Happy New Year almost! Vic & I will be spending the evening at her mom's house. They say that what you do on New Year's Eve indicates how you'll spend the rest of the year. I'm not sure I really believe that, though, because if it were true we would have a heck of a lot more drunk people walking the streets all year long, dontcha think? Vic is actually at her mom's right now and I'm supposed to join them around 9ish tonight. Maybe. We've got a snowstorm headed our way in a few hours. If I'm not able to leave before the deluge begins, I may be snowbound at home with Shannon and the kitties. Not such a bad thing, actually, but I'd really like to spend the last night of 2007 with Vic. Also, I'm sure she'd be pissed and I don't want to spend the rest of 2008 with her pissy.
While bored at work today, I got to thinking about some of my quirkier, but oh-so-lovable traits and I thought I would take a moment to reflect on them with all of you:
1. I can't change the month on the calendar until it's actually that month. For example, when I leave tonight it will still be December, but I can't put up the new calendar yet, even though it will be January when I return.
2. When I cut the grass, I always cut the front grass first.
3. I always make peeing the last thing I do before I leave the house for an extended period of time. Even if it's just to sit outside and read for 30 mins.
4. Multiple books by the same author have to arranged by publication date on my bookshelf, not alphabetically.
5. I always use a Detroit Tigers huggy for my can of pop (yes, I said POP) and the front of the huggy always has to face me.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
No Blankie For Me
On my way home from Vic's mom's house this morning, I passed a florist with a sign advertising New Year's plants and grave blankets. How interesting that they are marketing toward the new and the very not new. I just don't understand the whole burial thing at all. What's the point of taking my dead, but still useful body, and putting it into a very expensive box that's going to be stuck in the ground like a jar of pennies. And then, to further astound me, someone is going to spend a heap of money to etch my name in a slab of stone to show where exactly the jar of pennies is located for the maybe 2 or 3 people that want to come to visit my decayed corpse in a box. And then somebody is going to actually spend good money on a grave blanket?? Can I just have the money now?
It makes way more sense to donate my useful pieces to someone who might need them. And then take whatever is left over and give it to nice young doctor-wannabes to practice on. You just know that very few people are going to trek out to the very cheery cemetary to stand by my stone and fill me in on the goings-on of their lives. I'd rather you just sat quietly in a comfy chair with a little soft soothing music playing in the background (maybe something Celtic-y) and talked to me that way.
Vic, of course, disagrees with me whole-heartedly. She's all about being stuck in the ground. She doesn't even want to donate anything. I want to live on in another person. I say "recycle!" I don't want to be a jar of pennies. I want to be the 80% post-consumer waste used to make the Christmas card!
It makes way more sense to donate my useful pieces to someone who might need them. And then take whatever is left over and give it to nice young doctor-wannabes to practice on. You just know that very few people are going to trek out to the very cheery cemetary to stand by my stone and fill me in on the goings-on of their lives. I'd rather you just sat quietly in a comfy chair with a little soft soothing music playing in the background (maybe something Celtic-y) and talked to me that way.
Vic, of course, disagrees with me whole-heartedly. She's all about being stuck in the ground. She doesn't even want to donate anything. I want to live on in another person. I say "recycle!" I don't want to be a jar of pennies. I want to be the 80% post-consumer waste used to make the Christmas card!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
A Week Later...
Wow ~ what a busy week this has been! Now that Vic's mom is out of the hospital and back at her own home, we are busier than ever before! About 2/3 of my day is spent at Mom's house. She's going to need 24 hour care for a while yet. We don't know exactly how long ~ Vic thinks until Summer, but I think she's making really good progress and might be on her own in a few months. It's not really a hard job, because she's been able to dress herself and moves around pretty good with the walker (it has wheels!), but it's still time spent away from our own house and our own children. I know Shannon especially really misses us.
The other day at work I was making lists and came up with the following:
5 Things On My Desk That Make Me Smile
1. My Calculator Buddy (see photo). I have the Blue Buddy and sometimes I take him by the hands and walk him across my desk.
2. The kitty Microsoft Office assistant. I especially like it when he rolls over on his back and takes a nap.
3. The London snowglobe we got in London two years ago. I shake it every morning.
4. The Martha Stewart bathroom cup I found in the clearance aisle at KMart. I put a sticker of some little mousies jumping into piles of Fall leaves on the cup and keep my pens in it.
5. A photo of Vickie & Shannon taken in our front yard our first Summer in Michigan. They both had longer hair then!
The other day at work I was making lists and came up with the following:
5 Things On My Desk That Make Me Smile
1. My Calculator Buddy (see photo). I have the Blue Buddy and sometimes I take him by the hands and walk him across my desk.
