New Beginnings

2011-12-25T20:01:00.000-08:00

Wow - I had so forgotten about this blog! My last post was in 2009! Quick catch up - I got a job working at a law firm from hell in August 2009 through November 2010. Seriously, I'd tell you about it and maybe will one day but I swear you are going to think I am nuts.

Now I work for one attorney (soon to be a total of 3 in March 2012) and at half the pay I made. That's because El Diablo, the attorney from Hell, fired me in November 2010. I went to work at odd jobs - for a website business whose owner never wanted to pay me and then for a grocery store. Just this past month did I finally find my way back into the legal field. Talk about a relief!!

Christmas was better this year than the one in 2008. Slowly I am beginning to scratch and claw my way out of this hole the divorce and bad luck has put me in. I call it the "rabbit hole" and I never, ever want to go down it again because it is too hard to climb back out of.

My son is 18 and I only have to deal with his father until our son is 19 - which is now about 9 months away. To borrow from a hymn, "what a day of rejoicing that will be!" It has been a long, hard, roller coaster ride having to deal with the ex; he is one the most immature, selfish, passive/aggressive people I have ever met. I hate to say this since it will make me alot older but I hope the next 9 months fly by like poop out of a pigeon! Ha ha.

Summer of '09

2009-07-11T08:41:00.000-07:00

Summer of '09 has been one of alot of changes - some good, some bad. And alot of self examination to try and figure out who I am and where my life has been going. With the exception of a 2.5 month independent contractor job, I have been unemployed since November of 2008.

I'd like to say it has been nice being off work but it hasn't. It has been a constant struggle. For months, I was angry at the law firm that laid me off. I am divorced and I could not give my 15 year old son the Christmas I so wanted too. He didn't mind but I did.

Now I regret that I was laid off from that job and have sat down and thought over areas where I should have and could have done better. I hope to take that knowledge to my next job and do well there....when I find one.

It's hard to not be able to run out the door and get things I need and want at WalMart. I can't do that anymore. I have to sit down and see how much I might can spend and then priortize. Obviously, things like medicine, food, soap, shampoo come before new shoes or clothes. I've also learned that it's okay for clothes to come from the Thrift Store. Today I bought a pair of 6.99 blue jeans and a pair of 4.99 shoes at the Thrift Store. Compare that to at least $20 each from WalMart and I saved 50%.

I also have used this time to think about things I'd like to have in my next marriage. I don't mean material things - I mean emotional things. Some folks would call this "woman talk" but it's been a long, painful process to get to where I am today. Where am I?

I do know I want to remarry. This time last year I was too angry to even think about it.

I do know I am no longer angry at my ex. That took some counseling but I think we both are there.

I do know I do not want to remarry my ex. Admit it - if you're divorced and think you aren't going to find someone else, don't you think about running back to your ex? Don't you question "was it really that bad?" from time to time? Time has a way of playing tricks on our minds, our memories and our hearts but don't let it. Don't be like Lot's wife and look back and become a pillar of salt. Look ahead.

I do know some of the qualities I'd like in my next (and last!) husband. Besides the obvious physical attraction, I would like him to be my friend, a best friend, someone who makes me laugh, someone whose voice I like hearing, someone who is passionate and loving and kind (not perfect, I know perfect doesn't exist) and someone who when he sees me, smiles...and someone who I can sit next to whether we've been married one year or twenty and I still think he's a handsome man and I am still attracted to him.

Does this person exist? Yes. And hopefully over time, as you read this blog, we'll both find out who he is!

/.,/.

2008-08-21T18:31:00.001-07:00

';;l';

Moving

2008-01-29T19:18:00.000-08:00

Moving Day will be here before we know it! I have been looking for a house. I wanted to buy one but, due to the divorce, have some repair work to do on the credit. I talked to one of the local mortgage companies and the guy told me what to do and said in a year, I'll be to where they can loan me money! Man, can you imagine?! Me neither!

Meanwhile, I have been wanting to rent a house. I've looked and looked around "The Grove" but geez! Houses are expensive here and even to rent was going to be way too much for my budget. I kept going online and trying to find a house in this little town just 7 miles down the road, but couldn't find anything. I'd always go back to the city online though and try to find a house. Guess what?! I went to get my hair cut a couple of weeks ago and Saundra, who cuts my hair says, "My church has a house to rent". You know where it is? Yup! In that little town! 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, dining room, kitchen, living room, study, small front room (Son and I are going to use for a reading room); central air/heat; a laundry room; and, a dishwasher!! Man oh man!

