Another fabulous weekend!!!!

Let's see...

Saturday - we had my son's yearly "photo shoot" with our favorite photographer, Doug. He schedules you for an hour, but son was SO GOOD about posing and smiling, we went thru all the film in 20 minutes! I wasn't planning on buying more than 8x10s from this shoot (we bought 2 20x24 portraits last year) but if they come out as good as I think they will, we're doomed! Doomed I tell you!

Then we went furniture shopping for son's room. I had picked out some really nice Stanly furniture for his room. But when we got to the show room, they had a low-loft bed with a slide and he (and hubby) we smitten. So we bought that set instead (of course, it didn't hurt that the whole set was HALF the cost of the Stanley stuff).

Then off to price club where we got him the Bounce 'Round double water slide. It's 2 water slides that dump into a kiddie pool. He loves it (so does hubby and neighbors!)...

Sunday...just played outside...I went for a pedicure w/neighbor L. Then we had a nice dinner at Bob Evan's, so son could have pancakes!

All in all, quite nice. Today, I'm beat.

Nothing to add today...

except me and the neighbor took the kids to Red Lobster where I had an absolutely decadent shrimp alfredo then came home and had TWO spoons of icing (hey, I'd been planning on Coldstone Creamery, but was too lazy to drive there, so I actually SAVED calories, yo).

Yummmmmm-mmmmmy!

Oh, and all this rain blows. Having a 3 year old stuck in the house blows more.

Holy Cow part 2!

I'm getting on the elevator this morning and I can hear someone running to get on (people in our building are notorious for not holding the damn elevators), so I hold the "door open" button.

Damn. It's stinky feet woman. Shouldn't have waited - maybe that's why no one holds the elevators, it could be her!

Today, she had on BOOTS and her feet were just as stinky...how is this possible? How???

Holy Cow!

I got on the elevator this morning on the 1st floor. The elevator stopped on the second floor to pick up another woman.

Oh.My.God.

As soon as the doors closed I was overwhelmed by this horrible stink of her FEET, in her leather loafers (no socks or hose). DAMN. How can your feet smell that bad?

AND I feel so sorry for the others that have to work near her. That scent was almost instantaneous, it was so strong. Damn woman.

don't be surprised...

if you walk into my office, look at me, and ask "is anyone sitting in here?" you get a very smartass answer.

Happy Memorial Day!

We had a GREAT weekend!

Thursday I picked up my mother-in-law (who I adore, really!) at the airport. We went to watch son have his swimming lesson.

Friday we went up (with mother-in-law) to our relatives in PA. That was a blast. They have a great pool and creek. Son loves it there (as we do)... and courtesy of the relatives, I got a NAP every day! Thank you so much for that time! I heart daytime naps!

Saturday we went to see PopPop at his nursing home. He's doing well and we had a great visit and got some awesome pics. We sat in the garden with him and they have a playground there. Aunt L bought great gifts for son, which he loved. And Granny (mother-in-law) also showered everyone with fab gifts. Who couldn't love that!!!

Sunday we lounged and played in the pool and creek some more. Also visited PopPop again in the garden.

Monday was more of the same then drove home.

A fabulous weekend. You??

SIDE NOTE: is it rude for your neighbors THAT YOU DON'T KNOW to use your playground while you're out of town? I think so. Hubby will be going over today or this week after work to discuss this with them.

The Interview Game!

This is a game I got from Sara...

I answered her questions and you dear readers ask me to ask YOU questions! Fun? Of course!! Whoe doesn't want to read about ME?

1.If you could change one thing about your body, what would you change?

I would change my ability to run. At my best, I can run no more than 3 times a week, 4 miles at a time, max. I simply do not have a runners body - I get shin splints and have even gotten 2 stress fractures in my ankle and 1 in my back vertebrae. I believe, this would fix the pouchy belly problem I have, if I could run more. It is the most satisfying exercise I've found.

2.If you could have a $1,000 gift certificate to ANY store, what store would it be and why?

This is a complicated one. Being an engineer, I have a couple of different answers based on different assumptions.

Any store, for anybody? I'd get the gift certificate from the jewelry store where my mom saw this diamond ring she really wants. She wants it so badly. She is asking only for cash for all her Mother's Day, birthday, and Christmas gifts. My Dad was not into buying jewelry, so she doesn't have any truly amazing pieces, which I think is sad and I'd love to help her get it.

Any store, must be for myself? I think I'm going to have to go the jewelry route as well. For me, the idea of acquiring fabulous pieces (of which I currently have 1, the necklace hubby gave me when my son was born) so that I can leave them to my children, along with the stories of why the piece is important, is very exciting. I think I'd like to get an anniversary band, with the hopes that one day it would be the wedding ring of one of my grandchildren.

3. What is the most romantic thing your husband has ever done for you?

This is a tough one - hubby really is fabulous and doing nice things for me all the time. I'm going to have to go with his "official" wedding proposal. We had already "decided" to get married (we were already living together and had bought a house) and were in the process of selecting rings, VIA MAIL, from a custom jewelry shop in Park City, UT. Yes, they just shipped us diamond rings to try on with NO DEPOSIT! When my ring finally came, sized just for me, he intercepted it, ran out under the guise of having to feed his mother's cats and got me roses so he could do it properly, on bended knee, flowers and ring in hand.

His original proposal was only 2 months after we went on our first date. We were at the Dave Matthews Concert in August (started dating June 5, 1995). We were having such a good time he just asked me. I was thrilled, to say the least!

Runners Up:

surprise day at the spa 4 weeks after my son was born

roses when I woke up on Valentine's Day morning when my Dad was in the hospital for his lung cancer, knowing that was the only time I'd be home until midnight that day

4. What food soothes you in times of stress?

Chocolate or chips and french onion dip. Or ice cream. Or McDonalds. I'm really not picky, I just like to eat!

5. Which oh-powerful-woman-of-blogging to you feel you are most like or drawn to? (of the blogs that you read regularly.)
I feel most drawn to (as much as I like to think I'm like her, no way) Michele. Hands down. She is a fabulous writer. She covers all sorts of topics, and covers them well. I love to read not only her thoughts on things, but her fiction stories as well. She is very grounded and a lot of our opinions on things are the same, but she expresses them so much more eloquently than I ever could.

Ok - who wants to play?? Leave a comment that says you're in!

Swim Master!

Yesterday was a fabulous day!

At my son's school, it was "Mommy Appreciation Day". They sang us songs, brought us snacks, and made us jewelry. Now, similarly to my lust for artwork done by a child, I've been DYING for the first time my child makes me jewelry! And my wish was granted. I put it on and wore it ALL DAY (and at work too!). I can't believe some mom's didn't want to - I was excited enough just to get it, but to get to wear it to work and tell everyone, it was just too much!

Then off to his first swim lesson. He is THE MAN. He hopped right in (with floaties on his arms, all kids are required to wear them) and started arm moving and kicking around. Now, seriously, he was the BEST swimmer in the class, and easily one of the youngest children there (it's ages 3 - 5). He is so atheletic, which he gets from hubby. They (both of them) physically, can do anything. While I, can do almost nothing (even riding a bike with me was embarrassing to my hubby!).

So it was a great day!

This thing really sucks!

I got a new DYSON vacuum cleaner!!! MAN! What an excellent cleaner! I did the hall w/my old (really nice, only 3 year old top of the line Hoover bagless) and then w/the dyson, just doing the hall, the dyson was FULL! I love it! It's based on a ball, so manuvering it around the floor is a breeze I tell you, a breeze!

And the emptying is amazing! The old one, you had to take the lid off and shake shake shake, all the while breathing in all the crap you just vaccuumed up. W/the dyson, the bottom drops out and gravity pulls the dirt down. Much cleaner!

I highly recommend, next time you're needing a new vacuum cleaner!

More great new shows!

Anyone seen Intervention on A&E? It is such a fascinating show. I caught 2 this weekend...they find addicts and tell their story up to the intervention their family has for them to save them. I am so fascinated by other people's lives. I know not everyone's life is just like mine - but you don't realized the extent - and it is amazing to see what these people are thinking.

One had a meth and sex addict, Brian. He was a male model, in a downward spiral. He agreed to go for help.

The other, Alissa, was a gambling addict. She refused help and her boyfriend (who, as part of the intervention, was supposed to not help her or support her if she refused help) continues to enable her addiction (he works 3 jobs and all she does is gamble).

Another was Sara. She's a meth addict. She has a daughter and lost custody and her marriage over the meth. She did agree to get help. She was on Oprah discussing things a while back. It was amazing to see the difference in her after treatment. I hope she's still doing well.

