Thanksgiving on Cumberland Island

http://picasaweb.google.com/pjsoutherngal/112206AOCCumberlandIsland
go to this site and you can see some of the pictures that Paula took this past weekend on our trip to Cumberland Island with the AOC (Atlanta Outdoor Club)...It was soooo fantastic...

We all met in St Mary's on Wed night... where 4 of us (2 guys & 2 girls) shared a room so we could meet up with rest of the group and get an early start in the morning... Joe got the room at no cost with his Holiday Inn points so it didn't cost us anything... He and I didn't get to the room until after 11:30 and we were up at 5:30...Joe was our trip leader this time.. he had to call 6 months in advance to set this trip up...A really nice guy, who I rode to and from the trip with..(no there is no romantic interest there but I do feel that I have made another good friend).

The trip started out on Thurs morning catching the ferry to the island. Another first for me but I loved it...I even rode on the upper level with the wind and all...After we got to the island we had to listen to the Ranger about all the things we could do and not do...She was a hoot..first thing I noticed about her was this band aid on her chin that was flappin' around...talk about distracting...then she explained that she had gotten bit by a Brown Recluse while sleeping and had to go to a platic surgeon to get it taken care... She finally took the flippin' band aid off and all you could see was this gigantic hole in her chin...Gross!!!!

We then hiked in 4 miles and set up camp..The picture with me in by the tents is where I set up my tent..it's the 2 man tent behind me...it was the coolest place under these great Oak trees with moss hanging from them..the best thing about this camp site was there was a real bathroom just a short walk down the ways ..it had a real toliet and even a shower...with running water but NO HOT water so I didn't take a shower but believe me it was nice having a place to go change your clothes and to use the toliet instead of having to go in the woods...this was a luxury trip believe me. The only disavantage was the campsite we were in didn't allow fires.(the island is in a drought)..so no camp fire at night..but we had a lantern and one of the guys had this cute lil light that burned candles that we used in the middle of the group so we could pretend that we had a campfire after dark...

After gettting everything all set up we all took a hike and ended up on the beach..That's me picking up the Horseshoe Crab...it was still alive (barely) and everyone was chicken to touch it...but not me....That night we all sat around and fixed out freeze dried meals..Just because it was Thanksgiving I had Mashed Potatoes W Gravy & Turkey...It wasn't too good but by then I was hungry enuff to eat anything...and the Captain Morgan Spiced rum I had with my hot Cider helped...

The Ruines is the Dungress Ruines on the south side of the island... which we hiked through the woods to our second day in..way tooo cool...We ate lunch there, did some site seeing...there was a museum and the Progella? was interesting... and relaxed then walked back to camp site on the beach...Another beautiful day...ended by me going to the beach to look at the stars with Sara (who is from England and a total NUT case) and this Army kid and a guy that works for the Forest Service that she and I picked up at the ferry....After a few too many hits of Tequilla, we ended up running on the beach ..it was too cold to go in the water. Talk about being crazy...in the last picture of me you will see me wearing this bright pink scarf..Sara knitted that and gave it to me...She and I had done a trip together in September...in fact she's the one that talked me into going on this one...She camped in a one man tent next to me this time and woke me up 2 nights in the middle of the night because she thought she heard something...I'm not sure what she thought I could do about it...the first night I told her to just ignore it because I figured it was an armidillo and the second night (after I woke up) I figured out that she had left her backpack out side of her tent because there wasn't enuff room in her tent and the animals were trying to get in it...so I got out, chased off some kind of varmit...not sure what it was...all I saw was these lil beady eyes in the reflection of my headlamp...got her pack and put it in mine...after that we all slept good...

As you can see we saw a lot of the feral horses..that and lots & lots of armadillos...I think my favorite group of horses was the family of black horses with the mare laying down..we came upon them around a corner in the wilds unexpected on our third day in.. The first night in 2 of the guys ran into a couple of horses in the dark by the bathrooms..said all they could see was there eyes...they ran by my tent (the horses not the guys) while I was in it and it sounded like a herd of horses....LOL....

I also saw the sunrise on the beach Friday and Saturday morning which was totally AWESOME!!!!

The mansion we are in front of was massive (it's called Plums Orchard)..we hiked 8 miles our third day just to see it ..it was on the north side of the island.the neatest thing was coming out of the woods to see this front of this mansion ..the drive way was lined with these humoungus Cypress tress.. the only Cypress trees I saw on the whole island...the right wing is an enclosed pool that you have to see to believe... there is no one living there..the NPS is redoing the whole thing..

