Was a real nerve racking day today.. Beth was put in UAMS last night as they are having problems getting her high blood pressure under control. I called and talked to her when I got home from work today. She is going to stay another night in Little Rock and hopefully they will send her home tomorrow.

Was a very busy day at work. I am ready to relax for the night.

Hope everyone is having a Great Week.
Sharon

Girly Comments & Graphics

Came home from work and Tony had the Christmas Tree all taken down and packed away. Am sure Baxter is thankful for this as now he doesn't have to put his big nose in it and get it pricked everytime..LOL

A warm day here in Saint Louis. We had a little bit of Severe Weather, mostly lots of rain and wind. I had to come down flooded streets to make it home. Most of the Severe stuff is in Illinois now.

Hope everyone is having a Great Weekend.

Sharon

Well it is the day after Christmas and we are looking forward to the New Year again. Hard to believe that 2009 is now upon us.

The day here is warm, I went shopping earlier and didn't even have to wear a jacket out.

Talked to Beth this morning and her and the family spent most of Christmas Day at the hospital. She was dehydrated but doing much better now.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Sharon

Quite Blustery today here in Saint Louis, the wind chill is -4 as I type. Definitely a day for staying indoors and keeping warm.

We were going to spend the day running around town again but decided not too.

We finished decorating the house last night and Baxter couldn't escape from wearing the hat for a few photos. hahahaha He tolerates me well..hahahahaha

Hope everyone had a Great Weekend. I am ready to go to the doctor tomorrow so I will be released to go back to work Tuesday...

Woke up to temperatures in the mid 50's this morning, so the snow is melting fast. The winds are gusting up to 45 mph, quite breezy.

I already am bored with staying home with my injured back. Am looking forward to Tuesday when I can go back to work.

Yesterday morning we woke up to sirens from up the road. A hit and run accident. An elderly gentleman crossing the road to the gas station to get the morning paper was hit and killed. Bellefountaine Road is not the best of roads early in the morning. I always have to be very careful pulling out onto it.

I hope everyone has a Great Weekend!!!!

Season

The Winter Season has definitely started early here. About every two days we get blasted with some form of winter precipitation. I have drove to work two days now on sleet, ice and snow. Tony has offered to take me but I have the attitude that it just isn't gonna whoop me !!!! I only had a few moments of sliding and I was able to control it. We are suppose to have freezing rain tomorrow morning.


I slipped and fell on the floor at work this past week and they sent me for x-rays. Turns out I strained and sprained my back muscles so all is OK. I go back to the doctor this next week.


I took a pic of the tree and Baxter was posing in his chair until a Squirrel running in the yard caught his eye and he decided to turn around and start whining wanting to go outside and chase it.

I hope everyone is have a Nice Holiday Season so far......

This is Christian Hospital where I work. They gave us our Christmas Party today and it was a really nice dinner. We all got a pull along tote for our gift. They had the local school choir come in and carol also.

Yesterday morning I got into my car to go to work but it didn't want to go. Time for a new battery. We kinda figured we would have to do this just didn't know we would have to so soon. But considering I stay late at the hospital several nights a week, I have to have it dependable for me.

We got out the Christmas Tree last night and put it up. We will decorate it tomorrow night. Baxter was busy trying to sniff it but the needles kept poking him in his big nose. Now he walks by it and growls at it everytime. I don't think we have to worry about him messing with it. hahahaha

I hope everyone is having a great week !!!!

We woke up this morning to a thin layer of ice covering everything. This is my day off otherwise Tony would have been taking me to work. Snow is fine for me to drive on but ice is another story completely. We are suppose to warm up to the 50's so it won't be around long although we are suppose to have snow tomorrow.

The photo is the view from the 10th floor of Christian Hospital, the Saint Louis skyline in the back ground.

Tony took Baxter outside this morning and when Baxter hit the ice on the front porch he slide right off the side. He is definitely not used to that. When he went running back up on the porch to come inside he slid into the front door.

With the bad weather I was busy most of my break at work scraping snow off of the car and door as the wind chills were horrible and I knew I didn't want to do all of that at 11 at night when I would be going home. It took several tries to get my door open at 11 but the Security for BJC managed it. The roads were not too bad mostly the bridges and overpasses had black ice on them...Hate that crap...... Glad that I only live about 3 miles from work...LOL

I sat with a patient but most of our time was spent watching the traffic and all the accidents on the overpass of 367, which is right outside the Hospital.

