I have recovered from the fire alarm. I have a plan just in case it happens again. There are some carpeted stairs that go from the 2nd floor to the lobby. They are steep, but if I can't walk down them, I can always sit down and scoot. I can scoot faster than most people can walk. I got plenty of practice when I couldn't put any weight on my foot. Someone asked if I still use crutches. I've been off of my crutches for a little over a month. I walk pretty good, but I still limp occasionally. When I first stand up, my legs are stiff. After a few steps, they loosen up.

I resisted the kelly green Kate Spade wallet. When I was in Belk's on Thursday, I went over to the Kate Spade area to see if they had one like it. They had a hot pink one. I examined it, and it was exactly what I like. But...I resisted. In a way, I am proud of myself and in a way, I want to kick myself for not buying it. Maybe it will go on sale again.

My living room has been cluttered with all of the stuff that I brought back from my mother's house. I would have done something with it, but I didn't know what. This morning, after my Cheerios, I tackled it. I found a home for everything. Not only that, but I got a lot of other things organized. The main problem has been that back in October, I was going to do some cleaning on a Wednesday. I broke my foot the day before. It never got done. Things sat for three months. I came home overnight in November to get some clothes and things. My mother tidied up some, but not much. When I came back, my mother did some cleaning like dusting, vacuuming, etc., but didn't organize anything. The reason being is that neither of us knew what to do with things. The problem is solved now. I feel so much better about the place. My bedroom is my next project. Three fourths of the room is organized and tidy, the other fourth is cluttered. I will get it done slowly but surely. It is hard for me to do too much right now. My coordination is still off a little bit.

Now that I've got my cleaning finished, I'm going to spend the remainder of the afternoon reading magazines and watching TV. I've been keeping up with the earthquake in Chili and the possible tsunami. How tragic. The bank that I work for has a clean water fund that gives money to organizations that insures that residents effected by disasters have clean water. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out about it. It bothered me that the residents of Haiti didn't have access to clean water. I wrote a check immediately to donate.

I hope everyone enjoys the remainder of your Saturday.

I had a nice relaxing day today at work until about 3:15. I was scheduled to be on a conference call at 3:30. About 3:15, someone/something set off the fire alarm. Oh no! I work on the fourth floor, and I had to walk down the stairs to the first floor. I made it to the 2nd floor. That's when it got bad. The stairs from the second floor to the first floor are solid marble. The first set of steps have a hand rail on both sides, then they curve around a corner. At the curve, the hand rail is on the right and the stairs form a triangle. After the curve there are about 14 steps. For those steps, the handrail is on the left. When I got to the curve, I couldn't navigate it. I couldn't go from the handrail on the right to the hand rail on the left because there was not enough step for my feet. Two of my coworkers came to my rescue, but decided that I couldn't make it. About that time, the lady that works for the building management came along. She realized that I was stuck and told me to just sit where I was and she would make sure that I got downstairs if I was in danger. The two coworkers stayed with me. They finally decided that there was not a fire. My coworkers helped me to the second floor, and I was going to take the elevator to the fourth floor. The elevator was stuck on the first floor. It did not reset after the fire alarm. They had to call the elevator repair man. I sat in an office on the second floor until about 4:30 when I decided to go home. I was going to take the service elevator that only goes between the first and second floor. About the time I got ready to leave, the elevator started working. I was so glad to get out of there. Queenie was so nice. She brought my bag down to me as she was leaving.

I was going to order a kelly green wallet from Kate Spade, but decided that I will keep using my red wallet from Talbot's until it wears out. I can't believe I resisted. Kelly green is my favorite color and the wallet was marked down from $195 to $99. I'm proud of me.

I hope everyone has a good Thursday.

I went to the doctor today. I had X-Rays and the doctor said that my foot looks great. He released me. I don't have to go back unless I need to.

