11.30.2025 - Almost December

Hey hey!  It's been a minute but I'm still ticking. Life has been a world-wind since my last post (not update). Let's see...it was 2022. Whew child...let me update.

Life has been life-ing. Wife and I had Covid last year. I was sure it was strep throat because my throat hurt so bad and that was really my only symptom. Made it 4 years Covid-free prior to that. It's been almost 18 months since our diagnosis and no recurrence or residual issues. Both of my parents as well as almost every one in the immediate family has had it...except for my youngest, which I find crazy because she's the traveler and never really stopped traveling. Oldest had it during her pregnancy but her symptoms were very mild. Of course, I was concerned because she's a cancer survivor. 

Health-wise, I'm struggling but I'm still here and I'll get on track. I celebrate my 57th birthday in a few months. 

This year marked 10 years at my job.  Our building was remodeled and when we moved back, I was given an actual office. Bye bye cubicle life. Love that for me. Every one that comes into my office for the first time says the same thing:  You like pink huh?  LOL...I do. 

The wife changed jobs a few years ago but celebrated 4 years at her job in July. 

What else? Mom had a heart attack last December. They didn't think she would pull through so my little sister and I both hopped on planes to head to California. Of course, she shocked the doctors and is doing amazing.  Sadly, my wife lost her mother in November of 2023 so this year was the second anniversary of her passing.  We have her ashes in my wife's office. I thought it would be weird but it doesn't bother me. I actually speak to her when I go into my wife's office. If something weird happens in the house, I'll say: That was your mom. We both laugh. 

My oldest and her baby have temporarily moved in with us. I'm so thankful that she had the option. You always hear stories of women living in their cars when they have no other place to go. It's been an adjustment having a toddler in the house but I'm loving every minute. 

I know I mentioned in another post that my youngest is in school getting her PhD. The sponge is sponging. I used to call her my little sponge when she was younger because she loved to soak up information. She still does and it shows. I traveled to San Francisco in May to see her receive her Masters degree. Her PhD will take 5 years I think but I'm excited to see her graduate then as well. 

Wife and I are doing well. We'll celebrate 4 years of marriage in February. With us helping the oldest, I'm not sure if we will travel anywhere but maybe we can get a quick trip in between our anniversary and my birthday. 

Welp, it's 7:30. Time to get my morning treadmill walk in before the toddler wakes up and my day revolves around being Gigi.

Love ya'll!

~Pamela Denise~

Life is full of changes - December 11, 2022

 It has been well over a year since my last post but here I am, once again. 

Let's see....work is still work but I celebrated 7 years in April so I'll take that. 

I no longer have a girlfriend...because I have a wife now LOL.  We actually got married in February, 18 years to the day that we met.  I know..why did we wait so long? I don't really know, well, it was me but whatever. 

The youngest is doing well, living her best life in Los Angeles. She's working, has some pets but no children. She's doing amazing actually. 

The oldest is still cancer-free, has a new boyfriend since my last post and is HAVING A BABY!!!! WHOOOHOOO...I'M GOING TO BE A GIGI!! The baby isn't even here yet but we have spent sooooo much money and I can't wait to spend so much more! Life is about to change, again but this time for the better. 

Umm, let's see. What else? Stress had taken it's toll on me towards the start of the year and I thought I was having a heart attack, or a stroke. Thankfully, I was not. I celebrated my 53rd birthday this year and it still sounds crazy to say that. 

My wife also had a stress episode but thankfully also did not have a heart attack or stroke. We're just trying to not stress out as much and take time off when we need to so that our bodies don't make us take time. We need to take some trips and we will. Maybe some short weekend getaways close to home. We did visit the oldest about 6 weeks ago and bought a ton of stuff for the grandbaby. 

What else? One sister has been diagnosed with lupus and she's doing okay. She also gave birth to my one and only niece last year. Such a cootie, patootie.  My youngest sister is also having health issues but I know she will be okay as well. Parents are well. I need to visit them soon and love on them. 

That's all for now.

~Pamela Denise~

August

Until last year, August really only meant school and my girlfriend's birthday. For the past 2 years, it has been something more, bad news.