Tony left for work earlier this morning to allow for those icy patches, me well I have the day off. I worked a double shift yesterday and will spend my day catching up on housework.

It is a good thing I have the day off as last night around 10 I decided to eat some chocolate covered peanuts and have a coke and when I got home I guess I was wacked out on that chocolate as I didn't get to sleep until 2 this morning. hahaha

I hope Everyone has a Great Weekend !!!!

Snow !!

Woke up this morning to the first dusting of snow for the season. Baxter enjoyed playing out in it.

Happy Thanksgiving !!!

Free Comments and Graphics

Well the great smokeout started at work and as predicted this gal is not walking that long walk to the car for a smoke. I haven't quit smoking just not doing it during working hours.

Tony and I have decided that we will have our Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday. I don't mind going to someones to eat dinner but I truely miss those leftovers in the fridge. hahaha And all who know me know I love leftover potatoe salad the best.....

We will be replacing our exsisting smoke detectors this evening as they ones that are here are quite outdated and unreliable. We have had several firetrucks in the neighborhood over the last few weeks although most of them are from people not having their furnaces checked out before they lit them for the season.

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving !!!!!

Thursday

Messing around with my cell phone camera this morning. I have the day off, am not even sitting with any patients today. Tony will go hunting with his son this weekend at the farm, so I will do extra sitting then...

One more week and Thanksgiving will be here. A year ago I just wasn't quite sure I would ever make it to the point that I am today. With the help of family and friends I lead a productive life. I truely have a lot to be thankful for.

Saturday

We dropped Baxter off at the Groomers Saturday and since we had a few hours before he would be ready Tony decided we should go downtown and run around. Tony has grown up here plus was a Limo driver for many a year so he knows his way around here. I just go along for the ride and enjoy the sites.

We went to Laclede's Landing yesterday. The streets are still cobblestone as you can see in the picture. Actually several parts of the city are still cobblestone. We went down to the heart of the city (1st streeet) and worked our way around enjoying seeing the City Workers putting up the Christmas decorations. We will go back down in a few weeks to see it all dressed up and ready for the Christmas Season.

We passed by the old Courthouse and the street was lined with protesters for Gay Rights marriages. Tony made a comment about wrong timing on that one, we were just thankful it was a peaceful gathering.

Saw several people at the street corners with signs begging for food or money. Sad to say but the thought crossed my mind are they really just out there panhandling to support their drug habits. Noticed a few people reaching out of their cars handing change to them.

I hope everyone has a Great Week !!!!

Cold Rains of November

I worked a double shift yesterday instead of working my day off today. As you can see from the picture of the front yard, plenty of leaves have fallen again. Guess this coming weekend will be a very busy one for Tony and I. Although we have a chance of snow on Saturday.

Next Thursday is the big smoke out at work. People can go to their cars to smoke but no where else on the hospital property. I have to park quite a distance from the hospital so I am quite sure I will not be smoking during the day at work.

I hope everyone is having a Great Week !!!!

My turn yesterday to get out and mow and rake up the leaves. I got three quarters of the yard done before dark and decided I would finish the rest when I got home today. Well scratch that bright idea, it was so windy today that it doesn't looked like I touched the yard yesterday. It is suppose to be even more windier tomorrow. Then rain on Thursday so it looks like we won't get back into the yard until this weekend. Am sure we will have monster piles of leaves by then. I personally think it is time to trim back several trees....hahahahaha

We found out this past week that Beth is having twin girls. I am sooooo excited.

I hope everyone is having a great week...

Happy Halloween to All !!!

Fall

Tony got out in the yard the day before yesterday and mowed up the first round of fall leaves. With 4 big trees in the yard we will have plenty of raking time this fall. Today is my day off this week and I am busy.

I have already got the Christmas music going. It is windy, chilly and rainy outside today.

November 20th, the hospital where I work is going smoke free. I haven't quite decided yet on if I will quit or not. We have to park quite a ways from the hospital and I just don't think I will be taking that long walk at break or lunch just to have a smoke. I am thinking I will just be smoke free at work.

