Friday Frags ~ Yay!

Hip hip hooray, it's Friday Frags time! I haven't been around blogland much this week, so I should have lots to talk about that won't be a rerun. I'm sure you're just crazy with anticipation!

• Yesterday (May 27) marked the 5 year anniversary of my dear friend J's death. She's one of the reasons I started this blog - to help me process my thoughts and feelings on this and other things ... I still have moments where I make a mental note to share something with her before I remember she's not here anymore. I still miss her every day. Every. Single. Day. *sigh* ... But she always brought joy to my life in our 20 year friendship, and memories and influences continue to do so.
• Lee won American Idol. Big surprise. I don't care either way though - they're both talented and they'll both get a record deal. So it's all good.
• Not to be one of those boring people who whines about their weight, but I really got serious about getting in shape this week. I went back on my healthy eating a while ago, but after not losing a single pound last week (grrr) I joined a fitness community and made a pact with some others to start the 30 Day Shred next week - it's a toughie, and it might just kill me ... So if I never post again, you'll know what happened.
• In seemingly direct coflict with my previous frag, have you tried the new pretzel M&M's? I can't seem to find them, but a lot of my friends are talking about them. I love pretzels and chocolate, so when I find these, they better be good. I can't imagine they wouldn't be, but you know what I'm sayin'.
• My skin is breaking out all along my jawline like I'm 14 years old again. The clustered, huge, painful, swollen kind. WTF! I haven't changed soap, shampoo, lotions, skin care regimens, or anything like that, and my dietary changes in the recent weeks have only been positive and healthy. I can only surmise it's a hormonal thing. Middle-age acne. Charming. I feel so pretty.
• I've been super upset the last few days about an extremely disturbing local animal abuse case. I won't go into detail, but it was at a dairy farm and involved crowbars among other unthinkable weapons. Now I'm a carnivore, I'll admit that. I love milk, cheese and a good steak as much as the next guy. But humane treatment of livestock shouldn't even be a question. There's no excuse for causing deliberate, repetitive, blatant injury to any animal. This was just ... mean. Mean to be mean. What's just as troubling is the main guy is an Iraqi vet. Now I appreciate the sacrifices he made for our country, but nothing excuses anyone from being a cruel and compassionless sadist to animals. He was charged with mere misdemeanors. How nice. If I could get my hands on this piece of sh!t I'd give him what he deserves myself. And I mean that with all my heart.
• I got another returned letter yesterday. I am pretty confident at this point that my adopted soldier has moved on - hopefully back home.
• On a happier note, it's Memorial Day weekend! (We should be taking the boat out for the season induction. Can't wait to be on the water again!!! And do my part to make everyone else look thin - HAR - sweet of me, right?) Everyone be safe and have a good time. But most of all be sure to stop and reflect on the sacrifices made by the men and women of the armed forces so we can enjoy our lives in America. Thank any soldiers and vets you run across. The Hub will often buy soldiers and vets their meal if we see them out at a restaurant or something. I love that about him. But even if nothing else, shake their hand. Express gratefulness. We owe them an awful lot.

Seems like I should have more to share, but I guess I don't. Meh! Thanks for sticking around anyway :) - Peace out, blog pals. xoxoxo ~~