I've got it, no doubt. I made a list of signs that indicated to me that I was hooked. Let me know when and how you knew that you were hooked?

1. I wake up and the first thing that comes to mind is, "What am I going to write about today?"

2. "Blogs" is the new project in my Daytimer planner. I have lists of potential topics, phrases, and pictures I want to share.



3. I sort of am revolving alot of my life around it. For instance, meal choice: the food that doesn't take alot to attention to cook is winning out these days. Can anyone say, frozen veggies?

And if I have to be away from the computer I make sure I have a time scheduled in my head to sit down and jump into the stream.

4. When I turn off the computer for the night sometimes I turn it back on "one more time" to make sure I haven't missed anything (who knows, one might wake and find out that cats, lead by a cat named Woogs, had taken over the world!).

5. I'm wondering when the convention will be so we can all meet and talk face to face. I love you all this has been a joy to me during a very dark time in my life.

6. I communicate through my blog more than any other form of communication I've EVER used in my entire life (personal conversations, therapy sessions, letters, etc).

7. I keep thinking of ways to make my blog better.

8. I do what I HAVE to do as efficiently as possible so I have more time to spend here.

9. When/if I ever get my dream dog, believe it or not I want a Pug. Anyway, I was going to call him "Bug" but I think now I'll call him "Blog." Thank God I'm not expecting a baby!!!

10. And finally I keep wondering who will play me in the movie (Hallie or Tyra), oh sorry that was another thought! LOL Have a good one! The sun is SHINNING today!!!

and how can I get it back again? When did it begin...

When I was a child and found out that there was no Santa Claus?

When I was a teenager and fell in love for the first time and the object of my affection didn't return that love?

When I was a young adult and thought that I was so unique and found out when I went to college that I was only average?

When I was a new job recipient and thought it was going to be so exciting and it turned into a grind?

When I was an adult child and lost my dear father, aunt, and uncle even before the birth of my second child?

When I was a wife and realized that he didn't love me and was going to divorce me?

Or now, as I am, realizing that I've made mistakes that I don't think I'll ever fully recover from?

When did I lose the magic and how do I get it back? I miss it?

...to the Pioneer. About a week ago I came across a most inappropriate icon for a blog (a half nude woman). As I explained to the Pioneer, while I'm far from being a prude I don't want to see things of that nature if I'm not looking for them. In other words, I'd sound stupid having a problem like this if I went to an adult website but the stream is different. It offers family filters and I most definitely liked the Pioneer's message to all of us reminding us to be respectful when we visit each other's blog.

Anyway, the Pioneer got right back to me and let me know that inappropriate pictures of that nature were not allowed in icon pictures and that the problem would be taken care of and it was with utmost speed.

Pioneer, thanks for keeping the stream clean!

Gotta say one thing about him though, I keep thinking of him as "The Architect" the guy who was responsible for the design of the matrix from the movie "The Matrix Revisited."

A fellow blogger, Marvin, has encouraged me to make sure that this wasn't all about me. So from time to time I'd like to pass on things that I've learned, things that if I'd known would've helped me make better decisions.

The fact is that your credit report acts as an unseen resume. Heck, credit reports have a say so in just about any facet of our lives (favorable loans, good insurance rates, access to cheap utility rates, etc.).

So what I encourage everyone to do is check their credit report out. Use it as a planning tool to help guide your decisions. I lost out on an excellent job my credit was so poor!

Annualcreditreport is the official site to help consumers to obtain their free credit report. From there you can get your credit score by logging onto any of those websites that offer to show your your credit score (my score was inbetween the passing out guy and the oh my God guy). Usually the deal is that you can get your score/credit report if you pay a $1.00 with the agreement that you will subscribe to their service but if you cancel within a certain timeframe you will only be charged $1.00.

Take care everyone! I'm going back to bed (it's 2 something now and I have a 7am call back interview!) but I had to pass this on, it's SO VERY IMPORTANT!

Today makes 2 years that I've been without a job. Last year this day didn't even register. This year it is a painful reminder of a bad decision. I should've never quit my job, I should've never done a lot of things. I feel like I had it all and that now I have nothing. I know, happy children, health, and people who love me mean alot but ...

BACKGROUND: I came into the stream as an attempt to deal with all of the bad decisions in my life that had lead me to my current situation (no job, no money, and no place to call my own). I felt that if I could write down all of the things that were flying around in my head I'd be better able to deal with it all.

And you know what, I was right! You've helped me so much. Love to all of you (even the bad kitty).

On a positive note, I have a job interview today so wish me luck! I'll go, have fun, and sell it like there's no tommorow. Talk to you soon!