Through Sherry's Eyes

2009-07-12T13:37:00.000-07:00

Read Between the Lines

When David Gregory asked John McCain if Palin's resignation was consistent with his qualities of leadership, McCain said "Sure".

"McCain said it was a question of how Palin could serve most effectively, and that she had decided she would be most effective if she stepped down. 'I respect that position and that decision," he said, "and I cannot tell you the appreciation I have for her.' "

McCain cannot tell us the appreciation he has for her because he has no appreciation for her. To flat out admit it would be admitting he effed up in his choice of a running mate and thereby screw himself over for any future political aspirations he may have.
See whole post here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/12/mccain-palins-resignation_n_230178.html

2009-07-12T06:49:00.000-07:00

Sarah Palin is to politics, what William Hung is to American Idol. I wish people would stop speculating on what she will do politically from this point forward. Her candidacy for V.P. was absurd. Her governorship was absurd. There is no way that the majority of Americans will ever vote her into the Presidency. To speculate on whether or not she will run in 2012 is a waste of time. She says she quit the governorship of Alaska because it was a waste of tax payer money to defend her against the ethics charges, imagine what a huge waste of money it will be if she runs for President. But I’m curious, do the ethics charges go away now that she’s quit her job?

2009-07-01T18:03:00.000-07:00

I watched Erica take her two year chip last night. She's working a good program. I predict she will live a long sober life. She understands the deal. I'm proud of her. I know it hasn't been easy an easy road for her and she's blessed to have found sobriety at an early age.

2009-07-01T10:44:00.001-07:00

Savanah is spending the morning volunteering at Houchin Blood Bank. She doesn't even realize the significance of today.

2009-06-30T18:50:00.001-07:00

July 1, 2009.

10 years since diagnosis.

Progression in pictures.

The Beginning, 1999.

The Middle

The End.

2009-06-14T19:01:00.000-07:00

June 15, 2009 = 13 years of marriage.

2009-06-11T19:32:00.000-07:00

16% vs. 84%

My daughter, Erica, told me that one of her professors taught that only 16 percent of Bakersfield is actually educated. So what that means is that if you are driving down the road and you call another driver stupid, there is an 84 percent chance that you are right.

Last night Martin and I went to our best friend's graduation at Cal State where he graduated Outstanding Master of Public Administration. I say "Outstanding" because he was actually awarded Outstanding MPA Student.

Sitting in the audience watching the Masters Ceremony I could see the 16% vs. the 84%. The audience was without a doubt the rudest audience I have ever been in. It talked the entire time with some people actually trying to talk louder than the speaker. No one was listening to any of the speeches. Granted, graduation speeches are boring, but these people didn't have even a modicum of decency at any point during the ceremony.

Masters Schmasters, I guess.

The 84 Percent

The 16 percent

Regardless of the rest of the crowd, Martin and I are very proud of Geoff for his hard work.

2009-06-08T18:29:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHERRY

I have a birthday coming up. Today my mom bought me a pair of tennis sandals. Walking shoes in a sandal like form

(see attached image.)

My mom cracks me up. Generally, every year between the months of March and June, my mom buys me presents and tells me they are my birthday presents. She's already given me two other presents for my birthday this year and has told me "This is it. Don't expect anything on your birthday." So today when we were shoe shopping she offered to buy me these sandals for my birthday. I told her she's already given me my birthday present. She said, "I know, but this is it. Don't expect anything on your birthday." She's so funny. I really do like my tennis sandals.

Thank you Mom!

2009-06-07T07:56:00.000-07:00

MY FUNNY HUSBAND

Martin bought an all white linen pant suit. I asked him to pose like this.

2009-06-04T20:31:00.001-07:00

Want to take a spelling test?
Here is an example:

"Excessive talkativeness." (For Stacey)

1. Logorrhea 2. Logorhea 3. Logorhia

Take the whole test here:
http://www.mentalfloss.com/quiz/quiz.php?q=342

I got 4 out of 10. You can call me Dopey.

2009-06-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

Erica and Savanah's dad is back in town. He lives in Mexico. He's lived there for about 5 years now. He moved there because he'd been arrested a couple of times for non-payment of child support and the court told him he had to start paying or he was going to spend a significant amount of time in prison. So he did the selfish thing and moved to Mexico. Today he gave Savanah her Christmas present. Christmas 2008. Only 6 months late. But she can consider it her graduation present. And what better present could a selfish, narcissistic dad give to his daughter whom he hasn't seen for over a year? Why a crystal block with his own image lasered into the center. Yep, he's a real piece of work he is. Your probably wondering how I could leave such a charming individual.

