Please tell me this is a joke

Seriously?

This must be a joke!

Please, someone tell me this is not for real.

Although the pink ribbon stuff is as commercialized as everything else in this society, I do look for the positive and appreciate the money it raises for breast cancer research.

But, somehow a fundraiser showcasing the very things that so many women have lost hardly seems like a good idea.

If you really want to see how much hair you have on your body

then you should buy a palm sander and work on sanding damaged and spackled dry wall. Oh and don't wear much clothing.

I myself spackled some very damaged walls and came back to it days later with cropped pants and a tank top on, palm sander ready. When I finally emerged from the dust filled room I went to the bathroom to wash my hands only to find that every one of my million tiny little hairs that were exposed were covered in a fine white mist. It was quite the site and I should have taken a picture.

My favorite discovery. . . I have a full on mustache. Wow.

Maybe tv isn't so bad?

I don't watch television and I don't pay for cable because I would watch it if I had it. But, I do pay for internet and although its not all the time, sometimes, like now for instance, I get sucked in. I look at the clock and realize that I've been wandering around online for 3 hours. What the hell? Why is that necessary? Well, obviously its not necessary, but why do I do that? I'd so much rather be sleeping so that I can get up in the morning and do something with my day instead of getting up at say 10 like I probably will tomorrow. Oh wait, my brother is supposed to call me at 8:30 so maybe I won't after all. After returning some emails, going to a couple breast cancer message boards, looking at a few myspace pages, browsing craigs list, and looking for some cool cabinet fixtures on ebay I'm now lying here wide awake at almost 3am and wishing I hadn't just let this time get sucked away. Sheesh.

I had a date night tonight with Bink. Out for mexican food, a trip to wal-mart for dog food, dropping some friends at the airport, then home to watch Milo and Otis. Man I love that movie. Bink is in love with Henry and had him in her jacket as much as he would tolerate. We had a good night and I think I got myself another date. She asked me to go to a dance the Friday after next. We'll see?

I decided to hire someone to paint. I hate that I'm willing to spend money on stuff I can do myself, but I've resolved to the fact that my time and sanity and back are worth something. Painting my bedroom and bathroom were enough for now and I guess I just don't want to wait for my living space to be done. Today was day one and there is still a lot to be finished, but it is looking great. I'm really happy with the colors I chose and I think when its complete its going to be gorgeous.

Weekend project. . . Paint guestroom and move furniture in. I was on-call last week so I have an extra day off and will have a 3-day weekend. I can't decide if I'm going to make my guestroom the smaller of the two extra rooms or the bigger. One will be an office, which I lean toward putting in the small room. But, then I think the office should be the bigger room because I'll be in it more and the computer is often a social thing so it would be nice to have room for others to hang out too. Hmmm? Decisions, decisions.

I've been 30 for a month by the way. Crazy.

Must go to sleep, but I'm hypnotized by the screen. Must stop.

Peace.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month as you may know. Last year you may remember my post about it. Rather than re-invent the wheel so to speak, I'm linking you back there to read it again if you have any interest. Maybe next year I'll have the time to come up with something new to share. For now, just remember the women this year that are fighting, surviving, and thriving. . . and think some good thoughts for all of them. I'm happy to report that I'm not fighting anymore. . . but now, surviving!

Check out my cute sister. . .

What the bleep

I plucked a whisker from my chin this morning.

Free Mammos

The Breast Cancer Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on their site daily to meet their quota of donating at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman. It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on donating a mammogram' for free (pink window in the middle). This doesn't cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors /advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate mammograms in exchange for advertising. So if you have about 10 seconds go to the website and make a daily visit and please tell your friends. Early detection of this disease is our key to survival.

Thanks for the info Jamie!

I've decided

that I make way too much out of doing a darn blog entry than I need to. I hear from friends and family that they are waiting for an update and I have to admit it makes me feel a little funny because it seems strange that people are actually that curious. But, its nice to know people are interested too. I put off writing though because I'm always waiting until I really have the time. . . you know to write something that matters, to upload pictures, blah, blah, blah. But, my new approach, it doesn't have to matter. Since nobody has to read this anything I write matters a little I guess or you wouldn't be here. So, here's my first stab at just going for it without actually setting aside the time or energy.

