Dunleavy's Blog

A life changing blog, The Final Chapter

This story could have had a much different outcome if it hadn't been for the wonderful owner and staff of The Green Burrito in Cypress.

My oldest brother and I took Mom back to The Green Burrito a couple days after her return. We thanked the staff and they told my Mom how good it was to see her again.

When they left us, she wanted to know who they were so we explained that they were the ones who found her and made sure she returned home safely. She insisted she had never… Continue

Added by Dunleavy on June 16, 2009 at 11:55pm — 3 Comments

A life changing blog, Part 3

Pondering on the vanished part, how does a 84-year old woman vanish?

My first thought and greatest fear is that someone offered her a ride. How else could a 84-year old with a walker and numerous health issues stay hidden for so long?

If you think about it for too long, it will drive you crazy. I went from being in shock to disbelief to fear to even anger. Anger at the gentleman who left her walk out.

I told my sister in the parking lot that afternoon that if we… Continue

Added by Dunleavy on June 16, 2009 at 10:16pm — No Comments

A life changing blog, Part 2

I apologize for waiting so long to post this and promise not to make you wait as long for the next part.

So...

After talking with Tom and my sister, I got back in my car and drove my nephew to my house. I left him there in case Mom showed up and then I went to the Sheriff Department.

Can you guess which Deputy was in the front when I showed up? You guessed it! The same one I had a problem with the last time I was in.

Our conversation… Continue

Added by Dunleavy on June 12, 2009 at 2:50am — 3 Comments

A life changing blog, part 1

Where do I start? It's been so long since I've posted on here on a regular basis. For those of you who know me, this won't be anything new to you. I guess I'll start with an event which happened in March. A life changing event. This seems to be the most logical place to start.

On Sunday, March 15th, I went out to breakfast with a dear friend of mine. Because of work schedules and family commitments, we're only able to get together once every couple of months. We can spend hours… Continue

Added by Dunleavy on June 3, 2009 at 1:30pm — 6 Comments

Fixation of a Broken Heart

Why is it we become fixated on tragic events

Such as a broken heart?

Certainly good things happen in life

But bad memories seem easier to recall I suppose.

I have never met anyone who has claimed

To have never had one ounce of good in their life.

Yet bitterness seems to take over

And while grasping the heart,

Sinks thorny barbs into its beating flesh

Squeezing the pulsating tissue until a wall of concrete

Ten feet deep and ten miles high… Continue

Added by Dunleavy on June 3, 2009 at 11:20am — No Comments

Illusions of You

You stepped into my life

If only for awhile.

Your friendship brought

Calm in my stormy sea.

At times I felt I was near insanity

But you caressed my hand,

Calmed my fears,

And quieted my tears.

You showed me

The turmoil within

And taught me to look

Toward the distant horizon.

I never thought we would be apart

But nothing ever stays the same.

Another cruel lesson learned

Was that you weren't perfect as I… Continue

Added by Dunleavy on June 3, 2009 at 2:05am — No Comments

Inner Demons

Sometimes I feel my heart will break.

It aches with such intensity

But I try to keep it under control.

I force it into a little iron box

And wrap it up so tight

So it seems it will surely smother.

I constantly tell myself

It is better to be alone.

When I am all alone,

No one can cause me pain or grief.

The only thing causing me pain

Is the fear and distrust within myself.

Lately, my heart has been rebelling

Against the… Continue

Added by Dunleavy on June 3, 2009 at 1:30am — No Comments

Chester Bennington and Linkin Park

Working in the same bakery for almost ten years has allowed me to meet some pretty nice people. Some of these people I'm honored to consider friends. Others leave marks and even though I would never be so bold to call them friends, I still consider them pretty cool.

Take for instance Chester Bennington of Linkin Park. When he's in town, we see him from time to time. He seems to be a pretty decent guy. Now if you asked me about Linkin Park, I'd tell you I wouldn't be able to pick out… Continue

Added by Dunleavy on June 1, 2009 at 2:00pm — 4 Comments

MrPoe and Lessons from my Dad

I understand that not all of you on The Ark like MrPoe. If you don't know him, then you might not get his twisted sense of humor at times. Believe me, he used to be worse. When we first began dating, he used to get really mad at himself over things which I thought were kind of stupid. I could actually feel the anger coming out of him. It was like this heavy sense of gloominess just emanated from his being or something. Being that I suffer from depression (that might surprise some of you), it… Continue

Added by Dunleavy on February 5, 2009 at 10:02pm — 4 Comments

Made the Long Beach Press Telegram!

The place I work at was mentioned in the Long Beach Press Telegram on Sunday, January 25th. Guess I better get that whip and practice some more!

What's Hot: Best breakfast contest has us waffling

By Tim Grobaty, Columnist

Posted: 01/25/2009 09:57:55 PM PST

ALMOST-BEST BREAKFASTS: As we write, the rain is pelleting at our window like thrown rice at a wedding. To paraphrase the poet Wallace Stevens, it is raining and it is going to rain. It puts us in… Continue

Added by Dunleavy on January 27, 2009 at 1:49am — 1 Comment

Need help

So customers are driving us crazy with ordering while on their cell phones. Rather than being polite and hanging up when they reach the register (or asking the person on the phone to hold while they place their order) they either ask the cashier to wait while the line reaches out the door or silently mouth their order. When we repeat it back they nod their heads yes and then get irritated when it comes out wrong. Is that our fault?

