End of the Year Tidbits

Things have been a little crazy these past few weeks and I haven't had time for any blogging or podcasting. There are many things that have happened that once again deserves an individual post ....but I am going to to this in tidbit fashion to get everyone up to speed.

* I lost a cousin a few days ago due to a horrible plane accident. I will be attending the memorial service tomorrow morning with my family. My best memory of Diane was seeing her work in the Emergency Department ...I always got "special" treatment when I was in there.

* Our Christmas was really nice. I had a different Christmas spirit this year ...one of giving. Maybe its age but I got such delight in making gifts and giving them. Robert, Brittany and I had our traditional Christmas morning race to the tree ...and Robert won. I had switched alliance and was in cahoots with Brittany ...but we were outwitted. Maybe nest year.

* On a sad note ...our best friends are getting a divorce. This has been extremely hard on many people as well as myself. I am feeling such a great loss, anger and hurt feelings myself. I didn't want to believe that it was happening ...I had a lot of faith in their marriage and never thought it would come to this. I also had higher hopes that she would confided in me as a friend.

* I took Brittany and Alicia shopping the day after Christmas ....we had a really good time. I found some excellent after Christmas sales.

* We are having a New Year's get together. New Year's Eve is a Lemley tradition ....but we are taking it over this year to take the load off of Ron and try to cheer him up a bit. I hope this will be a good year for him and that he finds happiness around the next corner.

* I have done some scrapbooking this week ....which is hobby that I really enjoy. I have been getting into Scrapbooking more than usual and have stepped my hobby up a few notches.

* The weekend is supposed to be nice so hopefully we will be able to take the four wheeler out some for some off road fun.

* Brittany and I wrote down our new years resolutions today ....I will post them here in the blog after New Years.


Well ...I think that about covers it for now. We hope that everyone has a happy and safe New Years.

My Favorite Day of the ENTIRE Year.

I love Christmas Eve. It has always been and always will be my most favorite day of the year. I have always driven somewhere on Christmas Eve. This year one again we will be driving to my father in laws to share the the day. I love that the only thing you can find on the radio after 5:00 is prerecorded shows only filled with once constant flow of Christmas music.

I also love the feeling of such closness with my daughter and my husband. I can't imagine not having them in my life.

Robert and I have spent a lot of holiday dollars on each other this year before Christmas even arrived ...so our focus this year was Brittany. Also my New Years resolution last year was to make things personal this year ..and I think I accomplished that to a point. Next year I am going to step it up a notch.

I spent this past Friday evening with my brother and my siser Terri and her bar. I had a very nice time. Terri and I and on speaking terms again ....I have missed her in my life despite all the times I said I didn't. I was going to write a long post about it ...and maybe someday I will ...but for now we are just moving forward and not looking back on the days we were not speaking. I love her very much and always will.

There have been a few things over the past week that has made it challanging to get the holiday spirit ...but I am not going to talk about those either. The fact is it's Christmas Eve ...and Robert, Brittany and myself will be FA LA LA LA ing as we bring in Christmas.

Love to you all ....Kim

Poker Game Number Three

Thanks to my brother who brought his camera to poker game number three! Robert and Erin ended up splitting the pot at the end of the evening.

Catching Up

Last week Brittany and I went to New York City for a 36 hour shipping trip ...we had a great time and are looking forward to our next trip there.

During the holiday season things get crazy ....it didn't help that I ended up getting some sort of a stomach virus this weekend and have been under the weather. I am feeling a little better and was able to finished up some loose end gift wrapping.

Yesterday ...I saw my sister Terri. It meant the world to me to just sit and talk with her. My visit with her deserves a post in my blog of its own ..so that is why I am waiting till I am feeling back myself before I tell the world about it and about how much it meant to me.

Yesterday we had one of our poker games and never got to see anyone because I was I was in the bedroom held captive of this virus. I missed seeing everyone and wish I could have joined in the fun ...I would have won. To see the poker game details take a look at my brothers blog.

Winter Reflections

You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.

