I'm going "camping" with my family this weekend. I use the term "camping" very loosely because it's not so much camping as it is checking into an outdoor hotel. There will be electricity, clean water, showers, bathrooms, a pool, etc. I'll also have access to my parent's camper (which is really nice, actually; it's like a mobile hotel) which includes a shower, a flat screen TV, a bathroom, a refrigerator, heating and air conditioning, a stove, a sink, so on and so forth.

I tried to weasel my way out of it because my brother and sister in law won't be attending, which also means my niece and nephews won't be going either. My company will include my parents, my grandparents, my uncle, and my parent's friends Mike and Diana. My Grandfather will probably talk to me about how I'm doing with work, where I'm at with school and what I'm going to do to improve my life. Don't get me wrong, I love my Grandfather - I just don't enjoy any of those topics and they seem to be quite frequent when we get together. It's his way of showing interest and caring for me, though, so I always humor him and let him in on the rather boring details of my work escapades and what I'm doing to enhance my life.

Somehow by filing bankruptcy S&B has the ability to dish out more shifts, so I might be getting more hours there. I don't necessarily enjoy my job because I know a lot of people aren't fond of me (with the exception of Brian) and the work is so tedious (and sometimes exhausting), but Racine doesn't have a lot of options when it comes to employment. I really wish I hadn't quit Sunglass Hut as hastily as I did. My emotions wrecking my chances, I suppose.

After having my thyroid medication adjusted for the fourth time, I believe my headaches have receded. I rarely have them anymore (though when I do, they're still exceedingly painful). I noticed that they came back during a period of time when I didn't have access to refills on my prescription (what a hellish week that was), so I'm inclined to believe that the headaches were linked directly to my doctors fiddling with my thyroid levels until they were satisfied with my blood test results. Hopefully they're done tinkering with it, I can't take much more of those skull-splitting manifestations.

In any case, I'll be bringing my laptop with me on this "camping" trip. If I can't pick up a WiFi connection, at the very least I'll be able to dink around with Photoshop, solitare, watch movies and listen to Bob Marley.

I have to admit... I'm somewhat looking forward to falling asleep listening to a churning river, under the stars that try desperately to peek through the canopy of pine trees above my tent. Maybe the fresh air will do me some good. Perhaps I'll clear my head.

If nothing else, I'll have access to a rather nice camera; more chances to practice photography.

Take care, everyone.

 

Being a woman with a Grandmother that battled chronic breast cancer, I know how difficult cancer can be on a family's emotions, optimism and finances. Mark, a friend of mine, has a daughter he affectionately calls Boo. Boo was diagnosed with cancer two months ago. They have no insurance and no funds with which to get treatment, so this evening they are hosting a benefit at Paradise West to aid the cause and cushion the emotional and financial blow. It would help them greatly to see members of the community supporting a good cause and wishing them well.

Mark asked me to sing, which I would not turn down.

It would mean a lot to their family (and to me) if you could show up or donate to their cause. Please e-mail me at luridbeauty @ gmail. com for more information on how you can donate, or show up tonight at Paradise West on Washington Avenue, in Racine.

Paradise West
(262) 886-5151

The event begins around 2pm and goes late into the evening.

Reach into your heart and give a little bit back to someone who really needs it right now.

With hope,
Brugmansia