I'm going to feel better, any day now. Actually, I do feel better, some days, for several hours at a time. Either this illness was really a pretty wicked one, or getting old really sucks. Or both.
Work news: 1. Our supervisor is going to transfer to a different team on the other side of the room, and will be replaced by New Blood. That's right. Someone from outside the company. More on that as the story develops. 2. Furlough. For each month that contains a banking holiday, all temps must deduce their hours by 8. We didn't decide until the middle of last week that we were going to go back to using this policy, so it was very last minute when furlough was assigned. On Friday at 8:45, they told me I should leave at 9:30. With the extra time, I got a much needed haircut. My other early day is Monday.
Family news: In honor of Josh's birthday, we went out with his family on Friday to Flemming's in St. Louis. Very fancy. I had lobster tempura, and a bit of Josh's steak. It was like butter. Then, I made him brownies yesterday instead of a cake, and we went to the tea tasting at RealiTea. It was fun. Our long lost friend Molly went, too. Yay!
InciDental violence: Our neighbors came over today. We ordered girl scout cookies, and played and talked. Then, when it was time for them to leave, Brianna accidentally whacked Grant and knocked his tooth out. He was THRILLED. He yelled, "Thank you, Bree!!!" and then, when her mom demanded, "BRIANNA! What do you say?" she answered, "Your welcome?"
So. Very. Funny.
Still waiting for Master Awesome and Baby Awesome to show up on our doorstep, but, sadly, I didn't win the lottery last night. So much for the conversation Josh and I were having about forcing poor Master Awesome to drive my family around D.C.
Mostly, that picture of Cory and L made me really, really want to visit an aquarium. Vacations are a little out of our reach right now, though.
Well, I'm supposed to be applying for jobs right now. Guess I'll make some dinner and get on that. Anyone who comes across Josh's or my dream job, let me know!!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
How I am, and other fascinating tales.
It's been over a week since I got sick, and I'm just now FINALLY starting to recover, thanks to giant horse pills and eye drops. I had an ear infection, throat infection, sinus infection and an eye infection. I was getting about 2 hours of sleep a night until last night. And rest helped!! I felt good enough to appreciate how sick I still am.
My mother called the other day with a very tragic story. You see, I have an ancient cat. He's in his early 20's. In his day, Teddy was quite a ferocious hunter, and as a pet, I could hardly call him cuddly. Actually, he was a little unhinged, but he liked me. Mostly. He bit me in the face once, a long time ago. In recent years, however, he has mellowed out. Time is invincible. He has become very thin. Hard cat food is a difficulty. I'm sure he can't see out of one eye - it's been black for years. His hearing is debatable, and even his tail doesn't work right. It sort of twitches in a mechanical sort of way instead of a smooth, animal wag. The last time I was home, I was pleased that he remembered me - and fondly. He came out of the barn when he heard me, and stayed a while so I could pet him. The kids he found a little too boisterous, and slunk away, but it was quite friendly for Teddy.
Onward to the tragic story.
My mother told me on the phone that she was being extra nice to Teddy, because he tried to sneak into the house that day and she had accidentally closed the door....on his head. And this, she claimed, was proof positive that Teddy had secretly died years ago and just failed to notice, because, "that surely should have killed him if he weren't already dead!"
My undead cat. HEE! I actually expect him to die nearly constantly. "Hi, Mom. How's Teddy. Dead yet?" One of these times it will be true, you know. Well, he always did have a problem conforming to the expectations of others.
So, let me tell you about my work. I work at Citimortgage. The imaging department is in the dungeon. Pardon - I mean the basement. The purpose of the department is to scan documents so that they can be organized digitally. Some are archived, some are forwarded to the appropriate party for current use. My little cube area, which are referred to as "pods", does the mail. We service a certain number of P.O. boxes, prep the mail as needed based on it's type, and scan it so it can be emailed (or whatever) to the intended recipient. One device that we frequently use is a letter opening machine. When it's not out of service, it really is amazing, and makes a very satisfying little "zing" noise each time a letter goes through. The downside is the mess. All the letters that go through have a tendency to rain down tiny pieces of envelope dust. We all constantly look like we've been mugged by a snow globe. Also, one thing that we use a lot of is tape. All smaller than standard sized papers must be taped down (all 4 sides) to successfully go through the scanners. You'd be amazed how many people send letters on sticky notes. I missed two and a half days of work to this illness last week. One of the days was Friday. I thoroughly expect to have to hunt for my chair tomorrow, and possibly get a new stash of tape. I will be lonely, too. My dear friend Teresa will be starting her new shift. I won't see her until it's almost time for me to go home.
