Monday Morning And Good News

Since I am feeling inspired and happy at the moment, I'm sharing a pic of Mt. Rainier, one of my favorite places on the Earth.

What is happening my Imaginarians? Sorry I was absent for much of last week. I appreciate all the wonderful comments that you left and I am slowly, but surely making my way through them and onto all of your amazing blogs. It was a tough week as I had some doctor appointments to keep, but so far good news. My diabetes is back under control. My sugar has been holding at 112-118 and my A1C level is at 7.  Yay! And I am down 8 more pounds. Can I get a Hell Yeah?

And if my good news isn't enough, there's more from my good friends around the blogosphere. Vics Caswell over at Hairnets and Hopes has just launched her amazing new venture, Sketcher Girl Studios. Yay!!She does truly astounding artwork and will be designing book covers as well as other illustrative work like iTunes album covers, tattoo designs and children's book art. Julia Phillips Smith, author of the brilliant Saint Saguinus, is being interviewed over at Simply Infatuated. Author Rick R. Reed just received a stupendous review for his latest, Caregiver, over at Seductive Musings. I also want to say that my friend M Hufstader over at The Smoking Pen has an incredible clip of Joss Whedon and a little speech he gave to Equality Now about strong female characters in film. Like I said on M's blog, I am forever grateful that girls are growing up with this man as a cultural influence.

How was everyone's weekend? I got see my nephew play baseball. His team lost 8 to 2, but they played well considering only three of them have prior baseball experience. I also finally saw Battleship. I'll be posting a review shortly. What a rush that was.  Have a great Monday, my friends.

Thank you!!!

I need to really thank all of you for your comments and support over the last couple of days. Things have really come crashing down around here and it helped tremendously to have your wonderful words to read. It is so true when it rains, it pours. To add the cherry on top of my shit sundae, I now have to look for a new place to live. So this means my blogging and comments might get a little scarce. Nothing like unemployment, health scares and no place to live to just make the holidays a happy time. And right before my birthday, too. That's just WRONG. But, as my sister said, in the flood of life, sometimes you just have to decide to float. So, Imaginarians, that is what I am going to do. Float. Hopefully there will be good news to report.

In the mean time, let me finish on high note. The Lovely Blog Award given to me by the amazing Annalisa will be given to these great blogs I just love. They are all very cool people who are a joy to read.

Julie @ Gypsy in My Soul
Eve @ Clueless Eve
Melissa @ Have You Heard
Julie @Empty Nest Insider
Judy @ Judy Croome: Author on the Prowl

Kathy @ Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy
Sangu @ Echoes of a Wayward Mind
Arlee Bird @ Wrote By Rote
L.G. @ Bards and Prophets

Go visit these blogs. They are awesome people you should know. Enjoy the rest of the weekend, my friends. Hugs!

When It Rains...Plus An Award to Brighten My Week

When it rains, it really freakin' pours. As if the cold and more dental woes aren't enough, now I'll be off to the doctor. Ugh! I just haven't been feeling well and now I can't put it off anymore. So next week, I'll be spending even more money to go to the doc's. I'm diabetic and should go more often than I do, but I am a big chicken and have no insurance and well, that's no excuse. I have to take better care of myself.

Well, enough on that downer note. Sheesh, I'm sounding like a regular fun sucker, aren't I? Let's get to some good stuff, shall we? Annalisa from the awesomely cool blog, Wake Up, Eat, Write, Sleep has tapped yours truly with the wonderful One Lovely Blog Award. Check it out...

Isn't it pretty? Her blog is completely amazing so you all should definitely get to know her. Plus, she's just celebrated an important milestone, 100 posts. Yay!! I am honored, Annalisa, thank you very much. You have brightened my week for sure. I will be passing this award on, but since I am about to leave for work, I will have to do that tomorrow or Saturday. Have a great day, everyone.

My Journey into March Madness

Men and Basketball, it's inevitable here at this time of year. The insanity sets in on the males of the species as the field of 68 is chosen. "Did you get your bracket? How much you putting on...? You picked who?" And so on and so forth. But the fever afflicts yours truly as well. Deeply, rabidly...Do not dare come between me and my picks. You might lose a finger or something else more important.

I got started in this insanity a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, i.e. college. I went to DePaul where basketball is pretty much a religion. I played a few times, having fun, learning the ropes from guy friends. Things did not get serious until I started work at a male dominated law firm. When March came around and the office pool opened, I naturally asked for a sheet. And was met with incredulity followed by condescending male laughter. Then "Are you sure you know how to play, Melissa?" "Do you know anything about basketball?" Oh my inner bitch was rearing to go off, but I refrained. I simply nodded and smiled, thinking violent thoughts. My blonde hair and blue eyes belying my inner homicidal tendencies.

Then came the arrogant offers of help. Yeah, I can still here them. "You want me to help you pick your teams?" "Here, why don't you copy my teams, I actually follow basketball." "Melissa, you don't want to take this team because they don't finish strong." "So and so's guard has a knee problem." "Are you sure you want those guys?" Oh. My. God. They are so lucky I did not go postal and mow them down with an AK-47. I grit my teeth, ignored all their advice and turned in my picks.

Much to my embarrassment, I went down early with most of my picks losing in the first two rounds, but the big ones survived. I kept hearing comments all tournament long and getting those pitying looks. I was the only woman who played who did my own picks, never asking for advice from the guys. When all was said and done,though, I had the last laugh.

I leap-frogged over most of the rest of the pack at the end, correctly picking the Final Four and the National Champion. Thank you, UCLA, Oklahoma State, Arkansas and North Carolina 1995. I never won the office pool again, but oh the satisfaction of collecting my share of the winnings that year. To the tune of 400 smackers. Oh yeah, I rule.

Ever since then, it's on when the tourney rolls around. And now, I am off to make my picks. Go Illini!