Talladega 2008

For Tony's Birthday we went to Talladega Superspeedway . We had a wonderful trip. We drove over 1200 miles and went through 7 states in a few days. It was quite an experience. We even got to stop and see my Grandma and Mom on the way back home. The Budweiser Suite was really nice but Tony and I agreed next time we would rather sit out in the Grand Stands. You can see more action out there..LOL

We got to meet Kasey Kahne who drives the Budweiser Car and get his autograph.

Jack Daniels...

We took a side tour on our way to Alabama and went to Lynchburg Tennessee, to the Jack Daniels Distillery. It was quite interesting. We had to pass up the tour as it was an hour and a half long and we were on a pretty tight schedule. We hope to be able to go back again and maybe get the complete tour then.

Well, tomorrow we start out for Alabama. I think Tony and I are both looking forward to this weekend away. Baxter is going to the kennel for the weekend. Tony's daughter is going to take him there tomorrow. I have to get busy and get everything ready. Hopefully we will be able to stop and visit with my Grandma and Mom on Monday for a few hours before we head back this way. I hope everyone has a Great Weekend !!

Warm Days.....

Cool nights... Tony is off playing golf today and I just got home from work. Baxter is out of the cage and running around the place like a mad dog...hahaha Was a easy day at the hospital, it is going through a slow period but will pick back up as soon as the flu season begins. Starting this year it is mandatory if you want to work for the hospital to take the flu shot. Makes sense to me but alot of people there are really complaining over having to take the shot. Guess I just don't want the flu and the shot will more than likely help ward it off. Also I am a big baby when it comes to being sick...

Well I hope everyone is having a Great Weekend.

Attic Fan Weather.....

Just right for not having to run the air conditioner. There is enough shade on the lot here that it keeps the house cool even when the temperatures are around 85.
Yesterday Baxter caused Tony to misstep going down the stairs outside and he has a swollen ankle. A dog and his leash can be tricky at times.
Today I will spend most of my time attacking the weeds in my flower beds and planting the few Mum's I got to color up the yard for the fall.

Woo Hoo !!!!!

A buddy of Tony's got us tickets for Talladega Super Speedway for the AMP 500 on the 5th of October. Is a birthday present for Tony. Look out NASCAR here we come. We got pit passes and two seats in Suite 17 compliments of Budweiser. Gonna be up close and personal for this one...LOL We leave on the 4th and will be back home on the 6th.

Tony & I.....

Spent the weekend hanging out here at the house. We were going to go to the Hot Air Balloon Race but with the weather being unpredictable and we would have been taking the motorcycle, we just decided to stay at home. This picture was taken the night before the race when they had their light show. Tony shampoo'd the Carpets Sunday. We kept pretty busy around here this weekend. Found out today that I won't be getting the day after Thanksgiving off so I guess I won't be going to Arkansas for Thanksgiving. I will just take another weekend off after that to go home on.

We had...

Some major flooding in the Saint Louis area yesterday. They closed down several streets near the house here. A lady I work with who lives not too far from us was still without power this morning. Our power never went off. I did however get soaked going into work yesterday morning. Well I have the day off tomorrow and my feet are sure looking forward to it...hahahaha Baxter will be happy not having to go into the cage.
Sharon's Village

I decided.....

to go full time with the housekeeping although I can still sit with patients on my days off. Health insurance played a big part of that decision. So full time starts next week. Baxter was grateful to get out of that cage when I got home. Guess we will be investing in a door for that back room so he won't have to stay in a cage all day long while we are at work. Woke up this morning and it was quite chilly here in the Saint Louis area... 50 degress to be exact. Brrrrrr....
Fall is just around the corner. My favorite time of year.
I hope every one is having a good week.
Sharon's Village

Monday Morning....

Baxter was very wary this morning watching both Tony and I. Guess he waits to see who gets dressed for work, so he will know if he has to go into the cage or not. I have the day off and Tony left with his plaque from his golf game to show at work on how he placed yesterday. It was quite late when he finally got home. Baxter was tired from guarding all day and I was bored from watching T.V. all day. hahaha
I have started on the closets this morning, plus rearranging the furniture in two bedrooms. This should keep me busy most of today.
9:30 a.m. Furniture is done, but I have a mountain of clothes of mine to hang up now...
1:30 p.m. Okie Dokie I am done for today. Not only did I have alot to do but Baxter has been persistant in laying down in my way all day long. I will attempt to finish it tomorrow.
I hope everyone has a great evening...

Saint Louis

Not too far off in the distance you can see Saint Louis. When the Mississippi River is down to it's regular water level a sandbar appears on this side of the rocks. I will try and come back here soon just to get this picture.

Tony is in a Golf tournament that his company is sponsoring him in today. Baxter is Happy as I am staying home and he doesn't have to go into the cage today. We had some rain this morning but it is turning out to be a cloudy and cool day.

I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend...

http://www.sharonsvillage.com/

http://www.mylot.com/?ref=Sharonsvillage

I have a new Social Network that I would love for all to join...

http://momsdotnet.ning.com/

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge--Route 66

The Chain of Rocks Bridge is part of old Route 66, crossing the Mississippi from St. Louis MO to Alton, Il. Now it is a walking and biking bridge with connecting trails on both sides by Trailnet. The bridge is 1 mile long with special Route 66 memorabilia, picnic tables and benches. There are two incredible ornate castles south in the water that used to be water pump towers. For movie buffs, the Chain of Rocks Bridge was used to film the escape portion at the end of "Escape from New York".

Tony and I walked this bridge today. First time I have ever crossed the Mississippi on foot. The view was breathtaking. I was amazed that the bridge actually curved as when ever we are on 270 I look at it but couldn't see this from driving parallel to it. I took several pictures. Tony told stories of crossing over this bridge as a child with his father. Once a year now they open it up to a parade of old model cars to cross.

Tippy

This is Tippy. She was adopted by my Mom. She was abused and is adapting well to a now loving family. I have been off work for a few days now but I go back to work tomorrow. This will be my weekend off so I will finish unpacking boxes then. We are suppose to start getting some rain off of Gustav this afternoon. Baxter has enjoyed his time out of the cage for the past several days. I have been busy with a few of my websites.
http://www.s-tmerchandise.com/catalog/index.php
http://www.shopmonet.com/rep/store/SharonDudley.html
http://www.momsdotnet.net/
http://www.sharonsvillage.com/
Come visit my sites and sign my guestbook on Sharon's Village

Wow !! Last Day of August

Where has this month gone? This being the holiday weekend not too much is going on at the hospital. One of the patients had her Birthday in the hospital and since I am the housekeeper on that floor I was invited for lunch and then cake and ice cream with the family that was there. I thought it was really sweet of them to do that. Came home and Tony, Baxter and I took a trip over to Granite City, Illinois to rent a few movies. Left over pizza from last night and it is time now to relax. I hope everyone is having a nice Holiday weekend...

Today has been.....

A lazy day to say the least. Reading complaints from an email has taken it's toll on my eyes today. I love to email. I guess because I am not a big fan of the phone at this point in my life. Actually I have never been one to get on it and talk for hours unless it was with my Grandma or my Sister. The only one I get on with now and talk for hours is my daughter. Some say emailing is impersonal. I enjoy it even if someone just emails me to say hi. It lets me know they are thinking of me. I belong to several groups on yahoo just to read the interesting things people will write. Sometimes I comment back but that is very rare.
I spend alot of time online with my website and keeping up with the news also. I would much rather read the news than listen to it on the T.V.. I guess this is so I can decide what I read and what I ignore.
I have to work this holiday weekend. I hope everyone has a nice Labor Day Weekend !!


COME VISIT ME AT:
http://www.s-tmerchandise.com/catalog/index.php
http://www.shopmonet.com/rep/store/SharonDudley.html
http://www.momsdotnet.net/

Now the fun begins....

Unpacking all the boxes that I moved back with me on this trip... LOL Baxter was quite pleased to see that we hadn't forgotten him and returned to pick him up. Although he wasn't too happy about going into the cage when we went to work this morning. I have the day off tomorrow and am going to attempt to start unpacking. This evening I plan to just relax, Tony and his daughter have gone off to the races. His daughter's boyfriend is racing tonight.
I have added a few new pages onto my website.
Come visit me at http://www.sharonsvillage.com

Great Weekend...