I met with the "House Committee" (hey, us Baptists ALWAYS form committees) last week and got approved and may have found a new church to boot. It's a small church of good ole country folk who actually help you if you need it and you do the same and that's what I'm used to so I'm excited, to say the least.

I sign the paperwork on 2/15 and will move on 2/23. Got to get the gas turned on, the cable transferred, all that good stuff. Son is most excited. I talked to GL about the town and he told me it's just a good ole boys, redneck little town - not quite the atmosphere I grew up in but you know what? If they mean well and have good hearts, I can deal with it.

GL is still cancer-free, which is great. I don't know how the recovery has gone since it was prostate surgery but I guess I need to ask. He's had some complications and infections and such but I think that's all gone now. I don't know what I did but last week he called me and told me I was (and I quote) "hard headed." I said, "excuse me." He says, "You're hard headed, you know that, don't you? But it's part of your charm and beauty and you have a pretty smile and you're being hard headed is one of the things about you I find charming."

God only knows what I did - actually I think it's cuz I called the office when I hadn't heard from him for a few days. I can tell his secretary does not like me. I usually call his cell phone to get around her but that day I didn't. I think that's why he said I'm hard headed - cuz he says to use the cell and I didn't. PFFFT.

It's okay though. I informed him that he should know he's "stubborn." He IS very stubborn. I can be very hard headed. He still won't tell me what prompted that statement but after all these years, I don't think either one of us should change! I mean, I'd hate to adversely affect my "charm and beauty." (ha ha).

2007-12-26T18:06:00.000-08:00

Hope you had a good Christmas. I spent mine at my sister's and we all ate too much.

I spent Christmas Eve at home - inside where it was warm. I made hot apple cider and just enjoyed the peace 'cuz this time last year, Christmas Eve was NOT peaceful in my life. I was kind of bummed this weekend with Son in Kansas, GL had not called like he said he would (does he EVER?), Belbo and his no longer ex dropped by for a few minutes, but even today I was still kind of down. Now that Son is home, I'm pulling out of it more.

I plan to do the stay home on New Year's Eve. I e-mailed around and found out different plans folks had and they all sounded like fun. I also e-mailed GL and said, "should I make myself go out if I don't want to?" and he e-mailed back and said "your choice of words says alot." So...I decided to stay home, grill a cook steak, bake a tater and load it up, and get a small cherry cheesecake for dessert. I'm gonna watch football and drink sodas (and just a litttttle wine) and just have a nice, relaxing night. Call me lazy but I think I'll be nice and cozy!

It's a long time before the next college football game once bowl season is over so I need to soak in what I can!!

2007-12-22T16:34:00.000-08:00

Today went by fast although I haven't done too much. It was nice to sleep late! Then I got up, went to the drugstore, grocery store, gas station and came home and took a nap! I cleaned out my junk closet and tomorrow's plans are to clean up the "cleaning" closet where I store all my cleaning stuff. It's out of of control so I'll fix it tomorrow. Hey now, who says being single isn't a challenge?!

I can't shop because we don't get paid until the 31st but that's okay. With Son in Kansas, no need to shop right now anyway but I am hoping to get some good deals after the holidays.

Well, time to go fold the towels...

2007-12-21T15:20:00.000-08:00

I really like my job. Some of the ladies at the firm are petty but isn't that everywhere? I've noticed they tend to be the older ladies that don't have the same relationship I am lucky enough to have with my bosses.

Yesterday, R and I discussed what would happen if he left the firm. I told him you are not leaving me! He's been interviewing and thinks I don't know but I know. We finally agreed on that he can't leave unless I go to work with him. That firm would be so dull w/o R there. We call each other "buddy" and "homey" and boy, those older ladies do NOT like that. But you know, they have NO input into my raise or my evaluation so I am not going to worry about them. Life is too short.

I've had my own pity party today. It hit me that Son is in Kansas and won't be here with me for Christmas or for the next week. I didn't realize how hard that would hit me until I got home tonight.

Crazy Man FINALLY went away. I had to email him WHAT he did wrong on that date. He was amazed - I don't know if he doesn't have manners or if he's just an ass. Do not really care at this point.

