VOTE Today

I voted early last week but I think the lines were longer than they were today. Figures.

The leaves are changing on the trees and they are absolutely beautiful. I know I should take a picture and share. I promise to do that soon.

I am sitting at my local scrapbook store "cropping and watching" the results of the election. No matter how we voted, I am so glad that we have the right to vote. It really beats the alternative.

It's Been A Week...

time does fly when you are having fun?!

Halloween is over for this year and can I say that I have the cutest grandchildren on the planet? The pictures are great and I just can't wait to scrap them. And I promise to share pictures right here.

I dog-sat for the second weekend in a row. I had a very restful time and read an entire novel, too. I finished John Patterson's "Sail" and I recommend it for a good mystery and a quick read.

The job hunting is slow going-not much available and I am sure there are tons of applications submitted. I am staying positive, I know the right thing is out there. And I will be persistent in finding it. In the meantime, I am helping part time at a local Scrapbook Store. It is lots of fun and keeps me busy. My husband is most appreciative.

Remember to vote tomorrow. It is our duty and privilege.....and the reason our men and women are overseas putting their life on the line every day.

The Weekend

It has been a busy few days - most of all, I have enjoyed our beautiful fall weather. It was warm during the day and chilly at night. Just perfect.

I "dog-sat" this weekend for friends while they went out of town. Two beautiful dogs - a real treat for me. I think I get to do the same next weekend, too!

I mentioned the newsanchor last week who was brutally attacked in her home. I am sad to report that she passed away on Saturday evening. My prayers are with her family as they go through this tragic time. My prayers are also with our law enforcement agencies as they continue to look for her killer. May he be found and duly punished for this senseless crime.

Blessings

A local news anchor was attacked in her home early Monday morning and she is in critical condition in a Little Rock hospital. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family. My thoughts are also with how vulnerable we are...how our lives can be changed in a single moment from good to bad and vice-versa. I am so fortunate to have all the blessings I continue to receive. I may not have a job, but my husband has one. I may not feel well, but I have health insurance and can go to the doctor of my choice. If I don't like what is happening in America, I can vote and help make a change. If I need someone to love me unconditionally and to always be happy to see me, I have good friends...and fur-babies.

The Daily Search

After perusing the employment ads in both the newspaper and the on-line sites; I have sent one resume. One. Am I too picky or is it the job market? I would like to think it is my pickiness (is that a word?) but unfortunately, I think it is a sign of our current economic situation. Will it change for the better after the election? I certainly hope so.

After completing the household tasks I assigned myself today, I have my pick of things to do. I finished the third in the "Twilight" book series last night and began the final book. Normally I would skim through a book quickly. Partially out of habit and partially because I try to squeeze so many extra activities in the spare time I have available. Since time is not currently an issue, I am forcing myself to read slower and therefore, I hope, enjoy reading that much more. I read the first five chapters and now I can do something else. I think I will finish a scrapbook layout and I will post a picture of it later.

One of my dogs is a 4-month old mixed terrier puppy (pictured on Blog header) that I rescued from a local shelter. His name is "River" and he is still in that on/off mode. He is either running around terrorizing all the other dogs (and me), chewing on anything he can get his sharp puppy teeth into (including me) OR he is exhausted and sleeps wherever he lands. Soooo cute. Especially when he is asleep!!

One of my son-in-law's, Lee, is stationed in Balaad, Iraq. Again. They (my youngest daughter and their 2 children) live in Colorado Springs. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. It is a brave thing he and all the others serving our country do for us every day.

I am blogging!

I read blogs, I enjoy reading bogs, and now I am writing a blog! The big question will be if someone else will enjoy reading MY blog?

Have you ever been dismissed from your job for no reason other than you are really good at what you do but an "opportunity has dropped into my lap that I cannot afford to pass up"? This was the reason given me by my employer when it recently happened to me. I still think about it and how unfair life can be. It's a blow to your confidence and your ego. And I don't think it has anything to do with my age (although I DO think it will be harder than usual to find equally satisfying employment); I believe it would be a hard pill to swallow at any age.

What does any of this have to do with my life with dogs? Only to remind me how thankful I am for all of my fur-babies; each one different on the outside and unique on the inside but all a comfort no matter how badly I am feeling about myself or my job. My husband is a comfort too, but he wants to talk about it and the puppies just want to cuddle. Guess which one I usually pick?!

You would think that having a lot of time available that I would use it to do all those things I haven't managed to get to in the past. I am a scrapbooker and there is always a project uncompleted on the table or organization that I have postponed time and time again. Then there is the closets that I have put off cleaning because I use my spare time to scrapbook. And the garage? What garage? Oh! That 2-car storage unit attached to the house? I don't want to think about it.