Whole Lotta Trouble

I guess I'm just not a blogger at heart

2010-07-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

You know, when this whole thing first came out, I thought, "Hey - I can do that!" And I did, for awhile. Then I stopped, for awhile. Then I started again. And on it went.

I guess that's what happens with everything for me. Shoot, I even have a Facebook account. When I first got on, I was posting on everything. Now, I just go to play Bejeweled. I use Status Shuffle to find things to put in my status, because I can't come up with anything that won't sound lame.

As you can tell, I haven't posted anything on my blog in ages. And I probably won't for ages after this. It's not that I don't want to. It's just . . . I don't really have much to say. Well, that's not true. I have things to say - but that old adage, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" keeps popping in my head. And most of the things I want to say could be construed as hurtful.

Truthfully, I don't want to be hurtful. I want to be fun and upbeat. I want to be that person people say, "She's so fun to be around/read/socialize with," etc. Sadly, my venom tends to leak out when I least expect it. I've never been able to hide my emotions. And if I'm angry, I will write angry, and that's not the person I want to be.

So, I'll just stay quiet until I have something good to say.

Just don't hold your breath until then . . .

Brian Cox Teaches Hamlet

2010-02-10T20:47:00.000-08:00

Yeah - I know I haven't had a proper post in ages. I'll get to it eventually. Until then - you've got to see this. It's entirely TOO CUTE!!!

Thanks to Kung Fu Monkey for the link!

Spiders on Drugs

2010-02-01T19:47:00.000-08:00

Last Work Day of the Year

2009-12-30T07:44:00.000-08:00

Yay! Today is my final work day of the year. I've decided to take New Year's Eve off and get the house in order for the ringing in of the New Year!

Just a short post to wish everyone a happy and safe New Year, if I don't get online tomorrow.

Discussion - Worst Christmas Present EVER

2009-12-28T08:57:00.000-08:00

As I was getting ready for work this morning, Hubby and I were watching the news. Their discussion topic today was What was the Worst Present You've Ever Received?

For me - it was easy to remember. Hubby and I were still dating, and we had Christmas at my mother's house. At the time, her boyfriend/roommate/whatever the hell he was had his daughter and her boyfriend, and their two kids over as well. Kim and I were friends when we were in high school, but never really close. You know those people you hang around with because fate threw you together? It's not necessarily because you would choose them as a friend, but there's really nothing wrong with them. Well, Kim was that kind of friend. Her dad was dating my mom, and we were close to the same age - so we kind of hung out. We're nothing alike in any facet of our lives. Basically - she was the pretty blond, and I was the smart brunette.

My mom - God love her. While growing up, she never made any secret that she wanted a blond haired blue eyed child. She even told me that if she'd had her wish - I'd look different because I'd have a different daddy. Nothing like giving your only child a HUGE complex about her looks, right?

Anyway - we're opening presents. It's all good. Kim gets her present from my mom. It was a beautiful, satiny emerald bathrobe. Mom just went on and on about how she saw this robe, and just fell in love with it. It was so pretty and sexy, and she thought the color would look great on Kim. Now, it's my turn to open my present from my mom. It was a robe, as well. A granny robe. Pink and white quilted material, floor length, and a tie in the middle. Mom's like, "I hope you like it!" I put on my best smile and thanked her, but I was absolutely SEETHING inside. Kim got the pretty, sexy robe because she's blond, and I got the granny robe, because I'm just the ugly dark kid.

Have you guys seen that commercial where the guy asks the two little girls if they want a pony, and he gives the dark haired girl a toy pony, and the pretty little blond girl the real pony? Yeah, it's like that.

Hubby still gets the giggles about it. He thought it was funny. However, he also made me feel better by telling me that I was much prettier than Kim (I'm not, but it made me feel much better). In fact, the picture of me in the robe on that Christmas evening hangs in our hallway. It makes me remember two things - 1) Always make your kids feel beautiful just the way they are; and 2) When getting similar gifts for the two girls, never make them so different that one feels slighted.

So - what was your worst Christmas gift ever?

Getting into the Christmas Spirit

2009-12-22T08:34:00.000-08:00

We got into the Christmas thing a little late this year. What with furloughs and employment issues, we just always seemed to be running behind.

Well, we finally got our Christmas tree last week, and decorated it up on Thursday. One week before Christmas Eve is the latest we've done it EVER. Then it sat there for five days without presents. It looked so pathetic! It wasn't that we hadn't bought any - I just hand't gotten off my derriere to wrap anything.

All that changed yesterday. I stayed home and did nothing but wrap and bake ALL DAY LONG. Our tree is now full of presents, and we are sufficiently goodied up. Let me see - I made nutty gooey bars, apple filled oatmeal bars, caramel oatmeal chewies, and peppermint bark. Kidlet made "Pink Peppermint Cupcakes" (homemade frosting supplied by mom, natrually). And Munchkin had a blast with the wooden mallet beating the peppermint candies to dust for both the bark and the cupcakes. Then the family got together last night and made goody baskets for my coworkers and our neighbors. By this evening, all the goodies will be delivered.

Now, all we have to do is make sure we have some goodies set aside for the Big Man's arrival on Christmas Eve!

If I don't post again beforehand, I hope everyone has a fantastic Christmas!!!

The Trials of Being a Teenager

2009-12-14T08:37:00.000-08:00

. . . or, how Mom can totally ruin a good feeling.

This past week and a half, Kidlet has been working on a research paper for science. Now, Kidlet isn't the best student in the world, and directions always seem to hamper her creative streak.

This paper, due today, was to be on alternative energy sources. Kidlet chose solar energy. Now, when she started, I set the page up per the teacher's orders. It was to be in "book" format, with 8.5 X 5.5 page dimensions, 1200 words of original text (excluding quotes), 12-pt type, and no fewer than 16 pages of writing, excluding title page and bibliography.

Around 2:00 PM yesterday, Kidlet comes into my room where I'm busy folding all the clothes.

"I'm done! Could you proof read it for me?"

As I sit down in front of the screen, something seems a little off. I check out the number of pages - and she had just enough for the minimum. The teacher indicated he wanted 16 pages, and she had 17 or 18. All we had to do was add in the bibliography, and we should be home free. Right? As I start reading it, Kidlet makes an offhand comment about "14". I didn't hear exactly what she said, but I knew as soon as I heard that number. She used the wrong font.

So, I went in and re-sized everything. As we went through the paper, I could see her heart breaking. It was awful to watch. After I was done, she had 13 or 14 pages. She still had to write more. So, I gave her a few tips on how she could elaborate on a few of the chapters, and let her go at it again.

By the time we were done with the paper, it was almost 8:00 PM. But, it should be okay to hand in today. At this point in time, if she gets a "C", I'll be ecstatic.

I know it's difficult for her to be my daughter. I never had any problems with school. I could write papers that would bring down a forest of trees. I could write short stories and essays with little more than a sentence for inspiration. Most math and science classes were a breeze. Kidlet . . . not so much. She has to struggle for everything, and frankly - I have no clue how to help her. I sit on the sidelines, offering help, but failing to get the concepts through to her. I dread projects like this, because I know there will be yelling, screaming, and tears.

So - if any of you parents or teachers out there have ANY words of wisdom, I would be happy to hear them. Because this child

is too beautiful and sweet to go through life hating school.

My daughter, the Who

2009-12-09T09:28:00.000-08:00

Marysville had it's annual Christmas parade on Saturday. Now that Munchkin is in Girl Scouts, she was allowed to officially join them in their float. (She was an unofficial girl scout last year, but they let her join them in the parade anyway. It's my opinion that they let her because she's just so damned CUTE!)

This year's theme was Christmas in Whoville. So all the girls made their hair up in true Who fashion. Here are a couple of pics of my Who-girl.

This Just In . . .

2009-12-06T16:07:00.000-08:00

The weather gods have heard my complaining, and will be blessing us with possible SNOW FLURRIES tomorrow!!!!!!!

*dances with joy*

Now, mind you, we California valley dwellers don't have to deal with this on a yearly basis, as some of you other-worlders do. So this is really exciting for us. It's supposed to hit tomorrow morning, possibly impacting morning commutes. That ought to be interesting . . . people driving in snow who don't typically have to do it.

If it wasn't for end of month reports due this week, I'd call in sick tomorrow just to watch it.

Too bad the snow is supposed to only be around tomorrow morning. Wonder what the house would look like, all lit up with Christmas lights, and SNOW!!!!!!

Woot!!!!!

UPDATE: Well, it snowed everywhere else BUT here. Sacramento, Rocklin, Citrus Heights, Antelope, Galt, Newcastle - all got snow. The only thing we got was a little rain. Oh, well. At least it's cold, and it feels more Christmas-y!

Oh yeah - I have a blog . . . .

2009-12-01T15:41:00.000-08:00

Sorry - long time, no post.

Not much happening. Work is work. Home is wonderful. Kids are healthy. Hubby is as good looking as ever.

Hope everyone here in the States had a good Thanksgiving. We had a nice, quiet day to ourselves. That's the good thing about living far away from relatives. Aparently, it's a pain in the ass to drive on holidays. Who'd have guessed?? *whistles innocently*

Well, now we're sliding into Christmas, and I'm out there joining all the crazy holiday shoppers - looking for the best deal on all the crazy stuff the kids just NEED to have.

You know what I hate most about living in California? I mean - aside from the insane governor, and the taxes that just about leave you penniless, and the laws that make it illegal to do anything fun. What I hate most AFTER all that is that it doesn't get cold enough before Christmas. I mean - we have winter. Sort of. It usually starts sometime in January, and runs till about early March. We'll get some wind, and some rain, and sometimes a little hail. But no snow. Shoot, sometimes we barely get any rain. It's all blue sky and sunny outside right now, and I'm sorry - but that's just not Christmas-y. I have a bunch of cute Christmas-type outfits, but I can't wear them. It's not cold enough. I refuse to run around in a red and gold spangly sweater with sweat stains on it. Just won't happen. But I WANT to wear that stuff. And how stupid would I look with my bright green sweatshirt with a snowman wearing a santa hat in February????

Okay - now that I have THAT off my chest - how's everyone else doing??

The best part about being a Mom . . .

2009-09-28T19:39:00.000-07:00

Munchkin wrote this to me on our computer:

YOU ARE PRETTY AND YOU ARE NICE AND YOU ARE FUNNY YOU ARE SMART YOU ARE A GOOD SWIMMER TOO!!!!!! YOU ARE COOL I LIKE YOUR LAUGH. TO MOM

What she lacks in grammar skills, she makes up in knowing exactly how to make me the happiest mommy on Earth.

Does this make me a bad person??

2009-09-21T08:03:00.000-07:00

What does the following say about me as a person?

I found out last week that one of my coworkers lobbied long and hard to try to prevent me from getting my new position. I mean, she cannot stand me at all. She went around to the people in the unit saying, "I don't care who gets this position, as long as it's not her." Meaning ME. She would see me talking to the boss, and tell people I was kissing up, kissing his ass, whatever the words were - the meaning was there. I even heard she called me "white trash". (I put the term in quotes because I find it funny that someone would consider me white - most people assume I'm Mexican).

Anyway, this news took me a little by surprise. Not the hating - because let's face it - you always know when someone doesn't like you. And, if I can be honest, the feeling is pretty mutual. I'm not a fan of hers, and would in no way, shape, or form spend any time outside the office with her. But the vehemence that she had aparently directed toward me is a little startling.

And it just made me giggle like a school girl.

I cannot help but find this extremely funny. Even four days later, I think of it, and I get a HUGE smile on my face.

Is that wrong?

I love xkcd

2009-08-03T15:45:00.000-07:00

Because I can

2009-07-18T20:12:00.000-07:00

Okay - please bear in mind that I've had a few drinks.