Momma Got Glasses

2009-06-02T19:27:00.001-07:00

I've noticed that I can't see things up close as well as I used to. Arg. I decided to get some cheapy over-the-counter glasses and VIOLA! I can see up close again. Tis a miracle!

Getting a Scholarship

2009-05-20T06:06:00.000-07:00

Last night Savanah received two small scholarships. One in the amount of $250 from the Clarice Dollar Memorial, and another in the amount of $500 from the Rosemary Dunlap Memorial. These are very generous donations and will go a long way toward books for Savanah this next year. We are very proud and grateful.

consuming carrots

2009-05-12T06:06:00.000-07:00

The Bell Peppers of My Labor

2009-05-06T18:13:00.001-07:00

What you are looking at is a teeny tiny bell pepper. The first evidence that my garden is going to be fruitful or veggiful. I planted squash and maters too.

2009-04-22T05:17:00.000-07:00

I heard someone say Disappointments are inevitable, but misery is optional. I thought, to myself, That is so true. Wow, that person is wise.

Every day I face some sort of disappointment. Whether it's because I feel slighted by someone on the road on the way to work, or because a co-worker has offended me. These disappointments don't need to take over my entire day. I can let them go immediately if I choose to.

Today I'm going to strive to let disappointments go as quickly as they come.

2009-04-12T13:44:00.000-07:00

Jerri's Cat.

2009-04-12T08:04:00.001-07:00

I haven't felt like posting much lately. I've been pretty busy at work and have entered that phase of life when you go to bed at 7:30 p.m. and wake up at 4:30 a.m.

Here is a picture of the family on Martin's 44th birthday, which was last Friday. We had a fabulous dinner at the Black Angus. Very yummy. And everyone had a good time.

L to R: Shon, Savanah, Martin, Me and Erica.

2009-03-23T18:28:00.000-07:00

This is Savanah's latest art project. She's rather wicked!

2009-03-21T09:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Erica turned 23. She's a full-time student at B.C.

She's gone through quite a bit in her young life and she's

accomplishing much. I'm a proud mama.

2009-03-14T10:37:00.000-07:00

Four years old this month!

Happy Birthday Mikey!

2009-03-10T19:25:00.000-07:00

March 28, 2009, 8:30 pm local time

World Wildlife Fund is asking individuals, businesses,

governments and organizations around the world to turn off

their lights for one hour – Earth Hour – to

make a global statement of concern

about climate change and to demonstrate commitment

to finding solutions.

2009-03-09T07:23:00.000-07:00

I spent a wonderful day with my mother taking photographs in the Caliente area this weekend.

2009-03-03T18:07:00.000-08:00

I'm just sayin'...

Nana's Sleeping

2009-02-28T09:11:00.000-08:00

We've had a few weeks of worry, but Thursday the doctors put our minds at ease. It turns out that Savanah has had a chronic sinus infection which has led to bloody noses and lethargy. These symptoms led us to believe she relapsed. Even her platelet count had dropped. It was pretty nerve wracking. She's had a pretty hard winter, sick most of the time, but she's doing well.

2009-02-15T17:54:00.000-08:00

My Babies!

2009-02-15T07:44:00.000-08:00

A couple of nights ago I woke up around 1:30 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep. Two things were keeping me awake. One, I could not stop thinking that Martin was going to landslide down into the deep end of our pool while inside the tractor he is using to fill it with dirt; and two, I couldn't remember the name of the University in London. I know! I'm a total weirdo! However, I eventually recalled the name of the University around 2:45 a.m. and was able to put that particular thought out of my mind. Kooky. But, the landslide visions continued to haunt me. When Martin got up I questioned him about the possibility of sliding into the deep end of the pool. He tried to assure me that it was an impossibility, however, physics seemed to play a bigger part in my brain than Martin's assurance. I simply could not let it go, but had to live with the fact that Martin was going to fill the pool with loose Earth in his own way. And you know what? He successfully filled the pool, in his way, without incident. What can I say? I'm a worry wort.