Guess I'll go and chill. No real plans other than for Wed to go to my sister's.

I remember...

2007-12-19T20:14:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it is almost Christmas?! Me neither.

I remember thinking this time last year, "I hope I am happier" and I am. I never dreamed I'd be DIVORCED and clawing my way up out of that.

I remember back in August when I did NOT get a job I wanted so badly thinking "well what freaking job WILL I get?" and now we know it's a good one with good bosses.

I remember back when I first met Belbo and his ex didn't know what to think about Belbo making a female friend so fast...she was harder to get to know...but it was worth the effort and now she knows I love her as a friend, just as I do Belbo and they are back together!

I remember back when I first met GL - in 1980! Can you believe that? Me, neither. We were both working at a retail outlet (he was security though 'cuz he's a cop) and I wanted a soda but didn't have any money. I didn't know him but we were closing together so he went upstairs to Chick-Fil-A and bought me a large Diet Coke. I still remember his setting that Diet Coke on the counter cuz I was busy with a customer and walking off. Our friendship goes up and down but it never goes away. Everyone should have at least one of those friendships in their lives.

I remember cleaning apartments so my landlord would not charge me a late fee and it was hard work! This Dec I will pay my January rent before it is due! Isn't that great?!

I remember the first time I read Susan's blog and thought, Wow, I can relate and now I call her my li'l sis.

I remember the first time I read Mick's blog and thought, He seems like a nice, neat person and now I call him my friend.

I can't wait to see what comes in 2008...God knows it needs to be good. I've had the crap, now I'd like to have the good life!

Update

2007-12-16T17:33:00.000-08:00

The Christmas tree is up! My sister brought a small artificial one over and decorated it. It spins slowly and Son loves it. It really is pretty.

I am almost current on all my bills! I may faint. The end of this month; my rent will be current! My landlord may faint! That leaves the cable bill and the cell phone bill to go and viola! Caught up. I have an awesome job with two great guys who are so nice and decent pay. I am so happy have finally made it to that point!

Well, the date with "new guy" was, well...the guy was nuts. It was our second date but there won't be a third. He stuck me watching a "What Not to Wear" marathon for three and a half hours! He told me all little dogs should be shot in the head and don't deserve to live. He was too cheap to turn the heat on and I was freezing. He had the fire going in the fireplace and the damn ceiling fan on because (and I quote) "It has been on the whole two and a half years I have lived here and it's tradition." What a nutcase. He has called or emailed every day except this Sat and Sun. Surely be now he has figured out he should GO AWAY.

Don't get me wrong - dating is always an experience and fun. I like meeting new folks and seeing what they are like. But I am not so insecure I will latch on to anything, I never have been and I'm in no hurry. I'm a homebody anyway especially in the winter time so no worries there.

My married girlfriends love the dating stories cuz I make them laugh so hard! What can I say?! Glad I can bring them a chuckle.

Things that ..

2007-12-08T07:46:00.000-08:00

Make me laugh.....

>Belbo - yup, he's still around. He and the ex have worked things out for now, mainly for the sake of their 8-year-old but it's a start. What makes me laugh is his sense of humor. I called the other night and he said, "Hey Rach - you know what kind of preacher I like?" and I said, "no, Belbo, I don't." He said, "the fire and brimstone, in your face, "belbo you're going to hell" type preacher." I tell him: "Belbo, you can't go to hell. You're a Christian - you can't go to hell but knowing you, your mansion might be a bit tiny." He says, "Hell, my mansion it is gonna be a damn cardboard box!!" Yup - and that's why...I laughed so hard I cried. He just ain't right in the head.

>Preppy Boy (one of my bosses):He called my desk Friday and said, "Rach, the phone still says the old secretary's name. It's giving me flashbacks." I tell him, "I've asked for it to be changed cuz I told ITS I want my own 'phone mojo.'" M says, "Well, until they get it done, prank call people and tell them your name is XX cuz that's what the phone says." Sometimes Preppy Boy is so funny.

Make me mad...
>Trena: Trena emailed me Friday and said for one time too many in her dramatic style "I don't want MY attorney screwing MY case up like he did YOURS." Okay - I have known "her" attorney longer than I have known her. He is one of my best buds. He's very smart. He's a great attorney. We did what we did with a long-term goal in mind which we had to because I didn't have much ammo to fight with in Court at that time - I had no perm job (got one! Yea!); I was making below poverty level in income (not any more) and on and on. But Trena was such a drama queen about how her 2nd husband is going to divorce her cuz of the way "HER" attorney is not handling a case they have with him and all this is just, pardon me, drama queen bullshit.

