Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone. Hosted Christmas dinner with sister's family and Mom. Had a good afternoon opening presents, watching movies, and playing Whoville Monopoly. I won Monopoly. Usually my nephew wins so this was a surprise. My luck must be changing. Ordered brother's wedding photos on my computer for Mom who doesn't do computers. Her sisters and cousins can handle computers, but she can't. As it got dark lit all my light displays and family enjoyed my bubble lights. I'm the only one who has them. I found at a store doing a retro thing. Well post later. Have a great New Year.

A Christmas Carol thought

I watch A Christmas Carol every year and always notice Fred is not in Future scenes. Perhaps, not to give away that the dead man who brought so much joy to others was Scrooge. But in small ways, Fred is there. Someone had to paid for the tombstone Scrooge views. Someone had to pay the undertaker, charwoman, and laundress who sold his things to Old Joe. Bob Cratchit is not jobless (and not suddenly rich) and must work for Fred who would have inherited his business and money. Who else does Scrooge have to will his things to? My brain thinks too much. Season's Greetings.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and I could hardly bare it

Not a creature was stirring, not even a ferret

The stockings were hung on the shelf with care

With hopes of St Nicholas soon would be there

The cats and mama in bed taking a nap

Faramir, Eowyn, and I waited with the Santa trap

Visions of red toys and dangling Christmas balls

Filled my dreams of what this Christmas thing befalls

When out on the courtyard there was a loud POP

I sprang from the sofa and saw the cats lollop

Away to the window I bounced like a bunny

Then Faramir and Eowyn smelled something funny

The moon glowing upon the new fallen snow

Covering the paw prints where dogs like to go

When what to my wondering ferret eyes should appear

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer

With a little old driver so bright red and quick

I so badly wanted give that toy a lick

More rapid than Frodo swipes his coursers they came

And he whistled and shouted and called them by name

Now Jingles Now Jangles Now Ivy and Holly

On Snowball On Sparkle On Tinsel and Jolly

To the top of the porch to the top of the wall

Now dash away dash away dash away all

As right before Eowyn tooted, the wild flurries whirled

The cats danced with joy and us ferrets twirled

So up to the rooftops the coursers they flew

With a sleigh full of toys and St Nicholas too

And in an instant outside like a lightening poof

We heard the scratching and clawing of each little hoof

As I drew in my head and turning around

Santa came in the door in a single bound

Precious drank the milk so the Santa trap was sprung

Santa ate the cookies and crumbs in his beard were strung

Frodo got him a napkin and Precious got out the back

I took the opportunity to crawl into his sack

His eyes were kind as he scratched my cheek

Faramir and Eowyn stuck in her nose to take a peak

His face was red like a cherry as he went Ho, ho, ho

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow

The stump of a pipe he held in his teeth like a charm

And the smoke blew up to set off the smoke alarm

To unplug the battery he swiftly rushed

Then looked at us and rightly blushed

He was chubby and plump a right jolly old elf

And I squeaked when I saw him in spite of myself

He petted us all and cats rubbed their fur on him

Then we heard a crack of a tree limb

He spoke not a word, but finished his cookies

He filled up the stockings, even for us rookies

Then laying a finger aside of his nose

And giving a nod, out the door he rose

He sprang to his sleigh to his team gave a holler

And away they all flew as we furbabies got taller

But I heard him exclaim ere he drove out of sight

Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night

Christmas Letter 2016

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my family and friends. My year started with a temp job as a Bankruptcy Auditor in January auditing mortgage loans in bankruptcy to check if the bank employees are following bankruptcy laws. Let's just say my job is easier when they do their job right. Started college classes again, my last semester (Wahoo!). Did taxes under VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) and this time was more of an assistant to the professor than tax preparer. I did a few amended returns (you have up to three years after filing to send in an amended return) and checked my classmates work as required for the class. My two years of experience came in handy. Saw my great-niece for the first time at her baptism. Missed the baby shower from the polar vortex causing weather man to say stay indoors. At eight pounds, the two-month-old baby was still tiny to hold. She just looked at me as if she was thinking, "Who are you?". She learned I sing and kiss cheeks. Then had to share the baby with Great-Grandma who hadn’t met her either. Got a baby fry fish Theia after my female Selene died. Then Theia died after a few weeks. Got another small fish called Tethys. This one was a little older than the fry, but still small compared to the adults. Then after a few months Tethys died and got another fish called Gaia. Gaia is still around, but too small to attract much male attention. My full size female Artemis gets all the boys’ attention. When she grew a very large bottom fin this autumn, I realized Artemis is a boy. Don’t feel like changing the name though. Ferrets were sad they didn't get much of a winter thanks to warm El Nino, they love snow and roll around in it. Didn't get enough snow to dig a ferret tunnel, maybe this winter with El Nina expected. We celebrated ferret Faramir's 3rd birthday making him a middle-aged man. We celebrated Precious's and Frodo’s 10th birthdays making them official Senior cats.