First - LOVE my new job. LOVE LOVE LOVE the people I work with. They have personalities. And they speak to you. And include you in on things like lunch. And maybe going to go get a coffee. So nice.

The job itself, however, needs a little adjustment. I had no idea that I would need so many reports to do one job. It's insane. There HAS to be an easier way. And I will find it. Just give me a little time. (and maybe a few shots. just sayin . . . )

Seriously, though. It's nice working with someone who will actually give me work to do. I kind of like it when I ask something, and I hear - "Not sure - why don't YOU find out?" It's so cool.

On my previous job, I'd ask to do things, and I'd get, "Well, why don't you try to do this, send it to me, and I'll see if it's as good as I can do it." Granted, it wasn't those exact words, but the meaning was there. I was so bored. I wasn't trusted to do anyting worthwhile. I just sat there, and kept hearing how my boss would never hire an associate to do a project analyst's job. So - I sat there. For a YEAR. Doing practically nothing. I would try to find ways to increase my duties, to no avail. "I don't want you to do that. THIS is much more important." THIS being checking various databases and seeing if they'd changed from day to day. A slug with half a brain could do what I did. It was frustrating and demeaning.

Now - not a problem. My new boss is asking me to devise a completely new system of reporting. I have so many ideas, my brain is exploding. I have to admit that I'm a little nervous. I'm new to the Budget arena. Not exactly sure what all of the terms mean, and what is important and what isn't.

But I know one thing - I'm genuinely happy right now. I know that working for the State of California kind of sucks right now (more on the budget situation in another post), but I love learning new things. I love taking what I know, and applying it to new processes, and helping out other people.

I like being valued. It's a cool feeling.

Spry old farts

2009-06-30T21:01:00.001-07:00

When hubby and I are . . . *ahem* . . . older, I want to be like this:

Granted, we'll probably have to learn how to dance first. Then, I suppose I'd have to stop leading. Hubby always complains when he has to be the bitch.

Editor's note: It's not my fault I lead. Dance Fever ruined my life. I was always bigger than all my friends, so I had to be the guy when we'd try to recreate the dances. I guess it stuck.

Damn it.

Laying Low for a Bit

2009-06-25T08:52:00.001-07:00

Hey there.

Just got a new job, and I'm in the middle of training. Since I typically only get online when I'm at work, you probably won't be hearing from me all that often for the next few weeks.

Just want to thank Earl for the local beer review. I will definately give the suggestions a try and report back.

I'll pop by everyone's blog when I can to read up and leave smart ass comments. I guess I can't quit cold turkey. :-D

I'll leave you with possibly my favorite picture taken of me. My mom snapped it when I was completely oblivious to her (which is very difficult to do, believe me). I didn't even know she had it until it turned up on a disc my cousin made of a bunch of family photos. This was taken when Kidlet was about three, and it's (obviously) Easter. I was completely entralled with her, and had to take a camera everywhere. Easter was always my favorite, because I'd get to dress her up, and she looked so adorable. I think I have about a million Easter pictures of my girls.

See ya!

The bane of my existance

2009-06-16T21:10:00.000-07:00

For the past two months, my sleep has been interrupted.

This bird

has been sitting outside our house and singing all fucking night long. Well, not exactly THAT bird. It's a fair approximation. It's some form of mockingbird. Click on the video below, and you'll be able to hear what I do every single damned night.

I swear, I am going to kill it. It's nice when you're awake, and you're hearing it from a distance. Unfortunately for my family, it's a loud fucking bird, and that light pole you see is about 15 feet from my daughters' windows. Even in the back of my house, I can hear this bird at full volume.

How does one eradicate a mockingbird? I'm really tired of the car alarm tweet (I really had no idea that it was copying a car alarm until a coworker mentioned it). If I don't get rid of it soon, I may just do something rash. And I can't afford something rash.

In preparation . . .

2009-06-15T08:52:00.000-07:00

You know, the only reason I ever agree to have parties at my house is so I can get my family together for a week or two before and CLEAN EVERYTHING.

Munchkin is having her very first pool party on Saturday. Last week, I had the girls clean all their garb . . . *ahem* . . . stuff out of the front room. The front room is the first room as you open the door. Everyone is in the habit of just dropping whatever they're carrying on the loveseat there. Jackets, books, papers from school, art projects, toys, everything. We still had winter jackets laying out there. But - all clean now! Yay!

I finally got rid of our fish tank. We haven't had fish in, like, three years. Maybe longer. I don't remember. But, we had the 25 gallon fish tank still sitting in our entertainment center. Now - GONE! It's replaced by hubby's record player I gave him for Christmas a few years ago (which was sitting on a little try table off in the corner). Oh yeah - I know how to decorate, let me tell ya!

(Yes, that last sentence was dripping with sarcasm. I have NO decorating sense whatsoever.)

The kitchen - clean! I was down on my hands and knees SCRUBBING the floor. The cabinets are all scrubbed and polished. The refrigerator, which was covered in children's artwork and more magnets than space, is now cleaned to a nice gleaming white, and the artwork is in a nice pile on the dining room table (haven't gotten to THAT room yet). The stove and diswasher have been scrubbed, and look almost as good as new!

Only problem is . . . we're expecting approximately a dozen kids next weekend (along with parents). My clean house is going to get trashed in about 4 hours.

But for now . . . BLISS!!!

Men - just get used to it, okay?

2009-06-09T08:16:00.000-07:00

It only gets worse from here! :-D

Happy Graduation!!!

2009-06-04T21:05:00.000-07:00

My Kidlet graduated from 8th grade tonight.

I'm so proud of her!!

Go ahead, tell me how beautiful she is. I can take it.

Perils of being a teenager's parent

2009-06-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

Okay out there - I need some input.

Kidlet, my oldest, has had a boyfriend for about a year. We'll call him Robert.

He's a cute kid. Doesn't put any pressure on my beautiful girl. They hang out together with a bunch of kids. They like video games. They play role playing games. Yes, I realize I'm raising a geek, but that's okay with me.

Cut to this Sunday. Kidlet was helping her dad outside. She told him she wanted to call Robert and see if she could go over to his house. Hubby told her that if Robert wanted to spend time with her, he would have to call her, not the other way around. It struck me that Robert rarely calls, and only comes over when he's picking Kidlet up for a school event, or when there's at least two or three other kids with him, and they're all hanging over at our house.

Kidlet was (naturally) quite upset with this, and said that "boys don't do that these days." I told her that I agreed with her father, and that if Robert wanted to see her, he could call.

I realize that Robert is scared of Hubby. Any normal boy would be. I mean - Hubby can be very threatening. He is a large framed man who favors weapon themed decor. No teenaged geek in his right mind would willingly enter our house and step one millimeter out of line, for fear of being buried deep in some unknown area of desert, food for scorpions and snakes.

But, shouldn't he at least call if he wants to see his girlfriend? Or is Kidlet right? Do boys leave it up to the girls now?

Diets suck

2009-05-27T11:55:00.000-07:00

Well, since I lost my workout partner (thanks to her asshat ex husband), I decided to bite the bullet and actually *gasp!* go on a diet.

I hate diets. I can't stay on them. I have the willpower of a starving person at a buffet.

Oh, I start the day out okay. Bran cereal. Fruit and yogurt. Low fat fruit smoothies.

Lunch gets a little dicey. If I stick with what I bring for lunch, I'm okay. Usually some form of chicken, some veges, some fruit or carrot sticks. Typical boring stuff. However, there are many times I hear the siren call of Taco Bell or Burger King, and I find myself in the drive-thru, ordering nachos or a whopper jr with cheese and extra pickles.

Along about 2:00 PM is when everything goes to hell in a handbasket. I start looking for goodies. My boss leaves a bowl of mini chocolate candies on her desk. If anyone has had morning meetings, they'll leave the leftover donuts or bagles in the kitchen. Or, if I'm really in a bad way, there's always the vending machine from Hell downstairs. It's filled with all varieties of chips, cookies, and candy a muncher like myself needs to add extra poundage to the hip area.

By the time I get home, all bets are off. Kidlet made cookies? At least two will be downed before dinner. Bad day at work? Who needs broiled chicken and veges? I say lets cook up some bratwurst and macaroni and cheese to make those workday blues go away. And we cannot forget the drink or two (or four) if I'm feeling particularly pissy about certain coworkers. And what dinner would be complete without some kind of dessert after? Not my dinner, that's for sure! Let's dish up the pistachio ice cream - at least two scoops to make a proper dessert!

Now, I'm staring Summer in the face, dreading asking friends over for swim parties, because it means I have to show up in a swim suit. So, I'm attempting to do the Weight Watchers points thing. I'm not actually going to Weight Watchers. That entails spending actual time out of my day, and paying money to people to tell me how fat I am. Sorry - not going to happen. A wonderful coworker has all the information from when she was on the diet (and she followed it and looks FABULOUS!), and she has given it to me.

I know I am supposed to stay under 24 points. I know that when I want that Whopper Jr with cheese and extra pickles . . . 11 points. Nachos? 10 points per serving (I didn't ask how many servings are in an order - I didn't want to know). But, I can still eat them. I just have to not eat much else the rest of the day.

If I seem extra grumpy for the next few weeks, you'll know why. However, after that, I should start looking even more fabulous than I do now.

So hopefully this . . . .

will look a little more like this . . .

Back to "Normal"

2009-05-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

Well, Hubby started his new job today.

*sigh*

I have to admit, I really enjoyed him being home the past few months. He's been volunteering with Munchkin's school. Whenever anything needed to get done with the girls, he was there for them. The weekends have been much nicer - he got things done during the week, and we'd actually get to spend time together as a family. He'd stop by my office during the week, and we'd be able to have lunch together.

Wah.

All I need to do now is get a substantial raise, so I can tell him he can quit his new job and stay home and be a house husband.

Either that, or win the Lottery.

:-D

Have a good Monday, everyone!

Karma's a Bitch

2009-05-12T11:53:00.000-07:00

Hello, Beautiful People!

Hope everyone had a good Mother's Day weekend.

My birthday/Mother's Day was beautiful. The weather was gorgeous. My coworkers decorated my desk in a FESTIVE birthday salute (ie - no black 'Over the Hill' garbage), bought me yummy coffee and scones from my favorite coffee house, and topped it all off with ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins, and home-made carrot cake cupcakes. Yes, I LOVE these people.

My family was even more wonderful. Kidlet made a coconut cake for me, and hubby bought pineapple sherbet to go with it (I like sherbets even more than I like ice cream). Munchkin made the cutest picture for me to hang in our bedroom. I didn't have to lift a finger from Thursday through Sunday. On Mother's Day, Kidlet made me breakfast in bed, Munchkin gave me a plant and a homemade card, and Hubby and the girls bought me the most wonderfully scented candle. Hubby took care of everything I could possibly want all weekend. I am truly the luckiest girl on Earth.

The latter half of Sunday, our new neighbor lady from across the street came over to escape from her brood. We ended up going swimming and having a good time just relaxing. She left our house around 6:30, saying she'd better go home and make sure everyone was okay.

When I came home from work yesterday, she called me over to her place. Thinking she was going to give me some of the vegetables from her garden, I hopped on over. She was in the back yard crying. It seems her husband decided to tell her on Mother's Day that he wanted a divorce.

Say it with me, ladies: ASS HOLE

He broke this to her after she left our house Sunday evening. He couldn't wait for another day, because he's just that kind of guy.

So, now, she's packing up and taking herself and her girls back to Washington. This sucks. I finally get a neighbor who I really like, and can spend time with, and has a child Munchkin's age to play with, and her husband messes it up for me. I spent two hours consoling my youngest, as she's losing her close friend. They exchanged little gifts last night, and it broke my heart.

