Thursday, April 30, 2009

"The" Day In The City

Some of you may remember a post I wrote a while back (I was going to put a link to it here, but the day is going by quickly) about my oldest daughter showing some characteristics of Marfan Syndrome. The orthopedic that sees her for her scoliosis suggested ruling it out.

This involves a trip into the City to a Floating Children's Hospital to see a Genetic Specialist. That appointment was last Thursday. A week ago today actually.

Before we headed by train into the city, I took $60 out of the bank (I had some ones already), thinking this would be more than enough money for our trip.

HA! (and for good measure) HA!

After parking and then searching for a metal box with our number on it, so that we could slip four $1 bills using origami and a piece of metal to push it in, to pay for parking ... we hopped onto the train.

We are lucky, being one town away from a rail stop. It's easy to just get on and enjoy the ride. (especially where I don't commute anymore) There was much to discuss with the upcoming Anime Convention. The conductor came by and asked me how old my girl was ...

"Ten" came blurting out of my mouth and there was uncontrollable laughing. The conductor didn't say he didn't believe me but he did only charge us $15 for round trip.

Once we arrived in the city, we quickly found our way down to the subway, where there is always someone interesting to raise your eyebrows at. It costs $2 to ride and there was no one to charm either. So I put $20 on a ride ticket and off we went.

There was no problem getting to our appointment on time. A vacant waiting room with the only activity being a girl in a wheelchair with an I.V.- bag of what looked like milk going into her arm. It wasn't long before the doctor came out and took us back to an exam area. My girl and I answered questions. Her about general health and me about medical history. There were measurements of arms, legs, feet, hands and her skull taken. Found out that she will need to be scheduled with a pediatric cardiologist and just like that we were done. No results yet. Just more tests.

Nothing bad, not yet anyway. We had to stop in the gift shop, someones friend came to visit and we were caught unprepared. This resulted in my carrying 18 pads in my bag, which doesn't zip closed and is more like a small tote bag, constantly threatening to fall out. I would stuff them back down, but then I would need my wallet or the subway map and up they would come. Life I tell ya ...

After that ... we were left with over 2 hours to kill. No problem, back on the subway we stopped in at a historic site for CHOW and SHOPPING. Mostly just looking, not so much shopping because everything is so expensive. For example, two burgers, fries and drinks cost $20.50. Granted they were grilled and not fast food, but geeze, for that price, I'd at least like to be guaranteed a table.

We ate outside in the sunshine, although it was windy.

There was much discussion over COW socks. My daughter's latest obsession is with cows and all things cow related. Said socks? $10 for the pair. Oh they are cute, have little anti-slip pads on the bottom and have the cow face on them and I relented. She didn't ask outright, she didn't beg, you could just see it on her face ....

That left me with $1 in my wallet. $1?

As we walked a little further, we saw a show about to begin. Personally? I would have just kept on walking, by then it was getting close to us needing to find the subway and head back ... but my girl asked me to sit down.

And we did. We sat and watched the entire act of comedy, juggling and silly tricks. It was so much fun to sit and laugh and ... mostly ... enjoy the moment. At the end the performer explained that the historic place didn't pay him for his services and that tips would be much appreciated.

There went my last $1.

It was all too soon that we were finding our way back, on the subway to the train and heading home. Not really with any answers but with a fun day under our belt.

(see previous post for pictures)

The Pictures

Here is the inside of my purse, notice all the PADS?


I do realize it's sideways, just deal with it ok?


Here is the show we saw. This little boy performed beautifully (he and his family were from Alabama.)



This is the final act of the show. By the end he drew a big crowd around him and I saw plenty of $1 going into his bag. What a way to make a living.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

In The Garden Zone

Here we are on my deck. It is my favorite summer spot. The sun shines on it all day and usually there is a nice breeze. I just took off the chair covers and set up the chairs, when I snapped this shot. This is the same layout I've used for several years. I think its time to change it up.



