Friday, September 25, 2009

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

State of Limbo

While I'd like to think I'm not a drill sergeant, I have to admit that sometimes I am. When I'm on-board and trudging forward, everyone in the family must too. No detours.

So when my daughter told me, yesterday, she was feeling horrible, I made her go to school anyways. I mean, seriously, she was up, dressed and had her book bag. To me, she is as good as going. Course as we are driving I feel pangs of guilt. But I stamp them down and drop her off.

I come back and my man is sitting in the kitchen drinking coffee out of a plastic cup. Only he corrects me, it's not coffee. It's Alka-Seltzer.

My son gets up shortly thereafter and declares his throat is sore. He has sensory issues, so he makes these painful swallow faces and gags.

I have no mercy. My man? goes to work. My boy? to school. There will be no deviating from the plan. No. no. no.

I quiz everyone when I get home. My girl? Slept in two of her classes and looks pale. My boy? Says his throat doesn't hurt anymore. My man? Felt better by noontime.

Suck it up buttercup.

In a weak moment last night, I agreed to allow my oldest to stay home today. Barely the third week into the new school year and she's home. She better sleep today and rest. So much for sticking to the schedule.

In other news? The words "layoff" are being discussed in great detail at work. It is looking like my time will be December through February. But it is unclear whether I will be required to work as well. Apparently you can earn up to $200 a week and not have it affect your unemployment benefits. Health insurance will be paid. Which is good.

But until all the specifics are figured out, I am unsure of anything.

And it sucks.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Wanted: More Weekend

So here it is Monday ... freaking AGAIN! Why is it the week drags it's sorry butt and the weekend kicks by without even a blink?

Age old question, of that I am sure.

This weekend was jam-packed with fun. I seriously cannot complain about it. My youngest turned THREE. And while I do have a bunch-o-pictures, I don't have time to get them up until probably mid-week. I will get there eventually. Lots of hanging with friends and cake eating. Good. Good. And. Good.

Today she has her three year check up. Which I believe involves a couple of shots. I'm sure that won't go over well. I am excited to see how much she has grown and how much she weighs.

I've a double work day today AND tomorrow. Wednesday night I have a meeting to attend that I don't get paid for but I need to go to. ~sigh~

Thursday is the Library Book Sale, which I am looking forward to, even though I have far too many books on my shelves already.

And before you know it, it'll be Friday again.

Later on today I have an eye exam. As it turns out, it's been five whole years since I've had my eyes checked. That's right FIVE. I think I can see clearly but once I get behind that big eye machine and answer a few hundred questions of "better or worse" I am thinking my eye sight has changed. My favorite part is picking out new frames.

Change is a good thing!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Sunday Stealing: One Long MeMe (Part II)

