I thought it was just a matter of him changing his mind. So, this morning I get a phone call from him, and he's all depressed over her and that he called her last night and that he had used my phone to get her number. Okay, the confession he made still didn't hit home. I didn't realize what he was saying - I just thought that he had called information and then erased the call from my list. It didn't dawn on me that he went into my phone contacts list and got her number.

He LIED! He went behind my back and used me! He betrayed my trust! And now he has the nerve to cry on my shoulder about it? Nope. Not gonna happen.

So, first I have "Mr. doesn't even care that he broke my heart" and now I have "Mr. Use Tracey and Abuse her trust." What am I supposed to do now?

Ooh, Revelation... Buffy is on tonight! :o)

Hello World! Fossie is much better today. I have that paper off my shoulders, and the world looks a lot better. My feelings are healing some from other happenings last week (although the lesson learned is far from forgotten.)

However, bad news... MIKEY IS SICK! :o( He called me from home earlier and told me that he went back home to try to feel better. So, I am going to leave here when Angela gets back from class and take him some soup and see if he needs anything else. My poor Sweetie!

FINISHED!!! Eight pages done and sent to my instructor. *happy dance* I am outta here! PEACE!

Okay, page 6... two more to go! (Hey, a girl has to work too, ya know!)

Back to the grind. Got 5 pages of the 8 page paper done. Whoo HOO!!

Why can't some people just be honest?

Here is the post birthday post. I am in a better mood. Mike, Ed, Misty and I went out to dinner at Lazzari's. Leif was our waiter, and he took such good care of us. And then the BRAT got a whole bunch of the wait staff to sing happy birthday to me. Yes, I was embarrassed, but it felt good that Leif cared enough to do that. Dinner itself was delicious, as always. And Tiramisu for dessert. Yum. :o) We all had a great time. Hanging out with my friends meant so very much to me.

Of course, I am sad that I didn't hear from Mer or Bridget or Angie or Dee of Jocelyn yesterday. Oh, yeah, or my mom. Maybe that's what Leif meant by "don't count the blessings you don't have."

I don't want to take any of my blessings for granted. I thoroughly enjoyed my birthday. I am thankful for the people that did want to spend time with me.

Misty got me a set of drumsticks and a practice pad! WhooHOO!! Just a few more weeks and we can start our own band! :o) I have always wanted to be a drummer (Misty is one of the few people who knows it.) So, she's gonna sing lead and play the guitar, I'm gonna sing backup (WAAAY in the back!) and play drums. We'll find other members, I am sure. (Hence the word "band.")

My in-laws got me this beautiful mirror. It's a sun in splendor... I love it so much. It is HUGE and looks great in my living room.

Mikey got me speakers for my car. Today he installed them and found out that my car radio doesn't even have a fade option. So, the reason I only have two working speakers is not the speakers fault, but just the design of the radio. Mikey also got me an adorable snowman and also a new foot care kit. Pedicures for everyone! :o) Today he also worked on fixing the dent in my car door. He is so very good to me.

To amend my first post of today. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH STU AND KIMLI for remembering me. You guys really DO make me smile!

By the way, the reason the PROMISE is such a big deal is this: People change their minds every second. So if you say, "yeah, sure Foss, I'll do this or that." and then you don't do it, I understand. BUT if you say "FOSSIE I PROMISE YOU this or that" then I expect you to keep your word.

He promised.

He lied.

Well, here I am...31 years old today. Thanks to Stu and Kimli for being the ones who have wished me a very happy day. So far, it ain't lookin' so good. Well, I take that back: TONIGHT is gonna be fun. Mike, Misty, Ed and I are going out to eat at Lazzari's (my favorite Italian restaurant in Jonesboro!) and then I guess just hang out. So, it should be no different than any other day.

And yes, my feelings ARE hurt because one of the most special persons to me - the one who PROMISED we'd be together on my birthday - forgot. He hasn't called or come by or anything. I know, I'm not all that special and that my birthday is NO BIG DEAL, but c'mon... You know, it is NOT about presents or making a big deal about me. I think that when you celebrate a person's birthday, it is to tell them how much you love them and how thankful you are that they are alive and with you. I guess I really DON'T mean as much to him as he means to me.

More web stuff to do, so I'm outta here. PEACE!

Aw YEAH!! Stu started a BLOG!! Whoo HOO!!! Gonna go link now!

Well, today has been very interesting so far. Mainly, I've been TRYING to work on web stuff. I FINALLY got a really great idea for Evensong and now I am stumped on the whole target/frames issue...AYEEE!

Plus, my research on The Elaine Race Riots is not so good. THANK GOD my professor gave us an reprieve. Of course, that means the paper is due MONDAY instead of SATURDAY, but I have already planned for my Saturday to be devoted to the paper....

Tomorrow is my birthday. I'll be 31. And you know what? I am bummed. I guess you're supposed to not expect a lot on your birthday when you are my age. Of course, I've only been celebrating my birthday for 6 years now. (Parents' religion prohibits celebrating birthdays and holidays. So, I got kicked out of the religion, and got a great life. Well, part of that great life includes a husband who adores me and spoils me and makes everything alright. He INSISTED that we start celebrating my birthday. He even mentioned the other night that I'll be six on the 9th!) But nobody seems to be in the celebrating spirit. So, I am bummed.