I email Trena back and tell her: 1) if Ken leaves you over a lawsuit that involves a child that isn't even his then he's looking for a way out anyway, let him go; 2) if he is threatening divorce over this - does he really love you? What kind of person THREATENS divorce to manipulate the other? and 3) you have insulted YOUR attorney to me ten times too many. If you want to remain friends, I suggest you stop it and stop it now. He is my buddy and I won't allow you to blame him for decisions and choices I MADE.

No answer as of yet from the Drama Queen. Oh well, "talk to the hand" as they say.

Make me wonder...

>The other night I went to hear my nephew's band play. A friend of my nephew's got thrown out for being an ass by a friend of mine who is a police officer. My nephew's friend later called the cop "a doughnut eating pig" which to me is funny cuz I know Norm has been called much, MUCH worse. My nephew told his friend that cop was a friend of mine so his friend wanted to know why didn't I stop his being thrown out. (Now, this is the friend who freaked out that time I sent him an email that ONLY said "Wuuuzzzz up?"....so he's not high on my list.) I told my nephew to tell his friend, "Rach doesn't tell Norm how to be a cop; Norm doesn't tell her how to be a legal secretary." Now this "friend" of my nephew's won't speak to either one of us. HELLO! What part of that incident was my fault?! People make me wonder...

Make me happy...

>Being with Son. Always. Even when he's being a fourteen-year-old pain in the ass (which isn't often).

>When my favorite sports team wins and we look awesome - Alabama, San Antonio Spurs, Indianapolis Colts...

>Being able to help someone that needs it, even though I can't help alot. Several folks helped me when I needed money so badly during the divorce and now I have a friend and she and her husband are struggling due to his fighting depression and panic attacks. I can't help much but I can get a few little things here and there as I get paid.

>The blogging friends who have stuck with me through thick and thin and not disappeared cuz I had a psycho moment due to the stress and pressure of tta and the divorce. Each of you are special people and I appreciate you. I do wonder about your taste in friends though....(ha ha)

2007-12-04T16:25:00.000-08:00

speed blogging, anyone?!

>tta is being, well, tta. my attorney said hang tight and just let him make his own noose. keep your cool, keep a record and we'll get him in a year when we re-visit. it's so hard and tonight i admit to being sad cuz son always visits on tuesday nights but tta will not "allow" it. so much for joint custody.

>my attorneys are moving to the new section of our building and so i will also get a new office! and, like most secretaries, i am most excited it is right by the copy/fax center! woo hoo!

>i laughed so hard. trena emailed me today with the subject line "your guys." i open the e-mail to find her drooling over my attorneys (not an unusual occurrence so far) and her wanting to know how i get any work done. i told her that yes, they are eye candy but more importantly, they are my bosses so i don't dwell on the eye candy part. she said she'd do enough of that for both of us. (mental note: do NOT let trena meet my bosses! they need to keep their souls!)

>i am already at my 5 pound weight gain i allow myself for the holidays:( i LOVE chocolate covered cherries but i won't be buying any if i don't get some of this weight off.

>gl turns another year older this sunday. i won't say how much older but it is so hard to believe i have known him as long as i have and we are BOTH as old now as we are. i am happy to report he is 10 years older than me so i'm still younger (ha)!

>that's all i have. guess i'll go exercise a little. i called son and told him to not let his dad get him down and just hang in there with me. some folks, you really wish you had never met....

>

well

2007-12-02T18:52:00.000-08:00

i am most excited to have the new job. my two bosses are two great guys and the three of us get along really well. i found out the scoop and the poop:

the secretary they had was working for a partner (a level above the attys my guys are) and was out when she broke her foot and got addicted to oxycontin. so, while she was out, the big cheese hired someone else and re-assigned her to my guys. she came back and was m-a-d because my guys are lower on the attorney food chain.

i have heard stories of her yelling at them, throwing things at the walls and slamming stuff into a box and one of them going after her and asking her to stay because he knew she needed the job. well, the firm THEN asked her to leave for alcohol rehab (apparently she had traded one addiction for another).