Completed my classes and graduated with honors again earning Payroll Certificate and Income Tax Preparer Certificate. Ah, no more classes. My brain can't handle any more education. Got student loans to pay back now. Attended my niece #2’s Master’s degree ceremony at University of Northern Iowa. Family is so proud of her. Wrote a new story just to stop dreaming about it to put it up on my blog (thechameleonstory.blogspot.com). It is about an FBI Agent going undercover. I know, boring. Attended my sister-in-law’s (don’t know if I’ll ever get used to saying that) bridal shower at my Mom’s retirement community banquet room. Some family haven’t met the bride so it was a good day for us. Attended niece #1's bridal shower at Aunt’s home and took my turn holding great-niece. Went out to the cemeteries for Memorial Day with Mom, both sisters, and a niece #4. Had to explain to niece#4 that some people actually do visit cemeteries on Memorial Day instead of barbeques. Niece #4 wanted to come too since she hasn't seen her grandpa's grave since the funeral before the stone was erected. Had to explain why we place flowers on tombstones and why grandpa had a flag with a holder saying Vietnam. I got a new baby girl ferret: Luthien aged 2 months (from Lord of the Rings). My other ferrets taught her how to be a ferret and learned my routines. She has taken to jumping on the bed in the morning when I wake up. She is one happy ferret. Had a lovely 4th of July with sister #2's family. Attended a parade in Slater, IA and enjoyed lunch in the town park. The games and rides were too young for niece#4 and nephew so we didn’t stay long. Pretty much spent the afternoon watching movies at my sister’s home. Had to play Independence Day for the holiday.

We celebrated two weddings in June. Niece #1 got married and had great-niece as her flower girl. She looked like a princess and ceremony was twenty minutes long (we all loved that). They had a grilled cheese bar with someone heating individual sandwiches for people. Boogied down at the dance with nieces and nephew. Had breakfast with the couple the next morning to watch them open presents and took home some cupcakes. Then after Fifty Years of Waiting, my mother finally got rid of my brother. Brother danced for the very first time (as a kid I would grab his hands and twirl around, but he didn't really move). I again danced the night away with nieces and nephew. Had breakfast with the couple opening their presents and went home. Afterwards, they went to Washington D.C for their honeymoon. I finally was made a permanent resident at my temp job to fill out all the paperwork to get insurance and build up that 401k. I was doing the Happy Dance after six long years working part-time and temporary jobs after losing my good job renting cars at the airport. It’s nice having paid holidays and paid time off again. I like my job and can easily see myself auditing for the next five years. Attended nephew’s 12th birthday party at Johnny’s Steakhouse in Altoona. They had a cut out of Frank Sinatra and had to explain who he was to the younger generation. Went to the Ankeny City Pool with brother-in-law #2, niece#4, and nephew before school started for the kids. Got a nice sunburn to get a good tan. Kids weren’t too happy their sunburns. Had picnic lunch in a park with sister#2 who had stayed home. The next weekend we enjoyed a day at Adventureland Park. Rode the new roller coaster and I thought it was awesome. Had to ride it a second time. Visit got cut short when clouds came in and lightening scared us into leaving the park. We got sprinkled on. Made it out before the downpour came. Didn't get to ride all we wanted, but it will be there next year.

Celebrated my 41st birthday (tell nobody) at Ankeny’s Godfather’s with a buffet with Mom and sister#2’s family. Sister got me a cake with cupcakes surrounding the larger center cake. Mom took me to the car wash because she finally got tired of looking at my dusty dashboard (I never clean the inside of my car). Had a good birthday. Had a visit from brother and sister-in-law with their honeymoon pictures explaining how they mastered the public transportation. My ferret Eowyn celebrated her 3rd birthday making her a middle-aged woman. Lost my male Beta fish Pan. Got him as a baby and he was growing bigger every day, then he died. Got a new Beta male Cronus. Beta fish live 3-4 years so I go through them fast. Cronus is still here. Teenager ferret Luthien at seven months experienced her first Halloween and jack o’ lanterns. I just know she will love Christmas. Celebrated sister-in-law’s birthday with brother and Mom at the Cracker Barrel in Clive. Celebrated niece#4’s 13th birthday at Rock Bottom Brewery in West Des Moines. She loved the purple sneakers I got her since she picked them out last August on a shopping trip in the mall looking for the “Perfect Backpack” for school. Spent Thanksgiving at brother’s house in Fairfield at their new dining room table and used new cookware they received as wedding gifts. Let’s just say it will be a while before they need to buy anymore kitchenware. Did my Black Friday shopping from brother’s sofa on my Smartphone when stores opened on Thanksgiving evening. The family was in the dining room eating leftovers so nobody was looking over my shoulder to see what I got them. Next day on technically Black Friday drove out Aunt’s home to spend the night to have a shorter drive to great-niece’s 1st birthday party on Saturday. Aunt took us Black Friday shopping in a store later in the evening when the crowds dissipated. Since I already bought all my presents online, I shopped for myself and picked out sweaters to wear to work. Next, she took us around Omaha to see the pretty light displays. Great-niece’s party had the extended family at Valentino’s in Lincoln, NE. Visited with my nieces and sister#1, plus took lots of photos of the baby. She is crawling now, pulling herself up, and loved her birthday cake.

This month will be work, work, work. Have to pay off my shopping splurge, you know. Got out all the decorations and Luthien enjoyed all the boxes to play in. My Christmas village on the floor looks like a tornado hit it, but they don’t chew on any wires so I’m happy. I will host Christmas Day dinner for whoever from my family shows up (plans not finalized yet). Extended family Christmas will be in January with practically everybody planning to attend.