2. The kitty Microsoft Office assistant. I especially like it when he rolls over on his back and takes a nap.
3. The London snowglobe we got in London two years ago. I shake it every morning.
4. The Martha Stewart bathroom cup I found in the clearance aisle at KMart. I put a sticker of some little mousies jumping into piles of Fall leaves on the cup and keep my pens in it.
5. A photo of Vickie & Shannon taken in our front yard our first Summer in Michigan. They both had longer hair then!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Merry Christmas
I thought I would send along a photo of our Christmas tree. As you can see, it's quite small, but all the presents seem to fit perfectly around it, so it must be doing something right! We thought that it wouldn't be such a good idea to have a big tree with lots of ornaments (i.e. kitty toys) this year because we'll both be out of the house so much (more on that in a bit). This is the first year since I've known Vic (almost 10 yrs.!) that she hasn't whined non-stop to open her presents! Maybe it's because we've both been so busy with work and her mom. I think we'll probably open most of them Sunday because we'll be spending almost all day Monday & Tuesday at her mom's and I really don't want to drag all those gifts over there. We'll open a bunch of little stuff at Mom's on Christmas day while she opens her presents from us.
Vic's mom finally came home from the hospital yesterday afternoon after being in & out of the hospital since March! She's very happy to be home. She's going to need someone to stay with her 24 hrs., so the fun is just starting for me and Vic! We've worked out a tentative schedule and I have a friend who is going to work some hours, too, but it's still going to amount to a lot of time away from home for the both of us. Poor Shannon ~ Mom is allergic to dogs, so she can't come with us and I know she is going to miss us both something fierce. I hate leaving her alone, even when I just go to work. I miss her already.
I'm not sure how good of a blogger I'll be over the next couple of weeks because I'll be spending most of my time working at my job or at Mom's and school starts back up in a few weeks, so I know that will keep me occupied, too. I'm really hoping that we can both keep our weekends clear just so that we can catch up on house-stuff! Wish us luck! And Merry Christmas to everyone!!
Vic's mom finally came home from the hospital yesterday afternoon after being in & out of the hospital since March! She's very happy to be home. She's going to need someone to stay with her 24 hrs., so the fun is just starting for me and Vic! We've worked out a tentative schedule and I have a friend who is going to work some hours, too, but it's still going to amount to a lot of time away from home for the both of us. Poor Shannon ~ Mom is allergic to dogs, so she can't come with us and I know she is going to miss us both something fierce. I hate leaving her alone, even when I just go to work. I miss her already.
I'm not sure how good of a blogger I'll be over the next couple of weeks because I'll be spending most of my time working at my job or at Mom's and school starts back up in a few weeks, so I know that will keep me occupied, too. I'm really hoping that we can both keep our weekends clear just so that we can catch up on house-stuff! Wish us luck! And Merry Christmas to everyone!!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Snowy Sunday
Early Saturday evening the snow really started to come down. It was like a hurricane of snow! Lots of wind and huge flakes everywhere. And very pretty to watch. So we took a few pics and I thought I'd share them with everyone. (I'm not especially good with multiple photos in my blog, so I hope they come out okay.)
This is the view from our backporch late Saturday night.
We woke up to 7" of beautiful white snow. This is me on our patio in the backyard! I really needed that nose mitten ~ it was chilly out!
Shannon absolutely loves the snow! She normally wakes up, stretches and comes downstairs, but today she bounded downstairs cuz she knew there would be plenty of snow to play in.
She especially likes playing ball in the snow. She doesn't have to chase after the ball, but she gets to dig around in the snow. Buried treasure!
And of course snow angels!
Vic has been really good about feeding the backyard birdies during the snowy months. We get a lot of cardinals and starlings...and fewer pigeons than we do during the Summer!
This is the view from our backporch late Saturday night. 
We woke up to 7" of beautiful white snow. This is me on our patio in the backyard! I really needed that nose mitten ~ it was chilly out!
Shannon absolutely loves the snow! She normally wakes up, stretches and comes downstairs, but today she bounded downstairs cuz she knew there would be plenty of snow to play in.
She especially likes playing ball in the snow. She doesn't have to chase after the ball, but she gets to dig around in the snow. Buried treasure!
And of course snow angels!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Peaceful-ish Saturday
As I type, the snow is gently falling outside, we have a wonderful fire in the fireplace and the world's best dog is lying at my feet. It's really peaceful right now...except for Vickie watching some dumb soap opera she taped from Friday afternoon. Oh well...