We ended our last night by eating dinner on the dock and watching the sunset over the marshes. By then there was just 5 of us from the group left. Sara went with her friend Rob and a couple left to go home that morning...That's the picture of me with my coat and hood up..it was breezy but still worth it..The sun going down over the marshes was a sight that will stay with me for a long time..it was so quiet and peaceful....it was a 3 mile trip in the dark back to camp...interesting...but fun...and I lead the way...whooa...

There was 8 of us on this trip but we ran into other AOC members that we knew were camped in other spots so that was neat too.

Foz (one of the guys in our group who just happens to be the president of the AOC) figured we walked 40 miles in 3 days...no wonder I'm tired...but it was well worth it..

We ended our trip by getting up early Sunday morning..packing it all up and hiking back to the main dock...then the ferry ride back..after meeting up with some of our freinds we all went to a Chinese All you can Eat Buffet and did we ever put a dent in the buffet...it was like we hadn't eaten in a week....Fresh food not freeze Dried never tasted so good....I was really craving some fruit and veggies...
Then we all said our goodbyes and headed back to Atlanta..by the time I got home and thro my door it was around 9:30 that night....Whew....

I can't believe I ate the whole thing!!!!!!

CONFESSION TIME
OK..... I've got to get a job just to get me out of this house....Yesterday I was looking in my fridge for something to eat...something I do alot....and I spotted a can of crescent rolls...not sure how they got there and I don't remember how long they've been there..they were stuck way in the back of the middle shelf...so I decided to see if they were any good...I opened the can and they didn't explode out at me or smell bad and weren't slimey....soooo since they were open of course I had to bake them. Hey at least they were LOW FAT Crescent rolls..and what better way to bake them than to roll them in cinnamon sugar and make cinnamon twists.....after all the weather was wintery...cold and cloudy... I was thinking about even building a fire in the fireplace....just the kind of day to sit in front of the boob tube watching Rachel Ray and eat cinnamon twists ...wellllllll.....while they baked I told myself I would only eat one or two and then put the rest in baggies and make them last for the rest of the week...There were 10 rolls in the can....so this should last me at least 5 days and then I wouldn't have to feel so guilty about breaking down and making them....man did they smell good baking...You know how when something taste sooo good to you that you keep going back for one more bite until the whole thing is gone?
Yep, that's what I did!!!!...Even when my gut felt like it was going to bust..I still kept on eating the damn things until they were all gone....Oh yeah, I gave myself the excuse that I had done good on eating all day....I had my protein drink for breakfast and a spinach/strawberry/blueberry salad for lunch....I don't even want to know how many calories I consumed eating 10 crescent twists....

I did go to the gym and worked out for a hour before my Hip Hop class. So I figure I burned off some of the calories....but I've been laying in bed all night just thinking about how I let myself get carried away...no control!!! Good thing I know that I don't do this kind of thing often so I'm not beating myself up..but I'm also not looking at the back of my fridge anymore....LOL...

So why is it I just can't get motivated?

I have a long list of things that I could be doing but instead I've been here on the computer all morning..just looked at the clock and realized it afternoon...where does the time go?
Altho I have to admit I've been checking job listing and taking a test for the temp company I've signed up so it's not like I've been goofing off..it just feels like it...
I still need to clean my garage so I can bring all the junk I have in the storage unit here and store it...I gave them my months notice last Friday and I've got to get everything of there by the end of the month....and someone told me last night that Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK....whooooaaaa...where does the time go...
Not sure what I'm going to do for Thanksgiving...last year I went to the movies by myself...just wasn't up to spending a whole day eating and watching football...I was hoping to take another backpacking trip but it's been cancelled...The Kid did invite me to her house..but her in-laws are coming and that's not really my idea of a fun day....
anyway back to my garage..right now it's a mess because of all my camping gear is laid out in there drying out...I need to figure someway to hang all my differant backpacks on the wall...I guess I'll have to take the giant picture of the owl in the tree down...I tried to give it to The Kid once and she didn't want it so I stuck it on the wall in the garage...hmmmm I wonder if #1 Niece would like it for her garage?....
I'm thinking about going out and mowing my lawn but then I really don't want to get all sweaty and yecky because then I'll have to take another shower and my hair is looking really good right now. Hate to take a chance on it not looking good tonight when I go to the AOC Social Hour...I would like JUST once to look good when I see all the people I go hiking with...Usually when I go hiking I don't wear any make up and by the first hour of hiking my hair has gone all curly and frizzy...and you have to admit they don't make hiking clothes that are real sexy...at least I haven't found any...so I though I would doll up tonight and give everyone a shock...and besides that I haven't had any excuse to dress up since last Weds. night when I went out with the girls for Lynn's b'day...now that was fun...We went in a limousine (which smell like cigarettes...yech) to a night club and I danced all night...any hooooo....that's my excuse for not getting off my butt and mowing the lawn...who mows lawns in November anyway...just because it's nice out side and the lawn needs it doesn't mean I have to do it...right?
So I'm thinking that I'll go fix me some soup and watch Rachel Ray...I can't believe I'm watching tv during the day...but I've always liked her and now she has her own hr long variety show on during the day and it's not even on the food network channel...how cool is that?

