Goodbye, my love

I lost Pat today. He was the best friend I ever had. He was sweet, loving, kind and a lot of fun. He was also a drug user, smoker and alcoholic.

He passed away this morning. Just two short months ago, we found out he had Stage 4 lung cancer.

I feel so guilty.

If I had not kicked him out three years ago, would he still be alive? The only time he ever went to the doctor was when I made him go. Would he have gone when he first started getting sick? 

I did get to see him before he died. I hadn't seen him since we broke up. He looked so good to me. I have missed him so much, but I knew I couldn't go on the way we were. It was too hard.

Maybe I should have given him another chance. Would that have saved his life?

Now, I will never know.

It's been a while...

Wow! It's been quite a while since I posted anything on here. I have been super busy with all sorts of things going on. I did get my dream job. I am currently touring the countryside remodeling and revamping Walmarts. It is great fun and a lot of hard work, but I am loving every minute of it. I have been working in Ohio for the last couple of months. The stores have been very grateful and helpful, but, honestly, Ohio people are some of the rudest I have e Ed dealt with. They are not friendly at all. Most of them can't even be bothered to say hello when you greet them. And don't get me started on their driving habits! Absolutely atrocious! I have met an absolutely wonderful man that has brought me out of my funk. After Pat and I split up, I didn't think I would ever meet anyone who could make me feel good about myself. I was so wrong. My friend Dish set me up on a blind date with Mike and we have been inseparable since. We had a couple rocky moments when we first got together, but after 8 months, things are going strong and we are starting to work out all the kinks in our relationship. He had a lot of baggage and so did I. We are both starting to let go of some of it. I think we are really good for each other. My youngest graduated high school in June and is prepping for an audition to some performing arts school in NYC (not Julliard). She is very excited. I hope she gets in. My other kids are all doing well. Very proud of all of them. I seem to be addicted to Facebook anymore. I spend most of my time on there when I am not at work. I'm either chatting with Mike, my kids, my friends or playing that damn Castleville game! So totally addicted to that stupid game! LOL!

Store Planning

My interview last week was extremely long. It lasted exactly 56 minutes. It was over the phone with a lady from Home Office. She was nice, but I really hate phone interviews. They are so hard to deal with.

Anyway, I am still waiting to hear back about the interview. She did tell me she would be emailing my direct supervisor some questions about me. She said she needed those answers before making a decision. I found out last night that she called him instead of emailing. That makes me feel pretty good.

I am so excited about this job. I really hope I get it.

Orange and Fennel Salad Recipe : Robin Miller : Food Network

Orange and Fennel Salad Recipe : Robin Miller : Food Network: "Ingredients

* 1 large fennel bulb, trimmed and thinly sliced
* 2 medium oranges, peeled
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
* Salt and pepper
* 2 tablespoons sweetened dried cranberries

Directions

Place the sliced fennel in a salad bowl. Slice oranges to divide flesh sections and add to bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and salt and pepper. Toss, top with sweetened cranberries and serve.

- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Citrus cured salmon recipe | Wrightfood

Citrus cured salmon recipe | Wrightfood: "Citrus Cured Salmon (recipe from The Scandanavian Cookbook)

NOTE: This recipe is for a full side of salmon. I did this with just 3/4lb of salmon - I just did 1/3 of the salt and sugar listed.

zest of 1 orange

zest of 1 lemon

1.5 cups superfine sugar

10 oz sea salt

1 side of salmon, filleted, skinned, pin bones removed

for serving: orange and lemon zest

Mix the zests together with sugar and sea salt (not the zest for serving). Rub this over the entire surface of the salmon (front and back), and wrap the fillet in a few layers of plastic wrap. Place in a dish (it might well leak liquid) and refrigerate for 3 days. (personally, I think it could be in there for much less - it was pretty firm after 3 days.. next I am going to try for two days)

Take the salmon out of the fridge after 3 days, remove the plastic wrap, and wash the fillet under cold water, to remove the cure. Wrap again in plastic wrap, and pop in the freezer for 12 hours.

Defrost the salmon in the fridge. When defrosted slice the salmon into thin slices. I like to lay the knife almost parallel to the cutting board, and just literally shave thin slices diagonally across the salmon fillet.

- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Insults

Every night at work, two of my co-workers/friends play Cribbage during lunch. Last night while playing Cribbage, I was teasing one of my co-workers/friends about how much pepper he puts on his food. I had hidden the pepper from him as a joke and was teasing him about the taste of the food being better without all the pepper.

Suddenly, he says, "You're just being a bitch!"

I was STUNNED. I go out of my way to make sure I am not a bitch. To be called one just for hiding a condiment was astonishing. Our supervisor happened to be sitting at the table playing Cribbage with us. He was also stunned.

Then, the supervisor had to leave the room to take a call. While he was gone, instead of waiting for him to return and deal the cards, my co-worker picked up the cards and started shuffling them. I objected to that telling him that he should just let the cards be until the supervisor came back. I tried to tell him that I was taught not to touch the cards unless you were the dealer.

Next thing I know, he is pointing straight down at my head saying, "This is a Type A Personality" and being extremely rude about it. I felt about 2 inches tall and completely embarrassed.

I usually ride to and from work with my two co-workers, but this morning, I rode the bus home. I saw a side of him I hadn't seen before and I definitely didn't like.

New Year...New Prospects!

Received great news at work last night!

Ever since I started back at Walmart, I have been trying to get into Store Planning. I want to go from store to store and do set-ups and remodels. It is very hard to get into this area, but I have been very persistent. Now my persistence is paying off!

I received an email last night that I am being interviewed for a Floor Project Supervisor position! Woohooo!!!

The interview will be sometime in the next two weeks and over the phone. I REALLLY want this job!

iPad or Laptop

I am wavering between purchasing a new laptop or an iPad2. I love to play games on my laptop, so I am worried about not being able to use a mouse to play the games.

Maybe I can try one out at the Mac Store before I make a decision.