Earlier today we put up the outside lights and a little lawn Christmas tree. It was snowing when we put it all up, which was very "season-y" and we're under one of our famous Michigan severe weather warnings until tomorrow night. Weather guy is calling for 12' of snow, a swarm of locusts and flocks of frogs to fall from the heavens all night long. Should make for an interesting weekend.
Feast One Hundred & Seventy Two
Appetizer
Make up a word and give us its definition.
Sockoffame (sock-off-a-me) ~ when your sock gets twisted around on your foot and the heel part actually ends up on the top of your foot and your sock is partways off. Vic has these all the time & it makes me insane.
Soup
What is currently your favorite song?
The Muppets singing "The Twelve Days of Christmas." I love Beeker. "Me-me-me-me-me-me."
Salad
What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year?
A peaceful and prosperous 2008. Really. I could use both. Desperately.
Main Course
Name a scent that reminds you of someone special in your life.
Fendi. It's what Vic wears.
Dessert
Who is someone on television that you feel probably shouldn’t be, and why?
George W. Bush. Ever.
Earlier today we put up the outside lights and a little lawn Christmas tree. It was snowing when we put it all up, which was very "season-y" and we're under one of our famous Michigan severe weather warnings until tomorrow night. Weather guy is calling for 12' of snow, a swarm of locusts and flocks of frogs to fall from the heavens all night long. Should make for an interesting weekend.
Feast One Hundred & Seventy Two
Appetizer
Make up a word and give us its definition.
Sockoffame (sock-off-a-me) ~ when your sock gets twisted around on your foot and the heel part actually ends up on the top of your foot and your sock is partways off. Vic has these all the time & it makes me insane.
Soup
What is currently your favorite song?
The Muppets singing "The Twelve Days of Christmas." I love Beeker. "Me-me-me-me-me-me."
Salad
What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year?
A peaceful and prosperous 2008. Really. I could use both. Desperately.
Main Course
Name a scent that reminds you of someone special in your life.
Fendi. It's what Vic wears.
Dessert
Who is someone on television that you feel probably shouldn’t be, and why?
George W. Bush. Ever.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Tree
We finally have our Christmas tree put up. Of course, our tree is only 2' high, but that's not the point...it's up. Now that I don't have to fret about schoolwork every night, I'll have to start wrapping presents. The problem with wrapping too early is that Vic can't wait until Christmas to open them. So she bugs me non-stop for weeks until I finally cave in and let her open them. I guess that's our own family ritual.
Vic's mom is supposed to have her supposed final surgery tomorrow morning. The hospital is trying to kick her out on Friday, but it seems like with every surgery she stays at least another 3 weeks, so a Friday departure is looking doubtful. I know she really wants to be home, though. It's depressing spending all day in a hospital room ~ I don't think I could do it.
At work, tomorow, my little team is having a birthday lunch for me. I know it sounds silly, but I'm really looking forward to it. It'll be nice to take a break in the middle of the day and just "hang out" for a while. I'm not sure if Vic will be home tomorrow night to celebrate with me, but I know we've got a trip to the museum planned for Saturday. I'm really looking forward to that!
Vic's mom is supposed to have her supposed final surgery tomorrow morning. The hospital is trying to kick her out on Friday, but it seems like with every surgery she stays at least another 3 weeks, so a Friday departure is looking doubtful. I know she really wants to be home, though. It's depressing spending all day in a hospital room ~ I don't think I could do it.
At work, tomorow, my little team is having a birthday lunch for me. I know it sounds silly, but I'm really looking forward to it. It'll be nice to take a break in the middle of the day and just "hang out" for a while. I'm not sure if Vic will be home tomorrow night to celebrate with me, but I know we've got a trip to the museum planned for Saturday. I'm really looking forward to that!
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Catching Up
Yea! No more school. For a while anyway. I got an A in my Microbiology class; it turned out that this class wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. It was hard, but I was really prepared for it to be the hardest thing I ever went thru ~ so it turned out to be okay. My online class starts the first week of January, so this should give me plenty of time to catch up on blogging and just relaxing.
I'm also in the middle of appealing my grade for the Pathophysiology class I took over the Summer. I should have a final outcome sometime in the next couple of weeks, so I'm told. I guess we'll have to wait and see. I can't really gauge what the outcome is going to be, but I think I wrote a pretty good appeal.
Vic's mom is making progress, but slowly. The hospital actually wanted to discharge her next week, but none of us feels she's ready for that yet. Vic thinks that the hospital people want her gone because they need the room for someone else ~ I'd like to think she's wrong, but I'm not so sure. So for right now, she'll be in the hospital for at least another week.
I finally finished my Christmas shopping. I bought the last thing on my list online today. I also made out all my Christmas cards and I'm ready to start wrapping presents next week. Vic & I are supposed to put up the tree and lights tomorrow, so it should soon be festive around the house!