Job wise...I'm just waiting for some miracle to happen and someone to call me and tell me that they want to support me in the lifestyle I've gotten used to ....OH YEAH that's gonna happen.....LOL.....
I just wish I could make a living out of backpacking and camping....

Hanging in There

I went thru a few days of total depression and loss of self confidence but am bouncing back to be my old self.....can't let a little thing like losing a job get me down...

I went to SC to see my friends Conry & Paula last weekend and then went out on a date with another guy from MySpace....it wasn't good.. he was nice but way too short (he said he was 5'8" but he was at least two inches shorter than me ...and I was wear flats) and old acting...mostly interested in drinking beer and bragging about his travels overseas....oh well...

This weekend I went on a GREAT backpacking/camping trip..it was a real challenge...this is my third backpacking trip..the first was an easy one, the second moderate...this was was strenuous...it kicked my ass but I did it...we even did 6 (SIX) water crossings...and I'm not talking about easy ones...the water was knee deep and fast...but it was beautiful..We were at Lake Fontana up by Gatlinburg TN...there was 10 of us...6 guys and 4 girls..ages ranging from 62 to 24 ...that's right I wasn't the oldest...Don is 62 (and married) but he's been hiking for many years and could out hike all of us..the 24 yr old was a girl who is the Govenors Photographer...she was a doll and all of the single guys were fawning over her..it was fun to watch....good group ..I had backpacked/hiked with 4 of the group in the past ...lots of fun...it really helped bring my confidance back..I figure if I can conquer my fear of water (ie:water crossings) and then I can do anything....

On the job scene..I really haven't done much but I do have an interview set up for tomorrowa afternoon...can't say I'm excited about it....Wish I could take this time and figure out what I really want to do when I grow up...but not having much education and monies doesn't give me much choice in what I do..

Pity Party

Ok so it's a small party Me, Myself and I are the only ones here and I can't say we are having any fun...I don't know how people can stand sitting around and feeling sorry for themself for any period of time...I hate it... and I'm not going to do it any longer...So I got knocked down...Well, I refuse to stay down...Somewhere out there is the perfect job just waiting for me...this one certainly wasn't meant to be for me...I believe in the old saying....Things happen for a reason...
I'm so lucky in so many ways..I have good freinds, a family that cares for me, my health and I don't have a lot of bills....no car payment...keep your fingers crossed my truck keeps running...a low house payment (and ya'll know how much I love my house) food to last me for awhile....a nice warm coat for the winter.....and if it all goes to hell and I do happen to lose everything I still have my tent and sleeping bag LOL....

I've weathered hard times before and I always land on my feet...

Today would have been Jason's (my son who died when he was 7 yrs old) 35th birthday....I have felt over the years that he was watching out for me...I still do so I know deep inside me that nothing bad will really truly happen to me.

Last night I went to the gym and played racquetball and then worked out with the weights until the gym closed...I felt so much better ...and tonight I went a did Hip Hop...I just have to get this body to moving and get away from the food in the house....
I have this ache in my middle that I keep trying to make better by eating and I know that is not the answer.....luckily I don't have a bunch of junk food here but you can still overeat on healthy foods......right now I'm eating pumpkin seeds that Jack (#1 Niece's husband) gave me from the 3 pumpkins they carved this year.. I roasted them up today and have been nibbling on them since I got home from the gym ...I guess that is better than the popcorn I was thinking about fixing....

My mind is still in a funk and I can't seem to focus on what to do next...#1 Niece told me tonight that it was ok to take a couple of days for myself to figure it out...but my mind keeps telling me I should be doing something...

I'm going to SC to see my friend Conry Saturday and Sunday...he's the one that reminds me so much of Larry..and he always makes me feel better....so when I come back (I can't stay too long because I have to be here to feed Rover & Spot, my fish) I will get serious about looking and seeing what is out there for me....