Josh's present DID come on Tuesday after Josh went to work - just as I'd hoped. I also got a new book. It's a collection of short stories of the Steampunk variety. Come to find out, it's just like reading specialized Science Fiction. Some of the stories I really liked. I'm not done with the whole book, but I am going to go ahead and say that I'm glad to have it. When I went to the doctor, she was all interested in the book. Her son reads fantasy and writes reviews, I guess. She's going to recommend the book to him.
We went to Lisa's house Friday. I should have stayed home and recovered, but Josh had already made the plans, and we had the babysitter scheduled and everything. I looked like the South Park Halloween Zombie Apocalypse, but she very tactfully didn't say anything.
I am already tired of the election news. Very. Just tell me when they've narrowed it down to 2, and I'll vote for the lesser of 2 evils.
Well, we just finished Wallace and Gromit's A Grand Day Out. Off I go to bond with my children! Have a great rest of the weekend!
My mother called the other day with a very tragic story. You see, I have an ancient cat. He's in his early 20's. In his day, Teddy was quite a ferocious hunter, and as a pet, I could hardly call him cuddly. Actually, he was a little unhinged, but he liked me. Mostly. He bit me in the face once, a long time ago. In recent years, however, he has mellowed out. Time is invincible. He has become very thin. Hard cat food is a difficulty. I'm sure he can't see out of one eye - it's been black for years. His hearing is debatable, and even his tail doesn't work right. It sort of twitches in a mechanical sort of way instead of a smooth, animal wag. The last time I was home, I was pleased that he remembered me - and fondly. He came out of the barn when he heard me, and stayed a while so I could pet him. The kids he found a little too boisterous, and slunk away, but it was quite friendly for Teddy.
Onward to the tragic story.
My mother told me on the phone that she was being extra nice to Teddy, because he tried to sneak into the house that day and she had accidentally closed the door....on his head. And this, she claimed, was proof positive that Teddy had secretly died years ago and just failed to notice, because, "that surely should have killed him if he weren't already dead!"
My undead cat. HEE! I actually expect him to die nearly constantly. "Hi, Mom. How's Teddy. Dead yet?" One of these times it will be true, you know. Well, he always did have a problem conforming to the expectations of others.
So, let me tell you about my work. I work at Citimortgage. The imaging department is in the dungeon. Pardon - I mean the basement. The purpose of the department is to scan documents so that they can be organized digitally. Some are archived, some are forwarded to the appropriate party for current use. My little cube area, which are referred to as "pods", does the mail. We service a certain number of P.O. boxes, prep the mail as needed based on it's type, and scan it so it can be emailed (or whatever) to the intended recipient. One device that we frequently use is a letter opening machine. When it's not out of service, it really is amazing, and makes a very satisfying little "zing" noise each time a letter goes through. The downside is the mess. All the letters that go through have a tendency to rain down tiny pieces of envelope dust. We all constantly look like we've been mugged by a snow globe. Also, one thing that we use a lot of is tape. All smaller than standard sized papers must be taped down (all 4 sides) to successfully go through the scanners. You'd be amazed how many people send letters on sticky notes. I missed two and a half days of work to this illness last week. One of the days was Friday. I thoroughly expect to have to hunt for my chair tomorrow, and possibly get a new stash of tape. I will be lonely, too. My dear friend Teresa will be starting her new shift. I won't see her until it's almost time for me to go home.
Josh's present DID come on Tuesday after Josh went to work - just as I'd hoped. I also got a new book. It's a collection of short stories of the Steampunk variety. Come to find out, it's just like reading specialized Science Fiction. Some of the stories I really liked. I'm not done with the whole book, but I am going to go ahead and say that I'm glad to have it. When I went to the doctor, she was all interested in the book. Her son reads fantasy and writes reviews, I guess. She's going to recommend the book to him.
