Piranha and I have been passing notes since 8th grade so when email was invented we were all over that and have transformed our communication from folded paper passed in the hall to covert messages in the middle of work.
I'll change names and any identifying stuff but otherwise I'm keeping the text in tact and you have to fend for yourself. Enjoy the ride.....
December 3, 2009
Subject: Booger Boys
QQ:
How's life chica? Work going smashingly? Got your shopping done?
[Big Girl] like her new car?
Can you tell I'm trying to avoid work?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Piranha:
Life: BUSY!
Work: kinda slow...
Shopping: ALMOST!!! Only a couple more gifts to go!
[Big Girls]'s Car: She's over the moon.
Ha ha...does that sum it up? I left out the fact that [Husband] is at
home today because the stupid Stratus wouldn't start this morning so
he has to get a new battery. (SO not in the budget.) AND, one of
the cats is pissing all over the beds and since we think it's Rocky,
he's going to the vet today to get his bladder checked. (Also, SO
not in the budget.) [Husband] is monster.coming jobs in South Carolina
as we speak. (It's something we've been thinking about for quite
awhile.) Probably won't happen for awhile but you never know!
Is it Sangria Saturday yet?????
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
QQ:
sangria saturday cannot come soon enough! You do not have permission
to move away so just get that notion out of your pointy little head
right now. Unless you're buying enough property to make a commune for
all of us drunks. Then it would be okay and you can keep THAT
thought in your pointy little head. But that's it. okay?
Just found out that the struts on my new maxima are being recalled so
we have to go get that taken care of soon before the bottom falls out
of my NEW car.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Piranha
Cars suck and I DO NOT have a pointy head! It's shaped more like an upside down pear. (At least it is in the world according to [Youngest Child].)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
QQ:
I didn't say WHICH end was pointy. You just assumed the top.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Office Jokes - March 31, 2011
I've got a new batch!
And lest anyone thinks Anna has been quietly taking my crap, two days ago a TOILET appeared in my front yard. Tomorrow is April 1. I would be happy to take suggestions for creative ways to get revenge (and the toilet does not necessarily have to be involved).
And lest anyone thinks Anna has been quietly taking my crap, two days ago a TOILET appeared in my front yard. Tomorrow is April 1. I would be happy to take suggestions for creative ways to get revenge (and the toilet does not necessarily have to be involved).
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Curly Girl
Saturday night I was talking to friends how I am shopping for a new hairdresser. I just cannot find anyone who can deal with this mop. I mean I walk out of the salon looking great but I can never reproduce anything close to what they create. I try to explain how I really need a low maintenance style - I'm just not willing to dry, fluff, straighten, curl, and slop more goop every damn morning. We're talking about a person who doesn't wear make-up, why would I want fussy hair?
My bone straight hair turned into curls after my daughter was born. It looked exactly like a perm that had grown out. It was flat on top and frizzy on the bottom. My only consistent solution for the last 20 years has been to pull it back into a ponytail. Shorter styles have been attempted only to leave me without the ability to pull it up when it looks ragged.
I was told about a woman who has learned to embrace her curls but she has a whole routine... I need to talk to her to get the details. Well lo and behold that woman came into the office on Monday. Don't you love how stuff like that happens?
After she told me her curl treatment I looked it up online and found a couple of sites repeating her details. Yesterday I did as much of it as I could and sure enough, no frizz and curls further up my scalp than ever before.
OMG
First, I have to wash and condition my hair upside-down. No slicking my hair back under the shower as that weighs down my hair follicles, I have to train the hair strands to stand up.
When I dry my hair, don't use a towel. I'm supposed to use a T-shirt. Well, I had to skip this step as I didn't have a shirt to sacrifice at this point, but I also didn't aggressively towel dry my hair either.
Next, no brushes or combs. Use enough conditioner that I am able to use my fingers to comb through the strands and then scrunch them. Of course this form of combing as well as the drying has to be done bent over just like I had to wash it. Focus on keeping the hair away from my scalp.
I already don't shampoo every day, but they suggest wetting it down on off-days. Curly hair is evidently very dry and needs lots of moisture. Well doesn't that explain why humidity and rainy days curl me up like Shirley Temple?
I'm really excited about this. It makes so much more sense than the blow-dry and straighten routine everyone has been trying to force onto my head.
Any other curly tops out there? How are you taming or embracing the curls?
My bone straight hair turned into curls after my daughter was born. It looked exactly like a perm that had grown out. It was flat on top and frizzy on the bottom. My only consistent solution for the last 20 years has been to pull it back into a ponytail. Shorter styles have been attempted only to leave me without the ability to pull it up when it looks ragged.
I was told about a woman who has learned to embrace her curls but she has a whole routine... I need to talk to her to get the details. Well lo and behold that woman came into the office on Monday. Don't you love how stuff like that happens?
After she told me her curl treatment I looked it up online and found a couple of sites repeating her details. Yesterday I did as much of it as I could and sure enough, no frizz and curls further up my scalp than ever before.
OMG
First, I have to wash and condition my hair upside-down. No slicking my hair back under the shower as that weighs down my hair follicles, I have to train the hair strands to stand up.
When I dry my hair, don't use a towel. I'm supposed to use a T-shirt. Well, I had to skip this step as I didn't have a shirt to sacrifice at this point, but I also didn't aggressively towel dry my hair either.
Next, no brushes or combs. Use enough conditioner that I am able to use my fingers to comb through the strands and then scrunch them. Of course this form of combing as well as the drying has to be done bent over just like I had to wash it. Focus on keeping the hair away from my scalp.
I already don't shampoo every day, but they suggest wetting it down on off-days. Curly hair is evidently very dry and needs lots of moisture. Well doesn't that explain why humidity and rainy days curl me up like Shirley Temple?
I'm really excited about this. It makes so much more sense than the blow-dry and straighten routine everyone has been trying to force onto my head.
Any other curly tops out there? How are you taming or embracing the curls?