This is a great show, you should try to catch it.

More problems with the builder....

I'm going to have to sue them when they give me high blood pressure.

I called the warranty people last night about the basement door leaking (after they've already fixed it once) and the lack of attention to our dead landscaping, and also all the missing screens on our basement level.

The guy was all "I don't take care of the landscaping", "we don't put screens on the basement level" (which is just an assinine statement since I can SEE that all our neighbors HAVE screens and I ASKED them where they came from) and "I'll have to schedule someone for the basement door, but no one is available anytime soon"...not like it was easy to understand him because his English isn't great and he gets irritated when I ask him to repeat. ( I'm used to listening more closely when this is the case, my mother and her family speak English as a late-second language as well. )

I call the head dude- of course, oddly, he's on vacation this week. So I get peon-dude that's supposed to call me back.... GRRRRR.

Apparently, I am sinful.

Your Deadly Sins

Greed: 60%

Gluttony: 40%

Wrath: 40%

Pride: 20%

Sloth: 20%

Envy: 0%

Lust: 0%

Chance You'll Go to Hell: 26%

You'll die in a castle, surrounded by servants.

How Sinful Are You?

Found via Acidman.

Really, did you think?

These 2 girls told a newspaper reporter how they planned to drink after the prom. And are suprised when they are banned. They are now saying they were talking about other people not themselves. Also, that if their moms don't care, no one else should care if they drink.

Link.

If she wasn't going 40 mph...

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR...

There was a woman driving an A4 Audi Station Wagon this morning...Grey/silver.

Her backseat was empty.

The jumpseat (the seat in the trunk/back space of a wagon) that faces the other way...her 4 year old ( or so ) little girl was sitting there reading.

NOT IN A CAR SEAT. Those are such tiny seats, that if the girl was in a booster that only had the bottom, she'd have her head in the roof of the car. The seatbelt, I could see unbuckled (the buckle was actually on the strap up by her shoulder attached to the seat, obviously not around the precious one)...

If she hadn't been going 40 mph, I would have had to have words with her. That is just assinine.

Now maybe the little girl was 5, but since the local schools had already started by then, I doubt it. Regardless of the car seat, why wasn't she wearing her seatbelt?????

Such a dork...

yeah, that's me...

I'm crazy excited that the Country Music Awards are on Thursday! And some of my favorite artists are performing!!!!! I will be Tivo-ing!

Ok, yeah, more on the house.

Last Wednesday was hot, if you remember. Hubby turned on the AC on the main level and upstairs (2 units). Neither worked, shocking, I know.

I called the AC guys and got the first appt of the day at 8 a.m. the next morning.

At 8:30 I called to inquire about why nobody was at my house.

At 8:32 I got a call back. The lady said she saw my number on caller id and didn't pick up. Nice. The techs were on more important/emergency jobs and would then be by my house tomorrow, 8 a.m. ok?

Um, no. I (not very nicely) explained - WHOA. I was to have the first call. How did this happen? Well...the guys had calls that ranked as more emergency-level than mine. WTF? They are an AC company - the only problems they can have are
1. no heat (which is more of a problem, if IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE)
2. no AC

So ? She had no explaination. I told her they would be by TODAY as I was already late for work and not going to replay this tomorrow. She said when do you want them? I said now. She just kept repeating herself. Finally, I said "Look. I don't have their schedule in front of me - when is their next free slot? Tell me and I'll be here. I'm not psychic."... She says no, when do you want them? I said 9. She said no. I said 10. She said no. (boy, isn't this fun!). Finally we agreed on 12.

At 11:30 Curly and Moe arrive to look at AC units. Hubby already deduced that the problem w/1 unit was that the outside compressor was bad.

11:32, the smart one, Larry arrives. They get the main level AC on quickly. He comes in to tell me (like 2 hours later) that the upper level compressor is fried. He's going to order another one, but it may be Monday before it gets here.

Whoa. I don't think so. I inform him that NO, it will be installed before it gets hot again on Saturday. And if he's so hard up for parts, go over to the house that isn't done yet and take theirs. He looks appalled. I say, please. This is a new house and a new AC unit that we KNOW never worked, and you guys just left it because we bought when we wouldn't be running the AC. Get it fixed. He says he'll try to have it done before Monday.

Now, Hubby had coincidentally left work to come home at that time. So he pulled up 20 minutes later...Did I mention Hubby is MEAN looking w/his shaved head?

An hour later, we had a new compressor from the house across the street and were cooling off.

UGH! House frustrations!

Ok....

We have 2 trees and several bushes and shrubs that are dead (NOTE: not for lack of water!)...The builder is supposed to replace them. I called THREE WEEKS ago, and was told they'd get right on it.

I called again Monday, told they'd get right on it.

Today we get a call that we need to put in a formal request...FUCK. That takes forever, so I faxed the formal request and a nasty letter about 10 minutes after the call....let's wait and see what happens.

What's in your shower?

I posted this comment at The Mighty Geek, when he was shocked at all the items in his shower...

3 shampoos
2 body washes
1 bar soap
2 razors
1 foot loofah
1 foot scrub
1 body sponge
1 bottle deep conditioner
1 toothbrush (for cleaning grout while in shower, waiting for deep conditioner to work)
1 bottle tilex (see above)
1 pair flip flops (for wearing while using tilex, it ruins the pedicure)
2 paintbrushes (for toddler)
3 shades shower paint (see above)
1 cup for rinsing shower walls or toddler

Granted, I think my shower is bigger than his NYC condo shower, but still! Do I need so much crap? Of course!

Thanks a lot....

to the idiot that burned the popcorn in our office. I'm sure my husband will enjoy the lingering smell stuck to my hair.

FYI - if you use the POPCORN setting on the damn microwave, it doesn't burn the popcorn, idiot. Just guessing at some number of minutes and WALKING AWAY is stupid.

If you can't do this, should you really have a decent tech job? Just asking. It's not rocket science.

Lovely Weekend!

I had not mentioned it here, but hubby was away for 3 WEEKS! He came home Saturday morning about 4 a.m.! It is so wonderful to have him home again. I am so thrilled, there aren't words. And you should see son...he is positively beaming. He missed his daddy so much...he'd look out the window at night and, with tears streaming down his face, say "Good night dadddy" over and over. It was heartbreaking and he teared all up when telling his dad how much he missed him, even though Dad was right there holding him!

Mother's Day was great - I got to sleep in for the first time in 3 WEEKS! Luxurious! Hubby got lots of yard work done, we went to my Grandmother's for a bit. Then home for dinner and more playing. Man is my house a mess now! 3 weeks worth of luggage and laundry...ick!

Dr. Update...

ok - the appt/scan went well. Everything looked as it should, for someone who's been at my level for this long.

Generally, they like to not check (visually) for about 3 more months...think I can fanagle (?) at least one more check before then?

Thanks for the well wishes and prayers. I really appreciate them, and if you could, keep praying.

Seriously, thank you.

Damn!

That was a good Deadwood episode - any other fans out there? I was heartbroken at the end...just heartbroken. What a good show.

And LOST? I'm only 1/2 way thru...but I love that show! Can't wait to finish it up tonight!

And on American Idol ...bye bye Scott! Though I really thought Anthony was leaving...and Paula!

Son and the next door neighbor little girl had a ball playing in the lawn sprinkler yesterday - in their clothes! They had so much fun and...damn. I just rememebered I left all those clothes in the washtub yesterday soaking wet. They'll smell nice when I get home today!

And for those following: today is the visual check with my DR. Wish me LUCK!

Isn't there a Noise Ordinance???

5:30 a.m. This morning I hear a semi pull up. Back up (lots o beeping)...drop something SERIOUSLY heavy. Pull forward, more backing, etc. I look out the window and the construction-sized dumpster service is changing out the dumpsters. AT 5:30 in the FUCKING MORNING. Do you have any idea what it sounds like when it DROPS one of those things? I dug out the head-honcho's number of the neighborhood (for the builder) and will keep it bedside for the next occaision. If they wake ME up at 5:30, I can wake him up at 5:30. (first, it has to drop the empty one somewhere, then pick up the full one, move it out of the way, drop the full one, pick up the empty one, put it in the spot the old one was, drop it. Pick up full dumpster. --> that's a lot of noise)

AND, when I finally succommed to a nap yesterday evening (~5:30 as well)....sometimes, when the road is really dirty from construction, they'll drive backhos (backhoes?) around, with the scoop down, to scoop up some before they wash the road (because that's not a horrendous waste of water). Yesterday, some asshole was driving around, pushing 1 brick (they are almost done w/our street so it wasn't dirty) instead of getting out, picking it up, and putting it in the scoop, then lifting the scoop. He pushed that brick, scoop down, for 2 blocks. Ass. 1 brick.