Now, I understand that not all marriages work out, and it's better to end a bad relationship than keep going for the kids' sake, or whatever. But seriously, dude, timing is everything. Mother's Day? Plus, their anniversary is Saturday. And - he could have waited four weeks so her oldest could finish up the school year. Thanks to him, she's going to have to repeat the 4th grade.

As the old saying goes - Karma is a bitch. And, unfortunately for him, she lives right across the street.

Woo Hoo! My 200th Post!

2009-05-06T13:10:00.000-07:00

Yay!

Go me!

Okay - now wtf should I write?

Oh! I should mention that this will be my VERY LAST post as a 'thirty-something'.

That's right - tomorrow is the big day. I cannot believe I made it. Actually, I take that back. I can believe I made it. I just can't believe I still look this good.

Ha!

In other news - I have sworn off alcohol for awhile. Hubby, the kids, and I had dinner with the new neighbors on Saturday. They made spaghetti, and I made meatballs, salad and garlic toast. And we had alcohol.

Lots and lots of alcohol.

Or, maybe I should rephrase that.

I had lots and lots of alcohol. Between the 4 of us, we polished off a bottle of vodka and a bottle of wine. To the best of my knowledge, I had 6 or 7 vodka/whatever juice we were mixing at the times. I may have had more. I'm not really sure. I was the one mixing the drinks, and I make STRONG drinks.

I was still inebriated then next morning.

Now, I'm supremely lucky in that I don't get hangovers. Believe me - I thank TPTB for that. Because if they're anything like how I felt Sunday morning, it sucks to be an average human.

So, I shall be ringing in my 40th with cake and ice cream and lots of yummy food. I'll save any harder partying for some distant day in the future, thankyouverymuch.

See ya!

Because I'm too chicken to post about my work

2009-04-30T08:34:00.000-07:00

I just don't want to get Dooced, cuz you never know how closely IT is watching us. And they already don't like me.

I found this at xkcd.com. I LOVE LOVE LOVE these comics. Some of them are a bit mushy, but sometimes the sarcasm hits just right, and I'm rolling. Go over and see them. If I had any ambition whatsoever, I'd put a linky thing up. Maybe later.

Toodles!

Seeing the Light - whether I want to or not

2009-04-27T11:19:00.000-07:00

Okay, this may be a little TMI, but so be it.

When I get up in the middle of the night and have to . . .well . . . go, I never turn on the bathroom light. I just don't see the reason to have to turn on the light, wake myself up even more than necessary, just to let go of some excess liquid. After all, I know where everything in my bathroom is located. And, if I keep things nice and dark, I can go back to bed with a minimum of hastle, and get an extra hour or two of sleep.

This practice, sadly, has changed.

While getting ready for bed the other night, I happened to look in the bowl after I was finished. Hanging there by a little thread between the lid and the water was a teeny little spider.

Eeek!

Now, I'm not all girly. I don't (usually) freak at the sight of spiders. Wasps/bees/various other stinging creatures are a whole different story. But spiders I can pretty much handle.

Unless they come precariously close to my pink parts.

Then I'm a total girl.

I can't go in the dark anymore. I keep thinking there's going to be a big freaking spider down there, and I have to turn on the light and look.

If I seem a little more tired than usual, now you know why.

Have a good Monday everyone!

A Rose is a Rose . . . or not

2009-04-24T12:33:00.000-07:00

I have a question for the gentlemen.

Hubby and I were (for some ungodly reason) watching E! yesterday, when that idiot Kardashian program came on. I wasn't paying attention, but aparently Hubby was. He said something about that "look" being hot on Kim K, because he knew she wasn't really all that smart. I looked up to see Ms. K in a pair of glasses, with her hair pulled back (aka - the Sexy Librarian).

I looked at my loving husband quizzically, and he informed me that particular look was made even hotter on Ms K because everyone knows she's not really that intelligent, so it's like role playing, or some such nonsense.

So, because she looks smart, but isn't, that's considered sexy?

And when someone who actually HAS brains does the Sexy Librarian look, it's not sexy?

Guys? Do I have this right?

And if that is right . . . WTF????

This is gonna be interesting

2009-04-22T09:51:00.000-07:00

We have new neighbors.

That's nothing new. We're ALWAYS getting new neighbors. We live near a military base, so the influx and outgo of neighbors is quite high.

Our new neighbors seem great. Their oldest and my youngest struck up an instant friendship. That was wonderful, since Munchkin doesn't have many kids in the neighborhood her age who can play. And, as the overprotective Mom, I don't allow her to go the three blocks to the nearest classmate to play, unless I walk with her (which, lets face it, it almost never - as I am a lazy slob).

The mom has a wicked sense of humor, and we seem to get along really well. She called yesterday, and asked if I would like to accompany her a few times a week to the base gym to work out.

Me? Work out? In public? I think not.

Let's just say that I'm not entirely keen on the whole gym thing. I'm super self-conscious. When I work out, I do it at home. Alone. With NO ONE watching. Not even my husband.

"Sure! That sounds great!" I heard myself say.

WHAT?!!!

Well, it seems I've gotten lazy. I know it. My wardrobe is definately showing signs of the strain. I used to get up between 4:00 and 5:00 AM to do my workouts. Now, if I get up at 5:30, and fit in a half an hour of yoga, I'm doing good. And I'm not good that often.

So, I'm going to break one of my rules. I'm actually going to work out where people can see me. Maybe it will shame me into actually showing some signs of progress.

Wish me luck. If I die of embarassment, I'll have Hubby dear write my obituary.

Waiting for the Train

2009-04-21T09:09:00.001-07:00

I can't get this post to align correctly. Oh, well. If you've scrolled down to find this, click on play. It put a big smile on my face.

Have a good week, everyone!

Sound of Music Train Station @ Yahoo! Video

Good for Groans

2009-04-17T08:29:00.000-07:00

It's Friday - and I figure we all just need a laugh. Or groan, considering the material.

Have a good weekend, everyone!!!!

The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.

I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.

She was only a whisky maker, but he loved her still.

A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class because it was a weapon of math disruption.

No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.

A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.

A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.

Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other, "You stay here; I'll go on a-head."

I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.

A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab center said: "Keep off the Grass."

A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital. When his grandmother telephoned to ask how he was, a nurse said, "No change yet."

A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.

Don't join dangerous cults, practice safe sects!

The short fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium, at large.

The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.

A backward poet writes in-verse.

In democracy it's your vote that counts. In feudalism it's your count that votes.

When cannibals ate a missionary, they got a taste of religion.

Don't you just hate it when this happens?

2009-04-15T10:11:00.000-07:00

Hubby and I were bantering back and forth Monday evening, after I came home from work. He said something so funny, my first thought was - I HAVE TO BLOG THAT. However, I had just published the blog entry below, and thought, I'll just wait until tomorrow to put that up.'

Well, tomorrow came and went with me in meetings and running all over trying to get things done, and I (obviously) didn't get around to it.

Now, I'm sitting here, and I can't for the life of me remember what it was he said that was so flipping funny. I know it was snide and caustic, and aimed toward me (most of his humor usually is, but then again - I make such an easy target). It was brilliant. It would have made him an instant legend to the three whole people who actually read my blog.

But I can't remember it.

I HATE it when that happens.

Take THAT, Mr. Lard-A$$ Former Boss

2009-04-13T11:05:00.000-07:00

The excerpt below was stolen from MSN Health

"10 Secrets of the Effortlessly Thin
They move, stand and fidget more. "Thin people are rarely sitting," says Fleming. Beyond their regular fitness routines, they simply move around more—and consequently burn more calories—throughout the day. And a study at the Mayo Clinic confirmed this: Researchers found that on average, a group of lean subjects sat for two hours a day less than the obese subjects, potentially burning up to 350 additional calories. "

When I was 19, I worked for a local construction-type firm. The work was fairly easy, and I was in charge of the billing for two of the offices (one in Petaluma, one in Reno). Now, the way I have always worked is - I finish a task all the way through, so I don't have anything lingering that I will forget to do. If I had an invoice I needed to fax to the field office after I printed it, I would do it right away. I'd post the charge, fax, file everything away, then start on my next task. Very efficient, in my mind.

Apparently, not so much to the President of the company. He actually spent a morning spying on me from his office. He brought me in right after lunch, and proceeded to detail my every move that morning. I left my desk 9 different times, and he detailed the amount of time I was gone from my desk each time. I was flabbergasted. This man made how much money, and he was doing what with his time? I gave him a detailed accounting of my activities each time I was gone from my desk (I faxed a document, I made copies, I got coffee, I went to the bathroom, I am allowed a break, etc). After detailing all my sojourns, he informed me that, in the future, I am to hold all my copies for one trip at the end of the day. Same with faxing. In his mind, he paid me to sit at my desk and work. Never mind the fact that I was the one bookkeeper who actually balanced her books before everyone else, and had NEVER been late with my end of month reconciliations. Also never mind the fact that I always balanced. Every single month. No other bookkeeper had that record, not even my supervisor. See, I was costing him money because I was making copies.

My supervisor wasn't too happy with me the next day when I asked her permission to go to the bathroom. She told me I was taking it too far. Needless to say, I wasn't at that establishment too much longer. Something about my attitude . . .

A few years later, I found out that the President of the company died of a massive heart attack. Now, I don't wish ill on anyone. However, I wasn't heartbroken about it either. Maybe if he'd gotten off his fat butt to go make copies a few times a day, he might still be around today.

Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go make some copies.

Ciao!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T10:10:00.000-07:00

Hope all of you out there are having a Blessed Easter.

You have to wonder if one of these days, my children are going to blame me for humiliating them publicly . . .

What I'm listening to . . .

2009-04-07T21:32:00.000-07:00

I've been listening to this guy so much lately . . .

Hope you enjoy!

R.I.P. Lorne.

2009-04-01T13:19:00.000-07:00

Andy Hallett, who starred as Lorne ("the Host") on the TV series Angel, died of heart failure last night at age 33, according to his longtime agent and friend Pat Brady. The actor passed away at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles after a five-year battle with heart disease, with his father Dave Hallett by his side.

What the F were they thinking?

2009-02-09T09:46:00.001-08:00

Who nominated Coldplay for Rock album, anyway???

And Chris Martin stating they were "limestone kind of rock". What the hell is THAT??? They're more like sand than rock. Hell, Carrie Underwood rocks harder than they do.

Speaking of Ms. Underwood . . . Honey, neither that song, nor that awful getup you wore onstage did you any favors whatsoever. Next time, try to stay on the beat.

My "babies"

2009-02-06T14:45:00.000-08:00

All is well, I suppose

2009-01-09T13:28:00.000-08:00

Really nothing new out west.

California is still in a budget crisis. You know - I like living here. The weather's nice. There's pretty much a climate for everyone. We have the ocean. We have mountains. We have valleys. We have rivers and hills and lakes. And, other than the occasional trembler, we don't get devastating weather patterns like hurracanes and tornadoes, and such. I work for the State, which - under NORMAL circumstances - is a very stable job with decent benefits.

However, I'm getting to the point that - if things get much worse around here - I may seriously consider putting the house on the market and getting outta Dodge.

I probably won't be updating my blog very often, but I won't shut it down entirely. I will still lurk around my friends' blogs, and post comments. But, in all honesty, I don't have a heck of a lot to post about. Other than bragging about my gorgeous kids, natrually. :-D

So, I'll sign off with a couple of cute pics of the family on a recent trip up to the snow. Have fun, ya'll!

Congratulations Penny and Mossy!!!

2008-12-31T10:00:00.000-08:00

Penny gave birth yesterday to a healthy 8 lb baby boy!