And, in case you are as slow as I am, the University is Oxford.

2009-02-14T10:02:00.000-08:00

I asked Erica to come over this morning and collect her Valentine presents. Scroll down to view her's and Savanah's pictures.

2009-02-14T10:00:00.000-08:00

Ceramic Heart Gee Gaw

2009-02-14T09:59:00.000-08:00

Sweets for my first born sweet!

2009-02-14T09:56:00.000-08:00

A Brighton necklace to match Savanah's. The necklace has charmes that say "sister", "Love", and a peace symbol. It's very cool.

2009-02-14T09:54:00.000-08:00

Erica's new shirt!

2009-02-14T08:48:00.000-08:00

This is Savanah opening her Valentine's presents very early this morning. It was still dark out. In this photo she's reading the card I got for her which says "Before I held you in my arms, I held you in my heart." When I was picking the card in the store, I literally started crying in the card aisle. Never has a card made me cry. In this photo, Savanah is also about to cry after reading the card. Following this picture are several other pictures I snapped while Savanah opened her presents.

2009-02-14T08:46:00.000-08:00

A ceramic heart gee gaw

2009-02-14T08:45:00.000-08:00

A new Brighton necklace

2009-02-14T08:44:00.000-08:00

A little candy

2009-02-14T08:42:00.000-08:00

A pink shirt! Soon Erica will be here to open her presents. I love my babies!

2009-02-12T20:53:00.000-08:00

Progress rather than perfection.

2009-02-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

Filling the pool in with dirt.

2009-02-12T06:55:00.001-08:00

Four truck loads of dirt only filled half the pool.

2009-02-05T08:03:00.000-08:00

Good morning Jelly Bean

2009-02-04T17:57:00.001-08:00

I had a doctor's appointment today. I had to be sure not to miss it because of the whole 24 cancellation policy. If you miss your appointment you owe the doctor a cancellation fee. My appointment was at 2:30. I was finally seen at 3:50. So, why does a doctor get to charge you for missing an appointment, but he/she doesn't owe the patient anything if they are left sitting in the waiting room for an hour and 20 minutes past the appointment time?

Don't get me wrong. I know there are emergencies and chatty patients that can cause appointments to go long. But if I have to give consideration to the doctor because of emergencies and chatty patients, then he should give consideration to me for emergencies and unexpected events that could cause me to miss my appointment. Fortunately, I didn't miss my appointment, but don't threaten me with cancellation fees if I do. I had to wait 6 weeks to get the fucking appointment, I am certainly not going to miss it unless there's an emergency. These are just the thoughts that went through my head as I waited to see the good doctor.

When I was finally called to the examination room I made the suggestion that they get some of those vibrating notification devices that restaurants use so you could at least go for a short walk if you wanted to while you wait. I don't think they're going to go for it.

Once in the examination room I was told to strip completely down and put on the paper gown. It was so humiliating sitting on that uncomfortable table in a paper wrap that didn't even cover my back side. It just drapes across your lap. The paper top was a completely seperate garment. Sort of a half shirt. I tossed that aside entirely. Instead I wore my coat. I felt like one of those pervs in a long trench coat with nothing on underneath. But shit man, it was friggen cold. Paper blankets suck! Next time I'm taking my slippers and a throw blanket and maybe Maddy.

Oh and it looks like I have endometriosis, but won't be certain of that diagnosis until I have a laparoscopy performed sometime within the next couple of months. At that time the doctor will also fix my bb hernia and I'm considering having an endometrial ablation which is an alternative to having a hysterectomy and thereby avoiding hormone therapy. It's a quick and simple procedure where the doctor essentially cauterizes my uterus which will then stop my monthly cycles. However, I will be out of it for 6 to 10 days, says the doctor. Seems a bit long for a quick and simple procedure.

Well, I'm not taking Joel Osteen's advice very well today. I guess I'm a little miffed that I was left in a cold waiting room with only the voices in my head and a paper blanket, waiting with angst to be violated by Dr. Long Finger.

2009-01-31T18:23:00.001-08:00

Martin and I took Aubrey to CALM today. We also stopped by Hart Park to visit the peacocks.

