Ugh. So I haven't posted in for evah. Partly because I have been busy, partly because it is hard work to maintain and partly because I basically whine about the same things over and over any way.
To whit: L is gone, B is your basic adolescent a-hole, L is at grandma's, D is outside playing dodge the kickball and M is the biggest spoiled baby of them all.
The breakdown: Dodge the kickball is played when you do not have enough players to play a real game of kick ball. The players take turns kicking the ball and trying to run to the other base and back while the other players try to nail them with the ball before they get back home. My kids and the neighbor kids play this game often. No one has gotten hurt...yet.
L is at grandma's house because her cousin is in town for the week. She didn't really want to spend the night but I talked her into it because Lily is here for the whole week at the last minute, and grandma needs help entertaining her. Never mind that I have already paid for the week of camp and that we already had plans. I compromised and said if she would spend the night tonight she could come home tomorrow for swimming and the zoo.
D has practice starting tomorrow night for the all-star team. He will miss the tournament this weekend because we are going to OK, but he'll be back for division tourney and state if they make it that far. He prefers playing catcher but does pretty well in the outfield too. I kind of wish he had been able to do the travel team, but am also kind of glad we didn't go for it.
B will be home from her house at any time. He was mowing their lawn, which is cool. He will need to mow a bunch since he hasn't had much success finding another job and he has about a month to come up with enough to pay a ticket.
In the latest battle of wills between M and me: she probably thinks she "won" because she got her article exactly as written. I prefer to think of it as making her work for it. More in a separate post.
Oh yeah, and I got another Miata. It is red with black stripes. It has both a hard and a soft top. The body is a bit rough, and it has a few things wrong with it, but it I look awesome in it while driving a stick and getting 30 mpg.
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
June 6, 2016
February 19, 2016
General Update
I keep thinking I am going to get back to posting on a regular basis, but it feels like i never have time. I spent my two days off this week sleeping and feeling like crud. I think it is just sinus/allergy related, nothing contagious, but I am almost wishing it was the 24-hour bug and already over instead of this lingering junk. I can clear my sinuses if I want to, but the medicine that works makes me dopey and unable to focus, so not really ideal for days I work.
Work is OK. I finally made a label with "TPANYF - JDYFJ" and stuck it inside my desk. Anyone who sees it will probably think it's a password or something, when in fact it is a reminder that this is just work, nothing more. It helps.
Kids are just finishing basketball. D is playing point guard, which is interesting. He plays there because he is short and a bit cocky, but he will need to improve his skills considerably to play beyond peewee ball. L has already said that she will probably not play again next year, which is fine. One of her coaches runs cross country, and L is very excited to try anything that involves running. In fact, when her softball team fell apart, she went back to soccer because it was more running. I hate that she doesn't want to stick with softball, it being my favorite and all, but I think she liked it for the social aspects as much as for the sport. Unfortunate, as she was beginning to practice batting both directions, and she is a pretty good batter, but she is more competitive with herself than with others, so maybe running is a good thing for her. Just hope she doesn't ask me to practice with her!!! Baseball for D and soccer for L will start just as soon as basketball is over, so same busy schedule as far as activities go.
B and L are still a thing, but I think some of the new is finally wearing off. She is a nice kid, but a bit manipulative. I don't want to see him trying to change for someone else, but most of the time it justs makes him behave better :) He turns 16 soon, and provided the drug tests keep coming back clean, he can get his license. He has been giving some thought to jobs he is interested in, although choices for someone his age in our town are not great. He is hoping to start putting in applications soon, then following up with them after his birthday. Maybe he will have something before school is out and all of the other kids start looking too. I don't need him to work a lot, but enough to have some spending money and responsibility would be good. I can't find enough for him to do around our house.
Not that we don't have plenty to do, but I am back to looking for a new contractor. The guy we had doing things last fall completely flaked and disappeared. I can pick up business cards all day long, but would rather get a referral from someone who has seen their work. We have a contractor lined up for the garage, but I still have some things I need help with, like the second-story trim, framing a window, painting, and building steps. It is an ongoing project, but hopefully we can stay ahead of the next big disaster, which is a leak in the bathroom. Ugh.
On a positive note, the long weekend in Chattanooga/Nashville was fun. I am not as interested in Chattanooga as L is, but would definitely take the kids to Nashville for a weekend sometime. We did have a long talk about staying where we are vs. moving, and will probably stay where we are for the foreseeable future. I can live with that, as long as we are not just living in the same dump, doing the same things, with no change at all, until it is too late to do anything else.
How come the good change is always slow to come and takes work but the bad change is usually quick and unavoidable?
Work is OK. I finally made a label with "TPANYF - JDYFJ" and stuck it inside my desk. Anyone who sees it will probably think it's a password or something, when in fact it is a reminder that this is just work, nothing more. It helps.
Kids are just finishing basketball. D is playing point guard, which is interesting. He plays there because he is short and a bit cocky, but he will need to improve his skills considerably to play beyond peewee ball. L has already said that she will probably not play again next year, which is fine. One of her coaches runs cross country, and L is very excited to try anything that involves running. In fact, when her softball team fell apart, she went back to soccer because it was more running. I hate that she doesn't want to stick with softball, it being my favorite and all, but I think she liked it for the social aspects as much as for the sport. Unfortunate, as she was beginning to practice batting both directions, and she is a pretty good batter, but she is more competitive with herself than with others, so maybe running is a good thing for her. Just hope she doesn't ask me to practice with her!!! Baseball for D and soccer for L will start just as soon as basketball is over, so same busy schedule as far as activities go.
B and L are still a thing, but I think some of the new is finally wearing off. She is a nice kid, but a bit manipulative. I don't want to see him trying to change for someone else, but most of the time it justs makes him behave better :) He turns 16 soon, and provided the drug tests keep coming back clean, he can get his license. He has been giving some thought to jobs he is interested in, although choices for someone his age in our town are not great. He is hoping to start putting in applications soon, then following up with them after his birthday. Maybe he will have something before school is out and all of the other kids start looking too. I don't need him to work a lot, but enough to have some spending money and responsibility would be good. I can't find enough for him to do around our house.
Not that we don't have plenty to do, but I am back to looking for a new contractor. The guy we had doing things last fall completely flaked and disappeared. I can pick up business cards all day long, but would rather get a referral from someone who has seen their work. We have a contractor lined up for the garage, but I still have some things I need help with, like the second-story trim, framing a window, painting, and building steps. It is an ongoing project, but hopefully we can stay ahead of the next big disaster, which is a leak in the bathroom. Ugh.