Feast One Hundred & Seventy One
Appetizer
What was the last game you purchased?
Battleship. Vic had never played before, but yet she somehow manages to always kick my ass.
Soup
Name something in which you don’t believe.
I can't believe that Bush ever got elected to President. Twice!
Salad
If you could choose a celebrity to be your boss, who would you pick?
Last year I would've chosen J.K. Rowling, but now that the last Harry Potter has been written, I think I would have to change my boss. Maybe Paul Newman. I'd never run out of salad dressing.
Main Course
What was a lesson you had to learn the hard way?
You can't drink from a bottle while lying on your back.
Dessert
Describe your idea of the perfect relaxation room.
Our living room when there's a nice fire in the fireplace and some soft Celtic music playing in the background while the snow falls lightly outside.
I'm also in the middle of appealing my grade for the Pathophysiology class I took over the Summer. I should have a final outcome sometime in the next couple of weeks, so I'm told. I guess we'll have to wait and see. I can't really gauge what the outcome is going to be, but I think I wrote a pretty good appeal.
Vic's mom is making progress, but slowly. The hospital actually wanted to discharge her next week, but none of us feels she's ready for that yet. Vic thinks that the hospital people want her gone because they need the room for someone else ~ I'd like to think she's wrong, but I'm not so sure. So for right now, she'll be in the hospital for at least another week.
I finally finished my Christmas shopping. I bought the last thing on my list online today. I also made out all my Christmas cards and I'm ready to start wrapping presents next week. Vic & I are supposed to put up the tree and lights tomorrow, so it should soon be festive around the house!
Feast One Hundred & Seventy One
Appetizer
What was the last game you purchased?
Battleship. Vic had never played before, but yet she somehow manages to always kick my ass.
Soup
Name something in which you don’t believe.
I can't believe that Bush ever got elected to President. Twice!
Salad
If you could choose a celebrity to be your boss, who would you pick?
Last year I would've chosen J.K. Rowling, but now that the last Harry Potter has been written, I think I would have to change my boss. Maybe Paul Newman. I'd never run out of salad dressing.
Main Course
What was a lesson you had to learn the hard way?
You can't drink from a bottle while lying on your back.
Dessert
Describe your idea of the perfect relaxation room.
Our living room when there's a nice fire in the fireplace and some soft Celtic music playing in the background while the snow falls lightly outside.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Bad Blogger
This has really been a bad week for blogging. A very good week for being busy, though. I've got two finals next week ~ on the same night. I guess my weekend will be filled with studying and trying to work on my Christmas card list and putting up some decorations. And staying out of the snow. We're supposed to get 3"-5" this weekend. I'll believe it when I see it.
Where did Autumn go?? Vic & I were going to take Shannon to the park to look at the leaves, and now it's going to snow! We missed all the Autumnal colors. I guess we were both so busy with school and work and visiting her mom in the hospital that we just let the time slip away. Bummer.
Feast One Hundred & Seventy
Appetizer
What is your favorite carnival/amusement park ride?
I used to love roller coasters, but now the thought of them just makes my stomach queasy.
Soup
How do you react in uncomfortable social situations?
I usually just sit back and keep my mouth shut. Or I leave.
Salad
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy discussing deep, philosophical topics?
5, I guess
Main Course
Did you get a flu shot this year? If not, do you plan to?
No and I won't this year since the year is almost over and I don't have insurance.
Dessert
Approximately how many hours per week do you spend watching television?
About 25. I usually fall asleep during alot of it, though.
Where did Autumn go?? Vic & I were going to take Shannon to the park to look at the leaves, and now it's going to snow! We missed all the Autumnal colors. I guess we were both so busy with school and work and visiting her mom in the hospital that we just let the time slip away. Bummer.
Feast One Hundred & Seventy
Appetizer
What is your favorite carnival/amusement park ride?
I used to love roller coasters, but now the thought of them just makes my stomach queasy.
Soup
How do you react in uncomfortable social situations?
I usually just sit back and keep my mouth shut. Or I leave.
Salad
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy discussing deep, philosophical topics?
5, I guess
Main Course
Did you get a flu shot this year? If not, do you plan to?
No and I won't this year since the year is almost over and I don't have insurance.
Dessert
Approximately how many hours per week do you spend watching television?
About 25. I usually fall asleep during alot of it, though.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Beige Friday
This is a picture of what our backyard looked like when I woke up Thanksgiving morning. It snowed pretty much the whole day, but the only flakes that actually stuck were the ones that fell overnight. Needless to say, I was very excited for Vic & Shannon, and couldn't wait for them to wake up to see our grass lightly covered in snow. So I waited for them to wake up. And waited. And waited. You see, both Vic & Shannon seem to need a minimun of 9-10 hours of sleep, especially on non-work days. (I have no clue what Shannon does around the house on work days.) So, consequently, by the time they both plodded sleepy-eyed downstairs, the snow was all gone. I'm pretty sure, however, that we'll have more before the winter season is thru.
Speaking of sleeping in...did anyone participate in the Black Friday festivities? When the Thursday morning paper came, I read thru all the ads, made a list of the items I thought were good buys and plotted out a course of action for Friday morning. I figured that if Vic & I got up by 4am (Vic up by 4am!), we could be outside the first store by 5:00 and be one of the first ones thru the door when they opened at 6:00. I was feeling very proud of my craftiness...until I saw on Thursday afternoon's news that people were already lined up outside the stores and it wasn't even 1:00! That when I crumpled up the deviously cunning plot and said "screw it" ~ no bargain is worth camping out overnight on a store's sidewalk! So we all slept in on not-so-Black Friday (of course Vic & Shannon slept later) and just enjoyed the day off.
Speaking of sleeping in...did anyone participate in the Black Friday festivities? When the Thursday morning paper came, I read thru all the ads, made a list of the items I thought were good buys and plotted out a course of action for Friday morning. I figured that if Vic & I got up by 4am (Vic up by 4am!), we could be outside the first store by 5:00 and be one of the first ones thru the door when they opened at 6:00. I was feeling very proud of my craftiness...until I saw on Thursday afternoon's news that people were already lined up outside the stores and it wasn't even 1:00! That when I crumpled up the deviously cunning plot and said "screw it" ~ no bargain is worth camping out overnight on a store's sidewalk! So we all slept in on not-so-Black Friday (of course Vic & Shannon slept later) and just enjoyed the day off.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Blogging Buddies
As you can see, I've finally gotten around to updating my blog (somewhat). I've really met a lot of nice bloggers and I wanted to share them with other visitors who might wander into my blog. I started blogging shortly before Vic & I made the arduous move from Florida to Michigan almost 3 years ago. I wanted a way to keep in touch with the friends we were going to leave behind, and my friend Shawn turned me onto blogging. Thru Shawn's blog, either directly or indirectly, I met most of the bloggers I now visit regularly. These are some of the nicest people (and kitties) I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. I've found that I'm genuinely concerned about their cats, sheep, chickens and the other goings-on in their lives. And I love the pictures that accompany the invitations into their lives ~ some of the most beautiful photos of European countrysides and just nature in general can be found here.
So to all my blogger friends, I'd like to say that I'm so glad I've met you all and I thank you for providing me with a glimpse into your lives. I hope you've all had a great Thanksgiving (or in the U.K., I hope you had a great Thursday) and I wish everyone a great upcoming 2008!
So to all my blogger friends, I'd like to say that I'm so glad I've met you all and I thank you for providing me with a glimpse into your lives. I hope you've all had a great Thanksgiving (or in the U.K., I hope you had a great Thursday) and I wish everyone a great upcoming 2008!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Friday Happy Dance
Yes, today is technically Wednesday, but since I'm off from work on Thursday & Friday, I got to do the Friday Happy Dance today! Yea!! I am soooo looking forward to this upcoming long weekend. Our plans for tomorrow are to visit Vic's mom in the hospital in the moring and then Vic will cook enough food for the whole street while I curl up in front of the fire and fall asleep while watching football. Sounds perfect to me. And it may actually snow tomorrow, too. It's been raining all day today and the weather guy says it'll flurriate after midnight. We'll see. Both Vickie & Shannon are very excited at the prospect of snow. Not so much me.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Monday, November 19, 2007
No Time
I have been trying all weekend to sit down and blog, but it seems like I just haven't had any time. At all! I've wanted to re-work my blog so that I can add links to other people's blogs I really enjoy reading, but I just can't devote the 20 or 30 minutes to it. I'm hoping I'll have some "down time" on Thanksgiving and the day after (my two days off!).
Vic & I spent all weekend ~ that's ALL FREAKING WEEKEND ~ splitting firewood. I love our little wood-burning stove, but we have to take any wood we get for it and make it smaller. So instead of spending all winter axing away, we rented a log splitte at our handy neighborhood testosterone-laden rent-all place, got about a gazillion logs and started splitting away. It's a lot easier than the old axe method, but still pretty back-breaking work. And I've got a nice roaring fire a-blazing away right now. But all this splitting left me no time to blog.