This peacock was trying very hard to impress Aubrey

2009-01-22T09:42:00.000-08:00

This morning I watched Joel Osteen, a T.V. Evangelist, with Martin. I don't like to watch T.V. Evangelists, but he does and so some mornings we watch together. This morning part of Joel Osteen's message was The Garbage Truck Theory. I Googled The Garbage Truck Theory and found this on someone else's blog. I find it quite insightful. I hope you do too.

The Garbage Truck Theory

Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. If they happen to dump it on you,don't take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and moved on. You'll be happier if you did that rather than fight them.

So this was it: 'The Law of the Garbage Truck'. I started thinking, how often do I let garbage trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the street?

It was that day I said, 'I'm not going todo it anymore.' I see garbage trucks everywhere and everyday. I see the load they're carrying. I see them coming to drop it off. I don't make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on.

Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting. Good parents know they have to welcome their kids home from school with hugs and kisses. Teachers and parents know that they have to be fully present and at their best for the people they care about.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. What about you? What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks pass you by?

2009-01-20T07:22:00.000-08:00

January 20, 2009. The dawning of a new day and the beginning of new hope for America. This is what the skyline looked like early this morning from my front door.

2009-01-19T17:13:00.000-08:00

MLK Day. I spent the day being crafty. Painting to be exact. Not exactly what you would call being of service, but this picture is for a woman I work with.

I Cooked!

2009-01-14T20:17:00.000-08:00

I spent an hour and a half preparing this meal. Salmon, red potatoes and green beans. My family didn't quite know what to think.

I really didn't mean for the lemons to look like a penis.

2009-01-14T07:10:00.000-08:00

Okay, I don't like Bernie Madoff, who does? But, I just saw this news clip of him walking down a sidewalk, covered in reporters who were violently pushing him in order to get "the money shot." I'm agin the violence. That's bad. They put their hands on him and shoved him. Bad bad bad. I don't condone what Madoff did, but I also don't condone brutality from reporters or anyone for that matter.

2009-01-13T15:02:00.000-08:00

I’m trying to quit sweets. I’m so very addicted to sweets, especially chocolate. Once I get started I just don’t stop. I’ve been thinking of going to a hypnotist. A hypnotist could suggest to my subconscious mind that chocolate is really poo. But I’m afraid that it will have the reverse effect and I’ll want to eat poo thinking it’s really chocolate.

2009-01-11T07:20:00.000-08:00

Commercials I'm sick of:

1. Vince with Sham Wow.

2. "I never knew I could earn so much money with my old gold."

3. Vince with Slap Chop. (Yes, Vince is selling a new product called Slap Chop.)

2009-01-10T18:28:00.000-08:00

More people I'm sick of hearing about:

Bernie Madoff
and
Caroline Kennedy

2009-01-10T18:17:00.000-08:00

Here's a link to my trip to Kernville today.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34046047@N02/sets/72157612417016800/show/

2009-01-10T09:18:00.000-08:00

people I'm sick of, but still watch news about them:

Sarah Palin
Rod Blagojevich
Al Franken
Norm Coleman, and
Ann Coulter

How sick am I?

Scrapbooking on Board

2008-12-28T18:44:00.001-08:00

Baby Animals

2008-12-28T13:02:00.000-08:00

http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/

The above link takes you to Zooborns.com. A webpage of animals born in zoos around the world.

Erica

2008-12-26T21:05:00.001-08:00

2008-12-26T13:18:00.000-08:00

2008-12-25T21:55:00.000-08:00

Alvarado Christmas

2008-12-24T15:04:00.000-08:00

Christmas With Granny

2008-12-24T14:56:00.001-08:00

Granny is 88

Mason Gets Passed Around

2008-12-22T06:01:00.001-08:00

Oopsie. I was wrong. I do have Erica's Stocking.

2008-12-21T19:46:00.000-08:00

Stockings Stitched By Mom

2008-12-21T08:43:00.000-08:00

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the houseNot a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

Christmas Clutter

2008-12-21T07:54:00.000-08:00

This is what my house constantly looks like as

Christmas day gets closer.

Mikey Says Merry Christmas

2008-12-18T08:12:00.001-08:00

7 Years Old

2008-12-18T07:14:00.000-08:00

This is what 7 years of sobriety looks like on me. My mom and daughter sent me the tulip arrangment. I love my mom and my daughter. They're good people.