It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all........ And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams... But, here it is..the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise... How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my babies go? And where did my youth go?

I remember well... seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like... But, here it is...wife retired and she's really getting gray...she moves slower and I see an older woman now. She's in better shape than me... but, I see the great change... Not the one I married who was young and vibrant... but, like me, her age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be.

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore..it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will...I just fall asleep where I sit!

And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things.

But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...This I know, that when it's over..its over....Yes , I have regrets .There are things I wish I hadn't done ,,,,,things I should have done. But indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. Its all in a lifetime.. .

So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly!

Life goes by quickly So, do what you can today, because you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not!

You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life..so, live for good today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...

"Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who came after. Make it a fantastic one."

LIVE IT WELL!!


~author unknown~

I found Clue Number Uno

Lately I have been listening to a podcast called "Shadow Falls". This podcast is story telling at its very best. The town of Shadow Falls, in which the mystery is based on, has been created in Second Life. I made my way to Shadow Falls tonight ..and found the first clue. I know the answer to the clue ..but the box won't open. At one point I decided to just sit on the darn box. If you get some spare time in the evenings ..come visit me in SL. I may possible be still sitting on the box.

The Best Sale Price

There is an awesome new service I heard about today. Its a shopping tool to assist you in finding the best deal on an item you are wanting.

Here is how it works. You're shopping at the mall ..and you find what you think is a good deal. You get your cell phone out and let Slifter find out if they can search the web at that very moment and find a better deal. And if so ...they place the order for you right then and there. Awesome!! Visit http://slifter.com for all the details!

Bookmarks

When I listen to my podcasts I often come across new information on new internet sites to visit and I want to share them with everyone. I am going to try and use the "label" or "tags" here in blogger to get this informaton out to those who want it. I will create a label called bookmarks. Anytime you would like to see what I feel is worthy of bookmarks ...just use my "bookmark" tag.

Black Friday with Brittany

I had one of my most enjoyable days spent with Brittany. Brittany and I set our alarms for 4:00 AM ..in order to be at the mall by 4:45 to stand in line for the mad rush of early bird specials. We had a blast!! At 12:30 we finally called it quits and headed back to our beds to catch up on the rest of our sleep for the day. My intent was to get into one of those Photo booths and get our picture taken ....but our legs wouldn't stop long enough from running to the sales. I had so much fun shopping with Brittany ....I am looking forward to repeating this again next year.

Just as a side note there is a new shopping holiday that is making getting put on calendars across this web. Its called Cyber Monday. This is when all the internet merchants have their special deals via internet style. If you want to see all the deals out there ...visit here http://cybermonday.com

A game of darts....good for the soul

A few weeks ago Robert and I started playing darts at Ron and Dreama's house. We really enjoyed the few times we played and decided it was time to hang on in the bar room. We got a really nice board list night at Dicks that is electronic and takes the steel tipped darts. Robert and I enjoyed a few games together last night before I quit to spend a little time with Brittany before heading to bed. I have been trying to hit the bed early since my head accident on Saturday. I thought that I would be heading to the doctor's office this week to get it checked out ...but it seems to be a little better today. I still can't put my head up against the head rest on the car ....but my neck is feeling better.

I am taking Wednesday off work so that I can get some cleaning done before Thanksgiving.

Brittany is getting calm again ...she seems to be very happy and thats all that matters to Robert and I. We are both looking forward to Thanksgiving and curling up on the sofa watching the Macy's Day Thanksgiving Parade while looking through the Black Friday sale ads in the papaer.

Friday Brittany and I are heading out on Black Friday to catch some of the early bird specials. This is my second Black Friday adventure ..and Brittany's first. I hope she wants to go next year after its all said and done on Friday.

Another Day on the Four Wheeler

A fun day ATVing!!! I will blog again this week ..and maybe a podcast too! But I wanted to get these pictures published! We had so much fun .....can't wait to get on the trails again.

ATVing!!! At Night and in the Rain!!!

Tonight Robert and my new toy was delivered. We got our first ATV. We waited for awhile to get one ....cause we had our hearts set on a certain one. As soon as the salesman left we hopped on our new four wheeler and rode circles in the yard. It was raining ....but the rain didn't stop us. We had a freakin blast! I jumped off for a bit and let Brittany ride with Robert for awhile ...she was laughing the entire way as she was holding on tight to Robert.

I see some fun days ahead! Thats all for now ...I have to start getting ready for bed since tomorrow is a work day!

Getting back to normal......

....or at least what be believe normal to be. This past week as been very trying on the nerves. But ..at the end Brittany got up this morning from her own bed and caught the school bus at 6:40 to take her back to the school she attended before Linsly.

It will be my mission over the next several months to spread the word of what Linsly has done to my daughter and to our family. On the day this all came to a head the Linsly school in Wheeling WV had to make a choice of integrity and choose not to display the school I believed them to be. I will be working with several resources to get the word out.

The Linsly school betrayed parental trust. The trust a parent has in a school is one that is earned. Never did I believe any school could show such signs of bad character and betrayal.

I believe an apology is in order.

It has taken me several days to calm myself and my daughter. My daughter was traumatized by the hand she trusted.

Brittany is home to stay

Its been a really tough few days for Brittany. At this time I am not going into details of how crazy things got over the past four or five days ...but it got nuts. My daughter Brittany is home to stay and will be returning to her old school this week.

Emotions are high this week and we get through all this. The most important part of all this is Brittany's happiness ....which is the only thing that has been driving me in all this.


Brittany needs some quality time with her family and everything will be okay.

As I calm down ...I will be writing the whole story from a mothers point of view.

Off Work Till Monday

Well ..this will be the longest "sick day" run I have eber had. I have been having a medical problem and the doctor has put me off work till Monday. I have mixed feelings about it. I am glad to be off work ....but not in this condition.

Robert is bowling tonight ..so I thought I would podcast ..WRONG! All my resources are down for upgrades or whatever ...so it might be a few days until I can publish the podcast I recorded tonight.

Brittany is coming home again this weekend ..and I am really looking forward to that. Last weekend we enjoyed our time together ..and I am sure we will this weekend as well.

I have been listening to some really awesome podcast. "The Rest of Everest" is totally awesone! ..so check it out!

This was just a short blog to say hello! ..hello.

...off to second life! See ya!

Its been too long...........

since I have blogged. This past week and a half have been filed pain, anzxiety and anger. I don't even want to go into it other than to say that a wwek and a halp later I am feeling better ...but thigns still are not resolved.

Other than dealing with my problems our life pretty much was uneventful. With all the time on the sofa I did get the opportunity to finish my ahfgan that I have been working on since last year. Its nice to finally have it folded at the bottom of the bed to have for a cold winters afternoon nap. I was very anxiuos to get it completed and ready to start another on after the beginning of the year.

I also dicovered that I LOVE The virtual game called Second Life. My avattar is Kimmy Goodnight ...so look me up when your in second life.
I didn't realize that there are millions of players. The game can get advanced as you like. So far no one has tried to kill me. I typically don't play video games because I have terrible hand and eye coordination. I have purchsed land and am learning to buld things. So far everything I own has been purchased ....but I hope to learn the 3d modeling sson.


I haven't podcasted in two week ....I just haven't felt like it. Maybe this week.

Brittany came home last night for a weekend at home. She won't be back until Tuesday the week of Thanksgiving. Her and I are planning a mother/ daughter Black friday shopping trip this year. Last year was the first time I went ....Dreama and I had a blast. Dreama has to work this year ...I still wanted to go ...so I am dragging my daughter with me. I think we will both have a good time.

I am having fun with Chirstmas this year. I am making all my christmas cards this year with some scrapbooking techniques I've learned ..and MOST all my gifts are personalized or handmade. Its been fun doing. I made a committment to myself that this year our gifts would be personal and not something that we just by and wrap.
However, I am not wondderwoman ...and drew the lines in a few places.

Although I am not totally up to par I am looking forward to head back to work. I will however miss my puppy dog ...he has been curled up to me snoring in my ear almost every day.