Congratulations to Mommy and Daddy!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Monkey!!!

2008-09-24T08:39:00.002-07:00

Dani's baby turns the big 1 today!!!!

Woot!

Happy birthday, baby!

Birthday post

2008-09-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

No - it's not my birthday!

But, Motherdear gave me an idea, via Penny (I'm too lazy to link, so go to my links on the left to visit them).

What famous people do you share a birthday with?

Here's a list of the funny one's who share mine:

Johannes Brahms . . . made a name for himself by putting people to sleep
Gary Cooper . . . made a name for himslef by acting like he was sleepwalking through all his roles
Eva Peron . . . became famous by marrying a politician . . . then getting all political . . . then dying
Traci Lords . . . became famous by . . . welll . . . YOU know. ;->

So - who do YOU share a birthday with?????

Yeah, I've been called a Bitch before . . .

2008-09-16T14:51:00.000-07:00

. . . . and I'm sure I'll be called that (and worse) for a long time to come.

See, I'm a huge proponent of gay rights. One of my happiest days this past year was when the state of California realized that the ban on gay marriage was, in fact, oppression of civil rights. Woot!

Now, naturally, right wing religious conservatives want to overturn the California Supreme Court's decision, and take away people's rights. These are the people who, I'm sure, would have lobbied for "separate but equal" back in the early part of the 20th Century.

Saturday afternoon, while hubby and I were in the middle of some major cleaning project, we got a knock on the door. I answered. Two women in conservative suits and styled up-do's were standing on my doorstep. They asked if I was familiar with Proposition 8. I asked them to refresh my memory.

They replied, "You know, the gay marriage proposition."

And they said the word "gay" in almost a whisper - as if God almighty would strike them down for uttering such a vile word. And they had "Yes on 8" buttons adorning their oh-so-conservative suits.

You guys would have been so proud of me! I know hubby was. I just looked at them (actually, SCOWLED might be a better word for it), and said, "Please, LEAVE."

And I shut the door on them.

But, not before I saw the look of surprise on their pinched, ugly little faces.

Yeah - I know . . .

2008-09-06T15:45:00.000-07:00

I haven't updated for almost a month.

I have no excuse, other than the fact that I'm lazy. Well, that and I don't want to post at work, due to the fact that the IT Department aparently runs audits of the accounts.

Let's see . . . what have we done lately?

Well, we got word that hubby's dad was in bad shape, so we dropped everything and ran down to Los Angeles. We spent four days there, and I came to the realization that: 1) my husband is the only person worth anything in his immediate family, and 2) there is a reason I don't associate with anyone in my extended family. I don't mind cooking for others when I volunteer for it. It's another thing entirely when I'm expected to do it. I tend to get a little rankled.

Pop-in-law seems to be doing better. He had surgery, and is recovering. We're still ready to drop everything at a moment's notice, but we're breathing a little easier now.

The kids started school at the end of August, and we're getting back into the swing of things. Kidlet is enjoying eighth grade - it's her final year before we ship her off to the big bad high school. She may even have a real boyfriend soon. One of her best friends is starting to become . . . more than a friend. He's so cute. He bought her a balloon bouquet for her 13th birthday. Awwww! Munchkin, meanwhile, is wowing her first grade teacher. She already has all her sight words for the year figured out. She's in the highest reading group, and can do a week's worth of homework in about 15 minutes.

Before school started, however, we went to the State Fair. So much fun! I'm including some pictures we took. We decided to go on Kids' Day - so all the rides were $1. Can't beat that! I bought about $60 worth of tickets, and we just went to town. Spent about 7 hours there, doing nothing but eating junk food, riding the rides, playing the games. It was so much fun. One of the rides we went on was this boat ride. Each boat was equipped with three water cannons. So, Daddy and Kidlet were on one boat, and Munchkin and I were on another boat. For five to ten minutes, we just soaked each other!!!! The one picture of the girls and I where we look like we've just fallen into a lake? Yeah - that's the one. That was taken just after that boat ride. We looked like that for an hour!

Kidlet turned 13 last month. So, it's official. I'm now the mother of a teenager. Please pray for me. LOL. Daddy got her REAL jewelery for her birthday (some black hills gold). I got her a Nintendo DS. She hasn't put it down since.

Not much else going on. State of California's legislators are complete morons who can't pull their heads out of there asses for 10 minutes and see what their grandstanding is doing for the state. The whole minimum wage deal is supposed to go in front of the courts next week. So, if the judge says it's okay for Arnie to pay us $6.55 per hour, that's what I get paid for the month of September. Meanwhile, the idiots who are supposed to be working on our budget have decided to not do their jobs, and go to the Democratic and Repubican conventions. Because, you know, having a party is so much more important than . . . I don't know . . . figuring out a spending plan for one of the largest economies in the world. I try not to get too political, but I swear I'm going to try to buy billboard space up and down the entire state to urge voters to not re-elect any of the incumbents for the next three voting cycles. Fucking assholes are getting paid over $100 per day in per diem for every day they work past 6/30. They're not doing their jobs, and taking a blase attitude about how their failures are affecting everyone in the state.

Grrr.

Okay, I have my wine. I'm drinking my wine . . . calming down . . . Alright. I'm okay.

So - such is my life. Go ahead and tell me how completely adorable my kids are. I can take it.

Hey! I'm a Mustang!

2008-08-14T12:28:00.001-07:00

Other than the fact that I really don't like Fords, this is pretty cool.

I'm a Ford Mustang!

You're an American classic -- fast, strong, and bold. You're not snobby or pretentious, but you have what it takes to give anyone a run for their money.

"Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

And I will get back to blogging again soon. I just need to find a time to blog that's not during the work day. Especially since I'm supposed to be learning my new job, and the lovely State of California is considering cutting jobs again. Probably wouldn't look too good to TPTB if my post publishing times were during the 8:00AM to 5:00 PM that I'm supposed to be diligently earning my $6.55 per hour.

Nothing new happening here . . .

2008-08-06T20:30:00.000-07:00

Still earning $6.55 per hour, according to Arnie.

The lovely, wonderful Controller Chiang is still giving Arnie the finger, letting everyone know there is no way he's going to comply with the order.

I think he should run for Governor. I'd certainly vote for him.

Work is good. Kinda boring, but good.

The kids are doing great. School starts on the 20th, and I'm sure Hubby-dear is counting the days. He's been stuck at home with both kids these past two weeks. Although, he swears they're complete angels until I come home.

Figures. I only see their demon-side. Must be something I did while they were in-utero. Probably all the scary books, movies, and TV I watched. Hubby did warn me, but I refused to listen. Damn.

Still trying to get a taste for red wine. Hasn't happened yet. And I realized last night that Hubby doesn't really like to kiss me after I've had a glass. He's not a big red wine fan, either. Grrrr.

OH!!!! I almost forgot. I had some friends from jr high/high school over this weekend for a bbq. One of my best friends, whom I've known since 8th Grade, married her HS sweetheart 15 years after they lost touch with each other. I had band with her hubby when we were in jr. high. I didn't really interact with him, but I knew exactly who he was. Even 15 years after graduation, when BFF told me he got back in touch with her, I could describe him to a "t". Anyway, come to find out, the reason we didn't interact with each other in band was because I was part of the "Bitch Clarinet Section".

Oh. My. God.

I was a bitch!

Not only that, according to BFF's hubby, BFF and I were part of the "popular crowd".

Can you believe it????

I was popular, and I wasn't even able to enjoy it!

I always just thought I was a band-geek. Or, one of those "smart kids". You know - the pocket-protector crowd.

I suppose, to kids even geekier than I was, I must have seemed popular.

Who knew????

Stupid Governor Arnie

2008-07-30T21:46:00.000-07:00

Starting tomorrow, my wages will drop to $6.55 per hour, and stay at that rate until the damned California government can pass a budget. Which, by the way, is not expected for weeks.

If that bastard actually signs the executive order, and makes the Controller comply (which the Controller has point blank said he won't comply with), and I get my August paid in minimum wage, you had better believe I and the rest of the State work force is going to be sueing the lovely state we live in.

But . . . but . . . I FEEL healthy!

2008-07-26T20:16:00.000-07:00

Stupid doctors.

I had to go to an appointment for them to renew my prescriptions. The PA took my blood pressure, then checked my chart, and very sweetly told me that since this is the third time my blood pressure has been over normal, I am now officially diagnosed with High Blood Pressure.

Gah!

She has given me two months to try to lower it with diet, exercise, etc. If I can't reduce it naturally, she's gonna put me on drugs.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This sucks.

Not that getting healthy sucks. What sucks is having a family with a history of HBP and high cholesterol. I eat fairly healthful meals. I exercise. Well, okay - I don't exercise as much as I should. But I DO exercise.

My only really bad habit is alcohol. Which, admittedly, I probably drink more than I should. Hey - you try being the last in a long line of bartenders, and try not to drink. It's practically impossible.

So, I'm sitting here drinking my one glass of red wine (which I'm not a HUGE fan of - I'll drink it if that's what's offered, but I'm more of a whiskey type of gal). I'm drinking it because it's supposed to be good for me, and it's now the only little bit of alcohol I'm allowing myself. I had a veggie sandwich for dinner. I've cut my sodium intake by at least half.

And, starting tomorrow - I am going to attempt to work out at least 5 times per week.

If anyone has any hints on how to make food taste good without salt, I'm all ears. Cuz the substitutes I've tasted so far have no taste.

Oh - the drama!

2008-07-18T06:31:00.000-07:00

It's been a heck of a couple weeks.

Remember when I got my new job? And how happy I was with it? Well, that nearly changed.

Before I get all into this story, there are a few people you need to be introduced to:

BL - My Boss Lady
Dee - new employee, and new friend
DS - Dissatisfied supervisor
OB - Other boss (who happens to be pregnant)

Two weeks ago, my BL took her employees into a meeting, and let us know another supervisor, DS, would be acquiring one of her positions. DS would rather hire her own person, but due to budget cuts, she had to be happy with one of us. Ideally, one of us would volunteer for the job. We all looked at each other with an "I ain't volunteering for nuthin" look on our faces.

Now, DS used to run our unit. THen, she took on this special assignment, and BL got forcibly transferred to become the supervisor of our unit. When BL came over, this unit was in shambles, and many of the existing employees were extremely resentful and mean and nasty. Over the next 10 months, the troublemakers left, and BL hired the beautiful, wonderful, most excellent crew she has now (myself included).

Seriously - I've never been in a group that has gotten along so well after only a few weeks. It's fantastic.

And they wanted one of us to volunteer to leave. Yeah, like that's going to happen.

So, they pulled three of us into an impromptu interview. To say we tried our hardest to downplay our naturally wonderful abilities would be an understatement.

Out of the three, DS narrowed the choice down to two - me and Dee. So the Big Boss pulled me and Dee into a meeting with DS, to try to get a better idea of our qualifications and personalities.

Dee is a sweet lady. She just relocated to a new city, new job, new everything, because she's getting married this year! Yay for Dee!

Due to all of this, Dee is a little stressed out as it is. Now, add to it the fact that she may be forced into a job she doesn't want, working for a supervisor whom everyone's been bad mouthing since we heard about this forced transfer business. I thought the poor girl was going to break down in tears right there in the boss's office.

So, I did the noble thing. I sort of volunteered for the job.

This was last Monday, I believe. I figured by Tuesday or Wednesday we'd have our answer.

Dee, being a little pessimistic, even with my most noble act, started looking for new jobs, because there was no way in hell she wanted to work for DS.

