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Okay, okay I retract teacher's pet! How's star pupil sound? I mean really here I am not even able to fold the paper right and here you are. "OHHH I got it!" geez! lol it was a really fun time though! Tonight I hear is snowflakes! *HUGS* Vance

It's been a while since I did a blog so I figured I'd better get to it! Let's see..... Work is going very well, I even picked up a way to make a little extra money cleaning the office. It's only for a couple of hours every other week but it comes out to $100 bucks a month and every little bit helps. Between my regular job, and my night job and the cleaning Sam should have a good christmas!! I've been hit by a remodeling bug these last few weeks, leave it to me who always has to be 'different' to get hit with that during the blazing hot summer and not spring or fall when it's actualy comfortable to work. The first week I put down linoleum on the dining room side of the livingroom, to distinguish it more as a dining room. That was okay because it was downstairs and we have air conditioning on our first floor and I was so impressed with how well it all went I wanted to do more. The only other places in the house that could use some re-flooring are upstairs though with NO AC. But despite that I started in redoing the stairs. Before I started they were a nasty painted dark green with a large landing at the top that was painted a babypoop brown (Course I'm taking sam's word on that, I'm relieved to say I've never actually seen baby poop!) Anyways, I made my journey to home depot last Saturday was there by 6:15 and grabbed a cart. I headed straight for the linoleum tile section and found some really nice tile that looked just like a hard wood floor. I don't know if I have cheap taste or not but it was priced way lower than all the other tile only 16.00 a case when the next cheapest was 26.00 a case, yet it still had 10 year warranty so I bought two cases of it. Then I went and bought a gallon of white paint, two paint brushes (counting on help from Sam!) and an exacto knife. I check out and realize my 'stair remodeling project' is only costing 48 dollars! Can't beat that. So I get home and do my regular cleaning and about that time Sam gets up so we start in on painting. GOD was it HOT I was dripping sweat which I think is so gross but I just wanted to get it done. We painted the walls on the stairs the base boards the railing and the risers and were all done in a few hours. I set to work laying the tiles over the babypoop at the top of the stairs and didn't quit until around four when that landing was all done. SO all I have left to do today are the stairs themselves. I want to redo the bathroom upstairs too, but I may try and hold off until it's cooler outside. That room gets absolutely no fresh air but it really needs to be redone. In story news there's just one more chapter of Cameron which will be out this Friday. After that there should be a two or three week Hiatus before a new story (yet to be named, but already written) will start posting. I've very very nervous about this new story as I've said but everyone that's read it says it's great so I'm going with it. Well I guess that's all I got for now, I hope my 'tales of remodeling' wasn't too boring. OHHH I did notice the other day when I read Nick's one year post that I've been here a year too as of August 7th. Of course I didn't really start posting until February I was a definite "lurker" so I don't know if it really counts or not! Okay well I hope everyone has a great day!! and *BIG HUGS* to all my wonderful GA friends!! Vance

Happy GAnniversary!

Happy Birthday!!! Have a great b-day and many more!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES!! I hope you have a great one!