Monday, March 28, 2011
Incredible Cuteness
This is my two oldest children at their aunt's wedding. My daughter sent it to me over the weekend and I cannot get enough of it.
I doubt my son remembers this day, but it truly sticks out in my memory. He was such a little shit that day and in DIRE need of a nap. This may be the only good picture of him from the wedding. My daughter, on the other hand, completely soaked up the day, the pretty dress, and being near her precious aunt (still a favorite person in her world). She had very little tolerance of her little brother's behavior and was hellbent on getting him to comply to the photographer's requests.
I doubt my son remembers this day, but it truly sticks out in my memory. He was such a little shit that day and in DIRE need of a nap. This may be the only good picture of him from the wedding. My daughter, on the other hand, completely soaked up the day, the pretty dress, and being near her precious aunt (still a favorite person in her world). She had very little tolerance of her little brother's behavior and was hellbent on getting him to comply to the photographer's requests.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sunday In My City - March 27, 2011
This week was an interesting display of weather - several days of 80 degree temps and then snow. This when trees are just beginning to flower. I was trying to get pictures of flowers in the snow when I saw this on my car:
Cool, huh?
So I turned the camera upward and got the pear blossoms. This morning they were covered in a thick layer of snow. Unfortunately, last night's vodka has kept me indoors today. All I can say is that it was absolutely beautiful when I looked out the window.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Saturday Survey - Game Night
What do you think about board games and cards? Which are your favorites?
At home we play cards, a game called 500 that is a version of rummy. The Husband is a pro and usually wins. When we're with friends we've played a variety of games, but the one we keep coming back to is Mexican Train, a variation of dominoes.
At home we play cards, a game called 500 that is a version of rummy. The Husband is a pro and usually wins. When we're with friends we've played a variety of games, but the one we keep coming back to is Mexican Train, a variation of dominoes.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Friday Fragments - March 25, 2011
Good Morning!
Last week I was in the middle of a mini-vacation. The next three weeks are crunch time as we prepare for the annual dinner auction at work so it was nice to regenerate before the craziness kicks in. I'm in charge of assembling the catalog and powerpoint presentations.
On Friday afternoon Husband and I went to see Hall Pass. It's nice to see a movie in the theater. Since we went on a weekday in the afternoon it only cost $5 to get in. Wasn't that the full price a few years ago? Okay a decade ago? That sounds as unbelievable as my mom remembering getting into the movies for a quarter and popcorn costing a dime.
aaaahhhhhh.... movie popcorn..... mmmmmmm..... The Husband and I agree completely about popcorn - no butter. It makes it soggy and we want the satisfying crunch in every bite.
Movie review? We loved it. It was incredibly funny. If you enjoyed The Hangover, you'll enjoy this. If you don't like scatilogical humor then you might want to pass. The previews don't do this movie justice, but then again, they can't show the funniest parts.
If you saw my Sunday post you'll know that I spent Saturday morning walking around Missouri Botanical Gardens. It was a beautiful day and a delightful walk. I wanted to get out before the trees and bushes bloomed and I nailed my timing perfectly.
By Tuesday the neighborhoods have all burst into bloom. The bradford pear tree in my front yard looks like its covered in popcorn. I really ought to return to the gardens tomorrow to get a follow up shot.
The weather this week has been glorious. We had several days of temps in the 80's, but then yesterday, true to St. Louis style, the temps dropped down to the 30's and this morning we woke up to SNOW! And more is predicted over the next few days.
Head over to Half Past Kissing Time to check out everyone's fragments!
Last week I was in the middle of a mini-vacation. The next three weeks are crunch time as we prepare for the annual dinner auction at work so it was nice to regenerate before the craziness kicks in. I'm in charge of assembling the catalog and powerpoint presentations.
On Friday afternoon Husband and I went to see Hall Pass. It's nice to see a movie in the theater. Since we went on a weekday in the afternoon it only cost $5 to get in. Wasn't that the full price a few years ago? Okay a decade ago? That sounds as unbelievable as my mom remembering getting into the movies for a quarter and popcorn costing a dime.
aaaahhhhhh.... movie popcorn..... mmmmmmm..... The Husband and I agree completely about popcorn - no butter. It makes it soggy and we want the satisfying crunch in every bite.
Movie review? We loved it. It was incredibly funny. If you enjoyed The Hangover, you'll enjoy this. If you don't like scatilogical humor then you might want to pass. The previews don't do this movie justice, but then again, they can't show the funniest parts.
If you saw my Sunday post you'll know that I spent Saturday morning walking around Missouri Botanical Gardens. It was a beautiful day and a delightful walk. I wanted to get out before the trees and bushes bloomed and I nailed my timing perfectly.
By Tuesday the neighborhoods have all burst into bloom. The bradford pear tree in my front yard looks like its covered in popcorn. I really ought to return to the gardens tomorrow to get a follow up shot.
The weather this week has been glorious. We had several days of temps in the 80's, but then yesterday, true to St. Louis style, the temps dropped down to the 30's and this morning we woke up to SNOW! And more is predicted over the next few days.
Head over to Half Past Kissing Time to check out everyone's fragments!
PS - I am sitting at 99 followers... would somebody please push me over the 100 mark even if you never plan on returning to my blog. I would greatly appreciate it.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Pineapple Chicken
Sorry, I don't have pictures but trust me it was good and really easy.
I am very guilty of using prepared box meals from the grocery store. It's just... easier. Or so it seems. Actually, they introduce me to a meal idea that I would not have come up with on my own. After I decide I like the combination, I will tinker around and try to make it from scratch.
I did that with pasta salad. I don't like mayonnaise based sauces, so when Kraft had a pasta salad using italian dressing, I had to try it. It used different colored spiral pasta and had dehydrated olives and diced onions. Okay, I think I can do that on my own and I have and it is a huge hit with my kids. I've even added other veggies like bell pepper and celery. I'm sure broccoli would be good in it too. It's my go-to dish for pot lucks.
For the past couple of years we have been making a pineapple chicken dinner from LaChoy.. Just add chicken. We had been sprucing it up with an extra can of pineapple chunks. It seemed we could do it from scratch using a bottle of sweet an sour sauce.
We tried it last night from scratch
1 1/2 cup of dry rice. Cook according to package and then add other ingredients.
3 small chicken breasts (grilled and diced)
1 bottle of sweet and sour sauce (add a half bottle of water to rinse the contents into the pot)
1 can of pineapple tidbits including the juice
salt to flavor
But it needed a little more umph. It was a little bitter. I added a cup of brown sugar and that polished it off perfectly.
We won't be using the box any more. All three of us went back for seconds and Husband and I have enough left for lunches today.
I am very guilty of using prepared box meals from the grocery store. It's just... easier. Or so it seems. Actually, they introduce me to a meal idea that I would not have come up with on my own. After I decide I like the combination, I will tinker around and try to make it from scratch.
I did that with pasta salad. I don't like mayonnaise based sauces, so when Kraft had a pasta salad using italian dressing, I had to try it. It used different colored spiral pasta and had dehydrated olives and diced onions. Okay, I think I can do that on my own and I have and it is a huge hit with my kids. I've even added other veggies like bell pepper and celery. I'm sure broccoli would be good in it too. It's my go-to dish for pot lucks.
For the past couple of years we have been making a pineapple chicken dinner from LaChoy.. Just add chicken. We had been sprucing it up with an extra can of pineapple chunks. It seemed we could do it from scratch using a bottle of sweet an sour sauce.
We tried it last night from scratch
1 1/2 cup of dry rice. Cook according to package and then add other ingredients.
3 small chicken breasts (grilled and diced)
1 bottle of sweet and sour sauce (add a half bottle of water to rinse the contents into the pot)
1 can of pineapple tidbits including the juice
salt to flavor
But it needed a little more umph. It was a little bitter. I added a cup of brown sugar and that polished it off perfectly.
We won't be using the box any more. All three of us went back for seconds and Husband and I have enough left for lunches today.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Work or School?
Yesterday morning I encouraged my thirteen year old son to suck it up. I understand how much going to school every day really sucks, but honestly, schlepping to work sucks even more.
Fabulous words of encouragement, no?
When I arrived home from a dull, boring day at work (okay, not quite so boring. I got to cannibalize a laptop to retrieve a hard drive with important data - total geeky fun). So anyways, when I got home, Ian was sound asleep.
What would cause an active thirteen year old to pass out cold? Nah, nothing chemical. How about gym? Running 50 meter sprints wore him out.
So, okay, once I left school I never ever had to run laps or sprints for any reason. I may have jogged down a hallway for an emergency, but not because some brute with a whistle was barking out orders.
Maybe school sucks more than work.
Fabulous words of encouragement, no?
When I arrived home from a dull, boring day at work (okay, not quite so boring. I got to cannibalize a laptop to retrieve a hard drive with important data - total geeky fun). So anyways, when I got home, Ian was sound asleep.
What would cause an active thirteen year old to pass out cold? Nah, nothing chemical. How about gym? Running 50 meter sprints wore him out.
So, okay, once I left school I never ever had to run laps or sprints for any reason. I may have jogged down a hallway for an emergency, but not because some brute with a whistle was barking out orders.
Maybe school sucks more than work.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Dog Sitting
These three guys are camping out at my house until my lughead brother is able to find a new place to live.
I don't think they remember me from a few years ago when they stayed with me while Lughead went on vacation.
My sunroom is in dire need of a mop and there is a lovely stench wafting through the house that is decidedly wet dog. Of course Ian is totally soaking up the canine companionship. A boy and his dog(s) or something like that.
Maybe Dweeb, my other brother, would whisk into town and take them to his house/zoo? **HINT HINT**
I don't think they remember me from a few years ago when they stayed with me while Lughead went on vacation.
My sunroom is in dire need of a mop and there is a lovely stench wafting through the house that is decidedly wet dog. Of course Ian is totally soaking up the canine companionship. A boy and his dog(s) or something like that.
Maybe Dweeb, my other brother, would whisk into town and take them to his house/zoo? **HINT HINT**
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Sunday In My City - March 20, 2011
IT'S SPRING!!!!
Yesterday was a glorious farewell to the drab overcast winter. I drug my husband for a refreshing walk around the Missouri Botanical Gardens. We even ran into our next door neighbors!
I snapped over 100 pictures - quite amazing when you figure most of the garden is still in winter mode with bushes barely budding and brown leaves clinging onto trees.
Check out the size of these fish! They're as big as the goose!
Yesterday was a glorious farewell to the drab overcast winter. I drug my husband for a refreshing walk around the Missouri Botanical Gardens. We even ran into our next door neighbors!
I snapped over 100 pictures - quite amazing when you figure most of the garden is still in winter mode with bushes barely budding and brown leaves clinging onto trees.
Check out the size of these fish! They're as big as the goose!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Saturday Survey - Earthquakes
I was born in Los Angeles so my family has many earthquake stories. There was big one in the early 1970's that dumped the entire contents of the kitchen in my grandparents house onto the floor. After that all cabinet doors were secured with rubberbands and the good china was tucked away in padded bags. The 1994 Northridge quake shook the same house, but not nearly as much was lost.
One of my early memories was an earthquake that jolted me awake in the middle of the night. My mom reports we lost one fish out of the aquarium. The aquarium wasn't damaged, just the contents sloshed out. I remember sitting on a rocking chair the next morning, watching cartoons and the chair seriously started rocking on its own - aftershock.
There was a 3 point something earthquake that rattled St. Louis a couple of years ago in the middle of the night. It took a minute to register what was going on. I was woke up by my birds squawking - they never make noise during the night unless someone falls off a perch (it happens more than you would expect). There was a rumble I could feel from my bed in the basement and then the house started to shake.
Several houses in my neighborhood suffered some damage to exterior cement stairs - they detached from the houses. On my house the gutter downspout detached from the wall and the kitchen counter dropped a quarter inch. Nothing major, all quite fixable and I haven't resorted to my grandmother's penchant to securing cabinets with rubberbands.
So, tell us about your earthquake experiences. Have you ever been in one? Any major damage?
One of my early memories was an earthquake that jolted me awake in the middle of the night. My mom reports we lost one fish out of the aquarium. The aquarium wasn't damaged, just the contents sloshed out. I remember sitting on a rocking chair the next morning, watching cartoons and the chair seriously started rocking on its own - aftershock.
There was a 3 point something earthquake that rattled St. Louis a couple of years ago in the middle of the night. It took a minute to register what was going on. I was woke up by my birds squawking - they never make noise during the night unless someone falls off a perch (it happens more than you would expect). There was a rumble I could feel from my bed in the basement and then the house started to shake.
Several houses in my neighborhood suffered some damage to exterior cement stairs - they detached from the houses. On my house the gutter downspout detached from the wall and the kitchen counter dropped a quarter inch. Nothing major, all quite fixable and I haven't resorted to my grandmother's penchant to securing cabinets with rubberbands.
So, tell us about your earthquake experiences. Have you ever been in one? Any major damage?
Friday, March 18, 2011
Friday Fragments - March 18, 2011
Fridays are such fun days! Wednesday was my Friday this week since I took yesterday and today off work. My coworkers could definitely tell I was suffering from Friday-itis. So today, on the real Friday, I get to share all of my bits and pieces of the previous week. Let's all tip a hat to Mrs. 4444's at Half Past Kissing Time for allowing us a chance to share.
Saturday was my son's All-Star game. His team placed 4th out of 5 for the season. In the game the first and fifth place teams were grouped to play against the other 3 teams. My son's group won! This is his fourth year playing floor hockey and he has come such a long way. I think he's finally growing into his body - he no longer runs like Forest Gump.
Over the weekend I was bragging on the work I was doing for the company's website. As I was doing a bit of show and tell I discovered a HUGE problem with how it displays in Internet Explorer. I spent all day Sunday researching the problem and it turns out IE is a royal pain in the ass for web design. Do yourselves a huge favor and move over to a different web browser like Mozilla's firefox so you can properly see web pages the way the designers intended. After a lot of arm wrestling with the code I finally conquered the problem. I'm quite proud of myself.
Sunday was also the day of Patty's living wake. She has been told her cancer is terminal and the doctors have run out of options so she decided to hold her wake before she goes. Like several of her internet friends I was unable to go to Phoenix for the party so we lifted a few glasses of vino in her honor. It sounds like the party was a lot of fun.
I can't stop thinking about Patty. She has fought this disease tooth and nail and I am certain that her fighting spirit is what has kept her here. She posts every morning on Facebook, greeting the day with a smile and words of happiness. The world is a better place with Patty in it.
We woke up on Monday to a fluffy layer of snow. Although it was gone by afternoon everyone was grumpy about it. Personally I thought it was beautiful. I'm a little miffed that I failed to take a picture of it because it really was beautiful.
I am smack dab in the middle of "busy season" at work. Doesn't it sound like I'm a tax accountant or something? There are just a ton of projects coming at me from all directions so I decided to take a tiny break and come up for air since the next 30 days will be go go go go go. It has already affected me in the blogging world as I am skipping several days of posting and have all but stopped visiting all of you. It makes me sad, I miss you. I promise to be back, just give me a little time.
*************
Saturday was my son's All-Star game. His team placed 4th out of 5 for the season. In the game the first and fifth place teams were grouped to play against the other 3 teams. My son's group won! This is his fourth year playing floor hockey and he has come such a long way. I think he's finally growing into his body - he no longer runs like Forest Gump.
*************
Over the weekend I was bragging on the work I was doing for the company's website. As I was doing a bit of show and tell I discovered a HUGE problem with how it displays in Internet Explorer. I spent all day Sunday researching the problem and it turns out IE is a royal pain in the ass for web design. Do yourselves a huge favor and move over to a different web browser like Mozilla's firefox so you can properly see web pages the way the designers intended. After a lot of arm wrestling with the code I finally conquered the problem. I'm quite proud of myself.
*************
Sunday was also the day of Patty's living wake. She has been told her cancer is terminal and the doctors have run out of options so she decided to hold her wake before she goes. Like several of her internet friends I was unable to go to Phoenix for the party so we lifted a few glasses of vino in her honor. It sounds like the party was a lot of fun.
I can't stop thinking about Patty. She has fought this disease tooth and nail and I am certain that her fighting spirit is what has kept her here. She posts every morning on Facebook, greeting the day with a smile and words of happiness. The world is a better place with Patty in it.
*************
We woke up on Monday to a fluffy layer of snow. Although it was gone by afternoon everyone was grumpy about it. Personally I thought it was beautiful. I'm a little miffed that I failed to take a picture of it because it really was beautiful.
*************
I am smack dab in the middle of "busy season" at work. Doesn't it sound like I'm a tax accountant or something? There are just a ton of projects coming at me from all directions so I decided to take a tiny break and come up for air since the next 30 days will be go go go go go. It has already affected me in the blogging world as I am skipping several days of posting and have all but stopped visiting all of you. It makes me sad, I miss you. I promise to be back, just give me a little time.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Mental Health Day
No, I'm not talking about some nationally recognized day to observe something special. I'm talking about a day OFF.
I do this frequently, but my spousal unit does not seem to understand the concept. He is greedy and thinks it's a day devoted to him.
Uh no.
For someone whose job is devoted to taking care of other people a true vacation is one where she does not have to take care of anyone else but herself. That includes having a conversation. Sweet hell, all I do everyday is talk to people so what I'm looking for is a little peace and quiet and a whole lot of NOTHING.
Well, my husband and I finally came to an understanding. It took a lot of huffing and puffing and steam rolling out of my ears, but he heard me. At last. This time I took TWO days off, one to devote to him and one to devote to me. Sound fair?
Lots of people seem mystified by the whole notion of taking off for the sheer joy of being away from work. To take a little PTO for a reason other than to run errands and doctor appointments. Vacations don't always have to be scheduled out of town or to visit anyone or to do anything special. TIME OFF.
It's not a luxury everyone can enjoy. When I had younger kids all off my time away from work was devoted to doctor visits and errands. My time off was centered around them. Today that's not necessary and I have a very generous leave package to boot.
Many of the same people who look mystified by my taking a day off for the sheer joy of it are also the ones who work through lunch and never walk outside for a smoke break. I don't smoke, but I do take a few minutes everyday to sit outside and breathe fresh air and allow the sun to shine on my face.
I think all of this makes me a more efficient worker. Whether I'm stepping away from my desk for a few minutes for a few days, I come back energized and more able to focus on the task at hand. Now as to what I plan to do for my self-imposed four day weekend? Not a damn thing. I'm recharging. There ought to be a day where I sleep in. The weather today is GLORIOUS so I might find a pretty park and do lunch with the birds. If I were really up to the challenge I would head to Dog Town for the St. Pat's parade today, but I doubt that will happen.
I do this frequently, but my spousal unit does not seem to understand the concept. He is greedy and thinks it's a day devoted to him.
Uh no.
For someone whose job is devoted to taking care of other people a true vacation is one where she does not have to take care of anyone else but herself. That includes having a conversation. Sweet hell, all I do everyday is talk to people so what I'm looking for is a little peace and quiet and a whole lot of NOTHING.
Well, my husband and I finally came to an understanding. It took a lot of huffing and puffing and steam rolling out of my ears, but he heard me. At last. This time I took TWO days off, one to devote to him and one to devote to me. Sound fair?
Lots of people seem mystified by the whole notion of taking off for the sheer joy of being away from work. To take a little PTO for a reason other than to run errands and doctor appointments. Vacations don't always have to be scheduled out of town or to visit anyone or to do anything special. TIME OFF.
It's not a luxury everyone can enjoy. When I had younger kids all off my time away from work was devoted to doctor visits and errands. My time off was centered around them. Today that's not necessary and I have a very generous leave package to boot.
Many of the same people who look mystified by my taking a day off for the sheer joy of it are also the ones who work through lunch and never walk outside for a smoke break. I don't smoke, but I do take a few minutes everyday to sit outside and breathe fresh air and allow the sun to shine on my face.
I think all of this makes me a more efficient worker. Whether I'm stepping away from my desk for a few minutes for a few days, I come back energized and more able to focus on the task at hand. Now as to what I plan to do for my self-imposed four day weekend? Not a damn thing. I'm recharging. There ought to be a day where I sleep in. The weather today is GLORIOUS so I might find a pretty park and do lunch with the birds. If I were really up to the challenge I would head to Dog Town for the St. Pat's parade today, but I doubt that will happen.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Being Too Honest
Guilty. What? You didn't know I'm too honest after yesterday's post about buying new underpants?
A couple weeks ago I wrote about people stumbling over telling a story because they get hung up over being exact on their facts. Today, however, let's consider giving all of the facts in times you expect to be honest. Like applying for a loan.
Evidently, being honest has been holding me back.
Recently I had the most interesting conversation with a person who was telling me about taking his mom in to buy a new car. The woman only has documented income from social security, so not a lot. When she applies for credit she also lists alimony (LIE) and some bogus amount she makes under the table in a part time job (TRUE).
AND SHE GETS APPROVED!
I don't think I have ever counted my child support as income. When I was selling candles I never claimed that money as income on anything other than tax forms. I figured, wrongly, that because it wasn't consistent no one would consider it as real money.
IDIOT
Of course that woman has a credit report to support her and maybe that has been my real problem. But the point of this story, the one that stumps me, is that many loan issuers have wiggle room when deciding who to approve.
I had no clue.
When dealing with the fast-talking finance guy at a car dealership, if you stick to your guns about the percentage rate you want, THEY CAN NEGOTIATE. You, the customer, have the upperhand.
Do you have ANY idea the number of times I have sat at that desk, meekly accepting the bullshit doled out to me? This just pisses me off. I tried to hold to my standards, I was willing to walk out, but never did. I asked questions only to be told more unintelligible mumbo jumbo. I should have pressed harder. I should have been willing to sit there another four hours haggling for my desired monthly payment.
And that right there is the sticking point. Haggling. This chick does not haggle. I pay sticker price, even at garage sales. There is no, "will you take three dollars for that?" on a fifteen dollar item. I just gleefully open my wallet and let my money pour into someone else's hands.
I knew you were supposed to haggle over the car price, but I had NO CLUE that we can negotiate in the finance area too. No clue.
When I related this story to my husband, he was also stumped by claiming undocumented income. He did, though, tell me that he has frequently negotiated his car financing. Maybe I've loaded him with dangerous information because his eyes lit up surely contemplating our next car purchase.
A couple weeks ago I wrote about people stumbling over telling a story because they get hung up over being exact on their facts. Today, however, let's consider giving all of the facts in times you expect to be honest. Like applying for a loan.
Evidently, being honest has been holding me back.
Recently I had the most interesting conversation with a person who was telling me about taking his mom in to buy a new car. The woman only has documented income from social security, so not a lot. When she applies for credit she also lists alimony (LIE) and some bogus amount she makes under the table in a part time job (TRUE).
AND SHE GETS APPROVED!
I don't think I have ever counted my child support as income. When I was selling candles I never claimed that money as income on anything other than tax forms. I figured, wrongly, that because it wasn't consistent no one would consider it as real money.
IDIOT
Of course that woman has a credit report to support her and maybe that has been my real problem. But the point of this story, the one that stumps me, is that many loan issuers have wiggle room when deciding who to approve.
I had no clue.
When dealing with the fast-talking finance guy at a car dealership, if you stick to your guns about the percentage rate you want, THEY CAN NEGOTIATE. You, the customer, have the upperhand.
Do you have ANY idea the number of times I have sat at that desk, meekly accepting the bullshit doled out to me? This just pisses me off. I tried to hold to my standards, I was willing to walk out, but never did. I asked questions only to be told more unintelligible mumbo jumbo. I should have pressed harder. I should have been willing to sit there another four hours haggling for my desired monthly payment.
And that right there is the sticking point. Haggling. This chick does not haggle. I pay sticker price, even at garage sales. There is no, "will you take three dollars for that?" on a fifteen dollar item. I just gleefully open my wallet and let my money pour into someone else's hands.
I knew you were supposed to haggle over the car price, but I had NO CLUE that we can negotiate in the finance area too. No clue.
When I related this story to my husband, he was also stumped by claiming undocumented income. He did, though, tell me that he has frequently negotiated his car financing. Maybe I've loaded him with dangerous information because his eyes lit up surely contemplating our next car purchase.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Underpants
Being a rather frugal sort of person, I'm not one to load up on lots of clothing when I have perfectly good clothes hanging in my closet and tucked away in my dresser. Add to that I'm not particularly fond of spending hours upon hours browsing store shelves and you get a person with a drab wardrobe. I make sure to purchase items that will hold up for the long term and are practical, outlasting the latest trends.
That definitely includes undergarments. I'm not going around in hole-laden panties, but they've been well loved and are starting to fray. The little elastic strings having been popping loose and I am frequently grabbing a pair of scissors to trim them away. I got fed up and decided it was time to hit Walmart and seek out a new multi-pack of practical, cotton drawers. I pluck the sexiest of the lot trying to avoid the plain white granny panties. Yeah, that's how I roll.
It's almost REFRESHING to wear new undies. There's almost a spring to my step. Clearly I waited too long to make this purchase. I mean who writes an entire blog post about the joy of wearing new knickers (the Brits totally have the best word for it, don't they)?
That definitely includes undergarments. I'm not going around in hole-laden panties, but they've been well loved and are starting to fray. The little elastic strings having been popping loose and I am frequently grabbing a pair of scissors to trim them away. I got fed up and decided it was time to hit Walmart and seek out a new multi-pack of practical, cotton drawers. I pluck the sexiest of the lot trying to avoid the plain white granny panties. Yeah, that's how I roll.
It's almost REFRESHING to wear new undies. There's almost a spring to my step. Clearly I waited too long to make this purchase. I mean who writes an entire blog post about the joy of wearing new knickers (the Brits totally have the best word for it, don't they)?
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Saturday Survey - Moving
Have you ever lost anything when you moved? I have a friend who lost her wedding dress. She laughs wondering what happened to it since the movers did manage to wrap her trashcan WITH TRASH INSIDE and safely transport it in the same move.
Personally my major loss occurred when I moved the last time. I was at the sending end of the move and my mom and friends were at the new house receiving the stuff. Being the helpful souls they are, they unpacked most of the kitchen before I ever arrived. A few days later I couldn't find most of my pots and pans. I had a few skillets and definitely everything I needed for day-to-day cooking, but I didn't have any sauce pots or the big deep one I used for everything to boiling water for spaghetti to mixing up rice crispy treats. I dug through boxes in every corner of the house on my mission. They were NO WHERE. I called my friends hoping they would remember, but no everything they touched was in the cabinets.
hmmmmm...
After a few phone calls I was granted permission to enter the old house whereupon I found my cookbooks! OMG, I hadn't even realized I was missing those and unfortunately not all of them survived as the helpful cleaning crew threw away some of them (bastards). It verified to me that I must have left behind more in the kitchen than I realized and somebody else must now possess my favorite cooking utensils.
I was truly sad over the loss. I sucked it up and started scrolling through the internet for replacements - woo buddy, that was eye opening. No wonder these pieces were my favorite, they were freaking expensive! (okay, not SUPER expensive, but much more than I was willing to pay) I was resigned to building a savings account devoted to new pots.
One day, MANY WEEKS later, I was standing in my kitchen and it struck me that I never use the broiler. In fact, since it's an electric oven the broiler is IN the oven. What I think of as the broiler is actually a drawer.
Guess what was in that drawer?
So really I didn't lose anything, but I sure thought I did.
Okay, what have you lost?
.
Personally my major loss occurred when I moved the last time. I was at the sending end of the move and my mom and friends were at the new house receiving the stuff. Being the helpful souls they are, they unpacked most of the kitchen before I ever arrived. A few days later I couldn't find most of my pots and pans. I had a few skillets and definitely everything I needed for day-to-day cooking, but I didn't have any sauce pots or the big deep one I used for everything to boiling water for spaghetti to mixing up rice crispy treats. I dug through boxes in every corner of the house on my mission. They were NO WHERE. I called my friends hoping they would remember, but no everything they touched was in the cabinets.
hmmmmm...
After a few phone calls I was granted permission to enter the old house whereupon I found my cookbooks! OMG, I hadn't even realized I was missing those and unfortunately not all of them survived as the helpful cleaning crew threw away some of them (bastards). It verified to me that I must have left behind more in the kitchen than I realized and somebody else must now possess my favorite cooking utensils.
I was truly sad over the loss. I sucked it up and started scrolling through the internet for replacements - woo buddy, that was eye opening. No wonder these pieces were my favorite, they were freaking expensive! (okay, not SUPER expensive, but much more than I was willing to pay) I was resigned to building a savings account devoted to new pots.
One day, MANY WEEKS later, I was standing in my kitchen and it struck me that I never use the broiler. In fact, since it's an electric oven the broiler is IN the oven. What I think of as the broiler is actually a drawer.
Guess what was in that drawer?
So really I didn't lose anything, but I sure thought I did.
Okay, what have you lost?