BL had told the Big Boss and DS that she wanted to know before they announced it. Unfortunately, BL got sick with an awful sinus infection/flu/cold last week, and was out Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

So, there we sat. Waiting. Kinda stressing. I kept trying to reassure Dee that DS would NOT choose her, because if she did, she would look like the biggest bitch on the face of the planet. Dee made her feelings quite clear in the meeting with the Big Boss that she did not need another thing adding to her already stressed new life. Plus, I volunteered.

Monday came, and still no word. BL came back to work (poor thing still looked green, she was not feeling well at all), and realized that no decision had been made. So, she marched right into the Big Boss's office and asked what gives.

Well, it seems DS heard from someone that Dee was looking for a new job. DS got the bright idea that if Dee left, that would leave an open position, DS would acquire the open position, and she would get to hire someone of her choosing. BL went marching into Dee's office, and asked about the job search. Dee assured her that she was only looking for jobs in case she got pulled into DS's position. BL relayed this information, and we waited.

The next day, we finally heard that DS had (I'm sure reluctantly) decided to pick me.

So, I was getting the "thanks for taking one for the team" pat on the back, blah blah blah. I was supposed to start working for the new boss starting next Monday. DS never even called me, came to my office, sent me an e-mail. Nothing. No welcome, here's your new duties. No thanks for coming aboard. The woman just decided I didn't exist.

Wednesday afternoon, BL's team and OB's team got together to discuss the approaching reorganization. See, I wasn't the only person being moved. However, people moving between BL's team and OB's team wouldn't be as stressful as my move would be. BL and OB get along famously, and most of their employees are all friends and work well together.

Aparently, after this meeting, one of OB's employees went up and talked to DS for two hours, and decided to transfer to DS.

No one really knows what made OB's employee do this. For whatever the reason, I owe that little princess BIG TIME. Because it means . . . I DON'T HAVE TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!

So, after two weeks of stress, a very noble act on my part, alot of whispering and scuttlebutt, it was all for nothing. If TPTB had been a little more broadminded, and opened up the job search to both teams instead of one, none of this would have happened. But, they're not as brilliant as I am.

Penny's Back! Mossy's Back! Larry's Back!

2008-07-11T09:17:00.000-07:00

Now, if we could just get Dani to start posting again, it'd be like old times . . .

Seriously guys - go check out

Penny

Mossy

, and

Larry

. They're great reads, and wonderful people.

Oh, and give Penny your congrats. She's a little pregnant . . .

The warranty was up

2008-07-06T18:28:00.000-07:00

Hello fellow bloggers!

I suppose I'll try to blog a little more frequently, but I'm not making any promises.

The family and I have been keeping ourselves busy for the past month. Summer vacation started, I began my new job, Lowk had surgery.

What? I didn't tell you about my dear hubby's surgery? Well, let me fill you in. Sit down and get comfy. Ready to get started? Okay - here goes.

About two months ago, hubby went to the doc (finally) about some awful pain in his shoulder. Due to the fact that family docs can do NOTHING anymore, he referred him, and then the referring doc had to run all kinds of tests, blah blah blah.

Turns out, he had a torn rotator cuff. Not only was it torn, it was torn in three different places. Seems hubby had some old injuries on his shoulder from his youthful heyday. The repairs they made WAY BACK THEN had worn out, and he needed the repairs updated. Yay. So, doc told hubby that he'd have to go in for surgery.

Hubby and I talked about it, and decided we'd wait to see what happened with his job. The position he had was a temporary position, but it had the chance to be made permanent after the contract was up. Well, a few days later, the idiot company decided not to hire hubby full time, so we scheduled the surgery. And I'm so very glad the company turned out to be idiots. I hated him working there.

The last week of June, hubby went in for outpatient surgery. They made 4 incisions, and used some kind of dissolving screws to patch him up. Long story short, he's supposed to be on Disability for anywhere from 2 to 4 months. Perfect timing! Kidlet is out for the summer, and had begged me not to send her to summer camp. Now, she has the fantastic job of taking care of Daddy for the rest of her break. Isn't she lucky????

Actually, as is par for the course, he's healing up just fine. He can't lift his right arm very far, but that hasn't stopped him from thinking he's completely invincible, and doing silly things like mowing the lawn one week after surgery. He's also made a few batches of homemade salsa, and a few dozen enchiladas. I have a feeling I'm going to get very fat this summer.

My job seems to be going very well. I think I'm learning quickly, and I really like the ladies I work with. I'm still working for my old boss, earning some overtime. In fact, I'm supposed to be working right now. *sigh* I should probably get on it. Bleh.

Hope all my US friends had a fantastic 4th of July!

Heaven Just Got a Little Funnier

2008-06-23T08:32:00.000-07:00

RIP, Mr. Carlin. You will always be my favorite comedian. You were one righteous dude.

Gotta love a man who became famous telling us what TV wouldn't allow us to say. In honor of his memory, here's the best list, ever:

Shit

Piss

Fuck

Cunt

Cock-sucker

Mother-fucker

Tits.

I'm not back from my break yet . . .

2008-06-18T08:33:00.001-07:00

. . . however, I have a little extra time that's been forced upon me.

Honestly, I think I'm a jinx to all computer systems.

First, at my new job, I was having issues logging in. Almost every day for two weeks, the computer refused to recognize my password, and I'd have to contact the help desk and get them to reset it.

Then, at my old job (for whom I'm still working through the end of this month on an overtime basis), their IT branch brought the Web based e-mail server down over the weekend to install some updates (or some such IT hocus pocus). It was supposed to be back up Sunday night. It's now Wednesday, and it's still down. Which means I'm still down. I can't access any of the quotes I had various companies e-mail me last week. I have two contracts I can work on, but after I get them done, that's pretty much it until the Webmail comes back online.

Now, today, at my new job again, our M-drive is gone. It was there yesterday. The M drive is where all the work for our unit is. Everything. Our templates, our downloads, our reports. Pffffft. All gone.

So, we're just sitting here. I don't really want to do work for my other agency at my new job. But if IT can't find the M drive soon, I may have to.

UPDATE: Boss came and told me IT found our drive. I can get back to work!

Wait - why am I happy about this????? I must be sick.

Have a good day, ya'll!!

Taking a break

2008-06-11T08:53:00.000-07:00

Hey guys -

I've decided to take a bit of a break from blogging. I'm working two jobs, and trying to spend as much time with the family as possible.

I will return, probably in a month or two.

I will still comment on your blogs from time to time, so I won't disappear completely.

Comin' at ya from my new job!

2008-06-02T12:08:00.000-07:00

I'm back at Caltrans, the lovely agency that blocks You Tube and Classmates, and (occasionally) Blogger.

But, it's 15 minutes from my house, ya'll.

Woo hoo!

My work area is very pretty. Can't wait to mess it all up.

Tell ya what, though - this place is quiet!! I'm not used to it. Give me a work area that's loud and busy, and I'm right at home. This is just eerily quiet. Not used to it. And, I forgot to bring my earphones, so I can't play any of my cd's. Wah.

My cubicle is right across from my new boss, so I figure I won't be able to load all my card games that I love playing when I get bored. Damn. Suppose I'll have to actually work now, huh?

I already have my shoes kicked off, and I'm waiting for someone to show me what the heck to do. Until then, I'll just do research on their website. *yawn*

Because I can't think of anything to post . . .

2008-05-28T13:36:00.000-07:00

Go California!

2008-05-19T21:48:00.001-07:00

As I'm sure everyone is aware, the California Supreme Court voted last week in a landmark decision to overturn the ban on gay marriage.

I, for one, couldn't be happier.

When the original Proposition was up for vote about 6 years ago, I said then that it was unconstitutional. Why should I be voting on whether someone could or couldn't get married? It was INSANE. After all, just because someone is gay doesn't mean they have their rights taken away.

Then the damned conservative right wing went and approved it! I couldn't believe what I was witnessing. This is California. One of the most liberal states in the union. And they had just voted to legalize discrimination!

Then Mr. Hollywood himself refused to take it off the books, saying it ought to be up to the lawmakers to decide something like that. Wussy. He says he's a Republican, but he's not. He falls right smack dab in the middle of the road (where I like to reside).

Anyway, I didn't have much hope for the Supreme Court of CA. Most of the Justices were appointed by Republicans. I figured they'd wuss out and say that the will of the people, blah blah blah.

A little after 10:00 AM, I recieved a news tickler on my computer, so I checked to see what the verdict was.

THEY LEGALIZED IT!!!!

I was so happy, I didn't stop smiling all day.

Not even the 300+ comments on the local newspaper's article, half of which were claiming homosexuality was a sin, and society was going to crumble, and this is the end of times, didn't diminish my spirits.

Now, today I read that Sulu is FINALLY getting married!!!! Can't get much better than that.

Now all I have to do is dump hubby and convince Queen Latifah to marry me.

Hubba hubba hubba!

What's that, Honey? Am I drooling over Queen Latifah again? Nooooo. Not at all. I'll just be a minute. Yes, I'm coming to bed. Love you, too!

Shhh, blogverse - this'll be our little secret. Hee!

I'm Casting My Vote For . . .

2008-05-19T15:55:00.000-07:00

. . .ELIZABETH!!!!!!!

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE BLOG

Go cast your vote today!

Edited to add: I'm just stoked that I added a link! Go me! Go me! Go me!! *happy dance*

Another Drive By Post

2008-05-12T15:28:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to thank everyone for the b-day wishes. I had a very nice day. Boss told me I got half a day off for my birthday, as well. Woot! Went home early, and had about three hours of nice quietness before the herd came home.

I will NOT be posting a picture of the clothes mom got for me. Mainly because I already returned them and purchased something I will actually wear. But I had the colors/clothes mixed up. The pants were beige with shells along the hem (they were supposed to be capri pants, but actually came to just above my ankles, and looked like highwaters), and the shirt was this pinkish/coral color. It was a short-sleeved sweater with flowers across the chest. In other words - two items I would never wear in a million years. I returned them and got a pair of silver/grey capri slacks (without shells), and two shirts - one black sweater and one black and white blouse, as well as two pairs of shoes.

Hope all the moms had a wonderful Mother's Day!

I must get back to work now. I have three weeks until I leave, and a TON of work yet to finish.

Happy Birthday to ME!

2008-05-07T08:18:00.001-07:00

Today is my 39th birthday.

I am at work today, and NO ONE KNOWS! Or, if they do, they haven't said anything. Hee!

Hubby and Munchkin are home sick. Poor babies! I have to call the pediatrician to see if he can fax me over a doctor's excuse for Munchkin. Since she's missed so much school this year, they informed me that if she misses any more days, she'll have to have a doctor's note for all of them. Grrr. Stupid school district.

I suppose I could send her to school, where she'll be miserable, cranky, and a general pain in the ass (she's SO much like me when she doesn't feel well), and let her infect the entire classroom.

Oh, wait. I did that yesterday. *snicker*

I'm such a bad mom!

Speaking of moms, I have to have lunch with mine today. She called me the other day from JC Penny, asking what size pants I wore. Inside, I groaned. I told her.

"Even on pants with elastic waistebands?" she asked. Oh, God, this is not going to be pretty.

"Yes mom, even with an elastic waisteband."

"Cause I'm looking at the prettiest pants-suit. You'll love it. The pants are a pomegranite color, and the shirt that goes with it is beige. And it has little pucca shells across the bottom. Now, do you want regular slacks, or those capri short pants?"

"Capris will be fine mom. Thanks."

So, I'm getting pink clothes for my birthday. Nothing has changed since I was 5. And the rockin' beige shirt. Should look good on someone twice my age.

Gotta love mom.

(btw - I'm sure the outfit isn't as bad as my visualization is making it out to be. However, I'll let you guys be the judge after I get it.)