On a positive note, the long weekend in Chattanooga/Nashville was fun. I am not as interested in Chattanooga as L is, but would definitely take the kids to Nashville for a weekend sometime. We did have a long talk about staying where we are vs. moving, and will probably stay where we are for the foreseeable future. I can live with that, as long as we are not just living in the same dump, doing the same things, with no change at all, until it is too late to do anything else.
How come the good change is always slow to come and takes work but the bad change is usually quick and unavoidable?
January 15, 2016
Goodbye 2015
Wow, so much has happened since I posted last. For the purpose of clearing my thoughts so I can get back to work, I am just going to make a list of possible topics that I have thought about in the last year:
1. B - Where to start? He is 15, he has a girlfriend, he took the truck without permission and blew the transmission, his friends are all idiots and I don't think he has smoked pot again since he got caught. He is home from school today with a sprained ankle.
2. The twins - both mostly amazing, occasionally challenging.
3. L - still driving a truck. Life without him home is different than with. Not sure which I handle better. On a positive note, we are going to Nashville for the weekend in a couple of weeks. Hopefully good weather and a good time.
4. Work - I pretty much don't speak to M. After more than a year, I can't decide if D is brilliant or completely ignorant.
5. Football - the Broncos are in the playoffs, baby!!! Already arranging my weekend so that I can watch them play Pittsburgh on Sunday. Hoping for the best but will not be surprised if they blow it.
6. Family - K suddenly married to some random guy. T expected to be released next month. My brother engaged, no date set that I know of.
7. The 'hood - the house next door burned down right after Thanksgiving. No one was living there, and some question about whether they still own or the bank does, but clean up crew came this week and started to remove everything.
Speaking of removal, our garage is down to just a slab. We still need to haul off shingles, but hope to flag where new utility lines and outer walls are to go this weekend, if it will ever stop raining.
Have had to put painting off until spring, as weather has been either constant rain or freezing cold since November. Thankfully not both at the same time, although we are getting to that particular season.
Not much else is going on, just needed to vent a bit as I try to finish out my Friday afternoon. May come back and elaborate on some of these if I get a chance. If not, it's not like anyone will notice anyway.
1. B - Where to start? He is 15, he has a girlfriend, he took the truck without permission and blew the transmission, his friends are all idiots and I don't think he has smoked pot again since he got caught. He is home from school today with a sprained ankle.
2. The twins - both mostly amazing, occasionally challenging.
3. L - still driving a truck. Life without him home is different than with. Not sure which I handle better. On a positive note, we are going to Nashville for the weekend in a couple of weeks. Hopefully good weather and a good time.
4. Work - I pretty much don't speak to M. After more than a year, I can't decide if D is brilliant or completely ignorant.
5. Football - the Broncos are in the playoffs, baby!!! Already arranging my weekend so that I can watch them play Pittsburgh on Sunday. Hoping for the best but will not be surprised if they blow it.
6. Family - K suddenly married to some random guy. T expected to be released next month. My brother engaged, no date set that I know of.
7. The 'hood - the house next door burned down right after Thanksgiving. No one was living there, and some question about whether they still own or the bank does, but clean up crew came this week and started to remove everything.
Speaking of removal, our garage is down to just a slab. We still need to haul off shingles, but hope to flag where new utility lines and outer walls are to go this weekend, if it will ever stop raining.
Have had to put painting off until spring, as weather has been either constant rain or freezing cold since November. Thankfully not both at the same time, although we are getting to that particular season.
Not much else is going on, just needed to vent a bit as I try to finish out my Friday afternoon. May come back and elaborate on some of these if I get a chance. If not, it's not like anyone will notice anyway.
August 29, 2014
August was the Month
August was the month that I went from really liking what I do to just having a job. The job itself didn't change, but the office dynamic did.
Our office is located in an apartment building. We have a one-bedroom apartment that has been made into two offices for three people. The director had the private office (bedroom) and M and I shared the outer office (living/dining area). Most of the time this worked because all three of us are part-time employees. Sometimes on Wed and Thurs, when M and I overlapped, it was a little loud and crowded, but it didn't keep me from being able to work. Apparently it bothered M, who complained about it to J, the building manager and "wondered" if our storage space down the hall could be turned into a third office. J sent a blanket email stating that the cost to make the space functional was prohibitive, especially since we do not pay rent. (yes, you read that part right). She suggested an alternate configuration, which made sense, but the whole thing was overstepping her bounds as far as our office management goes. D, the director, made a passing comment on this fact, but obviously took it under consideration. It was decided that D would take my desk, since she is in and out of the office the most, M would keep hers, since she is the office manager, and I would move into D's office so I could have space to spread out my projects. It feels a little weird to be the low man on the totem pole and still get a private office, but it really does make sense.
Prior to this, I had made arrangements to be out of the office for a few days. This also apparently bothered M when one day at lunch I referred to my upcoming vacation. She bristled, and said we don't get vacation. You could tell she was annoyed from then on. When J asked me about it the next day, I stopped her and said "There has been some clarification. I am taking THREE DAYS OFF and my kids can call it whatever the F*** they want." No one really discussed it after that.
Knowing that I was about to be out of the office, I worked hard to get everything done that I needed to do before I went. Then I came in on Wednesday to find that M had spent Mon and Tue rearranging the office. Her space was nice and organized, D's space was ready to go, and my office was full of boxes and equipment! In spite of wearing a skirt and heels, I spent the day rearranging furniture, locating the most important files and items, and crawling around hooking up computers. M made a few comments throughout the day that seemed a little passive-aggressive, but I smiled and worked through it. By the end of the day Fri my office looked a whole better and I felt like my absence was going to be okay.
Fast forward to yesterday, when my pay check was "adjusted" for my absence. While no one said it in so many words, I probably shouldn't have been surprised. Really surprised wasn't the word for it as much as aggravated. I knew that those days would need to be made up. I also thought that D and I had agreed they would be made up in the next month as we prepare for the convention. What frustrates me is the less than transparent way it has been handled, leaving me feeling a little blindsided.
So now I feel the need to document everything, which I didn't before. If the new policy is going to be getting paid strictly on time in the office, then that is how I will proceed. But my pissiness about documenting my time isn't really about recovering the lost wages. It's that now I no longer feel compelled to check my work email from home on days I don't go to the office. Now if I bring work home I will feel like I am being taken advantage of, rather than doing a little extra now to make work go more smoothly later. Now it's just a job.