Well I got to spend some time with my oldest Grandson and enjoyed it tremendously. Mom got a new puppy. Well she adopted an abused puppy. She is just the sweetest puppy. Her name is Tippy. She barks at anything that moves. hahahahaha She will make a wonderful companion for my Mom.
We will stay another day before heading home on Tuesday. Hopefully we will come back home for Thanksgiving.

At Last

Friday is here and I get to go home tomorrow to see the family. Baxter will either stay at Tony's sons house or go to the kennel. He will not be making this trip with us. The A/C in the van is not the best and he stays too hot on trips in it. Can't take the car because we have to move the rest of my stuff up here that I left when I moved here. We're hoping to get an early start. When we get back home I will add more hours on at work sitting with patients. Right now I only work part-time in housekeeping. Just not quite sure I want to go full time in housekeeping. I won't be back from Arkansas until Tuesday so I hope everyone has a great weekend and a great week also...
Come visit me at:
http://www.sharonsvillage.com/

I have come to the conclusion that.....

Some dogs are worse than children when it comes to getting into things they know they shouldn't and still do... I put Baxter in his cage this morning when I went to get the car reinspected (it passed). When I went to go get cigarettes I just grabbed my wallet and keys out of my purse and left it on the dining room table and left him sitting in his recliner as usually he just sits there and waits for me to get back... Or does he? When I opened up the door to step into the house there he stands at the dining room table with my purse strap in his mouth. When he turns to me he still has it in his mouth. Maybe he was just going to go shopping.... LMAO He is over 18 months old and still very full of puppy. Although he is scared of a rolled up newspaper when it hits the coffee table !! It's days like this that I wish I carried the camera on me so I could catch that Kodak Moment..... LOL

Has been a.....

nice, relaxing day of working on my website and washing clothes. Baxter has chosen to stay outside most of the day.
First thing this morning sirens on the block here. A Bellefontaine Neighbors police car and a fire truck pulled up to the neighbors house and it wasn't long after that a ambulance pulled up and they took the neighbor off to the hospital. He has been in and out several times here lately. Baxter was busy running from the windows to the door all the time the sirens were going on.
Am thinking of starting another blog dealing with my depression.
http://comingbackfromdepression.blogspot.com/

Good Ol' Monday

I have the next few days off and then I work a few and then I am going home for a few days. I am anxious to get to see my Grandson's. Ethen turned 1 yesterday. Sebastian started back to school today.

I'm tired....

But it is a good tired. I couldn't sleep last night so tonight nothing will wake me up.....LOL I went to work and Tony worked on the brakes to the car actually he had to replace the rotors also. Sound too complicated to me I will just stick to cooking...LOL My sister Marsha has a Birthday coming up on the 18th of this month so "Happy Birthday Sis !!" Just a few more day of work and my weekend will be here. I kinda like having my days off during the week. I seem to get alot accomplished on those days. I hope everyone is having a great weekend !!!

COME VISIT ME AT:
http://www.s-tmerchandise.com/catalog/index.php
http://www.shopmonet.com/rep/store/SharonDudley.html
http://www.sharonsvillage.com/

A day spent....

sitting at the Mechanic's waiting on them to get through inspecting the car for the State Inspection. The brakes did not pass so Tony will put new ones on this weekend. I will not be helping as I have to work. Am not sure if that is a cause for jumping with joy or not...hahaha I am still amazed on how just a year ago I wouldn't have dared gone and done what I did today by myself. I was nervous about it but managed it. Slowly with time I am readjusting to life how it is now compared to 4 years ago. My Mom showed me as a child how faith can be a stronghold in ones life and I may not go to church like I know I should, I still have a very strong faith in God.
I have added several pages onto my website. Come visit me at: http://www.sharonsvillage.com

Much better Today...