Worst Interview Ever, Part Deux

2008-04-28T05:04:00.000-07:00

You guys remember my worst interview ever? I posted about it approximately a month ago under the heading "Well that sucked". Well, for those of you who told me I'd probably get hired (Limpy, that would be you) . . . you're still wrong, but maybe not for long.

My boss told me on Tuesday that they called her for a reference. When she first told me, I thought she was talking about the other interview I went on (for the manager position at my old job), and wasn't too surprised. They loved me there. Well, sort of. At least they didn't fire me, and that's a step in the right direction.

When she elaborated that it was Marysville, I nearly fell off my chair. I told her that they must have been on drugs. Hell, even I wouldn't hire me after that disastrous interview, and I know how brilliant I am.

They haven't offered the position (I'm still not expecting them to), but it's puzzling. No one at the State does extra work if they can avoid it, and they usually don't call for references unless they're seriously considering appointing that person. The only reasonable explanation is that they may have realized that I truly wasn't at my best that day, and looked at my list of references (which is pretty impressive), and decided to give me the benefit of the doubt.

If they offer me the position, I'll take it. Not because I think I'll enjoy the job (one look at the duty statement assured me I wouldn't), but because it's about 30 miles closer to my house than my current job. Also, there's a chance I may be able to earn actual overtime there. And more money is always good.

Edited to add: I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I totally owe Limpy $10.00. Hopefully, I'll be happy there. If not, it's probably easier to transfer within the agency once I'm there, rather than trying to get in from the outside. I've been trying to get a job in that place for the last three freaking years!

Go me! Go me! Go me! It's almost my birthday! It's almost my birthday!

Woot!

I love this song!!!!

2008-04-21T09:18:00.000-07:00

It's not the whole song, but it has the best parts!

ETA - I have NO idea what's up with the lack of a comments option. I went back into the post and made sure the comments were checked. Blogger's f'd up, as usual.

ETA (again) Hey - they're back now. Woot!

Shout Out

2008-04-17T13:59:00.000-07:00

Hey guys -

I just wanted to give a shout out to Stephie. I've known her since she was in high school, and she just got accepted into three different teaching colleges! (She's so smart!!)

Anyway, she's bright, and beautiful, and a really fun read. Go visit her, and say HI!!

http://thewonderworrier.blogspot.com/

Or, you can look at my links, and press the one that says "Stephie' NEW Blog".

Have a great day, everyone!

Yeah, I'm not that subtle

2008-04-12T20:58:00.000-07:00

We agreed sometime last week to allow Kidlet to have a friend stay over this weekend.

Yesterday, Hubby informed me he would be working both days this weekend.

Which means I'm in charge of trying to keep girls happy, AND trying to keep them quiet enough so Hubby doesn't hear them when he's trying to sleep at impossibly early hours because he has to go to work in the morning.

I was NOT happy.

And to let him know it, I sorta, kinda, picked fights with him when he got home from work today. On top of that, I pointedly put all the clothes away, except for his, which I threw into a laundry basket. Then, I glared at him as I was picking up all the other clothes and putting them away.

Hubby informed me while I was cooking dinner that he wasn't going to be working both days of the weekend anymore, unless there was an emergency.

I'm so glad he figured it out . . .

How Morbid are We?

2008-04-08T09:28:00.000-07:00

With the passing of the late, great Charlton Heston, Hubby and I participated in our favorite pastime after the passing of a celebrity . . . trying to figure out who's next.

Following is a list of celebrities who we think may be the next to kick the bucket:

1. Kirk Douglas
2. Elizabeth Taylor
3. Mickey Rooney
4. Patrick Swayze
5. Maureen O'Hara
6. Julie Newmar
7. Ertha Kitt
8. Jack Klugman
9. Jerry Lewis

We came up with more, but I can't remember them all.

So, are we the only ones who do this? Who do you think should be on the list?

Drive through post

2008-04-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

Just letting everyone know I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth. Been super busy at work. Plus, I'm trying to stay away from the evil internet, and actually look like I'm working.

I promise I'll update this weekend, or Monday.

Toodles!

Some people have no business working retail

2008-03-26T13:04:00.000-07:00

I seriously wanted to hit the clerk at the pharmacy today.

It didn't help that I was already in a pissy mood. I missed most of Monday due to the fucked up interview. I worked yesterday, but my allergies are in overtime, so I took Sudafed all day to try to dry up. Only problem with Sudafed . . . it's like legalized speed for me. I swear, I was awake until after 1:00 this morning. Then, at 3:30, Munchkin crawled into bed whining about her ear. I gave her Children's Benedryl and Children's Motrin, and told her to shut up and let me sleep (well, maybe I was a little nicer - but my head was screaming that). Woke up at 7:00, and Munchkin was still sleeping, so I got ready for work, and left instructions with Kidlet (who's been watching Munchkin during Spring Break) to call me if Munchkin gets any worse. Took the hour drive into work, and was at my office for about 20 minutes when Kidlet called. I could hear Munchkin just crying her eyes out. Great. So, I made a doc appt, and sent an e-mail to my boss letting her know that I was leaving for the day, and made the hour-long trek home. Got to the doc, and both her ears are infected. This is the same child who's basically been sick since January, with EVERYTHING that's come down the pike. I don't think I've worked a full week since last year. Anyway, I get the prescription, and get over to our local pharmacy.

First, let me say that I love this pharmacy. It's a small town pharmacy. Normally, our wait time is about 20 minutes. They carry everything. It's great.

Today, with everything that's been going on, I just wanted to lose it. I walked in, and there was a cashier, and a lady being waited on by that cashier. They were chatting. I stood in line behind the customer and waited to turn my prescription in. The pharmacist saw me, and walked around the cashier and the customer, and took the script, and went in back to fill it. I wander the aisles waiting for the meds. Meanwhile, the cashier and the customer are still talking. Loudly. About breeding horses. Whatever. A few more customers come in. I go over to the waiting area and watch what's happening. The cashier and the customer are still talking. And that cashier must be deaf, because I swear to God her voice could carry through about a dozen walls, she's so loud. And people are waiting. This woman doesn't even acknowledge them. She just keeps talking.

Another cashier, who I'm assuming is on her lunch break (since she was in back eating and it's around noon), puts down her food, and waits on the customers who've lined up (there were about three or four in line by this time). And the original cashier was STILL TALKING. About horses! Didn't even say anything to any of the people who've been waiting for at least 5 minutes for her to shut the fuck up and get their medicine so they can get on with their lives.

After the lunch break cashier had finished waiting on all the people in line, I walked up to her, and told her I thought that she did a wonderful thing, putting down her food and helping those people who were waiting in line while SOME PEOPLE WHO MUST BE IN LOVE WITH THE SOUND OF THEIR OWN VOICE completely ignored them. And yes, I said it loud enough to be heard, but I still doubt that woman heard me, even though she was about 2 feet from me.

We were there for about 20 minutes. She talked for about 17 minutes of that 20 minute stay to the same woman, on the same subject, very loudly, while completely ignoring everyone else there.

I have never wanted to slap a complete stranger so badly.

Well, that sucked

2008-03-25T08:47:00.001-07:00

Ever since hubby, the kids, and I moved to a more rural location, I've been trying to get a job with the only State agency located within 20 miles of our little town. It's been about 4 years, and still no luck. So, every morning, I face a one-plus hour commute, driving 40 miles just to get to the train station that will take me to my job.

Yesterday, I had about the worst interview I've ever had.

It started when I received notification of the interview last week. In the letter, they informed me I would have an "Excel exercise". Yay. Now, I know how to use Excel. At least, the basics of it. However, with this "exercise", I figured they were going to test me on the one thing I have absolutely NO idea how to do. Pivot tables.

So, I spent all freaking weekend looking up tutorials on pivot tables. I had the basics down, and figured I could at least get some kind of SOMETHING going.

I get to the interview half an hour early. I wait. I read the job description. Seems rather detailed, but I figure I can do what they're asking. I go in to do the exercise. There is a laptop set up in a quiet room. On the laptop is this humongous spreadsheet. I'm talking 1300 rows of data, about 15 columns wide. And, naturally, they ask me to do a pivot table. But, before that, I have to add a few rows and format some information.

The first row, no problem. The second row . . . problem. I can't figure out how to get the information in there that they want. Oh, well. No one said it had to be perfect. I move on to the pivot table.

The first one I tried went nowhere. I got one row and one column of data. Not what they were asking. So, I deleted that one, and tried again. Second time, still no luck. I deleted the second one, and tried a third time. THIS time, I actually am able to figure out how to get at least some type of table. Granted, it has absolutely NO information in it that was supposed to be there. So, I fuss with it for a bit.

Then, the worst thing that could happen happens. Up popped an Exception Error. You know the kind you get with Microsoft programs. The one that says there's been an error, and the program has to shut down. You can't save it. You can't do anything. It's just . . . gone.

I go to tell the receptionist that I broke the computer. At this point, I have about 5 minutes left of my "exercise". We try to pull the original spreadsheet back up, only to have it tell us that it's locked for editing. Great. The girl very sweetly tells me that there IS an interview set up for me, and that if I want to try to come back after the interview to re-do the exercise, that will be okay.

I looked dead at her and laughed. I informed her I couldn't even do the exercise to begin with. I'm not putting myself through more of the same. Besides, I have a job I need to get to.

So, I go into the interview. I swear, these women looked at me as if I had grown a third eyeball. It was like, "Chick, you can't even do a portion of what the job entails. Why the hell are you even here?" I get through the interview as best as I could. But I felt like a complete moron. It was as if we were all thinking there is no way in Hell I'm going to get the job. I know it. They know it. We're only going through the motions. I could see on their faces, they didn't want me within 100 miles of their office.

I don't ever want to go for another interview again as long as I live.

Why I always get into trouble

2008-03-17T15:23:00.000-07:00

It's just the way my brain works . . .

While speaking with our agency lawyer last week on the Spitzer scandal:

Lawyer-dude: Can you imagine paying $5,000 for sex?!!!

Me: Nope - but I can definately imaging charging that much for it.

Spring has Sprung

2008-03-10T10:41:00.000-07:00

It's Spring.

The weather is absolutely gorgeous. Daytime high is supposed to be 72.

Hubby, the kids, and I spent all weekend cleaning.

I did our taxes last night (ouch!).

The very last thing I feel like doing is working. I want to go out and have fun. I want to spend time outside. I want to plant a garden. I want to do . . . anything but work.

I have Spring Fever.

Only problem is - I'm so backed up at work, I don't think I'll ever see the light of day.

This sucks.

My WHAT???

2008-02-26T16:50:00.000-08:00

Aparently, I look a) like a guy; b) like an asian; and c) like a blond.

I'm NONE OF THOSE, people!!!

Although - resembling Raquel Welch isn't bad. Hubby likes her A LOT.

I think I need a better picture of me. :-P

Just looking at pics from the Academy Awards . . .

2008-02-26T11:38:00.000-08:00

Does anyone else think that Daniel Day Lewis desperately needs a bath?

Anyone? Anyone?

Not sure what his wife was thinking, either. Her shoes kind of remind me of the Wicked Witch that was caught under the house after Dorothy landed in Oz.

However, I'm going to vow here and now that if I ever become a famous movie star, I will never attend an awards show. I would probably come up with something similar to Mrs. Day-Lewis. Actually, her outfit wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the bright red bows on her shoulders, and the weird floral arrangement nested between her boobs. And the shoes, of course.

Things are looking better!

2008-02-16T13:04:00.000-08:00

Hubby's back to work.

Munchkin's back to school.

Mom has a friend staying with her until tomorrow.

I would be relaxing today, but as a thank you to Kidlet for being just about the most wonderful kid in the universe, we're getting the house ready so she can have a friend over to spend the night.