Love Always,

Jordan

Cats: Precious and Frodo

Ferrets: Faramir, Eowyn, Luthien

Fish: Artemis, Hades, Gaia, Cronus

Birthday party

Had my niece's 13th Birthday party at a local restaurant. They have root beer floats the kids love, well nephew more than niece. Naturally my niece loved my gift since she picked it out last August on a Back to School shopping trip in a mall. She put the shoes on right away. Double checked they still fit, they did. She has suddenly got into Power Rangers so had that on her cake. The family had a good lunch and cake for dessert. Got to update people on my job. I'm permanent now and enjoying the new found benefits. Nephew got his new winter coat dirty to the displeasure of his parents. He wears nylon shirts on a cold day so of course he is cold. Put on a sweatshirt, kid. Nothing else to report.

Post Election thoughts

I know die hard people are still gloating or protesting the election results. Seriously people, you make me glad I'm an Independent and vote for people not parties. In my lifetime we had Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush Jr, and Obama. The pendulum swings both ways and there have been Republican Congresses and Democratic Congresses. We had economic booms and busts, wars and peace times, and we have survived. And if Trump is that bad of a president then I give this hope "Mid-Term Elections". We are going to be okay.

Conundrum

If you dream about someone being murdered, do you tell about it risking people think you're crazy or just chalk it as a weird dream. I am the master of weird dreams. Quite a conundrum.

I went to bed Election Night and drifted off to sleep knowing Mr. Trump will be President. Then I woke up at 1:30 AM. Couldn't get back to sleep cause my brain wouldn't stop dreaming of Mr. Trump with a blood on the left side of his head saying "Help Me, Help Me". Next, I saw him speaking outside at a podium surrounded by crowds, hear a loud bang, and he collapses on his back. And the dream ends. I was awake with a migraine pounding in my head for three hours. I managed to sleep for about a hour before awaking again. The next dream was Trump waving at the crowd as his family got out of their cars by the White House to watch the Parade. He appears to slip on some ice to land on his back, a bang is heard, people look around wondering where the bang come from, and then a loud boom shakes the ground to hear crowds scream. Explosion appears from behind the buildings about a block away. Then I wake up not being able to get back to sleep. I bet I sleep tonight.

Arose when the alarm clock went off and drove to work. Most of the morning I keep visioning the 2nd Trump dream. This time I stand nearby to see if he was just hit or was killed. I don't see his spirit rise from his body like steam out of boiling water so feel good about that. I stand near him to see where the shot come from since nobody on the ground could figure it out. This time Trump's neck holds the bullet on the left side so look to the left. I spy a man in black in a window. I must say that was one heck of a shot, he's nearly a block away. Then someone grabs my shoulder, it is Trump's spirit appearing real instead of a storybook ghost. He asks if I'm the angel who will take him to heaven. I reply, Yes, if you're ready. No, not yet, he wants to know who killed him. I grab his hand and fly to the man in black taking apart his weapon and stuffing it in a drawstring black bag. Trump's spirit is furious he was gunned down by a terrorist (#?@!* bastard is more like his reaction). Man in black leaves the room appearing as if he is carrying a laundry bag in his hand. Next Trump wants to comfort his wife. We arrive at the White House and I leave him with his mourning family. Next we walk with the family during the funeral. Once the funeral is finished, he is ready to go. I take him to heaven. At least the dreaming stopped this afternoon.

Even worse than that, during my daydreaming while I'm trying to do my job, I have a vision of the bombing and a famous journalist is near it enough to get scratched by shrapnel from the building blocking most of the explosion. In the end, nobody is killed, just injured with scratches from broken windows from the sonic boom and pieces of brick/stone from the building. Famous journalist is talking to his TV camera about the parade and the speech the new President made when BOOM comes from behind him (camera catches the explosion). He asks, What was that? Are you okay? to his camera guy. And writing this, my dream changes to him moving across the street so he must take this dream seriously.

And talking about people tampering with my dream, it does change to other people near Mr. Trump getting hit trying to stop possible doom. In his speech, he wears a red scarf, but getting out of the car and waving to the crowds he doesn't have it on (possibly not to give man in black a target). Next I see possible ending where a secret service guy getting hit in the head with bullets with Trump and possibly one of his sons gets hits in the shoulder tearing a hole in his coat (don't worry, it's not son's time to go yet).

So maybe this dreaming was just a warning to stop this possible assassination or a premonition. I've had dreams dancing in a wedding dress and having a baby since last year that have never come true (I can't get even get a date) so I'm not worried about it. Hopefully, it was just a dream.

Wacky dreams

I am indeed the master of weird dreams. Last night I had the most strangest dream ever and now have a splitting headache this morning. Perhaps if I write them down, my brain will stop thinking about it. Now, my weirdest dream ever:

I arrive at a house in the country decorated for Christmas with children and luggage, Princess Diana's boys just after their mother died are here to briefly visit America (I know this is a dream cause I never met British royalty). The house electricity is out. We quickly toss out the food in the freezer onto the back yard deck to keep it from spoiling. We put away our luggage and set the princes up in the guest room. My husband (never been married so this is definitely a wacky dream) carries the princes' bags because they are too heavy for me to lift. Have a very tall and handsome husband so I'm liking this dream. Since the electricity is out overnight, we all sleep in the basement where there is a wood burning stove. So we have a indoor camping trip.