several temps had been through (including a new friend of mine) but thankfully i am "goldilocks" and it's a good fit for all of us. i can't imagine being so hung up on the rank that your boss is cuz one days my guys will be promoted and guess what? i go with them! granted, that day is NOT this year but it will be one day.

anywho, other than the big boss' secretary he has now being who i call "Sybil" (after the multi-personality character Sally Fields played once in a movie) - it's gonna be okay. and as for Sybil, one of my guys is really quiet and soft-spoken and brave enough to face the forever PMS-ing creature so i don't have to see her too much.

isn't it cool to have a permanent job? with insurance! and decent pay! i need about a month-and-a-half and i'll be back on my feet financially. yea!

Getting to know you...

2007-12-01T18:30:00.001-08:00

1. What time is it?
8:20 p.m....

2. What are you doing?
smiling cuz tennessee (spit) lost and hanging with my son

3. What should you be doing?
see #2

4. What does the 10th text in your inbox say?
not what it should...

5. Who is your worst enemy?
SATAN'S SPAWN and tequila

6. Do you prefer hot or cold weather?
depends - in the right situation - hot cuz it's more fun to take clothes OFF than it is to put them on...
but if it's at work then cold cuz i don't wanna take my clothes off at work (hysterical laughter, people crying, just not my thaing)

7. Would you rather be trapped in an elevator or stuck on a raft in the ocean?
an elevator but it needs a hot tub, margaritas and GEORGE CLOONEY! (or enough wine to make me think i'm with GEORGE CLOONEY!)

8. Do you have any talents?
not that should be disclosed here

9. Do you miss anyone?
always

10. What is your favorite thing to do?
watch football; no, basketball; no, wait! go hear my nephew play in his band! yup, the last one.

11. What is your least favorite thing to do?
not watch football; not watch basketball and as you know who knows - JANUARY 12, 2008 BITES!

12. If you found $1,000.00 on the ground, where would you spend it?
with my luck, at the ER from the heart attack I found from finding the damn money and getting too excited to begin with.

13. What is more important, success or happiness?
happiness-ANYTIME!!!

14. What color is your phone?
bluuuuulack

15. What color are your underwear?
am i supposed to be wearing some to answer that question? (ha ha)

16. What is bothering you right now?
besides that JANUARY 12, 2008 BITES? um, that I only $7 in my checking account.

17. What do you want to do when you retire?
drink margaritas while I find that damn elevator...

18. How many times have you tripped over your own feet?
oh yeah and walked into closed doors and all sorts of fun things.

19. What was the name of your favorite pet?
Buddy

20. Who is your role model?
all the really cool people

21. What do you think of tatoos?
i want one!! can't tell ya where but I want one!!

22. What is the oldest item that you own?
my body!

23. What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you?
marriage

24. Do you believe that people choose their own destiny?
life is always gonna crap on you but you can control whether the crap is scraped off or whether it just gets deeper

25. What is on your mind this minute?
i refer you to #17...

26. What are you going to do today?
watch football and hang with my son.

27. How many friends do you have on myspace?
i don't know.

28. How many children do you have?
i refer you to #26

29. What is one thing you would do right now if you could?
i refer you to #25

30. What is the funniest thing you've ever seen?
jerry's car getting towed by the po-po and his ass standing on the side of I65 watching it being put on the tower...

31. Which one of your myspace friends have you known the longest?
drummer dude followed by jennie and betsy

32. What is your favorite movie?
arsenic and old lace but also weekend at bernie's. it's a tie.

33. What is your favorite color?
crimson, baby...roll tide!

2007-11-24T00:35:00.000-08:00

Oh, my ears are ringing so much! I went to hear my nephew play in his band nonethweieser and just got home! My ears! My ears! Boy, they are loud but it was worth it! It made my nephew so happy to see me there to hear him play the drums!

I should have a job offer coming Monday or Tuesday of next week, according to the Office Manager. Wouldn't that be cool?

Well, it's Al/Auburn day (actually tonight at 7 pm) so I'm off to bed so I can be ready for the next party....let's hope somehow we (Alabama)manage to win...miracles do still happen (just check with Arkansas who knocked off #1 LSU Fri night. Hate it for LSU - NOT!!)