When I was shopping with my mom this past week (see previous post) we looked at water play options for the toddler. I wanted something that could sit on the deck (but not a kiddie pool) and provide some water entertainment. We found this ...



A Step 2 Water Table. (how can you not love a peng-man, podah beaw and seal) Now if it weren't for the bug issue we are having, the outdoor table would be a blast. Instead we've had it inside the last couple of days in the "bug free" zone with towels. Even ants are cause for alarm. Oiy!


I went with these Red Bells this year. They like full sun and look like lolli-pops.




We love all things orange here, so flowers it is! (see our garage in the distance, that door is ALWAYS open)



Here are this year's strawberry plants. The little sprouts in the middle are a pair that survived the winter on the deck. The end plants are new and grown in those biodegradable pots.




These are Sweet Sugar Peas. (I think. Heh.)


I try to always keep an American Flag flying at the house. I don't want a day to go by where I forget that we are free because of those who fought for us. (I also wish they made them out of better material, they don't weather well.)




New this year is THIS bird feeder. It's been up Four days now and it has seen little action. There is a spring mechanism in it so that when a squirrel hangs on it the doors close from it's weight. I haven't even seen one of those trying to get at it. Hopefully soon. Here chickie ... chickie ... chickie ...



And here it is. My finished deck, all planted and ready to enjoy. Want to stop by for a coke?What you don't see is this nice green umbrella that I can easily put up to provide shade for the sitting chairs and water table. I am loving it!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Art & The Coffee Table

I spent my Tuesday morning, last week, shopping with my Mom and my Brother. A recliner for him along with a replacement for this ... For me? A new coffee table. To finish off the living room, which I want to be a nice family area.


This is a $170.00 piece of art. (why?) I was going to elaborate on our excursion about how the salesman was kinda jerky, the conversation at lunch about this picture and my coffee table find, but it was long and involved and not really positive, so I figure I'd skip it and just do a picture show ... good for everyone ... no? Here it is. I love it! It's in the shaker style and its very solid.




I love the storage underneath. Think baskets ...





I like the drawers.



Awww such cute little fella's.




I had to push the table close to the sofa so her feet would reach.



This is what it looks like "after" the toddler has taken over.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Gone For The Week

Hi Everyone!

There is good news and bad news for the week. (don't worry it's not really bad)

I have a jammed packed schedule this week. I know, what else is new right. (you in the back, quit rolling your eyes!) Lots of appointments and meetings (lather, rinse repeat). Then on Friday I can wind down with assisting the fundraising yard sale. (baby needs some 3T clothes!)

That was the bad news, see how quick it went by??

Alright ... the good news is I am sitting her now, with my camera and some time to share a few things from my vacation last week. I'm breaking it down over several posts ... timed to post in the AM of each day.

Don't worry, I'll be back on Friday!

Oh and P.S. Don't forget to check out the reading list in the previous post. THX.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

An Interesting Reading List

I swiped this list of the BBC top 100 novels and the meme idea from Tina. I am not really sure who the BBC are. BUT I really liked the list and thought of a couple of "friends" that might be interested in checking this out.

1) Look at the list and put an ‘X’ after those you have read.
2) Add a ‘+’ to the ones you LOVE.
3) Star (*) those you plan on reading.

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien*
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte X (yawn)
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling X+ (obviously!)
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee X
6 The Bible* (someday)
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte*
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell X
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens *
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott * (I hope to read this one soon)
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller *
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare (boring!)
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien *
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger X
19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger X
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell X
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald X
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll X
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame X
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis X
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis X
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini X+
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Berniere
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden X
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne X
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell X+
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown*
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez X (this was a long book!)
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood X+
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding X+++ (this is one of my favorite books)
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan X
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel*
52 Dune - Frank Herbert X (this is another loooong book)
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth* (I can safely say I own it but have not read it)
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon X+
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck X
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold X
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas*
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding X
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville X
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker X
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens X (everyone should read this story)
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker X
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White X+
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Alborn X+
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery X
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare X
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl X
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Total read: 34
Total I want to read: 9
Total I love: 8

Sunday Stealing: The Mud MeMe

1. What are your current obsessions? I haven't had much time these days to be obsessed but if I get a chance I've been on a kick of keeping my nails painted. Does that count?