Eh after twenty minutes I guess that's a good enough title. I say halfway through meaning halfway through summer. Now I know it's not the "official" halfway point but here the hot months are June, July and August (I even drew a skull and crossbones on those three months on my calender at work. hehehe) So by July fifteenth I figure it's the halfway point. September starts cooling off. Though last year Sam and I went to a fair in October and usually this is a fair where you gotta wear long sleeves and jackets but this time it was soooo hot everyone was in shorts and T-shirts. It's very rare, in fact I think I heard at least 20 people say "can you believe we are wearing shorts!" So it was even quite the topic of conversation. That fair though is the only one we go to every year. I love it because it's in the fall (my favorite time of year) and usually it's cool, and also there's a lot of agricultural stuff, like livestock and prize winning veggies and stuff and I just love that stuff. And the food booths ofcourse!! Neither Sam or I are too big on the rides so mostly we just walk around looking at the animals, veggies and eating. hehe. Thanks for all your advice on my high blood pressure situation. I have completely stopped adding salt to things and am eating (mostly) stuff that doesn't have a lot of salt added. I still have a weakness though, about 2pm every day at work I go for the pretzel bucket and eat two pretzel's feeling like if I don't have just a bit of salt I just might not make it the rest of the day. But considering that's pretty much all the salt I'm having a day I'd say I've cut down 98 percent. And GOOD NEWS my last blood pressure check it was 148 over 84 so it went down quite a bit. I'm completely recovered from the pneumonia too, I was starting to think I was never going to get rid of the cough but sometime over the last few days it's gone away and I didn't even really notice. Just last night Sam and I were laying in bed and he was like "you know you haven't coughed all day" and I was like "OH YEAH!" It's amazing how something can annoy you sooo bad then you don't even really notice right away when it's gone. I have to work late three days this week because one girl is on vacation. I was griping to myself the other day how I always have to cover EVERYONE's vacation but then I got thinking that was kind of cool, because the reason I cover everyone is because I'm the only one that knows everyone's jobs, so that made me feel good, and it gives me really good job security! So I won't gripe toooo much about it. hehehe In story News Cameron probably has 2-3 more chapters, as soon as that's done posting I have another story which Sharon is editing for me I haven't had a chance to really look it over but there's lots of red corrections which must mean she doesnt' miss a thing! Which is great because my grammar and punctuation have made lasting scars in some people's minds! This new story is the one I've said before that I am scared to post, but those that have read it said I should post it so I'm just going to do it and hope for the best. Well I guess I'm done rambling for now. I hope everyone has a great week and try and stay cool. Falls just around the corner! hehehe *HUGS* Vance

Well I came here to do this blog so I can put a pic of my cat up but I can't figure out how to do it! So if anyone can help me out I'd really appreciate it! But since I'm here I guess I should still do a blog even though as usual I'm having trouble thinking of something to say. I haven't done much of anything. I've been sick actually so I didn't even go to work for 7 days at the end of last month. That sucked because before that I'd never officially called in sick to work. I'd gone in a few times and they sent me home but I had never had to say I'm gonna be out from this day to this day. I did get a doctor's note though so at least they know it's legit. Honestly though I don't think they would have thought I was lying in the first place because for two days before I actually went to the doctor they were all saying I should go home anyways. Ended up being pneumonia and I shouldn't have waited so long to go because I could have started feeling better days earlier had I just gone and gotten medication for it. My problems didn't end there though. While I was sick my blood pressure was really high. I figured it was because I was sick and the doctor thought that might be it too but just in case she had me go back in a week after my follow up appointment just to get it checked and it ended up being even higher then it was when I was sick. I always used to be like 110 over sixty, first time she checked when I was sick it was 148 over 98 and that last time it was 180 over 100. So now I have to stop eating salt, my love for salt goes very deep. I hope I dont' gross anyone out too bad but I even salted salt & vinegar chips! At work they have a pretzel bucket and everyone knew when the pretzels were gone I was to get the container so I could eat the leftover salt. So now I have to watch my sodium intake and take medication. I'm only 22, I feel like I turned old in the last month. I have an albuterol inhaler for breathing, singulair for allergies and now lisinopril for blood pressure. Pretty soon I'm gonna have to have one of those containers where you put your pills in for each day of the week so you make sure you take them all. When I told Sam the news he laid down the law. NO more ramen noodles for lunch! I looked today and there's like over 800 mg's of sodium in them. PLUS I've always added more salt. So I can't say he's wrong in telling me no, but I sure liked being able to have a 10 cent Yummy lunch! I've greatly reduced the amount of salt I add to food but as of yet I can't go without. I hope I can just ween myself down. I read Tim's blog and I think I must be a lot like him in thinking food just has no taste when there's no salt! Well I guess that's all the griping I have to do! In good news I had a great fourth of July. I saw both the parade and fireworks and both were great! Fourth of July is always the only time I ever sit in the sun so I got my tan for the summer! lol. Oh hey while i was writing my blog Kevin came on my MSN and told me how to upload a photo so here's my kitty! I guess that's all for now!! *HUGS* Vance

to you too David. I'll be sending my world famous 'good thoughts' while your transitioning. I as well think online friends can be 'real' friends. I don't know what I'd do without my online friends. They keep me great company, we share laughs and thoughts and problems. Just like friends you see every day, and the best part is I can be picking my nose or scratching my butt right in the middle of convo and I don't need to walk into the other room to take care of those necessaties! hehehe. But seriously I am very glad that we became friends. *HUGS* Vance