Which reminds me I have to go give Rover & Spot their bath...there bowl is looking a little murky and just because I'm in a funk shouldn't mean that they have to suffer for it....What kind of pet owner would that make me???

Shocked & Bewildered

Tues pm
Two Days...that's how long my new wonderful job lasted...

Yep...I was told this afternoon that I didn't "fit" and I was being let go...I'm still reeling, trying to figure out what went wrong....it's 9:30 pm... I'm going to bed.

Weds am
I laid in bed going over the last two days in my mind trying to figure out where I went wrong....and where do I go from here....

On the first day at this job I truthfully knew that I wasn't going to happy...but I thought I could stick it out.... after all it was more monies..I just never thought that the company won't give me time to adjust...

What went Wrong?
First, I'm used to working by myself in an office by myself...I went from that to a room with 5 other people sitting in an area half the size I was used to...plus all the traffic that came in and out was very distracting...sales people, drivers, warehouse workers....I admit the first day I was really distracted by it but by yesterday I was getting used to it ...it's not like I haven't ever worked in that environment before....

Second, I had to clock in and out every time I left the office...I know this isn't a big thing but it's not something I've done in a long time and I felt like my every move was being monitored (which I suppose it was)...Not sure why this bothered me but it did...must be the rebel in me...I guess If they had told me up front that this is how it was I could have prepared myself mentally and got over it....by yesterday it wasn't that big of a thing but Monday when they told me I have to admit I was myself and probably said something smart about it...Not smart on my part...

Third, I had to dress down...no heels, no open toes shoes...dress pants and a dress shirt...this to work in a warehouse...This too bothered me because for so many years I didn't have a choice about how I dressed because of my size and I'm proud of how I look now...and love to show off in clothes...it makes me feel good...altho hardly anyone ever saw me at my last job ...I always loved dressing for myself and feeling good about ME... Monday I wore a pair of boring brown pants with a top and a brown jacket...I looked okay, then yesterday I broke down and wore my brown split skirt and black knee high boots with a silk top and a lil brown sweater....nothing sexy and I thought it was rather conservative but I don't think the woman (from Knoxville TN) that was training me approved..altho she was wearing 1" heels with her boring slacks & sweater.... Oh well...no sense in beating myself up over it...it's done and over with...

So where do I go from here...I feel like I did after Larry died....LOST!!! but at least back then I had enough monies to last on my own for awhile...and I really lucked out in getting the job with Black Box...I always thank Larry for that....it ended up that my boss knew Larry while he worked for GSA...

I have enuff monies to last me a couple of months if I watch myself...I need to look at what I am spending each month and see where I can cut back...

PLAN
1. I need to sell the VAN...I've been putting it off for three years and now it's not worth as much as it was then...it's not running...I think it's the battery...so I will clean it up today and put my battery from the truck in it to see if that is the problem...if so then I will go and buy another one for it.... Then I need to get #1 Niece's digital camera and take a picture of it so I can put it on Disabled Dealers...I'm hoping to get a few thousand for it which will help....but don't have a lot of hope on selling it right away...as soon as I do sell it then I can drop the insurance and this will save me some monies...

2. Clean out the storage unit I'm renting and either get rid of everything or store it here in the garage so that will save me $45 a month..not much but it'll pay for my gym membership each month...that I will not give up...

3. Get the word out there that I'm looking for a job....Not sure what to do about this ...my confidence is at a low...it took a hard hit but I've never been one to stay down....
I did pick up an application at the gym last night..they don't pay much but if nothing else I will work part time until I can find a job that does pay..

So am I sorry that I took this leap and quit a perfectly good job and tried to better myself?
Truthfully ...this morning YES...but I know that if I hadn't tried then I would have always wondered what I was missing out and I gues I've always been a risk taker..There were many reasons why I decided to quit and go to another company...more monies...I just wasn't making enuff at where I was and there wasn't a hope of me getting more...at least enuff to make a differance (the new job was 5k more a year than I was making)...and job security...in the last few months my old company has been laying people off right and left....Management wanted to do away with my position all together but my area manager talked them out of it (again..this has been an on going thing for the past year)...I knew that eventually the position would be moved to TN or done with all together. Which is what they have done now...so I don't have that position to go back to...I will call Jon (my area manager) today but I have to tell you that it leaves a bad taste for me to have to admit to him that I have failed...I had such big plans....

This set back will not break me.. I will not go back to what I was before...I will not make food my comfort and I will keep exercising at the gym..I have to admit it's hard..