Bargain!

Ok...son and I went to return the helmet that Santa brought for our scooter...

We were wandering in the clearance aisle, just for kicks when he points out this HULK water gun he wanted...I said "no" because I'm not wasting more money on toys - good grief, his birthday is tomorrow!

Then I saw the price - 48 cents! 48 cents! I had to buy it - it was almost like they were paying me to take it! Will post pic later, it's a HUGE water gun!

Tsunami Relief Fund...

Give.

 

Please give to the relief fund of your choice.

 

It's a rough time of year, bill-wise, for many, I understand.  Not only did we just have Christmas (where we spent too much and have not even received the bills for) but we just bought a new house and are currently incurring all the house-startup costs (new blinds everywhere, new this, new that, etc.)...

 

BUT - here are people who now have no home.  Granted, many of them did not have all that much to start with - but now they have nothing.  And they more than likely have lost family members in this tragedy as well. 

 

Regardless of how much or how little you have, sitting here in the US, the odds are really good you have much more than they. 

Please give - my charity of choice today is the Mercy Corps.

 

http://www.mercycorps.org/items/2280/

Ok - Attention Drivers...

Remember...the left lane is the FAST lane...this especially applies if the left lane is an HOV lane - there were at least 5 different drivers in the HOV lane / left lane of the Toll Road this morning (only 10 miles long) going SLOWER than the flow of traffic in the other three lanes (and also less than the posted speed limit).  I'd like these 5 drivers to know that you CAN drive in the regular lanes (and even the right-most lane) if you're going to drive that gosh darn slow!  Also - feel free to drive in the more congested lanes if you prefer that speed, do NOT slow down the HOV lane to your personal preference speed of ~45 mph.

 

For Northern VA drivers only: Rt 606 aka Old Ox Road - the speed limit on this road between Rt. 50 and the Greenway is 55 MPH.  55.  Not 40.  Do not be offended if, when and if you ever look in your rearview mirror, you see me appearing quite frustrated, trying to hint that you should at least go the speed limit on this road.  I wouldn't make an announcement, except I run into drivers like this EVERY GOSH DARN DAY on my way to and from work. 

 

That is all.

Tsunami Relief...

Give.

Please give to the relief fund of your choice.

It's a rough time of year, bill-wise, for many, I understand. Not only did we just have Christmas (where we spent too much and have not even received the bills for) but we just bought a new house and are currently incurring all the house-startup costs (new blinds everywhere, new this, new that, etc.)...

BUT - here are people who now have no home. Granted, many of them did not have all that much to start with - but now they have nothing. And they more than likely have lost family members in this tragedy as well.

Regardless of how much or how little you have, sitting here in the US, the odds are really good you have much more than they.

Please give - my charity of choice today is the
Mercy Corps.

Gmail Invites?

I have a couple, and since one was generously provided to me, I thought I'd offer a couple up....

 

Anyone?

Accidents...

I just found out cousin's husband, B, fell walking down the steps last night carrying their 4 month old daughter, M.  M is currently in a local hospital for observation.  I don't have all the details on if she's ok, but I think she's just being observed.  Although a fall like that is certain to at least provide some big bruises, I would think.

 

Will keep updating as more info comes in... I have put in a call to my cousin offering up any help I can provide (I'm right near the hospital) or if I can help watch their 20 month old son while they goto the hospital...

A Christmas Story...

A wonderful Christmas was had by all...esp. son who was STILL opening presents this morning!!!

We all got great gifts and ate too much food! (shocking, I know)

We also enjoyed the giving of gifts - esp. to Grammy, who loved her gifts!

More later...

Also busy planning son's third birthday party, on New Year's Eve, which is his actual birthday. We opted for the bday party from 4-6 p.m. then the after-party starting around 6.

Son at Preschool Christmas show. He's in the center, w/the teacher looking at him!
Pic Liine!

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all have a wonderful, present and family filled day today and tomorrow!

Merry Christmas!

Go Longaberger!

Package just arrived (via F-ing FedEx)...Longaberger gets many bonus points for making it right!

Weird or no?

Ok...I'm researching biometric login software for Tablet PCs (like fingerprints, signatures, retinal scans) etc.  One company provides a voice-recognition login software.  I sent a general inquiry email to them and it got forwarded to the sales dept, as expected, where the sales guy answered my basic questions.

 

Now the weird part - apparently the original address for inquiries goes to the CEO (small company)....and SHE has put me on her joke/funny email list?  Is this strange? 

I think so...and I really don't enjoy having spam in my work email box...btw.

Dentist!

Today I'm taking son to the dentist for his first visit - wish me (and him, but mostly me ;-) luck!

 

BTW - only 2 gifts let to buy, and I know what they are, so it's just a matter of going and picking them up!  Yay me!   (I'm such a dork)

Holiday Show...

Ok...forgot to blog this one!

 

Last Friday, my son's preschool had their holiday show.  All three age classes (2, 3 and 4) were participating.  That's a lot of children.  Then probably about 2 parents each, plus grandparents for each child, and the church sanctuary filled up fast.

 

Son looked ADORABLE.  We didn't know they were the angel class, complete w/white gowns and halos.  So cute!  And the singing.  All the kids were adorable too - each looking to see if they could find their parents and hoping their parents were watching them.

 

It is funny - the children were amazingly well behaved - the adults acted like big babies.

 

I understand parents want pics of their kid in the show - I wanted some myself!   I went ONCE into the aisle to get a quick close up of my son and sat right back in my seat, not to venture into the aisle again.  I did notice parents planting themselves in the aisle - so some parents never got to get in the aisle for a good pic.  That is not fair at all - just take a pic or two then sit down and WATCH the darn show.

 

Then their were plenty of people videotaping...which is fine.  It would be nice if people would notice that before they weasel their way directly in front of someone video taping and promptly plant roots. 

 

There were various people throughout that stood for long periods of time - very rude.  There were parents that thought waving the program at little Susie would get her attention...except a 3 year old isn't going to recognize YOUR ARM waving a white piece of paper...but of course, all the other children will :-)

 

THEN - I was not one of the people that stood for long periods of time - I stood up maybe 5 times to quickly snap a shot - and the last 2 times of those I had moved to the far right of my row since there were less people on the far right of the pew behind me and they were all mostly looking more to the left.  The OBNOXIOUS Grandmother behind me (who had earlier said AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, SARA IS THE ONLY CHILD UP THERE - nice attitude lady) was pointedly (at me) saying how she'd say something rude about people that stand up if she wasn't in church.  Ugh...luckily, I don't say rude things to people (like her) while actually standing in a church, so I just winked at her.  -

Merry Christmas!

I got my first Christmas card from a fellow-blogger yesterday....I love getting Christmas cards! They are all over my kitchen and family room!

Thanks Kat!!!!!!!!!!!

Mall update...

Ok... if you're working at a jewelry store in Tysons Mall and I come in I expect someone to approach me to show me things.  Especially if

 

1.  I am the only customer in the store

2.  I HINT that I am ready by standing at the jewelry case and looking right at you for more than 1 minute

 

This happened at TWO jewelry stores today: Swarovski and Zales in the mall.  I promptly when to Helzberg Diamonds and spent $100 more than I was planning out of spite.