More TV Updates!!!

American Idol! Did you see it? It was great! Here's my summary (like you care!)...

Anthony - ugh. How awful and boring can 1 person be?
Scott - he didn't suck! Really! For once, he wasn't bad.
Bo - BO ROCKS! I've never voted for AI before, but tried last night. Coudln't get thru on Bo's line - hope this is a good sign.
Carrie - so-so. Not bad, not very exciting though.
Vonzell - so good. Love her. Not as much as Bo though.

Deadwood! I heart Deadwood. I only made it part way thru before I passed out from exhaustion. They gave Bullock a better role this week. The wimpy guy is mostly gone. I love Jane. And Al. And what is that stupid school teacher sending in her telegram? Will Al find out? And I love Mrs. Garrett. She's great - even if she's throwing up all over the place.

Oprah was boring, so I deleted it without watching. Today's show looks promising though.

And I think I got an Amazing Race last night too - try to watch that tonight w/the AI show.

(yes, my life is very boring right now)

Interesting media...

Check this out - one girl's ride thru Chernobyl. Beautiful sad pictures. Fascinating. I would never be brave enough to do that. Found at Birch & Maple

Also....
I watched Dr. Phil yesterday. It was a show about people having a loved one that is a bad influence. He had these really pretty blond twins on. Twin A wanted the twins to goto the Bunny Ranch (in Nevada) and work as prostiutes for a while, because the owner said they could pull in $500,000 a year, easy. She was trying to talk Twin B into this. A was a waitress, I think. B was a computer consultant. But they also showed footage of the many modeling gigs these girls have had (quite skimpily clad)... Apparently, Twin A didn't feel like working really hard for not much money in her current job. She has an idea for an international comedy show that she needs money to produce.

Well. Where shall we start...
First - she spoke like, and with the perspective, of a teenager. You felt as if everything Dr. Phil said to her was just out of her grasp of understanding. It must be ok to be a prostitute, because she has a reason (her emphasis)...she's not just doing it to make money to retire. They also had an ex-prostitute on the show, who has started a group to help prositutes get out of the profession trying to point out to her the downsides of selling yourself, which Twin A did not want to hear. There are no downsides in her eyes. She cannot see that in the future, she might wish she had not done this. She doesn't think it will affect the men she can choose from to marry if she does this (ok, sure!). She was full of hair flipping, eye rolling, and lip pouting. She actually struck me as if she might have a drug problem of some sort, maybe? That sort of behavior.

It was just amazing to watch. Such denial. There are no other ways to raise money? Also, she really didn't come off as being very bright - that she understands the what would be considered comedy in many different cultures is something I seriously doubt. And how can she not agree, that just maybe, she might live to regret this decision someday?

One thing I didn't understand the most was this: why didn't they keep modeling? They were gorgeous (though of the fake-breasted blonde type).

Bush's Social Security Reform...

Just burns me up.

Ok - I voted for Bush - not because I love Bush (though I don't think he's doing a bad job) but because Kerry was a horrible idea of a president in my mind.

I was reading a review of Bush's Social Security plan in the Washington Post to see if I heard it right the other night...

new proposal that would reduce benefits more as workers' incomes rise

benefits for low-income workers will grow faster than benefits for people who are better off

Benefits currently increase each year based on the annual growth of wages.

he also supports increasing the limit on income subject to the payroll tax that funds Social Security and raising the retirement age

Now, I don't know what we COULD do to make the system better. But as I see it, I do not enjoy working so that OTHERS can enjoy a better retirement. As I work harder, and get promoted, and earn more money and put more money into the system, I expect to get that money returned to me, not to have my benefits cut. I do not agree with working to pay for OTHER people's retirement.

I like getting my SS statement every year showing what my monthly payout will be (assuming there's any money there when I get to retire)...but to work harder and make more and see that number go DOWN? I certainly hope not.

I don't disagree that there needs to be a minimum for people...if you worked, and simply made less, but DID work all those years, you should get some minimum amount of benefit. Definitely. But lowering my money? I don't think so.

I also agree that today's seniors, who were told they could rely on SS, should not get their benefits cut either... at this point, it's too late and to cut their benefits would hurt them too much (though, please note that my grandfather, who is 83 still works 40 hours a week to make money).

I don't know what the answer is, but I don't think taxing those of us who work hard for our money MORE and providing less benefit as we pay in more, is the answer.

I already pay so much in taxes, it makes me sick. And we OWED a ton this year after all the payroll taxes we put in.

A top rate billing dept...

Billing dept: hello - can i get your account number?
Me: XXXYYY

Billing dept: and how may i help you?
Me: yes, I have an overdue bill here, that I've sent payment for twice and you guys keep sending it back to me for invalid account number.

BD: what account number are you sending it to?
Me: XXXYYY

BD: that is correct. Why did it get rejected?
Me: ? That is WHY I am calling.

BD: what address did you send it to?
Me: the one on the bill, XYZ Street, etc.

BD: well, our address has changed.
Me: so the address on the late bill you just sent me is wrong?

BD: yes.
Me: doesn't it forward to the new address? My payment was returned "invalid account" not incorrect address.

BD: well that is strange.
Me: yes! How do I pay this bill?

BD: you can just send in payment.
Me: apparently that doesn't work. Can I just give you my Credit card info?

BD: yes, just mail it to the same address.
ME: but if i mail it, it will have the acct number on it and your mail dept will return it

BD: why would they do that?
ME: ???????

ME: can you take it over the phone?
BD: yes.

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

a little grumpy today maybe?

Things I'm irritated by today:

someone thought it'd be a good idea to have 30 school children in our office today, for some reason unknown to me?? They are currently EMPTYING the hot chocolate machine!

the asshole that caused the toll road accident this morning. Someone was busy doing something other than driving, and cost me the 30 minutes I usually spend with my son and my mom before heading to work. Thanks.

tried to take my car for state inspection today. The first place only allows drop-offs. WTF? Had a 20 car line. Of course, I had CALLED yesterday and they told me I could just come right in, but that's ok. I like driving around looking for service stations during the work day.

it's cold today

it didn't rain, and it doesn't look like rain, so I have to water the damn grass again

people that make stupid ass comments about people that drive big SUVs. Bite me. Yes, I only have 1 son right now. I plan on having 4 or 5. So it is not unreasonable for me to have bought a Yukon XL and to be planning on driving it for the next 10 years (or 15!), because I hope that someday I have enough kids to fill it. Kiss my ass if you don't like it, you just come across as jealous about my sweet ride. Would you be happier if I bought a new, bigger car w/each new baby? That's dumb. It's called planning. I can afford the payments now, when the 4th or 5th gets here, I won't have a payment anymore.

Ok, yeah, I'm in a mood.

Have you seen this???

Inappropriately Dressed! Perfect for my daily reading!

Also saw this photo today...egads woman! What were you thinking??!!
Katie Price

Blessed!

I have been blessed with good results this time...I go back at the end of next week for a visual check, keep your fingers crossed for me! And thank you so much for the positive thoughts so far!

Blood tests? Stat? Sure.

Good news: the nurse had no problem writing STAT on my bloodwork! I went to Quest Diagnostics and THERE WAS NO WAIT! That is unprecedented!

Bad news: apparently STAT does not mean faster than usual. :-( I guess I'll get my results tomorrow.

In a little bit!

Going in a bit for the bloodwork - please wish me luck! I did manage to talk the nurse into putting STAT on it - so I should get the results today!

Side note: we had SNOW yesterday...do you believe it? It was so cold. Yesterday, I took son out to McDonald's for lunch (after he finished his appetizer of grapes at home) then to ToysRUs to do some browsing! I had been looking for Star Wars coloring books for him, and Amazon only seems to have used (?!) ones...and I found THREE at ToysRUs for the little guy!

Busy lately...

forgive me please, internets, for I have been a bit slack in posting interesting posts...ok, a bit slack in posting anything (I'm not usually interesting anyway!)...

but last week I had a deadline at work ( *gasp* had to do WORK at work, imagine that!)

and I've been totally stressed about Monday's upcoming bloodwork. I'm going to do my best to cajole the nurse/DR into writing STAT on it so I get the results back the same day... why should I have to wait until the next morning? That's just another 20 hours of stress I don't need!

Anyway, just got son into bed, so I'm off to watch Survivor off the TIVO.

I went to a fabulous baby shower for one of our dear friends. She got a ton of stuff and the food was to die for!

Kicking my ass...

the pollen is beating me down...it JUST rained and it's still bothering me. Note that it did not rain enough so that I don't have to water the grass :-( poor me.