2. Which item from your wardrobe do you wear most often? My jeans. Once they fit just right, I'm hard pressed to even wash them.

3. What's for dinner? Steak, potatoes and corn on the cob. I cannot wait.

4. Last thing you bought? On Friday I stopped at this place that will give you cash for your broken jewelery. I turned in some really old broken bracelets and single gold earrings. I walked out of there with $54 and went directly into Bath & Bodywork's. Got me some goodies!

5. What are you listening to? My two year old talk to me about her water bottle and how much she likes it.

6. If you were a god/goddess who would you be? I'd be a goddess of sunshine. We all need some sun shining in our lives.

7. Favorite holiday spots? Next holiday is Memorial Day, we'll be enjoying it here.

8. Reading right now? VC Andrew's latest book.

9. 4 words to describe yourself. Kind, Neat, Organized and BUSY

10. Guilty pleasure? Treating myself to a trashy magazine loaded with pictures of the latest A types and the dirt on them.

11. Who or what makes you laugh until you’re weak? My husband. He has been cracking me up this whole weekend.

12. Planning to travel to next? My next big trip, I hope, will be to Niagara Falls (and no I won't be bringing a barrel, why do you ask?)

13. Best thing you ate or drank lately? I had some Hawaiian Pizza yesterday that rocked.

14. When did you last get tipsy? A very very long time ago. I'm all set with that.

15. Care to share some wisdom? Yes, never step on a bee.

16. Nicest thing anyone’s ever said to you? A simple thank you is the nicest and I've been blessed with many.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Not The Best Way To Start The Day

I woke up this morning to dog business all over my kitchen floor.

To add insult, I broke my mop cleaning it because it had dried on the floor overnight.

ARG!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Idiot Brigade

Mig: Good afternoon ... this is the Solid Company.

Guy: Hi, I was suppose to receive a very important and very specific sample today. It was sent by Special Freight, can you tell me if it went out?

Mig: I'll check, can you hold on for a minute?

Guy: Yes.

Mig: (searches through a folder, finds nothing, on a lark checks wall, finds information) Hi there, here is the tracking number 7-8-3-4-5-6-2 and it was sent through Special Freight.

Guy: Thank you.

Mig: You're welcome ... good-bye.

Guy: Bye.

(time lapse: five minutes, phone rings)

Mig: Hello, the Solid Company ...

Guy: Hi, I just talked to you a few minutes ago and you gave me a number but you didn't give me the area code ...

Mig: ...

Guy: I tried 413 .... and .... 609 ... but they didn't work.

Mig: (snickers) That is because it's a TRACKING NUMBER not a phone number.

Guy: (laughing) Ohhhhhhh no area code then?

Mig: (laughs uncontrollably ending possibly with watering eyes)

*********

Mig: Good Afternoon, the Solid Company ...

Lady: Hi, I'd like to buy your product.

Mig: Are you a customer of ours?

Lady: I'd like to be, I'm putting in a "special thing" and I need 400 sq ft of your solid product.

Mig: We are not open to the public but you can purchase our solid product from someone close to you. Where are you located?

Lady: Oh that won't do .... I don't want to buy it from someone who is going to mark up the cost! I need to spend as little money as possible ...

Mig: Well ... the whole idea of being a solid company is that we sell to the retailers so they can sell to the public.

Lady: ... I suppose ...

Mig: Here's what I'll do for you, I'll put you into the voice mail of the owner of the company and you can make your plea with him.

Lady: That'd be GREAT!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

The Things You Forget

As it turns out, Spring? Doesn't like me. I enjoy seeing the grass turn green, the tulips popping up and the buds on the trees. However, that new life equals sneezing and itchy eyes for me.

Every year it gets worse. I spent the evening trying like heck to not take a hairbrush to my eyeballs, that's how itchy they were.

