Today...

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has announced that his new number for the next 5 years will be 88. His sponsors will be Mountain Dew Amp and the National Guard. WooHoo! In all honesty, I don't care what his number, paint schemes, teammates or sponsors are. I love watching and hearing Dale as he drives around the track. He has been my driver since DAY 1 and that is NEVER going to change no matter what decisions he makes regarding his racing career. I'm just glad that he seems extremely happy in the recent decisions he's been making. Life is hard enough without having to stress about family issues or being unhappy in whatever situation you may find yourself. WooHoo! Dale seems so much happier since he decided to drive for Hendrick starting next year. He is now part of the winningest team in NASCAR. All the man wants to do is race, win races, and win championships. I think he picked the best team around to bring those goals to fruition. I have to say, I think it's interesting that whenever there is a big announcement to be made regarding his team (and this proves it really is HIS team), Dale is the one making the announcements. From all I've seen in the past (and I've been following the CUP races since I was a kid in the 1970's) it's usually the owner making the announcements, not the driver. It's amazing the pull, clout, and respect this man has in his sport. Junior Nation is definitely alive, well, and thriving!

On another note...you should be proud of me. Today, we (4 co-workers) took the golf cart to photographic services to pick out pictures to hang in our offices. When SUB, NGIO (New Girl In Office), and I were on the golf cart, SUB opened her mouth about my golf cart driving. This is the first time she has said anything since our event where H said she was a bitch because she kept talking about my driving at the event in fron tof strangers! I told myself that the next time she said something, I wasn't going to take it. If she can put me down in front of others, then, Damn it! I can stick up for myself around those same people. I said what I needed to say regarding the fact that I didn’t dump her out, I didn’t roll the cart, so obviously I had more control than she thought I did (I guess it's the racing blood in me coming out, but I really wasn't going too fast. I think she just wanted something to pick on me about). I also said to NGIO (with SUB sitting right next to her) that SUB brings this story up all the time. Maybe now she'll keep her mouth closed about this and LET IT GO! I’m proud of myself. I don't normally stand up for myself, but when I'm pushed to a certain point, I can't keep it in any longer. Our last event was the last straw. In case SUB decided to talk to my boss about the whole incident, I let MB know what happened since BB is now on maternity leave. I'd hate for her to hear about it from someone else. She was actually proud of me. I guess everyone seems to think I need to stand up for myself more. Go figure! :-) By the way, MIO actually drove the golf cart today and he bumped over curbs, bottomed out the cart, and bumped along the grass much more recklessly than I EVER did. Did SUB say anything about his driving? Nope! It seems she only says things about me. Obviously, it was high time I said something.

I even mentioned to MB that SUB seems to be under the impression that whatever I talk to EA (Executive Assistant) about SUB thinks it is her responsibility to come over and give me her $.02. MB said, “It could be worse. At least you don’t work in the same building as her.” I really like MB. :-) I told her what was said about my bulletin board and that I told SUB I wasn’t stupid. MB said the same thing I did (to myself)...what business is it of hers. HA! It feels good having someone in my corner for a change.

On another note, I have to say that I am really looking forward to getting those pictures hung on my office walls. I picked three. One of the BAS(Business AeroSpace Building) in Fall from across the wide grass area (full of leaves which are orange, red, and yellow). The second picture is of the BAS inner courtyard at night from the north side looking to the south. I absolutely LOVE this picture. [We went to the football suites at the stadium today and the President's suite has this same picture hanging in it.] Damn! I'm good. The third is of a walkway in the fog with trees and lamp posts lining both sides of the walkway. By taking this walkway,you would come to the BAS on your right. Of course, I didn't realize that all three photos were from the same part of campus. I noticed all this after looking over the proofs at my desk when we got back to the office when I was trying to decide what sizes the pictures need to be. Obviously, I had no clue how much being in a building for 3 years taking business classes affected me. :-) I have decided that the fog picture and the Fall picture will be 20x30 and will hang next to each other on the same wall, and the BAS courtyard will be 24x36 and will hang on the wall between the door and the window. I can't wait.

On yet another note... I weighed in last night. I have lost another pound. I'm pretty excited. I am not going to stress over the fact that I'm only losing one or two pounds at a time. That's a healthy rate to lose weight, a weightloss that's easy to keep off, and I'm actually more concerned about changing my bad eating habits to healthier habits than I am in losing a few pounds. Plus, Dale Jr. has come out with a candy bar "Big Mo's" that will be in stores in January. He's coming out with two flavors. They are chocolate with caramel and chocolate with peanut butter. Those are both winning combinations in my book. :-) I'm looking forward to trying them. I read online today that the ONLY other athlete to EVER have his name on a candy bar is Reggie Jackson. Go, Dale!

Until later...