But if there is some latent passive-aggressiveness in me, it will surely take pleasure in the fact that I can show up at the office on a day M isn't expecting me. My very presence will undoubtedly irritate her, but what can I say? I believe it's called a benefit :)
Our office is located in an apartment building. We have a one-bedroom apartment that has been made into two offices for three people. The director had the private office (bedroom) and M and I shared the outer office (living/dining area). Most of the time this worked because all three of us are part-time employees. Sometimes on Wed and Thurs, when M and I overlapped, it was a little loud and crowded, but it didn't keep me from being able to work. Apparently it bothered M, who complained about it to J, the building manager and "wondered" if our storage space down the hall could be turned into a third office. J sent a blanket email stating that the cost to make the space functional was prohibitive, especially since we do not pay rent. (yes, you read that part right). She suggested an alternate configuration, which made sense, but the whole thing was overstepping her bounds as far as our office management goes. D, the director, made a passing comment on this fact, but obviously took it under consideration. It was decided that D would take my desk, since she is in and out of the office the most, M would keep hers, since she is the office manager, and I would move into D's office so I could have space to spread out my projects. It feels a little weird to be the low man on the totem pole and still get a private office, but it really does make sense.
Prior to this, I had made arrangements to be out of the office for a few days. This also apparently bothered M when one day at lunch I referred to my upcoming vacation. She bristled, and said we don't get vacation. You could tell she was annoyed from then on. When J asked me about it the next day, I stopped her and said "There has been some clarification. I am taking THREE DAYS OFF and my kids can call it whatever the F*** they want." No one really discussed it after that.
Knowing that I was about to be out of the office, I worked hard to get everything done that I needed to do before I went. Then I came in on Wednesday to find that M had spent Mon and Tue rearranging the office. Her space was nice and organized, D's space was ready to go, and my office was full of boxes and equipment! In spite of wearing a skirt and heels, I spent the day rearranging furniture, locating the most important files and items, and crawling around hooking up computers. M made a few comments throughout the day that seemed a little passive-aggressive, but I smiled and worked through it. By the end of the day Fri my office looked a whole better and I felt like my absence was going to be okay.
Fast forward to yesterday, when my pay check was "adjusted" for my absence. While no one said it in so many words, I probably shouldn't have been surprised. Really surprised wasn't the word for it as much as aggravated. I knew that those days would need to be made up. I also thought that D and I had agreed they would be made up in the next month as we prepare for the convention. What frustrates me is the less than transparent way it has been handled, leaving me feeling a little blindsided.
So now I feel the need to document everything, which I didn't before. If the new policy is going to be getting paid strictly on time in the office, then that is how I will proceed. But my pissiness about documenting my time isn't really about recovering the lost wages. It's that now I no longer feel compelled to check my work email from home on days I don't go to the office. Now if I bring work home I will feel like I am being taken advantage of, rather than doing a little extra now to make work go more smoothly later. Now it's just a job.
But if there is some latent passive-aggressiveness in me, it will surely take pleasure in the fact that I can show up at the office on a day M isn't expecting me. My very presence will undoubtedly irritate her, but what can I say? I believe it's called a benefit :)
March 19, 2014
Like a Boss
Right off the bat, let me mention that I found B's stash of porn DVDs. Not what I expected to find, and really not sure yet how to proceed. For now, waiting to see how he reacts when he notices they are missing.
Second, I (re)discovered that minimum wage customer service employees do not usually get their jobs because of their customer service skills, but because of their minimum wage abilities. Long story short, the roof guy had left some sample boards at his MIL's place of work because it was a convenient place for both of us. When I asked about them, it took several tries between two employees and myself to sort out that I did not expect them to unlock the pharmacy and give me drug samples for shingles, but that I was there to pick up some samples of shingles I was considering for my roof. Why they were locked in the pharmacy is mystery number one. Why employee number one thought employee number two was any smarter is mystery number two. Why they put a guy who keeps repeating that he suffers from short term memory loss on the cash register is mystery number three. If I will EVER get the roof redone is mystery number four, but that is a separate issue.
Third, trying to figure out why now, after a very long time, I cannot get someone off my mind. I didn't dream about him, but I did have a series of crazy dreams that kept waking me up, and when I did wake up to stay, there he was again. It's not a bad thing, thinking about him, just trying to sort out why now. I did a mental check of "triggers", but I could not care less about March Madness, I can't remember the last time I had a drink, and I am not feeling particularly vulnerable or melancholy.
In fact, while I am not exactly iron-clad, I am kind of rockin' it. I am getting more done around the house since I got put in charge. My new job is turning out to be pretty great. I also have two contracts now for freelance work. It looks like spring might be on its way to stay. Other than the young son with the beginnings of an adult-sized porn collection, I am doing ok as a de facto single parent.
On a sad note, L seems to think the DVDs might have been John's. Can't return them to a person who no longer exists. Likewise with Jodie. What a strange winter, to have two peers almost my exact age pass away. We'll save the list of things that really suck for another day.
#selectivecaring #likeaboss @pollyanna
Second, I (re)discovered that minimum wage customer service employees do not usually get their jobs because of their customer service skills, but because of their minimum wage abilities. Long story short, the roof guy had left some sample boards at his MIL's place of work because it was a convenient place for both of us. When I asked about them, it took several tries between two employees and myself to sort out that I did not expect them to unlock the pharmacy and give me drug samples for shingles, but that I was there to pick up some samples of shingles I was considering for my roof. Why they were locked in the pharmacy is mystery number one. Why employee number one thought employee number two was any smarter is mystery number two. Why they put a guy who keeps repeating that he suffers from short term memory loss on the cash register is mystery number three. If I will EVER get the roof redone is mystery number four, but that is a separate issue.
Third, trying to figure out why now, after a very long time, I cannot get someone off my mind. I didn't dream about him, but I did have a series of crazy dreams that kept waking me up, and when I did wake up to stay, there he was again. It's not a bad thing, thinking about him, just trying to sort out why now. I did a mental check of "triggers", but I could not care less about March Madness, I can't remember the last time I had a drink, and I am not feeling particularly vulnerable or melancholy.
In fact, while I am not exactly iron-clad, I am kind of rockin' it. I am getting more done around the house since I got put in charge. My new job is turning out to be pretty great. I also have two contracts now for freelance work. It looks like spring might be on its way to stay. Other than the young son with the beginnings of an adult-sized porn collection, I am doing ok as a de facto single parent.
On a sad note, L seems to think the DVDs might have been John's. Can't return them to a person who no longer exists. Likewise with Jodie. What a strange winter, to have two peers almost my exact age pass away. We'll save the list of things that really suck for another day.
#selectivecaring #likeaboss @pollyanna
September 18, 2013
All in a Day's Work
I am ready for this week to be over, and it's only (barely) Wednesday. The big conference I do each year for my job is next week. That makes this week one of the most busy and usually most stressful . Some of the headaches are to be anticipated, and while I gripe about them, they can be taken in stride- last minute requests, last minute changes, etc. Some can be expected, but I don't have to like them, like hold ups waiting on other people to get their stuff together. This year, I am more than a little annoyed with my co-coordinator, who has left some pretty big things to the last minute, meaning that where we should be confirming details with the facility, the caterer and the trade show vendor, we are still trying to iron out a work plan. I am not happy about this, and the fact that I know it needs resolved, and there is nothing we can do until later today, when I was already going to be crazy busy, is keeping me awake. The other headache is caused by one of our out of town speakers, whose travel schedule is weird, to say the least. To make it more complicated, we contracted her through a speakers bureau. What this means is that rather than just being able to call her and work out details, I have to work through a representative. This means everything takes three times longer to resolve. For example, we got an official response to a question yesterday that we had already dismissed and moved on from due to lack of reply. Fortunately, the reply confirmed what we had already decided to do, or I might be lying awake wondering how to fix that too. Today is our work day, where we prep the packets and organize delivery of materials. That itself is not stressful, provided the printer has done everything correctly. It's just that I had set aside this morning to get ready for that, and now it looks like I will be spending my morning troubleshooting 99 other things instead.
And, because the rest of my life does not stop just because work is busy, I still have to get through this week on the home front. It's not any busier than most weeks, but trying to fit it all in while also getting ready to be out of town for three days is not simple. Monday we went to visit my father in law, who had to stay overnight in the hospital after a surgical procedure. Last night and tomorrow night we have soccer practice. Tonight we are going to a church activity and to see my in-laws again. Saturday, we have early soccer and will take the kids to stay at grandparents' house while I am gone. Sometime in between all that I need to pick up snacks for soccer, do laundry and pack suitcases, and oh yeah, prepare a lesson for Sunday. All while trying to keep work at work, be the best mom I can be for kids with homework, meals, time and attention, etc., and trying to maintain my sanity around B.
Remember him? He's 13 and driving me absolutely nuts. I know that what he most needs right now is consistency and patience and time and positive attention and all that parenting mumbo jumbo, but he makes it so difficult to even want to be around him that I know I am being a terrible parent right now. Of course I love him, but sometimes I have to try very hard to make it sound more sincere than sarcastic when I say it. Right now I am just hoping that he will behave himself while I am gone, because his grandparents are doing me a huge favor by watching them while I am gone, and they do not need his attitude to deal with right now.
On a side note, I have received several compliments about my lessons on Sunday. This is nice to hear, partly because it's nice to hear :) and partly because I was worried that I would not be a good teacher of adults, not having done that in awhile. I won't go so far as to say that I am having fun yet, but it's nice to know that others are getting something from it. I think I will too, in time.
And in the background of all this, I am still planning to leave my job for another opportunity. My official end date is the 27th, but I will come back a few times to wrap up the conference as necessary. I am very much looking forward to the new job, but still trying to do right by my current one. Truthfully, my boss is just grateful that I agreed to stick around until after the event, but I am not content to just get through it. It has been my baby for so long, and something I am known for and proud of. I don't have to go out with a bang, but it will bother me if I don't execute the best event possible.
So I will wear myself out this week, just to make those three days look like a perfect piece of cake.
And, because the rest of my life does not stop just because work is busy, I still have to get through this week on the home front. It's not any busier than most weeks, but trying to fit it all in while also getting ready to be out of town for three days is not simple. Monday we went to visit my father in law, who had to stay overnight in the hospital after a surgical procedure. Last night and tomorrow night we have soccer practice. Tonight we are going to a church activity and to see my in-laws again. Saturday, we have early soccer and will take the kids to stay at grandparents' house while I am gone. Sometime in between all that I need to pick up snacks for soccer, do laundry and pack suitcases, and oh yeah, prepare a lesson for Sunday. All while trying to keep work at work, be the best mom I can be for kids with homework, meals, time and attention, etc., and trying to maintain my sanity around B.
Remember him? He's 13 and driving me absolutely nuts. I know that what he most needs right now is consistency and patience and time and positive attention and all that parenting mumbo jumbo, but he makes it so difficult to even want to be around him that I know I am being a terrible parent right now. Of course I love him, but sometimes I have to try very hard to make it sound more sincere than sarcastic when I say it. Right now I am just hoping that he will behave himself while I am gone, because his grandparents are doing me a huge favor by watching them while I am gone, and they do not need his attitude to deal with right now.
On a side note, I have received several compliments about my lessons on Sunday. This is nice to hear, partly because it's nice to hear :) and partly because I was worried that I would not be a good teacher of adults, not having done that in awhile. I won't go so far as to say that I am having fun yet, but it's nice to know that others are getting something from it. I think I will too, in time.
And in the background of all this, I am still planning to leave my job for another opportunity. My official end date is the 27th, but I will come back a few times to wrap up the conference as necessary. I am very much looking forward to the new job, but still trying to do right by my current one. Truthfully, my boss is just grateful that I agreed to stick around until after the event, but I am not content to just get through it. It has been my baby for so long, and something I am known for and proud of. I don't have to go out with a bang, but it will bother me if I don't execute the best event possible.
So I will wear myself out this week, just to make those three days look like a perfect piece of cake.
August 29, 2013
A Little Awkward
So I have officially been offered, and accepted, a new job. I will begin around the first of October, per an arrangement between my current and new employers. While my old boss is pretty cool about me leaving, especially since I am willing and able to stay until after the conference, and my new boss is flexible about me easing into things, it still feels a little weird. I am somewhat busy with the conference, and am working on wrapping up/handing off tasks, but the truth is I am really only staying because no one else could have done the conference on short notice. So while the same old drama and gossip goes on around me, now it doesn't even affect me indirectly, except for having to listen to it. It's a rather strange dynamic indeed.
I spent yesterday afternoon at the new place, which was also a little strange. We mostly sat around visiting, asking and answering questions about the revisions to the job description, meeting people, getting a parking spot and keys, that sort of thing. My two colleagues are nice enough, although I am much younger than either of them, and have no idea how compatible we are in terms of personalities, work habits, etc.
There are two pretty cool things about the job though - first, I will be taking a modest pay cut, but only working 9-4, three days a week. That is the part that will be good for me and the kids, I think. Second, they actually rewrote the job description after my interview, to fit the skills I can bring to the position. They also, without me asking, upped the salary a bit because they thought it was appropriate, considering my skills. Several times, they have asked about my preferences or recommendations for software, vendors, etc. and said that whatever I think I need to do the job, they can get it for me.
That is certainly a big change from my current job, where I have been frustrated for a couple of years. I will admit that it feels pretty great to interview for a job, have the job description revised specifically for me, get a salary bump without no negotiation, be told that I can have the resources I need, and that they can be in place when I am ready to start, at a later date. I am sure that feeling of being valued is part of why I accepted the job, even with the pay cut. And I know that the honeymoon will end eventually, and I will be just another employee, griping about my boring job. For now, I am just keeping my head down, getting through the awkward phase, and waiting for the honeymoon to begin, for however long it lasts.
Speaking of awkward phases, please tell me that this is just a phase with B, and that he will someday grow up to be not a complete asshole.
I spent yesterday afternoon at the new place, which was also a little strange. We mostly sat around visiting, asking and answering questions about the revisions to the job description, meeting people, getting a parking spot and keys, that sort of thing. My two colleagues are nice enough, although I am much younger than either of them, and have no idea how compatible we are in terms of personalities, work habits, etc.
There are two pretty cool things about the job though - first, I will be taking a modest pay cut, but only working 9-4, three days a week. That is the part that will be good for me and the kids, I think. Second, they actually rewrote the job description after my interview, to fit the skills I can bring to the position. They also, without me asking, upped the salary a bit because they thought it was appropriate, considering my skills. Several times, they have asked about my preferences or recommendations for software, vendors, etc. and said that whatever I think I need to do the job, they can get it for me.
That is certainly a big change from my current job, where I have been frustrated for a couple of years. I will admit that it feels pretty great to interview for a job, have the job description revised specifically for me, get a salary bump without no negotiation, be told that I can have the resources I need, and that they can be in place when I am ready to start, at a later date. I am sure that feeling of being valued is part of why I accepted the job, even with the pay cut. And I know that the honeymoon will end eventually, and I will be just another employee, griping about my boring job. For now, I am just keeping my head down, getting through the awkward phase, and waiting for the honeymoon to begin, for however long it lasts.
Speaking of awkward phases, please tell me that this is just a phase with B, and that he will someday grow up to be not a complete asshole.
August 20, 2013
Seasonal News
Summer is officially over. Saturday was probably the last trip to the lake for this year, and yesterday was the first day of school. (It did not go well, BTW. We'll get in a routine eventually. I promise.)
Yesterday I also talked with SJ about my new job offer. She was very cool about it, which is a relief. Now to see if the new place is willing to delay my official start for a month until after the conference. I hope it works out, as the new gig will be good for our family, I think.
Weather is definitely fall weather. Would be nice to have a bit more time off while it lasts, as I am definitely on a home improvement roll! Got the possum belly cabinet stripped and refinished. Still need to reassemble it, but was waiting for the finish to cure. It looks great with the new top even if it is just sitting on there. Also got lots of pictures and décor hung up, light fixture (1 of 2, but still...) and ceiling fan installed (very cool) and stuff just generally arranged and organized. Still have several half-finished projects and the big cabinet to tackle, but I am finally making some noticeable progress.
In other random news, B got bands added to braces, is NOT playing football (lo-ong but familiar story) and I picked up my new glasses today. I may drive your grandma's Buick, but my eyewear is stylin'!
Yesterday I also talked with SJ about my new job offer. She was very cool about it, which is a relief. Now to see if the new place is willing to delay my official start for a month until after the conference. I hope it works out, as the new gig will be good for our family, I think.
Weather is definitely fall weather. Would be nice to have a bit more time off while it lasts, as I am definitely on a home improvement roll! Got the possum belly cabinet stripped and refinished. Still need to reassemble it, but was waiting for the finish to cure. It looks great with the new top even if it is just sitting on there. Also got lots of pictures and décor hung up, light fixture (1 of 2, but still...) and ceiling fan installed (very cool) and stuff just generally arranged and organized. Still have several half-finished projects and the big cabinet to tackle, but I am finally making some noticeable progress.
In other random news, B got bands added to braces, is NOT playing football (lo-ong but familiar story) and I picked up my new glasses today. I may drive your grandma's Buick, but my eyewear is stylin'!
August 5, 2013
Happy Birthday to Me, 2013
Actually, my birthday was not much to speak of, but that's OK. I am old enough now that birthdays are not the big deal they were when I was younger. Overall a good weekend though.
Friday night both boys were sleeping over at a friend's house, so L and I had "girls' night", which consisted of taking her to McDonald's and then the store to pick out a new outfit for school.
Saturday was drizzling rain all day, so mostly we stayed inside and didn't do much. I did get the last of the carpet pulled up, but it's still inside because I didn't want it to get water-logged before trash pick up. Also put away some of the stuff out of the boxes that were in the big cabinet and found homes for more junk. Next week I am taking some time off. While I probably won't be starting any new projects, I am hoping to wrap up a few before school starts the following week.
Yesterday we went to a pool party for the daughter of a friend. This makes two years in a row that I spent my birthday at her party :) But it was fun. The kids swam and played while the adults hung out and drank beer. We left about the time it started raining again, and everyone was tired, so the drive home seemed much longer than the drive there. Then we stopped to pick up pizza. We ended up getting it free because it took forever. Apparently one of the delivery drivers was robbed and the staff was behind, but instead of just telling us that, they tried to fit our order in between giving statements to the police. I don't think we live in the kind of place were the pizza guy gets robbed, so that IS a little weird.
Today is back to work. And I just got a call from the people interviewed with last week, so I need to quit with the self-indulgent blogging and send references :)
Friday night both boys were sleeping over at a friend's house, so L and I had "girls' night", which consisted of taking her to McDonald's and then the store to pick out a new outfit for school.
Saturday was drizzling rain all day, so mostly we stayed inside and didn't do much. I did get the last of the carpet pulled up, but it's still inside because I didn't want it to get water-logged before trash pick up. Also put away some of the stuff out of the boxes that were in the big cabinet and found homes for more junk. Next week I am taking some time off. While I probably won't be starting any new projects, I am hoping to wrap up a few before school starts the following week.
Yesterday we went to a pool party for the daughter of a friend. This makes two years in a row that I spent my birthday at her party :) But it was fun. The kids swam and played while the adults hung out and drank beer. We left about the time it started raining again, and everyone was tired, so the drive home seemed much longer than the drive there. Then we stopped to pick up pizza. We ended up getting it free because it took forever. Apparently one of the delivery drivers was robbed and the staff was behind, but instead of just telling us that, they tried to fit our order in between giving statements to the police. I don't think we live in the kind of place were the pizza guy gets robbed, so that IS a little weird.