I used some visine but it doesn't little for it. I searched every drawer and cabinet in the house this morning for some sort of relief. Apparently unless, I've got a backache, cramps, cold or flu I am out of luck. I did find a sample of children's claritin. I went for it.

I wish I could say I am feeling better. But, not yet.

Today and the next two days, I am off of work. It's vacation week and the kids have appointments I'll be taking them too. The baby has a hearing test (how they test the hearing of a 2.5 year old, I have no idea), the boy is having his braces tightened (fun!) and my oldest daughter and I will be heading into the city, to "hers and my" favorite hospital, for genetic testing. Where we will get to the bottom of the question of Marfan Syndrome, FINALLY.

I am thinking that while we are in the city, I will surprise her taking her to some sights (like the outdoor mall and eating area), instead of rushing back to the train like we usually do. That isn't until Thursday. In preparation of that appointment I have to map out the family tree on my husband's side. My side will be blank. I also have to fill out insurance forms.

I am not fond of doctor's appointments that involved homework.

TODAY, I am going shopping with my Mom and Brother. We are going to look at recliners and maybe if I bat my eyelashes and beg a little, a coffee table for me.

We shall see.

Monday, April 20, 2009

I Think ....

It's a bad sign ... when you start your week having a full blow panic attack due to a request for an unpaid week of vacation.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Sunday Stealing: The 40 MeMe

1. My uncle once : Drank Shlitz Beer by the case. He passed away several years ago of cancer.

2. Never in my life : Do I want to go to a nudist beach.

3. When I was seventeen : I failed my drivers license test because I hit a parked car, while I was taking it.

4. High School was : The suckiest four years of my life.

5. I will never forget : Seeing a car accident happen right in front of my eyes and then not being able to help anyone who was injured.

6. I once met : David Hasslehoff. I even have his autograph to prove it.

7. There’s this girl I know who : In the forth grade was dared to eat worms. Wait? Isn't that a book?

8. Once, at a bar : I watched my man pick a fight with a random guy and get thrown out.

9. By noon, I’m usually : Ready to eat lunch.

10. Last night : I had the most relaxing evening. Doing nothing!

11. If only I had : More money!

12. Next time I go to gym/church : I will try harder? (how the heck do you answer this one?)

13. Susan Boyle : I'm sorry I have no idea who you are.

14. What worries me most : Dying. I see no need to elaborate here.

15. When I turn my head left, I see : The hallway.

16. When I turn my head right, I see : Out my french doors to the birds flying around in the yard.

17. You know I’m lying when : First. I try to never lie. But if I am, its through email or over the phone, never face to face.

18. What I miss most about the eighties : How young I looked and how I didn't appreciate it.

19. If I was a character in Shakespeare, I’d be : Confused. I have a difficult time understanding Shakespeare.

20. By this time next year : I hope to be 10lbs lighter.

21. A better name for me would be : Christine! I always wanted have that name.

22. I have a hard time understanding : Broken English and it's very frustrating to me.

23. If I ever go back to school, I’ll : Get my Associates Degree.

24. You know I like you if : I call you on the phone.

25. If I ever won an award, the first person I’d thank would be : My husband and my children for changing my life the most.

26. When I compare 80’s rock to 90’s rock : I like both. But I guess the 80's rock is more original because it's older.

27. Take my advice, never : Touch the lawnmower engine after you've just shut it off, no matter how badly you want to see the damage you may, or may not have, done to the blade.

28. My ideal breakfast is : Pancakes with chocolate chips and bacon.

29. A song I love, but do not own is : I will survive by Gloria Gaynor.

30. If you visit my hometown, I suggest : You skip it entirely, there is nothing of interest to see.

31. My favorite Beatle is : None. I am NOT a Beatles fan.

32. Why won’t people : Stop tailgating.

33. If you spend the night at my house : I promise I won't make you sleep on the floor.

34. I’d stop my wedding for : That was sixteen years ago, I don't think anything could have stopped it.

35. The world could do without : War. Can't we all just get along.

36. I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than : Eat beets!

37. My favorite blonde is : Goldie Hawn.

38: Paper clips are more useful than : Toe rings.