Last August 1st of 2015, my mother was diagnosed with bone cancer. One year later, she is doing well BUT yesterday, August 3rd, my oldest daughter found out she has cancer. I'm sick to my stomach. I know in my heart that she will pull through but this hurts....a lot. She's only 27 and I cannot understand why this would happen to someone so young who has so much more to do. She was making plans to move back to be closer to me but obviously this is on hold for now as her health is more important. I hate that we are so far away...sigh.  She will get through this, we all will but I tell ya, I wasn't ready, wasn't ready for this at all.

My body is numb. We will make the 8 hour trip today so that I can be with her for her appointment tomorrow but right now, I wish I was there when she got the news so I could just hold her. She has her boyfriend who loves her dearly and for that, I am grateful. I cannot imagine her having to go through this alone.

I have to snap out of this though. I pray I don't lose it when I see her, with all the crying I've been doing already.

I know God only gives you what you can handle...man, this is hard, real hard.

**I never finished this post.  My mind was all over the place. Today is actually January 12, 2017, 5 months after her diagnosis.  I am thankful that she has finished chemotherapy however, she is not out of the woods yet.  This month she will have a double mastectomy (removal of both breasts). Her breast specialist felt that was the best option due to one of the lumps being so close to the chest wall and not being able to be removed during the lumpectomy when they found the cancer.  Sigh.

I knew I was strong but I didn't know how strong I was until this. I also found out how strong my daughter is and that makes me proud and so very grateful. She mentioned that she didn't think she could handle it once she started chemotherapy but she knew she had to. It's been rough. There have been days when she has called me at work in tears. Other days are like any other day, with a pain and/or stomach issues from chemo thrown in, but otherwise just like any other day.

I have had made many trips to be with her and of course will be going back for this surgery.  We are looking forward to the day when this is all behind her and she can go from being a breast cancer patient to Survivor!  The picture below was taken during her first chemo session.  Her physical appearance has changed so much. Her mental being has changed so much but she is still the smart and beautiful young lady I have always known...but different, stronger, far more resilient.

We never know why we are strapped with such tasks of illness. Thankfully we are on the recovering end.

**I'm still not ready to post this. Sigh.  Again, my mind is all over the place so I will save this and come back later.  Thank you for understanding.

**August 23,2020 - 4 years post diagnosis.  Clearly, I still haven't posted this so I guess it's time for an update. She's doing extremely well and finished all of her surgeries this past January.  She still gets tired and still has chemo-brain but she's good nonetheless. She never made the move back to Georgia but that's okay. She actually likes where she lives and I'm less than 2 hours away by plane so I'll take that for now. 

**March 25, 2021 - I'm not sure why I keep coming back to this post but I do.  Anyway, the kid is doing well. When this Covid-19 pandemic hit, I was concerned. We are a year into it and she hasn't gotten sick. She's working from home, like most of us that have the option, while still trying to have a bit of a social life. Maybe it's time to post this. Yep, it's time. 

~Pamela Denise~

**November 30, 2025 - So much has changed since this post. The kid is doing amazing. She's no longer just a daughter, she's somebody's mama! (I probably updated one of my other posts about this but whatever). I love that for her. She has a toddler and she is the sweetest, most independent little girl. She's amazing and my daughter is an amazing mom. I'm happy.

No cake 3.6.15

So yesterday was my birthday and I decided against having cake. Why? Because since being out of work for almost 6 months, I have gained weight...and I'm a short chick, so it's not a good look, at all. I didn't even miss it, and I was able to have willpower even though my girlfriend came home with hot Krispy Kreme donuts the night before my birthday. She laughed when I said, "I will not succumb to the Krispy Kreme," but I was oh so serious. Days later, they are all gone and I didn't have one. Go me!

I didn't do anything special for my birthday because it was cold and rainy, and my girlfriend had to work. Our plan was to do something today but I woke up this morning and there were snow flurries so I figured that we wouldn't be able to do anything. It appears that they have stopped and the snow on the cars and rooftops has melted so all is well. I'm not sure what we will do today but I do hope to get to Kohl's and purchase a new coffee mug so that when my birthday Keurig arrives (my daughter ordered it late lol), I can have a new mug to go with my new machine.

Anyway, back to the snow....it was yet another reminder that I don't want to be out there working however, I don't have much choice these days. Hopefully something will come through soon because quite frankly, I am bored now.  Not working was cool in the beginning but I'm over it now. I'm ready to go back to work. This whole staying at home and being the happy homemaker is not for me. Don't get me wrong. I don't mind doing domestic things around the house and I will continue to do that. I'm just over that being the only thing I have going on aside from job hunting. I'm pretty sure I will be one of those people who works until I die.  The goal is to work for myself though so I can take off when I want.  I just think working will keep me sane. It makes sense now why most stay at home moms volunteer or do jobs or businesses from home.