No updates around here...son is napping so I'm taking a quick computer break!

Let it be known that if you hurt someone in my circle of friends, that WILL affect our friendship, 100%.

Thank you, that is all.

Not so smooth...

apparently 4 inch heels are taller than what I'm used to!

Medical Update #2

Blood tests look just in the lower reaches of the "good" realm - retesting next Monday to be sure though. Thanks everyone for the support, it really and truly is very helpful!

Not much else to update - the weather's gorgeous, and my allergies have just kicked in so even walking to the car gets me sneezing! :-(

Side note: now I know why we got a sprinkler system with our last house. We will be making the plans necessary (like saving the $$$) to get one as soon as humanly possible with this house as well! I'm on sprinkler duty and WHAT A PAIN IN THE ASS!

Medical Update...

for those paying attention...I got more tests done Friday and they are postive! Please help me keep positive thoughts going! Let's keep our fingers crossed that the test continues to give positive results. I'm hoping the DR will do another test maybe Tuesday to check my blood levels.

Oh My....

Ok...My Mom's neighborhood is sketchy at best. In our area, it feeds into the worst high school as far as drugs, fighting, gun violence, etc. It's at least 50 years old, was mostly 900 sq. foot single level dwellings. When we moved in (1977) it was nice. Now it's a bit dilapidated...a lot of the homes are rentals or owned by people that don't give a crap about their home or how it looks.

Because there is no HOA, there are a lot of homes that have one or more of the following characteristics:

never cut grass

broken down cars in streen in front of house or in yard

excessive lawn ornaments

animals that run free

excessive number of cars that they park in the street

need paint

need paint that matches

have teal (TEAL I tell you!) trim

Ugh. So anyway, in the past couple of years, with the housing boom, an un-renovated, original house in this neighborhood is going for about $500,000. I kid you not. AND what a lot of people are doing is tearing out the hold house and building a two story w/garage home on the 1/4 to 1/2 acre lot they bought. I have not seen a new home where the people did not keep their yard and property BEAUTIFUL.

My Mom's is an exception...in 1991 my father, choosing to stay where he had land in such a super-desirable location, was one of the first people to tear down and rebuild. He built my mother a georgeous colonial w/3 car garage before he died.

Monday, while looking thru the neighborhood website to find someone to cut her grass, I noticed some debate going on about people building these huge houses...Uh oh. Seems some people are building 3 and 4 story homes. Now, I don't care...No, I take that back. I actually LIKE all the rebuilding...they LOOK SO NICE compared to what was there. BUT I noticed the "covenants" of the neighborhood. Covenants? I, and my father, had always been under the impression that there were not any. WRONG!

No dwellling more than 2 stories and no more than a 2 car garage. FUCK! Now there is a move afoot by some residents to have people tear down things that are outside the guidelines. Double FUCK. My mother doesn't have the money to do this. Yes, she has a big house, because it was already paid for. No, my father didn't leave her a huge amount of money. Just enough to retire at age 65 (in ten more years) without him. AND the yearly increase in property tax is eating away at that small sum nicely. She works 45 hours a week at her job (hair stylist) AND 30 hrs a week watching my son AND cuts hair out of her home to make ends meet.

Now, remember, the homes in the neighborhood DON'T MATCH. Some homes look TERRIBLE. Some homes have been re-faced in Spanish style (nothing wrong w/that, just doesn't match). Some homes have had numerous, small additions put on so they look a little odd. Some of the original homes were build sideways (meaning the side of the house faces the street). Lots of chain link fence. Lots of RUSTY chain link fence.

I sort of think the people against all this new development are jealous maybe? The new homes make the neighborhood look BETTER...and families with more money will demand the local elementary school do better (it's currently ranked last)...


FUCK.FUCK.FUCK.

Sante Fe Vest Lady.

Remember - it's shades of brown/orange in a sante-fe style design...

Today, the shirt is a baby blue button down with navy pinstripes.

Ok, so I'm a little behind...

I just saw "50 First Dates"...somehow hubby had already seen it - when did he do that? It doesn't seem like one he'd watch alone...hmph...

Anyways, I loved it! Drew B. and Adam are so good together...I was almost crying when Adam finds out what her Dad and brother do for her every day. It was so touching, that they do that for her. Then Adam's character has to re-meet her every day and gets her to fall in love with him, over and over. It's so sweet. I was almost crying...yes, I happen to be an emotional basket case right now (those of you familiar w/my current medical problems of late know why - email me directly for updates) but it was sweet, dammit!

Ok, ok, as a movie reviewer, I suck. Sue me.

Grrr....

ok... I haven't had to wear business casual in the spring for work in about FIVE years. My son is 3, which means that anything I owned from that era doesn't fit, or doesn't fit right.

So last winter, as well as this spring, I need all new clothes and shoes (yes, feet grew too)...well, for the spring, I can continue w/the pants I wore all winter, except for the 1 winter weight pair.

So I goto the mall today to find some nice tops for work.

Ok, stop laughing.
Really, I mean it.

Do designers think the only colors in for spring are: teal, coral, bright lime, 75 shades of pink? No reds? Jewel tones? Nada.

I went to: Nordstrom, Ann Taylor, Hechts, Talbots, Bloomingdales, J.Jill. NOTHING. If they did have something, it probably was a tank top/sleeveless, which I am not sure fits into "business casual" unless you have a suit jacket to go with it. Grrr.
Apparently though, a lot of people are just wearing tanks w/their nice slacks, no jacket. There was a great assortment. I also require baby-doll sleeves on my tops. I have skinny arms, so the 3/4 length or longer short sleeved shirts just make me look sickly.

What is a girl to do? Suggestions? Should I quit?

Odd clothes...

Today:

lady with bright baby blue (Is that a color?) corduroy pants, pink hoodie sweater, white tank top, off white heels (no, not really cute little shoes, old lady heels), clown makeup.

santa-fe vest lady (wears it EVERY day, regardless of shirt underneath) with flowered top.

I'll update more as people wander by.

More fun with the builder!

Ok...we had an "appointment" for 8 a.m. today...the warrenty guy (from here on called WG) said...they'll be there at 8, plan on them staying until quitting time (they have a lot of work to do)...

Okey dokey.

I rise early on my day off so I'm showered and ready by 8. I didn't want to have to shower w/workmen wandering around!

8:30 - no guys here yet.
9 a.m. - no guys here yet. Call and leave message w/WG.
9:30 - get call from some chick that works w/WG. She says, no way he said that, the policy is that they will be there sometime between 8 and 12. !!! WTF...I tell her, that may be the policy, it is NOT what WG said.

9:45 - WG calls. Said he didn't tell me 8, told me 8:30. I point out that either way, it is 9:45 NOW and no one is here. He says, the Project Manager fixed your broken outdoor drain this week. I walk outside (on cordless) and check. No, I say, it's still broken. WG says "Really?". Like I'm making this shit up. I say some other choice things and hang up. I had also mentioned to him that I would like the SCREENS for the house since it's been nice all week and I haven't been able to open a damn window because I have NO SCREENS (yes, we've been here 5 1/2 months!). I mention/insist that screens will be here today if they have to take them from the houses under construction (which, for some reason, have screens).

9:46 - HVAC contractors ring doorbell. Rip out ductwork in basement and redo it. Clean furnace innards. Fix HUGE holes in ductwork.


12 p.m. guy comes to replace window in basement that is filled w/moisture for some reason.

1 p.m. WG comes over himself to measure, get, and install most screens. Manges to let in a HUGE wasp.

*sigh* and for some reason, he didn't schedule contractors to do all the work today,so I'll get at least one more Friday spent with these morons.

Brainiac...

Just please...

If you're going somewhere, where you are told beforehand, and as you pull into the facility parking lot, that NO ELECTRONICS are allowed inside the building....

please remember that this includes your f-ing cell phone. Having to wait thru your discussion w/the person at the front desk about this issue made ME late to my meeting...

Update on builder...

Ok...our builder's sales rep called and was mystified. A subcontractor sent you a bill? Yes.

According to Felicia, this particular subcontractor sent the invoice to the builder only recently (remember folks, we closed on our house in October) - apparently the builder also laughed at them.

As a last ditch effort, they apparently sent us a bill hoping we'd just pay...hah! Like I'm going to send some doofus $700 simply because I got a bill and not investigate it!

I've also decided that since we could not get them to call us back when we were trying to schedule the work, that I'm not going to call them about the invoice they sent. When they call me, I'll say something like..."do you find it annoying when people don't call you back in a timely matter? Funny, I find it annoying too!"....

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Of course I am!

