Hmmm

"He who angers you, controls you"

Saw that on a church sign a couple weeks ago.  Thought it was interesting.

Boring News

An update on things that have been happening:

My old kitty Charlie died a couple weeks ago. He was 21, so it wasn't a surprise. However, it still sucked. He was a good cat, even if he forgot the purpose of his litter box (grrrr). The whacko kitty kept looking for him for several days after, laying on my bed and staring at the spot in the corner where he usually slept. Thankfully, she has stopped doing this.

My attempt to do the Atlanta Breast Cancer 3-Day walk was a failure on a couple different levels. First, I was short of the fundraising goal by about $1400. Second, my right shin decided it did not want to walk more than 15 miles. Stupid shin! It is fine at shorter distances, which is why I am trying to run again. However, I did still raise almost $900 to fight breast cancer, so it was not a total failure. This was my first attempt at real fundraising, so I don't think I did too bad. My plan for 2010 is to do the Race for the Cure (not so much $$ involved) and then try for the 3 Day Walk in 2011.

A trip back to Arizona is coming up in a couple weeks. It is primarily a trip to see my mom but I will also be meeting up with an old friend from California who I haven't seen in about 20 years. She has been living in Arizona the past several years, but we did not get back in contact until after I moved. So exciting! We've been communicating via Facebook and Yahoo IM but it will be good to see each other in person. Her sister lives relatively close to me, in Florida, so I will be making a road trip there in a few months.

I know, I know. I've been horrible at updating my blog.

A few of my current favorite things:


Movie Cube: Movies for $1 per day. What's not to love? Plus, I occasionally receive emails with buy one get one free promo codes. Bad movies aren't quite so aggravating when I'm only out $1. Plus, I have seen some good ones that I may not have taken the risk of renting at Blockbuster (I think they are up to $5). Henry Poole is Here comes to mind. Excellent.



My public library. Free books and movies. Again, what's not to love? Ok, they don't have a great selection at my branch, but I can request books online at home and get an email notice when the books come in.  


Couch to 5K: One day, I will be a real runner. I am starting Week One, for the millionth time. One day, I will be a real runner. I want to run the Race for the Cure in May, and the Peachtree Roadrace in July. Fingers crossed for no new injuries.

Trying

I have been trying to make my blog less lame. My new header is from the awesome Julie. Thanks Julie!

I Blame the Girl Scouts

**This was initially posted on a different blog that no longer exists. I forgot to note the date, but judging from the first photo it must have been in the fall. 2007? 2008? I'm not sure; it's all a blur and I've never been one to keep track of time.**




  My initial plan for Saturday morning was to drop some books off at the library and then head to the North Georgia Outlets to drool over Kate Spade handbags. However, this plan fell apart when I couldn't find a parking spot at the library, thanks to a book sale and a Girl Scout Bake Sale (yes, a bake sale with actual home-baked goods).

Instead of heading out to the outlet, I headed back home and decided to check the mail. In it was a check I had been anticipating for months (The fact that they sent a check instead of direct deposit as requested is not shocking). And the check was about $1200 more than I was expecting. Hooray! Off to the credit union I headed.

Most of the money was/is ear-marked for necessities and a savings account. Heading into a period of serious frugality, I decided a splurge of some sort was mandatory.
So what makes Shannon happy? A pedicure that she desparately needs? A trip downtown to the aquarium? A tattoo? Serious consideration was given to purchasing some new clothes. However, nothing at the outlet mall screamed "Take me home!"

However, it was a beautiful, sunny Fall day so I decided to continue north on the 400. I saw a sign for Hiawassee and thought that it would be my destination. Not sure what highway I was on (17? 11?) but it went through Cleveland, home of the Babyland General, where Cabbage Patch Kids are "born." No, I did not take a tour. Next stop was the Alpine-themed town Helen. Think "tourist trap." I saw a sign for Unicoi State Park and decided I needed to check it out. Beautiful, but too many bees so while I did stop and park the car for a few minutes, I did NOT get out. Shannon and Bees do not mix. After a brief stop, it was time to drive through the Chattahoochie National Forest. Absolutely gorgeous. But again with the bees, so no actual leaving the vehicle.


Eventually I made it to Hiawassee. Not much to see there. I did pass a sign that said 9 miles to Hayseville, NC. Why not? Always looking to visit other states, I drove up and stuck my toe in North Carolina. It was time to fill up the gas tank, so I stopped at a BP just across the NC border. One thing that I will always associate with the North Georgia Mountains and North carolina is the bees. Bees everywhere. One good thing about stopping for gas in NC is the Handsome Hunter who was checking me out while I walked from the gas station's convenience store back to my car. I regret not stiking up a conversation.

After Hayesville, I went over to Blairsville. Not sure why; maybe because of the "ville" in the name.


I decided it was time to head back home, but wanted to try a different way. With plenty of daylight left, I headed southeast on the 76 towards Clayton. More gorgeous scenery. The Fall foliage was breathtaking. I stopped at a WalMart in Clayton to buy a map because I was a little lost. Not totally lost, I was still in Georgia. But, a sign for South Carolina had me concerned. That was a little more East than was preferred.


From Clayton, I headed down 23/13/365 (Several GA highways have multiple numbers. Makes things interesting) towards Gainesville. I stopped briefly at Tallulah Gorge to stretch my legs. No pictures because they would not have come out with the camera on my phone. I'm definitely going back there once I get a real camera. Back in the car, on the way to Gainesville and then home.


I don't remember what time I got home. I did stop at Publix to get something for dinner, and then trotted next door to Blockbuster to rent some movies. I tried to map my route on Google Maps, and it says the trip should have taken almost 7 hours. That sounds about right.


I have to wonder, though, how the day would have gone had the book sale and Girl Scout bake sale not been happening at the library.

Insider Pages Fundraiser

A little over 2 months until the 3-Day walk and I still need approximately $1700 in order to participate.

Want to make a donation but don't have much cash? From 8/13 til 9/3/09, write some reviews at Insider Pages and raise money for the Breast Cancer 3-Day.

Please go to my fundraiser page (below), sign up, and start writing reviews!

www.insiderpages.com/fundraisers/Breast-Cancer-3-Day-S-Wallace-0909

In addition to restaurants, here are some ideas on local businesses to review:

Your Health
Doctor (GP, OBGYN)
Dentist
Pediatrician
Optometrist

Your Home
Plumber
Electrician
Roofing/Chimney
Real Estate Agent
Insurance Agent
Housecleaners/maids

Your Kids
Daycare/Child Care Facility
Camps

Your Pets
Animal Hospitals
Veterinarians
Pet Sitting Services
Groomers

Please note that reviews for chain stores or chain restaurants won't count for the fundraiser.

As always, thanks for your support and encouragement!

Knee Update

The Knee is healing up nicely. The doctor said it should heal faster once the stitches are out and that seems to be the case. 

An extremely good-looking chiropractor suggested putting vitamin E on it to help diminish the scar. I'll still have a scar, but it should not be too ugly.  

Photo of the Day 7/21/09

Torrance Beach. California. November

2008.