Time to get a move on. It's after 9. I know that's early but I need to do some things so when my other half wakes up, I won't be scrambling trying to get ready.

Until next time,

~Pamela Denise~

Snow? 2.25.15

So yesterday the sky looked really strange most of the day and it was cold. I was so sure we would have snow by now but nope.  My girlfriend, who lived most of her life in an area where it snows every winter thought it would snow soon also so she sent me to the store to pick up a few staples. I tell ya, I have a love/hate relationship with Walmart. I love that I can find everything in one place but I hate that it can be a nightmare at certain times of the day.  My first mistake was going just before 5:00 when everybody was there after work. Tack on the people who were expecting snow also, not enough cashiers, and bam, not a fun shopping trip at all.  There were so many people in the store and they only had 3 registers open. Who does that? One of the managers got on the overhead and asked for all trained cashiers to come to the front lanes. After his second request, he got back on the overhead and started calling folks up front by name.  I thought that was hilarious because clearly he checked the schedule and knew who should have been up front by then.  Finally they opened 2 more registers but people were in such a hurry to get over to them that I decided to stay put.

Once I got back home, I was still waiting for the snow but still no snow. I mean, I'm not complaining because I can do without the snow but I guess I was just expecting it. Most of the schools have canceled classes for today and apparently snow is expected by 10, I think.  It's just after 8 and so far no snow.  Ideally, it would be nice if we don't get any snow, or dreaded black ice.

I'm typing this blog on my desktop, which has been giving me messages since yesterday that one of my hard drives is about to fail. That's just what I need while I'm in the process of looking for work and have started to apply for at home positions again. Just great. Ain't nobody got time for computer problems.  I have to look for my repair disks, which I hope are in the box next to my desk and not in the storage unit. If not, I will have to see what I can do about getting a new one. I have no desire to work on my laptop, even though it's newer than my desktop. Being that I made my living for years typing, I'm very particular about my keyboard and that laptop with it's flat keys, is not appealing to me at all.  Actually, this desktop came with a different keyboard but I didn't like it, so I'm using the old one with the rubbed off letters.  Hey, I know where the letters are.  I don't need to see them.  There are only about 7 keys that are really worn but I like this keyboard.

Anyway, I'm done rambling for now. Time to look for these disks and do a little job searching.

Until next time,

~Pamela Denise~

A new addition 2.24.15

First off, no, I'm not pregnant, and no, I'm not about to be a grandmother.  My sister is having a baby.  I've known for months but wanted to wait until she was at least 5 months before I posted anything.  I'm super excited.  I have a nephew from my other sister's marriage but it's not the same because she didn't carry him, though I love him just the same.

The sad part about this pregnancy is that we live in different states so I'm not there to see her progression...and, her hormones are out of whack right now and we've had a bit of a falling out. I do feel terrible but we both have our reasons for being angry.  This too shall pass.  I can't wait to hold this little baby.  It's been a long time since I've held a newborn baby.

Anyway, I'm just sitting at my desk about to make myself some breakfast and wait on this snow to arrive.  I'm ready to go back to work but I'm glad I don't have to be out there with the snow expected this week. My youngest daughter has school, and has to walk part of the way to her classes but I'm glad they have a sort of public transportation bus just for the college students so I'm sure she will catch that when she can. I'm glad I was down there this weekend to get her stocked with groceries again. My girlfriend has to work and that worries me because she works late at night. We need to move closer to her job and we need to do it soon so I can have a proper starting point so I don't apply for jobs that are too far away either because I hate driving. Hopefully we will look at some places this coming weekend. We want to buy another home but at this point, I think I would be okay with a short apartment lease just to get her closer to home.  Convincing her into another apartment will be a bit trying to say the least LOL. I mean, it would be a last resort anyway. We will see what happens.

My oldest daughter has been experiencing snow where she lives. I had to laugh when she said one of her puppies tried to run off in the snow the other day and she grabbed him by his tail because she was at the door with no shoes on.  That little one is always into something.

I hope all is well with everyone.  I think might do a little online window shopping today so I can check out some baby stuff.  It's funny how I can't even go into a store now without going to the baby section. I'm sure I will be worse when I know I'm having a grandbaby.