I was also busy writing a paper. Not just any paper, mind you, but a grade appeal request. I'm appealing the grade I received in Pathophysiology during the Summer. I missed getting an A by 9/10ths of a point and my instructor is an unapproachable snitty bitch-face who screwed up my perfect 4.0 GPA, so I'm appealing on the grounds that she's a snitty bitch-face. Of course, I worded it a little differently and sprinklin in some big words like "attainable" and "participatory" so that it would sound a little better. I figure it can't hurt to try and if nothing else, it'll inconvenience her over the holiday.
Now to the 3 day old feast...
Feast One Hundred & Sixty Nine
Appetizer What was your first “real” job?
I worked at my grandma's ice cream parlor. She paid me, so I guess it counts. My first job where I was introduced to the wonder of FICA and social security tax was at McDonald's.
Soup Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?
To the craft room. I still haven't come up with an appropriate name for that room yet!
Salad Complete this sentence: I am embarrassed when…
I am embarrassed when I smile. I had a bout of Bell's Palsy 12 years ago and it left me with a crooked smile.
Main What values did your parents instill in you?
Don't have children.
Dessert Name 3 fads from your teenage years.
Hair bands, carrying your comb in your really long sock, flair jeans.
Vic & I spent all weekend ~ that's ALL FREAKING WEEKEND ~ splitting firewood. I love our little wood-burning stove, but we have to take any wood we get for it and make it smaller. So instead of spending all winter axing away, we rented a log splitte at our handy neighborhood testosterone-laden rent-all place, got about a gazillion logs and started splitting away. It's a lot easier than the old axe method, but still pretty back-breaking work. And I've got a nice roaring fire a-blazing away right now. But all this splitting left me no time to blog.
I was also busy writing a paper. Not just any paper, mind you, but a grade appeal request. I'm appealing the grade I received in Pathophysiology during the Summer. I missed getting an A by 9/10ths of a point and my instructor is an unapproachable snitty bitch-face who screwed up my perfect 4.0 GPA, so I'm appealing on the grounds that she's a snitty bitch-face. Of course, I worded it a little differently and sprinklin in some big words like "attainable" and "participatory" so that it would sound a little better. I figure it can't hurt to try and if nothing else, it'll inconvenience her over the holiday.
Now to the 3 day old feast...
Feast One Hundred & Sixty Nine
Appetizer What was your first “real” job?
I worked at my grandma's ice cream parlor. She paid me, so I guess it counts. My first job where I was introduced to the wonder of FICA and social security tax was at McDonald's.
Soup Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?
To the craft room. I still haven't come up with an appropriate name for that room yet!
Salad Complete this sentence: I am embarrassed when…
I am embarrassed when I smile. I had a bout of Bell's Palsy 12 years ago and it left me with a crooked smile.
Main What values did your parents instill in you?
Don't have children.
Dessert Name 3 fads from your teenage years.
Hair bands, carrying your comb in your really long sock, flair jeans.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Stuff
One of the nicer perks of my new job is that we're off on Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. With pay. After you've been there for 6 months. So it's kind've a bummer that I won't get those days off paid, but it'll be really nice having those days off period. My entire life, every full-time job I've ever held has required I work on holidays. The next 6 weeks or so will be a nice change of pace! And BONUS!, next month I'll get to wear my many, many Christmas socks!
Vic's mom is still in ICU, but doing better...I think. She's able to communicate and the doctors have finally removed the chest tubes. She's been eating popsicles and drinking liquids off and on, but most of it still runs out the hole in her neck. I guess it's going to take a while for it to close up completely.
Friday & Saturday the weather was quite chilly and now for the last couple of days it's been unseasonably warm. Indian summer, I guess. I wish the weather would stay like this for the rest of winter!
I have my third test in Microbiology tomorrow. So far I'm getting an A, so I hope I can keep it up. I have a great teacher and the class is pretty interesting; and because it starts at 4pm, I get out of work an hour early every Wednesday. Yea!
Vic's mom is still in ICU, but doing better...I think. She's able to communicate and the doctors have finally removed the chest tubes. She's been eating popsicles and drinking liquids off and on, but most of it still runs out the hole in her neck. I guess it's going to take a while for it to close up completely.
Friday & Saturday the weather was quite chilly and now for the last couple of days it's been unseasonably warm. Indian summer, I guess. I wish the weather would stay like this for the rest of winter!
I have my third test in Microbiology tomorrow. So far I'm getting an A, so I hope I can keep it up. I have a great teacher and the class is pretty interesting; and because it starts at 4pm, I get out of work an hour early every Wednesday. Yea!
Friday, November 09, 2007
A Week of Yeas!