So I need to come up with phrasing for a sign to put… Continue

Added by Dunleavy on January 24, 2009 at 1:05am — 5 Comments

Update on Deception On His Mind by Elizabeth George

Damn this book is good! I'm currently on page 274. There just aren't enough free hours in the day to read this novel. Yes, it's still slow reading but it's much better now. I don't want to put it down. Sometimes on my break at work one of my co-workers will come and ask if I'm planning on coming back to work today. Oops.

Added by Dunleavy on January 22, 2009 at 11:36pm — No Comments

Taxes are done!

Out of curiosity, has anyone ever wanted to put a made-up occupation on their Federal Tax Form? I was thinking of putting Commander of the Fifth Planet in Ark Galaxy but then I thought that might get me in trouble. I don't want Syd to get ticked at me. : ) Seriously, I wonder if they pay any attention to that line.

So the taxes are done. I'll be getting back $1130 from the two. Not bad for less than ten minutes of work. As soon as MrPoe gets his W-2, I'll be figuring his as well. One… Continue

Added by Dunleavy on January 22, 2009 at 11:32pm — 2 Comments

Should I do my taxes or just go to bed?

So I got my W-2 from work tonight. I'm wondering if I should take the 10 minutes to do them or just go to bed? If I don't do them tonight I'll have to do them tomorrow. I need to get them in before the wonderful state of California starts issuing IOUs.

Hmm....

Added by Dunleavy on January 22, 2009 at 12:49am — 5 Comments

The Flu and A Little Sick Beagle

On Sunday I came home from work after a couple hours with the flu. I actually began coming down with it on Saturday although I refused to admit it was the flu. I wanted to believe it was the pizza I ate. You know, too much cheese or something.

So I went to work on Sunday and after running to the bathroom five times in about two hours, I decided it was time to go home. Upon arrival, my Beagle Lucy, immediately glued herself to me. She hopped up into bed and warmed my feet. Then when I… Continue

Added by Dunleavy on January 21, 2009 at 12:17pm — 3 Comments

Sewn With Dreams -- a poem

Sewn With Dreams

Yards of lace

Dozens of sequins and beads

Fabric, white

Crisp as snow;

Time yellowed.

Fragile beadwork

Created by loving hands.

Trained, talented

Dream makers.

Only a dress;

A beautiful dress

Designed with care.

Stolen sleeve from one,

Neckline from another.

Semi-cathedral train

Trailing after

Sharing visions

Of a precious bond.

Symbol of love;

Two… Continue

Added by Dunleavy on January 19, 2009 at 4:27pm — 2 Comments

Elizabeth George and Mom

Just a quick update. Mom is sick again. My brother will take her to the doctor on Thursday. We think it might be because she forgets to eat and drink water. As soon as we feed her, her dizziness goes away and she feels a little better. My sister bought her a nifty blue walker with a seat and a basket underneath. Hopefully she'll use this because she fell again today. So far we've been really lucky with the falls.

On another note, I have reached page 145 in Deception On His Mind. It's… Continue

Added by Dunleavy on January 14, 2009 at 2:47am — No Comments

My Brother Yelled At Me

I got lost today coming home from Long Beach. Well, not really lost. I was preoccupied and missed my turn. Ended up taking the long way home. Normally I wouldn't have minded, but I needed gas and there weren't any gas stations in the immediate area. Needless to say I arrived home in one piece.

My brother yelled at me last night when he got home. I had spent the evening with Mom at her apartment and it hadn't been a good night. He asked me how she was and I told him she was confused. She… Continue

Added by Dunleavy on January 12, 2009 at 11:24pm — 1 Comment

Stick Bagels, Cosmic Laws Regarding Bagels, A Pile of Shit and Craft Night

Some days are harder than others. What seems to be starting as a good day suddenly takes a turn downhill and leaves me wondering what the hell happened.

Looking back, I can see the signs. Stupid little things which really mean nothing by themselves. But when you're busy and trying to keep your head above water, all it takes is one little thing to start you sinking below water level.

We have an everything stick bagel at work. It's a bagel, shaped as a stick with sesame seeds, poppy… Continue

Added by Dunleavy on January 10, 2009 at 12:52am — No Comments

Inspector Lynley mysteries

I love the Inspector Lynley mysteries on PBS. I subscribe to Netflix and have almost watched all of them now. Some of them I've even watched twice.

For some reason I really enjoy the characters. I love a good mystery or thriller. Inspector Lynley comes from the upper class but doesn't like people to know it. He works hard, is good at what he does and occassionally comes across as arrogant. His partner is his opposite. Havers comes from the working class and also works hard. Because she… Continue

Added by Dunleavy on January 8, 2009 at 12:45am — 2 Comments

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