Today is back to work. And I just got a call from the people interviewed with last week, so I need to quit with the self-indulgent blogging and send references :)
August 2, 2013
Week in Review
Monday -drama
Tuesday - drama
Wednesday - drama plus a sudden downpour resulting in downed trees and ruined shoes
Thursday - job interview, football parents' meeting
Friday - OMG, there's no drama!! where the hell is all the drama? I want my draaa ma!!!
Saturday - no drama in the forecast, but you know how drama works, so...
Sunday - birthday party
In between the whining, weather and craziness, I did manage to get conference brochures mailed, prep my stuff and drop it off for the consignment sale, go grocery shopping, have several good conversations with B and finally put away laundry.
Also managed to avoid the grand opening of our new (first) Wal-Mart, which is considered the most exciting thing to happen in our town since the last tornado. At some point this weekend, I will probably end up there to do some sales tax-free school shopping, but I will not be nearly as excited as the multitudes there this morning and subsequently posting on FB about it.
Also need to get the twins signed up for soccer, but that should be easy enough. The party on Sunday will be very laid back, so maybe I can have a relaxing weekend. Then Monday will be the first day of 6:30 a.m. football practice. They can't do two-a-days, so they will be practicing for 4 hours. Fun!
And a final note of drama - according to my oldest son (who nev-ver engages in drama, oh no), our neighbors are "preppers", who have made it possible to flip their concrete slab driveway up onto their (POS) car port (without crushing it or the "only" four people it takes to pull this feat off), and latch it (using magic latches that attach to concrete) in case of, "you know, a zombie apocalypse or something". Tell me that kid is not smoking something!
OK, back to work. Gotta finish up so I can leave early to get a new driver's license. Crossing my fingers this one doesn't look like a mug shot.
Tuesday - drama
Wednesday - drama plus a sudden downpour resulting in downed trees and ruined shoes
Thursday - job interview, football parents' meeting
Friday - OMG, there's no drama!! where the hell is all the drama? I want my draaa ma!!!
Saturday - no drama in the forecast, but you know how drama works, so...
Sunday - birthday party
In between the whining, weather and craziness, I did manage to get conference brochures mailed, prep my stuff and drop it off for the consignment sale, go grocery shopping, have several good conversations with B and finally put away laundry.
Also managed to avoid the grand opening of our new (first) Wal-Mart, which is considered the most exciting thing to happen in our town since the last tornado. At some point this weekend, I will probably end up there to do some sales tax-free school shopping, but I will not be nearly as excited as the multitudes there this morning and subsequently posting on FB about it.
Also need to get the twins signed up for soccer, but that should be easy enough. The party on Sunday will be very laid back, so maybe I can have a relaxing weekend. Then Monday will be the first day of 6:30 a.m. football practice. They can't do two-a-days, so they will be practicing for 4 hours. Fun!
And a final note of drama - according to my oldest son (who nev-ver engages in drama, oh no), our neighbors are "preppers", who have made it possible to flip their concrete slab driveway up onto their (POS) car port (without crushing it or the "only" four people it takes to pull this feat off), and latch it (using magic latches that attach to concrete) in case of, "you know, a zombie apocalypse or something". Tell me that kid is not smoking something!
OK, back to work. Gotta finish up so I can leave early to get a new driver's license. Crossing my fingers this one doesn't look like a mug shot.
July 26, 2013
Contents of a 13 year-old boy's backpack...
So I mentioned some concern about B possibly smoking. Last night I had the opportunity to take a peek in the sport pack he carries everywhere. Right off the bat I noticed a lighter, so I proceeded to look for cigarettes, or signs of cigarettes. I found an iPhone speaker, headphones, 2 packs of gum, his wrist wallet with his house key and a dollar, some Axe, but no smokes. I did find a crumpled paper sack, which I suspected might be fireworks, and then another paper sack folded up small and taped shut. Oh, hell no. Not being able to smell, I gently opened it, expecting the worst.
My excitement about NOT FINDING POT turned to dismay as I recognized the contents - condoms. I glanced in the other bag, which also contained condoms. What I had here was standard-issue health department condoms, complete with the mini-booklet entitled "How to use condoms". Well then.
I was so relieved that it wasn't something worse, that I just stuck everything back the best I could and returned the sack, including the lighter.
After much thought, I am wondering why he is carrying a lighter around, still on the alert for signs of smoking, but definitely glad that if I had to find a conversation starter it was condoms and not drugs.
It will just be the two of us on the drive up to Branson, so we'll see what comes of that.
My excitement about NOT FINDING POT turned to dismay as I recognized the contents - condoms. I glanced in the other bag, which also contained condoms. What I had here was standard-issue health department condoms, complete with the mini-booklet entitled "How to use condoms". Well then.
I was so relieved that it wasn't something worse, that I just stuck everything back the best I could and returned the sack, including the lighter.
After much thought, I am wondering why he is carrying a lighter around, still on the alert for signs of smoking, but definitely glad that if I had to find a conversation starter it was condoms and not drugs.
It will just be the two of us on the drive up to Branson, so we'll see what comes of that.
July 23, 2013
Back to Reality
Today feels more like normal. Yesterday I was so tired from the weekend that I am surprised I accomplished anything. Friday night everyone got here and we stayed up way too late. Saturday we had to get up early to go to the cemetery, then lunch, then back home to move furniture. Then back to pick up chairs and set up for the party. It was great - everyone did a really good job. Sunday was my first time to teach an adult class in forever. I don't think I did so hot, but K was with me and she said I did fine. She also got to see her dad, which was, umm, interesting.
No other big news. I didn't get the job I interviewed for, but I am actually OK with that. A friend of mine who used to work there gave me a heads up that I might be in for a really weird environment. I did get the china cabinet moved, which is a big deal. Now I have no excuses for not making progress on projects. Well, except that this weekend is family reunion in Branson.
Only other item of note is that I have really good reason to believe that B has started smoking. I will have to get creative to prove it, since I can't smell. Not sure I like the idea of having to be sneaky with my own kid, unless it turns out he started it.
Oh yeah, and the squatters have moved on. I think. Patrol car was next door again Sunday night.
No other big news. I didn't get the job I interviewed for, but I am actually OK with that. A friend of mine who used to work there gave me a heads up that I might be in for a really weird environment. I did get the china cabinet moved, which is a big deal. Now I have no excuses for not making progress on projects. Well, except that this weekend is family reunion in Branson.