27. Do you prefer to sleep or eat? Sleep.

28. Do you look like your mom or dad? I have no idea. I'm adopted.

29. How long does it take you in the shower? Fifteen minutes on a good day. I have no idea what takes that long ...

30. Can you do the splits? Hell no.

31. What movie do you want to see right now? Julie & Juliet

32. What did you do for New Year’s? Hung out at home with the kids.

33. Do you think The Grudge was scary? Umm yeah. Jenn was that the movie we saw?

34. Do you own a camera phone? I do and I luff it.

35. Was your mom a cheerleader? No. She was a dancer. Almost recruited for the Rockette's.

36. What’s the last letter of your middle name? E

37. How many hours of sleep do you get a night? Not enough I can tell you that. Probably six.

38. Do you like Care Bears? I DO!

39. What do you buy at the movies? Popcorn, soda and CHOCOLATE!

40. Do you know how to play poker? Barley. I don't like card games.

41. Do you wear your seat belt? For the most part.

42. What do you wear to sleep? A t-shirt.

43. Anything big ever happen in your hometown? Yes, possibly a casino.

44. How many meals do you eat a day? I snack throughout the day.

45. Is your tongue pierced? Nope.

46. Do you always read MySpace bulletins? Again, nope.

47. Do you like funny or serious people better? Funny. Definitely.

48. Ever been to L.A.? I would like to say, yes to that.

49. Did you eat a cookie today? Ice cream cake. Does that count?

50. Do you use cuss words in other languages? I can swear in Italian thanks to my dad.

51. Do you steal or pay for your music downloads? A little bit of both.

52. Do you hate chocolate? Let's just say, I would DIE without chocolate.

53. What do you and your parents fight about the most? My brother. It's complicated.

54. Are you a gullible person? Yeah. I wish that would change.

55. Do you need a girlfriend to be happy? ?????

56. If you could have any job (assuming you have the skills) what what would it be? I'd like to be a product tester. Think of how awesome a job that would be. All day long you test stuff.

57. Are you easy to get along with? I think I am. I try to be.

58. What is your favorite time of day? Early in the morning, when no one else is awake.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Hanging By A Thread

I always find it interesting that you can just plug along and take life for granted. You fall into a grove, yeah there are bumps but you get around them, the routine just flows.

You don't spend a lot of time reflecting or thinking. You just keep going. Until something happens that shocks you or makes you stop and think ... and realize yet again how short and how precious life is.

I was doing just that until I got word yesterday that a gentleman, who I know only by the presentations and discussions he has with a Board that I do minutes for, died suddenly. I have typed quotes, drainage discussions and seen probably hundreds of plans presented by this guy. He comes to see us monthly and in the past few months it's been every couple of weeks.

He's gone now. Gone. GONE. 48 years old. A father of six children. We just met all six of those children, when he had to bring them with him for a meeting one night. Its not exactly proper protocol, but none of us cared. It was the middle of summer on a slower night, his wife was working. So in he came, six kids of various ages in tow. He made his presentation, he answered questions, he chased his toddler up and down the hallway with her squealing and laughing.

Over the years, I have seen many engineers make presentations, I liked none better than this gentleman's. He was practical, tried to be clear (as you can be when you are talking about drainage, trust me) and most of all he was friendly. Always smiling. Always kind.

While I have no idea what his personal life was like. I have no idea what he did outside of those meetings. I am incredibly sad to hear the news.

Now is one of those times when I am stopping, looking around me, and taking the time to be grateful for what I have. To be grateful that I am here to live another day. To count my blessings and not forget how short life really can be ...

Monday, September 14, 2009

Quickie

I can't believe it's Monday, ALREADY.

This week there is lots of preparation for my youngest's 3rd BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. Which is on Sunday. With a play date/cake & ice cream on Saturday.

Dudes? Where the heck does time go? Wasn't she just a wee little one?

In other news, it's a double work day.

Sucks!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Sunday Stealing: One Long MeMe (Part I)

1. The phone rings. Who will it to be? One of my kids needing a ride.

2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart? Sometimes yes and sometimes no.

3. In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener? I'd be a talker.

4. Do you take compliments well? I try to.

5. Do you play Sudoku? Yes but I like word searches better.

6. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive? I don't see that happening but I suppose anything is possible.

7. Did you ever go to camp as a kid? Nope. I went no where, every summer.

8. What was your favorite game as a kid? Anything pretend.

9. If a sexy person was pursuing you, but you knew she was married, would you? The truthful answer here is, yes I did that, when I was very young. Now that I am married myself I wouldn't even consider it.

10. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you? I married a guy that way and so far it has all worked out just fine.

11. Do you like to pursue or be pursued? Pursing works for me.


12. Use three words to describe yourself? Nice, friendly and strange.

13. Do any songs make you cry? Not that I can recall.

14. Are you continuing your education? Oh heck no, I'm all done with school.

15. Do you know how to shoot a gun? I am interested in learning but don't want one in my house.

16. Have you ever taken pictures in a photo booth? Oh yes and it's fun!

17. How often do you read books? Just about everyday. Reading is a big part of my life.

18. Do you think more about the past, present or future? All three, obsessively.

19. What is your favorite children’s book? Sesame Street's ... "The Monster At The End of the Book" (Starring, the lovable old Grover).

20.What color are your eyes? Dark Brown Eyes.