2007-11-19T19:18:00.000-08:00

Son is not smiling in this photo. He says it's cuz he has on his "camo" tshirt and is holding up his skateboard so he has to look "cool". He has dark brown hair and hazel eyes and a really pretty smile. Hard to believe he is 14 already! Almost 6' tall - growing and growing!!

Still waiting on the job offer. Hopefully tomorrow is "the" day.

Tomorrow my oldest sister gets a PET scan and we hope to find out if the two nodules showing up on the other scans are calcium or malignancies. I will tell you, she is a former smoker and a breast cancer survivor. One nodule is in the lower lobe; one nodule is in the upper right lobe. It doesn't seem good with her past history but the other sister had irregularities that turned out to be scar tissue from a former radiation treatment. So, we can only hope....

2007-11-15T22:40:00.000-08:00

Ahh..the joys of restless leg syndrome....NOT. I do have it though and it's keeping me up while I wait for the medicine to kick in (pardon the pun) and let's hope that is soon cuz having your legs ache and keep you awake is just no fun. Now, if I just had a hot tub...(unlike the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz, screw having a brain - I'd just fry it in the hot tub anyway!?)

Still waiting on the job...found out some interesting stuff today though. The lady who has held the position came in tonight right before leaving time and told the attorneys that she has another job and is officially quitting. To say the guys were ecstatic is an understatement. I acted liked I didn't know she had come in and when I was leaving, one of them said, "come here" and told me a little bit about what had just happened and that hopefully he'd tell me more tomorrow.

The OM called the agency and told her he'd been working on getting my position approved as a new one and just moving that lady to somewhere else should she say she wanted to come back to work but that today took care of that and now he's happy.

I don't know why she left or what occurred but I will tell you, these attorneys are two of the nicest guys I've ever met and I just can't imagine NOT wanting to work for them. So, let's hope a job offer comes soon.....

Google your name...

2007-11-13T16:12:00.000-08:00

A friend talked me into doing this and I laughed so hard. Go to Google and Google your name like this: "Rachel looks like" and see what pops up. He got: "P looks like hell." I got: "Rachel looks like a crazed lunatic." Have to admit it is not a project for the insecure cuz most of the folks who have done it have gotten crazy answers like ours.
***************************************************************
Still waiting on the word from work. There are some political hoops to be handled and once those are jumped through, I hope to have a job. I really hope to get the offer THIS week! Listen for the big WOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO if I do.
**************************************************************
I am thinking of trying to save up money and renting a house. f I could get hired permanently, I would make enough to kick in the extra $100 renting a house requires. Wouldn't that be neat????

2007-11-11T09:22:00.000-08:00

Well, they are still crossed. Friday at work was 401 pension day so the OM had NO time to be in his office. I doubt on Wednesday he had time to run the background search anyway so he should get my information back on Monday (let's hope) or sometime this week. Gosh, I have been a legal secretary for years with the exception of April through October when I took the break during the divorce. I feel like that was a good move though because of all the stress of the divorce, I would NOT have made it and the fluffy jobs I took almost put me in the poor house but I didn't ruin my rep in the legal field while stressing. The network here is pretty tight ...

The other day one of the attorneys brought me a tape. I listened to it go back and say, "hey, buddy, nice tape but, um, there's nothing on it!" he looks at me with this "oh crap" look. I said, "R, are you trying to tell me you just sat in here and talked to yourself instead of hitting the record button?!" He just shakes his blonde head and says, "evidently so." I tell him, "well, it really doesn't help that you are blonde and did that" and I just laughed and walked off.

It's okay, the karma gods got me back. I was working on something for M, the other attorney and the note said, "please see ms. smith's answer." So, I think to myself, "well, what a nice senior partner M works for. The guy put "please see" so he wants me to type in Ms. Smith's answer same here." So, my chubby little fingers type away and I take it in to M.

About 20 minutes later, trying really hard to keep a straight face, M comes back to me and says, "Rach, I had to make a couple of changes to what you just typed." Yeah....the senior partner wasn't being nice; he meant for me to type exactly what the note said, "Please see Ms. Smith's answer." He did not mean to go and type in what Ms. Smith said word for word. Poor M. He said, "the clue, Rach, is Kelly wouldn't put the word 'please' when directing us, he'd just say, 'type in Ms. Smith's answer here." It really was funny when I told M, "Geez. I thought Kelly was being terribly nice to us." M just shook his head.