Last night my mother and I went to eat with the family that bought my father's store. They are originally from India. They served Bryani, salad, and fried vegetables. It was so good, especially the Bryani. My mother made a banana pudding for dessert. It was delicious. We had a good time visiting with the family. They have two teenage boys. They are great kids.

I got back on my diet today. My jeans are starting to get loose. That's a good sign.

I hope everyone has a great Tuesday.

This has been a busy weekend. I'm ready for a rest.

Friday night, I went to visitation for my sister's mother-in-law. The visitation was from 6:00 until 8:00. I got there at 6:02 and they were lined up out of the room, down the hall and wrapped around the lobby. After I hugged the family, I went out and sat down. We ended up staying until about 8:20. It was a good thing that we stayed, because it was hard for me to walk. When I got home, my foot was swollen.

Saturday, we got up real early and cooked food for after the funeral. We then got ready and went and got my brother-in-law's aunt. She doesn't drive. We grabbed a snack and went to the funeral, graveside and then food afterwards. By the time we got home it was almost 4:00. Then we had to get ready to go eat with our supper club. I have to tell you a funny story during the funeral. The minister was telling about how she never questioned God or anything that happened to her. For example, one day the family was with her and they were almost crying. The doctor came in and told her that he had some bad news. When he told her that she was going to have to have her leg amputated, she just looked at him and said, "Shit happens." I couldn't believe that he told that story in church. Everyone started laughing.

Today, we go to church and then out to lunch. We have been invited to eat dinner tonight with the couple that bought my father's store. They are originally from India and they are preparing bryani for us. I've never eaten Indian food, but here's my chance. They are such nice people and have tried to assimilate themselves into our culture.

Tomorrow, I have to go to Huntsville to the doctor. The lady who bought the store is going with us. She has an appointment at the same time as me. Then we go run some errands and back home.

I hope everyone has a good Sunday. It is sunny and warm here.

My mother called me early this morning to tell me that my sister's mother-in-law had passed away. She has been in bad health for years. She would get so bad that no one thought she would make it, then she would bounce back. She's been really going down the past few months. As bad as she was, it still shocked me. Her funeral will be Saturday. Now to find something to wear. Since I've been back at work, I've been rotating between three pairs of LL Bean Bayside Twills - black, navy and khaki. Until I lose some weight, I'll have to wear those pants. I may wear a turtleneck and blazer with a pair of the twill pants. Of course, on my feet will be my lovely silver and yellow Nike's.

I am so glad that this is a short week at work. Only two days left. I'll have a long weekend again this weekend. I'm taking a vacation day on Monday so that I can go to the doctor for a follow-up. I have a lot of questions to ask.

I hope everyone has a good Thursday.

I hope everyone had a Happy Valentine's Day and a Happy President's Day.

We only had 4 children in the nursery yesterday. Someone was looking out for us. Afterwards, we went to eat and then home. It was nice to sit around and relax. Last night we cooked dinner and invited my sister, brother-in-law and their foster son. After the dishes were done, we watched the Olympics and then The Jane Austen Book Club. It has been so long since I read the book, that I couldn't tell how closely the movie followed the book. I liked the movie anyway.

We didn't get the heavy snow that the weatherman said that we would. I was able to drive back to Birmingham with no problems at all. After a trip to Publix for milk, oj and TaB, and then to Panera Bread for vegetable soup, I am now at home with my bum foot propped up on pillows. It's getting a little better every day.

I got back to Birmingham a few hours earlier than planned, so I am going to read and watch TV. I have a few magazines to catch up with.

I hope everyone has a good Tuesday.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

We woke up to snow on the ground. It's supposed to snow tonight and tomorrow morning. I may not be able to drive back to Birmingham. The sad thing is, I really don't care. Crazy Alabama weather.

My mother and I have to keep the nursery at church this morning. Maybe the snow will keep some of the little angels at home. Wishful thinking. We have Valentine cards and stickers for all of the ones that are there.

I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday.