12/19 A Blah Blog

Ever since I started writing the column my blog has suffered. Many of you are probably smiling at that. But tough--here I am.

Things are going well. I love the writing and have been getting a good response. Nothing like having a huge family. :)

But alas, I fell today on the ice--right in front of my house. The roads are okay right now, but the sidewalks are treacherous. Of course it felt like slow motion, of course I cracked my sidewalk, of course every muscle hurts.

But the good news is that I didn't re-injure my back. The pain there is just muscle stuff from trying not to fall. What a joyous afternoon--came home after a Christmas lunch to let Gus out and kaplowee. Down for the count.

So after I write my article for today, it's going to be bed and a heating pad. 'Cause now it's the weekend and there are Christmas presents to be purchased. :) I just received $600 unexpected dollars from various sources, and still haven't been paid from examiner.com yet. So it's going to be a good Christmas, although most of this will go to buy a plane ticket for LA. Gotta see those grandkids (and Jill and Todd of course).

Must start writing. Love to all. (Ouch.)

12/15 Lots more....

First of all I just posted a new article: Everything I know about gas caps I learned from Vanna White.

Secondly, my Manny Pacquiao article got picked up by his fan site in the Philippines. As of noon today I had 4500 hits. I'm unbelievably surprised. Didn't think they'd pick up my article since the title started with "I don't like boxing." I'll find out tomorrow morning how many total hits I got for the day. Pretty exciting stuff for someone like me.

12/11 Still in St. Louis

I'm at a fancy hotel and in a great training program, but I want to be home with my dog and cats (and my Wii). :)

After our sibling lunch on Sunday, I'm inviting any and all over to play Wii. I do need some competition, you guys. Jeff and Deb, if you come please bring your Wii remote(s). I have two.

Just posted another article. My channel manager just called me. The article tonight is something he suggested, and he called with another good idea. I'm going to write about Manny Pacquiao who just defeated Oscar De LaHoya. Why would I write about this? Because Josh suggested it. And he hasn't steered me wrong yet.

In the meantime I'm still on antibiotics, still coughing, but plan to be totally well by Saturday when I have a work Christmas party.

12/8/08 Travel

Drove to St. Louis today. Will begin a CPI recertification class tomorrow. It will be weird. I worked for the company for 10 years, until 10/06 and I taught this class since 1984 where I worked, so it will be odd to have a "young whippersnapper" teach me. :)

And I'm so grateful my back is good. I'm getting off the pain pills, so I have to be careful of what I do, but that's okay. I'm in a real good mood about my back.

Went to my doc yesterday because I have a sinus infection. What a horrible time to be away from home, huh? But the hotel offers me sleep without having to take care of my animals, or without laundry, dishes, etc. So it's kind of nice being somewhere where people take care of you (for a price). Room service guy, Willie, brought me soup and grilled cheese, but threw in tea and lemon at no charge. What a sweetie!

Time for the shower, and then to training.

Oh, what I discovered about my column on examiner.com? If you don't post every day your ratings don't stay high. So I hurried up and posted last night. We have to post four times a week, but I'm going to try for more. I want to earn a little bit of money.

12/4 One of the top health writers

For examiner.com I'm one of the top health writers nationally. I told you it pays to have a big family.

Top Health Examiners

1. Pennsylvania Health Examiner
2. Mental Health Issues and Rights Examiner
3. N.Y. Wellness Examiner
4. Chicago Mental Health Examiner
5. L.A. Hypnosis and Health Examiner

Thanks, guys. You're awesome.

12/2 Wii and WHEEEEEE!

I looked all over town for a Wii today. Finally a guy in a department store said, "Go to Game Stop. They're the only place that has them."

Sure enough, they had about 20. So if anyone in Quincy, IL is looking for a Wii, just go to Game Stop. They have all the accessories too--except of course for Wii Fit, but they should be getting more in soon.

Plus, I just published another article. I'd appreciate it if you'd check it out. Thanks.

11/30 Welcome home

Gus just peed on my bed. Yep. This is a dog who would never pee in the bed he sleeps in. It's almost like he didn't even know it happened. Normally when he has to go outside he growls at me (like it's my fault or something). But not tonight. So consequently my sheets and blankets are in the washer. I've put on clean sheets and luckily Bea and Rob gave me a new blanket. So I'll still be able to sleep.

Lucky also that he peed on top of the covers so it didn't go down to my new mattress.

Think he's paying me back for being gone so long? :)

Speaking of that, I thought the kitty would be mad that she'd been left alone in the house for five days. But she was so happy to see me. She's more affectionate than ever. That makes me smile.

I missed both my animals so much. And I'm happy to be home. Even though Gussie wet the bed.

Oh--Elizabeth gave him a bath, so when I picked him up he looked adorable. But one foray out into the wet backyard turned him back into the dirty bird he always is. Wish he'd stop eating mud. Sigh.

Anyway, I had a perfect time with Rob and Beatka, but I'm so happy to be home. Joe and Cindy, thanks a million for getting the mail and newspapers and for taking care of my sweet kitty.

By the way, I posted a new article today on examiner.com.

11/21 More work news

I've got an additional job, as soon as I clear the background check. Since I've been cleared by the FBI for my full-time job, I'm not too worried.

I'm going to be writing for examiner.com. It's a series of websites sponsored by the examiner newspapers (like the San Francisco Examiner, etc.). I'm going to be the Chicago area Mental Health Examiner. And yes, I'm getting paid. Not much at all, but I am getting paid. The more "hits" my site gets the more I make. So I feel fortunate I have such a huge family. Too bad most are illiterate. (Just trying to see if you're paying attention.) :)

I'll let you know when my site goes up, but you can check out the regular websites now at examiner.com. You'll probably get sent to the national site first until you tell them you are from Illinois. I'm really looking forward to this. I'll write three or four short articles a week. I should begin next week. I'm excited!

Tomorrow Gus and I are going into the office so I can finish some paperwork, then Jan and I are going to a craft show at QHS sponsored by the Quincy Service League. Should be fun and I'll be able to buy Christmas presents. Yay.

Now it's dinnertime. Yum--cheetos.