 

Now I know why there were no other customers in those stores.

 

Fed-Fucking-Ex

Here's a copy of the letter I'm sending to Fred Smith, CEO and Chairman of FedEx, via DHL, signature required...



Mr. Smith,

I am writing today to inform you a severe process problem within your organization. And this severe deficiency caused a 25 pound box of Christmas presents not to be delivered on time, even though they were shipped with plenty of time.

I had a package sent by a shipper, Longaberger, to my home on December 9, 2004 (tracking number xxxxxxxxx). Unfortunately, they gave FedEx the incorrect address. On December 11, 2004, FedEx was given the correct address. Since the package was in Winchester, VA., they needed to re-route it, but (according to your representatives) they re-routed it to the wrong hub in Pennsylvania.

From PA, it went to Chantilly (note, that is 5 miles from my house). Then, before attempting delivery, they sent it back to PA. Then back to Winchester, AGAIN. Then to PA. Finally to Alexandria (15 miles from my house) .

When I called FedEx Friday December 16, at 5:30 p.m., the rep told me to stop worrying, the package would arrive before 8:30 p.m. I called again at 8 p.m. and the guy told me (after looking at the records) that FedEx does not work on Saturday or Sunday and that I should call back Monday after 8:30 a.m. I enquired of him that FedEx was really closed on the whole weekend before Christmas??

Monday morning and I call FedEx, only to find out that they worked all weekend (???) and are actually OFF on Monday. Rather than schedule days off so that the facility remained open during the busiest time of the year, they were all taking today off. But the rep was kind enough to tell me that the box was being returned to shipper ( and wouldn’t let me come get it myself ) and there was nothing she could do. Here are some choice quotes from her:

“We don’t have time to work on problem packages.”
“We can’t find your box, just have the shipper resend it.”
“We are too busy to be concerned with just one package.”
“We are not setup to handle address changes.”

I am sorry, but I believe all that FedEx does is ship packages, NO? And while I agree that address changes are problematic, one would think at this point, your company would figure out how to deal with it. Since the whole system is automated (according to your rep, which is why she just can’t go get it and let me pick it up), might I suggest someone reprint a label with the correct address so that the scanners will pick it up correctly? Is this a crazy idea?

I have enclosed the routing information from FedEx for your information. We will be taking whatever steps are necessary to ensure that our packages are sent via DHL or UPS in the future.

Pic of Christmas tree...

Here's our beautiful tree!

McDonalds

Ok...the scoop!

 

Drive thru at McDonalds, where I order a happy meal, cheesburger, ketchup only and a diet coke...

 

FAST service! Yay!

I asked for a handful of ketchup (yes, a handful) lady hands me 2.  I know better than to ask again, because she'll give me ONE.

 

Drive on - at end of drive thru is a SAUCE TRAY!  A bunch of bins of dipping sauce, ketchup, salt and pepper - all serve yourself at window-level!  YAY....

 

Bad news: cheeseburger made w/PICKLES only. Yuck.  Should've known by the USE FIRST sticker on the outside of wrapper, which also explains it's not so hot temperature.

 

 

A Limit On Stamps???

10.

 

I went down to the "convienence" store in our building yesterday to buy stamps.  I had $9.  The store is a little Mom&Pop store, not a chain.

Me: Can I have $9 worth of stamps, please.

Lady: Only 10.

Me: ? I'm sorry?  I'd like $9 worth please

Lady: The limit is 10.

Me:  Per day?

Lady: Yes.

 

So - even though she had a TON of stamps, she'd only give me 10.  So now, she sits w/her inventory of stamps and I with my stack of stamp-less Christmas cards.  WTF?  I could see, maybe, if she was almost out.  But, darn, isn't she in business to SELL things?

 

By Request...

It was Bryer's Vanilla Ice Cream doused in Hershey's Syrup.  Sadly, I skipped the choclate chips, white choclate chips, nuts, sprinkles, cookie pieces, whipped cream, etc.  I AM on a diet, you know!  ;-)

got.nothing

Ok - today I got nothing.

 

Customer at work brought in a huge box of cookies.  Group down the hall had a sundae party.

 

So I'm full today!

 

:-)

Perfect Woman? That's ME!

I like Steve...but he wrote a post today, with which I disagree (and I very rarely disagree w/Steve)... (though I did disagree with his post it was still damn funny and I do know some women like that, unfortunately)

FWIW, Michele also disagrees with Steve and thinks that the problem is not w/women, it's with the women Steve has dated...

I'll address them, in point (note, this is simply MY opinion / view on things, in relation to how I treat men / would like to be treated ) ...

1. "Women like being told what to do, and they actually resent it when you treat them like equals."

Um....not me. I do know some women like this. None of them are my friends.

2. "Women get really mad when you say, 'Women like being told what to do, and they actually resent it when you treat them like equals.'"

Totally true and accurate. Duh. See response to #1 above. I am a college educated female that supplies 1/2 our family income (yes, earning just as much as my husband)...no one tells me what to do or how to do it (except my mother ;-)

3. "Women expect us to give them stuff, and the more stuff you can give a woman, the more attractive and intelligent and handsome she will find you."

Partially true. I like for my husband to give me things. They don't have to be expensive (though that is nice too, but remember, the money comes out of our JOINT account) - but it is nice to know he's thinking of me. Sometimes it's a post-it note "luv u", sometimes he brings gifts, I'm happy either way. It has no bearing on how attractive, intelligent, or handsome I think he is or I tell him he is. We got married when we were both poor - which meant no big gifts at that point in time and I still said yes when he popped the question.

4. "There is no such thing as 'lending' a woman money. And here's a corollary: you are not permitted to say you are GIVING a woman money."

No way in hell do I ask anyone for money. I make my own damn money, thank.you.very.much. If I don't have money for it, I probably don't need it. If I do need it, I'll find a way to get the money myself.

5. "No woman has ever forgiven any man for anything, since the dawn of time. And the things we're least likely to be forgiven for are the things THEY did or caused."

The man I chose has not ever done anything that warrants forgive-ness (I'm talking grand scale here, not stupid things like "broke something" etc.). I tend to not worry about little things... If you do a "grand scale" thing (like cheating on me), do not expect to be forgiven. Sorry.

6. "Women blame men for absolutely everything, including earthquakes and solar eclipses."

True, because all problems in my household are caused by the male ones. This is NOT opinion, it is fact.

7. "Only single women enjoy sex."

I don't think so.

8. "Virtually everything a woman says is a lie, a misconception, or a rationalization, even if she thinks it's true."

Ok, so.not.true. I do not lie, mainly because I don't lie well, but I don't do it. I also don't lie by ommission either.

9. "Women DO get themselves pregnant."

I don't think I would do the things Steve outlines here, but I can't say for certain because I have not been in the situation of being ready for a baby when the other half of the relationship is not ready as well. Part of that is the "smart enough to wait until my life situation is stable enough and going well enough to think about having kids". Generally, when you get to that point in your life, the guy is ready as well. But I leave this issue open.

10. "Women have absolutely NO respect for your privacy."

