Thursday, August 31, 2006

I am the PAYING Customer!

My Life this week is a little frustrating..........On Tuesday night, my apartment owned fridge went out. This is the THIRD time the fridge has gone out. I called maintenance about 8:45pm Tuesday night. Did they call or even come by to fix the problem? NO! I called again Wednesday morning asking them to fix the problem. Mind you, the entire time my food is defrosting & my patience is getting shorter & shorter. I get home with a note on my counter stating the fridge is "blowing cold air". I think, "WOW, this is great.......the fridge is finally working"! When I opened the freezer to get ice, most of the food was already defrosted, and the food in the fridge was warm........I called the office again, and this time I was not so nice. At first, they said it would be Friday, possibility Monday---since Monday is a Holiday, it would be Tuesday---before someone from the manufacture would be able to come out.........Once again, my temper and patience got the better of me, after much discussion about me being a GREAT resident & never being late for rent the entire time I have lived there, and a threat to call the home office---which I did---I got a fridge from a vacate apartment. YEAH, TAMMY. The "new" fridge is cold, but the ice maker does not work. So, I have to call again this morning.......another inconvenience! I absolutely hate dealing with apartment, cable, phone, tv, or electric problems. People can be rude........Don't they get it........I AM THE CUSTOMER. I may not always be right, but I am STILL THE CUSTOMER. I am reasonable when it comes to maintenance, but 6 days to fix the fridge is outrageous.........In July, I was having trouble with my a/c on a Saturday. I called the apartment office, and some new guy answered the phone. New Guy proceeded to tell me I would not be able to get the a/c fixed until Monday.......it was 98 degrees outside. I nicely told him refusing to fix my a/c is "an bearable living condition" in July at 98 degrees, so they were in breach of my lease and I would be moving out in 48 hours with NO penalties. The apartment manager called me back, and my a/c was fixed within the hour.
On the brighter side of apartment living, I actually LOVE living in my apartment. The people in the office are very sweet, repairs are normally done in a timely fashion, I live on the 1st floor, my apartment is my adorable little home, I live close to the pool & sand volleyball court and the eye candy is pretty GREAT when the men are playing volleyball--YUM!

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Walls......Levees.

I have been home most of this week (Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday evenings). It's been blissful not really having anything to do other than cook, eat, read, watch TV, take the dogs outside, and rest. It's been "Tammy" time most of the week. I have really enjoyed my time alone. However, I woke up this morning to my apartment walls closing in on me. I woke up at 5:30am this morning by jumping out of bed thinking I have to get out of this house, but by 6am all I wanted to do was go back to bed! Yep, I am a weirdo! Praise God I have plans tonight......Praise God for Great Friends! Honestly, I have had a good time spending time alone, but now it's time to branch out!

I watched "When the Levees Broke" by Spike Lee on Monday & Tuesday on HBO. Being from New Orleans, I am extremely sensitive about what happened to the people in New Orleans during and after Hurricane Katrina. "When the Levees Broke" made me cry and laugh. I was disappointed, discouraged, & disheartened about how slowly the American Government responded......It took President Bush 2 WEEKS to finally get himself to New Orleans to see the damage. Don't get me wrong, I do like President Bush, but I was extremely disappointed in him. Most of the people who survived Katrina and the flooding were without food, clean water, shelter for DAYS. People were dying: the elderly and babies did not have a chance. People were next to decreased people for days........Can you imagine the smell from decaying bodies? People saw loved ones drown........Thousands of People were left homeless with barely the clothes on the their backs. Most of the people came from the lowest income neighborhoods, BUT these people who were left homeless owned their home and were taxpayers! Hundreds of People are still waiting on FEMA trailers. FEMA, where are you? Parents & Children are still living in tents. Can you imagine living in a tent when the temperatures are over 95 degrees without air conditioning? I would melt! People from New Orleans are displaced all over the country without friends or family near. Can you imagine not being giving a choice on where someone placed you after a horrific event like Hurricane Katrina? Imagine NOT being with your Husband, Children, Extended Family, and/or Friends. You may say this could never happen to you, but ask hundreds of people it did happen too. Please ask them how they felt after it happened. Hundreds of People are suffering from Severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The suicide rates have reached the highest numbers in New Orleans (and people around the country who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina) in the last 20 or 30 years. People are STILL finding loved ones dead in their homes. Can you imagine finding a parent, child, friend, or spouse dead after all this time? It's almost a year since Hurricane Katrina destroyed a part of New Orleans, and the clean-up is extremely slow. New Orleans will be rebuilt........stronger than ever. Praise God for the Strength, Style, Grace, and Love my City has.......I miss her everyday.

Friday, August 18, 2006

Just Say NO to DRUGS!