Robert and my prayers go out to our good friend Norma. We will her a sppedy recovery through this time of crisis. Our love and prayers with be with her daily until she gets through this.

Robert and I were supposed to head to Ron and Dreama's this evening. I was so looking forward to sharing an evening with them. We made the mistake of laying down for a nap ...and after waking up jsut really wanted to stay home cuddled up on the sofa with my baby ..my other baby, my laptop and the TV.

Look fora podcast this week!!

Alicia's First Formal

I had the extreme pleasure of doing my best frineds daughters make up and hair for her first formal. I didn't know how her dad was going to handle seeing his daughter all made up and dressed up ... think he was happy and sad at the same time. She is so beautiful naturraly anyhow.

Texas Holdem Game 2

Today Robert and I hosted game two of our first Texas Holdem Tounament. Because of hunting season we are played this game on a Sunday. Robert almost won ...but almost doesn't count. Congrats to Jeremy for winning ...and now has money to pay his bar bill from last night.



Prior to the game my brother came over an hour early and we did our first podcast together. I think it turned out very well ..and is actually kinda funny. So if you haven't by now please subscribe to my podcast "PINK CAMO" through itunes. If you don't have itunes ..then go here to listen to PINK CAMO

Brittany Sweet 16 and Homecoming

Today was a very special day for our daughter Brittany. We spent the day getting her ready to celebrate her sweet 16th birthday and her homecomeing. If you want to see the rest of the pictures ....take some time and to to our Flickr.

Time on my hands

With time on my hands I thought this would be a good opportunity to do a general blog. Lately ..time is so rare I don't have time to blog the way I would like. Robert and I have so many things going on right now its hard to find time to blog and podcast the way I would like.

Recently I have taken up the hobby of podcasting. Its been difficult thing to learn to do ...I had to educate myself on the production side and the technical side. I had trouble coming up with a name ..but while we were on vacation I purchased a pink came hoodie ....and wha la! ...I named our podcast "Pink Camo". So if you get some time listen to my podcasts ...I would love feedback. For those of you that know me ....knows that I hate speaking in public. It is my hopes that podcasting helps with public speaking. Its different when I am podcasting though ...its just me, my laptop and dog sitting at me feet. My brother has also been podcasting ..and I think we are going to do a skypecast this Sunday if all goes well ...so I am looking forward to publishing that one. Typically I record and produce my podcast while Robert is bowling. I am going with him this coming Tuesday ..so its good that I am doing one on Sunday.

I have also taken up the hobby / craft of dry embossing ...card making sort of thing. Actually, all the Christmas cards I send out this year will be made by yours truly.

I have been working on my crochet too. I am making a king size blanked. I couldn't just make the normal size Afghan ...I had to super size it! I have been working on it since March. I am about 70% done ...and its my hopes to have it completed by Christmas. I have really been putting a lot of hours in to it ...knowing that Christmas is just around the corner.

I am still selling both Mary Kay and Avon ...I love both companies and the products. I love working and helping my customers get what they need. This "hobby" as my accountant calls it has been a good thing for me.

Brittany's sweet 16 / homecoming celebration is tomorrow. Robert and I rented a limo for her and her friends to go out to dinner ...then to the school homecoming dance. We will be spending most of the day tomorrow in Wheeling getting her ready. Robert is sacrificing his first day of bow season to be with her for this milestone in her life. If you want ...why don't you drop her a line and wish her happy birthday. You can email her at brittanydae@yahoo.com

Robert has been under the weather with some sort of stomach virus. He is getting ready to have an outpatient surgical procedure ...so say a little prayer if you like.

We haven't spent much time with Ron and Dreama lately. Dreama and I went to the Springs Festival last week. With the way things are going I might not see her again until we head to New York for a bus trip to Macy's. Robert is really worried about me going. He knows I am not observant and that I don't have an eye to know I am in a dangerous place. I'm sure my cell phone will be used that day. I love that he worries about me like that.

