Branson, MO
Jens and I went to Branson, MO two weekends ago ~ we met up with Karole and her family, Michele and HER family. It was great ~ we had a lot of fun.
Friday, we went to Celebration City ~ perfect day, perfect outing ~ nice weather, not many people. It was my first time, and what struck me was the park was much smaller than what I'm used to. Some terrific rides there, too. And the night light show was one of the best I've ever seen. I kept my hologram glasses on the while time ~ some people took them off, but not me.
Saturday was Silver Dollar City day! Crowded, of course, but remember it was Saturday. It was fantastic ~ a bit hot and humid, but a beautiful day with only one short cloudburst. We went all over the park and we rode and rode!
We left a bit early ~ we didn't want to go through the crowds. Michelle, her family, Jens and I ate at a nice Mexican restaurant, and we got serenaded by a trio of troubadours.
Sunday - NO BREAKFAST. We went to Lambert's Restaurant in Ozark, MO. It's a place made famous by its throwed rolls ~ and yes, the rolls are actually thrown! A waiter will walk through the restaurant, throwing fresh-baked rolls to patrons clamoring for rolls at their tables. Actually, they're more TOSSED than THROWN.
The servings are HUGE ~ I could only eat the veggies on my plate, and a bit of the meat. I took the meat home with us, for our dinner that night.
We got home at around 5 p.m., and we were soooo happy to see our cats ~ heh. It was a grest weekend!
Another Day
Well ~ today is my birthday. I'm another year older. Eh. Age is just a number, IMHO. It's how you feel inside and act on the outside that matters, along with how you get along with other people ~ that does really count in my book.
I've not been feeling myself for a long time now ~ I've been through so many shades of gray... the only times when I perk up is when I'm with Jens, with my family, or chatting IRL or online with my good friends.
I've fallen behind on so many things ~ TAC, birthdays/anniversaries, housekeeping, etc., etc. I just don't seem to have my usual GYAM anymore... and it gets a bit harder every day.
No, I don't feel suicidal ~ rest assured, I honestly don't. I just don't feel like doing anything.
Oh well. I got a doctor's visit tomorrow, and I'll be asking him about upping my medication. Ugh.
Back In Time....
Ok ~ let's try to backtrack a bit...
Earlier last month, on June 30, our German Darling finally arrived in StL from Germany - it was so wonderful to finally meet Michelle after almost 4 years of chatting online! She is just as wonderful and sweet in person as she is online!
We left for Naperville, Illinois, on July 4 ~ yes, Independence Day! We stopped for a few hours in Springfield, IL, to take a tour of Lincoln's Homeplace. It was the very last home Lincoln lived in before going to the White House. It was so interesting ~ everything were MUCH smaller than they are now.
We arrived in Naperville, where we met up with Terri and Jannie from Canada, a mini~reunion of sorts. Terri looked wonderful in her pregnancy, even looking forward to this baby. Jannie is very quiet, but has a beautiful smile.
After registering at the hotel and dumping our stuff, we went on to the park ~ Ribfest was in full swing at that time!
Aaah! We finally caught up with Tiffany and the twins ~ Pam and Cheri! The twins were busy working at their dad's booth, but they kept coming up to us and grabbing as much time with us as they could.
Let me tell ya ~ the food was GOOD! We watched the fireworks, and enjoyed our time. It was the getting back to the hotel that was ... UGH. Crowds upon crowds.
Thursday, July 5 - Natty and Cody stopped by the hotel on their way to Cody's mom's home ~ we grabbed a few stolen minutes to hug them, make sure all were well, and then zoomed our way to Ohio... after we lost each other in Chicago for about 2 hours. Sheesh. Construction will do that to you every now and then.
We finally arrived in Cleveland ~ and I never did get used to the time difference. We mugged with Kenya, Brad and Shawn ~ old times! Met Kim, Tom, Sue and Diane. Talked and talked ~ and then Angela B and Angela G came up ~ with J in tow. It was so great to see Angela B and to meet Angela G! J is as pretty and sweet as her mammy! Lisa and her hubby, Dave, finally arrived - yay! What a reunion!
Next day ~ Jens and I went to visit my aunt, uncle and grandma for lunch ~ checked my grandma's little apartment at the center ~ cute!
Jens and I were able to arrive at the church ~ we had to follow Kim from the hotel. Rehearsal was great ~ a bit of confusion here and there.
Next day ~ the WEDDING! Michelle, Angela, Lisa and I were decked out in our finery, along with Pam, the bride, and her sisters, Cheri, Leslie and Kristen.
Lemme tell ya, the wedding was absolutely beautiful ~ just look at the pix of the wedding party. I know, I know ~ I'm wearing a dress!
The reception went well ~ food was great, friends were mingling here and there ~ family and friends. I got to meet Lewis and his boyfriend ~ cute couple!
Next day ~ Cedar Point! Wow ~ the place is HUGE!
However, this is where I found out about BabyCat ~ the place will always have bittersweet memories for me.
The rides were great ~ they even have a Thunder River! We rode in it for two straight circuits ~ wowza!
Next day ~ we left for St. Louis with two... CATS in tow. Yeah, we adopted two cats from Pam and Brad - Foxie and Sweetie. Anyway - we were too tired, we stayed overnight in Indianapolis. We allowed the cats to have an overnight break and they wandered around the motel room.
We arrived in St. Louis Tuesday ~ the house seemed strangely empty without BabyCat. The other cats were there to greet us ~ until they saw the two cats. We let Foxie and Sweetie into the basement immediately ~ and then gave the other cats plenty of love and attention.
Yes~ we did get everything (well, almost everything) put away from the trip. Heh.
Games
I wish Tetris and Gem Jam would be available on SK3 NOW!
The Past is the Past
Another thing that sticks in my craw is how often people bring up the past ~ keeping and telling stories about GOOD memories is perfectly acceptable - I have a few favorite stories about my past that I do like to tell, and I've listened to other people tell snippets about their own pasts, and enjoyed each and every one of them.
However, when people bring up memories that are best left alone, and spun that they are larger than life ~ that they become bigger and not the truth anymore, it is gonna hurt.
I know. I've had past moments brought up and made larger than life, that they are what they have become ~ farther from the truth. If you really want to know the sordid truth ~ ask me point blank. If I feel that it will help and give an idea to you how you can change something, I will tell you what happened and also offer advice so you can avoid the same pitfalls that I went through.
If I feel that you're digging for something to use against me, I will smile and ask 'Why do you want to know about it?' and then leave. You will know from that moment on, you've dropped even lower in my estimation and lost respect. In other words, you've become less of a friend to me.
So remember this ~ good memories have stories worth telling ~ and bad memories aren't worth repeating, unless they can be put to good use with helpful advice.
I know ~ I love hearing stories about my friends' good memories and past good times!
Still Amazed
I'm still amazed ~ peeps telling me they're my friends, yet going behind my back and stabbing me in the back ~ by now I could probably drink a tall glass of water, lay down on my stomach and become a water fountain with jets of water squirting from my back ... no wonder why I have this blog. It's one of the few stress-relievers I have.
I mean ~ if you have a complaint about me ~ just tell me to my face. I ain't gonna punch your lights out. Of course, I will likely get a bit upset, but if warranted, you would get an explaination AND an apology.
Also, I'm quite surprised at how much is blamed on me ~ I know perfectly well who or what started this or that, but when my name gets used as the source... I'm like HUH? Ask me point~blank and I'll tell you who started it, and how it got started. If it's something that I have no knowledge of, I will tell the truth and tell you in your face that I DO NOT know anything ~ and not tell me any more. I don't need to know that kind of shyt. Just zip your lip and keep to yourselves.
My real friends know that they can tell me anything ~ and I will keep my mouth shut. I will offer my point of view and opinions, and I know they will do the same for me.
Another thing that gets my goat ~ those who gives other people negative comments about those people ~ no need for that. If it goes against your morals, shut up and accept the fact that everyone has the right to express themselves. I know perfectly well how I look and dress ~ I dress comfortably and to make myself feel good about my weight loss. I've seen how people dress and act, and accepted it as their right to self~expression.
Compliments are always accepted and appreciated ~ goodness knows how seldom I get to hear good things about myself, and would appreciate it more if they were told straight to my face and not through a second party or even a third party. I've always tried to compliment someone face to face ~ i know how it feels and boy, it sure does feel good when someone says so.
The deaf community would be a better place to live in if we tried to be more respectful to each other, and to accept each person for what he/she is, and not be so intolerant of each other's differences.
A friend has explained to me about crab theory, and I've seen and experienced it first hand so often ~ is it any wonder why I'm so sour on the deaf community today?
Come on. Sheesh. Time to grow up, don't you think?