2008-12-14T08:28:00.000-08:00

2008-12-14T08:26:00.000-08:00

2008-12-14T08:22:00.000-08:00

2008-12-14T08:19:00.000-08:00

The Birthday Boys

2008-12-14T08:18:00.001-08:00

2008-12-14T08:12:00.000-08:00

2008-12-14T08:08:00.000-08:00

2008-12-14T08:03:00.000-08:00

2008-12-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

We Stopped in Two Exciting Towns

2008-12-14T07:55:00.000-08:00

Savanah

2008-12-14T07:52:00.000-08:00

Evidently Savanah was not impressed by the fields, silos, cotton, prisons, orchards, birds on wires...

A Shop Where I Bought a Bitchen Blouse

2008-12-14T07:51:00.001-08:00

Hanford Christmas Lights on 7th

2008-12-14T07:48:00.000-08:00

The Purple Potato-Sans Purple Potatos

2008-12-14T07:45:00.000-08:00

2008-12-14T07:43:00.000-08:00

Quite Elegant

2008-12-14T07:39:00.001-08:00

This Cost $24

2008-12-14T07:33:00.000-08:00

After Dinner at Superior Dairy

2008-12-14T07:26:00.000-08:00

Loading Up to Head Back to the Station

2008-12-14T07:25:00.000-08:00

Waiting to Board - Back to Bako

2008-12-14T07:23:00.000-08:00

Homeward Bound

2008-12-14T07:21:00.000-08:00

Feeling Poorly

2008-12-04T06:53:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I stayed home from work because I felt like ickpew. Sometimes feeling like ickpew can make me feel a little sorry for myself. At one point yesterday I looked out my kitchen window and saw the cross from a nearby church. Seeing the cross reminded me of others who have suffered quite a bit more than myself.

Thanksgiving2008

2008-12-01T19:14:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving 2008

2008-12-01T18:57:00.000-08:00

Trees in My Yard

2008-11-23T17:10:00.001-08:00

I was hoping to catch the sunset tonight, but I missed it. It was beautiful as I watched it on my way home from my mom's house. By the time I got home it had set below a cloud cover. The good thing is that it will come back up tomorrow. In the meantime, here are the trees in my front yard. Enjoy. I love trees.

This is close to one of the most disturbing videos I've ever seen

2008-11-20T19:18:00.000-08:00

This video is making me seriously consider being a vegetarian. It's a video of Sarah Palin being interviewed while turkeys are being slaughtered in the background. You can read the story without watching the video. I got it off of Huffington Post. It's absolutely incredible and the turkeys are obviously suffering. It's horrible.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/20/sarah-palin-holds-news-co_n_145375.html

7 Years Sober!

2008-11-19T19:50:00.000-08:00

Senator Chuck Hagel

2008-11-18T18:42:00.000-08:00

It looks like the Republicans are losing one of their best come January. I'm sorry he's leaving the senate, and Michele Bachmann has been reelected to congress.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/18/hagel-unrestrained-takes_n_144603.html

November Sunrise and Sunset in Bakersfield

2008-11-18T07:59:00.001-08:00

Jelly Beanie Weanie

2008-11-16T09:42:00.001-08:00

This is My Husband

2008-11-15T08:26:00.001-08:00

He's a good man.

The Girls

2008-11-13T07:53:00.001-08:00

2008-11-11T19:57:00.001-08:00

I was reading an article tonight about Rush Limbaugh. I'm not a fan of Mr. Limbaugh. I think the drugs he has taken and probably still takes has made him terribly paranoid. He has the airwaves at his finger tips, and the slack jawed, knuckle draggers are his loyal listeners. He instills fear into millions of people everytime he gets on the radio.

So, with all that said, after reading the article about Rush Limbaugh I went to a meeting. At the meeting I found out that one of the attendees is making herself sick thinking of the poor shape of our economy. She mentioned that she watches the news and hears every day what is happening to the economy and it scares her to death. It literally scares her to the point of sickness. I asked her what news channel she watches. She said Fox News. Furthermore, she absolutely loves Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Riley and Sean Hannity.

Doy.

You can read the article I referred to here: http://www.motherjones.com/washington_dispatch/2008/11/democrats-rushlimbaugh-fairnessdoctrine.html

Jon Stewart

2008-11-11T07:19:00.000-08:00

I love to watch Jon Stewart. This morning he said, "Sarah Palin has been tagged and reintroduced into the wild."

Hahahahahaaaalaughinghard!