Dear Page.ly

First off, Happy Birthday! I remember how excited you guys were when you started out.

Secondly, I really would like to win a free-for-life page.ly subscription though the iPad would be nice too.

You see this blog, this blog where you’re reading this entry? Well, because I have a wonderful friend this blog is free. My friend gives me space on his company’s server. But it’s like having your car parked under someone else’s carport. I can come and go all I want but if I want to change the carport (like add or update widgets or do backups etc.) I have to go through the management of my friend’s carport company.

Slight.ly annoying. But who can complain about free, right?

I would LOVE to win the subscription, so I can do what I want when I want with my own blog. And have it stay free, because I’m a disable veteran living on disability pay and even your cheapest option is beyond what I can afford.

I wish I could come up with some huge.ly creative video entry, or design an impressive and flashy web plea but this is pretty much it. Me asking you politely to consider gifting me with a free-for-life page.ly subscription… please?

Either way, we should get together soon!

Thanx y’all,

Debbie

Change in plans

I’m in Rapid City Iowa heading towards Devil’s Tower and then south towards the Crazy Horse mountain and the hot springs. No I have no interest in a bunch of dead presidents. I’ve decided against the whole Wyoming loop just to see Yellowstone because this stupid windshield is gonna cost me a fortune when I get home and I’m too tired already anyway. Maybe next time.

Loving this trip alone. Some interesting country we have. Nice people. I passed a whole farm of Sunflowers that looked really cool. Wish I could have slowed down for a picture.

I’m checking in on Foursquare, which updates on my Facebook page if you really want to keep track of my travels.

Maybe I’ll pick up a biker in Sturgis. Hmmm…..

I meant to write!

Other than the breathing thing, I’m having a great vacation.

The trip up was just constant. I’d planned on taking my time and exploring a bit, seeing roadside attractions and what-fer. But realistically, I drive like a maniac. I’d pull over long enough to slap together a sandwich or take a nap and then continue on as fast as I could get away with. Completely missed most of Colorado (which I REALLY wanted to see) because it was dark.

Imanidiot.

Actually, with no A/C it was just too hot most of the time. Too hot to stop and wander around, too hot to sleep in the car, too hot. Plus you get to smell more of America than you really want to. I counted 7 skunks in Arizona and New Mexico. Kansas and Nebraska – of which I took mostly back roads – smells like cows shit and corn. Except Omaha smells like chocolate chip cookies… and then dog food.

The stretch between Omaha and Des Moines is some of the most beautiful country I’ve seen. Once I got past the rain, it’s all hills and green and beautiful old but nicely kept farms.

I got here Friday afternoon after spending the night in a room north of Des Moines. I needed a decent night’s sleep and a shower by then. Cara just kept smiling at me. It’s amazing how we only see each other about once a year but it’s just like we’re neighbors. Thank you Internet for such a great friend.

Until she tried to kill me.

Kidding. She’d bought one of those full-sized blowup beds and thought she’d aired it out enough, but not for sensitive old me. I didn’t notice the fumes until I was in it and too tired to venture far. So by morning I was guppying for air and by nightfall I was in the local VA emergency room. Much better now with my own (different brand – no fumes) blowup mattress in my own cat-free room.

Sunday was spent at the Ren Fest. Hot, humid, fun. Hung with Wickedgroovy Heather too. Pictures up on Flickr.

Pretty much vegging this week while she’s at work. It’s nice to just sit, even WITH all the drama going on at home. I can’t do much so they’re all handling their issues on their own. But that’s for another post.

Tonight is my tweetup. I’ll see old friends and spend time getting to know a couple more IRL strangers/virtual friends.

Tomorrow we’ll plan out the weekend which will include tubing, and may include State Fair? Horseback Riding? Camping? Movies? Dunno.

I should probably leave Monday morning. And my hoped-for second half of a vacation… the SEXcation doesn’t look like it’s going to happen. He’s not in Cincinnati anymore and I really don’t want to venture further East. That just make the drive back that much further too. Dammit.

Killing time at the laundry

Watched my friend Jeff Moriarty on TV being interviewed about Facebook scams while I loaded my washer.

Fun fun sitting here with no deodorant on because as soon as I’m done with this I have to venture to Phoenix for another mammogram. Then kill an hour before the stupid allergy testing my doctor insisted I get, followed by a visit to the allergist himself.

All while driving around in this heat with no air conditioning. Some small yet vital part of the automatic directional flow thingy in the deep dark recesses of my dashboard decided to die. The A/C works fine it just doesn’t blow into the cabin thankyouverymuch.

And I’m doing this stupid post on my phone cuz I forgot to grab my laptop.

Tomorrow will be better. Tomorrow I leave.

Mila's Daydreams

Another of my new favorite sites is Mila’s Daydreams. This woman sets the scene and when her baby naps, she photographs her in all these interesting ways.

This is my evil favorite so far. I wonder how long she can keep this series going, but I’m really enjoying the ride.  Just another happy daily in my Google Reader.