Once again, NOT true. I do not tell my girlfriends anything truly embarrassing about my husband. We do not share sex stories as if we were in a men's locker room. We do not compare. I do brag about what a wonderful hubby he is though, but that's about it.

Doing Good Things...

Ok...how much are you supposed to give at Christmas time?  I see TONS of things I would like to donate to:

- Toys For Tots

- Soldier's Angels

- Children's Hospital in D.C.

- the My Soldier program

 

I don't want to give away all our money, but I like helping others out.  So far this season, we have done 2 angel trees for needy kids, put money in the Salvation Army's bucket, and made a sly "donation" into the bank account of someone we know that is needy that would never take the money from us (they don't balance their checkbook either).  There are so many other charities I'd like to give to - they all do such important things.  Would it be better to give a little to each or a lot to only one or two?

 

A big dilemma.  Of course, I am thankful simply that I am able to give this Christmas season.

You.Are.Not.Going.To.Believe.This.

13 foot Christmas Tree falls down in my family room.

 

We're tree cursed!

Poll?

Ok - we have a dilema...

 

Son's birthday is Dec. 31.  He got jipped out of a party last year because we were moving out of our house, so this year we want to make sure and over-do it (as we usually do anyway)....

 

Think anyone will come?

 

What time do we have said party (remember, he'll be three, as will the "invitees")?  We'd also like people to hang around and celebrate the New Year with us?  Think anyone will do that?  Do we invite one group (kid-based) to the earlier party and then more people to the evening one?  Will evening attendees feel jipped that they missed the bday festivities??  Argh!  Will it be too long of a party?  Say running from 5 p.m. to midnight?

Thoughts?  Suggestions?  We really are at a loss here...

 

 

So today...

I got nothing.

Some family crap going on.  Not good (don't worry, my little family unit is A-OK).

 

Work crap going on as well - 2 different stories coming from 2 different VPs...we'll see who's right.

 

Hang on, it's only Monday morning!

Damn Christmas Tree...

Ok...we cut our tree down FRESH last Sunday. As of today, the gentle-est of breezes sends needles flying off the tree...WTF? How can that be? Trees from Home Depot are cut in November and last thru Jan - so ours should last a long time too, no?

Hubby followed watering instructions and everything. The other trees of family members that came from the same group / tree farm have NO Problems. You have to really struggle to get a needle off!

Hubby stopping on way home to buy ANOTHER tree. :-(

Stupid F*ing Hotmail...

Ok - so hotmail decides I can't read the email for my account thru Outlook Express anymore... (btw, is that legal?  To decide what software I can READ my email in? )

 

BUT - if you're going to do that and make me goto the website to check my god damn email, the god damn site better be up more than 50% of the god damn time.

Just sayin'.  Can I file a civil suit over this?

Oh Christmas Tree...

Last night, hubby and son and I, along w/my brother and his new wife put up a tree at my Mom's house for her.  It was kind of fun, actually, to do that with my brother again - we haven't done a tree together since probably 1995, the last year I lived at my parents' house.  We went through all the ornaments, some of them dating back to 1972 and some handmade for my parents by me and my brother through our school years.

 

I showed some ornaments to my son that I thought he'd like - the race car ones (my Dad and my brother were / are BIG Earnhardt SR and JR fans), the ones Mommy made when she was little, the ones that have Mickey, or Snoopy, etc.  We also put the bubble lights on the tree!  It's funny that something for so many years considered "white trashy" is now sold at Nordstrom, in a 1950's-ish box!  For a lot of money!  Ours were bought at wal-mart, like 30 years ago!  Probably for under $2 a box maybe?

Hokie Bird...

There is a contest where you vote on your favorite college mascot. Cool - vote for Hokie Bird (VA Tech) and vote often.

NOTE: the web page SUCKS! Not only am I required to vote on 5 other mascots (all of which I have NEVER SEEN before, so why should they get a free vote???) there's this dumb floating "E" that you have to catch and click on with your mouse which activates the submit button. Then you have a second or two before the submit button is de-activated. Talk about a usability issue. I understand they want to discourage cheating but a simple text field where you fill in the letters from an image (like a lot of bloggers have in their comments) would be better than that damn floating "E" and the submit button with its own life.

Of note...

If you are commuting in our terrible Northern Virginia traffic, why oh why would you drive SLOWER than the flow of traffic?  slower than the speed limit?  Why would anyone want to increase the amount of time it takes to get somewhere?

 

Why would see that your light for turning onto a busy freeway is GREEN and not go fast to get there before it turns red?  Stupid mint green Subaru lady took 3 minutes of my life today that I'll never get back...we had more than enough time to get thru that light w/out going too fast or reckless, she just had to GO.

 

We watched Charlie Brown Christmas last night...son kept asking where the Mommies were - is it normal for a 2 (almost 3) year old to notice these things?

 

Heard a Christmas song today on the XMRadio by John Schneider (of "Dukes of Hazard")...man that was awful....I don't know why they still play it.

update...

no intruder.  don't know what triggered alarms.

 

Hubby has been tasked with

a. buying more motion sensors

b. buying more locks

c. buying remote monitoring camera system.

Alarming...

Setting: having a meeting with a "very important person".  My cell phone rings.

 

Me: Hello?

Voice: Hello -is this The Princess (name withheld, duh)?

Me: Yes?

Voice: this is XYZ Security company - passcode please?

Me: What?  I don't know who you are or what you're talking about?

Voice: this is Joe with XYZ Security company - your home alarm is going off....can I have your passcode please?

Me: Oh shit - it's XXXXXXXXXX - what's going on?  (nothing like having "very important person" only hear my half of this conversation)

Voice: shall we send the police?

Me: yes please....

 

Now I just wait - hubby is on his way and I've just been informed the police are "there" but no one can tell me as of yet what happened...

 

Hold on for updates!

Overheard...

by a graphics artist and random guy, about new graphic featuring an excel screenshot:

 

<< looking @ her screen >>

Artist: he said he didn't want it to look "table-y"

Guy: it's hard to make tables not look "table-y"

 

I need more work to do....

Stupid People...

In our next installment of "When Stupid People Attack"...

A group of Environmentalists is assumed responsible for this.

They don't agree w/the county allowing building on this land, so they're burning down houses! WTF?

Luckily, it was all unoccupied homes, but still. Now people who had a move-in date have to wait for the builder to re-start their homes. What if they have a set in stone move out date for where they're leaving?

It's the regular people that will lose in this, not the builder or the county. Sure, the builder will lose some, but mostly it's the little people.

You can disagree and fight the builders all you want, but leave these poor people alone. No one deserves to have their house burnt down or to live in fear that their house will be burnt down.

I hope they catch these jerks.

speaking of Christmas music...

I was just reading Lileks' columns on Christmas music (which I ADORE, remember)...

 

"Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer"...I actually used to like this song and even bought the album when I was little (which has the track "Percy the lonely Poinsetta")...until Son heard it on the radio and started asking too many questions..."GRANDMA gets run over???", "Why would Santa do that?" and having to explain to him why Santa was drunk and ran over Grandma is too much  - I turned it off!