Last night, I kept dreaming lots of crazy things.
First, I dreamed I won the lottery, quit my job, purchased a house here and one in New Orleans, and all of my friends kept asking me for loans......Can you please pay off my house? Can you please buy me a new car? Can you buy this or that for me?......I was greedy, b/c I kept telling everyone NO! I do remember Heather popping up in my dreams & we were thrift shopping with my lottery winnings & we had on matching outfits.....weird!
Second, I dreamed my friend, Sharon, called me & asked me if I could come to Noah's birthday party that afternoon.......I told her I already had plans, but she proceeded to yell & scream at me, telling me I was a bad person, how Noah was going to be disappointed b/c I was the only person invited & I was not showing up!!!
Third, I dreamed Sharon called me to ask me if I knew where Noah was, then Rebecca was at Sharon's house screaming in the background Hunter was missing too......Both Mother's were in a panic......I was thinking how crazy they both sounded........I looked out my window, and in the dream I could see Sharon & Rebecca in Sharon's house both flipping out. So, maybe I was their neighbor?!
My alarm finally went off, and the dreams stopped. Thank GOODNESS.......I was beginning to fear Sharon!

Boys & Girls........these dreams were the product of taking benadryl right before bed time! JUST SAY NO!!!! DON'T DO DRUGS!

Monday, August 14, 2006

Monday Monday!

I had an okay weekend. Nothing major was planned. I spent Friday evening with Karla & her family. Saturday morning, we finally finished the scrapbook we have been working on for a solid month (thank God it's done). Saturday evening, I went to Deb & Robert's house for dinner. Robert cooked Paprika Chicken, and it was Fabulous! Sunday was church. I had a not so great time at church this weekend dealing with some stupid drama. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly drama can start over the simplest things. Anyway, that's all I am going to say on this subject, before I get upset again! Remember People, whatever you read on my blog--stays on my blog..........I do not need anything I say on here to get back to people I go to church with or associate with......So, hush those lips of yours!

Tonight, I am hosting my book club group. We are actually not discussing a book tonight......I thought it was time to just have my book club Ladies over so we can actually spend some time together, and actually pick out a book for September. In preparation for tonight, I have cleaned my apartment: dusted, vacuumed, cleaned the kitchen & bathroom, started laundry, and I might even make my bed today. When I went to bed last night, I exhausted and had horrible back pain, BUT my home is clean!! I am cooking tonight: veggie jambalaya, chicken, cheese biscuits, and tomato & cucumber salad. YUM! I am looking forward to cooking tonight.

It's now Aug. 14th. We are half way through August. Praise God. So, maybe we will have another month of really hot weather! I am tired of this hot weather. I am tired of sweating & being hot. I want the COLD weather. I love wearing fall/winter clothes way more so than summer clothes! Yes, I am definitely ready for COLD weather. It's more comfortable to walk the dogs when it's 32 degrees than when it's 104.

Since I have been on an organizing frenzy at home, I have found clothes that I am too small for now. (God, I love saying that). In January this year, I went shopping for "work/church" pants. I purchased 3 pair, and now they are ALL way to big on me! I paid way to much money for them, and I hate to give them away. So, does anyone know a tailor in our area? If so, could you please email me with their name and number. I cheated on my "diet" all weekend long....It was simply wonderful.....It's Monday, so I am full force again!

I am tired of re-runs this summer. I am watching two summer shows I love: The 4400 and the Dead Zone. Great Shows! I am ready for the Fall Line-up. I was a TV junkie last Fall, and I will be a TV junkie this fall. I am glad I actually know how to use my VCR now (it took me about 2 years to finally work the tv, cable box, and vcr all together!) b/c I record so much! Praise God for VCR's! What TV shows are you looking forward too?

God Bless.

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Happy Birthday, Rebecca

Everyone Must Sing Happy Birthday to Rebecca:

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday Rebecca,

Happy Birthday to you!

And many more!


May God Bless & Guide you this new coming year!
Don't eat too much cake! ;)

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Sucked into your Own Blog?!

I started reading my blog today. I started from the very 1st entry & I am simply sucked into my own life! Have you ever gotten sucked into reading your own blog? Is there a blog other than our circle of friends you get sucked into?

Monday, August 07, 2006

2 Purses for $7... Can you beat that?

On Saturday, Heather & I went thrift Store Shopping! We had a GREAT time! I love going to thrift stores! The only horrible thing about Saturday is was 150 degrees, and everytime I stepped out of the car I thought I would melt! I got 2 purses, an antique pyrex dish, and pillows for my new loveseat all for $15.00! I love a bargain! I wonder if there is a thrift store that specializes in plus size clothing?! Heather, Thanks so much for twisting my arm & making me go! What would I do without YOU!? I can not imagine a world without friends like you! Heather, when are we going again?! ;) Next time, let's plan a huge day of Thrift store fun.........Start off with breakfast (to give us energy, of course) & then start shopping. I am ready today!

Saturday night, I went to a Birthday Party for a friend of mine! It was a night filled with lots of great "family" time, food & fun! When I finally got home on Saturday, I was exhausted. The sun is my enemy this year. I hate the big bright hot shiny sun.