Oh, and one more wonderful thing about Kidlet - she made me breakfast in bed. Chocolate chip pancakes and a fantastic cup of coffee.

I think I have the sweetest kid on the planet. Oh, and the boy she likes told her she was beautiful yesterday. Couldn't agree more!

It's been a hell of a month

2008-02-13T09:38:00.000-08:00

I try not to talk too much about my family relations on this blog. They're insane, and I'm not. Basically covers it.

However, to give everyone the proper feel for my current situation, I suppose I'll have to do a little bit of explaining.

First, my mom is a depressed hypochondriac. She has acted like she's dying for the last 20 years. She smokes too much, and has developed Type II Diabetes due to her bad eating habits and her lack of any sort of exercise.

About 15 years ago, she started living with this guy. They started out as boyfriend/girlfriend, but ended up being more like roommates. I'll call him JP. JP was in Viet Nam, and had been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He was an alcoholic with serious rage issues. Didn't work since the mid-80's. Basically just mooched off my mom most of the time.

When she'd complain about JP, we'd tell her to kick him out. However, she didn't want to be alone. With her failing health, etc etc etc, having "someone" was, in her mind, better than being alone.

During the past 15 years, JP has been to jail twice. The first time for assulting a police officer (or something to that effect), and this last time for DUI. He went to jail the first week in January, and got out the first week of February.

The day JP got out of jail was the day he died. He came home, did some errands with mom, then went to the barber shop that afternoon to get his hair cut. He died at the barber shop of a massive heart attack.

I kinda felt bad for mom. I mean, she cared for the guy. But even she said he missed out on so much because he just dropped out of life years ago. So, we've been dealing with that for the last week and a half.

I knew when she told me about JP that I was going to have to take care of her more often. As much as JP and I didn't get along, he was useful.

Mom just called me. She fell down yesterday. She can't walk right now.

On top of that, Hubby has the flu, and has been off work for the last two days. He can barely rouse himself to eat.

I'm waiting to hear back from my mom to see if I can get her into see her doctor.

I also have to make sure my own girls are taken care of. Hubby is in no shape to help anyone right now.

Is there some kind of cloning device I could use? I need at least one more of me. Maybe two.

Stupid Blogger ate my post

2008-02-11T15:52:00.000-08:00

Grrrrr.

To recap the post that Blogger ate:

Munchkin is doing better.
Hubby has convinced himself it's just allergies (riiiight)
Kidlet is a God-send, and I don't know where I'd be without her.

That is all.

Hope everyone has a great day!!!

I suppose she can't just convince herself she's fine

2008-02-07T16:41:00.000-08:00

My poor Munchkin is sick again.

It started last week with a bad cough. Things seemed to be getting better. By Saturday (her b-day party, natch) she seemed fine.

Sunday, she woke up with a whopper of a fever. At it's worst, she was at 103.5. Lots of Children's Motrin, Children's Tylenol, and cool baths for her. Naturally, we kept her home on Monday. Hubby wasn't feeling so hot, either, so he volunteered to stay home with her.

By Monday evening, she seemed to be feeling much better. She had only had a fever that morning, and was in very good spirits. I thought I might just luck out, and not have to stay home.

Don't count my chickens.

At around 12:30 AM Tuesday morning, I could hear her moaning for me from her room. I ran down the hall, and she was crying that her tummy hurt. For the rest of the night, and most of the following day, she was on the potty chair anywhere between 2 and 4 times an hour. By Tuesday evening, she could barely sit down, her bottom hurt so bad.

She seemed to be doing okay on Wednesday, so I informed her she was going back to school on Thursday (today). As awful as it sounds, I can only do so much work from home. I actually need to go into the office.

So, this morning, just our luck, she seemed to be relapsing. Like a trouper, though, she got ready for school, and I drove her in. Come to find out, aparently, there's some sort of pandemic virus hitting everyone there, too. There are so many teacher's absent with this, that there weren't enough substitutes, and some classes had to be re-arranged while the teachers are out sick!

I made sure the school had all my phone numbers in case they needed to get hold of me. They didn't, so I'm crossing my fingers that she'll be feeling better when I get home tonight. Hubby was supposed to call me when he picked her up to let me know how she's doing, but now it seems he's coming down with it, too. I suppose with men, it affects their brains as well as their stomachs.

*sigh*

It's going to be a shitty (literally) weekend.

:-P

I'm Sorry, Patriots Fans

2008-02-04T08:59:00.000-08:00

It's my fault.

I accept full responsibility.

I hadn't decided until the pre-game show who I was going to root for. Then, during the pre-game show, the ediorial on Junior came on. I loved the piece, and made my decision to get behind the Patriots.

Only, there's more to it than that.

See, I have never EVER picked the right team to win Super Bowl. I can pick winning teams all during regular season, and even during post-season. But at the Super Bowl?

Nada.

In the past, I've always attributed it to the fact that, for the big game at least, I typically want the under-dog to win. Typically, they don't.

This time, I went for the favorite at the last minute.

I even told hubby after I made my choice that I felt bad because it meant they were going to lose.

Hubby essentially told me I was full of shit.

As is usually the case at our house, whoever I root for, Hubby will pick the other team.

After the game was over, Hubby looked at me and kinda laughed.

"You were right. You do suck."

So, there you have it. I take full responsibility for the Patriots loss.

Happy Birthday, Baby!!!

2008-01-29T09:29:00.000-08:00

Today is Munchkin's 6th Birthday! Woot!

Unfortunately, the poor thing isn't feeling well. I still sent her to school (along with the two dozen cupcakes for her class). The birthday kids get the special treat of being "Helper" all day, and I didn't want her to miss out on her special day.

However, I have a feeling I'm going to be working from home tomorrow. :-(

So, without further ado, here are a few pics of my Munchkin through the years. Isn't she so cute???

Has it really been over 3 weeks?

2008-01-17T10:26:00.000-08:00

My goodness, how time flies.

Not much happening here. We had a lovely Christmas. Lots of stuff for the kids. Good food was consumed (most of it cooked by yours truly), and my kids actually got a chance to meet my dad.

What? you ask. They've never met their grandfather??

Nope - not once. This was the first time they met.

But, how can that be? you may be wondering. Kidlet is 12 years old, for goodness sake!

Long story short - dad lives in Idaho, and neither of us are very good at the whole family bonding thing. In all honesty, the first time I actually remember seeing my dad, I was 15. I mean, I have pictures of him and me from when I was a baby and toddler. But, really, who can remember that far back? I remember, when I was 5, visiting my dad and stepmom. However, the only thing I can remember from that visit is my stepmom. She's WONDERFUL. She made me a yellow dress, with my name stitched in red across the right pocket, and a matching yellow hat. I also remember I had chicken pox at the time, and my mom had been following the doctor's orders and giving me sits-baths, with tons of baking soda. It left me feeling icky. On that visit, my stepmother let me have a regular bath, with a little baking soda. I just remember feeling so good after that bath.

But I don't remember my dad. I think he went fishing.

Over the years, I came to realize that my dad (obviously) isn't much of a dad at all. He's the sperm donor. Which is sad, really, because I look so much like him, and I have alot of his traits and mannerisms.

To be honest, I was dreading this visit. I don't really like my dad. I may look like him, and act like him in many respects; but one thing I got from my mom is this bad habit of not shutting up when I probably really should. I was scared he would say something stupid, and that I would just go off. But, he only said one really stupid thing, and I let it go without saying a word. Go me! It helps that they were only here for a day. They showed up on Christmas Eve, and left Christmas Day. Just the right amount of time to be civil and polite, and accept people for who they are, instead of who you want them to be.

Have a good day, folks!

From My Family to Yours.

2007-12-21T11:12:00.000-08:00

Have a Very Merry Christmas, and the Happiest of New Years!!!

My Memory is Swiss Cheese

2007-12-18T12:10:00.000-08:00

The closer I get to Christmas, the more I seem to forget.

This morning, I got the salad ready that I was bringing for work today. I took it out of the fridge, and put it in a bag, along with the salad scoopers for everyone to use. I got Munchkin ready, and remembered to pack up all the little gift bags for her Kindergarten's Christmas Party. I remembered we were supposed to leave early so she and I could get to the Book Faire they have going on at her school. Got out of the house, got her to school, handed over the gift bags, got some books, got my hiney back in my car, and drove off. I was about 5 miles from my house, when I realized that I left the salad on the counter in the kitchen.

D'oh!

So, I flipped a U-Turn while calling my boss on a road that I probably shouldn't have made a U-Turn on in the pouring rain, and high-tailed it back to the house. While driving back, I figured I could make a cup of coffee to bring with me, as I'd only had one cup that morning. I remember THINKING that, at least. When I got to the house, I picked up the salad. However, I don't remember if I turned on the stove to make a cup of coffee, or not. I never did make a cup. I know that for certain. But I can't remember if I turned on the stove.

Now, I'm at work (which is about an hour from my house), and I'm stressing because I keep thinking there MAY be a chance that I DID turn on the stove under the teapot before I left. I have no neighbors I can call to check on the house. All I keep hoping is that I didn't turn on the stove, and that I'll have a house left when I return home tonight.

Because if I did turn on the stove, and my house goes up in flames, Hubby is gonna KILL me.

Well, this sucks.

2007-12-14T12:18:00.000-08:00

Joe and Barb are getting rid of their blogs. Kal hasn't posted in forever. Neither has Mark or Larry. Penny deleted her blog, and Mossy blogs very infrequently. Dani only posts every few weeks, and Shanshu hasn't posted since Halloween. I think Nonny's given up the ghost, as well. Not to mention Motherdear, who (understandably) has only posted twice since June.

*sob*

Everyone's leaving me.

'Tis the Season

2007-12-11T09:42:00.000-08:00

I know - I haven't posted in awhile. Bad me.

It's been very busy at work. My boss wants me to get completely caught up by the end of the month so I can help the contract analyst out. Yikes! But, it seems to be getting easier.

Babies and hubby are sick. Actually, they've pretty much been sick since Thanksgiving, but last week was the worst. Caughing, hacking, sneezing, and dripping all over the place. Yick. I tried to be the best mom I could without locking them all up in isolation. Luckily, the worst seems to have passed, but none of them are 100% yet.

We've been trying to get in some Christmas shopping. Why is it that, as kids get older, their presents get way more expensive?

Anyway - hope everyone is doing well this season. I'll try to be better about updating.

In the meantime, since I know alot of you do holiday travelling, I'll leave you with this link that my aunt sent to me.

http://www.bestviral.com/video/6629/dont_ever_drink_from_hotel_glasses

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-21T16:37:00.000-08:00

To all my friends here in the US - Happy Thanksgiving!

To all my Canadian friends - you already got to pig out. Now get back to work!

:-P

I'm Not Ready for This . . .

2007-11-15T09:22:00.000-08:00

I was dropping Munchkin off at school this morning. In the car on the way to school, she asked if she could go to the cafeteria to check what her balance was. They're having "Thanksgiving" lunch at school, and she wanted to make sure she had enough in her student account for a tray lunch today.

So, we get to school, and I drive over to park near the cafeteria so we can walk together. We get out of the car, and start walking toward the cafeteria.

Munchkin: Mom, I can go in myself.

Me: I know, sweetie, but I can still walk with you.

Munchkin: Mom! I'm CAPABLE!!!!!

With that, she stomped her little foot, turned, and marched off toward the cafeteria. Alone.

First, where did the little girl go who used to hold my hand tightly and plead with me not to leave until the final bell rang? Second, since when did my 5-year-old start using words like "capable"??????!!!!!!

I need some ice-cream and a chick flick right now.

*bawls*

What has this country come to???