Allergy pills have taken care of the problem. First day back at work after 4 days off and my feet are telling me all about it. Gorgeous day outside. A few of the patients mentioned today that they would rather be fishing, I had to agree with them. I enjoy the interaction between the patients and me, it makes the day just fly by. Baxter had spilt his water in his cage and was soaking wet when I let him out. He wants to jump and run when I first let him out only today it was me running and jumping to keep away from him and his wet paws... Hahahahaha

Beautiful Morning

Nice and cool morning here in the Saint Louis area. Baxter is in the front window on squirrel patrol. If I let him outside with a squirrel scampering in the yard he will chase it to a tree and then run around the tree jumping about 4 feet in the air trying to still catch it. I still haven't figured out if he wants to catch one or just play with it...LOL My eyes and throat are quite scratchy this morning. Time to break out the allergy pills again. I start my work week tomorrow so today will be a day of working on my website and playing on the computer.

Was A Busy Weekend....

We had a pipe bust in the kitchen Saturday morning and the day was spent repairing older pipes and cooking out on the grill at the same time. I just sat on the couch and watched Tony as he walked back and forth out of the front door as he turned the meat or went to the garage for a tool. hahahaha I occassionally had to hold the flashlight. I did my part I went grocery shopping and did laundry... Yesterday was spent out on the bike. It's a wonder Tony didn't drop me off on one of those little islands on the Mississippi as I don't like the little bars that I have for foot rests on that bike, plus I didn't have a face shield on my helmet. My feet were asleep and my eyes were watering... hahahaha I didn't complain too much though....(Right) hahaha All in all it was a good day out though. Because the water is still above flood stage we didn't take the ferry across as it was having to take a very long way around several islands just to manuever the water. It was taking it almost an hour one way across. Back to housework today as I have one more day off before I go back to work this week.
I hope everyone has a Wonderful Week !!

The Great River Road

Highway 67 Bridge from West Alton Missouri to Alton Illinois.The Great River Road halfway between Alton and Grafton.

A couple of pictures of our day out. Tony and I went over into Illinois along the Great River Road. These pictures are of the town of Grafton which is right on the Mississippi River. Is a nice town full of small shops and a ferry that takes you across the river. Just a few weeks ago the water from the floods was at the top of the red stripe on this small light house. The top of that red stripe is over 10 feet from the ground.

Nice.....

Came home from work and put a pizza in the oven and put Baxter out in the back yard to play. Tony went to the Cardinals day game and I decided to play on the computer until my pizza was done. Lots of scratching and whining at the back door drew my attention to a sound I heard but wasn't paying attention to. It was pouring down rain and Baxter was not happy with me at all for forgetting him. He is dry now and the pizza is done and I am back playing on the computer. One more day of work and then 4 days off for me... Yeah !!!!

Hot !!!!

Two days now that the heat index's have been over 100 here in the Saint Louis Missouri area. I am sure thankful that I have a job that keeps me indoors. Just the ride home is sweltering enough for me.
I hope everyone is having a good week so far
Visit me at: http://www.sharonsvillage.com/ I have alot of good shopping sites there.

First week.......

First week at Christian Hospital is behind me. Great bunch of people I work with there. Has been a very busy week here. Tony and I decided with my starting work that we would just let Baxter (the Boxer) stay in the back room during the day and not put him in his cage. Tony fixed a4 foot piece of plasterboard up in front of the door and put a chair in front of it. We both left for work hoping this would be a great solution. When I got home from work the place was a disaster zone. Baxter had clawed his way through the top of the barrier and climbed his way out and over the top of the chair. Everything was in the floor, he had pulled everything off of the dining room table and the dresser in the bedroom. A whole box of sandwich bags was everywhere and the fresh flowers that Tony had brought to me over the past weekend were a thing of the past. I really didn't get upset as it was an experiment in progress. We decided that a door will have to go up in that entranceway and until that happens Baxter is going into the cage.

Come visit me at: http://www.sharonsvillage.com/

All moved...

Saint Louis, MO......My new home. Thanks to a very supportive family I have moved to Saint Louis to be with Tony.

I have had a few months now to get settled into my new surroundings and on the 28th of this month I start to work at Christian Hospital. I am pretty excited about the new job.

A few weeks ago Tony and I took the motorcycle out and went to Forrest Park . The picture is of the Great Basin and the building across is the Art Museum. This picture was taken right before it started raining. When we left to go home it rained on us almost the whole way. We got many a strange looks from all the people around us on the road. LOL It was a Great day out.

I hope everyone has a Wonderful Weekend !!

Come visit me at: http://www.sharonsvillage.com/