December 2005 Archives

WOW.

The Eastern part of the country is celebration New Years, we have another 2 hours to go here in Phoenix.

2005, what a year it's been:

I walked out of a long-term emotionally abusive relationship in February, sold the condo, have been bouncing around living with family.

Finished paying off $30k in credit card debt.

Took a vacation trip along Route 66 with Mark (one of the highlights of this year and one of the nicest vacations I've ever had as well).

Got more or less caught up at work.

Made a bunch of new on-line friends over at PROBLEM ADULTS.com

Got a new blog. (thanx ~T~)

Turned 40 a few weeks ago.

Had some long weekend vacations up to my parent's summer place in Pinetop, Arizona. Really enjoyed that. Even one $1,200 up at the casino (which paid for my new laptop I got a few months ago).

I'm currently learning karate thanks to my brother.

I've taken some hikes along the Phoenix Mountain preserves.

Well dayum, when you put it that way, I guess 2005 was a pretty damn good year after all!! Actually one of the best.

Can't wait to see what 2006 holds in store for me.......

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!!!

Here's wishing all of you a happy and wonderful Christmas this weekend!

You've been a wonderful part of my life this year. :)

UGH. One of the side-effects of Phoenix in the summer. No snow to shovel but the air quality plumets.

We've had almost two weeks straight of Air Quality Advisories. At the most we've had a couple of days during the snowbird season, but this is getting worse.

Yep...milestone today.

The cyber-party is in gear over at PROBLEM ADULTS with music and party games and a wonderful birthday cake courtesy of the lovely Mz Kitty.

How do I feel about turning 40, like the best is yet to come....

"Catch up on all the things I've always missed
Just start livin', that's the next thing on my list."

December 8, 1953.

In a Catholic Church in a small town in rural Minnesota, my parents were married. Dad was 23, mom was 20.

Dads' family were ranchers and farmers, moms' dad worked as a railroad depot agent for the Great Northern Railroad. The best way to describe it was think 'Coal Miners' Daughter' and 'The Waltons.'

It's hard to imagine these days but they came from a time and place where if you didn't hunt, you didn't eat. Fortunately game was plenty to supplement the table. Things were apparently so bad my Grandfather told my Dad and his brothers once old enough to have mastered hunting that he better have a piece of game for every bullet used or a damn good excuse as to why you missed!

Mom did have her LPN license and Dad worked farm labor, at one time picking potatos for .90 an hour.

A year later they had a son, my brother.

In 1958 they decided to move West. They packed everything they had in the car, a 4 year old, a few hundred bucks and Moms' nursing license and moved here to Phoenix. Neither of them had a job waiting, or knew anyone here.

Mom eventually got her RN license, Dad got his GED (since he dropped out in the 6th grade) and learned a trade. Dad became a heavy-duty mechanic (repairing those huge construction trucks, cement mixers, haulers, etc.), and a union man I might add - which benefited us greatly. The family had moved up a bit in the world.

Eventually I came around in 1965.

Today, my folks are somewhat comfortably retired after a lifetime of work. My brother and I both completed high school. He works parts for a trucking company here, married, divorced and gave my folks a lovely grandaughter.

They're luckily still in pretty good health, keeping themselves somewhat active.

Very proud of them and what they've accomplished.

Thanks folks for everything, all my love.

Welcome!

As you can see I've moved from my old space on blogspot to better digs here --- and with a heartfelt and a special THANK YOU to The Mighty ~T~.

About me? Well I go by Jeanna - Nice to meet you.

The basics: female, single (with a boyfriend), redhead (from a bottle) with blue eyes, and very soon to be hitting the milestone birthday of 40.

I'm a Sagittarius - and many of the characteristics of that sign fit me.

I live in the city I was born and raised in, Phoenix, Arizona (as you may have been able to tell from the title of this blog).

I work as an Administrative Assistant/Secretary for a mid-level State agency - and have for a little over 20 years. I guess I loved this State so much I went to work for it :D.

I have to admit I do feel an attachment to this city and state, as we sort of grew up together. And I've always loved the legend and the imagery of the Legend of the Phoenix Bird.

My interests? What day is it? Internet, music, movies, pop-culture, politics (Liberal Democrat), travel, reading, museums, among a few......and at this time, learning karate. I try to stay open to enjoying new experiences.

So come on by, always have some fresh coffee on for my internet friends.