Poor M - his senior associate he is training under is blonde....(that's R) and now he knows his sec has dark brown hair with invisible blonde roots...I finally said, "go ahead and laugh, M, I KNOW that was funny." He's so sweet and polite; now R and I would have already been laughing at me but M didn't want to hurt my feelings.

2007-11-07T17:24:00.001-08:00

This is me...fingers crossed. The temp job has turned out to be an awesome fit. The attorneys are good to work for and our personalities really blend well. One is quiet and stresses but keeps the stress to himself. The other is just like me - outgoing and when he's stressed - trust me, we ALL know it. But he's also funny and nice which is a pleasant change after working for Gay One that last year.

Today the Office Manager called me in and we talked about everything but salary. He has to run a background check and make sure no warrants are out for me (trust me, there are not) and once that report comes back, he said we'll talk salary.

A real job!? Keep your fingers crossed for me!

2007-11-04T08:11:00.001-08:00

Well, the offensive line did NOT do its job against LSU and poor JP (our quarterback) had THE fumble that cost us the game. I lost count at SIX quarterback sacks. Andre Smith, who is our anchor on the offensive line, just couldn't do his job. At one point, Coach Saban told him as he came off the field, "STAND YOUR GROUND" but Andre just couldn't handle it. Andrea is a great player and a young man who works and practices hard but he played like a girl and therefore, until he proves he can play like a man, I have now deemed him "Andrea" Smith....

Now, alot of folks have been calling this the "Saban Bowl" and "THE" game because Saban who is now coaching at Alabama is the coach that brought LSU it's only SECOND national championship (the first being in 1958). LSU wins a national championship once very forty-five years, hmm, wonder how many Alabama has? Let's count: 1, 2, 3.... let me save you the time, we have TWELVE.)

Anywho, let's set the record straight. First of all, Coach Sabana did NOT leave LSU for Alabama. He left LSU to go coach at the Dolphins. So why do LSU fans have a grudge against us?! I guess they're afraid to take on a pro team with grown men so they blame it on the young men who haven't matured enough or whose coach won't allow them to tell LSU, "BITE ME". Let me do it for us, then. BITE ME!

LSU is a good team, they played dirty - got caught at it as the game progressed - but you know what? Playing dirty isn't the players' faults- it's the HEAD COACH'S. If they are coached to sneak in elbows, holds, and to mouth off - they will. They're young men who can make their own choices but they also know you play Coach's way or you don't play. What do you do? Well, you make the wrong choice and play Coach's way. You know what? So would I, because the love for SEC football can run that deeply and that strongly.

Was it "THE" game? NO! Was it an important game? Yes, because it determined who leads the SEC West and most likely goes to Atlanta to represent that division in the SEC Championship game. (I don't care who leads the East Division, to be honest.) It was a tough battle that went down to the end. And in the end, we lost. We didn't get the job done. LSU deserves their props and when they go to Atlanta, I'll pull for them because they represent the division Alabama and Auburn plays in. So SEC West should rule, baby!

And back to what "THE" game is: we have several B-I-G games, Tennessee (spit), LSU, Georgia but every true Alabama fans knows "THE" game honor belongs to the Auburn Tigers. Our arch, in-state rival who, once a year, has kicked our butts for five years in a row. That's "THE" game....but maybe, for us, this will be "THE" year!?

Now, off to watch the Colts and the Patriots. Peyton! Are you ready, man? Let's kick some Patriots butts!! GO COLTS!

2007-10-19T16:25:00.001-07:00

This just cracks me up (pardon the pun)! Talked to several folks today who were all having bad days, so in their honor - I posted this photo.

There are days I could use an Uzzi full of these things. Wouldn't it be cool if they really existed? Hmmm, who would I be kind enough to shoot full of Preparation H? Let's see...

I'd start with TTA since he's a walking ass, no bending over needed!

Then, I'd have to go find Hillary. I swear, it's not the lesbo rumors that make her so uptight; I think she needs more fiber. And well, she obviously hasn't had any (fiber, that is) so I think a suppository would help. Hell, it couldn't hurt. Time for Hillary to...bend over.

I figure I have 4 more rounds left (of suppositories). Therefore, I am going to find my landlord's husband. Oh my god - he is the most uptight and rude person I have ever dealt with. Honestly, if Hillary wasn't rumored to be a lesbo, I'd put him on a plane to New York myself. He needs some....some liquor, some sex, some more fiber in his diet. Obviously, he is getting none of those things so time for landlord's husband to...bend over!