Next morning after cooking breakfast on the wood burning stove, the electricity comes back. I get ready to hostess a Christmas dinner for my husband's family gathering. I borrow my great-grandma's dishes from my grandma (grandma died in 2004) and polish my ancient silverware. The children love my grandma and she enjoys talking to them giving lots of hugs and kisses. She tries hard to remember all their names. There are:

Nicholas Joshua with cerebral palsy who was born early when I was taking a shower in my apartment. Brittany Anne who is Nicky's twin but she was born months later on time. These twins are in preschool. William Allen, Kaitlyn Frances, and Jordan Elizabeth who are toddler triplets.

Later in the dream there arrives a Justin Eugene called Stevie for some reason from a former boyfriend and twins Jacqueline Josephine and Jonathan Robert from another former boyfriend. Justin is in Kindergarten and when he leaves again with his father, Nicky cries hysterically from missing him. Jackie and Jonathan are in preschool. Jackie loves to dance and Jonathan gets disappointed I don't take him shopping cause I always take him shopping when he sees me.

In the dream I was pregnant with twins, a girl we call Margarita Juliet and a boy Dion that we were still working on the middle name for.

I have all the kids clean the house and husband re-plows the driveway with a snow blower for the coming guests. Day of the event arrives. Early in the morning before everyone gets up, I go to the kitchen to pop in the turkey so it is cooked by dinnertime. Have a lovely dinner with a plenty of guests and open presents. I think someone insults my ugly/old dishes and I defend they belonged to my great-grandmother in my apology. At some point I end up crying in the closet cause my mother-in-law hates me and my husband comforts me so I get up to put the triplets down for a nap. After everybody leaves, we clean up the living room and put the toys in the bedrooms. Kids go to bed and I cuddle with my husband in the Master bedroom. And finally, we take the princes to the airport to send them back to London.

It was good dream.

Halloween Ghost Story (true story)

My First Demon Encounter:

Once upon time when I was 6 or 7. A kid living next door to a friend of mine moved away and a new family moved in. This family was grandparents and a grandson from the big city. And they were black in an all-white small town (population 890) in the Midwest so they were bit of a novelty. Grandparents had told the adults they moved here to get away the big city gangs and violence. My sister saw the kid at school. Then the big city kid robbed the sole gas station in town and of course the teenager working the register knew him from school (not too bright of a plan). Everyone in town was shocked. They had been kind to the family since they came, kids invited the grandson to hang out with them, so how could this kid repay their kindness with this behavior. Sister said the kid complained at school how boring we were, it's fun to rob people and spray paint buildings (before the robbery he spray painted a business's wall). Then it happened.

A black woman walked through my bedroom wall while I was playing so I knew she was a ghost. She begged me for help. She explained my imaginary friends told her I can see her. Great. She wanted me to talk to her son. I explained they will think I'm crazy if I knock on their door talking about seeing a ghost (Mom called me crazy seeing people she couldn't see). So this ghost begged for days before I finally caved in. She told me to bring a lemon meringue pie and they would believe me because it's her son's favorite. So I made the pie, though I wasn't allowed to use the electric beaters so my sister made the meringue part. I don't know how I explained making a pie so a ghost will stop bothering me, but she did it. I walked to the house explaining a ghost lady named (I forget her name now so I'll call her Maria) was begging me to help their grandson. The pie and knowing her name did work to make them believe me. They asked me questions about her. When asked how she died, Maria showed me a silver car in a ditch. They said their daughter Maria died in a car wreck. So the grandparents called out their grandson. He scoffed how lemon meringue was white people food. I apologized explaining I was told it was his favorite. The grandfather cut up the pie and offered me a piece. Naturally, I wanted to taste my own pie. I told them about the family who lived her before they did. Their grandson's bedroom was the little girl's room. So after dessert, the grandson and I went into his room. In the corner of the room, I saw my first demon. Very tall with animal face, horns and hooves, all black with red eyes and man's chest, and had black bat wings. I screamed my head off and ran out of the room. Kid was dumbfounded. He explained I just walked in the room and screamed, he didn't do anything to me. I was shaking and stuttering about a monster. Then the demon stood in the bedroom doorway and I ran out of the house.

I asked Maria standing by a tree to help. She refused to go into house. The grandparents asked me to sit on the front porch and the demon looked at me through the window. I said that thing was not there last time I visited the house. I didn't know how they lived in the house with it. Grandfather remembered feeling anger toward his wife and wanted to hurt her that he couldn't explain (he loved his wife and had no desire to hurt her). I said it was the demon talking to him. I relayed Maria's warning how her son needed to stop listening to the demon or his soul will be taken to hell when he gets stabbed within the next year. The person doing the stabbing I saw was surrounded by three demons controlling him so no mercy will come from him. Next, the demon from the window scratched me and stopped me from talking. I felt lit on fire and think I was talking strangely cause the grandparents suddenly got alarmed looks on their faces. Maria disappeared. Then, my guardian angel up showed up and forced the demon to back away from me. I said, Thank you. Grandfather asked what just happened. I made introductions to my guardian angel. Maria reappeared. I said demon was in the backyard now. I told the grandparents my guardian angel was returning Maria to heaven, but she can visit when she wants. I think they felt Maria's cold air in front of them and said their good-byes. I went home.

Soon after, a priest knocked on my door and asked me to draw a picture of the monster I saw in the boy's room. I grabbed my crayons and did my best to describe it. It was first time I heard about angels/spirits of darkness created before time began. Though, I said it didn't have a goat's head, more like a cow. The priest took my picture and left to do his exorcism I presume. The family eventually moved back to the city when the grandfather got cancer to be closer to his son. I received a letter about a year later saying thank you for the warning. The kid did get stabbed, but he survived and the stabber was going to jail. They asked if the cancer grandfather suffered was a punishment from God. I prayed on it and wrote back that it was not a punishment, but God's love allowing the grandfather time to say good-bye (how many people get the chance to say good-bye before death). I never heard from them again.

RIP Pan

RIP Pan. My baby boy growing bigger by the day has died. I don't think I had him a full year yet. He was a beautiful green fish and loved watching the ladies. Then he bloated so bad he could hardly swim. He survived a couple weeks and then was gone. Sang Amazing Grace and buried him in the catnip plant soil. Got another fish Cronus. He is white with red fins. So now I have Gaia the tiny blue female (she is growing but gotta give her some time), Artemis my red female who is almost as big as the males, Hades my red male who ignores Gaia but constantly watching Artemis, and new male Cronus. I catch Gaia flirting with the males (fish soap opera in my home). Hopefully Cronus will give her some attention, but doesn't really look at her.

Got all my Halloween stuff out and celebrated Eowyn's 3rd birthday. Animals got a can of tuna and I ate the cake. Ferrets love frosting and had a helping. Job is going good and we have a new coworker. This one has lots of finance and auditing experience so hopefully won't be quitting for not liking the job ( a few fresh out of college coworkers quit on us for that reason). I rather enjoy it. I look up info and place it on a form, how hard is that?

Hope you all have a great Halloween.

Ghost Story for Halloween (true story)

Some people never believed in ghosts until they saw one. I never had that experience cause I've seen them my whole life. Let's just say I can relate to the kid in The Sixth Sense, though my ghosts knew they were dead and saw each other. My first ghost was my great-grandfather. He looked real with blue overalls and light blue shirt, gray hair, peach skin, everything. But I knew him from his pictures so I went up to him and said hello. I explained I knew who he was and how he was suppose to be in heaven. He replied with a smile how he was here to see me. I chatted with him until he decided it was time for him to go. After he disappeared, I continued playing with my ball as if nothing amazing just happened.

Then it happened again on my swing set. A girl in 19th Century nightgown was walking across my yard (this time she looked like a transparent ghost instead of real). I said hello to her and she seemed surprised I saw her. She pushed me on my swing and man, her hands were cold like ice. I would ask her to stay under my bed when I had nightmares.

Now for My Halloween Story: The Witch

It was an ordinary day as I was changing my clothes. I was reaching the upper rod in my closet via standing on the A/C box on the floor. A woman (transparent ghost) suddenly appeared in my closet. She told me how bad I was and how nobody loved me. I told her people loved me and ran away. She appeared again and again saying nasty things I disagreed with. My imaginary friends (ghost girl brought them to me) refused to enter my house when The Witch was there. They said she bewitched one of their friends who later disappeared. My sister tried to explain to me there was no mean lady in the closet once and then The Witch scratched her. My sister jumped and I explained the lady scratched her. We looked at her arm and guess what, red scratches on her skin. Then, The Witch got out of closet and it started to get ugly. I was reading a book on my bed and she wanted me to light matches. I refused cause I was not allowed to light matches. I felt like a marionette with strings as The Witch forced me to go to the kitchen to light matches. My Mom interrupted me and demanded to know what I was doing. I said I was practicing. Mom asked what I was practicing. I replied that I didn't know. The Witch started laughing as I obeyed Mom putting the matches away. I had visions of my bed in flames that freaked me out. I prayed on my knees at the end of my bed to God for help. The Witch replied she was stronger than My Jesus. The Witch left the room and my Mom screamed. The Witch returned and sat in her closet. Mom said she was ironing and somehow her hand got burned. She didn't know how it happened. I said The Witch made it happened. Naturally Mom didn't believe me.

Next it got worse. My sister was cutting with scissors when her hand slipped to cut herself. The Witch was punishing me because I kept refusing to burn the house down, starting with the bed. Then she was curious about my brother's remote car and possessed me to play with the car. It kept hitting the walls of the hallway so my brother heard it. He yelled at me since I was not allowed to play with his car without his permission. Immediately, she jumped out of me and started laughing as I tried to explain it was The Witch who wanted to play with the car. Finally, The Witch threatened to drown my sister in our pool if I didn't burn my house down. I prayed and prayed before going to bed to find nothing changed. I went to church as usual on Sunday and asked the priest how to get rid of a bad spirit. He advised to pray to Jesus. I explained I already tried that and she says she is stronger than my Jesus. Alarmed, and intently listened to me telling him everything from the accidents to the possessions. I explained I didn't want my sister to drown nor burn my house down. He took me to the baptismal font saying it was holy water. He used the water to make a sign of the cross on my hand and then taught me to make the sign of the cross to bless myself. Sitting through the service, my hand itched like crazy. When service was over, I asked what was in that water and showed my pink hand. Priest then brought my family and me up to the altar. He waved his cross in front of my face to hypnotize me. I woke up with a Bible on my head and a cross in my hand. They said out of nowhere I became afraid of their crosses and I screamed I was surrounded by blue fire that was burning me. The priest explained to my family that I was not possessed, but touched by evil. In my trance I had said The Witch can fly beside our car and standing outside the church (she couldn't enter the sanctuary). Then an angry angel showed up when I was connecting with The Witch to figure out where she came from (Native American shaman living long before Columbus who was upset the white settlers tore up her grave). After seeing the angry angel I was surrounded by blue fire. All my Mom could think to say was "Why can't she just be normal?".

While the priest was talking to my family, I saw two angels float down from the ceiling and land on the altar. They said they were there to answer the priest's prayer. They also said to replace the wire on the cross before it broke. The angry angel was standing in the center of the pews at this time. Then they all flew up and away. The Witch followed me home. To end this story, The Witch tried again to get me to burn the house down and I cried out "Jesus help me. Make her go away. I'm scared.". An angel appeared and took her away (The Witch screamed "No!" as the angel grabbed her). I never saw her again, but for safe measure I hung a cross necklace in my closet until the end of high school. I thought college roommates would think it was weird.

October Birthdays

Happy Birthday to my former best friends Tangela and Rick, and former coworkers Lisa and Glenda. Have a great day surrounded by friends and family.

Remember September

Had a good month. Celebrated my 41st birthday (tell nobody) at a pizza place with a buffet. Brother-in-law requested the TV in the place play a certain ball game. He loves football. Mom took me to the car wash cause she finally got tired of looking at my dusty dashboard. Had the car 16 years and never clean the inside so I wonder why this dust bothered her all of a sudden. Sister got me a cake with cupcakes surrounding the larger center cake. It was covered in fondant pieces which I had to explain to niece they were edible (though taste not so good). Had a good birthday.

Working hard at my new job and signed up for benefits when I could. After 5 months without any insurance whatsoever, I finally got my insurance card in the mail to do a happy dance. Manager said she was interviewing someone this month so maybe getting another team member. They have been busy make temps into permanent workers and putting up balloons at our desks. Made older workers jealous since all they got when hired on was a job. Got a water bottle from the boss too, but it warped in the dishwasher so had to toss it. Oh well.

Brother and his new wife stopped by to show me honeymoon photos. New wife documents everything like a stenographer with a camera. I went to their destination when I was a kid so not overly impressed.

Since stopped taking college classes, student loans are coming due soon. Trying to find ways to save money. Which means good-bye cable TV and hello Netflix. Friends say Netflix is good.

My ferret Eowyn celebrates her 3rd birthday tomorrow. Have to buy a cupcake for her after work tomorrow. Oh yeah, and open a can of tuna. Ferrets and cats both love tuna. Go figure.

Well, nothing else but eat, sleep, work, and pay bills for me this month.

Master of Weird Dreams

I am the Master of Weird Dreams. Last night I dreamt a snake bit my hand, nearly eating my arm, and then wrapped its coils around me like a boa constrictor. At first I was scared of being eaten, then relaxed when figured out the snake was not letting me go or harming me. A friend told me once when you dreams of snakes, a man is coming into your life soon. I hope this means this future man is a keeper and not another one who disappears like a magician. Recently I had a birthing dream for the 2nd time where I was giving birth to a boy and a man with pretty blue eyes wrapped up like a surgeon was patting sweat off my forehead while holding my hand. Baby was named David Lee. Last year I dreamt dancing in a wedding dress in a dark room surrounded by tables of people. Some friends hope they are premonitions of the future, but they never happen so I chalk them up to weird dreams that never come true. My deepest wish come true would be waking up every morning to the same man's face for the rest of my life, but my wishes never come true. Oh well, I will just keep waking up to a cat in my face demanding breakfast. Such as life.

Made it to the Amusement Park

Today we made it to the amusement park that was OPEN. Kids scared of water above their knees refused to visit the water park today. Last week's sunburn didn't help either. Niece will only do the lazy river anyway. Nephew used to like water slides, but now won't go on them. We rode the new roller coaster and I thought it was awesome. We rode it a second time. Visit got cut short when clouds came in and lightening scared us into leaving the park. We got sprinkled on. Made it out before the downpour came. Didn't get to ride all we wanted, but it will be there next year.

Adventure that wasn't

Took niece, nephew, and brother-in-law to the local amusement park to find it closed. Is anyone else thinking of National Lampoon's Vacation just now. It is closed because the great number of 14-18 year-old employees start school that day. Niece and nephew's school starts in 2 more days so this never occurred to us. So since their city pool is open until their schools start in 2 days, we go there instead. Had to listen to my nephew complain about everything to the point I told him to "Shut up, we are not going golfing today." Nephew loves golfing. Got a nice sunburn so I will be tan soon. Niece was crying because the only way we get tan is to burn first, sorry honey it's part of being pasty white. Niece and nephew ran into kids from school. Niece had to show us her bravery of dunking her head for 4 seconds. She hates dunking her head. Nephew won't go underwater so we spent much time with the preschoolers kiddie area that is knee high to us. If the water reaches their chest, they freak they will drown and cling to the pool edge. I try to tell they will not drown in chest high water, but their fear outweighs my logic. Lost my sunglasses on the water slide and a ponytail holder swimming in the deep end. Sister said she would call to see if someone turned them in to Lost and Found since I work all day and couldn't get there before they closed. Had picnic in a park with my sister included. Kids are too big for playgrounds so walked by it. After the pool we went home and chatted with my sister. Said my good-byes and went home. Well, nothing else to report.

Happy Dance

I filled out the human resources paperwork to become a permanent employee (I was a temporary employee) and now have to wait for benefits to kick in 90 days. Ugh, the wait.