You are Lisa (from Weird Science)! Sexy and
magical, you either charm the pants off
everyone, or make them crap their pants in
fear. Either way, you rule.


Which John Hughes Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla


Thanks to Kat for the quiz!

Also - my entire life people call me Lisa when they get my name wronge...ALL THE TIME... It's never anything else, if they don't get it right, they always use Lisa. Coincidence? I think not.

um, yeah, let me get right on that...

Ok...when we bought our house, the builder subs out the electrical wiring. Fine. Stupid builder also makes US deal directly w/the subs when picking out electrical options. Since they were OUTRAGEOUSLY priced, because they could be, we only got an extra phone jack ($125) and an wiring from attic to family room for the HDTV ($625).

We paid the builder at the time we selected the options - or so we think. We're not sure, now that they ask.

BUT today we get a bill from the subcontractor wanting money. And they'd like a check immediately and payable to them, not the builder (because it's apparently a pain to get money out of our builder)

HAHAHAHAHAHA

Let's go thru my list....

wiring to family room not done when we moved in

coax drops not in right place in family room - they put one in center of family room and the second 2 feet over...wtf? they had to move them both to the same spot, duh.

f-ing phone line right there doesn't work anyway

getting them to come after we moved in was a pain in the ass

getting a hold of them to even make our selection way back when was a pain in the ass, and we had to get the project manager to yell at them before they would EVER call us back.

so let me get right on sending that check....

hahahahahahaahaha

the phone line will be fixed or we aren't paying $125 (!) for it

the builder will have to itemize for us each check we gave them last summer and

prove to us that we didn't pay. From what I remember, they were really damn on us every time we added anything to put 20% down right away.

if, and only if, it is proven that we owe the money, I'm paying the builder and the sub can figure out how to get the money from them. THEN, I'm sending $20 a month until the bill is paid off.

Assholes. Not only that, the quality of the work sucks - my husband had to redo all the connections at the satellite box in the basement. MAYBE if they'd done a QUALITY JOB ON TIME, I'd be a bit more charitable....but since they SUCK, no soup for you!

Would you like her to see Age 4?

To the kiddie-beauty-pageant mom in the hotel parking lot this morning....

Your stupid purse dog is on a leash but the 3 year old gets to walk in the parking lot without holding your hand (which is a thru street as well)? Are you insane or just stupid?

Stupid Idiot.

(the 3 year old was already in her pageant hair and clothes - I did not know we had those things in Northern Virginia)

Rest In Peace, Terry.

I had a nice long post here - about not taking a side (let her live or let her die) earlier - that simply, if we were going to remove life support, we should help her not suffer for 14 days.

But Blogger ate it and now it's gone.

Also - why did all the pretty "before" pictures just come out today?

Not News

15 year vs. 30 year mortgages

Drinking during pregnancy

any others out there?

Do we not have enough engineers?

What is wrong with Blogger? I couldn't get into post at all yesterday and am having a hard time commenting around today.

Not much new to report. I hurt my back by sleeping on my stomach. I have a bad S1/S2 joint and the squishy bed must've curved my back in a way my back doesn't like. Feels like those 2 discs are rubbing w/no cartilage in between to soften things. I almost fell down the stairs when they unexpectedly grinded together and it hurt so bad my knees went weak. Thank goodness I wasn't carrying son (he was walking behind me).

Before anyone suggests it - I have been to all the SUPER specialists in the No. Virginia area - none can help. Tried physical therapy. Tried cortisone shots (that was fun), tried resting. MRIs, XRays. Nothing. The closest we got was one dr thought I had stress fractures from running. So when my back is in good shape, no more than 3-4 miles, every other day. More than that brings it right back, where it's 6 weeks to calm back down.

Listening to the radio yesterday, Gretchen Wilson's (yes, sometimes I listen to country) Redneck Woman came on. When she got to the part about buying the "same damn thing on a wal-mart shelf 1/2 price" son said "Hey! We don't talk like that! I don't want to hear that again!" Too funny!

Forgot to tell you!

Ok - recall please that Son has a fascination w/Star Wars. Which has resulted in an overrun of our house by Star Wars stuff... including quite a few variations of the Han Solo frozen in carbonite - where he looks metallic, with his hands out to his sides, up near his face...

We were visiting Hubby's Grandfather in the nursing home Saturday when son had to potty. We were walking by a wooden cross with a metal Jesus on it when he says "Mommy - is that Han Solo??"

???? Too funny! (yes, he does recognize Baby Jesus and regular pictures of Jesus from preschool teachings, but this metal looking one just got him!)

Goodness!

thanks everyone for the inquiries and well wishes for the knee! It is better now, and it only hurts when I poke it where the bruises are or take off running after Son. And I was really (REALLY) hoping to start running again this week too :-( Guess I'll start with walking.

Easter was good - we went to PA to see our relatives and had a blast. Son LOVES it there. Cousin A was home from Bucknell, so Son was thrilled. We did a tiny bit o'shopping and I couldn't find anything for me! Nothing! But Son got two bags full of spring clothes (did you know there's no sales tax on clothes there? Fantastic!)

On a much more depressing side, I'm thinking of starting another pity party for myself - anyone want to come?

Good job!

So yesterday, Son fell asleep on the way home from my mom's. When we pulled in the garage, I was carrying him into the house to put him in his bed...

And fell.

Because I was carrying my son, and a pesky thing like falling isn't going to hurt my baby, I landed square on my right knee. On the concrete.

I had twisted / mis-stepped w/my left foot so all my weight went onto right leg, which wasn't in weight-position, leg buckled, and down went my weight + Son's 30 pds. on my knee. I think I bounced off the concrete - I have three HUGE bruises (TWO so good they BLED).

Spent last evening w/Knee up and ice.
Almost couldn't walk today. Once I got it loosened up a bit, was able to walk, as long as the knee does not get bent in any manner...so I can walk w/a straight leg, but forget bending the knee -it's excrutiating. So forget bending over, sitting down, getting up...all hurt A LOT.

Any doctors out there??

Not my fault!

My son is fascinated with finding fault - everything that happens, he will label whose "fault" it is... (why he does this I have no idea)

So last night I'm washing the rice cooker pot so I can make more rice. Sink won't drain? Turn on the garbage disposal and VOILA - the OTHER side of the sink fills up w/rice and water???? I had put rice down the disposal side last night? Why is it coming up the Non-Disposal side??

Apparently rice is so small, it just goes right thru the disposal - then clogged our drain. Then came back up - GROSS (smelled nice too)...

Hubby had to take the whole drain crap apart (which made a horrendous mess since the drain was full of rice/beef stew and water)...

Now I know.

Pity Party Over...

Ok...it's over I guess...just feeling a little depressed and hopeless yesterday. Went home, spent time w/hubby & son and now feel better.

The sun is shining and it's warm out.

BTW - Michelle has links to finding registered sex offenders that may live near you. Check it out. It might give you some useful info, it's at least worth a look to see. Luckily, our address came out clean, but I know the guy that killed the little girl was visiting relatives and wouldn't have come up either. I cannot think of much worse than having all of this happen to your child. I hope he rots in hell for what he's done. If her father doesn't kill him first.

Pity Party: guest list = 1

Having a pity party here all by myself today. Already eating chocolate and drinking diet coke, thank you.

Nice weekend...

So we had a fabulous weekend!

Friday son and I went to the mall to play on the playground, shop, and see the Easter Bunny. We saw the Bunny first - i'll post the pic later...it's SO CUTE! Then we did a wee bit o'shopping (of course, the only person I bought stuff for was son) then off to the playground.

Now this playground has a big airplane for the kiddies, as well as an air traffic control tower. The airplane is hollow, with a big slide inside it. Hubby and I watch the boy like a hawk (read as: follow him around the playground) on this playground, to make sure he doesnt' hurt himself or anyone else and to keep other kids from hurting him (some mom's just sit on the couch on their cell phones and don't watch their brats)...

I was following son when we went by the opening of the airplane slide and I thought I saw him duck inside. So I stood at the bottom of the slide and waited....he didn't come down??? I looked up inisde the slide - no son. I looked all around the airplane outside, no son? PANIC MODE...I circled the plane - the damn thing has tons of holes and tons of kids on it...Calling for son, getting panicky - what does one do when a child disappears? I checked the other playthings on the playground (it's not that big) but I kept thinking that he was there, I just wasn't seeing him... Finally another mom noticed frantic me and told me to look in the tower. I had peeked in there but was getting freaked because I knew if he was here he'd hear me calling him and come out - so he must be gone! Then I looked in the tower - and crouched and giggling was my boy....oh my god, I've never been so relieved in my life.

Saturday - we did stuff around the house (got the whole first floor of my house SPOTLESS) and took the boy into the hot tub (water turned down to 95 degrees) and had a ball...

Sunday - did yard stuff and the neighbors brought their daughter, S, over to play. Son was so tired he went to bed at 6:30. 6:30! Then slept until 7 a.m.! Shocking!

just so damn cute!

Last night, driving home from dinner, son (in the back seat) waved his hands and said AbraCadabra (really Abbba Dabbba!) right as the light changed. He totally thought he did it (which would be cool, to really think you can do magic!)... so all the way home....

Abba Dabba!
Abbbra Dabbra!
Abba Caaa Dabbbra!

he gets it right! So at home, we go tearing around the house, with him waving his hands, giggling, and saying Abba Caa Dabbra! and me stealth-ily turning on/off lights!

Too much fun!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

To everyone...

And a special HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my friend S.K.! Yep - St. Patty's Baby! Which, of course, in college, we went out for many a green beer in Blacksburg, VA at Cricket's (which shows our age worse than pictures of us!)...

Now the days w/kids have us just having lunch!

Head Going to EXPLODE...

so today I'm dealing with

trying to communicate with my mother's new tax accountant about getting her taxes done. We're on email 10 already just today.

My mom suddenly deciding she needs April 6 and 7 off to goto TX - hello? I have a job and NO LEAVE left (actually I'm 5 hours in the hole after last week) - I don't have any problem w/her taking vacation (who doesn't need a break?) but notice would be appreciated...

when i call hubby to ask if he can watch son on those days, he reminds me he may have class that next week, which means we would have to ask my Mom to babysit that Monday, but she'll be in TX??!!

What the hell am I going to do? It's a great fucking day.

Asshole Driver Alert

20 something jackass in a beige Honda Accord, sport! I am willing to be he borrowed Mommy's car, no? He tried to cut me off and squeeze into an off-ramp at the last minute. Yeah, I'm going to be intimidated by some little kid (w/the seat back almost in a laying down position) in a Honda Accord. Don't.Think.So.

Kudos also to the bimbo driving the purple Neon in the HOV lane doing 50 mph when the rest of the HOV lanes and other lanes were doing 60 mph.

Odd man....

So this guy just walks into my office, where we have a fancy-schmancy printer that the execs print to (yes, they're always in my office too). He wants to know how to connect to it.

I told him that generally, people aren't allowed to just connect to that printer...if you're allowed, they'll give you the connecting information. Then he starts leaning over ME and MY DESK and wants to see where I print to...

Manners much? He's still wandering around out there. He asked if I'm on XYZ network, yes I am, and decides that he can't see my printer because he's not on that network. Duh. I'm thinking if he knew the name of that network, he knows he's not on it - leave me alone!

UPDATE: he just came in AGAIN to bug the exec printing right now.

What a week!!

The reason I haven't been updating is...

....

we were on vacation! I doubt hubby would be thrilled that I told the Internet beforehand, he'd be sure we'd be robbed, so I had to keep a lid on it until we got back...but we're back!

Hubby's Dad and wife, L, took us to sunny Snowmass, Colorado! (part of Aspen)....we had a great week - son learned to ski and became one of the few 3 year olds to be allowed on the lift and to ski down real ski runs! I, however, nearly had a heart attack while he was riding said lift and skiing down that HUGE MOUNTAIN.

Tuesday saw me sitting in Aspen Valley Hospital's ER having a replay of last month's medical nightmare. Fun for the whole day!

It was sunny and 50 degress (if you can believe it) for the whole week of skiing! They had a 90 inch base, so snow wasn't a problem, but sunburn was! I have a great tan now! Usually, spring skiing the temperature is about 30 during the day, which is hot, and at 50, it was almost too hot to ski!

Good food, lots of family time, skiing, shopping and fun for a whole week! (well, except for Tuesday)...

Then we flew home yesterday...and United LOST AN ENTIRE FLIGHT'S luggage. Which they told us after having us wait at baggage claim for 30 minutes. Then they looked for it and found it 20 minutes later. Nice service!

BUT no asshole drivers, only a couple of stupid ones...

???

Well...how is everyone doing out there this Monday??

(( crickets chirping ))

dying for my Monday update? Thought so!

Not much going on here...just suffice it to say that for once, I'm not in the office!

(no, not fired, not that lucky)

will update as I can...

Asshole Driver

30 something Ass
Driving Chevy Impala
Cut me off - talking on phone more important than checking before changing lanes.

EEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

There is a little convience store in the bottom of my building. It is run by a very quiet little lady. Her register is in the back of the store, near the rack she uses to store the drycleaning that's been cleaned and is ready for pickup.

The newspaper stand is right by the front door of the shop. Today, I observed, on my way to the store, someone going into the bathroom w/a newspaper...

I'm sure you all see where this is going, don't you...

As I'm paying (ok, it takes me a while, I'm a bit indecisive about what type of chocolate fix I need)...I notice a certain someone poke their head in the door and place a newspaper on the newspaper stand.

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

Some poor person is going to come BUY a paper that they don't know has been tainted (ie. George on Seinfeld w/he taints the art book)....

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

Bret Michaels?

I was in the car and flipped stations....(xm radio)...heard a voice from my teen years that is unmistakeable...because I had such a huge crush...Bret Michaels!

ON THE COUNTRY STATION! His song was "All I Ever Needed". ON THE COUNTRY STATION!

It has been my experience that country music fans are pretty finicky about wanting true fans and not crossovers...I'm surprised they'd even play it...but more surprisingly is that HE would sell out to start playing country since he's too old/washed up for the Rock scene ( I don't believe the Poison Tour did very well )...

Check this out : His website and pic w/horse!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Kat! May it be warmer there than here!!!

Lots of snow? Maybe, maybe not?? + Asshole Driver

Snowing tons here...tons! Of course, not sticking to the roads at all yet....

Went for new bloodwork today - here's hoping I get the result I want...

Asshole driver updated...

30 something bitch, Lincoln LS Sedan, ran stopsign in parking garage and almost nailed me.

Asshole Drivers v. 4

This one courtesy of Enjanerd...

Toyota Matrix, 40 Something Asshole

Here's her story: i slowed down after a light turned yellow and stopped at the intersection, preventing the person behind me from running the red had I gone. he honks at me. next light, exact same thing. get onto 66 and he proceeds to cut me off in the merge lane. when he feels he has made his point, he moves over a lane and i end up passing him because the right lane was moving faster due to the exit ramp about a mile up.

i'll add this to my tally and republish the tables every so often, it's a pain re-publishing them every time.

Jackpot!

Lately, my son is a HUGE Star Wars fan... for Christmas he got an XWing fighter (the 2004 version doesn't have sound effects, like the 1980 version did) and earlier this week, a TIE-FIGHTER hubby found on Ebay.

Oh my god - I remembered! I was a huge Star Wars fan! And wait - I had most of those original things!!!!!!!!!! So last night, we asked Uncle Sonny to go into my Mom's attic and retrieve my old toys. We only found 1 of 3 boxes, but look at what we found:

Boba Fett's Slafe Ship, 1980

Tauntuan ( the animal they ride in the beginning of Empire Strikes Back ) http://starwars.carrotnetwork.com/reviews/2003/battleofhoth/29.jpg

A Darth Vader Case full of action figures...full I tell you!

Scout Walker

TWO Speeder Bikes

Millenium Falcon

Jabba The Hut Playset

Asshole Drivers v. 3

More updates already?? What is wrong w/these drivers??

General Table:

General Type	# Assholes Encountered
Small Truck	1
Small Sedan	1
Large/Med Sedan	1
SUV	2
Sports Car	1

Specific Vehicles:

Make	Model	Driver	Offense
Acura	Integra	----	cut off driver in front of me TWICE
Honda	Passport	30 Something Ass	pulled out of parking space in front of me as I was driving thru lot
Land Rover	Land Cruiser	30 something female	turned right into parking lot from the LEFT lane. I was in right lane at the time
Toyota	Small Pickup	20 Something Male	Cut me off
VW	Jetta	30 Something Male	Driving on wrong side of parking garage. Because unable to pull in space when driving on the correct side. Expected me to wait for him to park.
Lincoln	LS	40-50 Something Male	Ran stop sign, almost hit me.

Asshole Drivers v. 2

an update so soon? You bet... new items in italics

General Table:

General Type	# Assholes Encountered
Small Truck	1
Small Sedan	1
Large/Med Sedan	1
SUV	1

Specific Vehicles:

Make	Model	Driver	Offense
Land Rover	Land Cruiser	30 something female	turned right into parking lot from the LEFT lane. I was in right lane at the time
Toyota	Small Pickup	20 Something Male	Cut me off
VW	Jetta	30 Something Male	Driving on wrong side of parking garage. Because unable to pull in space when driving on the correct side. Expected me to wait for him to park.
Lincoln	LS	40-50 Something Male	Ran stop sign, almost hit me.

Asshole Drivers... v. 1

Ok...based on some postings I've read this week, some people think the only asshole drivers are drivers of large vehicles (I've seen specifically pointed out Yukon and F150 drivers)... I would like to challenge that assumption ... I think the assholes are equally distributed among vehicle types...so I'm starting a record.

This will be the list of drivers I encounter during my driving around the Northern Virginia area (an area RIPE w/asshole drivers - evidenced by the THREE I have for my list since I decided to keep track).

I will have a summary list - where you can general vehicle type (suv vs sedan vs truck) and specific make and model.

General Table:

General Type	# Assholes Encountered
Small Truck	1
Small Sedan	1
Large/Med Sedan	1

Specific Vehicles:

Make	Model	Driver	Offense
Toyota	Small Pickup	20 Something Male	Cut me off
VW	Jetta	30 Something Male	Driving on wrong side of parking garage. Because unable to pull in space when driving on the correct side. Expected me to wait for him to park.
Lincoln	LS	40-50 Something Male	Ran stop sign, almost hit me.

Warning: Mommy-Blogging Ahead...

sorry, but since I'm doing nothing (ok, not much) other than taking care of son this week, we'll probably be heavy on the mommy blogging, but you never know, I could surprise you!

Last night was TERRIBLE... I turned out my light at 11:15 ...apparently son has a cold...he was up 4 TIMES between 11:30 and 12:30 because he couldn't breathe. Because I am such a great mom, I didn't realize it and kept putting him back in bed...finally at 12:30 I gave him some decongestant so he could sleep... We like infant Dimetapp because it really helps him sleep deeply and lasts so long, so he doesn't usually have to have another dose at night (do you see what's coming next, do you?)

Fast forward to 3:30 a.m....."Mommmmmm, I'm wet"... yep, sleeping so good he forgot to getup to pee...so 1/2 hour of sheet changing, body wiping and redressing and we're back in bed so I can get up at 6....lovely.

Someone mentioned how cute it is when toddlers mangle words so I thought I'd share a few with you:

"C-pee-pee-O" for C3PO from Star Wars

"Piggly Town Heroes" for Higgley Town Heroes (a Disney show)

"Ouise" for Louise (one of the grandmothers, thankfully not wanting to be called "Grandma" or some variation because he has SO MANY)

"The THREE MuskeTEERS" (with voice inflection!)for his fave movie, the Mickey Mouse Three Musketeers

*Sigh* and my favorite..."Mommy, i wove you five!" (he uses a sliding scale starting at 1)...no idea where he got this...and cracks up when I say I love him some number higher than he can count (like 100)...

Good grief!

Am I tired! Hubby is away, taking training this week so it's just me and the boy! All week! (note that a break in there somewhere might be nice)

BUT he was up last night twice to goto the bathroom, then up for good at 6:30...WTF? What we like to consider the usual wake-up time is 7-7:30, but lately it's crept back towards 6:30?? WHY?

We ran errands today and then had a neighbor over to play outside then came inside to play...lots and lots of fun!

Then, at 4, I realized I had forgotten to feed us lunch! Idiot! So we ate grilled cheese and watermelon (only he ate the watermelon, not me) and chocolate (Ovaltine) milk.

I know this may sound like a terribly boring day, but the two of us had a grand time! We also put together his Mickey Mouse puzzle at least 15 times, played spaceships w/his StarWars ships, fighting swords, chase, BounceAround, matchbox cars, laundry games (hahahahahaha) and so much more!

Water?

Ok...

The night out was GREAT!...

I picked up E from the airport @ 7:15...then rushed to get home and get the three of us looking HOT...

Limo ride was super-fabulous! Ted ( the driver ) was great! We went to Zola's Lounge first...but it was all old men and super-young women looking for old men with money.

Then to Dream...which is in South East DC...not a "nice" area, and since there was already an ambulance there we decided to skip it.

So we goto H2O... remember, it's 29 degrees out and we're wearing skimpy clothes and shoes. 30 minute line...Ugh! Man was it COLD! BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.... After paying an obnoxious cover and standing in the coat check line (another obnoxious fee) we went to get drinks and get dancing.

We met lots of cool guys and I have to ask you guys something...is it wierd that when people as what I do I reply either "computer programmer" or "software engineer"? I thought it was the way I said it, but I tried many variations, but EVERY guy just about fell over when I answered that question ...every one. Odd, isn't it? Cannot a girl be out clubbing and also be smart enough to be an engineer? Very strange.

We had a blast... We got home around 4:30 and our sons (my best friend brought hers up to play w/my son for the weekend) got up at 6:30? The nerve of those little guys I tell you ;-)

Club List!

Ok...other friend from Arizona is flying in, on no notice, to join S and I in the limo! How cool is she??!!

We have the following list:

Platinum

Modern

18th St Lounge

H2O

Lounge 201

1223 (it's called that, the actual name is the Roman Numeral equivalent, which I don't remember)

Dream

Five

Sound good? Can't wait - if you see us there, we'll be the three divines in the limo!

FYI...

it is probably impolite (RUDE) and inappropriate to talk about your visit to a strip club in the employee lunchroom.

That is all.

Who'd A Thunk?

That Ski Chalet doesn't carry ski stuff, after the first of February? Remember, I recently went to a nicely stocked store to buy son's ski gear, thinking that we'd be back end of Feb. for the adult stuff, on sale!

Imagine my surprise when today, we go at lunch, and almost no gear left!!!! Only 4 x-large jackets left, all of which were gross. Shocking!

I would think they, like a bathing suit store, carry inventory all year, and discount the oldest merchandise...not so much...so what do you think they sell in the spring???

Funny Old Lady...

So driving home from work, I am at a red light, about 15 cars back.

This car is turning onto the road I'm on, but it's such a sharp right turn, it's almost a U-Turn. She has not turned the wheel early enough and thinks she cannot complete the turn w/out hitting the cars waiting at the light. I say "thinks" because I can see from where I am she has at least 10 feet of clearance to make her turn. She's driving an older mid-size, but not large car.

So she sits there, waiting for the light to turn and the cars to move (while blocking traffic on Rt. 7 during rush hour). She completes her turn and heads towards me (I've missed the light, damn short cycles). Puts on her blinker. I observe that yes, it's a little old lady. She turns into the parking lot, I flick my head to the right to see what lot she's going into ...SkiChalet? Orvis? StoreHouse Furniture? Nope..the adult video store. Too effing funny.

Unconscious Mutterings v.1

1. Judge::jury
   
2. Detroit::cars
   
3. Hyphen::?
   
4. Get it right::or not
   
5. Pulsating::penis (sorry)
   
6. Yoga::not
   
7. Memorable::or not
   
8. Financial advisor::H&R Block
   
9. Ten million::to 1 (like the odds are...)
   
10. I::me
    

Why my husband rocks...

He is over-flowing w/having done good things for me!!!!!

1. did not actually purchase any vday gifts for me, as directed by ME
2. made dinner last night
3. cleaned kitchen and laundry room yesterday! did all dishes! then unloaded dishwasher!
4. and this is the best! My best friend (one of them) is coming Friday so she and I can have a "girls night" and go clubbing at the poshest clubs in DC! And he is, as we speak, arranging a limo for us! Talk about supportive!

He rocks!

Speaking of #4 above, if any of you have suggestions on super posh, super trendy clubs / bars / martini bars in DC, please speak up!

Attention YOU!

If you are the short lady that "ran" to get on my elevator this morning (and huffed and puffed loudly the whole ride because "running"/shuffling semi-fast 20 feet makes you out of breath)...

If you pace for the 11 floors up (while huffing and puffing loudly) we have to go - be ready at any time to be smacked. It's just a WEE BIT annoying as hell.

That is all.

Only Mommies...

have school on Saturday...

1. When hand washing dishes, do not hold a dish over the last of the 4 pasta dishes that your mother-in-law bought you.
2. If you make a big deal about the super special Valentine's Day cake your son made, he'll want to eat that, not dinner.
3. For a 2 layer cake, more than 1 tin of icing is required.
4. Hubby makes a bigger mess w/sprinkles than the 3 year old.
5. Hubby will stick his finger in the icing can before the 3 year old.

And the sun came out!

Feeling great today! No remnants of sickeness! Hooray! Now I can do all the housework that needs to be done today...(boo hiss)...