We went to Lisa's house Friday. I should have stayed home and recovered, but Josh had already made the plans, and we had the babysitter scheduled and everything. I looked like the South Park Halloween Zombie Apocalypse, but she very tactfully didn't say anything.
I am already tired of the election news. Very. Just tell me when they've narrowed it down to 2, and I'll vote for the lesser of 2 evils.
Well, we just finished Wallace and Gromit's A Grand Day Out. Off I go to bond with my children! Have a great rest of the weekend!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Sickin'.
Well, I should have guessed that whatever upper respiratory virus began with a three day headache would be notably unpleasant. I am home sick today. Right now I'm on a double dose of decongestants, and feel nearly human. Sadly, Josh caught the virus, too, and is snoring so loudly that sleep wouldn't even be an option if the meds didn't contain caffeine.
Boy, did we have a storm last night! So much lightening it was like a strobe light in the streets, and horrible, creepy sounding high winds. I kept waiting for the tornado sirens. This morning I learned that they did go off in other places, but apparently Warrenton thought that was no big thing. We also had hail. It was blowing hard against Abbie's window, especially, but it didn't wake her up. Grant woke up, and I told him, "Sorry it's so noisy, Grant. It's hailing outside." I tucked him back in and said goodnight. I didn't sound upset, so he went back to sleep. Kids are like that. It's good for mommies to learn early to curb the wig out. Or at least all evidence of it.
I don't mean to imply that I was wigging out last night. Mostly I was a tiny bit disappointed that I didn't have a chance to go and look at the hail up close. The rest of me was just tired. I don't sleep well when I'm sick.
I hope the kids have a good day at school today. You never know, after a long weekend.
Abbie is still a Mommy's girl, and Grant is still everyone's boy. He is a chatterbox in the extreme! I've suggested that he write all the stuff down that he tries to tell us about his toys, but so far he hasn't. Maybe I need to actually hand him the papers and stuff. He didn't get top scores in his handwriting, and needs the practice.
Not to brag (much), but aside from Grant's handwriting, both of my children got top scores in EVERYTHING on their last progress reports.
I am hoping to be better by afternoon, and still go to taiko. I might not stay all practice, though. I'll see what I can handle.
I am also hoping that Josh's birthday present comes today...after he leaves for work. ^_^ I hope he likes it. He's so hard to buy for.
I heard from my favorite-est college roomie last night. Guess what news! She has just had twin girls! I'm so excited for her. That made me smile. Now I need to write her a congratulations letter.
Happy Tuesday!
Boy, did we have a storm last night! So much lightening it was like a strobe light in the streets, and horrible, creepy sounding high winds. I kept waiting for the tornado sirens. This morning I learned that they did go off in other places, but apparently Warrenton thought that was no big thing. We also had hail. It was blowing hard against Abbie's window, especially, but it didn't wake her up. Grant woke up, and I told him, "Sorry it's so noisy, Grant. It's hailing outside." I tucked him back in and said goodnight. I didn't sound upset, so he went back to sleep. Kids are like that. It's good for mommies to learn early to curb the wig out. Or at least all evidence of it.
I don't mean to imply that I was wigging out last night. Mostly I was a tiny bit disappointed that I didn't have a chance to go and look at the hail up close. The rest of me was just tired. I don't sleep well when I'm sick.
I hope the kids have a good day at school today. You never know, after a long weekend.
Abbie is still a Mommy's girl, and Grant is still everyone's boy. He is a chatterbox in the extreme! I've suggested that he write all the stuff down that he tries to tell us about his toys, but so far he hasn't. Maybe I need to actually hand him the papers and stuff. He didn't get top scores in his handwriting, and needs the practice.
Not to brag (much), but aside from Grant's handwriting, both of my children got top scores in EVERYTHING on their last progress reports.
I am hoping to be better by afternoon, and still go to taiko. I might not stay all practice, though. I'll see what I can handle.
I am also hoping that Josh's birthday present comes today...after he leaves for work. ^_^ I hope he likes it. He's so hard to buy for.
I heard from my favorite-est college roomie last night. Guess what news! She has just had twin girls! I'm so excited for her. That made me smile. Now I need to write her a congratulations letter.
Happy Tuesday!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
This week.
So, I never told you how the party went. We had 96 cupcakes: Yellow, chocolate, strawberry, and cherry chip. We had two kinds of spreadable icing: vanilla and rainbow chip. We had three kinds of squeezable icing: Pink, yellow and chocolate. We had heart shaped sprinkles and bead sprinkles and flavored marshmallows. Quite a spread. We set out a tarp, and a table with a pink disposable tablecloth in the living room. The kitchen had other snacks: sweet potato chips, chocolate covered walnuts, pistachio brittle (first time I had it - very yummy, but chewier than peanut brittle), cheez-its, and crackers with squeezable cheese...just in case you wanted to decorate something salty instead. We had a giant jug of apple juice, some small juice boxes, and root beer. And milk. And water. Three of Abbie's classmates showed up, and one brought her step-siblings. We also had our wonderful friends, the Frankes and the Shermans. We missed the Macneils very much, and sent them our happiest Baby Expecting thoughts. ^_^ My mom and aunt were there for a little while, but left just after the decorating started. They like getting home before dark. The party went very well, and Abbie and all her guests had a marvelous time.
This week, I worked. It hasn't been a very seasonal winter this year. We were debating whether it was going to be a late winter, or a mild one. I pointed out that if it were any later, it would have no choice but to be mild! I think it heard me. On Wednesday it rained, and then froze in the night. Thursday morning the roads were "Mostly Clear" according to MODOT, who are a bunch of liars. It was actually quite dangerous! I made it to work, but late. Not very. Just 8 minutes. Some people coming from the east said it took them as long as 2 hours just to drive to work! With the ice under the snow, everyone was going extra slow (or being towed out of ditches). No one can figure out why MODOT didn't treat the roads. There are rumors that we used up the budget last year when we had all the snow, but since it is January, and we just had our FIRST snow of the season, one would think that we would saved enough money to throw around a few cinders. Because the kids' school was cancelled, I had to leave work extra early to get home in time for Josh to get to work. And then I started to get sick.
I was sick on Friday. Much too sick to be at work. On my lunch break, I called Josh to ask about coming home right away. The problem was that we'd made plans to go out and eat after I got off on Friday. No one wanted to cancel that. So he talked me into staying at work. I begged some Motrin off a friend and it kicked in about my last half hour. The good news was that I really did feel better at dinner.
Today is Saturday, and I have mostly stayed in bed. Right now the kids are reading Highlights Magazine. Maybe if I don't exert myself today, I can still do taiko in the morning. I hope so. I'm going either way - I need to pay my dues for the year. And I wanna see if I can do a little exercise. I'm so afraid my back will go out if I don't get any. I tried to do some of my old, old, old physical therapy exercises at home....before I got sick.
Life is going along.... No job news so far.
Oh, and as soon as I wrote all that about the office girl, I immediately stopped caring about it. How funny. I spend so much energy worrying about other people. I was so upset when taiko was cancelled and then the babysitter wouldn't get the extra money! Do I really need to spend energy on someone who is awful to everyone? Not really.
Well, I need to get some medicine. This cold has settled onto my soft pallet. It is dangerously close to preventing me from breathing in any way. I must decongest!
Wishing all of you a pleasant evening, good health, and at least one happy event to look forward to in the future.
This week, I worked. It hasn't been a very seasonal winter this year. We were debating whether it was going to be a late winter, or a mild one. I pointed out that if it were any later, it would have no choice but to be mild! I think it heard me. On Wednesday it rained, and then froze in the night. Thursday morning the roads were "Mostly Clear" according to MODOT, who are a bunch of liars. It was actually quite dangerous! I made it to work, but late. Not very. Just 8 minutes. Some people coming from the east said it took them as long as 2 hours just to drive to work! With the ice under the snow, everyone was going extra slow (or being towed out of ditches). No one can figure out why MODOT didn't treat the roads. There are rumors that we used up the budget last year when we had all the snow, but since it is January, and we just had our FIRST snow of the season, one would think that we would saved enough money to throw around a few cinders. Because the kids' school was cancelled, I had to leave work extra early to get home in time for Josh to get to work. And then I started to get sick.
I was sick on Friday. Much too sick to be at work. On my lunch break, I called Josh to ask about coming home right away. The problem was that we'd made plans to go out and eat after I got off on Friday. No one wanted to cancel that. So he talked me into staying at work. I begged some Motrin off a friend and it kicked in about my last half hour. The good news was that I really did feel better at dinner.
Today is Saturday, and I have mostly stayed in bed. Right now the kids are reading Highlights Magazine. Maybe if I don't exert myself today, I can still do taiko in the morning. I hope so. I'm going either way - I need to pay my dues for the year. And I wanna see if I can do a little exercise. I'm so afraid my back will go out if I don't get any. I tried to do some of my old, old, old physical therapy exercises at home....before I got sick.
Life is going along.... No job news so far.
Oh, and as soon as I wrote all that about the office girl, I immediately stopped caring about it. How funny. I spend so much energy worrying about other people. I was so upset when taiko was cancelled and then the babysitter wouldn't get the extra money! Do I really need to spend energy on someone who is awful to everyone? Not really.
Well, I need to get some medicine. This cold has settled onto my soft pallet. It is dangerously close to preventing me from breathing in any way. I must decongest!
Wishing all of you a pleasant evening, good health, and at least one happy event to look forward to in the future.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Headache Wednesday
I'm feeling kinda yuck in the physical today. I've had a headache on and off for just over 24 hours now. Not my favorite, by a long stretch.
Work went pretty okay today. It felt long because of the headache, but I did get stuff done.
I ordered a birthday present for Josh. SHHH! Don't tell him.
I don't have taiko tomorrow. I didn't have it last night, either, due to practice being cancelled. I didn't have it Sunday because Josh had to work overtime. In fact, I can't even REMEMBER when I was last at taiko. And whenever it was, I didn't play, and just sat there being cold. However! I am hoping to actually have practice on Sunday, and every practice thereafter for a good, long while. Let's all cross our fingers.
Special love and hugs to Master Awesome, if he still reads this. I am sad that things aren't so good. You and Baby Awesome are still invited to come and live with us. We love you guys!
Did I mention that I bought my favorite Bollywood movies? Yes, I'm a dork. I know. I'm so excited, though. I got Dil Bole Hadippa just because Rani Mukherji is so cute in it. And I bought Jab We Met and Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. Wanna come over and watch them??
I am not reading anything right now. However, I am planning a trip to the library soon! Well....when I have time. Sometimes my local library disappoints me. (You know - the "times" when I'm there looking for something, for example.)
I guess things are....normal. I see Josh on Friday evenings and Saturdays. I email him at work during the week, and sometimes text him on my break. I hear him snoring at night, too. I no longer have time between work and the bus coming to do things like get a haircut, unless it's Friday, but this shift is not so bad for me. That being said....I applied for several new jobs in the last week. 4, I think. We will see what happens.
Hope you are having a happy Wednesday. I'm off to eat some dinner with a side of Motrin!
Work went pretty okay today. It felt long because of the headache, but I did get stuff done.
I ordered a birthday present for Josh. SHHH! Don't tell him.
I don't have taiko tomorrow. I didn't have it last night, either, due to practice being cancelled. I didn't have it Sunday because Josh had to work overtime. In fact, I can't even REMEMBER when I was last at taiko. And whenever it was, I didn't play, and just sat there being cold. However! I am hoping to actually have practice on Sunday, and every practice thereafter for a good, long while. Let's all cross our fingers.
Special love and hugs to Master Awesome, if he still reads this. I am sad that things aren't so good. You and Baby Awesome are still invited to come and live with us. We love you guys!
Did I mention that I bought my favorite Bollywood movies? Yes, I'm a dork. I know. I'm so excited, though. I got Dil Bole Hadippa just because Rani Mukherji is so cute in it. And I bought Jab We Met and Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. Wanna come over and watch them??
I am not reading anything right now. However, I am planning a trip to the library soon! Well....when I have time. Sometimes my local library disappoints me. (You know - the "times" when I'm there looking for something, for example.)
I guess things are....normal. I see Josh on Friday evenings and Saturdays. I email him at work during the week, and sometimes text him on my break. I hear him snoring at night, too. I no longer have time between work and the bus coming to do things like get a haircut, unless it's Friday, but this shift is not so bad for me. That being said....I applied for several new jobs in the last week. 4, I think. We will see what happens.
Hope you are having a happy Wednesday. I'm off to eat some dinner with a side of Motrin!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Cupcakes and...uh...Tarts.
It said: "Believe in order to achieve!"
I read: "Believe in order to archive.
I think I need a new job.
Seriously! The girl at my work who sits behind me makes faces at me. People I don't know ask about it in the halls. I already knew she hated me, although I can't figure out anything I've done to earn it. Someone once said it's because I ask questions. Well, she was supposed to train me. If I have questions, it's sorta her job to answer them, but I got the not-so-subtle hint, and stopped asking. So now I don't know what the problem is. But yesterday she was so rude to me that someone told her to go apologize. And that was the worst moment I've had at work since The Olfactory Corporation.
It is so exausting being around her! I'm tempted to fight rude with rude, but so far I haven't indulged. It's tiring. I hope I don't give in. Moslty I can't figure out why a 21 year old in false eyelashes is worth getting upset over! She's a terrible person. What do I care what she thinks? Well, I don't, but it's just that she's trying so hard to offend me. That hurts, kinda.
Anyway, tomorrow is the birthday party for Abbie. It's kind of a big undertaking. Lots of cupcakes, lots of toppings. And, with luck, lots of fun.
Hope you are all well. I'm off to do some cleaning!
I read: "Believe in order to archive.
I think I need a new job.
Seriously! The girl at my work who sits behind me makes faces at me. People I don't know ask about it in the halls. I already knew she hated me, although I can't figure out anything I've done to earn it. Someone once said it's because I ask questions. Well, she was supposed to train me. If I have questions, it's sorta her job to answer them, but I got the not-so-subtle hint, and stopped asking. So now I don't know what the problem is. But yesterday she was so rude to me that someone told her to go apologize. And that was the worst moment I've had at work since The Olfactory Corporation.
It is so exausting being around her! I'm tempted to fight rude with rude, but so far I haven't indulged. It's tiring. I hope I don't give in. Moslty I can't figure out why a 21 year old in false eyelashes is worth getting upset over! She's a terrible person. What do I care what she thinks? Well, I don't, but it's just that she's trying so hard to offend me. That hurts, kinda.
Anyway, tomorrow is the birthday party for Abbie. It's kind of a big undertaking. Lots of cupcakes, lots of toppings. And, with luck, lots of fun.
Hope you are all well. I'm off to do some cleaning!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Hello on a particular Wednesday.
Today, my Abbie is 6. YAY, Abbie!
Today is also the day we take down all the Christmasness, so that there is room in my house for her birthday party guests on Saturday.
Here's the plan:
Feed the dogs.
Wrap the presents.
Undecorate the tree.
Meet the kids at the bus stop.
Red Folder/Homework time.
Make macaroni and cheese shells and fish sticks in honor of the birthday girl.
Clean up.
Finish the tree.
Baths, teeth brushings and such.
Bed by 7:30.
...Yeah, right.
Wish me luck. Oh, and I forgot to mention that if my Hotmail is back up (hope it is soon) I need to apply for a job!! My dear, sweet friend says that I should be getting an email.
So, not enough hours in the day, as usual. This working until 2pm thing really doesn't give me a lot of time to get anything done.
So..I guess I should go, before I expose myself to comment. :P
Happy 2012 to you!
Today is also the day we take down all the Christmasness, so that there is room in my house for her birthday party guests on Saturday.
Here's the plan:
Feed the dogs.
Wrap the presents.
Undecorate the tree.
Meet the kids at the bus stop.
Red Folder/Homework time.
Make macaroni and cheese shells and fish sticks in honor of the birthday girl.
Clean up.
Finish the tree.
Baths, teeth brushings and such.
Bed by 7:30.
...Yeah, right.
Wish me luck. Oh, and I forgot to mention that if my Hotmail is back up (hope it is soon) I need to apply for a job!! My dear, sweet friend says that I should be getting an email.
So, not enough hours in the day, as usual. This working until 2pm thing really doesn't give me a lot of time to get anything done.
So..I guess I should go, before I expose myself to comment. :P
Happy 2012 to you!