I'm still at work. Monday is my late day and I'm here until 7. I like it though because I don't have to be in until 10 and that is a nicer transition from the weekend than 8 o'clock. I would be with a patient right now, but they didn't show up. So, instead of twidling my thumbs I thought I'd type instead.

In the month and a half since I last wrote I have been crazy busy. What's new? The house has been one HUGE project after another. Its all been good, but it has been expensive and has taken a long time. Projects completed; new fence and gates, doggie door installed (and oh my gosh until you've seen Duke laying outside with his giant head perched in the doggie door, you have not seen CUTE. Seriously), ceiling in main room and kitchen torn down, entire upstairs rewired, new sheetrock/ceiling installed, new light fixtures installed, wall and beams in kitchen torn down, new wall built, arctic entry built, new outside lights installed. . . . and more trash being pulled out of the house everytime I turn around. Seems like there is a never ending supply of demo projects. After all of that and one little month of work, I took off for vacation. Off work for 3 weeks, but only out of Alaska for 1 1/2 weeks. Celebrated my 30th bday with highschool girlfriends in Cali. We stayed at a fancy hotel at the beach in Dana Point. I also got to spend a few days close to where I grew up for a few years in Cali at my friend Jamie's house. Then it was off to Utah where I stayed with my brother Nolan and had my official 30th bday with Nolan, Heather, Dillon, and Cerra. We hung around the house, had pizza and ice cream cake and really just had a great time. I loved it and it was the best bday in years. Its been a long time since I've been near them for that day and it really was awsome. Then I got to spend an awsome couple of days with Alethea, Eric, and their gorgeous kids, Ella and Isaak. We stayed at a beautiful cabin in Bear Lake and just enjoyed relaxing and playing in the water. I love it there and have decided I'm going to attempt to make it an annual destination if I can. Next, it was off to Boise for a couple of days with Jim, Nikki, baby Emmett, and friend Brian. It was a quick trip, but definitely nice. Went to the Farmer's Market and chilled at the house. Then, my mom and I met up at the airport and she flew home to Alaska with me. We spent a week together and I had one of the best visits I can remember with her. She was feeling good and kept me feeling good. Whatever she is on, we should all be on, because she just went and went like the energizer bunny. She is the reason I got to move into my room at last. We painted all week and it was a lot of work. Not only is it a big room with a huge closet, but every inch of it needed paint. From the ceiling, to the floor, we painted it. Of course, its not just any paint job though. I decided I wanted to split the walls with two colors and my mom suggested that I make the split with a wavy line. Before you knew it, I had what looked like rolling hills surrounding me on the walls. Very similar to Nome and Boise lanscape. The bottom half is a light brown and the top a gorgeous green. It is truly beautiful and the nicest room I have ever had. Mom and I did most of it, but Erik and Mike both helped too and every little bit made a difference. My mom and I were both totally worked by the end of the week though and it was good to be done. I was really sad to see her go though. I definitely wasn't ready. After all that work, I wanted her to stay and play a while. She assured me that all that work was fun for her though. I'm not sure if I believe that completely, but I'm so flipping grateful for her help, I can't even put it in words.

This weekend I started working on painting my bathroom upstairs and made some good progress, but have plenty more to make before its done. I'm not sure how fun I actually think it is and I don't know how I'm ever going to tackle my huge living room. Slow and steady.

I actually have started working out at a gym. Its only been a few times, but it feels good to be doing something at last. I'm going to do my best to keep it up at least 4-5 times a week. Oh I wish it wasn't so hard. I've also started reading yet another diet book. . . The 5 factor diet. So far, so good. Haven't started the plan strictly yet, but am on my way.

Its been rainy here and colder everyday. We are in the high 40's mostly, but its dropping quick and the snow will be here soon. I can't wait. I'm ready to get back on my skis.

My next patient is here. . .