Thank you!

So, yesterday I was feeling really nostalgic and wanted to talk to friends I haven't touched base with in a long time. I called Jill. She's been my best friend since elementary school and even though the years have separated us by miles, I know I can ALWAYS count on her! Yesterday was no different. We were talking family, friends, life and lessons. I was expressing my discontent with where my life is now, in terms of my career and lack of a love life, and knowing it's not where I'm supposed to be. Jill reminded me that even if this is not what I'm supposed to be doing forever, it is offering me time to pursue creative interests, such as photography, painting, sketching, etc. She also suggested that if I do this, I may meet someone that has similar interests as me. She's a smart girl and I'm blessed to have her in my life! Thank you, Jill!!! I love you and miss you!

I also called Vicki. She's been a dear friend for almost 20 years (YIKES! - am I really that old?) and she's been having a tough time, too. She's doing great now and I couldn't be more happy for her. She's the kind of girl that would do anything for anyone because she's just that unselfish and she truly cares about people. She's very kind and thoughtful and a lot of fun to be around. I'm glad she's found a little happiness and she's enjoying it for all it's worth! You deserve nothing but the best, Vicki!!! I love you and miss you, too!

I wanted to talk to Linda, but she wasn't feeling well. I'll try her again later in the week. We became friends many moons ago, but have remained friends despite all the crap that we've been through. She's had a tough go of it, too, but she's a smart and resourceful girl who doesn't take any crap from anyone. Linda has a wicked sense of humor that I admire. I hope to talk to her soon...

Crystal wasn't home when I called her. I hope her mother-in-law's condition is improving. She and Torry, her son, have been friends of mine for a hundred years, too. We used to have game nights at Crystal's house and Torry and I would always team up and kick Crystal and Hamilton's butt at Catch Phrase. Yeah, we rock!!! LMAO! I met Crystal and Torry when they'd come down to the Newsstand (where I worked) and we'd talk for hours. You wouldn't think a young kid and a 20-something would have anything to talk about, but he'd hang out and we'd just chat away. His mom and I were the same way. Now Torry is set to graduate college in May with a Criminology degree and is pursuing his dream of being a State Trooper. I find it hard to believe so much time has passed, but I couldn't be prouder of him and his accomplishments.

My mom and her fiance are no longer together. It came out of nowhere and knocked her for a loop. Now she has to find an apartment and put her life back together. I told her living alone isn't a bad thing at all and I hope she takes my advice and does it for a long while so she can find out who she is and learn that her happiness isn't based on having someone in her life. True happiness comes from within and if you believe that you're not whole because you're single, you are in for a rude awakening when you try to fill your void with another person. It doesn't work like that; never has, never will.

Howard (my other brother) wasn't home. I'll try him later in the week. Their work week has shifted to 4-12 hour days, Friday through Sunday off. I haven't talked to him in a while. I gotta check in on him and make sure he's doing OK.

My grandma is a big, hot mess - LMFAO! She's the sweetest and I love her to pieces. She (and I) get so excited on Sunday evenings because we know we get to talk to each other then. She sits by the phone and waits for us to call, too. Hamilton and I are the only ones who call her regularly and she just soaks it up. She tries to tell me everything that's happened in the week prior to our call, but sometimes she just forgets details. I tell her to write it down - hell, even I forget and I'm a bit younger than she! LOL!!! She's too cute and I cherish every moment I get to talk to her and be with her. We hope to come home for a visit in September, but would like to surprise her. She's getting antsy about seeing us and is thinking of coming out here with her sister over the summer if we can't get there. I think they're just full of talk, but I wouldn't put anything past her. When she sets her mind to something, she'll do it and you better not be in her way!

Shaye and I have reconnected after about a 5 year hiatus. She was my neighbor in North Carolina for a few years. She's doing well, but her phone is being an asshat! There's a predominant hum that makes it impossible to carry on a conversation for long without getting a headache. I hope it clears up soon, because there's so much more I want to talk to her about. It's been 5 years, after all, and a lot has changed for her.

Well, that's my story. I better get ready for work now.

Random Ramblings

So, I've decided to post some random things today. There won't be any rhyme or reason to this post, just bear with me!

*I like to cook. I especially enjoy cooking for someone else because I like to watch the look on their face when they take the first bite.