39. If I do anything well, it’s : CLEANING and ORGANIZING. (I had to shout that, just had to)

40. And by the way : It's allergy season where I live and it sucks.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Bring It On

I am so happy that it's Friday.

It has been a long ... slow ... week.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

A Question Of Propriety ...

I received a "friend" request last night on Facebook. It's my daughter's friend. My daughter? Isn't on Facebook and for the moment has no desire to be.

As I am considering this request.

My daughter's other friend, her mother, send me a "friend suggestion" for her daughter. Who is also a friend of my daughter's.

Can you follow that? Two "friend requests" both my daughter's best friends.

I'm not going there.

Opinions? Comments? Do tell ...

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Careless Whisper

I am definitely a fan of Seether and I happen to hear THIS song on the radio ...



Now I can't get it out of my head!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Stuck with A Day .. That's Gray ... and Lonely ...

When I was a teenager I made my money babysitting. No sooner did I turn thirteen than I had three regular babysitting jobs. One was every Friday night. The other two were alternating Saturdays.

I had my favorite kids but mostly I liked the freedom babysitting gave me. Out from under my parents watchful eye, I could stay up past midnight and watch cable. Smoke cigarettes (outside of course) and snoop through entire households. Maybe help myself to items that wouldn't be missed.

I never said I was proud of the things I did when I was young.

Did I mention I don't trust babysitters? Yeah. I can count on one hand the number of times I've used them. Mostly it was too expensive. I made $3 to $5 an hour if I was lucky. The High School girls I hired expected $10.

But I digress.

One of the girls I babysat for loved the musical Annie. I watched that movie over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over (are you getting the gist here?) and over and over and over and over with her. And that is a whole lot of re-winding.

I can sing all the songs and recite most of the lines to the movie, right now, go ahead ask me. I have always enjoyed broadway shows and I enjoyed the story. I mean who doesn't want their own Punjab. I believe that if we all could be a little bit like Annie at some point in our lives, we are doing alright.

Tonight I am gearing up for a nasty meeting. A project that is before my Board, is unhappy in a very major way and the developer is pulling out all the stops and gathering up, masses of people (I am not even kidding on that one) to attend and object to a stand that has already been taken. It even stretched to the members of my Committee last night. And I so mean stretch.

In case you miss my point. It's going to be BIG. Ugly. And. BIG. And. Did I mention UGLY?

So I'm putting on my Annie hat and I am hoping to sing and dance my way through it.

What?

Monday, April 13, 2009

Weekend Recap

Someone stole my weekend. Have you seen it? Somewhere between the First-Aid class I took and Easter Dinner.

A whirlwind of "are you kidding me moments." That as I sit here writing, I wish I could remember them to share.

In the haze of the morning, I am not remember anything.

~sigh~

The baby had a wonderful time this weekend. She got to wear pretty clothes, play in the cold rain and eat more jellybeans than I liked. It's funny how at two, she is the life the party. Everyone leans in to hear what she has to say. And if she's shy, it's even better. Hearing her put together words and sentences is adorable.

"Look Mommy, they growed up!" (her response to tulips opening up)

"You go on the potty? High five!" (to me on the toilet)

"I get to wear my pretty dress and pretty shoes for the egg?" (her question about what she will wear for Easter)

Time is going by so quickly and as I go through all her 2T clothes that are now too small AND bring out 3T spring/summer clothes that look too big, I find myself getting sentimental with outgrown shoes and pajamas.