2007-11-07T10:36:00.000-08:00

This is pathetic. There are just no words right now.

Girl, 13, gets detention for hugging two friends
Illinois middle school bans public displays of affection; parents urge change

Tim Vizer / ASSOCIATED PRESS

MASCOUTAH, Ill. - Two hugs equals two days of detention for 13-year-old Megan Coulter.
The eighth-grader was punished for violating a school policy banning public displays of affection when she hugged two friends Friday.

“I feel it is crazy,” said Megan, who was to serve her second detention Tuesday after classes at Mascoutah Middle School.

“I was just giving them a hug goodbye for the weekend,” she said.

Megan’s mother, Melissa Coulter, said the embraces weren’t even real hugs — just an arm around the shoulder and slight squeeze.

“It’s hilarious to the point of ridicule,” Coulter said. “I’m still dumbfounded that she’s having to do this.”

District Superintendent Sam McGowen said that he thinks the penalty is fair and that administrators in the school east of St. Louis were following policy in the student handbook.
It states: “Displays of affection should not occur on the school campus at any time. It is in poor taste, reflects poor judgment, and brings discredit to the school and to the persons involved.”
Parents urge change in policyCoulter said she and her husband told their daughter to go ahead and serve her detentions because the only other option was a day of suspension for each skipped detention.

“We don’t agree with it, but I certainly don’t want her to get in more trouble,” Coulter said.

The couple plan to attend the next school board meeting to ask board members to consider rewording the policy or be more specific in what is considered a display of affection.

“I’m just hoping the school board will open their eyes and just realize that maybe they shouldn’t be punishing us for hugs,” Megan said.

Thanks Everyone!

2007-10-24T07:49:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for all Mom's well-wishes. She's out of the hospital, and seems to be doing better. It got a little hairy for a bit. It seems she didn't react too well to the anesthesia. It's kinda funny, actually.

Normally, it would take a person about half an hour to start to come out of the anesthesia they administered to my mom. Well, she's kinda sensitive to drugs. To make a long story short, it took her almost 8 hours to fully come to. During those 8 hours, she was in a drug induced combative state. She wasn't conscious, but she was fighting.

During the procedure, some blood ended up in her stomach, and in the recovery room, she started to get sick to her stomach. For some reason, she thought she should be standing up while this was happening. Some of the nurses and orderlies tried to get her back into bed. She was having none of that, and tried to fight them. It took EIGHT nurses and orderlies to get her back into bed. She put one of them in the Emergency Room.

That's right, folks. My 61 year old mom fought off eight trained medical professionals, and injured one enough to have to seek medical attention themselves.

Don't piss off Mommy.

And she wonders why they released her and had her standing on the curb waiting for a ride home two days later . . .

:-P

Quick Update

2007-10-18T08:02:00.000-07:00

Thanks everyone for your input on my presentation. It went well. I wasn't as nervous as I thought I'd be, and I used most all of your suggestions. Most of the attendees only gave me a score of 3 out of 5 for the category "Style, delivery, enthusiasm, and rapport", but I guess it's better than zero! I have to give the presentation again next week, and then one last time in November. Then, I can get back to my regular job. Yay!

I may not be around much this next week. My mom's going in for surgery today. I'm sure it will be fine, but she has some health issues that make the surgery a little more taxing than it would be for most patients. She's having tumors removed from her neck, and there is the possibility that the surgeon could nick a nerve that would paralyze half of her face.

So - keep your fingers crossed, and send her get well vibes.

Thanks guys!

Yikes!

2007-10-11T07:36:00.000-07:00

I have to give a training presentation next week.

I am the world's worst public speaker. I'm one of those people who get up in front of an audience and every other sound out of my mouth is, "uh" or "um". There are also periods of long silence while my brain tries frantically to find the word I need (which it never does, and I'm left trying to explain the word I'm thinking of - never a good feeling). Not to mention the sweat, and the terrible trembling in my voice that I cannot hide.

We had a dry run through it yesterday, with only my boss, Accounting's boss, and the Accounting Lead analyst. Just in front of those people, I stank.

Any suggestions? The training is Tuesday the 16th.

Working Girl Blues

2007-10-06T10:06:00.000-07:00

I made it back to work.

Bleh.

I miss my friends from my old job. I don't, however, miss the crazy lady. I suppose it all evens out in the wash.

Funny thing happened yesterday. A few weeks ago, the other lead analyst, my supervisor, and I were given laptops, so if we needed to work at home, we could just unhook them from the docking station, and take them with us. On Thursday, the other lead had taken her laptop home with her. She came in on Friday, and I could hear her turning the key which locks and unlocks the laptop to the docking station. She would mutter under her breath, and I could hear clicking. I went over to investigate. When I looked over her shoulder, I saw her attempting to turn on the empty docking station.

"Where's your laptop?" I asked.

"At home," she responded.

"Well, you kinda need it if you expect to do any work," I informed her.

"But, they told me I could take it home whenever I wanted!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah, but you have to bring it back the next day. The docking station isn't a computer." I was trying very hard not to double over in peels of laughter.

"Well, they never told me THAT!" she huffed, and left to run back to her house to get her laptop.

I finally did it, boys and girls. I finally found someone who is less computer literate than I am!

*whistles merrily*

Have a wonderful weekend!

Home again, Home again, jiggety jig.

2007-09-30T12:39:00.000-07:00

They are never going to let me back into Canada.

Honestly.

They are going to put my picture up with a circle and a line through it. A sign under my name, saying "no admittance."

In my short time there, I managed to piss off a few people. LOL.

Not any that matter. At least, I hope not.

A few odd salespeople, who had hearing and intelligence problems. That's all.

Dani and Mr. IT and the Squidge are doing wonderfully well. They're all so cute! Beautiful family.

I missed my family so much. I didn't realize how awful I was sleeping until I had a good night's sleep.

Now, I need to go do laundry, clean the kitchen, empty the litter-box, and get back to all that mom-stuff I slacked on for the last week.

Best thing of all . . . I'm not due back to work until Thursday. Woot!

Dani's baby

2007-09-25T00:16:00.000-07:00

Was born at 11:07 PM, weighing in at 7 lbs 12 oz, and a little over 19 inches long.

Cute little bugger.

I'll let Dani post pics when she gets home and feels up to it.

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone! She did FANTASTIC!!!

She's in Labor!

2007-09-24T15:00:00.000-07:00

Just got a call from Dani, and she and Mr. IT are heading to the hospital. I'm waiting for Mr. IT's mom to get me and Munchkin, and we'll be heading there shortly.

I promise to let everyone know as soon as I get to a computer all the statistics.

Wish her luck!!!!!

We Made It!

2007-09-21T10:53:00.000-07:00

Munchkin and I are here in lovely Canada!

The trip was . . . interesting. I forgot that we would have to clear Customs once we crossed the border. Unfortunately, that was during my layover. My very short layover.

Note to self . . . next time I come to Canada, make sure to either a) get a long layover if my first stop is Vancouver, or b) make Edmonton my initial crossing of the border, so I don't have to worry about making my next flight.

Our flight into Vancouver was about 20 minutes late. Our layover was shorter than I thought. I thought initially that qw had a three hour layover. We only had about an hour and a half. Plus, with international flights, they don't automatically ship your luggage to the next flight. You have to get it, and bring it with you to the next boarding area. So, essentially, I had about 40 minutes to clear Customs, get our baggage, clear Customs AGAIN (yes, there's two checkpoints), then go through the whole security checkpoint again, then board the plane. IN-FREAKING-SANE. Oh, and I had no idea I was supposed to bring a note from hubby saying it was okay to bring Munchkin across the border. Oops.

But, we made it.

Dani met us at the airport, and we've just relaxed since then. Other than a slight run-in with a very idiotic Subway sandwich maker (do NOT question me when I tell you what I want, bitch), I have thoroughly enjoyed my time so far.

Munchkin is an absolute dream! She stuck right with me at the airports, and when we needed to rush, she rushed right along beside me. She never complained, and took everything in stride.

Dani is beautiful, naturally. She looks fantastic, and Mr. IT is just as sweet and nice as she's described him on her blog. Wonderful couple.

We're hoping the baby shows up while I'm here. The doctor set her induce-date to October 5th, which is 3 days after we leave. Grrrr. However, she is first in line to be bumped up, if someone else goes into labor without having to be induced.

Keep your fingers crossed, everyone!

Three Days and Counting . . .

2007-09-18T08:12:00.000-07:00

I leave for Canada on Thursday. So, maybe that's only 2 days. Well, two and a half days, at any rate.

I finally started packing last night. Man, do I pack alot of stuff. Anyway, I'll start on Munchkin's suitcase tonight. For the trip, I got her crayons, colored pencils, markers, a pad of colored construction paper, a coloring book, and a cheapie little hand-held computer game with 5 Disney Princess games on it (the kind with awful graphics, you can't tell what's going on, you can't turn down the volume, etc). Plus, we'll be taking two card games, and some books. Hopefully, that will keep her attention for most of the trip.

And, naturally, just in time for my trip, I've sprained my ankle.

Yes, folks, clumsy Calamity has struck again. *sigh*

Friday, as I was attempting to cross the street to get to work, my foot slipped off the curb, and down I went. Right into the street. I was barely able to walk most of the weekend. My ankle swelled up like I had an ostrich egg underneath my skin. Grrrrrr. But, it seems to be getting better. I still have issues with stairs, but my walking has gone back to almost normal. Hopefully, by Thursday, I'll be okay for the long walks across airport terminals.

Now, I must get back to work. Bleh. Too much to do, and only 2 days to get it done.

One Week To Go!!!!

2007-09-13T08:59:00.000-07:00

I suppose I should start packing, huh?

Question - what should I bring to keep a 5 year old occupied for the 9 hours we'll be at the airport/on the airplanes? So far, I'm bringing paper, crayons, cd's, cd player, books. Can anyone think of something that's a real attention-keeper? 5-year-olds bore quickly and easily.

GO MUNCHKIN!!!!!

2007-09-10T07:54:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, during the first game of soccer league, Munchkin got the very first goal!!!

WOOT!

Wish I had a picture of it, but since I was subbing for the coach, I was out on the field, sans camera.

But trust me in this - she was SO CUTE!!!!!

If I have time later this evening, I'll post a picture of my uber-cute soccer player.

*Edited to add pictures* (isn't she adorable??!!!!)

In Two Weeks . . .

2007-09-07T07:22:00.000-07:00

I'll be in Canada!!!!

I haven't even started packing. It's insane. I keep thinking that maybe I should pack early, in case I get a call from Dani telling me she's in labor.

Yikes!

So much to do - get Munchkin's homework for when she's away, pack for both of us, call the airline, and make sure I know what the heck I'm doing, print out reservations to take with me, buy groceries for hubby and Kidlet, so they don't starve.

I've never been away from my husband and children for anything longer than a day. I know, I'll still have Munchkin with me, but this is going to feel so weird. I have a feeling my cell phone bill is going to be ginormous this month.

:-D

Okay - for all of you who've travelled, what can I not forget?

Edited to add: I have a new link on the sidebar - go visit Cathouse Teri, everyone!

Today is the first day . . .

2007-09-04T09:33:00.001-07:00

. . . of the rest of my diet.

It's pretty bad when you realize that your friend, who's almost 9 months pregnant, and due to deliver any second, weighs less than you do.

:-(

Picture Post

2007-08-23T08:55:00.000-07:00

As I said in my last post, my super-terriffic husband figured out how to download our camera pictures onto Stupid Windows Vista (SWV). Now, I can be the annoying proud mama, and post pics of my cute and adorable kids. Aren't you thrilled????

These are from the Harry Potter Book Party:

And these are from yesterday's first day of school: