Yes. Picture Me as Chandler Bing. Could there BE any more shit to do?!
I leave tomorrow. I am half packed. Today I had a lovely conversation about the dangers of flying, with a co-worker, who mentioned this instance that I (she who buries her head in the sand, doesn't read the newspaper, and doesn't watch the news) was completely and blissfully unawares of... until today. Grand.
Drugs. I need lots and lots of drugs. I am still wanting to know if it is safe to take Dramamine with Calms Forte. I called their hotline today and someone who sounded a lot like Rosie Perez said "no interactions with any medicine whatsoever." I am not sure that Rosie Perez is high on my list of pharmaceutical experts, but I guess that would be a prejiduced statement, so I conveniently retract that.
Okay. Until today, not at all nervous about flying. Excited. Sleeping. Tonight, maybe not so much. Probably will need Unisom to sleep tonight. I know this post makes me sound like a pillhead but just so you know, flying is an unusual circumstance and I almost never take non-prescription medication otherwise. (P.S. If I die on the plane, and it's not from a plane crash, assume it's a terrifying mix of Unisom chased with a morning dose of Dramamine and Calms Forte!)
Tell me.... HOW Do you get ALCOHOL on a plane? Every time I have flown (okay, the one time) all I got was Tostidos and Sprite. Where's the jesus juice, people? Huh? When the pilot shook my hand as I boarded and I said "don't kill me" they should have immediately directed me towards the stewardess with the sauce. Am I wrong? (P.S. If I die AFTER the plane lands, assume it was a Calms Forte Cocktail that killed me off.)
I'm not going to die. I'm not going to die. I'm not going to die.
I'm not going to die. I'm not going to die. I'm not going to die.
I'm not going to die. I'm not going to die. I'm not going to die.
I'm not going to die. I'm not going to die. I'm not going to die.
I'm not going to die. I'm not going to die. I'm not going to die.
I'm not going to die. I'm not going to die. I'm not going to die.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
To Hell with Tradition!
Andrew left me a comment to check out this article, based on a comment that I had left over at Izzy's place...
I have always thought that my husband is the sexiest he can be when he is helping around the house. Whether it be carrying the laundry, doing dishes, or working in the yard. It brings about an attraction and appreciation that is overwhelming to me.
This article is amazing and EVERY wife, mother, husband, and significant other should read it.
I have always thought that my husband is the sexiest he can be when he is helping around the house. Whether it be carrying the laundry, doing dishes, or working in the yard. It brings about an attraction and appreciation that is overwhelming to me.
This article is amazing and EVERY wife, mother, husband, and significant other should read it.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Cousin Dave's Drawing to Be in New York Times Tomorrow?!
Received an email this morning from Evan's cousin David in New Orleans. A drawing that he did of his house after Hurrican Katrina is slated to be in the New York Times tomorrow (Tuesday)
Straight from Dave:
Look in the OP-Ed pages...Of course, not getting the New York Times here in this lil ol Illinois town, I am hoping that someone out there in the big city can look for it and send me a copy of the clipping. I will have to look around Princeton and see if you can buy the times anywhere here. I know we can get the Chicago papers, but I don't know about NYC.
I’m supposed to have one or two of my illustrations published there for a Katrina Anniversary piece,...(or so I’m told; you never know, it might not make the cutting room floor.) They also will be posted to the online edition of the NY Times.
I really hopes he makes it in there, Dave is totally cool, totally talented (artistically, and musically) and I would like to see the Katrina Anniversary Piece as it is.
Visit Dave or buy his music here. And as we have said before. Dave Kicks Ass. I was going to link to his blog(s) but it looks like he has been AWOL since sometime in June or July.
I'm Tina Fey
And this is your weekend update!Friday night we went to the 151st Bureau County Fair and had the very best time I have ever had at the fair. It was SO nice this year, with extra clean and nice rides and carnival attractions. We met up with Brad and Anya (and Ava) and Josh and Lisa. We watched the dog show. Evan and I walked through the buildings. We ate fair food (mmm Chicken Pita and Lemon Shake-up!) and enjoyed all the fair goodness. I took some cool pictures (if I do say so myself) that are on Flickr. Check them out! I went home and washed all the tomatoes to can, and Anya and Lisa brought over Ava, and I watched her for a few hours while Anya and Lisa went to the bar with Brad and Josh. I was just too tired for the bar, and with vacation coming up, I had so much to do this weekend! Ava is too big for my bassinet now so I had to break my Eddie Bauer Pack n Play out of the attic. That's what she sleeps in at home, so she was super happy when I lay her in there. She went right to sleep. Evan and I went to bed at about 3am, and at 2:30 we were eating eggs and bacon courtesy of husband. He even made me a wrap! I remember sitting on the kitchen floor
with Boyd, watching him fry bacon. I was so tired I could hardly function.Saturday I slept till noon, and got up and immediately started canning tomatoes. It took a few hours, but I got 21 pints. I had more jars but people just don't seem to have the abundance of tomatoes this year. A co-worker and I both had problems with them rotting from the bottoms. The 21 pints that I got were from my co-worker, who was kind enough to share the wealth! Evan put together our table, (the replacement) and discovered that it had two knicks on the edges/corners and a dime sized ding in the top. Argh!
Evan finished the table and I cleaned up my mess and showered and Evan and I went to Jackson's house and had deep fried turkey (that he shot!) and a bunch of other great food with his wife and kids. We had a great time. Jackson's daughter is super cute and sweet, and we bonded a bit. And of course, as usual, Jackson's awesome wife Angelique sent us home with what was the BEST Peach Pie I have ever had... and eggplant, zucchini, brocolli, and peppers.I went to sleep at 11:30 Saturday night, I was tired! I got up at 10:30 on Sunday and started canning again. I picked carrots from our garden, and more tomatoes, and made Salsa with our tomatoes and the green peppers that I had gotten from Angelique. I chopped and froze the rest of the peppers, I use them throughout the year in chili and other recipes, so i freeze them in small ziploc snack bags for later use. I made the brocolli into florets so I can make Evan some Brocolli salad before I leave him for a few days. I still need to shred and freeze the zucchini and do something with the carrots. I got 4 jars of salsa. It's spicy! And I had Eggplant Parmesan for a late lunch (mmmm it was good!)
Evan put together 3 of the 4 chairs from JC Penney, until he ran out of hardware. He was pissed. The chairs had so many knicks and scratches on them. We called JC Penney and I insisted on a supervisor this time. She gave us $31 off the table in the form of a refund check, and is sending us all the hardware that we need to finish assembly. I can't wait for that!
Then I proceeded to clean up my canning mess, do laundry, pick up the rest of the house, and order myself a late night supper of Casey's Veggie Pizza. Medium was the same price as a small (on special) so I ended up eating too much! I made my list of things to pack for vacation. Wrote a check for the cleaning people. Did my weekend duties at work for Sunday. Put away laundry and towels, and took a shower at 1:20am.
I went to bed at about 1:45 and then was awake again for about a half an hour around 3am.
Today hit me like a ton of bricks.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Friday Fiver!
1. Who do you live with?
My husband Evan and our two dogs, Boyd the Wonder Beagle and Hadley the Handsome Hound
2. Do you like who you live with or do you want change?
I like who I live with. It's been that way for 6 years. I wouldn't mind adding a lil someone.
3. Describe the ideal roommate:
Vin Diesel in Boxer shorts would probably be ideal. Although I would love Bridget Marquardt or Matthew Mcconaughey. Of course if they aren't available, I am sure I could fall back on Johnny, or Orlando in Pirate garb preferrably, or Heath or Jenna, Chris, or Eric.
4. How much sleep did you get last night?
Well, I went to sleep at 1:30, although I could have gone to sleep at noon yesterday I was so enhausted. I got up at 6:30 to pee, and then I was awake and tossing and turning till 7:30, then I got up finally at 9:21am. So probably around 7 hours give or take, and I need Nine to function properly.
5. Where would you love to play hide-and-seek?
In a giant ball pit. Or maybe under the covers? But in general I don't like hide and seek too much.
JC Penney Strikes Again!
Yippee! JC Penney found a replacement table for us! Yeah!
Boo-Hiss Boo! JC Penney didn't call me to give me an update and the only reason I know this information is because I called them today AGAIN in exasperation and spoke to a lovely representative who told me that they shipped the new table FOUR days ago and then gave me a FedEx tracking number that proved that it is being delivered TODAY! Yeah!
So add one more thing to the weekend list.... husband can assemble the rest of the chairs and our NEW TABLE! Yippee!
Boo-Hiss JC Penney for not calling me. Yeah JC Penney for finding a replacement!
Boo-Hiss Boo! JC Penney didn't call me to give me an update and the only reason I know this information is because I called them today AGAIN in exasperation and spoke to a lovely representative who told me that they shipped the new table FOUR days ago and then gave me a FedEx tracking number that proved that it is being delivered TODAY! Yeah!
So add one more thing to the weekend list.... husband can assemble the rest of the chairs and our NEW TABLE! Yippee!
Boo-Hiss JC Penney for not calling me. Yeah JC Penney for finding a replacement!
Can't wait to get to Morman Country.
Another thing about Blogger Beta.... Flickr doesn't work with Blogger Beta. I discovered yesterday when I tried to post the beach picture that the "Blog this" button on Flickr won't work with Beta and they responded that they don't support Blogger Beta.
I guess I will live.
Last night I spent 4 hours and 15 minutes doing javascript coding on one webpage. I was at work, so it was at least paid time... but WHOA it kept screwing up and I would have to go back to the code and fix it again. I had 18 hand coded collapsible lists. Like the ones on my sidebar. But since I was not using CSS, I was having a helluva time getting the font formatting correct, and all that jazz. Eventually, with a lil peek at the code by a better coder, we determined what was wrong. I need to get me some javascript AND some php training badly. So many languages, so little time. I did successfully get a php submitted form working yesterday also.... but it becomes more and more evident that I need more training. For all the things that I want to do, good 'ol HTML and Dreamweaver or Flash just won't cut it. so. php and javascript, here I come. I also need to get Access Training. I once learned a bit about connecting websites to databases, but there were a few pieces that I wasn't taught. I need to get some formal training in Access first, I have had Crystal training and I use Access on a weekly basis, but I don't do much designing or write any of my own queries. So I still have so much to learn. Not to mention how much I would love MySQL, but considering php is free, that's probably the way to go.
Now that I have confused and bored you all...
The Bureau County Fair is this week, and we were planning on going over tonight for some fair food, but It's raining and I am not all sure that it will clear up. It's supposed to rain tomorrow too. This weekend I have ATC's to finish and Tomatoes to Can and Peppers to slice. We are also going to go to Jackson's on Saturday, which I am excited about... I plan to raid his garden :)
I also need to get the house ready for cleaning people and I need to FINALLY make my lists for what to pack for vacation, get my luggage out of the attic, get laundry done, and set aside what I intend to take with me to wear. I need to load up my iPod accordingly for the flight, and sync my PDA with the Quicken account so I can monitor bank balances while I am gone. You know, it would be cool if my PDA was wireless. But that would just cost more moneys. I might as well just use my laptop.
I haven't decided if I am going to take my laptop with me. It makes sense but Carrie doesn't have a wireless network that I am aware of, so I wouldn't be able to get on the internet. But I WOULD be able to dump my pictures on it if I wanted to... although I could just empty my jump drive and empty it onto that. Although with two cards and 768 mb of space, I probably won't even need to do that. I planned on taking my messenger bag as my "personal item" and my laptop will fit nicely in there, along with my pda, camera, cell phone, wallet, keys, etc. I am thinking about taking my scarf that I am crocheting and my iPod for the flight... so really I could put my laptop in my carryon, but of course it would have to be removed for the security check, so maybe just in the front pocket. But then part of me is like "will you really need it?" Carrie has a computer, and internet, and I would like to travel lightly (although my tiny slim laptop weighs less than 4 pounds and is 1 inch thick.). I would prefer to take shoes versus my laptop :)
So that's it in a nutshell. Oh and we watched "Birth" last night with Nicole Kidman. It got 3 stars so I thought "might be interesting" but I remember seeing the trailer for it a while back and thinking it was a little too creepy pedophile-ish.... and it definately proved to have some creepy and somewhat inappropriate parts.... but the moral of the story? We didn't get it. There was like "no ending" in that *We are so weird that it's edgy and cool* kind of movie way and husband and I were both like "That was so stupid! What was the POINT of that movie? Where is the END?" So really, it was a royal waste of time. If I had paid money for it, I would have been pissed. Kinda like the ONLY time I have walked out of a theater, for the movie Congo. It sucked so bad we couldn't even watch the first 30 minutes.
Anyway, have a great weekend, not sure if you will hear from me, unless I have pics for Flickr!
I guess I will live.
Last night I spent 4 hours and 15 minutes doing javascript coding on one webpage. I was at work, so it was at least paid time... but WHOA it kept screwing up and I would have to go back to the code and fix it again. I had 18 hand coded collapsible lists. Like the ones on my sidebar. But since I was not using CSS, I was having a helluva time getting the font formatting correct, and all that jazz. Eventually, with a lil peek at the code by a better coder, we determined what was wrong. I need to get me some javascript AND some php training badly. So many languages, so little time. I did successfully get a php submitted form working yesterday also.... but it becomes more and more evident that I need more training. For all the things that I want to do, good 'ol HTML and Dreamweaver or Flash just won't cut it. so. php and javascript, here I come. I also need to get Access Training. I once learned a bit about connecting websites to databases, but there were a few pieces that I wasn't taught. I need to get some formal training in Access first, I have had Crystal training and I use Access on a weekly basis, but I don't do much designing or write any of my own queries. So I still have so much to learn. Not to mention how much I would love MySQL, but considering php is free, that's probably the way to go.
Now that I have confused and bored you all...
The Bureau County Fair is this week, and we were planning on going over tonight for some fair food, but It's raining and I am not all sure that it will clear up. It's supposed to rain tomorrow too. This weekend I have ATC's to finish and Tomatoes to Can and Peppers to slice. We are also going to go to Jackson's on Saturday, which I am excited about... I plan to raid his garden :)
I also need to get the house ready for cleaning people and I need to FINALLY make my lists for what to pack for vacation, get my luggage out of the attic, get laundry done, and set aside what I intend to take with me to wear. I need to load up my iPod accordingly for the flight, and sync my PDA with the Quicken account so I can monitor bank balances while I am gone. You know, it would be cool if my PDA was wireless. But that would just cost more moneys. I might as well just use my laptop.
I haven't decided if I am going to take my laptop with me. It makes sense but Carrie doesn't have a wireless network that I am aware of, so I wouldn't be able to get on the internet. But I WOULD be able to dump my pictures on it if I wanted to... although I could just empty my jump drive and empty it onto that. Although with two cards and 768 mb of space, I probably won't even need to do that. I planned on taking my messenger bag as my "personal item" and my laptop will fit nicely in there, along with my pda, camera, cell phone, wallet, keys, etc. I am thinking about taking my scarf that I am crocheting and my iPod for the flight... so really I could put my laptop in my carryon, but of course it would have to be removed for the security check, so maybe just in the front pocket. But then part of me is like "will you really need it?" Carrie has a computer, and internet, and I would like to travel lightly (although my tiny slim laptop weighs less than 4 pounds and is 1 inch thick.). I would prefer to take shoes versus my laptop :)
So that's it in a nutshell. Oh and we watched "Birth" last night with Nicole Kidman. It got 3 stars so I thought "might be interesting" but I remember seeing the trailer for it a while back and thinking it was a little too creepy pedophile-ish.... and it definately proved to have some creepy and somewhat inappropriate parts.... but the moral of the story? We didn't get it. There was like "no ending" in that *We are so weird that it's edgy and cool* kind of movie way and husband and I were both like "That was so stupid! What was the POINT of that movie? Where is the END?" So really, it was a royal waste of time. If I had paid money for it, I would have been pissed. Kinda like the ONLY time I have walked out of a theater, for the movie Congo. It sucked so bad we couldn't even watch the first 30 minutes.
Anyway, have a great weekend, not sure if you will hear from me, unless I have pics for Flickr!
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Where Am I Right Now?
I may not be going to a tropical island, but next week I leave on vacation. That means that this week I have some serious vacation brain.
Which means I changed my desktop background from "Aqua teen Hunger Force" to this beach. I thought it was fitting because I was thinking of a beach today during my pharmacy escapade. It kinda has me wishing I was going to a beach, but I would rather see Carrie. It's kinda too bad that there are't any beaches closer to Illinois.
Except during hurricane and tsunami season that is. So anyway, the large version of this beach is what I plan to stare at until vacation.
Some Beach..... Somewhere.
Some Beach.... Somewhere
That's all that I kept repeating in my head today as I picked up my prescription at lunchtime.
Please read the whole story before you continue this post if you don't know what I am talking about!
So, when I went in, they knew exactly who I was, and I was able to talk to the woman who spoke with my physician's nurse this morning. She was not a pharmacist, but the pharmacist was right there.
She explained that the physician does want me on the Extended Release (ER) medication, so they are switching me to what I should have had to begin with. Okay.
till no apology. Nothing. No "I am sorry that this happened to you and I apologize for any inconvenience this might have caused you." Not "We hope that you will continue to do business with us." or "We hope to continue to be your pharmacy." Nothing. Not even one admission of "we made a mistake and we are sorry." Nada. And that would have made me happy. That's all it would have taken. And working in healthcare, I understand the importance of an apology when a mistake is made and the importance of a happy customer.
So I asked, and these were my Exact words, and I was exceptionally calm, "Would it be inappropriate for me to ask for a refund for the prescription that I was given incorrectly?"
And she just looked at me. And then she said, and there was a hint of sarcasm and disbelief in her voice "Well, You took them, didn't you?"
Some beach
Somewhere
There's a big umbrella casting shade over a empty chair
Palm trees are growing and a warm breezes a blowing
I picture myself right there
On Some beach, somewhere
Yeah I took them! The label was correct, and not being a pharmacist, how am I supposed to know that you gave me the wrong pills? Argh! But of course, I remained calm, cool, and collected... and answered "yes, I did. I took them for a whole month." Which in my mind is even more reason to make it right.
She said that it wasn't a big deal because the "doseage was the same" and that the "doctor's nurse didn't seem concerned about it." and I explained that I had been sick for several days and the nurse couldn't figure out why I had those symptoms. Wrong medicine. Hello. She said that I could have been sick with the new medicine even if it had been the right one. Okay.
So I paid. And for some reason, the same medicine that was $105 last night, was now back down to $60.70 today. Interesting.
So I went back to work. And that afternoon, the pharmacy called me at work and told me that they had been thinking about it, and realized that the pricing was incorrect and they would like to refund me $60 if I wouldn't mind stopping in. So essentially I will be getting 1 month free. Yippee! You see, when they gave me the wrong prescription the first time, they overcharged me because I PAID for ER meds, and only got regular. The ER's are about double the price of the regular. So I paid the ER price and only got regular, and they just figured out what I was trying to tell them.
So no real apology, but $60 back is a good thing. Because of this, I won't name the pharmacy and I won't be upset about it. But please remember to check the meds that you are taking and pay attention to what you get month to month. Because it can happen to anyone!
Please read the whole story before you continue this post if you don't know what I am talking about!
So, when I went in, they knew exactly who I was, and I was able to talk to the woman who spoke with my physician's nurse this morning. She was not a pharmacist, but the pharmacist was right there.
She explained that the physician does want me on the Extended Release (ER) medication, so they are switching me to what I should have had to begin with. Okay.
till no apology. Nothing. No "I am sorry that this happened to you and I apologize for any inconvenience this might have caused you." Not "We hope that you will continue to do business with us." or "We hope to continue to be your pharmacy." Nothing. Not even one admission of "we made a mistake and we are sorry." Nada. And that would have made me happy. That's all it would have taken. And working in healthcare, I understand the importance of an apology when a mistake is made and the importance of a happy customer.
So I asked, and these were my Exact words, and I was exceptionally calm, "Would it be inappropriate for me to ask for a refund for the prescription that I was given incorrectly?"
And she just looked at me. And then she said, and there was a hint of sarcasm and disbelief in her voice "Well, You took them, didn't you?"
Some beach
Somewhere
There's a big umbrella casting shade over a empty chair
Palm trees are growing and a warm breezes a blowing
I picture myself right there
On Some beach, somewhere
Yeah I took them! The label was correct, and not being a pharmacist, how am I supposed to know that you gave me the wrong pills? Argh! But of course, I remained calm, cool, and collected... and answered "yes, I did. I took them for a whole month." Which in my mind is even more reason to make it right.
She said that it wasn't a big deal because the "doseage was the same" and that the "doctor's nurse didn't seem concerned about it." and I explained that I had been sick for several days and the nurse couldn't figure out why I had those symptoms. Wrong medicine. Hello. She said that I could have been sick with the new medicine even if it had been the right one. Okay.
So I paid. And for some reason, the same medicine that was $105 last night, was now back down to $60.70 today. Interesting.
So I went back to work. And that afternoon, the pharmacy called me at work and told me that they had been thinking about it, and realized that the pricing was incorrect and they would like to refund me $60 if I wouldn't mind stopping in. So essentially I will be getting 1 month free. Yippee! You see, when they gave me the wrong prescription the first time, they overcharged me because I PAID for ER meds, and only got regular. The ER's are about double the price of the regular. So I paid the ER price and only got regular, and they just figured out what I was trying to tell them.
So no real apology, but $60 back is a good thing. Because of this, I won't name the pharmacy and I won't be upset about it. But please remember to check the meds that you are taking and pay attention to what you get month to month. Because it can happen to anyone!
Clean Prescription Socks.
Bloggers, tell me I am not the only one who blogs in my head. Every single activity that happens in my life is potential blog material. When I get ready in the morning for work, my mind composes my daily blog topics and outlines them in my brain. By time I put my shoes and socks on, I have my blog post structured in my mind.
Except this morning.
My blog post got added to when I put on my shoes and socks. Because I have this habit. I don't like to put socks over dirty feet and I don't like to put dirty bottomed socks inside my shoes. It doesn't bother me so much all day, as it does at the beginning of the day. I may have previously discussed that I have clothes in my closet, and in the laundry room in the basement. My wardrobe is constantly split between two locations. I can not get dressed solely in one room because half of my clothes are downstairs and it is inevitable that one piece of clothing I need will be down there.
When I get out of the shower in the morning, the first thing I think about is the rug. I am OBSESSED with keeping the rug and the bathroom floor clean and clear of hair. Now that my hair is long, I am remembering how much hair you lose when you have that much. So between me shedding and the dogs, it's a nightmare. And for some reason, Hadley especially, thinks that the bathroom rug is his own private place to lay. If I take a bath, they come in and sit there and drink out of the tub. When we are done showering, they are there to lick the sides and edges of the tub. And when you are trying to pee, they are sitting there on the rug watching you, waiting for you to make your next move. But all this accumulates to dog hair in the bathroom. I vacuum once a week and wash and rotate the rug once a week. But by about halfway through the week, I hate stepping out of the tub with wet feet.... because dog hair will stick to wet feet. I have tried drying my feet off before getting OUT but that's just dangerously acrobatic. If I am ever found unconscious and naked in the bathroom, that's exactly what happened. I was trying to keep my damn feet clean.
Another thing is that when you go to the basement, that's some real estate to cover. Office, Dining Room, Kitchen, Basement Stairs, Cement Floor. You are bound to get SOMETHING on your feet. Now I KNOW that I can wear slippers, but first I have to FIND them so that usually doesn't happen. It's more likely that I wear flip flops, but by the time I walk to where the flip flops are, I am bound to pick up dog hair or dirt. I love when the cleaning people come, because all the floors are spotless, for about 3 days. I try to vacuum once a week but I should probably do it twice a week. I am sure I do the bathroom more than once a week.
So in the morning. My funky habit? Before putting on my socks, I brush off my feet. That way if any stray dog hair or dirt got on them, they are clean before I put my socks on. Now granted, that may seem a little OCD... but it's not like Monk, who irons three shoelaces (one is a spare shoelace, to carry with him just in case.)
Anyway. Quirky morning habits aside. Yesterday.... was quite the day. Let's start with my feeling like I have bit off more than I can chew. And my trying to avoid having that feeling and do as little work as possible while still being productive and not overwhelmed. I have lost my HRA card (AGAIN) which my employer gives us to use for prescriptions. We don't have prescription coverage. They give us $600 a year to use towards medical expenses, and it's on this card that looks and works like a credit card. And anyone who takes prescriptions knows that that isn't shit. My one prescription is $105 a month, so that means that they cover less than half of my one prescription, AND that if I was sick and needed anything else, it would be out of pocket. So that really sucks.
Last month, I got to the pharmacy to pick up my prescription, and I realized that my HRA card was MIA and I needed the scrip so I wrote a check. I FAXED the receipts to the HRA company for reimbursement THAT DAY and it took them almost 3 weeks to cut me a check. I called THREE TIMES and was like I NEED MY MONEY! Nothing. So this month, still can't find the card. Time to fill the scrip. So I decide to use the credit card to pay, and then when they reimburse I will just send the cash in to pay on the card. Well, last night I get there to pick up the meds.
She rang me up and it was almost DOUBLE what I had paid last month for the same meds. I was like "I don't mean to complain, but that doesn't seem right." She read off the prescription and it matched. I was insistent that it wasn't right. She got out the bottle and it was twice the size. I said "is that a 30 day supply?" and she said yes. Then when she turned the bottle around, the pills were different, much bigger. I said "Those aren't the same pills. They're bigger. Have they changed the prescription?" She talked with the pharmacist and after some research, and me luckily having 4 of my previous pills left in my purse, they determined that the physician wrote the prescription for an extended release version of my prescription. That's what the prescription said and that's what the bottle said. But the meds inside the bottle didn't match the scrip or the bottle label. They gave me the wrong meds. And I took them for a whole month.
You probably don't remember and I probably didn't really tell you all about the first three days that I took the medicine. I was so freaked out by how gross I felt. Like my heart was alternating between skipping beats and beating so slow that it might actually stop. I was exhausted but I was too scared to sleep. Each night before bed I would cry and make Evan promise to stay with me and check on me in case my heart stopped beating while I was sleeping. So anyway, I did miss some time at work while my body adjusted to the meds. While I was at work, I was so sick I had them check my blood sugar, my blood pressure, and listen to my heart. And it WAS skipping beats. But not enough to be "concerning."
So anyway, all that was because they gave me the wrong meds. But when I called my doctor, all concerned, they said that they had never had anyone with those side effects before. Well THAT Is because they never had anyone on the wrong meds. The Extended release would let the medicine release gradually throughout the day, and not just the instant it dissolved in your system. So that's why I would be so sick and messed up right after my meds kicked in and I would feel better once they wore off a bit.
So they didn't apologize or anything at the pharmacy. That kinda disappointed me. I sorta think that if they screwed up and gave me the wrong meds, they should at least apologize, and perhaps offer to refund me the cost of the incorrect medication or give me my next month for free. Am I too off base with this? I mean I took the wrong meds for a whole month. And I paid them!
So they called the doctor and my insistence and he does want them to get me on the Extended Release. So today I have to go pick up my "new and correct"prescription. And I haven't decided yet if I will ask for a refund, because they honestly aren't offering. And then I think, do they want me there mentioning out loud that they gave me the wrong medicine in front of other customers? Hmm.
And last night when I got home at 8pm I thought "this is EARLY! I have the Whole night in front of me!" and then I spent the next 5 hours balancing checkbooks and entering everything into the computer and reconciling with the bank website and my statements. Whew. What a time consuming process that is. It's enough to make me ALMOST close my own account and just have the joint account. Almost. So today I got out my PDA (sony Clie that is purple metallic) and I am charging it up. I have a cool program on it that is a Pocket version of Quicken, and it syncs with my Quicken at home, which Syncs with the bank's online account manager. So I can have my Quicken with me in my purse, and enter transactions in on the fly, which I later sync with my Quicken on the laptop and it makes it easier on me in the long run. But I got away from that for a while and didn't use my PDA for probably two years... and now I hope to get back to it. But that means I will probably get back to Jawbreaker too. Mmmwwaaahahahaha!
So, that's the end of this long ass post.
:) and I would tag it if I could!
Except this morning.
My blog post got added to when I put on my shoes and socks. Because I have this habit. I don't like to put socks over dirty feet and I don't like to put dirty bottomed socks inside my shoes. It doesn't bother me so much all day, as it does at the beginning of the day. I may have previously discussed that I have clothes in my closet, and in the laundry room in the basement. My wardrobe is constantly split between two locations. I can not get dressed solely in one room because half of my clothes are downstairs and it is inevitable that one piece of clothing I need will be down there.
When I get out of the shower in the morning, the first thing I think about is the rug. I am OBSESSED with keeping the rug and the bathroom floor clean and clear of hair. Now that my hair is long, I am remembering how much hair you lose when you have that much. So between me shedding and the dogs, it's a nightmare. And for some reason, Hadley especially, thinks that the bathroom rug is his own private place to lay. If I take a bath, they come in and sit there and drink out of the tub. When we are done showering, they are there to lick the sides and edges of the tub. And when you are trying to pee, they are sitting there on the rug watching you, waiting for you to make your next move. But all this accumulates to dog hair in the bathroom. I vacuum once a week and wash and rotate the rug once a week. But by about halfway through the week, I hate stepping out of the tub with wet feet.... because dog hair will stick to wet feet. I have tried drying my feet off before getting OUT but that's just dangerously acrobatic. If I am ever found unconscious and naked in the bathroom, that's exactly what happened. I was trying to keep my damn feet clean.
Another thing is that when you go to the basement, that's some real estate to cover. Office, Dining Room, Kitchen, Basement Stairs, Cement Floor. You are bound to get SOMETHING on your feet. Now I KNOW that I can wear slippers, but first I have to FIND them so that usually doesn't happen. It's more likely that I wear flip flops, but by the time I walk to where the flip flops are, I am bound to pick up dog hair or dirt. I love when the cleaning people come, because all the floors are spotless, for about 3 days. I try to vacuum once a week but I should probably do it twice a week. I am sure I do the bathroom more than once a week.
So in the morning. My funky habit? Before putting on my socks, I brush off my feet. That way if any stray dog hair or dirt got on them, they are clean before I put my socks on. Now granted, that may seem a little OCD... but it's not like Monk, who irons three shoelaces (one is a spare shoelace, to carry with him just in case.)
Anyway. Quirky morning habits aside. Yesterday.... was quite the day. Let's start with my feeling like I have bit off more than I can chew. And my trying to avoid having that feeling and do as little work as possible while still being productive and not overwhelmed. I have lost my HRA card (AGAIN) which my employer gives us to use for prescriptions. We don't have prescription coverage. They give us $600 a year to use towards medical expenses, and it's on this card that looks and works like a credit card. And anyone who takes prescriptions knows that that isn't shit. My one prescription is $105 a month, so that means that they cover less than half of my one prescription, AND that if I was sick and needed anything else, it would be out of pocket. So that really sucks.
Last month, I got to the pharmacy to pick up my prescription, and I realized that my HRA card was MIA and I needed the scrip so I wrote a check. I FAXED the receipts to the HRA company for reimbursement THAT DAY and it took them almost 3 weeks to cut me a check. I called THREE TIMES and was like I NEED MY MONEY! Nothing. So this month, still can't find the card. Time to fill the scrip. So I decide to use the credit card to pay, and then when they reimburse I will just send the cash in to pay on the card. Well, last night I get there to pick up the meds.
She rang me up and it was almost DOUBLE what I had paid last month for the same meds. I was like "I don't mean to complain, but that doesn't seem right." She read off the prescription and it matched. I was insistent that it wasn't right. She got out the bottle and it was twice the size. I said "is that a 30 day supply?" and she said yes. Then when she turned the bottle around, the pills were different, much bigger. I said "Those aren't the same pills. They're bigger. Have they changed the prescription?" She talked with the pharmacist and after some research, and me luckily having 4 of my previous pills left in my purse, they determined that the physician wrote the prescription for an extended release version of my prescription. That's what the prescription said and that's what the bottle said. But the meds inside the bottle didn't match the scrip or the bottle label. They gave me the wrong meds. And I took them for a whole month.
You probably don't remember and I probably didn't really tell you all about the first three days that I took the medicine. I was so freaked out by how gross I felt. Like my heart was alternating between skipping beats and beating so slow that it might actually stop. I was exhausted but I was too scared to sleep. Each night before bed I would cry and make Evan promise to stay with me and check on me in case my heart stopped beating while I was sleeping. So anyway, I did miss some time at work while my body adjusted to the meds. While I was at work, I was so sick I had them check my blood sugar, my blood pressure, and listen to my heart. And it WAS skipping beats. But not enough to be "concerning."
So anyway, all that was because they gave me the wrong meds. But when I called my doctor, all concerned, they said that they had never had anyone with those side effects before. Well THAT Is because they never had anyone on the wrong meds. The Extended release would let the medicine release gradually throughout the day, and not just the instant it dissolved in your system. So that's why I would be so sick and messed up right after my meds kicked in and I would feel better once they wore off a bit.
So they didn't apologize or anything at the pharmacy. That kinda disappointed me. I sorta think that if they screwed up and gave me the wrong meds, they should at least apologize, and perhaps offer to refund me the cost of the incorrect medication or give me my next month for free. Am I too off base with this? I mean I took the wrong meds for a whole month. And I paid them!
So they called the doctor and my insistence and he does want them to get me on the Extended Release. So today I have to go pick up my "new and correct"prescription. And I haven't decided yet if I will ask for a refund, because they honestly aren't offering. And then I think, do they want me there mentioning out loud that they gave me the wrong medicine in front of other customers? Hmm.
And last night when I got home at 8pm I thought "this is EARLY! I have the Whole night in front of me!" and then I spent the next 5 hours balancing checkbooks and entering everything into the computer and reconciling with the bank website and my statements. Whew. What a time consuming process that is. It's enough to make me ALMOST close my own account and just have the joint account. Almost. So today I got out my PDA (sony Clie that is purple metallic) and I am charging it up. I have a cool program on it that is a Pocket version of Quicken, and it syncs with my Quicken at home, which Syncs with the bank's online account manager. So I can have my Quicken with me in my purse, and enter transactions in on the fly, which I later sync with my Quicken on the laptop and it makes it easier on me in the long run. But I got away from that for a while and didn't use my PDA for probably two years... and now I hope to get back to it. But that means I will probably get back to Jawbreaker too. Mmmwwaaahahahaha!
So, that's the end of this long ass post.
:) and I would tag it if I could!
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Wireless Woes
I am exhausted today! Last night we had dinner with Brad and Anya and then got started on their wireless network. The router wasn't much trouble, as I had predicted, but it was Linksys's newer model which now has the stupid "wizard" for setup which irks me to no end. Meant to make setup "easier" on those who have never done it before, it's like a freaking hedge maze for someone who already has. FRUSTRATING.
Anyway, Of course I had the issue with no internet connectivity until I called Insight and asked them to recognize the router. This is the third network I have setup and on each one, the cable company has to recognize your router before it works. And I have done one of them on MCHSI and it was the same deal. So when I called Insight last night I got a lady who said "yes, we do have to recognize your router" and I got transferred to a broadband tech support guy. I waited for almost 20 minutes on hold. Then when I got to him I almost hung up on him. Jeez. Anyway he said "we don't have to do that anymore. We don't recognize Routers" and he said "But I can look at it." So he had me turn off the router. He looked at the modem. He had me turn back on the router. Then it started "magikally wunderfully werking" and I had already rebooted the router twice so I knew that it wasn't the reboot that fixed it but whatever he did on his end. But "they don't need to recognize routers anymore."
So once the network was all working, I was on wirelessly with my laptop, and Anya's was giving us a hard time. She had gotten a linksys card and no matter what we did, it was not connecting, or it would connect and then the second you would close the wireless configuration window, it would disconnect. I convinced Evan to call Linksys support. We got a woman who wanted him to change the settings on the router. She wanted everything reset to defaults (SSID, channel, MAC filter, Router IP Address, Enabled Broadcasting, no WEP key.) That's when I got on the phone and asked her why she wanted to change them. She said "who setup this network?" and I said "I did" and she said "It's very secure. You are technically inclined?" and I said "Yes" and she said "A professional?" and I said "Yes" and she said "You don't want the defaults?" and I said "no." and I explained that I know the wireless network is fine because I have another wireless laptop already connected and working fine.
She eventually told Evan that we needed to install firmware on the card. First, I thought "the damn thing just came out of the box and it already needs a firmware upgrade?" and then I thought that I had never heard of a card having firmware. It just didn't make sense. A router, okay. But a card? So once I got online.... yeah, no firmware upgrades for cards. So we called back with our case number and the guy we got next was very difficult to understand. He wanted to go through all the same steps. I finally got through to him that there was NOTHING WRONG WITH THE WIRELESS NETWORK. He did have me change the channel though. Which didn't make a difference. He told me I needed to be "closer to the router" to which I thought "bullshit" and Evan Said "That's Fucking Bullshit." Didn't matter, it didn't work.
He had me uninstall and reinstall the card AGAIN and then install just the card drivers and not the linksys software. I had already tried configuring in windows and not Linksys, which gave us better results, but it wasn't working. The laptop has two PCMIA card slots and we tried both. To no avail. Eventually I had the guy admit that there could be a problem with the card and he told us to exchange it. I personally would rather see a Cisco card than a linksys card, even though I tell myself it shouldn't matter since Linksys is owned by Cisco now. I was doing ipconfig commands and it was telling me that the wireless device was disconnected, so it wasn't even grabbing an IP. We even tried static IP. Nothing.
So we didn't get home till about 1am.... which was exhausting. But we will get a few days break before we have to try again, with another card. Linksys wanted us to try the card in another laptop, which I can understand. But I really don't want the damn thing in my laptop, because it works fine with it's built in wireless and I don't want to screw that up and have it start getting confused with another card.
I don't know. Except I need a Nap!
Anyway, Of course I had the issue with no internet connectivity until I called Insight and asked them to recognize the router. This is the third network I have setup and on each one, the cable company has to recognize your router before it works. And I have done one of them on MCHSI and it was the same deal. So when I called Insight last night I got a lady who said "yes, we do have to recognize your router" and I got transferred to a broadband tech support guy. I waited for almost 20 minutes on hold. Then when I got to him I almost hung up on him. Jeez. Anyway he said "we don't have to do that anymore. We don't recognize Routers" and he said "But I can look at it." So he had me turn off the router. He looked at the modem. He had me turn back on the router. Then it started "magikally wunderfully werking" and I had already rebooted the router twice so I knew that it wasn't the reboot that fixed it but whatever he did on his end. But "they don't need to recognize routers anymore."
So once the network was all working, I was on wirelessly with my laptop, and Anya's was giving us a hard time. She had gotten a linksys card and no matter what we did, it was not connecting, or it would connect and then the second you would close the wireless configuration window, it would disconnect. I convinced Evan to call Linksys support. We got a woman who wanted him to change the settings on the router. She wanted everything reset to defaults (SSID, channel, MAC filter, Router IP Address, Enabled Broadcasting, no WEP key.) That's when I got on the phone and asked her why she wanted to change them. She said "who setup this network?" and I said "I did" and she said "It's very secure. You are technically inclined?" and I said "Yes" and she said "A professional?" and I said "Yes" and she said "You don't want the defaults?" and I said "no." and I explained that I know the wireless network is fine because I have another wireless laptop already connected and working fine.
She eventually told Evan that we needed to install firmware on the card. First, I thought "the damn thing just came out of the box and it already needs a firmware upgrade?" and then I thought that I had never heard of a card having firmware. It just didn't make sense. A router, okay. But a card? So once I got online.... yeah, no firmware upgrades for cards. So we called back with our case number and the guy we got next was very difficult to understand. He wanted to go through all the same steps. I finally got through to him that there was NOTHING WRONG WITH THE WIRELESS NETWORK. He did have me change the channel though. Which didn't make a difference. He told me I needed to be "closer to the router" to which I thought "bullshit" and Evan Said "That's Fucking Bullshit." Didn't matter, it didn't work.
He had me uninstall and reinstall the card AGAIN and then install just the card drivers and not the linksys software. I had already tried configuring in windows and not Linksys, which gave us better results, but it wasn't working. The laptop has two PCMIA card slots and we tried both. To no avail. Eventually I had the guy admit that there could be a problem with the card and he told us to exchange it. I personally would rather see a Cisco card than a linksys card, even though I tell myself it shouldn't matter since Linksys is owned by Cisco now. I was doing ipconfig commands and it was telling me that the wireless device was disconnected, so it wasn't even grabbing an IP. We even tried static IP. Nothing.
So we didn't get home till about 1am.... which was exhausting. But we will get a few days break before we have to try again, with another card. Linksys wanted us to try the card in another laptop, which I can understand. But I really don't want the damn thing in my laptop, because it works fine with it's built in wireless and I don't want to screw that up and have it start getting confused with another card.
I don't know. Except I need a Nap!
Memember Me?
1. What is your occupation?
Computer User Support Specialist and Web and Graphic Design
2. What color are your socks right now?
khaki
3. What are you listening to right now?
typing
4. What was the last thing that you ate?
Tuna wrap, Eggroll, Sliced Tomato.
5. Can you drive a stick shift?
Yes
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Orange
Computer User Support Specialist and Web and Graphic Design
2. What color are your socks right now?
khaki
3. What are you listening to right now?
typing
4. What was the last thing that you ate?
Tuna wrap, Eggroll, Sliced Tomato.
5. Can you drive a stick shift?
Yes
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Orange
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
CB
8. Do you like the person who sent this to you?
Yes.
9. How old are you today?
27, I will be 28 November 24th
10. Favorite drink?
Water.
11. What is your favorite sport to watch?
Ice Hockey
12. Have you ever dyed your hair?
Have I ever not?
13. Pets?
2 Dogs, Boyd & Hadley
14. Favorite food?
Before South Beach it was Garlic Bread. Now, it's probably Tuna.
15. What was the last movie you watched?
Sid and Nancy (Sid Vicious)
16. Favorite day of the year?
Thanksgiving (anniversary of my engagement and it's often my birthday)
17. What do you do to vent anger?
Blog. Stress Balls.
17. What do you do to vent anger?
Blog. Stress Balls.
18. What was your favorite toy as a child?
Dirt. and My Tractors. And the Garden Hose. Pretty much anything in the sandbox.
19. What is your favorite fall or spring?
Fall
20. Hugs or kisses?
Hugs
21. Cherries or Blueberries?
Raspberries or Strawberries actually.
22. Do you want your friends to email you back?
Nope. I am not emailing this to anyone.
23. Who is most likely to respond?
N/A
24. Who is least likely to respond?
N/A
25. Living arrangements?
House with Husband and Dogs
26. When was the last time you cried ?
Honestly, I don't remember. Perhaps during a movie.... probably like the Notebook.
27. What is on the floor of your closet?
Knee High Black Boots. (yeow baby!) A basket full of skirts tied in knots.
28. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending
this to?
Not sending this to anyone. Quit asking me this.
29. What did you do last night?
See my next post, I setup a new wireless network.
30. Favorite smells?
Hay Bales in the Sun. Vanilla or Buttercream Icing. Banana Nut Bread. Victoria's Secret Pink and Abercrombie and Fitch for Women.
31. What inspires you?
Helen of Troy. She made it through so many hardships, three husbands, 10 children, all of whom were killed. Abuse from husbands and her step-father. Being a daughter of Zeus and being religiously persecuted. Watching the love of her life and her own children die while fighting for her.
32. What are you afraid of ?
Crunchy bugs. Deep Water.
33. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers?
Cheese. Especially Blue Cheese or Feta Cheese
34. Favorite dog breed?
Beagles and Hounds
35. Number of keys on your key ring.
Twelve. 3 for work, the rest are mine. I am important.
36. How many years at your current job?
Four years this month. It's my anniversary!
37. Favorite day of the week?
Friday.
38. How many states have you lived in?
I haven't even moved out of the county... let alone state.
39. Favorite holidays?
Thanksgiving & Halloween
40. Ever driven a Motorcycle or heavy machinery?
Yep. I had my first motorcycle when I was about 5. I have also driven 4-wheelers, snowmobiles, and tractors, and a combine, and a skid loader.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
I can't tag this Post! Ahh! Welcome to Blogger Beta!
I switched to blogger beta today. So far, I haven't had a heart attack. It took my site down for about 3 minutes while it switched over and now of course I use my google account to login. The first thing I have noticed? It took out my greasemonkey extension to tag my posts through delicious! AHHH!!!! That has me freaked. But surely, some wonderful greasemonkey programmer will write a new extension that will work with the new blogger, right? So I don't have to manually tag all my posts? Right? Yikes!
Check out the Beta Tour: http://www.blogger.com/beta-tour.g
And in the meantime, I will try not to freak about my greasemonkey extensions not working.
Check out the Beta Tour: http://www.blogger.com/beta-tour.g
And in the meantime, I will try not to freak about my greasemonkey extensions not working.
Snarky!
I have been working on my 2006 Birthday and Christmas List this week. I can find most things on Froogle, but i do get upset when a certain website, like Country Door, isn't indexing or available through Froogle. I am very happy that I can easily find products on LL Bean, Pottery Barn Kids, and Eddit Bauer. But I hate the was JC Penney does their items. I will find the item, link to it through my google list, and then 1 month later the link goes nowhere and JC Penney says "this product is no longer available" - But if you put the item number or the item description in the JC Penney search box, it shows up immediately. Duh. It's like they move their shit around too much or something. I don't get it.
Speaking of JC Penney. Still no news on the cracked dining room table. Bastards. All I can say is that if all this waiting results in a replacement, I will be okay with it. But if it doesn't, and I have to return the whole set, I will be pissed.
If you are in the Princeton area, the PJWC baby contest just started, and Ava is entered. there are voting cans at Amcore Bank, and they will move onto Union Bank and then Citizens' First National Bank. 1 penny = 1 vote, so $1 is 100 votes. I can't believe the people whose kids are in the contest.
I personally, vow to never enter my kids in a contest where money determines the winner. It's ridiculous really. Like Sheffield Homecoming Queen. Ridiculous. Whoever's family decides to fork over the most cash, is definately the winner. It happens every year. So and so's grandma goes over and puts $200 in the jar so that her granddaughter can win. If you know me, you know I am pretty anti-pageant. But if there is talent and personality involved, and those things along with beauty contribute to the winning, than it isn't so bad. But when it's all about cash or sex, it's like, why is this happening.
Not that I am against Ava being in the contest, or that I don't support her. Of course I hope she beats the diapers off all the other babies. But seriously, I don't support money as a means of choosing a winner. And of course my ex's youngest baby is in the contest now too. They certainly won't win based on money, I don't see two high school dropouts living happily ever after having a bunch of cash. So if their baby wins, it must be because she is damn cute. What shocked me, was when the movie The Exorcism of Emily Rose came out, the same exact time as she was born, that's what they decided to name the baby. First AND middle name. Um. Yeah. Kinda like calling your baby Damien, isn't it? or perhaps Freddy Kruger? Poor lil girl. But her mommy was once Sheffield Homecoming Queen, so maybe there is somedrug money behind them after all?
Okay, enough. I have to stop that. I don't ever intend on blogging badly about those who can'tturn on a computer, I mean read, I mean defend themselves.... so I don't plan on starting now. I don't want my tires slashed, a brick through my window, or god forbid all my meth cooked with poor-quality ingredients. (kidding, I don't do drugs.) That's just my bitter feelings getting in the way. It's too bad that relationships have to end badly, but like Tom Cruise, Scientologist Extraordinairre, so wisely says in Cocktail "All things end badly or else they wouldn't end." And even though it was a shitty ending, it is one thing that I am glad is OVER. And honestly, I wish their little family the best of happiness, and I hope that I am making enough to keep the welfare system going so that happens for them.
Whoa. What has gotten into me today? Snarky! Something tells me this will come back to get me. Maybe I should delete it now? I totally need to look into that "you have to login to see this post" thing. Can we do that on blogger? Hmm. After some reading up, I see that blogger is switching to google. So I could essentially allow only certain google users to view the blog. However, I can't control it on a post by post basis. Hopefully soon.
Speaking of JC Penney. Still no news on the cracked dining room table. Bastards. All I can say is that if all this waiting results in a replacement, I will be okay with it. But if it doesn't, and I have to return the whole set, I will be pissed.
If you are in the Princeton area, the PJWC baby contest just started, and Ava is entered. there are voting cans at Amcore Bank, and they will move onto Union Bank and then Citizens' First National Bank. 1 penny = 1 vote, so $1 is 100 votes. I can't believe the people whose kids are in the contest.
I personally, vow to never enter my kids in a contest where money determines the winner. It's ridiculous really. Like Sheffield Homecoming Queen. Ridiculous. Whoever's family decides to fork over the most cash, is definately the winner. It happens every year. So and so's grandma goes over and puts $200 in the jar so that her granddaughter can win. If you know me, you know I am pretty anti-pageant. But if there is talent and personality involved, and those things along with beauty contribute to the winning, than it isn't so bad. But when it's all about cash or sex, it's like, why is this happening.
Not that I am against Ava being in the contest, or that I don't support her. Of course I hope she beats the diapers off all the other babies. But seriously, I don't support money as a means of choosing a winner. And of course my ex's youngest baby is in the contest now too. They certainly won't win based on money, I don't see two high school dropouts living happily ever after having a bunch of cash. So if their baby wins, it must be because she is damn cute. What shocked me, was when the movie The Exorcism of Emily Rose came out, the same exact time as she was born, that's what they decided to name the baby. First AND middle name. Um. Yeah. Kinda like calling your baby Damien, isn't it? or perhaps Freddy Kruger? Poor lil girl. But her mommy was once Sheffield Homecoming Queen, so maybe there is some
Okay, enough. I have to stop that. I don't ever intend on blogging badly about those who can't
Whoa. What has gotten into me today? Snarky! Something tells me this will come back to get me. Maybe I should delete it now? I totally need to look into that "you have to login to see this post" thing. Can we do that on blogger? Hmm. After some reading up, I see that blogger is switching to google. So I could essentially allow only certain google users to view the blog. However, I can't control it on a post by post basis. Hopefully soon.
My time is a piece of wax, falling on a termite, who's choking on a splinter.
I knew it was going to be a good day. Why? This morning I woke up with Beck's Loser in my head. I don't know why. I sang it, and sang it, and sang it. when I got in my car... Loser was on the radio. It was so seamless, I didn't even notice at first, just kept on singing it. Then I was like "Hey!" Isn't that cool? eerie? Spooky? Kick Ass!
I did get a lot done yesterday. I made 4 loaves of Chocolate Zucchini Bread and have two more already in progress. Thanks to Betty Lawson of Princeton for the recipe. She doesn't even know me, but I bought her bread at a bake sale and a co-worker got the recipe for me because I begged her.
I got lots of laundry done, in fact I ran out of laundry soap and so Evan had to get me more. I did bedding, some rugs, 2 loads of whites, 2 loads of jeans, 2 good clothes loads, 2 loads of dark clothes, and 1 load of towels. I vacuumed and mopped the bathroom and kitchen, and vacuumed the bedroom, living room, dining room, and front porch. I unloaded and re-loaded the dishwasher. I cleaned the counters in the kitchen and fed the dogs. I cleaned the floor of my closet and hung up Lots of clothes. I got the brilliant idea to draw stars on the tags of the jeans that fit me perfectly. Since all my jeans are one brand, it's hard to tell which ones fit right and which ones are too big or too small. So I got out a sharpie and drew stars on the tags. That was a good deal. Except you can't see the stars when they are hanging in the closet.
Last night I watched 3/4 of Sid and Nancy (Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols and his girlfriend Nancy) and Cocktail. Again. All while folding laundry.
What did Evan do? He slept on the swing outside. For 3.5 hours.
This week looks to be a little busy already. Oh well, I will make it through!
I did get a lot done yesterday. I made 4 loaves of Chocolate Zucchini Bread and have two more already in progress. Thanks to Betty Lawson of Princeton for the recipe. She doesn't even know me, but I bought her bread at a bake sale and a co-worker got the recipe for me because I begged her.
I got lots of laundry done, in fact I ran out of laundry soap and so Evan had to get me more. I did bedding, some rugs, 2 loads of whites, 2 loads of jeans, 2 good clothes loads, 2 loads of dark clothes, and 1 load of towels. I vacuumed and mopped the bathroom and kitchen, and vacuumed the bedroom, living room, dining room, and front porch. I unloaded and re-loaded the dishwasher. I cleaned the counters in the kitchen and fed the dogs. I cleaned the floor of my closet and hung up Lots of clothes. I got the brilliant idea to draw stars on the tags of the jeans that fit me perfectly. Since all my jeans are one brand, it's hard to tell which ones fit right and which ones are too big or too small. So I got out a sharpie and drew stars on the tags. That was a good deal. Except you can't see the stars when they are hanging in the closet.
Last night I watched 3/4 of Sid and Nancy (Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols and his girlfriend Nancy) and Cocktail. Again. All while folding laundry.
What did Evan do? He slept on the swing outside. For 3.5 hours.
This week looks to be a little busy already. Oh well, I will make it through!
Monday, August 21, 2006
Vacation Day!
So, since today is my day off, I want you to go check out my new renter, Stir Fry Kitty.
I am off work today. I woke up first at 8:30am. I had one of those dreams that just puts a big 'ol smile on your face. When I woke up I was grinning from ear to ear, and then I was like "oh damn. real life." So I went back to sleep till 11am. But the dream was fun while it lasted, was it EVER!
I am cleaning and doing laundry right now. Last night I went to Wal-mart and I got three new pair of jeans, one size smaller. Yeah! I saw that they had Levi's on sale for $15 each, and they are usually $20, so I grabbed three pair, and after I tried them on, I saw that only one stonewash was $15 and the rest were $20. I was like "what's the difference?" Then when I got to the checkout, it seemed like some of them must have rung up for $15, cuz the total was so low. When I checked my receipt at home, I saw that two pair rang up for $19.98 and the $15.00 pair rang up for... Get this THREE FREAKING DOLLARS! swEEt! So great deal eh?
Then I went to my parents and we sat outside and all that and we had a big bonfire and cooked hot dogs, grilled cheese pies, and cherry pies on the fire, with smores too. Oh and sweet corn. It was delicious! I was there till about 10:30pm, and today was mom's first day back to work at the school after her summer break, and Liz's first day of vacation... so I came home and took a bath and watched Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, because I am reading Ya-Yas in Bloom by Rebecca Wells and I wanted to be refreshed of the first book without having to re-read it. The movie did the trick. So I went to bed at about 3am.
Now I have to get back to cleaning. So check out Stir Fry Kitty and my flickr photos from the wedding on Saturday and from the bonfire last night.
P.S. I have lost 24 pounds so far. Go South Beach!
I am off work today. I woke up first at 8:30am. I had one of those dreams that just puts a big 'ol smile on your face. When I woke up I was grinning from ear to ear, and then I was like "oh damn. real life." So I went back to sleep till 11am. But the dream was fun while it lasted, was it EVER!I am cleaning and doing laundry right now. Last night I went to Wal-mart and I got three new pair of jeans, one size smaller. Yeah! I saw that they had Levi's on sale for $15 each, and they are usually $20, so I grabbed three pair, and after I tried them on, I saw that only one stonewash was $15 and the rest were $20. I was like "what's the difference?" Then when I got to the checkout, it seemed like some of them must have rung up for $15, cuz the total was so low. When I checked my receipt at home, I saw that two pair rang up for $19.98 and the $15.00 pair rang up for... Get this THREE FREAKING DOLLARS! swEEt! So great deal eh?
Then I went to my parents and we sat outside and all that and we had a big bonfire and cooked hot dogs, grilled cheese pies, and cherry pies on the fire, with smores too. Oh and sweet corn. It was delicious! I was there till about 10:30pm, and today was mom's first day back to work at the school after her summer break, and Liz's first day of vacation... so I came home and took a bath and watched Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, because I am reading Ya-Yas in Bloom by Rebecca Wells and I wanted to be refreshed of the first book without having to re-read it. The movie did the trick. So I went to bed at about 3am.
Now I have to get back to cleaning. So check out Stir Fry Kitty and my flickr photos from the wedding on Saturday and from the bonfire last night.
P.S. I have lost 24 pounds so far. Go South Beach!
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Sunday Sucks
It's 1:22 pm. I have woke my husband up 954 times since 11am and he is STILL asleep. As a matter of fact we first woke up at 6:30am. And he is STILL asleep. I hate him sleeping. He sleeps all the time. It makes me so pissed!I vacuumed. I loaded the dishwasher and it's running. I am doing laundry. I stripped the spare bed. I scanned and uploaded all my ATC's that I have made recently and then I uploaded and labeled all my photos that we took at Jessica's wedding reception last night, and THEN I sent them to Wal-Mart for 1 hour prints. It is BEAUTIFUL outside. We could be golfing. Fishing. Working in the yard. But no. Evan sleeps. Still.
I have done NOTHING this entire weekend. I have so much to accomplish, yet none of it is getting done. My motivation is seriously affected by having Evan in bed all day. It makes me so mad that I should be running around doing things while he sleeps. The yard needs to be mowed and the bushes have needed trimmed since JUNE and they are so tall. The weeds have overgrown everything. And he lays in bed.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Friday Fiver
1. Do you work hard or do you take the easy way out?I don't get this question. I work hard, but I don't make work harder than it already is. I am a smart person. I hate those people that try to overthink work and turn it into more work just so they always look perplexed and busy. That's a load of crap. I work with someone like that and it drives me nuts. And just when I think I might be slacking, I compare what I do at work and home to what others do at work and home and I am like "damn girl, slow down!"
2. How's your day going?
Considering it's Friday, I don't know why they even ask this question. How often does a Friday suck? Mine's good. I'm exhausted but I have a three day weekend, so it's worth it.
3. How many pairs of shoes do you own?
I literally have more than 30. That's all I know. They are everywhere. They match every outfit. I love shoes. Always have.
4. Do you consider yourself cool?
I went to band camp. It doesn't get any cooler than that. Lucky for me geeks are cool now. Which makes me the coolest around.
5. What's the last song you listened to?
I don't know the last one I listened to. But I do know the last one I remember listening to. Centerfield by John Fogerty. If I hear that song I swear it's in my head for WEEKS. I heard it on Wednesday, and today's friday... and it has blocked out all other songs I have heard since then. So that's all I can tell you.
JC Penney Customer Service
Caveat Emptor. Buyer Beware.
Have I mentioned how disappointed I am with JC Penney right now? Firstly, you know that the dining room table arrived cracked, and the chairs have scratches. I planned on overlooking the scratches but the table can't even be assembled and used... so that obviously needs to be taken care of. So Monday night I called customer service. Today is Friday. On Monday, I was told I would hear within 1-2 days. Wednesday night. Hadn't heard anything. So I called back. Got the SAME customer service guy, was told that they are "working on it" and that I would hear back in another 1-2 days. Um. Yeah. That doesn't seem to make me feel confident.
So yesterday, I decided to call another number that I found on their website to talk about a previous order, and get a lady who told me that I needed to package the chairs and table back up so that UPS could pick them up. Then I had to go through the whole thing with her about how we have already spent time assembling, how the chairs are okay, how we just need a table, and then she says how she can "see that I told the customer service representative that the chairs were fine and we only needed a table" and I am thinking so WHY did you tell me to pack everything up and send it back? Was she just TRYING to piss me off? I explained that we have spent hours assembling the chairs and that we don't plan on spending more hours to unassemble them. She said "UPS won't pick them up assembled" and I told her that what was going on is the problem of JC Penney, and it is their responsibility to resolve the issue, not mine. And she said that the only way to get my money back was to pack them up and ship them all back.
I was trying to explain to her that I don't WANT my money back, I had asked for a new table, and that I was told they are working on it. She then told me that they are "out" of the tables. I said "last night I was told that they had checked one warehouse and there were none, and they were checking another warehouse and would be getting back to me. Now you are telling me they are out. Does this mean that they already checked the second warehouse and that they failed to contact me to tell me that they are out?" And she said "they have already checked the other warehouse and they are out." and so I asked if this means that my only option is to disassemble the chairs, repackage them in their torn box, and have UPS pick them up. She said "Well, you can take the assembled furniture to the catalog desk at your local store and they can accept the return unassembled." Now please tell me why in the HELL she didn't tell me that in the beginning of our conversation?
So I asked if I could please speak to a manager. I want to talk to the PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR THE TABLE. Is that so difficult to understand? Is it? I don't think so. So she tells me "you can speak to a manager but they are going to tell you the exact same things that I am." All I could think was "perhaps they would be less bitchy?"
SOOOOO today I decided to call AGAIN and ask for a manager right away. Instead I ended up talking to the customer service person, who told me that they had checked two distribution centers and couldn't find the table. They are still checking distribution centers. I explained that I will be leaving on vacation and that I want the issue resolved before I leave, etc etc and was told that I would get a call back before next Friday the 25th letting me know if they had found a table. WHY does this have to take so long! Jeez! How hard is it for you to send an email or make a phone call to your distribution centers and have someone check their stock and call back? I swear if that were me it would take 2 days, tops. Jeez.
Patience is not a virtue of mine but apparently Customer Service is also not a virtue of JC Penney.
Have I mentioned how disappointed I am with JC Penney right now? Firstly, you know that the dining room table arrived cracked, and the chairs have scratches. I planned on overlooking the scratches but the table can't even be assembled and used... so that obviously needs to be taken care of. So Monday night I called customer service. Today is Friday. On Monday, I was told I would hear within 1-2 days. Wednesday night. Hadn't heard anything. So I called back. Got the SAME customer service guy, was told that they are "working on it" and that I would hear back in another 1-2 days. Um. Yeah. That doesn't seem to make me feel confident.
So yesterday, I decided to call another number that I found on their website to talk about a previous order, and get a lady who told me that I needed to package the chairs and table back up so that UPS could pick them up. Then I had to go through the whole thing with her about how we have already spent time assembling, how the chairs are okay, how we just need a table, and then she says how she can "see that I told the customer service representative that the chairs were fine and we only needed a table" and I am thinking so WHY did you tell me to pack everything up and send it back? Was she just TRYING to piss me off? I explained that we have spent hours assembling the chairs and that we don't plan on spending more hours to unassemble them. She said "UPS won't pick them up assembled" and I told her that what was going on is the problem of JC Penney, and it is their responsibility to resolve the issue, not mine. And she said that the only way to get my money back was to pack them up and ship them all back.
I was trying to explain to her that I don't WANT my money back, I had asked for a new table, and that I was told they are working on it. She then told me that they are "out" of the tables. I said "last night I was told that they had checked one warehouse and there were none, and they were checking another warehouse and would be getting back to me. Now you are telling me they are out. Does this mean that they already checked the second warehouse and that they failed to contact me to tell me that they are out?" And she said "they have already checked the other warehouse and they are out." and so I asked if this means that my only option is to disassemble the chairs, repackage them in their torn box, and have UPS pick them up. She said "Well, you can take the assembled furniture to the catalog desk at your local store and they can accept the return unassembled." Now please tell me why in the HELL she didn't tell me that in the beginning of our conversation?
So I asked if I could please speak to a manager. I want to talk to the PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR THE TABLE. Is that so difficult to understand? Is it? I don't think so. So she tells me "you can speak to a manager but they are going to tell you the exact same things that I am." All I could think was "perhaps they would be less bitchy?"
SOOOOO today I decided to call AGAIN and ask for a manager right away. Instead I ended up talking to the customer service person, who told me that they had checked two distribution centers and couldn't find the table. They are still checking distribution centers. I explained that I will be leaving on vacation and that I want the issue resolved before I leave, etc etc and was told that I would get a call back before next Friday the 25th letting me know if they had found a table. WHY does this have to take so long! Jeez! How hard is it for you to send an email or make a phone call to your distribution centers and have someone check their stock and call back? I swear if that were me it would take 2 days, tops. Jeez.
Patience is not a virtue of mine but apparently Customer Service is also not a virtue of JC Penney.
Drama.
Yahoo mail is down. The world MIGHT be ending. I get ALL of my email through yahoo. I pay for their $19.95 a year account and I forward all of my email addresses to them. They have excellent spam filters and built in virus scanners, and you know I am doing the testing for Yahoo Beta. Well, today I can't get in and I am SAD. I am like "what? No email? This can't be!"
So I know I have been missing a bit lately, but I have been super busy.
I am having a hard time remembering what I actually did blog about and what I just THOUGHT I would blog about.
Wednesday, I tried to call my husband at home, and I got this silly message "The number you have dialed is not in service." Hmmm. Strange. Must be a fluke, right? Dial again. "The number you have dialed is not in service." Hmm. When did I pay the phone bill last? Didn't I just schedule an online payment? So I get online, find out that I did schedule a payment for Friday (today) and called Verizon
Verizon convinced me to go to the $16 package and forwarded me to the voicewing (VOIP) area, where they promptly told me that VOIP is not available in my area. Bastards!
So right now we are testing out not having a home phone, becauseI didn't pay the bill we'd rather use our cell phones anyway.
So after I discovered that the phone got turned off, husband calls me, from Anya's house, and mentions that we have no power at home, and did I perhaps not pay the power bill?
So the story about the semi? Yeah, well. Apparently a guy was taking a large gas related contraption to Ottawa to the new Ethanol plant. Interstate 80 has construction and is down to one lane, so they had to re-route him. His company approved his route up 6 & 34. He tore some shit up in Galva. Then he came through Wyanet and just up the street, in the middle of route 6 (Main Street) at the intersection of Wyanet/Walnut, he was trying to get over for cars to pass (he's double-wide) and he sheared off three power poles WITH transformers and slanted one more pole over. Now, wouldn't you think after you hit the FIRST pole that you might stop? He knocked the cable (and therefore the internet) out also. Anyway, so our half of Wyanet was without power from about 3:30 until about 11 that night. So we went to Brad and Anya's and had a cookout for Anya's birthday. Brad saw him taking out signs on his way to Princeton, and we heard he took something out in Princeton too.
So. Thursday, I got my hair done. I pulled $104.00 out of my ass. Or at least a check for $104. Then I went home, slid out of my clothes and into my pajamas, ate tuna melts, and attempted to watch "Beyond Borders" on cable while vegging on the couch for the first time in like 14 days. Anya called my cell phone.
This intriguing conversation ended up with my in my pajamas in the front yard, and then with me putting my clothes back on and going to the bar. It also ended up with me paying for an amaretto and coke that I didn't even want, drinking only half of it, and then going to Princeton to pick up Ava at the sitter. Then it proceeded towards me being angry at my husband, who just that morning said "I will be home all night tonight" and was MIA without a note, not answering his cell phone. I sent him a text message. No response. a guy sitting next to me in the bar, who I went to high school with, texted Evan, and Evan responded right away. I was like "Oh no he didn't." and then I grabbed HIS phone and texted Evan back "this is your WIFE" and he showed up at the bar in about 10 minutes. Yeah. Because your phone just doesn't GET my text messages or phone calls? I don't think so.
You know what is awesome about not having a home phone? No telemarketers and no customer service or sales calls. None. The phone does not ring all morning until I wake up to answer it. The phone does not ring at 11pm when I am trying to go to sleep. the phone. does not ring. And it's grand. I don't walk in the door each night and have 3 messages. Nice.
But, standing in the yard when it's below 0 and there is 3 foot of snow on the ground, to get cell phone reception.... not nice. At all. SO we might have to look into vonage for a lil while. I don't know. Maybe we need a GIANT cell phone repeater antenna on the roof. I should look into that.
So today is finally Friday. And I realized that I have pretty much the whole month of September already filled with things. My 10 year class reunion. My vacation to Utah. A scrapbook night. Babysitting Ava while her parents go see Nickleback. It's really going to be quite the month. This weekend we have a wedding that's like far away. I hate that. With a passion. We also have to trim the bushes at home. I am taking Monday off to get a handle on things at home before I have to go on vacation. Laundry, Dishes, cleaning. you know the drill.
And the best part? I will be off work all day, and the phone won't ring. Ahhh.
So. TGIF! Have a great weekend!
So I know I have been missing a bit lately, but I have been super busy.
I am having a hard time remembering what I actually did blog about and what I just THOUGHT I would blog about.
Wednesday, I tried to call my husband at home, and I got this silly message "The number you have dialed is not in service." Hmmm. Strange. Must be a fluke, right? Dial again. "The number you have dialed is not in service." Hmm. When did I pay the phone bill last? Didn't I just schedule an online payment? So I get online, find out that I did schedule a payment for Friday (today) and called Verizon
Verizon: "Yes Ma'am your service has been temporarily interrupted for non-payment."
Shit. Shit shit shit.
Me "I have a payment of $60 scheduled for this Friday. Once that payment comes through, will it be turned back on?"
Verizon: "I'm sorry ma'am, we will need the full $120 before we can turn the phone back on."
Shit. Shit.
Me: "Okay, please cancel my service."
Verizon: (stuttering, stammering...) "Well, Uh, are you sure ma'am? Do you want some time to think about it?"
Me: "Every time I get a bill from you I think about how ridiculous it is that I pay $60 a month for this home phone, which we hardly use, and pay $80 a month to get two cell phones with massive amounts of minutes that we also don't use."
Verizon convinced me to go to the $16 package and forwarded me to the voicewing (VOIP) area, where they promptly told me that VOIP is not available in my area. Bastards!
So right now we are testing out not having a home phone, because
So after I discovered that the phone got turned off, husband calls me, from Anya's house, and mentions that we have no power at home, and did I perhaps not pay the power bill?
Me: "I TOTALLY paid the power bill. On time. Every month. I swear"
Husband: "Just giving you shit. A semi sheared off three power poles a block from the house and half of Wyanet is without power."
Whew. I knew I paid the power bill.
Me: "The phone is disconnected though."
Husband: "Yeah? That's okay. We don't need it."
Me: "and it's gonna be off for a lil while."
Husband: "We can get Vonage."
So the story about the semi? Yeah, well. Apparently a guy was taking a large gas related contraption to Ottawa to the new Ethanol plant. Interstate 80 has construction and is down to one lane, so they had to re-route him. His company approved his route up 6 & 34. He tore some shit up in Galva. Then he came through Wyanet and just up the street, in the middle of route 6 (Main Street) at the intersection of Wyanet/Walnut, he was trying to get over for cars to pass (he's double-wide) and he sheared off three power poles WITH transformers and slanted one more pole over. Now, wouldn't you think after you hit the FIRST pole that you might stop? He knocked the cable (and therefore the internet) out also. Anyway, so our half of Wyanet was without power from about 3:30 until about 11 that night. So we went to Brad and Anya's and had a cookout for Anya's birthday. Brad saw him taking out signs on his way to Princeton, and we heard he took something out in Princeton too.
So. Thursday, I got my hair done. I pulled $104.00 out of my ass. Or at least a check for $104. Then I went home, slid out of my clothes and into my pajamas, ate tuna melts, and attempted to watch "Beyond Borders" on cable while vegging on the couch for the first time in like 14 days. Anya called my cell phone.
Anya: "What are you doing"
Me: "standing on the front porch in my pajamas on a chair trying to get cell phone reception."
This intriguing conversation ended up with my in my pajamas in the front yard, and then with me putting my clothes back on and going to the bar. It also ended up with me paying for an amaretto and coke that I didn't even want, drinking only half of it, and then going to Princeton to pick up Ava at the sitter. Then it proceeded towards me being angry at my husband, who just that morning said "I will be home all night tonight" and was MIA without a note, not answering his cell phone. I sent him a text message. No response. a guy sitting next to me in the bar, who I went to high school with, texted Evan, and Evan responded right away. I was like "Oh no he didn't." and then I grabbed HIS phone and texted Evan back "this is your WIFE" and he showed up at the bar in about 10 minutes. Yeah. Because your phone just doesn't GET my text messages or phone calls? I don't think so.
You know what is awesome about not having a home phone? No telemarketers and no customer service or sales calls. None. The phone does not ring all morning until I wake up to answer it. The phone does not ring at 11pm when I am trying to go to sleep. the phone. does not ring. And it's grand. I don't walk in the door each night and have 3 messages. Nice.
But, standing in the yard when it's below 0 and there is 3 foot of snow on the ground, to get cell phone reception.... not nice. At all. SO we might have to look into vonage for a lil while. I don't know. Maybe we need a GIANT cell phone repeater antenna on the roof. I should look into that.
So today is finally Friday. And I realized that I have pretty much the whole month of September already filled with things. My 10 year class reunion. My vacation to Utah. A scrapbook night. Babysitting Ava while her parents go see Nickleback. It's really going to be quite the month. This weekend we have a wedding that's like far away. I hate that. With a passion. We also have to trim the bushes at home. I am taking Monday off to get a handle on things at home before I have to go on vacation. Laundry, Dishes, cleaning. you know the drill.
And the best part? I will be off work all day, and the phone won't ring. Ahhh.
So. TGIF! Have a great weekend!
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Stating the Obvious
Okay, I am about to state the obvious. I know that. But bear with me, because it shouldn't take long to state the obvious, right?
The internet is FUCKING AWESOME.
There. That's what I needed to say. Nowhere else is there a place where you can meet so many people, and not just people LIKE you but people so diverse and intriguing and UNLIKE you. Crafty People. Oh My God. The crafty People! on swap-bot, on flickr, on blogs and websites! It's insane!
I have met new people that I have so much in common with that it literally freaks me out. Marcia in Idaho. She's in her 50's, but I feel like I could talk to her for hours. She has such neat interests! And Brooke in Florida! She's younger than me but I am still so excited to get her reply to my handwritten letter #3 swap to her. And now Amy in Virginia! It's endless! the people I have met through the handwritten letter swaps just FLOOR me. They give me the same excitement and laughter that I used to get from pen-pals as a kid, the ones I would meet when we enclosed a letter rolled up into a helium baloon or tied to the string of the balloon and released into the summer sky. It's amazing.
It makes me think of the Wizard of Oz getting in his balloon and landing in another world. the whole earth is full of other worlds. The fact that people choose to block themselves off and look down upon other races, cultures, religions and sexual orientations just absolutely BAFFLES me! Why would you not want to learn more about the things that make this world so amazing and diverse!
That said, go forth and
The internet is FUCKING AWESOME.
There. That's what I needed to say. Nowhere else is there a place where you can meet so many people, and not just people LIKE you but people so diverse and intriguing and UNLIKE you. Crafty People. Oh My God. The crafty People! on swap-bot, on flickr, on blogs and websites! It's insane!
I have met new people that I have so much in common with that it literally freaks me out. Marcia in Idaho. She's in her 50's, but I feel like I could talk to her for hours. She has such neat interests! And Brooke in Florida! She's younger than me but I am still so excited to get her reply to my handwritten letter #3 swap to her. And now Amy in Virginia! It's endless! the people I have met through the handwritten letter swaps just FLOOR me. They give me the same excitement and laughter that I used to get from pen-pals as a kid, the ones I would meet when we enclosed a letter rolled up into a helium baloon or tied to the string of the balloon and released into the summer sky. It's amazing.
It makes me think of the Wizard of Oz getting in his balloon and landing in another world. the whole earth is full of other worlds. The fact that people choose to block themselves off and look down upon other races, cultures, religions and sexual orientations just absolutely BAFFLES me! Why would you not want to learn more about the things that make this world so amazing and diverse!
That said, go forth and
Oh..... Mylanta
Still broke. And after adding up what I have to pay for this week, things are looking negative. Yikes! NEGATIVE people! as in "in the red" as in "bounced checks!" damn. Car insurance. Need gas in my car. The light has been on for three trips to Princeton and back.
Well, another good and interesting development. Haleigh Anne was going to buy the same table as me since she saw it on the blog, but when she tried to order she was told it isn't available, which is very sad but makes since because they were clearing it out and I had to wait for mine on backorder. Well, since mine came yesterday, husband attempted to put it together last night. He got one chair put together, and it took one hour. So all the chairs will probably take 4 hours. He decided to do one chair and then the table, to make sure it's what we want. And when he went to put the table together, it was cracked. As in "un-put-together-able." (word of the day.)
So I called JC Penney and of course got this "customer service" guy that had NO idea what to do. It took him 15 minutes to put my contact information into the computer (although it's already In there?) so that they can look into it and call me back in 1-2 business days. Um. Okay. I told the guy... husband tore the box open to get the table and chairs out and it isn't salvageable. We don't have a box big enough to send this all back in, and we CERTAINLY are not taking apart the chairs to send them back if we n
eed to exchange, and then reassembling 4 new chairs. No fucking way. So basically I gave them the option to send us a whole new set and we keep the 4 chairs we have, or send a replacement table top. And he was like "uh, errr, ahhh" as in he had no clue. So I am wondering if because it isn't available anymore that perhaps I will never get the table and we will have to somehow send all that crap back. And of course it will probably take 956 days and 43 billing cycles to get the money back, because that's how corporate america operates, and then they will only want to give it to me on a gift card (because my money is theirs, ya know?) The ol "store credit" scam.
So we have a cracked table and 1 put together chair in the dining room.
Last night I also shredded zucchini for the chocolate zucchini cake. I got to use my new slicer/shredder attachment for the kitchen aide mixer. Since I stopped cooking I haven't gotten to use it at all, and I have probably only used the mixer a handfull of times in the past year. So it was cool to get it out and work with it a while. I also made taco dip, the kind with ground beef, seasonings, velveeta cheese, salsa, and rice. It was yummy, and that's what I had for supper last night. Do I regret it today? mildly. not as much as I regretted it last night. I should mention that I love Mylanta. I have always loved Mylanta. Since I was a teenager, it was my medicine of choice, and then a good friend and employer of mine showed me a trick that would go with me for the rest of my life. He always keeps his mylanta in the fridge. Nothing goes down and soothes your stomach like cold minty mylanta. He also taught me that there's no need to measure the pesky tablespoons. Just grab the bottle from the fridge and take a drink.
Since I have lived on my own, I somehow got thinking (I think it was my husband) that Tums were the answer. And
they came out with the smooth dissolve tums, and the cool relief tums, and I love them, and I always called the Cool Relief ones "Cool Ranch Tums" like doritos. And my dog Boyd became a Tums addict. He loves tums. He could be 5 counties away, and if he hears the rattle of the tums bottle or the snap of the lid, he comes trotting in to get one. Once he got ahold of the bottle off the nightstand and ate the lid off. He was drooling all down into the bottle and they all stuck together. We labeled those as Boyd's tums and he ate the rest of the bottle over time.
Well, I get tired of eating tums and having them last like 5 minutes. And then, a miracle happened. Mylanta came out with their original cool mint formula, all over again. It was like I was reunited with a long lost love. Oh.... Mylanta! And now, it's minty freshness resides on the top shelf of the fridge. I am sure that nothing is hotter to a husband than a wife with white chalky lips.... rig
ht? So last night after eating a big bowl of taco dip for supper, I had two doses of mylanta chased with water and spaced about two hours apart. And I was miraculously able to sleep horizontally without dying of heartburn or stomachache. I am not saying I felt GOOD but I did make it. Thank You Mylanta. I missed you so. Now it's time to buy one for my work refrigerator. Along with the new bottle of Tylenol Cough and Sore Throat with Instant Cool Burst Sensation that I store in my work fridge in preparation for my annual bought with strep throat.
As far as fungus goes, we have never had mushrooms in our yard in town. But this year, we have a bunch of them suddenly growing in the front yard. I was all excited "faerie ring, faerie ring!" but the damn things just won't grow in a ring. Sill faeries. I keep waiting for a dog to eat them and get sick, but they seem to steer clear of them. Anyone know what kind of mushrooms these are?
Well, another good and interesting development. Haleigh Anne was going to buy the same table as me since she saw it on the blog, but when she tried to order she was told it isn't available, which is very sad but makes since because they were clearing it out and I had to wait for mine on backorder. Well, since mine came yesterday, husband attempted to put it together last night. He got one chair put together, and it took one hour. So all the chairs will probably take 4 hours. He decided to do one chair and then the table, to make sure it's what we want. And when he went to put the table together, it was cracked. As in "un-put-together-able." (word of the day.)So I called JC Penney and of course got this "customer service" guy that had NO idea what to do. It took him 15 minutes to put my contact information into the computer (although it's already In there?) so that they can look into it and call me back in 1-2 business days. Um. Okay. I told the guy... husband tore the box open to get the table and chairs out and it isn't salvageable. We don't have a box big enough to send this all back in, and we CERTAINLY are not taking apart the chairs to send them back if we n
eed to exchange, and then reassembling 4 new chairs. No fucking way. So basically I gave them the option to send us a whole new set and we keep the 4 chairs we have, or send a replacement table top. And he was like "uh, errr, ahhh" as in he had no clue. So I am wondering if because it isn't available anymore that perhaps I will never get the table and we will have to somehow send all that crap back. And of course it will probably take 956 days and 43 billing cycles to get the money back, because that's how corporate america operates, and then they will only want to give it to me on a gift card (because my money is theirs, ya know?) The ol "store credit" scam.So we have a cracked table and 1 put together chair in the dining room.
Last night I also shredded zucchini for the chocolate zucchini cake. I got to use my new slicer/shredder attachment for the kitchen aide mixer. Since I stopped cooking I haven't gotten to use it at all, and I have probably only used the mixer a handfull of times in the past year. So it was cool to get it out and work with it a while. I also made taco dip, the kind with ground beef, seasonings, velveeta cheese, salsa, and rice. It was yummy, and that's what I had for supper last night. Do I regret it today? mildly. not as much as I regretted it last night. I should mention that I love Mylanta. I have always loved Mylanta. Since I was a teenager, it was my medicine of choice, and then a good friend and employer of mine showed me a trick that would go with me for the rest of my life. He always keeps his mylanta in the fridge. Nothing goes down and soothes your stomach like cold minty mylanta. He also taught me that there's no need to measure the pesky tablespoons. Just grab the bottle from the fridge and take a drink.
Since I have lived on my own, I somehow got thinking (I think it was my husband) that Tums were the answer. And
they came out with the smooth dissolve tums, and the cool relief tums, and I love them, and I always called the Cool Relief ones "Cool Ranch Tums" like doritos. And my dog Boyd became a Tums addict. He loves tums. He could be 5 counties away, and if he hears the rattle of the tums bottle or the snap of the lid, he comes trotting in to get one. Once he got ahold of the bottle off the nightstand and ate the lid off. He was drooling all down into the bottle and they all stuck together. We labeled those as Boyd's tums and he ate the rest of the bottle over time.Well, I get tired of eating tums and having them last like 5 minutes. And then, a miracle happened. Mylanta came out with their original cool mint formula, all over again. It was like I was reunited with a long lost love. Oh.... Mylanta! And now, it's minty freshness resides on the top shelf of the fridge. I am sure that nothing is hotter to a husband than a wife with white chalky lips.... rig
ht? So last night after eating a big bowl of taco dip for supper, I had two doses of mylanta chased with water and spaced about two hours apart. And I was miraculously able to sleep horizontally without dying of heartburn or stomachache. I am not saying I felt GOOD but I did make it. Thank You Mylanta. I missed you so. Now it's time to buy one for my work refrigerator. Along with the new bottle of Tylenol Cough and Sore Throat with Instant Cool Burst Sensation that I store in my work fridge in preparation for my annual bought with strep throat.As far as fungus goes, we have never had mushrooms in our yard in town. But this year, we have a bunch of them suddenly growing in the front yard. I was all excited "faerie ring, faerie ring!" but the damn things just won't grow in a ring. Sill faeries. I keep waiting for a dog to eat them and get sick, but they seem to steer clear of them. Anyone know what kind of mushrooms these are?
Monday, August 14, 2006
Broke-a-licious
Many of you have probably noticed that the IE template is fixed. Special Thanks to Nello at Nello Designs, who I still have to pay, (sorry nello! I have to wait till my next paycheck, but maybe I can send you some business because you do awesome designs! AND you fixed my template! YAY!)
It seems I had lots of cash about a week ago, but now, I am Broke-a-licious. Bills Bills Bills! On top of normal bills, I have a car insurance installment and airline tickets to pay for this week. Ugh. I had all kinds of money, and then I looked at the checking accounts online today and I was like EEeeeeekkk! transfer, transfer, transfer, sell posessions, transfer. Jeez! It's like everything that hasn't cleared all came through today. Damn! Apparently I need to balance the account. (slacker. Irresponsible checking account holder.)
I have gotten invitations to a Longaberger Open House and TWO Stampin Up Shows, all three on the same day. And I can't go to any of them, I have a wedding to attend and I have NOOOOOO cash to spend. Whatever I can scrape together needs to go with me on vacation, so that I can at least eat.
I am normally like way vacation prepared, but this time I have barely even thought about it. There has been so much going on! Suddenly it seems like everyone wants something again, and I want things too. Take a Number! I did just realize that I won't be back in time for the September PCUG meeting. I haven't even LOOKED at the calendar much.
Like this week, I totally have alot to accomplish. I have been very busy at work (my undisclosed employer in an undisclosed location) and have been working on a seriously large and important Website Design that is taking up loads of my time. There have been things going on for me at home too, I am trying to keep up with the dog hair that seems to be choking us, and dishes and laundry too. Plus I am working on ATC's, 31 to complete by the end of the month, and Handwritten Letter Swaps. I have books to read, recipes to try, rooms to clean, and some serious weed (not the kind you smoke, but the kind you pull) issues in our yard. I have tomatoes that I haven't been able to pick, let alone CAN, and I am starting to feel overwhelmed this week.
I come home each night and have like 5 messages on the answering machine. What's frustrating to me is that people are "vague" and they say "call me back" but no details, no reasons why. I am like thinking "Cant' you just TELL me on the answering machine?" or how about "can't you just send me an e-mail??" People should know by now that I respond very quickly to email and not so quickly to voicemails. I got a call from a friend last Wednesday. Well, I went straight from work Wednesday to Peru with my husband to celebrate our anniversary, we didn't get home till after 10:30pm. I wasn't about to call her back at 10:30pm. Then Thursday I was gone all night, and Friday I got out of work early and went straight to a scrapbook night and didn't get home till 11pm. Saturday I was gone all day to a scrapbook day and then went out to eat that night and didn't get home till 2:30am. It's like "when do I have time to return these phone calls?" On my cell phone when I am driving is about all, but I don't want to be all rushed and distracted while I am driving. I need to breathe sometime, right?
I had another lady who wanted me to make some stickers/badges for her. She asked me like a month ago. But didn't get me the materials until last week. I said "what's your deadline?" and she said "by the end of the week" and I had to tell her "I'm sorry, I won't have time to touch this until over the weekend or the beginning of next week, I have commitments every night this week and most of the weekend." and she probably thought I was lying, but I wasn't. And she decided to have someone else do it and I am glad because I wouldn't have had time over the weekend either. And this week is already looking like I have plenty to do.... so I would have been rushing around to get it all done for her.
Thank God for blogging, it's like a relax and release for me. I find that more and more local people are finding my blog. Scary. Exciting. I almost feel like I should censor myself or something, but I am not going to. If I want to talk about how Taco Bell in Princeton shorts me 1 piece of my taco salad EVERY FUCKING TIME I go there, I will. If I want to talk about how Culver's employees can not consistently count the ranch dressing that they give you with your Cashew Chicken Salad, I will. If I want to talk about how I ordered adhesives from the Printer's Box but they are MIA, I still will. This is a real blog. Let's keep it that way.
That said, my weekend was nice. I went to Wal-Mart last night and spent a lil cash that I didn't have much of a choice about, We needed Bread and Milk and Tostidos and Salsa. (need!) and so now I am like (Metropolis of Sam, please lose the check, please lose the check.) Kidding. Kidding. (sorta)
I need to make a payment on our wedding loan but I just had to make two payments on our furniture and a big payment on our car insurance, so that will have to wait. I appreciate having a local bank, and although I am sure they want to kick me frequently, I know that they understand when I have to make a late payment. They don't like it, but they still understand.
I need to work on andstart finish the website for the Manlius Historical Society, because I can't hardly believe that it's been a year since I told them I would make one for them, but at the time I told them "I am planning a wedding, remodeling the house, it will be a while" and now it's been TOO long of a while, and I could REALLY use the cash. So. Nose to the grindstone lady!
Since I have a wedding to attend this weekend, and vacation up and coming, I planned on getting my hair done, I need a trim and a color, it's driving me bonkers. Of course, that means that I have to pull $97.00 out of my ass by Thursday. Yeah. "Get a haircut and get a real job!"
We need shades for our bedroom windows, I have been putting it off since we remodeled, but it's really getting annoying.... with the street lights and sun shining in there alternately, but now that I have them picked out, I have to PAY for them. Ugh. I can't wait to have all my loans paid off so I don't feel so stressed.
The weather has been so nice lately, very cool and sunny. We have had rain too, but the cooler weather has really made a difference. Today the cleaning people came (another thing to pay for) and tonight we will put together the dining room table and chairs that we got for super cheap on clearance (another reason I am broke.)
Okay, let's see if I can write two sentences without mentioning money.
Hmmm. Hmmm. We got invited to Rip's this Thursday but I don't know that we can go because I am getting my hair done (and we probably don't have money, damn it!) but this week I hopefully will get to see my mom at least one night, since she and dad just got back from a little vacation to Door County Wisconsin.... and I will be going on vacation before too long.
Last night I bought Zucchini to make Chocolate Zucchini Cake for Evan (I should NOT Eat any!) and I have lots of green and purple peppers to cut up so I can eat them with Hummus. They certainly smell peppery.
And tonight I want to hang a light in the spare bedroom that we have had since February. So- assemble table, hang moon light, cut up peppers, make Chocolate Zucchini cake... do laundry.
I have 12 "Favorite Song" ATC's made, and 3 "Ocean" theme ATC's, all accomplished this weekend. That leaves 9 "Woman" theme ATC's and 4 "Something Sparkly" ATC's and I will have them all done. I made 3 extra Favorite Song ATC's and will probably use them for the "random" ATC Swap.
I did send out my Radical 80's ATC's but haven't heard if she has received them and me partner hasn't sent mine that I am aware of, she emailed to say she was having a trouble finding inspiration. I had so much inspiration I could have made 50 ATC's. It worries me a bit that the cards won't be fab. But I have gotten her name for another swap.... so I do hope I get her 80's cards soon :)
This morning I received my Letter #3 handwritten letter but I set it down and forgot to read it, so I will have to go back to it later. I was too frantic this morning trying to get everything picked up last minute for the cleaning people so it wouldn't be a terrible mess.
On a side note, I was looking online to find my cleaning people's website. The link I thought I had didn't work so I was going to google them. And when I googled them, I found match.com's page for singles in my area. I could not BELIEVE the people that I know that are on that site!! People I grew up with, went to school with my whole life, MY OWN COUSIN and people's brothers and sisters, I was like WHOA! I had to crack up a bit. No disrespect. But it was funny. I am SOOOOO glad I am not single!
Well, enough babbling for me. Have a lovely Monday.
It seems I had lots of cash about a week ago, but now, I am Broke-a-licious. Bills Bills Bills! On top of normal bills, I have a car insurance installment and airline tickets to pay for this week. Ugh. I had all kinds of money, and then I looked at the checking accounts online today and I was like EEeeeeekkk! transfer, transfer, transfer, sell posessions, transfer. Jeez! It's like everything that hasn't cleared all came through today. Damn! Apparently I need to balance the account. (slacker. Irresponsible checking account holder.)
I have gotten invitations to a Longaberger Open House and TWO Stampin Up Shows, all three on the same day. And I can't go to any of them, I have a wedding to attend and I have NOOOOOO cash to spend. Whatever I can scrape together needs to go with me on vacation, so that I can at least eat.
I am normally like way vacation prepared, but this time I have barely even thought about it. There has been so much going on! Suddenly it seems like everyone wants something again, and I want things too. Take a Number! I did just realize that I won't be back in time for the September PCUG meeting. I haven't even LOOKED at the calendar much.
Like this week, I totally have alot to accomplish. I have been very busy at work (my undisclosed employer in an undisclosed location) and have been working on a seriously large and important Website Design that is taking up loads of my time. There have been things going on for me at home too, I am trying to keep up with the dog hair that seems to be choking us, and dishes and laundry too. Plus I am working on ATC's, 31 to complete by the end of the month, and Handwritten Letter Swaps. I have books to read, recipes to try, rooms to clean, and some serious weed (not the kind you smoke, but the kind you pull) issues in our yard. I have tomatoes that I haven't been able to pick, let alone CAN, and I am starting to feel overwhelmed this week.
I come home each night and have like 5 messages on the answering machine. What's frustrating to me is that people are "vague" and they say "call me back" but no details, no reasons why. I am like thinking "Cant' you just TELL me on the answering machine?" or how about "can't you just send me an e-mail??" People should know by now that I respond very quickly to email and not so quickly to voicemails. I got a call from a friend last Wednesday. Well, I went straight from work Wednesday to Peru with my husband to celebrate our anniversary, we didn't get home till after 10:30pm. I wasn't about to call her back at 10:30pm. Then Thursday I was gone all night, and Friday I got out of work early and went straight to a scrapbook night and didn't get home till 11pm. Saturday I was gone all day to a scrapbook day and then went out to eat that night and didn't get home till 2:30am. It's like "when do I have time to return these phone calls?" On my cell phone when I am driving is about all, but I don't want to be all rushed and distracted while I am driving. I need to breathe sometime, right?
I had another lady who wanted me to make some stickers/badges for her. She asked me like a month ago. But didn't get me the materials until last week. I said "what's your deadline?" and she said "by the end of the week" and I had to tell her "I'm sorry, I won't have time to touch this until over the weekend or the beginning of next week, I have commitments every night this week and most of the weekend." and she probably thought I was lying, but I wasn't. And she decided to have someone else do it and I am glad because I wouldn't have had time over the weekend either. And this week is already looking like I have plenty to do.... so I would have been rushing around to get it all done for her.
Thank God for blogging, it's like a relax and release for me. I find that more and more local people are finding my blog. Scary. Exciting. I almost feel like I should censor myself or something, but I am not going to. If I want to talk about how Taco Bell in Princeton shorts me 1 piece of my taco salad EVERY FUCKING TIME I go there, I will. If I want to talk about how Culver's employees can not consistently count the ranch dressing that they give you with your Cashew Chicken Salad, I will. If I want to talk about how I ordered adhesives from the Printer's Box but they are MIA, I still will. This is a real blog. Let's keep it that way.
That said, my weekend was nice. I went to Wal-Mart last night and spent a lil cash that I didn't have much of a choice about, We needed Bread and Milk and Tostidos and Salsa. (need!) and so now I am like (Metropolis of Sam, please lose the check, please lose the check.) Kidding. Kidding. (sorta)
I need to make a payment on our wedding loan but I just had to make two payments on our furniture and a big payment on our car insurance, so that will have to wait. I appreciate having a local bank, and although I am sure they want to kick me frequently, I know that they understand when I have to make a late payment. They don't like it, but they still understand.
I need to work on and
Since I have a wedding to attend this weekend, and vacation up and coming, I planned on getting my hair done, I need a trim and a color, it's driving me bonkers. Of course, that means that I have to pull $97.00 out of my ass by Thursday. Yeah. "Get a haircut and get a real job!"
We need shades for our bedroom windows, I have been putting it off since we remodeled, but it's really getting annoying.... with the street lights and sun shining in there alternately, but now that I have them picked out, I have to PAY for them. Ugh. I can't wait to have all my loans paid off so I don't feel so stressed.
The weather has been so nice lately, very cool and sunny. We have had rain too, but the cooler weather has really made a difference. Today the cleaning people came (another thing to pay for) and tonight we will put together the dining room table and chairs that we got for super cheap on clearance (another reason I am broke.)
Okay, let's see if I can write two sentences without mentioning money.
Hmmm. Hmmm. We got invited to Rip's this Thursday but I don't know that we can go because I am getting my hair done (and we probably don't have money, damn it!) but this week I hopefully will get to see my mom at least one night, since she and dad just got back from a little vacation to Door County Wisconsin.... and I will be going on vacation before too long.
Last night I bought Zucchini to make Chocolate Zucchini Cake for Evan (I should NOT Eat any!) and I have lots of green and purple peppers to cut up so I can eat them with Hummus. They certainly smell peppery.
And tonight I want to hang a light in the spare bedroom that we have had since February. So- assemble table, hang moon light, cut up peppers, make Chocolate Zucchini cake... do laundry.
I have 12 "Favorite Song" ATC's made, and 3 "Ocean" theme ATC's, all accomplished this weekend. That leaves 9 "Woman" theme ATC's and 4 "Something Sparkly" ATC's and I will have them all done. I made 3 extra Favorite Song ATC's and will probably use them for the "random" ATC Swap.
I did send out my Radical 80's ATC's but haven't heard if she has received them and me partner hasn't sent mine that I am aware of, she emailed to say she was having a trouble finding inspiration. I had so much inspiration I could have made 50 ATC's. It worries me a bit that the cards won't be fab. But I have gotten her name for another swap.... so I do hope I get her 80's cards soon :)
This morning I received my Letter #3 handwritten letter but I set it down and forgot to read it, so I will have to go back to it later. I was too frantic this morning trying to get everything picked up last minute for the cleaning people so it wouldn't be a terrible mess.
On a side note, I was looking online to find my cleaning people's website. The link I thought I had didn't work so I was going to google them. And when I googled them, I found match.com's page for singles in my area. I could not BELIEVE the people that I know that are on that site!! People I grew up with, went to school with my whole life, MY OWN COUSIN and people's brothers and sisters, I was like WHOA! I had to crack up a bit. No disrespect. But it was funny. I am SOOOOO glad I am not single!
Well, enough babbling for me. Have a lovely Monday.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Noseart, Foxes, Cherries, Sugar Cubes, Surfboards, Stamped Money, Cheerleading Fish, Garter Belts and Guns
Dear Peeps, check out Bitchet. I can't remember if I had her before or if she had me before, but either way, she kicks ass. And since I can't remember, I put in a bid to rent her blog, because I can't remember if I rented from her or her from me. WTF, hey?
Well, this will be short, because tonight I am going to get all artsy and go to a scrapbook night. But instead of working on my scrapbooks I am going to work on ATC's, 28 of them to be exact, and three birthday cards. So. I have plenty to do tonight!
Last night I spent taking a bath (ahhh) and packing up all my scrappin crap, and picking out songs and images. One of the swaps is "your favorite songs" and since I have SOOO Many songs, I had to choose a few here and there that would make good ATC's, and you just HAVE to see these on Flickr when I finish them. I can't wait. Plus there is a random ATC Swap, and I am thinking of doing more songs for those. I have some airplane nose art (pinup girls) and some other sexy stuff, I hope I don't get anyone who is offended by retro girly stuff and things like garter belts and guns.... Hmmm.... what song would that be?? If I do nudity I will keep those cards for myself. Some people are prudish.... no doubt about that. So I have inspiration of everything from cheerleading fish (guesses, anyone?) to sharks to foxes, cherries, sugar cubes, surfboards, and much much more. Can't wait! I even loaded my iPod with all the songs I am going to use so I can listen to them for inspiration while making the cards. Ohhhh Boy!
So I will be out being crafty till after midnight. That's right, I am out with the wrong crowd. Hel-lo Daddy, Hello Mom, I'm your ch ch ch ch ch ch (insert ATC card Title Here!)
Well, this will be short, because tonight I am going to get all artsy and go to a scrapbook night. But instead of working on my scrapbooks I am going to work on ATC's, 28 of them to be exact, and three birthday cards. So. I have plenty to do tonight!
Last night I spent taking a bath (ahhh) and packing up all my scrappin crap, and picking out songs and images. One of the swaps is "your favorite songs" and since I have SOOO Many songs, I had to choose a few here and there that would make good ATC's, and you just HAVE to see these on Flickr when I finish them. I can't wait. Plus there is a random ATC Swap, and I am thinking of doing more songs for those. I have some airplane nose art (pinup girls) and some other sexy stuff, I hope I don't get anyone who is offended by retro girly stuff and things like garter belts and guns.... Hmmm.... what song would that be?? If I do nudity I will keep those cards for myself. Some people are prudish.... no doubt about that. So I have inspiration of everything from cheerleading fish (guesses, anyone?) to sharks to foxes, cherries, sugar cubes, surfboards, and much much more. Can't wait! I even loaded my iPod with all the songs I am going to use so I can listen to them for inspiration while making the cards. Ohhhh Boy!
So I will be out being crafty till after midnight. That's right, I am out with the wrong crowd. Hel-lo Daddy, Hello Mom, I'm your ch ch ch ch ch ch (insert ATC card Title Here!)
Thursday, August 10, 2006
A whole Lot of Interesting Shit. Read On.
Last night was nice. We ate at Red Lobster, where I had a Bahama Mama. Captain Morgan Swirled with orange and red, with an orange and a cherry skewered with a lobster sword on the rim of the glass, and meyer's dark rum floating on the top. Yum. Evan said "now you are a pirate, drinking rum." Evan had shrimp and I had a Lobster and Shrimp Ceasar salad. It was nice.Then we went to the mall. JC Penney's still has their big sales.... and then I went to Ariva for my massage with Tina. Ahhh.
Afte
rwards we went to Wal-Mart where I got paint for my dollhouse, and adhesive for scrapbooking. And, GET THIS! I got CARDED to buy ADHESIVE! Turns out now you have to be 17 in order to buy scrapbook adhesive! WTF? It's a 4 pack of duck tape brand tape runner adhesive. What in the HELL are they doing with that? Taping each other to chairs? I don't get it! I am sorry Wal-Mart but I think you are going a little over the top. I mean, Spray paint? Paint Thinner? Sudafed? Okay. Vanilla? Probably not. Adhesive? WHAT THE FUCKETY FUCK?!What is this Stupid world coming to? Wal-Mart, I have to tell you, you aren't god. You just aren't. Give it up with the restricted buying of everyday home products like white-out and vanilla! Are you going to build a room in your store with a beaded curtain and a sign over it that says "adult section" ?!? You censor all your music CD's, you won't sell Vanilla to a minor, and now it's scrapbook adhesive? Wh
en will it stop!?Anyway, besides being ultimately pissed in Wal-Mart about the adhesive, and the ridiculously loud decibel that the self checkout has to announce my product total, "YOUR TOTAL IS $84.97" (does the entire fucking checkout area and the produce section need to know how much my shit cost? What's next, announcing every product I scan? "KY and TAMPONS. BRA SIZE 36D." What. The. Fuck.) We went home.
We perused the toy aisle quite a bit at the mart, and I got a purple and teal "spaghetti ball" (see the picture?) and
husband got a lego thingy. We saw lots more of the Pirates action figures (see my Johnny Depp/Cap'n Jack that husband bought me as an anniversary gift?)So today. It rained. And stormed. THUNDER ~ LIGHTNING ~ The way you love me is frightening..... You'd better knock.... on wood.... BABY! OOOOOhhhhhhhhhh oooh ooh ooooooh ohh.
It woke me up at 7:56am, 4 minutes before my alarm was going to go off. Bastards. It rained. The power went out as I was getting ready for work, and it was out for at least 25 minutes while I was AT work. Exciting!
Tonight, I have no plans. And frankly my dear, I don't give a damn. When we were in school, Angela and I used to both say "After you my dear Alfonz..." and for the life of me I can't reme
mber what that was from. But I still want to say it. And I bet if Angela reads this she will say to me "HOW do you REMEMBER these things?" and she has probably forgotten. SO now I am off to search the internet to see where that phrase came from. hmmm...And I got a couple new purses on sale at JC Penney.... husband got a t-shirt for $8.99 and new flip flops that are awesome for $9.99 because his blew out and left him stranded. Check out my RED purse. Cool eh? FIFTEEN BUCKAROOS. I already had red boots to match but the heels are too high to wear to work, so I didn't wear them today. I had them on this morning but I took them off after about 10 minutes of walking around home. I bought an orange purse too, stay tuned to see what it looks like later this week or early next week.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Happy Anniversary
Whew!~ I have been soooo busy! I haven't had a second even to blog! Isn't that crazy? Today is our 1 year anniversary! Yeah! 10 years together this October and 1 year of marriage today, August 9th, 2006. I slept for a good 11 hours last night, I was sooo tired from getting up and going to work 2.5 hours early yesterday. I was too exhausted to even make my card class last night :(Last week Evan asked me what I wanted for our anniversary, and I said "nothing, I want a good husband so please just mow the yard." But this morning I had a nice little gift on the stove with a note. His paycheck to deposit (yay!!) and a Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow Action Figure! Yay! Now I have to say that it's cool, but I wish it were a bigger action hero, like a Spawn or McFarlane Toys size, like my Janice Joplin figure, because they did a horrible job with his face, he doesn't even look like Johnny. So if he were larger, there would be more room for detail, and if it was by McFarlane Toys, everyone knows it would totally kick ass with the detail and likeness of Johnny. Two weeks ago he brought me home the Rolling Stone with Johnny on the Cover. And I did love me that article and photo shoot inside. Loved it!
So tonight I had scheduled a 1 hour massage for myself, I am trying now to get one once a month, as preventative maintenance, to help with back pain and neck strain and other stress related health issues.... and I didn't realize that I had schedule it on our anniversary, I just said "next Wednesday?" and that was all. So a couple of days ago I called Evan and said "What are we going to do on our anniversary, I need to change my massage appointment" and he said "You can keep it, that's okay, we'll just go out for dinner before and then you can get your massage." So that's what we are doing! Yay!
I've been eyeballing my little dollhouse kit since it came. I haven't had the energy to open the box yet! I haven't picked my paint out either. It's very important That I get a yellow that is a nice pretty color without being too bright, or too dim,
or too tan, or too green.Today my Stampin Up Order with the ATC Card stamps arrived. Exciting! I will be attending a gathering for scrapbookers this Friday night, so tomorrow I need to pack up all my stuff. My goal is to get 31 ATC's made that night. I have another crop this Saturday at CB's house I believe, so there will be plenty of good time to be crafty. The hardest part is getting enough of my stuff packed. The next hardest part is having everything that I need when I get there. You just can't possibly pack all of your embellishments, fibers, cardstock, patterned paper, etc. It's frustrating. I always want the one little thing or that certain color blue or that fiber that would make the project "just so."
This reminds me that I am ONCE AGAIN out of adhesive and need to go grab some more. I go through adhesive like CRAZY. Why can't they put more on each thing? I swear. I love the Tombo Adhesives (perm
anent that is) but nowhere around here except Michael's (which isn't around here but 45 minutes away) even carries the damn stuff, or they carry the original but not the refills. WTF? So I buy the 4 pack of the red Duct Tape kind from Wal-Mart, the permanent adhesive, with disposable dispensers. It makes me feel so bad, because I am totally not recycling. But all the other WM brands are CRAPOLA adhesive, or repositionable (AKA: it will fall apart as you are finishing the project) and I just can't take that. The MONO Adhesive is total crap, it gums up all the time and I don't want to spend my quality designated crafty time fucking around with the sticky adhesive dispenser. Right? Plus sometimes the tape breaks and then you have this all screwed up sticky mess and you have to practically throw the damn thing away and you only got to use half or 3/4 of the footage you paid for.I should design a super inexpensive, refillable, permanent, non gummy adhesive that uses a runner design and includes MORE FOOTAGE! That's right. More Bang for your Buck!
And you know, I know that if I was a proper blogger I would spend the day typing this nice long post and dedicating it to my husband about how much I love him and how wonderful he is and how our relationship is perfect in everyway and how it's a fairy tale and all that crap.
I thought about it.
But really, I would rather say nice things to him than to the internet. And to be honest, our first year of marraige has probably been one of the hardest years we have been together. We have had good times and bad times, and health issues beyond our control, and the
stress of trying to make ends meet and get out of debt and pay off loans (especially our WEDDING Loan) and really, it's been a hard year. We have lots to be thankful for. I love him very much. But really, I can say that today I am glad the first year of our marriage is over, because it was a hard one. And I would like to hope that it will be easier in year #2.Today at work two guys who have been married for 21 and 32 years each, told me that the first year was the hardest. And even though it shouldn't be any different, because we have been together for 10 and living together for 6, it still was. I know it shouldn't be any different, but you just have a different idea of how your husband should act than how your boyfriend should act. Higher standards. Your money finally combines. You have people asking you at every corner "when will you have kids" or "how's married life?" and it's just different. But it's good. and we made it a year. I guess in my mind this doesn't just mark 1 year together, it marks 10.
And while I was walking into work today, I started to think that exactly 1 year ago today I was pissed that the car company we had rented our car from couldn't "find" it and I was upset that my hair wouldn't DO what I wanted it to, but I was happy that my flowers arrived and were beautiful, and that it was so sunny and bright and lovely that day in Vancouver, and that our photographers and our wedding commissioner would be meeting us.
I thought about standing on the beach and taking our vows, and the tide coming in and trapping us so that we had to take a different path back to the seawall. I thought about cutting my toe on a barnacle and taking pictures in the Rose Garden. I thought about Dinner At the Fish House in Stanley Park and about going back to our hotel to change into jeans, and walking hand in hand on the seawall that night, in the dark along the harbor. I thought about sitting on the park bench looking at the stars, my head on the shoulder of my "husband."
I thought of wearing my engagement ring for the first time in weeks, because it had been sent away to the jeweler with the wedding band and they had been sottered together. It was great to wear them both together. (I did wear them on the flight to Vancouver, because I was afraid to pack it anywhere in my luggage in case it got lost or stolen.) I remember how much they shined in the sunlight and exactly how they felt on my hand. I remember calling my mom that night and saying "we're married!" and getting online to email pictures home.
People have been saying to me "I can't believe it's been a year!" and I kinda think that.... except that when I think about how it's been a year since I have had vacation, It makes it painfully obvious that it has been a year.
So today, we celebrate!
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