*I'm 1/4 Italian, but prefer Mexican cuisine.

*I read, but only when the mood strikes me. Stephen King is my favorite author of all time. I've been enjoying Doreen Virtue's books and oracle cards for years, thanks to my Earth Angel, Cindy. She's truly a beacon of light for me on my darkest days.

*I'm from a very small town in Northwest Pennsylvania that you've probably only ever heard of if you're a devout fan of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Even then, you really had to pay attention during that episode as it was only mentioned once. And if the research staff had done their job, the suspect wouldn't have been "The Corn Stalk Queen".

*I like to watch TV and choose shows that make me laugh. How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men are some of my favorites. I also enjoy watching CSI and CSI: Miami, but not so much CSI: New York. Don't ask me why...I don't know.

*I'm the oldest of three; my brothers are twins. Supposedly, my mom forgot to tell my dad that little nugget of info before they were born.

*I've been married and divorced twice. I don't have children and am not sure if I want them. I always used to think that I'd be a mom, but things haven't worked out quite like I thought they would and I find my tolerance for screaming kids in Walmart has dwindled considerably as I get older.

*I'm a loner, but I get lonely, too. My friends help fill in the gaps nicely! :)

*I don't like raw tomatoes, but I love salsa, marinara, and pizza sauce. I can do without ketchup, but I'll use it every now and again.

*I'm still searching for my path in life and I know for sure that where I am now is not where I am supposed to be forever. Each experience offers a lesson and I've chosen to learn from my mistakes rather than regret them. For instance, if I'd never met my second husband and moved, I'd have never met my great friend, Cindy. I don't regret that decision for one minute!

*I've considered several careers, such as Criminology, Nursing, Psychology, Career Coaching, etc., but none (so far) has piqued my interest enough to commit. I have so many interests and desires to learn, but I can't simply choose just one. Don't worry...I'll figure it out!

*Mushrooms are a nasty fungus that should be left in the woods for animals to pee on!!!

---more later!

I am NOT defined by a title!

I've been thinking a lot of how unnecessary, and unfair (in my opinion), titles are. I am not defined by "divorced, single, or in a relationship," nor am I defined by "petite, curvy or more-to-love." I am Stephanie. I am a good-hearted woman who is a great listener and a generous friend. I am the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran and the oldest of three. I'm your neighbor. Your friend. A small-town girl living in the big city and loving it! I make mistakes. I get lonely. I like to watch TV and walk around my home in my birthday suit. I'm just like you; don't judge me because I'm twice divorced. Don't judge me because I'm not a size 2; I've never been and I never will be. Instead of deciding whether you like me by the clothes I'm wearing or my skin color, take a chance to get to know me. Talk to me, I'll reply. Smile at me, I'll smile back. If nothing else, a smile makes you feel good and they're always better to give than to receive. Try it...you'll see.

So, next time you catch yourself forming an opinion of someone by how they look or their status on MySpace, stop yourself and think of this. You don't want people to do that to you, do you? Smile, say hi and if nothing else, you've done something positive and probably feel pretty good about it.

Rascal Flatt-in all night!

Last night, I went to see Rascal Flatts with my brother. I acquired VIP tickets and we got awesome seats - 8th row on the floor! It was the best show I've seen to date and I'd definitely pay to see them over and over again! Their energy was intoxicating and they are soo sweet to look at. Jay even had this really funny bit about the girls in Denver wearing their short skirts and teeny things, no matter what the temperature is. He nailed it; they certainly can look like street walkers! LMAO And speaking of looking like a street walker--did I mention that Jessica Simpson opened for them? Her shoes were the most got-awful monstrosities I've ever seen in my life!!! She had to make sure that everyone knew she wasn't fat, too, so she showed up in her Daisy Dukes. Now, let me note for the record that the girl is NOT fat; she looked really good (except for the shoes!) and she actually sounded pretty good, when she wasn't wailing or forgetting her lyrics. Overall, I had an awesome night listening to great music with one of my favorite people.

Day 1

So, here I am..I set up my blog. I'm going to make a few entries before I send the link to anyone. I'm just going to babble here for a few lines and tweak my page to my liking.

Here's to ya, blogland! Thanks for having me!!!