Happy Birthday, Sharon!

Ladies & Gentlemen:

Please wish my Great Friend Sharon a Very Happy Birthday!

Let's all sing now:

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday Dear Sharon
Happy Birthday to you!
AND MANY MORE!

Love your Friend, Linkless!

Friday, August 04, 2006

Ever you felt this way?

I am so looking forward to the weekend, but I am not looking forward to Monday morning at 5am when the alarm sounds to get me out of bed to start my new week! Ever felt this way?
I enjoy my time outside of the office, and at times I feel as if I way too many other important things to do than be at work. I am grateful I have a job, and very grateful it pays the bills, but the older I get the more I would love to do something I LOVE to do.

I have a friend, whom I am going to call Co-worker, who is going through a hard time right now. Co-worker is in a new "great" relationship with a great man, and they plan to be married. The trouble is the new couple in this "great" relationship have tons of issues as a couple, and they each have personal issues. I have listened to Co-worker several times talk about her relationship. I have expressed my opinion some, but not completely come out & said what I really want to say (I know a first for me!). How do I come out and tell Co-worker I think she is making a huge mistake? What do I say to her & How do I say it? I truly respect and love Co-worker & I do not want to hurt her. Co-worker is a Christian. She is praying about her issues, but she's lost at the moment. She already knows what she should do, but I do not think she is strong enough to deal with everything going on in her life at the moment. I believe she wants me to "tell" her what to do, but it's not my life.......She needs to take responsibility for herself and her relationship. Please pray for Co-worker. I feel helpless as a friend. Ever felt this way?

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

10 years ago?

Rebecca & I were talking last night about the past. We have actually known each other for 9 years. Holy Cow 9 years, and we still actually speak to each other!!! She is just lucky I love her! ;) I have lived in Dallas 10 years, one month, and 26 days. WOW! I never thought I would have lived in Dallas this long! I hated this city when I first moved here. I am sure I hated it b/c it was different, it was away from home, away from my family & friends, and I was extremely unhappy in the beginning. I admit I had a rough start when I first moved here. I was NOT moving back home to New Orleans just to hear my family & friends say "I told you so!". I was going to live here no matter what the cost, even if the cost was my own happiness (I call this stupidity & extremely head strong)! It took me a couple of years to finally realize Dallas had lots to offer & the people were not sooo bad. I started working for a great company who had great people in it. I started making friends, going clubbing, partying continually, & having a good time. Over 10 years, time have certainly changed!
When I first moved here I was: sleeping on an old borrowed futon on the floor, I basically lived in an un-furnished apartment, I had my Mom's old mini-van, I made $8.50/hour, I lived with a horrible roommate, I was depressed, 90 lbs. thinner, I only had BooBoo Kitty, I was "clubbing" most nights instead of attending church, I was trying to find myself and I missed my family & friends in New Orleans tremendously.
Ten years later I am: sleeping on a king sized bed, my apartment now is over flowing with furniture, I inherited my MawMaw's car, I make more than $8.50/hour (thank you Jesus!!!!!!), my roommates are my children who all have 4 legs, I gained 90 lbs, I have lost a good portion of my gained weight, my clubbing days now revolve around books, I joined a great church with amazing people, I found myself & matured a great deal, and I still miss my family & friends, but definitely not has bad especially after Hurricane Katrina! Right now, it scares me to live back home during hurricane season! God, I am so grateful you love me so much to bless me with so many amazing gifts in my Life, to help me change so I could have a blessed life, and to bring me back to Christ.

Question of the day: Where were you 10 years ago?

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Ramblings....

Last Friday, I went to Rob's again to help pack! It was a weird night for me. I constantly talked to myself the entire night & I had the hiccups several times. My hiccups are little weird ones......I normally only hiccup once.........So, it was a night filled with one little hiccup numerous times over the course of the night! Weird! I talked to myself most of the night b/c I was more or less packing by myself. The weekend before Rob and I packed together.......I did not mind packing alone, it was just I had no one to talk to......and I was singing to myself most of the night.......and if anyone has heard me sing, it's simply not pretty! It's funny, but I love to sing........especially at home when I am cleaning. Give me a cleaning towel and I will sing you a song! La, la, la, la, la!
Since I have been helping Rob pack, my need to clean my apartment has been in full force! I have re-organized my closet, cleaned & dusted my room, & reduced the clutter in my room! It's amazing, but removing some of the knickknacks made my room seem bigger.
My friend, Kim, gave me a leather loveseat! It's beautiful! When Kim & I started to become friends I feel in LOVE with her furniture. Kim is engaged to be married, and they decided to give the loveseat to me! The furniture was delivered on Saturday! My little home is simply adorable! I am very blessed to have what I do. Lord, Thanks so much for blessing me with my beautiful home!
It's official: I have been accepted as a High School Youth Sponsor. Praises are in order, & Prayers are definitely needed for my sanity and the happiness of the Kids!

God Bless!