Only other item of note is that I have really good reason to believe that B has started smoking. I will have to get creative to prove it, since I can't smell. Not sure I like the idea of having to be sneaky with my own kid, unless it turns out he started it.
Oh yeah, and the squatters have moved on. I think. Patrol car was next door again Sunday night.
July 7, 2013
I Needed a Holiday
So the last couple of months at work have been muy stressful. I had a job interview that seemed pretty promising, but I haven't heard anything else from them. But after a couple of days off with the family, I am feeling much better.
Wednesday night I dropped the kids off at grandma's and headed to Memphis. Spent the 4th in Tunica playing black jack and craps. Didn't come out ahead, but we spent most of the day there, had a great time, and didn't lose more than allowed. Headed back to Memphis, where we watched the fireworks over the river. Friday I came home, finished painting the boys' room, and then took the kids to the lake, where we swam, dived off the cliffs, and watched more fireworks. Yesterday we put the boys' furniture back in their room and rearranged some stuff so the house no longer looks like a work zone. Today was church, time with cousins, and getting started on taxes, finally. Tomorrow the new car will be done and delivered. All in all, I had a better, more productive weekend than I have had in the last month.
Football practice starts tomorrow, so B will have less time to fill, which is good for the both of us. The kids are really liking camp and getting to be better swimmers. The weather has been very nice (the same lack of humidity that let the paint dry quickly has made it very comfortable) so working on projects has been enjoyable. I am hoping to get a lot done this week and weekend before family stuff gets here. We'll have two weekends of family activities at the same time work gets nutty again, but maybe the mellowness of this little break will hold me for a while.
Wednesday night I dropped the kids off at grandma's and headed to Memphis. Spent the 4th in Tunica playing black jack and craps. Didn't come out ahead, but we spent most of the day there, had a great time, and didn't lose more than allowed. Headed back to Memphis, where we watched the fireworks over the river. Friday I came home, finished painting the boys' room, and then took the kids to the lake, where we swam, dived off the cliffs, and watched more fireworks. Yesterday we put the boys' furniture back in their room and rearranged some stuff so the house no longer looks like a work zone. Today was church, time with cousins, and getting started on taxes, finally. Tomorrow the new car will be done and delivered. All in all, I had a better, more productive weekend than I have had in the last month.
Football practice starts tomorrow, so B will have less time to fill, which is good for the both of us. The kids are really liking camp and getting to be better swimmers. The weather has been very nice (the same lack of humidity that let the paint dry quickly has made it very comfortable) so working on projects has been enjoyable. I am hoping to get a lot done this week and weekend before family stuff gets here. We'll have two weekends of family activities at the same time work gets nutty again, but maybe the mellowness of this little break will hold me for a while.
June 27, 2013
Cuervo and Kool-Aid
Because my work day ended with me having to call someone and put her on speaker to tell someone else "It can't be done". I have been saying this every time the subject came up. Not, "I didn't do it". Not "I don't want to do it". Not even "I can't do it". But that IT...CAN...NOT...BE...DONE.
And the perfectly appropriate and applicable quote of the day is "That's real retarded, sir".
Yeah, that kind of a day. Time for another drink.
And the perfectly appropriate and applicable quote of the day is "That's real retarded, sir".
Yeah, that kind of a day. Time for another drink.
June 26, 2013
Banjo Music to Pee By
Yeah, I know that is a gratuitous title intended to screw with the search engines. It is also the best description I can come up with for the weird, piped-in music that was playing in the bathroom at work today.
Speaking of work, this has been the most annoying week in a while. Without going into details, let's just say that between the end-of-the-year fiscal stress, made worse by a boss who has no sense of organization or basic accounting, plus the political drama, made worse by too many bosses for one job, plus my need to get something completely different accomplished, made worse by the fact that my priority is not anyone else's priority, until it becomes their priority, it has been a doozy. And it's only Wednesday.
In the middle of this, I had a job interview yesterday. I am of course second-guessing some of my responses, but over all I am qualified and hopeful. We'll see.
At home is has been a quiet week - Monday was my 22nd anniversary, but there was no one here to celebrate it with, so pretty low key. B has been gone the last two weeks, and this week until I don't know when. So just the twins and I, hanging out, messing with the garden, piddling at projects when it's not too hot, avoiding the pesky neighbor kid.
Speaking of pesky neighbor kid, he is actually a lot better, but still pretty annoying. I have figured out how to get him to behave most of the time. One, ask him nicely. Two, explain that since asking nicely didn't work, I will have to get "official". Three, pretend to write on a piece of paper. Four, get my phone. About the time I click on the camera icon and point it at him, he gets a scared look on his face and takes of for home. He'll figure it ou eventually and I'll have to try something else, but for now it works :)
Not much else is new. Garden is not impressive, but the kids are enjoying it. Mike came and finished the woodwork in the boys' room, I am almost done sanding the possum belly cabinet. Next up is to paint the trim, add the top to the cabinet, and then decide on either a sewing project (indoors, but something I have to be in the mood for), or another refinishing project (enjoyable, unless it continues to get hotter). Again, we'll see.
Next week of course is the 4th of July, but no plans as of yet.
Better go, time to get the twins ready for bed. They are going to Jump Zone tomorrow.
Speaking of work, this has been the most annoying week in a while. Without going into details, let's just say that between the end-of-the-year fiscal stress, made worse by a boss who has no sense of organization or basic accounting, plus the political drama, made worse by too many bosses for one job, plus my need to get something completely different accomplished, made worse by the fact that my priority is not anyone else's priority, until it becomes their priority, it has been a doozy. And it's only Wednesday.
In the middle of this, I had a job interview yesterday. I am of course second-guessing some of my responses, but over all I am qualified and hopeful. We'll see.
At home is has been a quiet week - Monday was my 22nd anniversary, but there was no one here to celebrate it with, so pretty low key. B has been gone the last two weeks, and this week until I don't know when. So just the twins and I, hanging out, messing with the garden, piddling at projects when it's not too hot, avoiding the pesky neighbor kid.
Speaking of pesky neighbor kid, he is actually a lot better, but still pretty annoying. I have figured out how to get him to behave most of the time. One, ask him nicely. Two, explain that since asking nicely didn't work, I will have to get "official". Three, pretend to write on a piece of paper. Four, get my phone. About the time I click on the camera icon and point it at him, he gets a scared look on his face and takes of for home. He'll figure it ou eventually and I'll have to try something else, but for now it works :)
Not much else is new. Garden is not impressive, but the kids are enjoying it. Mike came and finished the woodwork in the boys' room, I am almost done sanding the possum belly cabinet. Next up is to paint the trim, add the top to the cabinet, and then decide on either a sewing project (indoors, but something I have to be in the mood for), or another refinishing project (enjoyable, unless it continues to get hotter). Again, we'll see.