.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Friday Fragments - March 11, 2011
So when I walked into work on Wednesday I wished everyone a Happy Thursday. Fortunately that didn't define my week or my attitude. Actually I've been in a pretty happy, sunshine mood. And that's great because I've been swamped at work and this perky attitude is truly helping me get through.
*On Sunday we had a little dinner at my mom's house to celebrate my daughter's 23rd birthday. The lasagna I made SUCKED, but I think the Kindle cover I made went over well.
*Is anybody thinking about gardening yet? It St. Louis you cannot put anything in the ground until the 1st of May. MAY! We still get freezing temps in April so unless it's a bulb, it will die. I haven't done much gardening over the last decade (Sweet Jesus that means it's forever). Living in rental homes doesn't lend to gardening although I stuck some marigolds in a tomato planter a couple years ago. I miss having a full on flower garden. Having the container garden did well for me so I think I need dig in and have another.
*Even though freezing temps will be lingering for a while allergy season is starting to kick up. Time to get drugged up so I can breathe.
*My condolences to Wisconsin. Losing your collective bargaining is a huge mistake. Anyone who hates unions had better educate themselves about labor laws a century ago. My great grandfather died from black lung - he worked in coal mines since he was a child. If you don't think those days will ever return because we have somehow become more concerned about worker's rights, you're high. I actually heard one woman say she thinks unions are outdated because people today are paid commensurate to the quality of their work... REALLY???? Yeah, you can thank a union for that.
*Prayers going up for Japan and everyone impacted by this morning's earthquake.
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*On Sunday we had a little dinner at my mom's house to celebrate my daughter's 23rd birthday. The lasagna I made SUCKED, but I think the Kindle cover I made went over well.
*Is anybody thinking about gardening yet? It St. Louis you cannot put anything in the ground until the 1st of May. MAY! We still get freezing temps in April so unless it's a bulb, it will die. I haven't done much gardening over the last decade (Sweet Jesus that means it's forever). Living in rental homes doesn't lend to gardening although I stuck some marigolds in a tomato planter a couple years ago. I miss having a full on flower garden. Having the container garden did well for me so I think I need dig in and have another.
*Even though freezing temps will be lingering for a while allergy season is starting to kick up. Time to get drugged up so I can breathe.
*My condolences to Wisconsin. Losing your collective bargaining is a huge mistake. Anyone who hates unions had better educate themselves about labor laws a century ago. My great grandfather died from black lung - he worked in coal mines since he was a child. If you don't think those days will ever return because we have somehow become more concerned about worker's rights, you're high. I actually heard one woman say she thinks unions are outdated because people today are paid commensurate to the quality of their work... REALLY???? Yeah, you can thank a union for that.
*Prayers going up for Japan and everyone impacted by this morning's earthquake.
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Thursday, March 10, 2011
Royal Wedding
Do you care?
Most people in my circle not only don't care, but really wish the news would quit reporting every single fart from Will and Kate. Most would rather watch Charlie Sheen rant and sink further into his psychosis than learn about any wedding preparations. Me? Totally love it... and quite honestly, I wish for Charlie's sake someone would lock him away because the cameras are feeding his frenzy and only hurting him further. This is a family issue and the public needs to back off or we're going to see him planted six foot under quite shortly.
But back to the royals.... love them. I sat up to watch Charles and Diana's wedding. Because it was the day after my birthday I can tell you their anniversary was July 29 1982. I also watched Sarah and Andrew's wedding. And I cried when Diana died, bawled like a baby when I watched her funeral - her sons walking behind her casket totally did me in.
I'm not a fanatic. I won't be buying any souvenirs and certainly not that fake ass ring that's advertised all over TV - FUGLY. I doubt I will be attending any royal watching parties, but I'm pretty sure I will park my ass in front of the TV despite the bitching and moaning of males in my home. I just love the whole idea of being a princess - you'll have to take it up with my inner four year old.
Most people in my circle not only don't care, but really wish the news would quit reporting every single fart from Will and Kate. Most would rather watch Charlie Sheen rant and sink further into his psychosis than learn about any wedding preparations. Me? Totally love it... and quite honestly, I wish for Charlie's sake someone would lock him away because the cameras are feeding his frenzy and only hurting him further. This is a family issue and the public needs to back off or we're going to see him planted six foot under quite shortly.
But back to the royals.... love them. I sat up to watch Charles and Diana's wedding. Because it was the day after my birthday I can tell you their anniversary was July 29 1982. I also watched Sarah and Andrew's wedding. And I cried when Diana died, bawled like a baby when I watched her funeral - her sons walking behind her casket totally did me in.
I'm not a fanatic. I won't be buying any souvenirs and certainly not that fake ass ring that's advertised all over TV - FUGLY. I doubt I will be attending any royal watching parties, but I'm pretty sure I will park my ass in front of the TV despite the bitching and moaning of males in my home. I just love the whole idea of being a princess - you'll have to take it up with my inner four year old.
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Science Fair
Dear Science Teachers of the World,
I effing HATE science fairs. Parental involvement, in my book, should consist entirely of questions like "did you do your homework before I got home?" and signing permission slips. This bullshit of nagging a 13 year-old know-it-all into transforming his meager science report into a presentation filled with color and four-part harmony really pushes me over the edge. Now I have to listen to Mr. Chats-Non-Stop rattle on about trebuchet catapults, one of many doohickeys I really did not need to etch into my gray matter. I'm still trying to forget everything I learned about neoprene rubber during a stint at the World's Worst Job Ever in 1992.
This science project, up for competition against projects made by kids who care with competitive spirits? It will surely die an unglorious death. We can only hope the baking soda volcano will somehow trip an electric circuit and cause a minor fire in the gymnasium (hopefully not damaging the new floor replaced after last year's leaking roof). Unfortunately it will not resolve the problem of the miniature, bottlecap launching, trebuchet catapult residing on my son's dresser.
Sincerely,
Slackass Mom
PS. I hate science fairs.
I effing HATE science fairs. Parental involvement, in my book, should consist entirely of questions like "did you do your homework before I got home?" and signing permission slips. This bullshit of nagging a 13 year-old know-it-all into transforming his meager science report into a presentation filled with color and four-part harmony really pushes me over the edge. Now I have to listen to Mr. Chats-Non-Stop rattle on about trebuchet catapults, one of many doohickeys I really did not need to etch into my gray matter. I'm still trying to forget everything I learned about neoprene rubber during a stint at the World's Worst Job Ever in 1992.
This science project, up for competition against projects made by kids who care with competitive spirits? It will surely die an unglorious death. We can only hope the baking soda volcano will somehow trip an electric circuit and cause a minor fire in the gymnasium (hopefully not damaging the new floor replaced after last year's leaking roof). Unfortunately it will not resolve the problem of the miniature, bottlecap launching, trebuchet catapult residing on my son's dresser.
Sincerely,
Slackass Mom
PS. I hate science fairs.
Monday, March 07, 2011
Kindle Cover
My daughter requested a quilted cover for her new Kindle. I pondered how to attack such a project. I dug through my project bin with my mind focused on a set of scraps with no color pattern. Instead, I pulled out two squares left over from another quilt, purple with butterflies. An online search gave me dimensions and these two squares would be perfect.
I stitched the two squares together and then with batting and a muslin back. This was my first project to hand quilt a design. I doodled some loops and stitched over them. That was great to do sitting in front of the TV and really didn't take too long.
It needed a flap so I dug through my pile and found a dark purple. I also gave it a muslin back (no batting or quilting). All seams were folded under so no loose threads to generate damaging debris.
I'm a little upset that I used purple thread to stitch it all together. That looks sloppy. I found a button in a tin of stray buttons (just like my mom has) and added some embroidery thread as a fastener.
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Sunday In My City - March 6, 2011
I missed the big honkin' party downtown . St. Louis holds a major Mardi Gras celebration that I've attended a few times and always had a blast.
Other big news in St. Louis is the freaking weather, were you aware of my disdain for the climatic conditions in the region? Tornadoes blasted through last Sunday night and grumpy thunderstorms Friday night. With the snow melt and numerous storms floods will be a major issue in the very near future.
While driving through the countryside I managed a few tractor pictures, but also streams bulging at their banks.
Other big news in St. Louis is the freaking weather, were you aware of my disdain for the climatic conditions in the region? Tornadoes blasted through last Sunday night and grumpy thunderstorms Friday night. With the snow melt and numerous storms floods will be a major issue in the very near future.
While driving through the countryside I managed a few tractor pictures, but also streams bulging at their banks.
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Saturday Survey - Road Trip
What is the most memorable road trip you ever went on?
Six years ago I took my 3 children on a 5,000 mile trip from St. Louis to Oregon, down the length of California, to the Grand Canyon and back home. I drove every single inch by myself.
Six years ago I took my 3 children on a 5,000 mile trip from St. Louis to Oregon, down the length of California, to the Grand Canyon and back home. I drove every single inch by myself.
Friday, March 04, 2011
Friday Fragments - March 4, 2011
Oh my, here we are again and yet it feels like a year since last week!
*I spent the weekend tearing down our prep kitchen. It was one helluva work out (and yet I didn't lose a pound) but it's done and we were promised that we will get our deposit back. The bad news is that we are closed closed. We are not searching for a new business venture. All things happen for a reason and this is no exception. I cannot see what is coming in the future, but having this out of the way must be necessary.
*Sunday night severe weather, including tornadoes, rumbled through St. Louis. Tornado sirens went off, 13 yr old ran to my basement bedroom and crawled into bed with me and at 11:25 pm, the winds and thunder kicked up. It was quick and we suffered no damage, but many people in the area were not so lucky. It was kind of sweet, however, to have Ian nestled up against me, snoring away.
*Tuesday I attended my second web design class. I'm soaking this stuff up like a sponge. I wish I could jump into a project right now, instead I'm looking at other people's websites and evaluating how they're set up. It's a whole new world to my little eyes.
*My oldest child turned 23 this week and on the same day my youngest child registered for high school. AUGH! Seriously, WHERE does the time go?
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*I spent the weekend tearing down our prep kitchen. It was one helluva work out (and yet I didn't lose a pound) but it's done and we were promised that we will get our deposit back. The bad news is that we are closed closed. We are not searching for a new business venture. All things happen for a reason and this is no exception. I cannot see what is coming in the future, but having this out of the way must be necessary.
*Sunday night severe weather, including tornadoes, rumbled through St. Louis. Tornado sirens went off, 13 yr old ran to my basement bedroom and crawled into bed with me and at 11:25 pm, the winds and thunder kicked up. It was quick and we suffered no damage, but many people in the area were not so lucky. It was kind of sweet, however, to have Ian nestled up against me, snoring away.
*Tuesday I attended my second web design class. I'm soaking this stuff up like a sponge. I wish I could jump into a project right now, instead I'm looking at other people's websites and evaluating how they're set up. It's a whole new world to my little eyes.
*My oldest child turned 23 this week and on the same day my youngest child registered for high school. AUGH! Seriously, WHERE does the time go?
Join Mrs. 4444's to share your fragmenty life
Thursday, March 03, 2011
I Think I'm Hibernating
I swear I've dug down into a burrow and have passed out. Except that I'm wide awake and incredibly busy. I watch the news just so I don't feel completely out of the loop, but it doesn't help. I've seen my friends quite a bit lately but I have no clue what's going on in their lives. My coworkers also feel distant and far away as do my mom and my children.
Is it me? is it the weather? Is anyone else going through this? Is it because I'm so busy and can't absorb any more?
What the hell?
I need sunshine and a day in the park.
Is it me? is it the weather? Is anyone else going through this? Is it because I'm so busy and can't absorb any more?
What the hell?
I need sunshine and a day in the park.
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
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