Next suppository shot is for the sister from hell. All her life, she has blamed me because (and I quote) she STILL says to me, "I was an only child at home until YOU were born." Bite me doesn't work with her - tell her that and she will. So, I think there's payback due for this blaming of me for being born when she was 4 and stealing her glory at home (our other sister and brother are much older than we are) so it is time for the sister from hell to...bend over!

Since we are discussing Satan's minions, I gotta go next and find the OM from hell. Overweight, rude, unattractive and just a prejudiced bitch is the way I describe her and as I pointed out to her, "Life is too short for me to keep putting up with you at a fucking $10 an hour temp job." She's so overweight, I don't think she CAN bend but just in case, it is time for the OM from hell to...bend over!

And last but not least, my best friend from high school - Ann. She is so full of crap, her eyes are a dark brown. First, she has claimed to have cancer 3 times. (She has not.) Then, she claimed to have married someone in the Russian mafia (okay, her married name was SULLIVAN! Hello!). Last month, she put her house on the market and it sold in two days (I've seen that house. NOT!) She packed up, claims to have moved to Ohio to live with a man she met on myspace only to get there and he dumps her. (Don't know about this story.) Then, she claims to have flown to France for a few days (NOT) and then to San Francisco (NOT)....the whole time while living at her house in Alabama. Enough is enough. Time for Annie to...bend over!

And those are my thoughts for today.

2007-10-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

An oldie but goodie. Me on the left in the blue sweater with my eyes closed...this was taken back in July when I went to hear my nephew's band.

See how dark my hair is? Yeah, that's natural but the grey has been winning of late and so I had highlights put in. They look cool, I think. Saundra does my hair and she chose a dark blonde which contrasts really neat with my dark hair AND the blonde latched on to the grey hairs so I am doubly happy.

Nothing was happening in my divorce and my attorney kept putting off following up on it. So, I called the other attorney's office, said, "Hello, I am XX with Mr. XX's office and we need to know what is going on in the XX case. We called the judge's office this past Friday and he tells us he has no paperwork from you guys." Well, of course, that atty's office insisted things had been filed and I again told them we had spoken with the judge's office and he says he hasn't seen anything and would they please check in to it and call Mr. XX (my attorney) back at the office?

Well, how 'bout an hour after I called, ALL the paperwork was miraculously filed and the paperwork is NOW sitting on the judge's desk?! I called my atty, told him what I did and said do not be mad at me. He said, "Rach, I don't know how anybody could be mad at you. You have that sweet little voice and sweet way about you." Boy, do I have him fooled:)

New Job

2007-10-15T18:39:00.000-07:00

Well, the new job is temp to perm but at a very nice law firm. It is working for two associates just for this week; next week I slide over into "the" job that is open for the senior partner. Today we cranked out some work! They have those associates hopping and they were so happy I kept up. A little surprised, too, I think.

It's funny how pairings always work. One is uptight and smokes but still nice. The other is younger, laid back and takes things as they come. I came home exhausted but I enjoy being back in the legal field. It really is my "niche" whether I want to admit it or not.

New Beginnings

2007-10-14T14:50:00.000-07:00

Life is full of new beginnings: some we choose ourselves, others are forced upon us. My new beginnings is a little of both. I've decided to now put the past months behind me and begin looking ahead. Here's what I've done so far:

The other day, I re-arranged all the furniture in ALL the rooms - keeping in step with the new beginnings theme in my life.

I start a new job tomorrow that is a temp to perm. I do legal secretary work. I had taken the past 6 months off due to the stress of the divorce but the pay is so lousy outside of the legal field, I was forced back in. If things go well, I will have a permanent job in a few weeks (not sure how many).

Caught up with a couple of friends from high school and we've found the friendships are still good and the laughs are still there.

I have met a guy who seems okay, so far. We live a bit away from each other but we email and talk daily. We both agree a friendship should be built first. I need a no-pressure relationship right now and he seems pretty laid back. If nothing else, I have made a new friend. Next month, we are planning a get together. He lives in another state but not too far off but has back surgery coming this week and will be "down and out" for 2 weeks. So, we'll plan an outing after that when he feels better.

I know it's not much of a post, but it's a start.