21. How tall are you? 5' - 3 3/4"

22. Where is your dream house located? Some place with an ocean view.

23. If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed? I have no idea, probably pets and personal belongings.

24. When was the last time you were at Olive Garden? Too long ago, we are due.

25. Where was the furthest place you traveled today? 1.2 miles to take my daughter to her friend's house.

26. Do you like mustard? I do.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Ten Things That Are Deeply Wrong With Me

Alright, so I'm doing a bit of my own stealing here, thanks to Blackbird and Badger, you get to read me getting my freak on ....

  1. I cannot have the price tag remain on anything. And if it comes off in pieces, as some of them do, I'll work at it until you cannot tell it was there.

  2. Even though it was in 1994, a well documented trial, verdict, etc., I am still reading the various books related to the OJ, Nicole Brown Simpson case. My favorite was OJ's "I did it" if you are interested, in Chapter Six, titled "Confessions of a Killer" you will get a clear picture of what happened. The man is sick. Recently ... ahem ... I just finished Kato Kalen: The Whole Truth. Out of all the books I have read .. (think Mark Furman, Murder in Brentwood; Nicole Brown Simpson, The Private Diary of a Life Interrupted; Christopher Darden, In Contempt and last but not least Marcia Clark, Without a Doubt) Kato's? Totally sucked.

  3. I have this thing for the movie Grease. If it's on, I watch it. Like always.

  4. Balloons bother me. Yes I am "globophobic" why do you ask? Want to freak me out? Seat me next to a baby holding a ballon.

  5. It makes me uncomfortable when people talk about muscles or ligaments that are bothering them. Specifically if they want to share a story about how they hurt themselves, or what an operations entails. It like nails on a chalk board.

  6. If you are a sales clerk at a store and you ask me if I need assistance, my answer will 99.9% of the time be no. (The remaining .1% would be if I need to find the restroom.)

7. I am not, nor will I ever be, a fan of blues music.

8. I have a thing for clogs. Anyone care to guess how many pairs?

9. Deep in my heart, I feel, they should make chocolate flavored gum.

10. My inability to sit calmly through any kind of action/suspense/horror scene in a movie. If I am not covering my eyes or squirming in my seat, I'm getting up and leaving the room completely until it's over.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Second Verse, Same As The First

I really feel for those who have multiple children in the school system. Those information forms, permission slips and picture "checks" that have to written out, many times over can make ones eyes bleed.

I suppose as the computer age, just about takes over every aspect of our lives, it won't be long before this information will be supplied once and then it can be updated ... with yet another user ID and password.

Anywhoodle ...

As I sit, in between jobs, filling out various forms, I came across a narrative, written by my daughter, asking her what her goals are this year for her English class. Here is what she wrote ~

"My goals for my English class this year are, but are not limited to, improving my comprehension skills and expanding my vocabulary. While I'm confident in my abilities I find it never hurts to know more and get better. I believe in always learning as long as there is a word to know I want to know it. I find I lack, if just a little, the ability to understand what people tell me, and I want to fix it."

You may now proceed with your regularly scheduled program ....

Monday, September 7, 2009

Bullet Labor Day

  • Bye Summer. I miss you already.
  • Saturday's yard sale? Most awesome! Great weather, lots of people taking tons of our crappe and I split the $$ with the kids.
  • Clean up pretty much sucked.
  • Season II of Carnivale? So weird and yet ... so ... interesting. I am sad that there is no Season III.
  • Zack Effron? HOT in "17 Again". Did I just write that?
  • Third ear piercing. Looks nice but holy heck batman, do they hurt.
  • I haven't decided yet, if it's worth it.
  • Bath & Body Works, Shea Cashmere Hand Cream? To die for. (and on sale for $7) It smells and feels SO good on your hands. Sinful.
  • 1st day of School tomorrow. We are ready. Or so we say ...
  • Am dreading the 6 AM alarm and a very long double work Tuesday.
  • Big news here, I am no longer using my Palm Pilot. I have reverted back to my Day-Timer days. This, for some weird reason, makes me incredibly happy.
  • Potty training is the BOMB people! The things you forget when your older kids are teenagers.
  • I did zero cleaning on my vacation. ZERO.
  • In hind site, I'd do it all again, because I actually had a vacation.
  • My tie-together quilt is almost done. My weak math skills resulted in less squares than I needed (and two separate trips to the fabric store because I'm that crafty ... or not)Pictures soon.
  • Spaghetti dinner is almost ready. A fine and yummy ending to a great six day vacation.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Sunday Stealing: The Random Dozen MeMe