This week...I got my first paycheck at the new job, finally found a radio station at work that doesn't play 24-hr Christmas music, got an A on my Microbiology test, found a quarter on the ground and got free stuff from the AccuChek salesman that came to work to demonstrate his new products. Yea! You can never have enough pens imprinted with prescription medications on them!
Feast One Hundred & Sixty Eight
Appetizer
Which snack do you like to get when you go to the movies?
Raisinets and popcorn (not too much butter)
Soup
What year did you start using the internet?
I guess it would be 1986 or 1987
Salad
What is your first name in Pig Latin?
Aseycay
Main Course
Name something you are picky about.
Things being put back where they belong after you use them
Dessert
Fill in the blanks: I ____ ____ yesterday and I ____ ____ today.
I chopped wood yesterday and I plan on taking a nap before Vic gets home from work today.
Feast One Hundred & Sixty Eight
Appetizer
Which snack do you like to get when you go to the movies?
Raisinets and popcorn (not too much butter)
Soup
What year did you start using the internet?
I guess it would be 1986 or 1987
Salad
What is your first name in Pig Latin?
Aseycay
Main Course
Name something you are picky about.
Things being put back where they belong after you use them
Dessert
Fill in the blanks: I ____ ____ yesterday and I ____ ____ today.
I chopped wood yesterday and I plan on taking a nap before Vic gets home from work today.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Fleas Navidad
I get to have a small radio on my desk at work...YEA! I can only pick up two stations clearly; one is country and the other is non-stop Christmas music...BOO! Since I would rather rip my toenails out than listen to country music, I'm stuck in 24-hr yuletidiness. It's non-stop Johnny Mathis, Carpenters and that Boston Pops song with the fake horse whinny at the end. If I hear too many more sleigh bells ring-ting-ting-a-ling or rock around the Christmas tree much more or hear how it's beginning to look alot like Christmas I may just stand up on my swivelly desk chair and scream hysterically over my cubicle.
Birthday hint: A small radio/cd player for my desk. Emphasis on the cd part.
Birthday hint: A small radio/cd player for my desk. Emphasis on the cd part.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Cubicle
Halloween is over and we decided to share the "remains of the day" with some of our backyard friends! Speaking of, it's now been a week since we've last seen Macy Grey kitty. We know she has daytime people, so we're hoping that they have decided to keep her indoors since it's been getting chillier at night. That's what we tell ourselves anyway. Now that the frost has started creeping in, we've had to bring in all the outside plants and a few small trees. We could have made room for Macy, too.
I've been at work a week now and I'm still happy with the position. The other day I took in some little baubles from home to put on my desk. In all my years of working, this only the second time I've had my own desk. And just the first time that I've had my own partitions. I have my very own cubicle! And my own phone extension! Now if I could just get my radio on my very own desk to pick up something other than the country music station!
Vic has been sick all week, so we took today off from going to the hospital. Her mom is sick enough already and certainly doesn't need Vic's germs on top of it all. So other than cutting grass, for hopefully the last time this year, we did a whole lot of nothing this Saturday. And it was great!
Feast One Hundred & Sixty Seven
Appetizer
How much money do you plan to spend this upcoming holiday season?
I'm sure it'll be way too much ~ it''s that way every year.
Soup
What was the last television show you watched, and was it good?
The British version of The Office on BBC America.
Salad
If you had to paint the walls of your living room tomorrow, what color would you choose?
Pastel yellow. That's what we painted it just a few months ago!
Main Course
Name something clever or practical you have thought of that should be invented, but hasn’t yet.
Affordable airline tickets so that everyone could take their "trip of a lifetime" without having to save for years to do it.
Dessert
List 3 things you would like to receive as gifts this upcoming holiday season.
1.)A laptop 2.)A new terrycloth robe 3.)Q-tips (we're almost out)
I've been at work a week now and I'm still happy with the position. The other day I took in some little baubles from home to put on my desk. In all my years of working, this only the second time I've had my own desk. And just the first time that I've had my own partitions. I have my very own cubicle! And my own phone extension! Now if I could just get my radio on my very own desk to pick up something other than the country music station!
Vic has been sick all week, so we took today off from going to the hospital. Her mom is sick enough already and certainly doesn't need Vic's germs on top of it all. So other than cutting grass, for hopefully the last time this year, we did a whole lot of nothing this Saturday. And it was great!
Feast One Hundred & Sixty Seven
Appetizer
How much money do you plan to spend this upcoming holiday season?
I'm sure it'll be way too much ~ it''s that way every year.
Soup
What was the last television show you watched, and was it good?
The British version of The Office on BBC America.
Salad
If you had to paint the walls of your living room tomorrow, what color would you choose?