Until next time,

~Pamela Denise~

Do Not Pass Go 2.16.15

I think the odds are working against me.  Maybe I am supposed to just stay home.  For the past few weeks, every time I decide to go to a staffing agency, something happens.  I was going to go today but then with all of the talk about sleet today and snow tomorrow, I quickly changed my mind.  Hoping Wednesday will be better.

Until then, I will continue to stay inside and continue my job search. Seriously, with this weather, I could totally go for a nice nap.

~Pamela Denise~

I'm being tested, or it's a sign 2.9.15

Friday I had plans, which were snubbed out by sickness. Booooo.  I stayed in bed and rested all day Friday and Saturday.  By Sunday, I felt much better but I was still not feeling my best. I was able to get to Atlanta to see my daughter and take her grocery shopping, which was obviously a priority.

Of course, my goal for today was to get up and get out. I'm still not 100% but I feel well enough to be out however, it's raining and thundering. A person who is trying to get over being sick has no business out in that mess if they don't have to be, so at home I sit....again.  I'm quite disappointed but maybe it's a sign that I need to focus more heavily on at home positions again to see where that takes me.

There's always tomorrow.  I will find something to do inside today to keep myself busy.

Until next time,

~Pamela Denise~

Can it be done? 2.6.15

I'm on a roll this morning.  Blog number 2!  Pow LOL!

Anyway, I was about to get up from my computer and I started thinking about Craig's List and how many murders and robberies have occurred from interactions made through this site and it got me to thinking.  I wonder if the site can be shut down.  I mean, granted there are probably millions of people who have had successful and safe transactions from this site but no other site to my knowledge has been linked to so many murders and robberies.  Remember the Craig's List Killer? I'm cool on that site. I want no parts of it and I truly feel it's time for this site to go.

I'm seriously thinking about starting a petition on change.org.  If I do, I will come back and insert the link into this blog.  Like I said in my Twitter post a few days ago:  I'm sorry Craig but your list needs to go.

Okay, that's it. I'm done for now but I will be checking on that petition.  Have a lovely day.  Who knows, there may be one already, in which case, I will definitely sign that one and try to include that link instead.

Until next time,

~Pamela Denise~

Cruel joke 2.6.15

Most people who know me, know that I don't get sick.  Well, let me rephrase that.  I get a mild sore throat about once every couple of years.  I made my 2-year mark in December so I was sure I was in the clear for another year.  Wrong!  My throat started bothering me in the middle of the night.  Ugh.  I had so many things to do today, one of which included spending a few hours sorting through my storage unit but since it's only 27 degrees outside, that won't be happening today.

I don't know how to be sick and I feel bad for people who catch colds year after year.  The last time I was really sick with more than a sore throat was when I was 29.  I'm 45 now, so yeah, a long time.  I remember that sickness like it was yesterday.  Even though I worked from home, there was no way I could work and I took 2 days off and stayed in bed, only getting up to tend to my daughters' needs.  I hope it's just the sore throat and that I will be back to normal by morning.  Actually the throat pain is pretty much gone but now my head feels a little cloudy....not cool at all!

Looks like I will be spending the day in bed and taking some medicine tonight just for extra measure.  I need this gone before Sunday so I can go visit my college student and take her grocery shopping.  I don't want to get her sick and I don't want to be sick trying to drive to, and through Atlanta.  I need this mess gone!

At least I can sit in bed and watch Excel tutorials on my laptop but this marks the second day this week that I have spent my morning in bed.  Again, not like me at all. Sigh.

I suppose it could be worse.  I could be sick like my girlfriend with the cough, nose issues and everything else that goes along with being sick but I need to nip this in the bud today.  Like I said, I have things to do Sunday and I need to be out of the house doing something productive Monday morning whether it be hitting up staffing agencies or some sort of job fair, I need to be out of the house.  I already have a business casual outfit picked out:  Simple slacks, a nice cardigan and a simple blouse.

Ya girl is ready to go back to work.  I realize now that I could never be a homemaker for years but I also understand now why most homemakers volunteer or start nonprofit organizations, or even get into direct sales.  It gives them something to do without needing to be at work 8 hours a day.  It all makes sense now.

Well, time to get to relaxing, and a cup of tea.  This tea right here is the business!

Until next time,

~Pamela Denise~