Happy Birthday Viv I hope you have a great one! Vance

Congratulations snowy! I'll play a..... for you! I've only got like 975 until I catch up! hehe

I wasn't meaning to say I wasn't for equal rights. I completely am. I just don't like the fact that everyone has a right to decide on it. We should all have rights and who we love shouldn't be a factor in that. I'm sorry if my original blog made it sound like I didn't care about that because i completely do. I was just saying that it shouldn't be such a debate. That we are all humans and all deserve rights. What I was trying to say was that I don't understand why people would try and deny those right in the first place. Basically that no matter how many people try to tell me how I live is wrong that I won't care. That I am happy and there's nothing they can do to destroy that.

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I'm so sorry you got hurt David! Sounds like they are crazy drivers over there! I spose there are some everywhere but sounds like the bad ones are more prevelant then the good ones there. I hope your arm feels better real soon, and if not you go to the doctors and get it checked! *HUGS* Vance

YAY I'm so glad you survived the day. I hope you are getting some good sleep now! Or maybe even a nice nap in the dentist chair. *shrugs* any sleep I think would do at this point. *HUGS* luv ya! Vance

Happy Birthday!! I hope you have great one! Vance

I'm so sorry you can't sleep! That must be such an incredibly frustrating thing. I do have a little advice that's worked for me though I've never really had a severe case of insomnia. So here it is! Try and sleep someplace else, like your couch. If you don't have a couch that's comfortable to sleep on try sleeping upside down in your bed, like put your feet where your head usually is and your head where your feet usually are. Sometimes, for me I just need a little change of scenery and that seems to help. Course I know it won't work for everyone and everyone is different but I thought it might be worth a try anyways! So good luck to you! I'll send ya sleepy thoughts!! *HUGS* vance

I sat here for five minutes just thinking of a title for my blog entry. I don't know what it is but I cannot manage to come up with titles! The only reason I put Monday is because it's Monday and I did the sad face because I'm sad it's not Friday! BUT I do have friday off this week and Monday too so I got a four day weekend. YAY for me! I don't have any exciting plans and Sam still has to work but I'm sure I can find something to do with my extra time. I got more Spring cleaning to do which will turn into summer cleaning if I don't get it done pretty quick! Besides I got writing to do too. So a couple extra days off will be good. I got a raise! I thought I might be getting one a couple weeks ago but it never showed up. Then last Monday I found out I was going to be getting fifty more cents an hour. That's a good raise! My usual raise actually but usually I only get one a year in January. I'm also doing some work at home at night for my job now, which brings in about fifty extra dollars a week. I was starting to think (not too seriously) about getting a night job because I always seemed to not have quite enough money. This works out perfect though because I don't actually have to leave home to do it. I'm sure I could make more money if I went out of the house to work at night but fact is I'm lazy and I love my house and I don't like to be gone from it anymore then I have to. My cat is snoring. She actually snores more loudly and more often then Sam. I got them both beat though. I snore really loud. In fact when I need to start waking up in the morning I roll over on my back so if I do drop back off to sleep I snore and wake myself right back up. It's a pretty good trick but I don't imagine it's very fun to sleep with me snoring so loud. Sam's never really complained about it though, just some random mimicking when he's teasing me. hehe. For those of you who are reading Cameron we decided even though we missed a week to keep going with the Friday updates. So the next chapter will be up on Friday like before. I am very very sorry we missed a week, we'll try very hard not to let it happen again! I guess that's it. Again I had no point to my blog. Maybe someday I'll actually have something exciting to talk about. I like my life nice and boring though. *HUGS* Vance

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I hope it's a great day! Vance