To the Best Friend Who Abandoned Me

Once upon a time I had a best friend. Actually had more than one in my past, but I am referring to the last one who refuses to speak to me. My last best friend was a he. He was my hero. Many would say I never meant anything to him and certainly mean nothing to him now. I beg to differ. I know things others do not.

1. He was a people pleaser so he said one thing to me, another thing to his gal friends, and yet another thing to his guy friends. So I learned to believe his actions.

2. One of his actions was tricking me into kissing him on the lips in the 6th grade. Someone once laughed how he must have been dared to do it since nobody is capable of loving me. Sorry, but we didn't tell anybody until days later when his guy friends noticed I was looking at him funny and he admitted to his guy friends he kissed me. He also knew who my first kiss was that I told nobody but him (best friend was my 2nd kiss)

3. He got suspended from school after a fist fight defending me. Some kid was pushing me against a wall and I asked him to walk with me to prevent it. The next time I was pushed into the wall, I came to school the next day to find I missed a great fist fight where my best friend shouted "Leave her alone" to the other kid. Longest three days of my life feeling guilty he got suspended because of me.

4. He was terrified to be in love. One of his girlfriends demanded sex to prove his love to her and soon after broke up with him saying he was immature. He was crushed. He cried on my shoulder and crumbled when he saw her walk by. He missed the sex so he became a "player" sleeping around (and yes, I voiced "Does AIDS mean anything to you?" because I cared about him). When he tried to get back up again and asked a girl for date, she discovered his sleeping around to slam the door in his face. He called my house at 11 PM, distressing my Mom why a boy was calling me at 11 PM. He didn't want his mother to see the flowers he had gotten for his date cause then he would have to explain why he still had them. I told him to give them to me at school. I explained to my boyfriend that I was covering his butt. It is what friends do. Afterwards, whenever he fell in love with a pair of bosoms, I suddenly couldn't be his friend anymore cause girlfriend got jealous of me. When he broke up with them, I got to be his friend again. Sure if he said he was madly in love with the whole girl and not just her bosoms, I might have been more supportive in his girlfriend choices. I made any boyfriend I had accept my best friend. There was a difference between best friend and me.

5. He often sat next to me on the first day of school, until he cheated off me to be moved away. Though, a couple teachers did sit him next to me on purpose. He did ask to cheat off me once and I ended up giving him wrong answers so he never asked again. He asked for help with his homework once and I was the first person to inform him that he wasn't stupid. I thought he was smart, but didn't always apply himself to study his books much. He could tell me all about things I have no knowledge about, like football or cars.

6. I remember our break up. He was tired of dealing with my mother who hated him (my mother didn't like anybody I picked out for superficial reasons). His mother didn't like me either. She is a different story. In the end, both tried hard to break us up and they won.

I'm sure he's happily married living a grand life without a moment's thought of me. He was a romantic sweetheart who found it easy to get women since they were constantly throwing themselves at him (I had to explain to him these girls used him as a trophy to show off to their friends), but who knows what he is like now. I on the other hand can't find another best friend who cared that much about me. I wish my former best friend well. And I will cuddle my furbabies who don't care if I'm a big dork.

Pursuit of Happyness for Me

It has finally happened. After 6 long years in part-time and temporary job hell, and after 6 months of working so hard to learn my current temp position, my manager stopped by desk to announce they are in the process of switching me to full time employee. I told her she made my day. 6 years ago I long my good job at a airport car rental and now I'm back were I was. I'm so happy to be standing on my feet again. Get to call my Mom to tell her she can tell her friends her daughter is an official auditor. Relief.

Best Friends Forever

Reading much about people's friends, dearest friends, and best friends make me remember my childhood and high school friends. If any communicate with me it's through social media, I read their posts and they read mine (never see each other face to face). But most won't have anything to do with me (and none of my former boyfriends who are happily married will accept a friend request either). Oh well, nothing I can do about it. I hold no grudge against them (my mother was hard to handle listening on conversations on the phone extension and intercom). I wish them well and just want them to be happy, even if I play no part in their lives. I no longer have the shyness or quirks I used to have (which I shed once I got away from parental control). It would be nice to have a best friend again, if nothing else to have someone to talk to that is not covered in fur. Ok, I'm done feeling sorry for myself. Post later.