Next week of course is the 4th of July, but no plans as of yet.
Better go, time to get the twins ready for bed. They are going to Jump Zone tomorrow.
April 26, 2013
I Believe
Long story short, but I was thinking about writing my own "I Believe" statement. I got distracted and could only think of this:
Kevin Costner (Crash Davis): Well, I believe in the soul,
the cock, the pussy, the small of a woman's back, the hanging curve ball, high
fiber, good scotch, that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent,
overrated crap. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought
to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter.
I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents
Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep,
soft, wet kisses that last three days.Maybe I'll get around to the rest of my statement eventually. So far I have a pretty firm belief in the importance of good grammar and that there is no such thing as too much garlic. Until then, there are worse things to be thinking of on this random Friday in April than Kevin Costner ; )
April 19, 2013
Questionable Behavior
I have been meaning to post about a recurring subconscious dream that goes something like this:
Out of the blue, this guy I used to know calls me and tells me that his wife has filed for divorce. I don't say anything until he prompts me to say something. I tell him of course I am very sorry to hear it, and ask if he is doing OK. He says "yeah, but you're not going to be as nice when you hear the rest". At this point, I say the other thing I have been wanting to say, which is "am I going to be subpoenaed?". He doesn't reply, so I ask what it is I should say. He says, "Just tell the truth". At this point I wake up, because I have no idea what the truth would be in that situation.
The other junk on my mind the last couple of weeks fits also fits under the heading of Questionable Behavior:
I hit the %^$#ing neighbor kid with a baseball bat. Oh, chill, it's a foam practice bat, and he moved in front of it as much as I swung it at him.
I took a hydrocodone tablet when an aspirin would have done the job because I was too lazy to look for an aspirin.
I started looking for a job again. On work time. On my boss's computer.
And my six year-old's teacher called to say he had told her to "Shut up, you son-of-a-...". Really not sure where that one came from. I don't talk like that and I don't allow my kids to talk like that, or watch shows with that kind of language.
OK, I'll behave now.
Out of the blue, this guy I used to know calls me and tells me that his wife has filed for divorce. I don't say anything until he prompts me to say something. I tell him of course I am very sorry to hear it, and ask if he is doing OK. He says "yeah, but you're not going to be as nice when you hear the rest". At this point, I say the other thing I have been wanting to say, which is "am I going to be subpoenaed?". He doesn't reply, so I ask what it is I should say. He says, "Just tell the truth". At this point I wake up, because I have no idea what the truth would be in that situation.
The other junk on my mind the last couple of weeks fits also fits under the heading of Questionable Behavior:
I hit the %^$#ing neighbor kid with a baseball bat. Oh, chill, it's a foam practice bat, and he moved in front of it as much as I swung it at him.
I took a hydrocodone tablet when an aspirin would have done the job because I was too lazy to look for an aspirin.
I started looking for a job again. On work time. On my boss's computer.
And my six year-old's teacher called to say he had told her to "Shut up, you son-of-a-...". Really not sure where that one came from. I don't talk like that and I don't allow my kids to talk like that, or watch shows with that kind of language.
OK, I'll behave now.
April 8, 2013
Another Week in Review
The highlights of our family timeline for the last week look something like this:
Tuesday, 4-2 - Gigi passed away, 10 days after her stroke
Wednesday, 4-3 - took B to church, ate at Waffle House with MIL
Thursday, 4-4 - Let B have a friend spend the night on a school night, because the whole week was effed up anyway, so why not?
Friday, 4-5 - took the day off work to get ready for trip to OK
Sat, 4-6, 1:30 a.m. - got up and showered
Sat, 4-6, 2:45 a.m. - picked L up in Lonoke and began driving to OK
Sat, 4-6, 6:00 a.m. - stopped for gas, breakfast and truck stop showers (which everyone in my family except for me seems to think is a treat)
Sat, 4-6, 8:30 a.m. - arrive in Ramona where we changed clothes and got ready for funeral
Sat, 4-6, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. - LONGEST EFFING DAY EVER
Sunday, 4-7, noonish - skipped church, met lots of family for lunch after, where we celebrated B's birthday. He was pretty cool about it, very appreciative of all of the attention, and fully understanding that the only time he will ever have this many family members at a birthday party for him will be if it coincides with another funeral. Little twerp raked in a bunch of money too, part of which he donated to the Memorial Fund.
Sunday, 4-7, 4 p.m. - headed back to AR
Sunday, 4-7, 10:30 p.m. - dropped L off in Lonoke
Sunday, 4-7, 11 p.m. - arrived home, unloaded the bare minimum from car, and fell into bed
Notice anything missing from the 72 hours between Friday night and Sunday night? Like adequate sleep?
I hope to eventually write a bit about Gigi, and what a pretty amazing family she left behind, but not right now. Right now I have to get through the last hour of work so I can go home, unload the car, and begin to make space in my house for a piano. Yes, we just acquired a piano. With a fairly prominent plaque on the side that ensures we can never (easily) get rid of it.
March 8, 2013
The Week That Was
Monday - I stayed home sick
Tuesday - L spent the night at home
Wednesday - the van broke down after I had dropped the kids off for activities but before I finished my errand and could pick them up
Thursday - D lost a tooth and this happened to B
Friday - first day of baseball and the end of a very strange week
Tuesday - L spent the night at home
Wednesday - the van broke down after I had dropped the kids off for activities but before I finished my errand and could pick them up
Thursday - D lost a tooth and this happened to B
Friday - first day of baseball and the end of a very strange week
February 5, 2013
Monday Blues
Yesterday was the 30th anniversary of Karen Carpenter's death. I wouldn't say I was a fan of the Carpenters, but I do remember most of their songs from when I was a kid. Plus, yesterday was Monday, and it was rainy. And I was feeling a little out of sorts.
Someone whom I admire very much discovered she has a brain tumor, and will need surgery as soon as possible. The doctors do not believe it is cancerous, but I am feeling really apprehensive. We made cards and pictures for her last night for FHE. B made a graphic picture of someone digging a tumor out of her wide-open head. I wrote her a letter telling her why she is my inspiration.
On a lighter note, the new cat is coming out of hiding more often and for longer periods. For his part, the dog is learning a little restraint. The cat's name is Oreo. He is neither black nor white, nor does he resemble an Oreo in any other way. He actually looks like a less fluffy, slightly less evil version of this:
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