Next week in the second game of our poker tournament. We had to switch one of the games to a Sunday ..so that Robert could hunt on Saturday. Because of that we had two player drop out because we did that. It was really upsetting ....but oh well. We knew going into this that everyone wasn't going to make every game. Its just impossible to get everyone there every time ...so we decided to drop the last two scores for each player going into the championship game.

This Sunday ...it is my hopes to have a cuddle day with Robert. I think we really need it. Things have been crazy busy ..and we just need to slow down for a day.

Well ..thats it for now. Until next time ...have a good one.

So Sad

Today ...I am sad. I had to put Bullsie out cat outside because she has decided that she wants to use potty on my popasant chair. I do love her so much ...but I can't sacrifice a clean home. I cried for hours tonight ....I hate that she is outside in the cold ...and rain. I have to get my mind off of it. I am sure that she will take up ressidence in our wood pile ...which is where we found her to begin with. We have been blessed with her in the home for the past three years.

Springs Festival

Last Friday my best friend, her daughter Alicia and myself traveled to Springs PA to our third annual visit to the Springs festival. We all three had a really good time. This was Alicia's first year. I wish that Brittany could have gone too.

Pink Camo Podcast - Episode Number 2

I finally got episode number two out the door and published. You can listen to it here if you like to do so. If you have an ipod ..I would love for you to subscribe to my ramblings.

We did so much tonight

Typically on MOnday's Robert and I are worn out from it just being Monday ....but today was a little different.

First ...we went jeeping for a bit and Robert surprised my with a stop at the Dairy Queen. On the was home we saw the most beautiful sunset. Secondly, after getting home we decided to to relax some in the hot tub ..it was so nice, relaxing and romantic. Then to top the evening off Robert decided to hook up the outside antenna we purchased from Radio Shack today for better scanner reception ..it really works! Robert and I really enjoy listening to the scanner in the winter months ...cause in summer there just isn't enough time.

Tomorrow I had planned an evening of recording Pink Camo number two. But ...I will most likely go and watch Robert bowl since I missed last week. I love watching him bowl and just being there for unspoken support.

Its already 10:00 PM ...I did want to do some of my afghan ...I am really hoping to get to done before Christmas. Maybe Wednesday night.

Its Sunday Night

All in all is was a really good weekend. Brittany game home for the weekend and we headed to the Buckwheat festival with my brother Ed. It rained most of the evening except for when we joined Mark and Martha for some buckwheat cakes. The absolute highlight of my evening was getting to see my nephew Randy. I have not seen him in over three years ..and my heart just melted when I laid eyes on him. I told him to come and visit ...so I hope he does.

Saturday, Robert and I just took it easy ...it was so nice. I would like to have more days like that ...they re too far and in between.

Today my brother came over to give me a tutorial in Cool Edit Pro. Once he showed me how to use it. It was one of the most un user friendly applications that I have ever used. Once he showed me the basics ..the rest came easy.

Tomorrow ..its back to work. I only have a four day work week. On Friday ..myself, Sandi, Alicia and Dreama will be heading to the springs festival. This has become a tradition for us ..this is year number three!

Pink Camo - Episode Number 1

Okay ...I am considering this to be my first podcast. As you will notice if you listen ....I still have so much to learn about podcasting. It is something I think I am really going to enjoy. And feedback and constructive criticism is welcome!

Love to you all for putting up with me to get here!

Here is episode Numer 1 of PINK CAMO

Texas Holdem - Tournament 1 - Game 1

At last!! Robert gets the winnings in the first game of our Texas Holdem Tournament number 1. We have 11 players particiapting in the tournment of 11 games the last being the championship.

The Points standing is as follows:

Robert SanJulian 14
Jeremy Murray 13
Ron Lemley 10
Norma Barry 10
Chris Kerby 8
Ed Hall 6
Kim SanJulian 5
Dreama Lemley 4
Jim McNeil 3
Jayson Staats 2
Charlie Barry 1

I'm looking forward to Game 2 to be played on October 21st!