I care too David! and I can't wait to hear how it went. I'm sure you'll do real good though. I'm glad you were able to find some clothes even if they weren't exactly what you were looking for. Long as your pants don't go halfway up your calves you should be good! and to you too! Vance

Big Cyber hug right back at ya my little buddha buddy ! I'm sorry you're stressed over the move and the job situation. I don't imagine anyone wouldn't be in that situation. I wish I had some great words of wisdom or some great relaxation techniques but none are coming to mind. It's early yet check back later! hehehe. *HUGS* Vance

Wow sounds like you had a full day! And you're very brave giving your cats baths. You sound like a GREAT cat father (I'd say cat daddy but that sounds dirty for some reason). I don't envy you on all that packing. I hope we never have to move and we've only been here three years but we got so much crap I swear I'm not moving until I'm rich enough to pay someone to do it. I hope everything works out with your friend. It's cool your guardian angel was able to help you out, they are very good at doing that. You must be a special to have one. I hope everything goes great in the movie and your cat has a good operation! *Big Hugz* Vance

Happy Birthday Pat!! I hope it's a wonderful day for you! Vance

Happy Birthday Bev!! I hope you have a great one! Vance

I've never really been been an active member in a forum/online community before. I don't know how they all work but I know I sure love how it works here at GA. When I was writing my stories, I never had any intention of posting any of them. They were for me, and I didn't know if they were worth it or would even be of any interest to anyone. As I wrote I wasn't sitting there thinking 'hmmm if I do this I'll get a good reaction out of people' I just wrote what came out of my head and never would have thought of sharing them with anyone but Sam. About two years ago I met my best friend online and within a few conversations I sent him one of my stories. The first person ever to read one that wasn't Sam. After sending him one I sent him a few others and he loved them all, which resulted in him telling me over and over I needed to post them online. Well after 18 months I finally broke down last summer and put Shane up. As of all you know who've read it Shane is very badly edited, it was the first one I put up and I did it totally spur of the moment, like before I could chicken out. The response was incredible. I had people calling themselves my biggest fan!! ME having fans. Well I was hooked. I liked having fans dammit! Seeing an inbox full of emails complimenting you on your story is just somewhere near the top of the list of great things in my life. Anyways I'll get more to my point now, I discovered GA because a friend of mine said that Shane was mentioned in a forum here. So ofcourse I hurried over here to check it out. I made myself a member and read lots of great stories but never posted very much since I'm kinda shy even online! I never went into chat until probly mid February and the first night I did, I felt a little like a celebrity. I think it was David who said "HEY aren't you the author of Shane and Tyler!" and I was like WOW cool! Since that night I've managed to get myself hosted here and go into chat a lot more often, slowly getting to know everyone. Again I think I strayed from my point again but I'm getting there. I guess I'm just in a rambling mood. Anyways I have never met such a group of wonderful people before. It's such an amazing feeling to be welcomed and accepted and too see through posts and chats just how much you all care and know about each other. Through happy times and bad times it's just so amazing how strong a community this is. Like in chat last night I just had to sit there and smile, it's a like a little family. And I laugh everytime there's a full blown convo going on and there's Patrick breaking out into song. I just picture family get together's and everyone sitting around the livingroom talking and there's patrick dancing through the room singing. And I can't remember if it's Luc or Lugh sitting in the corner hissing at everyone. It's just so funny. It's a 'little family' I love being a part of. I guess my point here is that I LOVE IT here! I'm so glad my best friend talked me into posting a story way back when and I'm so glad I got hosted here, and so glad that I've gotten to know you all. You're all a great bunch of people I see that more and more everyday and I'm honored to be a member of this community. I guess that's it. My point is made I think and I tried not to go over board with the exclamation points, hehehe. I hope I wasn't too sappy, but I just really wanted you all to know how I feel about you. *HUGS* Vance

Well even though I listen to country mostly my favorite band is Counting Crows. I love all their songs but one. And that's 'Raining in Baltimore.' But of all the other songs on all the other albums I like them all. I really don't know what my favorite song is. Of theirs I'd probly have to say "Middle America" I think that's what it's called anyways. I never paid much attention to the song titles. I only stuck it in my CD player and played it over and over. Vance