Now it's back to reality.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Sunday Stealing: The Green MeMe

1. What is your current obsession? Sewing, I am really digging it (did I just write "digging"?)

2. What’s a good coffee place? Coffee. Ew.

3. Who was the last person that you hugged? My two-year old, she was very excited to see what the Easter Bunny brought.

4. Do you nap a lot? Like never.

5. Tonight, what’s for dinner? Leftover Easter Dinner, if there is any.

6. What was the last thing that you bought? Groceries. For myself? Ruby Red Nail polish.

7. What is your favorite weather? 80 degrees, low humidity, sunshine.

8. Tell us something about one blogger who you think will play this week? Maybe my good friend Sassy? (hint hint)

9. If you were given a free house that was full furnished, where in the world would you like it to be? HAWAII!

10. Name three things that you could not live without. My phone (it takes pictures and plays music), my laptop (oh how I love thee) and my black eyeliner (without you I'd look "tired").

11. What would you like in your hands right now? Money.

12. What’s one of your guilty pleasures? Romance novels and People Magazine. I can't decide which is more of a guilty pleasure.

13. What would you change or eliminate about yourself? I need thicker skin. I take what other people say FAR too personally.

14. As a child, what type of career did you want? When I was young, I used to play office with my friend. I wanted to learn shorthand, I wanted to type, I liked the idea of being a secretary. Funny how that worked out for me.

15. What are you missing right now? Chocolate, there is none in the house.

16. What are you currently reading? The Book Thief (what?)

17. What do you fear the most? Going blind. I sometimes dream it and it is my worst nightmare.

18. What’s the best movie that you’ve seen recently? The Incredibles. I like Elasta-girl, she's a good Mom.

19. What’s your favorite book from the past year? Water for Elephants. Also, Dean Koontz, The Huband. I was surprised by how good it was.

20. Is there a comfort food from your childhood that you still enjoy? Coca-cola. Everyday. Okay that's not really a food. Spaghetti?

Thursday, April 9, 2009

It's Nice To Be Heard

I reached out to the boss and she gets it. She is going to have a discussion with her staff about budgeting and how the budget was put together for the job I do. I am right. This doesn't change my Board or the staff that I have to deal with at my night meetings.

But I feel justified and for now that is enough so that I want to stay.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Really, I am Not An Angry Person

I just play one here ... sometimes.

There is nothing better than coming home and visiting blogs. Sometimes I visit and there is nothing new ... and sometimes I visit and there is plenty to read. I love that.

I thought about elaborating on last night. I sort of did to one friend but really? I just want to move on. I know what I need to do ... speak up. And if the consequences are that nothing changes, well then either I stay and live with the new way things are or I go.

I have to cross that bridge when I get to it. That will be tomorrow, if it all works out.

Until then, I am going to relax.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Kill

I'm so pissed I can't even write. My chest is tight, I'm close to tears. Ready to scream. I'm in a situation where it's my job and I have two choices.

Quit.
Or just get the fuck over it.

If money weren't a factor, I'd just write up my resignation right now but it is and it just adds to the frustration.

Ten years I've worked with this Board. And this year? I don't mean shit to them and it's pissing me off completely.

Beyond Comprehension

A classmate of my teenage daughter died yesterday, of leukemia.

She was taken out of school by ambulance, two weeks ago.

Her parents had no idea she was sick.

How is that possible?

Monday, April 6, 2009

Sometimes I Do Alright

I just noticed our bedroom window was open all night. Granted it was just a crack but STILL. Spring is here and Summer soon AND I cannot wait.

Winter was far too long this year.

I did alot this weekend. Doing alot makes me cranky. I was out of the house by 7:30 AM Saturday morning. I got involved in a PTA Yard Sale. A few months ago I got a call to sit down and answer questions on how Yard Sale Fundraising is done. I've done them for many years now and while it's not Rocket Surgery (haha), there are a few pitfalls to watch out for. So I shared my vast knowledge in peddling other people's crap.

Well this past Friday Night it was D-Day. I went. Not small feat when everyone in the house is ending their week and wanting to veg instead of watch the baby, so I could do something.

We got past it.

I could not believe the great donations this group got. There was some junk but mostly? Teachers donate some fantastic things. I scoffed up mucho grande of crap.

I also had to do some reassuring. I guess when you fill 15 tables in a cafeteria and you aren't feeling confident, there is concern that people will not come.

At one point I had a mix of the Principal of the High School, several key teachers and a few Mom's gathered around me, all listening intently on how you convince buyers to make generous donations to their cause. In this case SmartBoards for the classrooms.

It made me feel good. Yo.

And.

It was a huge success. We raised over $1,000.

So that was really nice. But the reality for me? (goodies I picked up cheap aside) Is that I lost most of my weekend to this event and had to cram in, grocery shopping, a tiny bit of cleaning, too much damn laundry AND a birthday party into what was left of the weekend.

Not fun.

But hey, it's Monday and as the week stretches out before me like a valley, I'm feeling pretty good about myself.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Sunday Stealing: The Third Meme About Blogging

1. How did you come up with your blog title OR what does it mean? I came up with Pleading after my first blog was found & read by my Boss, of all people. So if he finds it again, I'm pleading the fifth, so to speak.

2. What are your general goals for blogging? So I can look back and see what a dork I am. Seriously, I use it when I have a question about what happened and when. But since I lost all my first entries by deleting my first blog, I don't have much history.

3. Do people “in your real life” know that you blog and do they comment on your blog OR is it largely anonymous? I'm largely anonymous but a couple of friends who know me in real life, read.

How often do you post (x per week)? I try to post daily. T.R.Y.

4. How often do you read other blogs (x per week)? If I'm reading your blog, I check it daily for updates.

5. How do you select blogs to read (do you prefer blogs that focus on certain topics or do you choose by tone or…?) In general I follow because I like what the person writes about or there is something about their writing that brings me back, again and again.

6. Do you have any plans to copy your blog entries in any other format, 0r do you think that one day, you’ll just delete it all? Could what I write about be a book someday? Nah. I could very well just delete it.

7. What are the things you like best about blogging? Creative writing ever day. I love it.

8. What are the things you don’t like about blogging? Other people's comments.

9. How do you handle comments? Funny you should ask, I have one faithfully commenter, whom I love.

10. Do you have any burning thoughts to share on blog etiquette? Just that if you can't say anything nice, don't say it at all.

11. Any desired blog features? I'd like to have more options to customize my page but that it doesn't require me to figure out programming.

12. Have you suffered blog addiction? Hey, I resemble that remark.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

What's Happenin'

I have to say, this week, has. not. been. bad. like. at. all.

Must be the Xanax I'm taking daily. Or the over indulgence in emotion eating that I am doing. Combine that with zero exercise.

There is something to be said for being lazy.

That all ended tonight. As I did 100+ crunches at kickboxing I took a vow. A vow of no more chocolate, less soda and anything crunchy I eat must not be processed. It all sounded good as I broke out in a mad sweat.

Now that I'm cooled off and ready for bed, no so much.

This weekend the High School is holding an indoor yard sale. I'm working the drop off tomorrow night and yes, I'm looking forward to it. (sick I know) I rolled up our jar of change and figure I'll turn it into small bills tomorrow. You know, JUST IN CASE, the 80+ teachers who are making donations have anything decent that I'd want to buy.

~drools~

This weekend is also a local election weekend. There will be lots of people coming to the High School to vote for the various candidates. I'm sure I will see many people that I know stopping in to visit the yard sale.

Should be fun. Or weird.

Mixed into all this, is the usual chores. Grocery shopping, laundry, cleaning, baby chasing and a sleep over. Pretty much business as usual.

I just have to get through the day tomorrow.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Only Good Things

Things that I am grateful for ... today ....

  • Cheetos
  • Halfway through the week (hey, I'd love for it to be Friday, but all in good time right?)
  • Watching a Season of Star Trek: The Next Generation
  • Reading "Get Out of My Life But first could you drive me and Cheryl to the mall?" in less than 24 hours
  • Realizing that my teenager is normal
  • Taking the baby for her bangs to be trimmed and having her sit still enough for an entire haircut. Beyond cute.
  • Remembering to pick my son up
  • Having a normal, dull even, day
  • Ready to snuggle in bed
  • And relax