Midsummer

Well, midsummer is here. Had a lovely 4th of July with my sister's family. Our mother spent the day doing my sister's laundry. Sister said her husband and kids can do that, but Mom needed to help her daughter. My sister had foot surgery and can't walk for a while. During fireworks, my sister stayed in the car. Mom was disappointed my sister never asked her to come over and help her like she did after her hip surgery. My sister did call me coming home from the hospital to come over to feed her kids dinner. I didn't feel like driving 30 minutes in rush hour traffic just to feel her kids who are old enough to heat their own microwave dinner, sister can order a pizza. But it turns out, our other sister staying at a nearby hotel for job training took the kids out for fast food. Got a lecture from my diabetic niece for having an unhealthy angel food cake for a midafternoon snack. Yeah, I brought this angel food cake with red, white, and blue icing to eat so I am eating it. She did have some cake for dessert after dinner. Pretty much spent the afternoon after the morning parade watching movies. Had to play Independence day for the holiday. 1959 Gidget with Sandra Dee was another (one of my favorites). Had 2 weddings in June. My niece got married (yes, I am that old) and had her daughter as flower girl (a little backwards, but happy ending is the important part). My niece looked like a princess and ceremony was 20 minutes (we all loved that). Niece had a grilled cheese bar with someone heating individual sandwiches for people. Boogied down during the dance. Danced with my little niece (I have 4 nieces) and nephew. Had breakfast with the couple the next morning to watch them open the presents and took home some cupcakes. Then after 50 years of waiting, my mother finally got rid of my brother. His bride resembled those 1870's dresses with bustles, very beautiful. I'm not sure if they are back from their Washington DC honeymoon yet. My brother dance for the very first time (as a kid I would grab his hands and twirl around, but he didn't really move). He said he wasn't going to dance, just pose for the picture. But, he said his bride insisted so he danced a few songs. I'm sure the DJ picked out their music since my brother doesn't listen to hard rock and doubt his bride does either(DJ played Firehouse's Love of a Lifetime). I again danced the night away. Earlier the bride offered her brother for me to dance with (she assured me he was single) so I danced with 1 man. The other man was my nephew half my size. I danced with my niece too. I told her I loved her before she was even born when listening to a song saying I will love you a thousand years(had explain I was excited to hear I going to be an aunt again). Again, had breakfast with the new couple opening their presents and went home. My office is expanding to add 60+ desks for incoming employees. Some start next week and some in a couple weeks. I hope this temp job becomes permanent soon and finally will get paid holidays. Sure it's nice to get holidays off, but I loose money on my paycheck. And health insurance would be nice. I have none since Medicaid cancelled it at renewal time since I make too much money. Medicaid suggested Marketplace. I can't afford their premiums with $5000 deductible for the few months until I can get work insurance (if I get hired on). Then I have to decide whether to cut the cable TV or cut the internet to pay to for it. Got student loans to pay off so strapped for cash to add more bills to my budget. But I'm sure nobody wants to hear about my pathetic troubles. So on a happy note I will end this post by saying I'm looking forward to visiting the amusement park's new roller coaster this summer.

Summer is here

Sorry haven't been posting this spring much. Busy getting homework and working my audit job. April brought rain and more rain and more rain. Celebrated Frodo's 10th birthday. Official Senior Cat now. Worked hard on my 2 classes left until May when took the Final Exam. Final Grads: 2 A's, 1 A-, and 1 Pass (doing taxes for the public was a pass or fail class). GPA this semester: 3.94. Graduated with honors again earning Payroll Certificate and Income Tax Preparer Certificate. No more classes. My brain can't handle anymore education. Got student loans to pay back now.

Wrote a new story just to stop dreaming about it. Put that up on the blog. Attended my future sister-in-law's bridal shower. Apparently she is having four of them. One from her church, one from her hometown friends and family, one from groom's side, and one from her job. Attended niece's bridal shower and took my turn holding my great-niece. I don't think she is having quite so many showers. Groom's family was there and two of her friends were there.

Going out to the cemeteries for Memorial Day. Had to explain to my niece that some people actually go to cemeteries on Memorial Day instead of barbeques. Niece wanted to come to since she hasn't seen her grandfather's grave since the funeral before the stone was erected. But, my sister had other plans for the family. I think they are going golfing. My sister has never visited a cemetery except during funerals. I also visit my Dad's grave on Father's Day.

I got a new baby girl ferret: Luthien aged 2 months (from Lord of the Rings). My other ferrets play with her and teach her where to poop. She has taken to jumping on this in the morning when I wake up. They don't always play with her so I play with her. She is one happy ferret. Well nothing else to talk about.

New Story

Put up a new story if anyone wants to read it. http://thechameleonstory.blogspot.com/

Happy Spring

Sorry I haven't posted for a while, very busy woman.

Started a job in Jan auditing mortgage loans to check if the bank people are applying funds correctly to the loan. Let's just say my job is easier when they do their job right. Most of the time it's "What are these bank people doing?". But if they did their job correctly all the time, I wouldn't have a job.

Started college classes again. Just finished one (8 week course) so I found time to post this. Doing taxes for poor people and slowing down now. Last week I found myself doing homework instead. Having trouble with one class so tax professor is helping me with it. End of March will stop doing taxes all together. Then will work on finishing 2 classes that end in May.

Saw my great-niece for the first time at her baptism. Missed the baby shower from the polar vortex causing weather man to say stay indoors. Eight pounds, 2 months old baby is still pretty tiny to hold. She just looked at me as if she was thinking, "Who are you?". She learned I sing and kiss cheeks. Then had to share the baby with my Mom who hadn't held her yet either. Had to capture a great-grandma and baby photo. Had a good time talking to family.

Spring weather came so put away winter decorations and brought out Easter. Put away sweaters too. I can drag them back out if temperature gets cold for a day.

Bought a baby fry fish Theia after my female Selene died. Then Theia died after a few weeks. Got another small fish called Tethys. This one is a little older than the fry, but still small compared to the adults. I name my Beta fish after Greeks gods and goddesses. Furbabies get Lord of the Rings names.

Ferrets are sad they didn't get much of a winter, they love snow and roll around in it. Didn't get enough to dig a ferret tunnel, maybe next winter. Cats like the warmer weather, more birds to watch and bugs to catch. Yes, we have bugs already. Must have awoken from their hibernation. We celebrated Faramir's 3rd birthday and Precious's 10th birthday. Precious is officially a senior cat.

Well nothing else to talk about. Post later.