1. When you go to Wowmart, what one thing do you get every single time, besides a funky-wheeled squeaking cart full of frustration? I think I do what most people do, AVOID the smiley sticker!

2. What is something that people are currently “into” that you just don’t get or appreciate? Horror films.

3. What is something that really hoists your sail that other people might feel “ho-hum” about? I'm big into jogging and you should see the looks I get when I mention it. Once you get your breathing down, it really isn't that difficult to do.

4. Favorite song to sing in the shower or car? Anything by Matchbox 20 or Rob Thomas.

5. A really great salad must have this ingredient: BACON.

6. What advice in a nutshell would you give to new bloggers? Do it for yourself.

7. What was the alternate name that your parents almost named you? I am adopted so, not only could I have had an alternate name, I could have had an alternate life.

Do you wish they had chosen it instead of the one they gave you? I'm happy with what I have.

8. What in your life are you waiting for? I don't think I'm waiting for anything, except winning the lottery.

9. You get a package in the mail. What is it, and who is it from? Amazon.com and it's the book I'm waiting for.

10. Today–what song represents you? Good ole Gloria Gaynor. "I will survive."

11. What is one thing that blogging has taught you about yourself? You don't have to physically meet someone to become friends.

12. How are you going to (or how did you) choose the clothes you’re wearing today? What do they say about you in general or specifically how you’re feeling today? I'm all about being comfortable, so when I finally get dressed I'll be wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

A Vacation State Of Mind

...... ahhh yes, nothing says mini-vacation quite like spending your Tuesday (knowing you have Wednesday off and knowing that you have an incredibly long day ahead of you) taking notes on an Employee/Town matter until MIDNIGHT.

Some of the things I heard last night really made me feel bad for other people working in the office in question. I have never sat through a disciplinary hearing ... and I found it very interesting (and repetitive). I will state for the record "I'm happy with the outcome." You can quote me on that.

I'm also happy that I have the next six days off. That's right SIX! And I want to pause here, and, thank my boss for being so kind. Allowing me two weeks off this summer, when he has given me so much time off already, though out the year. (oh and .... I hope you aren't reading this!)

.....

How did I spend my first day? Indulging myself at HALF PRICE DAY. There is this Salvation Army about 20 minutes away and I swear every time I get some vacation, I take a trip there. Sometimes I find furniture (think chairs) and sometimes I find clothes for the preschooler.

Today I found stuff for me, already cheap AND 50% off. I came across this long jean skirt, spandex material, with a pleated type ruffle (if there is such a thing). It's GORGEOUS. There was a slight stain on the butt (someone sat in something, let's just say). I think I can get it out with a washing, if not, it's not that obvious.

I saw a black rocking chair for $12.00. That I somewhat regret not buying while I was there. All I could think of is how the hardwood floors and the rocking chair don't go together. But I could probably have put it up here, once the unfinished room ... is finished.

OH WELL.

Next up is a yard sale we are having here this weekend. Saturday, 8 AM to 1 PM. I have a bunch-o-crappe and the kids have stuff they'd like to sell. (for top dollar, I might add). I, however, am looking forward to getting rid of it all. I figure if I sell each item for$1.00 (and some are worth less, obviously), I could make $50 - $75. AND I have furniture. Not one but TWO bistro sets. What?

I must have had an eye for them at one point. AHEM. One is plastic and one metal. I hate both of them now ... what can I say.

.......

I am secretly hoping we can take an afternoon trip to the beach, to play in the waves or just soak in the atmosphere ...

Summer is almost over and I want just one more bite at the apple ....