Side note: secret projects: having son make V day cards for Dad and Grandpa. Also making pink frosted confetti cake! Martha Stewart, eat your heart out!

A little touch...

I apparently have a touch of what son had earlier this week...thank goodness only queasiness and no appitite, as well as extreme fatigue. Which, of course, made my day off w/son oh so enjoyable...Toddlers aren't forgiving of illness, write that one down, and expect to be entertained as usual. Happy, happy, joy, joy. :-)

Also, the scrapbooking crop is out of the question for tonight :-(

???????

Why does my Hershey's bar need opening instructions?? Does someone not know how? Did they call Hershey's and complain?

As seen today...

a blue Honda Del Sol.

With a black trunk.

And a red bumper.

And obviously been in an accident since whatever accidents caused the addition of these multi-color parts as all the parts are now dented (the "new" dent hits all three pieces like they got rear ended by a large SUV).

Left rear-wheel is a mini-spare, causing the car to drive lopsided.

So I ask you....

bad driver or bad luck?

cheap (reason for not fixing car) or no insurance?

just curious.

So far so good...

Son is better today - had 1/2 bagel (plain and dry) for bfast. Water too. No symptoms of bug except for extreme tiredness.

Keep those fingers crossed!

Shhhh...males sleeping

Ok...so yesterday I arrive home about 6 p.m. When walking thru the laundry room/mud room, notice pile of clothes on washer. This is where I've instructed hubby I want clothes that need extra rinsing before washing (usually mud)...notice that shirt has funny, chunky mud on it.

Walk out to family room - son and hubby not on first floor? Go to turn off bathroom light (damn electric bills) before heading upstairs, where I hear them in bath. Egads! Bathroom covered in vomit and paper towels! Yikes!

Run upstairs...apparently son threw up twice, once on hubby (luckily hubby's body protected couch and carpet) and once "near" toilet, but w/so much force, bathroom walls now streaky (remember, brand new house)...

Ok...I play w/son in bath, while hubby changes and cleans bathroom. We are drying son off when I notice funny mouth twitches. Mention to hubby that now is probably a good time to stop sitting on toilet lid and open it. Son vomits.

Get dressed and go downstairs. Son vomits. Get him on couch w/blankie. Son vomits. Clean up. Son vomits.

Call dr. Nurse says vomitting that much is TOO MUCH come RIGHT in...nothing strikes fear in your heart faster than hearing something like that (except of course, watching your son throw up 6 times in an hour).

Dr. gives him anti-vomit meds (why didn't they have those when I was little?) and sends us home w/instructions and signs of things to watch for that may be more serious. Key instruction...no water/fluid until he's gone 1 hour w/out vomiting. He throws up 2 more times before the meds kick in, then we're done.

So we drag his bed into our room (no way is he sleeping alone in that condition). Give him the prescribed 1 oz. of water. He feels that we are being terrible, as all he wants is water and we won't give it to him. In the BIG GLASS. Ugh...terrilbe to have to withhold water from your child. But I am a nothing if not a stickler for rules, so 1 oz. an hour it is. Somehow, he wakes up every hour demanding his water...and of course, begging for more than his 1 oz. Heartbreaking I tell you.

So today, we're all tired. Notice he has fever. Goto kiddie medicine cabinet -it's a true testament to his immune system that all the meds we have are for children younger than him (infant type vs. children's type), unopened and expired. Seriously.

So hubby runs to store again (went last night to purchase pedialyte) to get Children's Motrin, which as soon as it crossed son's lips, he felt better. Amazing.

Now they're both dozing on the couch, I can clean up all the grossness around my house (or blog!)...

Stomach bug...

apparently a nursing home is a DUMB place to bring a 3 year old. We are all paying the price for it now.

So....trip update!

We left to goto PA Friday...taking Rt. 15 from VA to Rt. 30 to PA. We arrived then quickly went to the rehab facility / home to see PopPop. He was ok, happy to see my son and my hubby, of course.

We stay w/hubby's aunt (PopPop's daughter), her husband (I'll call him M), and their daughter (I'll call her R) when we visit. They live on 10 acres w/a creek -it is heaven on earth.

Friday night we had lasagne and beer for dinner and son just loved running around the big house chasing R. She's 14 and loves kids, esp. my son!

Saturday we played in the yard in the snow, because they had tons more snow there than we did here in VA. Son loved it - throwing snowballs, shoveling, and building forts.

This is funny - the dog they have doesn't behave well when my hubby is around, because hubby gets her so excited. So everyone's constantly disciplining the dog. Son loved it - this is the first time he's gotten to tell someone what to do in his whole life. He is quite bossy of the dog!

Hubby and his aunt spent time w/PopPop on Saturday, before we went out to dinner.

Sunday we got up and went right to see PopPop. The home is a hoot. They were having a pre-Superbowl party and these people are thrilled their Eagles were in the game! (remember, very old people in this home!) Played in the snow some more at aunt's house then headed home.

We watched the Superbowl at our house (w/much complaining from my son, who only wanted to play XBOX)...boy did those commercials SUCK!

Trip to PA!

We went to PA, near Philly this weekend to visit hubby's aunt, L, and his PopPop. PopPop isn't doing as well and is in a rehab facility trying to get well enough to come home.

We had a great visit - son LOVES his cousin, R, because she is so fabulous with him!

Surprise Snow!

So far 3 inches and the weather people actually admitted they didn't see it coming - today's forcast was 40's and sunny!!!

Why Are They Yelling At Me?

It is summer of 1995. I am working my first "real" job in Crystal City, VA. As a consultant for a software company. We write optimization software that that provides logistical answers, based on parameters you give it...

For example...
parameter 1 - we make 3 products which require parts a, b, c, d
parameter 1a - parts come from locations x, y, z and zz
parameter 2 - all end products must be shipped from port a
parameter 3 - warehouse for storage is in location 1
parameter 4 - we are considering sites 1, 2, and 3. Enter pay rates for employees for various areas, rent/building costs for various areas, etc.
parameter 5 - shipping costs from locations to port a


It was all very complex and the software would tell you the optimal place to put your facility, based on this information. What I found really funny is that most clients just wanted us to PROVE that the site they liked was the best, not really run it for optimization purposes. So for every client, we had to "tweak" the software (billed as "customization") to make it give the answer they wanted.

Anyway...we had a customer in SaoPaulo Brazil. I was on the phone w/them frequently gathering parameters and asking questions. One day, my boss had a trip down there to meet w/them. We had many conversations then too, some where I spoke w/the client while my boss was in the background listening.

When he came back, I thought I would ask him something that was bugging me.

ME: Jeff, why are those guys always yelling? Is the phone connection that bad?
JEFF: No, it's crystal clear.
ME: So, why do they yell? I never hear them yelling at you?
JEFF: because you are yelling at them!

Apparently, I felt like they were "far away" and thus had to yell. Subconsciously of course. I never noticed that I was yelling.

Because it is all about me. Always.

Remember, it is not all about you...

Ok. So to get into our parking garage here at work, one must have a keycard that you hold against the reader and it raises the bar to let you in.

In the morning, there is usually a line of cars waiting to get in. You drive up, get in line, and wait your turn.

This morning was no exception.

Dumbass in front of me waits in this line, then pulls up for his turn for entry into the parking garage. I notice that he's on his cell phone as he's pulling forward to the card reader. Uh-oh, I think. I know exactly what's going to happen. I'm like a Jedi like that.

He pulls forward. Doesn't roll down window and continues to talk.

??????????????????? He must've felt the hot holes I was burning thru his skull because before I finally lost it and started honking (I always try to avoid being obnoxious in our parking garage because, well, you never know who you might be yelling at...and I'm not willing to let it rip on a VP if I can help it) he slowly rolls down window and holds out his keycard to the reader.

Hello? Mr., the world should not have to wait for you to finish your conversation. If you want to chat, that's fine, either put the phone DOWN or, when you notice your turn is coming up, get off the DAMN PHONE.

That is all. For a little bit there, he must've thought it was all about him. I. Don't. Think. So. Pal.

I'm too sexy....

You Are Glam Sexy You live for flaunting your sexiness, and you totally work it. Why not? You've got the goods - you might as well use them. You're 100% woman, and you never go out without looking your best. After all, you never can tell when you might bump into Mr. Perfect! What Kind of Sexy Are You? Take This Quiz :-) Find the Love of Your Life (and More Love Quizzes) at Your New Romance.

Ummm...Hello?

Ok - could all the authors of the blogs I read please try to update more often? I am not getting nearly enough to read lately.

That is all, thank you.

( because, after all, all about me isn't it? )