 

I like the others he talks about, mostly the classics.  I can do without the new pop versions of the songs...I don't want to hear Jessica Simpson sing any Christmas music!  Though I do like some of the country slower Christmas songs (a la Alan Jackson, etc.)

 

I'm so strange!

Oh Christmas Tree...

We went out to Berryville, VA to cut down our tree! We got a really nice 9' Norway Spruce...it's quite prickly, but so pretty! The smell in the garage is heavenly (I insist that the trees "debug" in the garage for a couple of days before I allow them in my house!)...

Sterling Autobody...

Ok - this place is located in Herndon, VA....I got my truck back last night - w/new window, new rear quarter panel and 2 new bumpers.

 

It was freshly washed and vacuummed...

 

It looked spectacular...even the wheel rims were detailed and squeaky clean.  I have to say, I was SURE they'd F-up my truck, but, voila, it seems perfect.  I must've searched every inch on the outside for a defect - nothing.  The only noticable thing is that the new quarter panel is so nice, the rest of the truck (even though it's only a year and a half old) looks old.  Hmmm...  Though it is hard adjusting back to life driving a huge SUV, it drives so much better than that rental SUV they gave me, I'm thrilled.  AND it was done 5 days earlier than promised, though giving long estimates may always be a tactic to make sure they dont' run late

 

And of course, all the items from my lunch time shopping spree at Tyson's fit in the huge cargo area in the back!

 

So to Sterling Autobody, I say "Thank you" for fixing what that stupid idiot driver did to me and my truck.

Road Rage Cards!

This is a MUST for anyone that lives in the Northern Virginia area...if you have the balls to actually use them!

Road rage cards...even have the reverse so that people can read them in their rear-view mirrors (like they have on ambulances)...

courtesy of AMCGLTD...

I'll let you guys know the first time I see one of these in this area...
It goes without saying that no one would ever flash one of these at me...

I don't lane sit in the left lane and create a rolling road block

I drive well

I try not to chat on the phone while driving

I always wait my turn in such places as 4 way stops, yield areas, etc.

I don't speed match people passing me (because no one ever does ;-)

I don't litter

I DO NOT brake test people...That's just asking for trouble, I don't need another bitch rear-ending me, I get plenty of that recently without brake testing

I don't tailgate (unless you deserve it, see item 1)

I only blare music that others would like (like country music)

My car is not one people would suggest should goto the dump

I don't cut off people

I stay in my lane (see the point about talking on cell phone)

I always use my blinker - because I use it only when there's already space (instead of turning it on assuming someone will MAKE a space) when changing lanes

I'm such a dork!

I was reading the Weblog awards at Wizbang...

 

And I started going thru looking for new blogs!  I found a couple great humor blogs and some great photo blogs.

 

I am even inspired to take some great pictures!  More coming later!

Not quite the same...

So...with my recent boredom...I've been doing a lot of reading in the blogosphere.  Man...everyone writes better than I do and everyone seems way more interesting than me.

 

How do I learn to write as well as they do?  How do I get to be that interesting...

 

how, how, how???

Yipee!!

My truck'll be ready TODAY!  That is 5 days earlier than they promised!

 

I cannot wait to get it back and fire up that XMRadio!

Stupid People...

Ok...we have a parking garage here at work and you need either a fob or a passcode to enter.

The guy in front of me today wants to use a passcode.

He is entering it when I pull behind him in line.

He enters it 5 more times.

I figure that it's not going to work for him and try to back up. I can only move 5 feet because someone has pulled in behind me.

He enters it 10 more times.

Garage attendant tells him he needs to back up and get out of line.

Motions to me to back up.

????????????

I back up as far as possible, which is not far enough, but the NUMBSKULL behind me is oblivious or just not moving.

So the poor guy in front of me has to do a 1,000 point turn to get out....

Guy In Front Of Me: stupid for trying like 30 times to do it. Every minute he wasted, more people pulled in tightly behind us. Also note - he had license plates that indicated he was a CPA!

Guy In Back Of Me: super dumb- he's not getting in until this dorkster gets out of our way!

Ugh...some people.

List update...

And 3 Secret Santa gifts.

 

Cripey!

Christmas List...

Ok -

 

presents left to buy:

 

Hubby

Grandparents A

Son (of course, you can't have too much of these)

Mom - knick knacks, major gift purchased

Brother

Sister-in-Law (E)

3 nephews

1 niece

2 cousins

2 gifts for baby cousin

PopPop

Father-in-law

Father-in-law's wife, L

Mother-in-Law

Best Friend in BBurg

gifts for son's 2 preschool teachers (Starbucks Gift Certs?)

College Age Cousin, S

 

 

That's a lot of shopping!  (and not too nice on the wallet!)

Is Santa Big?

So - last night Son and I are making play-doh snowmen.  I asked him if Santa was bringing him presents this year, to which the answer was "yes"....

 

Me: Do you know how Santa gets in here to bring the presents.

Son: In the door.

Me: Nope.  Santa's magic and he comes down the chimney and thru the fireplace

Son: Isn't he big?

Ok...I admit it...

I'm a holiday music junkie.

There I said.  Are you all rushing to close out the window as I type????

 

I ADORE holiday music....I eagerly await the day after Thanksgiving every year because it means one thing - 24 / 7 of Christmas music on the radio....well, at least on a couple of stations!  I own a TON of Christmas CDs...so that I have the old versions and new versions of my favorite songs...plus "alternative" versions (a la Manheim Steamroller)... they go right into the CD changer on that day as well... embarrassingly enough...son thinks "Silent Night" is a regular lullaby, I sing it so much! :-)

 

I saw the lists going around of "worst Christmas songs" and while I agree that some are bad (terribly bad - see Michele's choice @ http://www.asmallvictory.net ) - it's still better than the crap they play all year round!  I love it - bring on the Rock!  Jingle Bell Rock, that is!

Child of the 80's

Via Chatty Kathy

You Know You Grew Up In The 80’s or Early 90’s If:

1. You’ve ever ended a sentence with the word “SIKE”
2. You watched the Pound Puppies.
3. You can sing the rap to the “Fresh Prince of Belair” and can do the “Carlton".
4. Girls wore biker shorts under their skirts and felt stylishly sexy.
5. You yearned to be a member of the Baby-sitters club and tried to start a club of your own.
6. You owned those lil’ Strawberry Shortcake pals scented dolls.
7. You know that “WOAH ” comes from Joey on Blossom
8. Two words: Hammer Pants
9. If you ever watched “Fraggle Rock”
10. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars…. and “spokey-dokes” or playing cards on your spokes for that incredible sound effect
11. You can sing the entire theme song to “DuckTales ” (Woo ooh!)
12. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watc h cartoons.
13. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.
14. You saw the original “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ” on the big screen…and still know the turtles names.
15. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.
16. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.
17. You played the game “MASH ” (Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House)
18. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.
19. L.A. Gear….need I say more?
20. You wanted to change your name to “JEM ” in Kindergarten. (She’s truly outrageous.)
21. You remember reading “Tales of a fourth grade nothing” and all the Ramona books.
22. You know the profound meaning of “WAX ON, WAX OFF”
23. You wanted to be a Goonie.
24. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us…head-to-toe)
25. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.
26. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.
27. You took lunch boxes to school… and traded Garbage Pail kids in the schoolyard.
28. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.
29. You still get the urge to say “NOT ” after every sentence.
30. You remember Hypercolor t-shirts.
31. Barbie and the Rockers was your favorite band.
32. You thought She-ra (Princess of Power!) and He-Man should hook up.
33. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.
34. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes. (and like #24, probably in neon colors, too)
35. After you saw Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure you kept saying “I know you are, but what am I?”
36. You remember “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up”
37. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.
38. You ever got seriously ! injured on a Slip and Slide.
39. You have ever played with a Skip-It.
40. You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds.
41. You’ve gone through this nodding your head in agreement.
42. You remember Popples.
43. “Don’t worry, be happy”
44. You wore like, EIGHT pairs of socks over tights with high top Reeboks.
45. You wore socks scrunched down (and sometimes still do…getting yelled at by “younger hip” members of the family)
46. You remember boom boxes. . and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.
47. You remember watching both “Gremlins ” movies.
48. You know what it meant to say “Care Bear Stare!!”
49. You remember watching “Rainbow Bright” and “My Little Pony Tales”
50. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.
51.. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.
52. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool… and don’t even flinch when people refer to them as “NKOTB".
53. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on “Saved By The Bell,” The ORIGINAL class.
54. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
55. You just sang those words to yourself.
56. You remember watching Magic vs. Bird.
57. Homemade Levi shorts… (the shorter the better)
58. You remember when mullets were cool!
59. You had a mullet!
60. You still sing “We are the World”
61. You tight rolled your jeans.
62. You owned a bannana clip.
63. You remember “Where’s the Beef?”
64. Y ou used to (and probably still do) say “What you talkin’ about Willis?”
65. You had big hair and you knew how to use it.
66. You’re still singing shot through the heart in your head, aren’t you!!!

Stupid house builder...

AHHHHHH....

 

Just spoke with our project manager that is responsible for our neighborhood.  We need someone to come fix the humidifier AGAIN...as it still isn't working...do I phrase it as "fix it again" when, in the previous FIVE visits, they've never gotten it working?  

 

AND the yard is STILL a swamp...the project manager is coming out to "look" at it today...even though he's been out to "look" at it once a week since we've moved in...wouldn't want to accidentally "fix" it, now would we?

 

They are really starting to bug us...and I submitted a formal list of smaller things that needed to be fixed (at the project manager's request) and haven't heard a peep from them about those items.  I'm stunned.

 

Morons.

 

Well...welcome back!

Hi there!  We returned from visiting Hubby's family in PA last night...what a trip!  We had a blast... Big Turkey Day was excellent - thanks L for doing all that cooking!  They bestowed plenty of gifts on son, for early Christmas/Hanukkah and birthday gifts...he was quite pleased, to say the least.

 

We also saw The Incredibles.  We even took son!  We all loved it - can't wait for the DVD so we can watch it on demand!  (( Were I one for movie quotes, a good one would be inserted here...please do so yourself ))....

 

Catch ya later - I've got some work to do!

Happy Thanksgiving...

What I am thankful for....

 

a husband that loves me

 

a husband that is a good father to my son

 

a mother that loves me and tries very hard (still) to make my life easier and better, every day

 

a brother that loves me and is good to his mother

 

a son that is bright and healthy and loving

 

a healthy family all the way around

 

a good job

 

a nice, warm home

 

good health insurance

 

that I live in a country that allows me the same freedoms as my husband

 

a good education

 

that people are fighting, right now, to protect me and my family and our rights/freedoms

 

I tried to think of something witty to put at the end, funny & lighthearted, but I'm not that spontaneous.  Oh well...

 

Happy Thanksgiving...I hope you have a great day surrounded by loved ones.

Gifts I'd like...

1.  Tickets for 2 to the CMA's (Country Music Awards)...yes I like country music, but I like "regular" music too...but the CMA's would be a show where I'm sure to like almost every act that plays.

 

2.  Tickets to see Tim McGraw....

 

3.  Weekend trip to a big city...NYC, Washington DC...just to hang around and relax.

 

4.  Anniversary Band

 

 

Ummm...hope hubby reads this today!  Of course these are Way Expensive and I'm totally dreaming...but maybe someday when I'm crazy rich.

 

:-)

Happy Birthday Daddy....

I just noticed the date.

 

It's my father's birthday today.  He would have been 58, if he was still here.

 

I am a terrible daughter for just remembering today.  Even worse is that he's buried so far away, I have no hope of going to see him today.  I miss him so much.  It is horribly unfair that my son is robbed of what would've been the greatest GrandDad to ever live.  He was born after my father passed away.  His life would have benefited so much from the love and attention he'd have gotten from Granddad.  To all of you that smoke out there, please stop.  Not for you, but for those that love you and will have to take care of you and watch you suffer.  I would never wish having to watch a loved one die of Lung Cancer on anyone.  It is a terrible thing, and totally preventable.  My father had quit 10 years before he was diagnosed w/Stage 3 Lung Cancer.   Six weeks later, he was gone.

 

Happy Birthday Daddy, I love you.  I miss you.  Maybe tonight you'll visit me in my dreams and we can catch up.

distraught...

Did I spell that right?  I don't care...

 

I just read Michelle Malkin's piece on the 2 year old, Bradley McGee, that was abused by his MOTHER, Sheryl Hardy.  She then let her stupid husband kill him while she sat there.

 

http://michellemalkin.com/archives/000858.htm

 

 

I am in total disbelief.  Reading what SHE (Sheryl) says they did to that child in court, I am in shock.  How do you do that to a child?  How do you come up with those ideas in the first place?  How do you lose the unconditional love you should feel for your children?  He was TWO.  Certainly not old enough to do anything yet that might lose that unconditional love (as some adult children fall out w/their parents over issues, I understand)...but he was TWO.  I believe what kicked off the final straw was that he had a potty-training accident.  God damn...he was TWO.  That's a fact of life.  Fucking deal with it or leave.  I am so angry...So this was 15 years ago...she served 9 years of a 30 year sentence because the jail was full...WTF?  We let MURDERS out because of that? I would love to be in charge of her for 15 minutes.  She wouldn't survive it, but she'd be sorry for each second of those 15 minutes.

 

She has reproduced again.  Now she has a 3 year old.  People, of course, are flipping out for his safety (as they should)...

 

I pray for him now.

Desperate Housewives...

Anybody watching this show?  I LOVE it...Hubby hates it because every time he sits down, it's at a dumb part.  For example, it was the bar scene w/Terri Hatcher and Nicolette Sheridan this week.  He was like, "I don't think so" and walked out.

 

I can't wait to see the next episode on Sunday!

 

Also - Dr. Phil has a "Real Lives of Desperate Housewives" series that I just started watching (isn't TIVO fab?)...there are wives with: affairs, drug addictions, shoplifting problems, etc.  They've each come to tell their very serious problem to their husbands and get help.  It's fascinating.  I just wonder though...how did they get started down that slippery slope.  I think that's the important piece to tell...so that other women can avoid the beginning of the paths that take you down those roads.

Icky people...

For some reason, my officemate, K, and I were talking about encounters with icky people today....

 

She:

- worked in "large dept store" lingerie dept.  While working there has encountered: women that pee in the dressing room (??  apparently more than one woman did this in the time that K worked there), men that take women's panties to the men's dressing room and 'make a mess' in there, men standing in the corner of the women's lingerie dept rubbing the satin panties, and men buying large panties for themselves....

- worked in "large dept store" as a shoe buyer - had a customer w/feet so stinky she had to force a salesgirl to help him.  Salesgirl proceeded to sweat profusely in efforts to keep herself from vomiting as she helped customer.  No other customers entered shoe area for 2 HOURS.

 

Me:

- worked in another "large dept store" where men would come into lingerie dept and demand to be allowed to try on lingerie in the women's dressing room

- ran into a guy at Lake Keeowee, SC (?) who smelled worse than anything I ever smelled before or since.  His car WAS FULL OF FLIES, and smelled, even w/it's windows up.  Car also full of full black trash bags...

 

Any stories from the peanut gallery?  going to love the google hits off this one!

Following that post up...

with one about what a great father my hubby is....

 

Last night, after more painting of the garage, hubby was ready to put up his cabinets...but first he had to put them together...son wanted to help hammer in the nails...While he is good at hammering, the nails need to be held straight some time for him...and hubby held probably 16 nails for son to hammer...that's a good father...to hold nails for your 2 year old to hammer.  I'll upload the pics when I get them loaded onto the computer!

How Leo are you?

well...duh!

You are 100% Leo

How much do you match your zodiac sign?

Gone country...

We went to see Alan Jackson last night -he was great!!

 

Things to note:

-a headliner should play for longer than seventy Minutes ,Really

-Alan is great in concert, except for the whole Short Show thing

-Martina McBride is fabulous

-drunk people are funny

-our taxi driver was an idiot -we asked him to take us to "Leesburg" And he thought we simply wanted to be dropped off in the street, two blocks away called Leesburg Pike. he ended up driving us fifty miles away, to Leesburg.

-the first taxi Service I called simply said "No" -isn't that what they do?

 

 

new shoes for baby...

Ok...yesterday I bought Son a new pair of tennis shoes, in size 9 (New Balance) since his old shoes were size 8 and are now too small.  They were too small as well (I know, bad mommy award for me for letting his shoes get that small)...

 

Today, I decide to get Nikes because the New Balance were also narrower....so I goto Kid's Foot Locker in Tysons.  Where the sales guy was unable to comprehend that I wanted to purchase the size 9 AND the size 9.5 and that I would bring the pair that didn't fit back.  This way, he gets a shoe that fits tonight and I can return the other pair at my leisure....Had I purchased only 1 pair, odds are that they wouldn't fit and I'd be dragging my butt back to the mall tomorrow, as Hubby and I have decided to make it a priority to get him a pair of shoes that fit correctly before we cause his feet to be deformed.

Do y'all think that's odd?  To buy 2 pairs, planning on returning one of them??

Plastic Surgery...

Ick...I happened to run across a pic of Tara Reid's "oopsie" where she went to some show and her boob fell out....Not only did she not notice (drink much?) but no one told her and she kept posing...so there's lots of pics...but what's icky is her nipple...apparently her boob job was done thru the nipples instead of thru the belly button leaving her horribly disfigured...Maybe she got a boob lift as well (that's what I've heard those scars look like) but I'm not a plastic surgery expert...I just know it looks gross and I'd be horrified if I was her....being able to walk around w/pretty boobs (with clothes ON) and no bra sounds nice, but not worth that price in my opinion.  I'll stick w/boobs that look nice covered or uncovered, and wearing a bra to make them "sit pretty" when out in public...

F-ing Hotmail...

So today, I open Outlook Express, which I use to manage my multiple hotmail accounts.  One account has errors...the error says

 

Unable to poll for new messages on your HTTP server.  Account: 'Hotmail (1)', Server: 'http://services.msn.com/svcs/hotmail/httpmail.asp', Protocol: HTTPMail, Server Response: 'Access to Hotmail via Outlook and Outlook Express now requires a subscription. Please sign up at http://upgrade.msn.com', Port: 0, Secure(SSL): No, Error Number: 0x80004005

 

WTF?

 

Then I goto to their help section and see that, to lower the incidence of spam that I get, they are only allowing people to use Outlook or Outlook Express with PAID hotmail accounts... What is this bullshit?  And, oh by the way, my other account works just fine.  Can they do that?  Can they make email not work with software that I have a valid license to run????

 

Gee, I don't know why there would be so many Anti-Microsoft people out there...assholes.

Just at the mall...

Since the mall is right across the street, I thought I'd pop in to get Son some new tennis shoes, as his have been too small for a while, but we've not managed to get him any yet....

 

Here's a synopsis of my trip:

 

- people driving around the mall not knowing where they are going, randomly going from far right lane to far left lane.  Or simply stopping in the lane w/turn signal on and waiting for someone to invite them over.

- some stupid older chick in a new large Lexus parked so crooked in her space that the car to her right had no hope of even cracking open a car door, let alone pulling out because the rear of her car actually blocked theirs, she was so crooked.  I actually laughed when I walked by and she got back in her car and straightened it (note: she was also one of the people from bullet one above)

- Nordstrom has NO size 9 children's Nike's for boys

- Stride Rite only carries all white boys Nike's (dumb)

- man standing in the lower level of Hecht's, in the middle of the walkway, digging deep in his nose

- no purses under $80 were acceptable, so I did not purchase one again today

 

DaVinci Code...

I love this book.  I cannot WAIT for the movie...but I don't know about Tom Hanks.  A little old?  Not quite sexy?  If anyone could pull it off, it'd be him, but I'd still prefer to see a younger, sexier actor.  Like I've read on some other sites...a young Harrison Ford (if they could find one), Johnny Depp, someone bookish but sexy underneath.  Of course, those are my only suggestions...let me think on it.

 

For Sophie?  I heard Juliet Binoche (?) was a good choice, but that they hadn't chosen yet.  I believe they are actually looking for a good French actress, instead of using some American actress w/an accent.  Probably a good idea.  I don't have any suggestions here either....

Make a woman happy...

 List courtesy of RightThinkingGirl; http://rightthinkinggirl.typepad.com/right_thinking_girl/2004/11/how_to_be_a_hap.html

 

Comments, courtesy of moi.

How To Be A Happy Woman

1. Eat a whole box of Godiva truffles. Don't share.

YES!

2. Fall madly, passionately, head-over-heels, dangerously in love. Hold nothing back.

Yes!

3. Speak bad French or Italian to a French or Italian person. Listen when they correct you.

Ok

4. Break up with a guy you like but isn't good for you.

Yes

5. Don't give in, no matter how painful, if your principles are at stake.

Yes

6. Wear a thong. Leopard print.

Um...no. 

7. Bake a wedding cake from scratch.

hahahahahahahaha you've got to be kidding.

8. Paint a wall in your house a primary color. Don't apologize or explain when people look at it funny.

um, no.  Maybe paint a wall in a color that excites you that isn't popular.

9. Take a yoga class on the off chance that concentrating on your breathing really will bring you inner peace.

um, no

10. Inner peace is over-rated. Look for whatever makes you happy, even if it makes you crazy.

11. Use the "I have PMS" excuse. Once. It'll never work again, so use it wisely.

You can use it more than once, just use it sparingly.

12. Only buy really good, high-quality handbags. Spend thousands of dollars on them and then give them to your daughters when they graudate college. Under no circumstances should a lady be seen without a pretty handbag.

Um. no...this worked before I had kids.  Now the idea of spending that much on a purse that may or may not get left somewhere, get spilled on, drawn on, or thrown up on....don't think so.

13. Know when to listen and when not to listen.

14. Your girlfriends become more important as time goes on. Treat them beautifully.

Exactly.

15. Buy or rent a very fast car. You'll instantly understand the thrill of NASCAR.

Oh yes! But buy it.

16. Do not ever let a man tell you how to drive, dress, think or walk.

Yes.

17. Discover why you were put on this earth. Some of us were lucky enough to know when we're five years old. Some people don't discover it until they're 89. Discover it and then put every bit of your passion and love and time into it. Don't let anybody ever stand in your way.

18. If you absolutely must write a love letter, write it then put it away for three days. Go back to it. If anything seems embarrassing or off to you, throw it away. Only the most certain among us should actually send a love letter. It's much easier to call; there's no paper trail and they can't prove anything.

19. Forgive your mother.

Um, no.  Love your mother and accept her the way she is.

20. Forgive yourself.

21. Make something that is not temporary.

22. Travel alone. You can be anybody you want to be, whereever you are, but for some reason it's easier to be the girl you want to be when you're not at home.

Sounds like a good idea, though an impossibility

23. Never take naps for granted.

24. Puppydogs will always cheer you up, no matter how angry or sad or depressed you are.

Unless you're allergic and horribly afraid of dogs.

25. Read good books.

yes

26. Own real estate.

yes

27. Never never never sleep with a guy on the first date.

yes

28. Marriage is not an old fashioned idea.

correct

29. Document everything.

absolutely

30. If you have a son, teach him to love women. If you have a daughter, teach her to love herself.

yes

31. Do not evade reality. Bills must be paid, children must be fed, and your soul must be nourished. Reality whispers sometimes. Don't make it shout.

32. Work out.

often

33. Never never never sleep with a married man. Unless he's your husband, of course.

34. Do not buy faux cashmere. Buy one scrumptious black or cream colored cashmere sweater, take good care of it and it will last twenty years.

35. Never attribute to the mundane what can be attributed to the divine.

36. Do not let anybody tell you that jewelry is just a "material possession". Every smart woman knows that a diamond tennis bracelet, a strand of pearls or a birthstone ring are not just possessions: they are sentiments of love that can be passed on for generations.

Agree - I look forward to leaving my pieces to my children, along w/the story as to why they are important to me.  For instance, custom wedding bands and engagement rings, no story needed, but found in Utah.  Diamond solitare necklace, a thank you from hubby for producing beautiful son. Etc.  You cannot tell me that my children will not cherish these items when they are handed down. 

37. For one holiday season, be Martha Stewart.

For as many as you can tolerate!

38. Groundspeed of joy: the pace at which you rush to meet your loved one at an airport.

39. Sometimes the most valuable possession you have is a door to close behind you.

40. Ask for something - once. Never again.

41. Use any excuse to celebrate.

42. Respect the limitations of your own morality but do not live so safely that you are in perfect condition when you reach death's door.

43. Dreams do come true.

44. You can find inspiration in anything if you look at it the right way.

45. Writer's block is a myth.

46. You never know who you're going to meet, influence, or persuade. Imagine how important you are that you might inspire somebody to a life like yours.

47. Be yourself.

48. Beauty is always the best accessory. Corrollary: Beauty can be faked.

49. You can handle anything. You might need help, but you can handle it.

50. Happiness is a choice, like everything else.

 

Great list - like Michele at A Small Victory says it well...not all women are the same!  And not the same things make us tick...

Movie Review Time...

Shrek2 just came out (I think)...or, we just bought it -so we watched it, of course....

 

It has it's moments...some funny catch phrases and scenes, but not anywhere near as good as Shrek (the original)...  I just think they could've had a better story.  Eddie Murphy is great.  The poke at Cameron & Justin was cute...just not as funny as the first.  Pokes at Disney Movies were also funny.

 

Good morning!

And how are all you fine folks this morning??

 

Hubby has a late meeting, so I'm working the early shift and picking up my son today...which has me here, at work, by 6 a.m. this morning!  Impressive isn't it?  I learned so far today that the reason people that get in early park on the first level of the garage is that the doors to the second level don't work before seven.  Nice.

 

I also learned that early morning drivers on 606 East (and this means you, silver Altima) at 5:30 a.m. are either drunk or sleeping.  I saw TWO people swerving crazily - and I'm not on that road very long.

 

Off to score myself some hot chocolate!

Um....ok

Some delivery places have no idea where our new address is located.  This is all food delivery places.

 

We get mail via the Postal Service, as well as DHL, FedEx, and UPS.

 

But when filling out something that validates our address thru the Postal Service, we are not valid. 

Go figure.

AMA awards...

I didn't catch much of the show last night, but I did see Anna Nicole Smith...man, what the heck did she take before going on stage?  I thought the fact that I didn't understand what she was saying was because I had no idea who the artist was that she introduced...but apparently it was that

- she was slurring

- she actually wasn't making any sense

 

It's a shame that she does this to herself - I used to watch her "show" on E! and always felt bad for her.  But I thought w/the weight loss, she was feeling better about herself and actually stayed sober part of the day.

 

I also had no idea who the artist was that performed w/dancers acting like they were in a gym?  With treadmills and machines, etc.

 

I have the rest on TIVO for later....

Signature Software...

Ok...at work I am currently researching the use of signature recognition software for logging into a Tablet PC.  (Perk - I get a Tablet PC)....

 

I'm surveying those of you out there ("my loyal readership"....all 2 of you ;-)...

 

Would this work for you?  Meaning - is your signature consistent enough to use this?  For example, my husband's signature is a sloppy letter followed by a squiggle for the first name, then a sloppy letter followed by a squiggle for his last name.  But the squiggles, even though they'd be recognized by the software, aren't consistent enough on Hubby's end for software to use to verify.

 

The reason I'm asking is this:  I sign my name fairly neatly and consistently (I thought) so it'll always look pretty and be readable.  And it just took me 25 tries to login to my Tablet.

 

Responses?

TWO WEEKS???!!!

How can Thanksgiving only be 2 weeks away?  Scratch that...I just looked at my calendar....hot damn, it's next Thursday!?  Is this possible?  I think I lost some days in there somewhere...

 

Hold onto your boots!  I got the call back from the car place Friday...Allstate estimated my damages at $2600.  The actual cost will be.....................$5700.  Apparently they actually need new bumpers, front & back, as well as new glass and a new rear quarter panel.  I was hoping they'd just un-ripple the rear right quarter panel, but apparently it's toast.

 

And...get this....they won't be done until December 6.  December 6!  Can you believe that?  What do you think my odds of getting Allstate to get me a better loaner are, given this info?  Not that the car itself isn't "ok" but

- it's smaller than my truck

- it's not leather

- it's a tiny weak engine in a heavy SUV

- it doesn't have XM radio

- it doesn't have heated seats

 

Thoughts?

Girl's Weekend...

So the weekend was a blast!  SB flew in from Atlanta, E flew in from AZ, SG drove up from Blacksburg, VA w/her son J and my friend SK who lives here locally came over (w/out son M, who had strep this weekend)...We had a great time, hanging out and being cheesy w/one another.  This includes 2 hours of browsing thru magazines and commenting on current celebrities...E has had the good fortune to run into a few recently, so lots of conversation on some of those specifically.

 

We played Cranium (most of us for the first time) and went in the hot tub as well as enjoying some excellent Virginia Tech Hokie wine!  Hubby is upset he was sleeping by the time we got in the hot tub (like 1 a.m.) and he missed the two non-mommies in their bikinis!  And well...4 chicks having drinks in a hot tub is any man's dream anyway!

 

Gotta love those Girlfriends!

Another Reminder...

If there is someone ALREADY on the elevator when it comes to your floor, please let them off before you get on....is this not a normal standard for behavior?   I thought it was, but am I wrong?

 

Veteran's Day...

So - here it is Veteran's Day.  For the first time in 4 years I have it off, and my son has school so I had to drive him to Tyson's to goto school so here I sit at work until school's out at 12:30.

 

Anyway - back to the matter at hand.

 

My father served in the Army in Vietnam.  He was a college student who missed enrollment that semester because he had had knee surgery, and way back then, the only way to enroll was in person and he couldn't go.  Shortly thereafter, he was drafted and sent off to war.  He was called, and he went where the country sent him, which in this case was Vietnam.

 

While there, there was a Vietnamese girl who worked for the Army.  Now what this girl did for the Army I don't know...but I know a lot of Vietnamese people gave her a hard time for working for the Americans.  One of the reasons is that a lot of girls that worked for the Army also slept w/a fair number of soldiers.  But not this girl.  She was just very poor and did what she needed to do to make money to survive.  She was maybe 20.  Her mother died when she was 13 and her father when she was 14.  She worked to send her brother to school (schooling isn't free over there) and provide for her two other sisters.  Most days, she didn't have enough food to eat.  She had 2 sets of clothes, day clothes and PJs.  At night, she'd wash the day clothes so she could wear them the next day.  Twice the VietCong burned down her house/hut.  After the second time, the kind soldiers at the Army base rebuilt her house for her.

 

There was one soldier that was really nice to her.  But she knew he had a girlfriend "back home".  When he got a Christmas gift from his girlfriend and didn't open it, she thought something was amiss.  She decided to take a chance and give something to the soldier for Christmas.  When she gave him the gift, he was so happy he picked her up and hugged her.  That was the start of my mom and my dad's official relationship.

 

So by serving his country my father met my mother and the rest is history.  So I'd like to thank my father for his service and for being brave enough to go - not only for our country's sake, but for mine and my mother's.  May he rest in peace.  It was a major turning point in her life.  I'm sorry - I must take a break now because I can't see thru the tears to tell my Grandfather's story.   Maybe next year.

GMC Yukon XL Missing In Action...

I dropped my car off at the repair place MONDAY.  I haven't heard from them yet as to the estimated time to repair my vehicle - note that they'll give me that info BEFORE starting work, which means 2 more days have gone by w/out someone actually working towards fixing my truck.

 

Ugh!

And so it is Wednesday...

Surprisingly, nothing of note has happened yet today.  Shocking, isn't it?

 

I did find some of my new work clothes that I had thought were completely lost, so that was a bonus!  If I hadn't gotten the credit card bill w/those shirts on it, I would've never remembered I bought them and to go look for them!

 

My totally exciting lunch of leftover pasta was not filling, so I'm off to the vending machines!

 

Halo2? Halo 2?

anyone tried this?  Work is all a-buzz about this....apparently these guys know many people that bought the game @ 12:01 a.m. last night and are STILL playing....

Elevator Etiquette...

Ok...let's review this one more time...Please let the people that are currently ON the elevator off of the elevator before you try to get on.

 

That is all.  Thank you.

the noise!

For some reason, the people on the floor below me are drilling into their ceiling and hammering away!  Don't they know NOT to do that during business hours?  That might be bothering someone, like me! 

 

It's driving me crazy!   My office window has a view of the local Super Ritzy Mall, so I just gaze out the window at my Mecca and think peacful thoughts... ;-)  Not like I can afford to buy anything there...

Tuesday Morning...

Not much to update...The hot tub is working...last night the water was up to 90 degrees and Hubby thought that sounded warm enough to go in (naked)...Nope!  Then putting the cover back on was rather "refreshing" as well! :-)

 

We dropped my truck off to be fixed.  We'll see if it comes back in acceptable condition or not.  Doubt it.  I would really like to get my hands on that lady.  Dropping off the car took 1 hour of my time and my husband's time, plus I had to leave work early to do it (they close early) so now I have to make up the time.  This isn't really fair - she's costing me all sorts of wasted time that I can't be re-imbursed for.  Getting the rental car took an hour of my time.  She should have to pay for all the inconvience...not just the physical damage.  It is so frustrating.  The car place needs 48 hours just to tell me WHEN they think they'll be done with it.  Jeesh.

 

Other than that, not much else going on...Where I work now is mixed with hotels and offices, and at any given time you see people rolling suitcases around the streets for some reason or another.  Well, last night some guy decides to run across the street (in fast rush hour traffic) pulling his suitcase darting between cars.  Well, dumba$$ drops something and stops to get it, almost gets creamed.  We wouldn't want to cross at the light that was 50 feet away now would we?  Isn't that what it's FOR?

 

Side note: new job requires business casual.  So I drop a large sum of $$ getting clothes to wear for work.  Noticing that I've gone up a size since not working out, I buy the new size.   Moving has apparently been kind to me, as I've lost at least 5 pounds, while still not working out, but now all my pants are barely hanging on my hips..  What do I do?  They don't have belt loops and now they look a bit sloppy...suggetions?

Update...

Well...I'm still alive...my new job is not the idea blogging place and I have so much stuff to do to get settled in the new house, blogging will be <i>very light</i>.

 

Car update: taking car to the shop today!  I got my rental finally Friday night and couldn't get hold of an agent to give me the number of the approved repair facility until today.

 

House update: workers from the builder in the house today replacing and painting the doors that were incorrectly installed, electrician is FINALLY here to hookup hottub, landscaping guys are rolling the yard flat where workers drove some vehicle or another thru our backyard, workers are looking into why our sump pump is pumping out water STILL even though it hasn't rained in 4 DAYS - hubby even extended the sump pump drain pipe 12 feet further out into the yard to try and make sure the water wasn't draining right back in, but it hasn't helped.

 

I found out that washing pillows in the washer turns them around inside the pillow and you cannot fix this w/out ripping the pillow open, so I have to buy more pillows before my girlfriends come Friday...

 

Hphmmm - lots of work to do!

 

No posting on the election though - no reason to bring up all those fragile feelings from last week.