Yes, I sound like a whiny brat, and I am sorry for that. I am going to look forward to tomorrow like I look forward to every day. I am going to enjoy hanging out with the friends that can make time to get together. I know that Misty and Ed and Mike and I are going to have a great time. We always do - Loves me some Misty and Ed. And Mikey too (not that anyone would know that part!) And, since my in-laws are going to be out of town, that means that they cannot keep Aaron. Oh well, that's okay, because it means that we get Max too. So I will be surrounded by loved ones and we're gonna have a good time. I am sure that Leif will be around too. I wish Stu could come to town....I sure miss my cousin. And Scott and Mer and Regan too. Of course, I know that Scott and Mer can't make the trip up this way. But I still miss them too.

GRRRRRRR!

Oh yeah, new funnies from Steph! Among them:

I've Learned....
I've learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is stalk them and hope they panic and give in.
I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to others - they are more f*&%ed up than you think.
I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, unless we are celebrities.
I've learned that no matter how you try to protect your children, they will eventually get arrested and end up in the local paper.
I've learned that what goes around usually gets dizzy and falls over.
I've learned that its better to let people think you an idiot than to open your mouth and prove it.
I've learned that even if the voices arent real they have some damn good ideas.
Ive learned that if 2 wrongs dont make a right..try 3.
I've learned that if at first you dont succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.

Heh, heh.. I love that girl!

Well, well. Here's Wednesday. Graphic Design was okay this morning. I have some work to do on my project. Since the project is due on MONDAY, I have a few days play time. HOWEVER, I MUST get to work on my American History paper. It is supposed to be eight, count 'em, EIGHT pages long. And go on and ask me how much I have done on it so far.. you guessed it. NOT ONE WORD written yet. I have done some of my reading, so that is a good thing. And, tonight is the set up that my committee is doing for the Little Bit A' Christmas show. We are doing the setup in order to make some cash for our fund. I am only supposed to go and work on the takedown on Sunday, but I will feel terrible if I don't go work some tonight. I will also feel terrible if I get an F on that history paper. What's a girl to do?

And now, just when the fun begins, I have to go. I have to go meet Misty for walking. Jocelyn can't go cuz she's got music to perform. YOU GO JO!!! We're with you! I'm outta here. Peace.

My GOODNESS this has been a hectic day! First I did the flyer for the Spain 2002 trip, then I did a BUNCH of curriculum stuff, then I had to scan some pics for my graphic design homework... AYEEE! Oh, well, I think it is time to blog a little, so here I am. :o)

Good Monday! Tired from the road trip. Investiture was a blast. More later, much work to do now. :o)

Checking in.. Bryan and I are working on ideas for the Shire's web page and farspeaker list. I want our page to be as good as it once was.... hopefully we can get it there again. Right now it doesn't look all that spiff...

So I took the What Color is Your Aura? test. My aura is: CRIMSON?!
We don't need a psychic to tell us that you're giving off a Crimson vibe. Your ruby-red aura reveals your passionate, sensual nature — you're all about earthly pleasure. Whether you're getting a great massage or having a sumptuous dinner, you delight in experiences that fully engage your senses. (Crimson is, after all, the color of roses, wine, and velvet.) That's why it's the material things that really float your boat. If you can taste it, touch it, smell it, or see it right here, right now, you're all over it. After all, you're firmly rooted in reality, preferring to live in the present rather than the future. And you probably have a quick temper, too — most folks with red auras do. But you cool down quickly, turning your outspoken energy and stamina to projects with fast, concrete results. A hot-blooded go-getter like you is always in favor of instant gratification.

Okay, guys, do you think that is ME? Post and let me know!

UmMornin Peoples! How are you today? Well this fine November 1, I am all good. Had a VERRRA good walk with Jo and Misty last night. I even did my crunches! *happy jig* Hey, I don't WANT to be Chunka Chick forever, ya know!

N-E-Ways, so Misty and I parted ways with Jo, and went back to my house. We had several very cute trick-or-treaters show up. Jerry and Stormi brought Greg, Kaylea and Grace by. Greg was a cute pastel dragon (okay I am not a fan of pastel colors, but on a 4 year old, it looked very cute!); Kaylea was BUBBLES from the Powerpuff Girls (Aw YEAH!); and since Grace is only a week and a half old... she came as a newborn. Very convincing, I might add. :o)

So, after they left, Mike, Misty and I piled in my car and headed to BK for burgers. We were STARVING. Then we swung by Jeff's house to see if he wanted to come play, but well, he didn't so okay fine. We went back to my house, ate dinner, and watched Dawson's Creek. Such a SAD episode.... makes me appreciate all the people around me, ya know? Anyway, in all of this, we also put my armor on Misty, and she did really well.

Side bar... we are members of the Society for Creative Anachronism, a medieval reinactment group. I am a new fighter, and Misty wants to be too. So that's why she was at my house in full body armor. Yeah, I know: it sounds cheesy. But it is SUCH FUN! And it's great exercise. And you meet really cool people.

So, last night was a good night. Tonight I get to finally CLEAN UP MY CAR and get ready for this weekend. We are going to one of the SCA events in Louisiana, and I get to drive! *happy dance* I love my car. I know, I know. Most people don't see it. But it is MINE - we paid it off in August. It's a wonderfully bright shade of green, and it's just cute. 1995 Hyundai Accent. My cute Fossiecar!

More happy news. I got great e-mail from Kimli and Cat this morning. Kimli linked back to me on her page! :o) You guys should go check her stuff out. She is amazing. And Cat... I am gonna link to her too, even though she is on sabbatical. I just love her energy and spirit. :o)

Thanks to the bad influence of my cousin Stu, I am off to take another Emode test. Results soon.