A recap of what had been goiong on

I think this has been the longest time I have gone withot posting to my blog. I have come to the conclusion this week that time free time is becoming harder to get. Robert and I have just celebrated our third wedding anniversary with a trip back to Smith Mountain Lake and a drive to our favorite resturant. Last weekend we were on the houseboat and loving it. Mark and Martha had a good time too. Check out our Flickr site for all the pictures. We had some breathtaking sunsets. Wednesday we went to Minards for a great dinner! I can't believe three years have gone by so quickly. I think I fall more and more in love with m husband every moment.

Brittany is home for the weekend. Robert and I drove up to Wheeling to get her last night. She is sleeping in this morning which doesn't suprise me.

Tonight we are hosting game one of our Texas Holdem Poker tournament. It shoud be a good time. I will post the picture tomorrow of the winner and the points leader.

I am into getting a podcast started. While Robert and I were away I came up with a name for the podcast. I am calling it "Pink Camo". It will be a podcast about us and oout lives when PINK and CAMO come together and sometimes even clash. Stay Tuned.

I finally did it!!!!

My first podcast!!

Also, in the right menu of this page you can listen to the audio file from here without subscribing to itunes.

This was my first attempt ....its pretty crappy! It is my hopes that it keeps getting better and that I learn the tools better the more I podcast.

Congratulations to me!!!

Rain Rain GO AWAY!!!!

Robert and I have had this weekend scheduled all summer to go camping. It was evident at the beginning of the week that a camping trip Labor Day weekend was not in the forecast. What was in the forecast was tropical storm Ernesto. At the beginning of the week we were supposed to get 5 to 10 inches of rain. Through the week the forcasted rain as been reduced to just enough of rain to ruin our weekend.

Brittany is coming home this weekend. I am excited to see her. She has not been home since school has started so I am anxious to see her. She will be home tonight then will head to the WVU football game tomorrow night. This is a big weekend for Mountaineer fans and we rumble against our backyard opponent Marshall University.

I think because of the rain we are going to get together for some dealers choice poker with some friends. MAYBE .....we might just put our tent up on the back deck.

We also are going to help our friends Nicole and Rob do some painting. Nicole and Rob as of last night our proud owners of their first home together. They are getting married in April.

Since we have all the rain this weekend ....I might just get a few extra blog postings in. As you may have noticed I have been getting back involved with my website hobby. Colder weather is coming so I will have some extra time,

TGIF

Well ...its been a long time since I have posted a TGIF post! Although we didn't work a full work week this week ....it has still been a long one. Robert and I are looking forward to a relaxing weekend. We may even get another short road trip in there too ...maybe even with our tent!

I have been out of touch with the geeky world this week ...mainly because we have just been to busy and I have't had the time to be my geeky self. I didn't get my self hooked up to the beta version of blogger that I LOVE! My brother and I are discussing doing a "team" blog of some sort. We are still trying to come up with a theme. I am still working on the whole podcasting idea .....still trying to learn and get it set up. I may try to do a "test" audioblog from my phone after this post just to make sure things are still set up since I made changes to my blog account.

Brittany is enjoying her first week at Linsly ..she has a residential weekend and will be going to a Pirates baseball game.

Robert and I will be hosting a Texas Holdem Tournament ...our first game will be September 23rd.

Robert starts his fall bowling this coming Tuesday. He took last year off because of me being in the hospital so much ...so I am sure he is anxious to get started back.

Our anniversary is coming up in a few weeks ...its been three years since we said our "I do's" ...and we have been in marital bliss ever since.


Hopefully ...I may have a few pictures to post at the end of our weekend.

A Breathtaking View

Its been a couple of years since Robert and I have taken a road trip to Spruce Knob. With me being in the hospital last year we missed out ....but made up for it this past weekend. One of our favorite places is on top of the world from the fire tower at Spruce Knob. Here are a few pictures of the sunset we arrived just in time to view.

Thank you Blogger ....I think!

After several years ....Blogger has finally upgraded their service!!!! However ...I have lost my previous post from the original and will create an "ARCHIVE" link on this page. I do have updates and hopefully will get to them sometime today.