Pastel yellow. That's what we painted it just a few months ago!
Main Course
Name something clever or practical you have thought of that should be invented, but hasn’t yet.
Affordable airline tickets so that everyone could take their "trip of a lifetime" without having to save for years to do it.
Dessert
List 3 things you would like to receive as gifts this upcoming holiday season.
1.)A laptop 2.)A new terrycloth robe 3.)Q-tips (we're almost out)
Monday, October 29, 2007
Busy Weekend
I'm envious of people who spend their weekends doing nothing. It seems like Vic & I haven't had a "nothing" weekend since about March. (March is when Vic's mom went into the hospital for surgery and was supposed to be home within the week.) We spent all day Saturday driving around town, doing errands and running into store after store. Our plan was to get everything done Saturday so we could spend our Sunday visiting Vic's mom at the hospital in the morning and relaxing during the afternoon/evening. Wrong! We didn't actually get out to the hospital until around 4ish, even though we left the house at 11ish. We were going to stop at just one store on the way to the hospital ~ we stopped at many more than just one. It's starting to get really chilly at night, so we're going to have to bring the plants in and split some wood for upcoming fires soon. I'm hoping we can hold off for another couple of weeks, though, because I really want to just relax this coming weekend.
Vic's mom has been breathing without the aid of the respirator for longer periods of time. She actually said a few words to us during our visit Sunday. She puts her finger over the trach hole and sounds very raspy, but that's a major improvement for her. The nurse seems to think she might be home for Christmas. I think she's still got a long way to go, though.
No real news on my new job. These are the work days I like the most ~ when nobody expects anything of you and you get to sit around watching other people work while still getting paid for it! I've only been at work two days and I already miss being off. I bought lottery tickets today, so maybe I can be a stay-at-home mom again soon!
Vic's mom has been breathing without the aid of the respirator for longer periods of time. She actually said a few words to us during our visit Sunday. She puts her finger over the trach hole and sounds very raspy, but that's a major improvement for her. The nurse seems to think she might be home for Christmas. I think she's still got a long way to go, though.
No real news on my new job. These are the work days I like the most ~ when nobody expects anything of you and you get to sit around watching other people work while still getting paid for it! I've only been at work two days and I already miss being off. I bought lottery tickets today, so maybe I can be a stay-at-home mom again soon!
Friday, October 26, 2007
My 28th First Day
I estimated that today was the first day of my 28th job (both full & part time). For some reason I was really nervous this time. It felt like the first day of high school ~ "What if nobody likes me? What if there's nobody cool to sit with at lunch?" It turns out that everyone was very nice and I actually had two really nice people to share lunch with. My lunch was actually just a granola bar and a Diet Pepsi because I was so nervous this morning that I forgot my lunch. It was a nice little lunch, too. Bummer. Anyway, I was pretty overwhelmed with meeting everyone and learning so much new info, but I'm pretty sure that once I learn it all, I shouldn't have any problems. Now I just need to learn it all!
I took the final test for my Windows class last night and I got 100% on the test and an overall A in the class. I still have another 5 weeks to go in Microbiology. I've only got one more class to take before the surgical tech classes start, and that one class isn't being offered next semester, so it looks like I'll be school-free for the winter.
Vic's mom is able to communicate a little better, but she isn't feeling any better. Now that she isn't so heavily sedated, she's able to experience the pain more fully. I wonder if it was better when she was knocked out all the time ~ at least then she was healing and not feeling any pain.
Feast One Hundred & Sixty Six
Appetizer
Name a great website you would recommend to others.
I guess I'm incredibly boring, because I really don't frequent any one website a lot. I mostly just check my email and read a select few blogs. Although I do check out the Tigers website quite often during baseball season.
Soup
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 as highest), how often do you dream at night?
I used to have really weird dreams all the time, but now Vic wishes me her version of "sweet dreams" every night and I guess that psychologically scares the weird dreams away. Odd, huh?
Salad
Did you have a pet as a child? If so, what kind and what was its name?
We never had any pets, but I think I'm more than making up for it now! We have a dog, gecko, aquarium full of fish and 12 cats.
Main Course
If you had the chance to star in a commercial, what would you choose to advertise?
My own travel show!
Dessert
What is your favorite kind of hard candy?
Watermelon Jolly Ranchers.
I took the final test for my Windows class last night and I got 100% on the test and an overall A in the class. I still have another 5 weeks to go in Microbiology. I've only got one more class to take before the surgical tech classes start, and that one class isn't being offered next semester, so it looks like I'll be school-free for the winter.
Vic's mom is able to communicate a little better, but she isn't feeling any better. Now that she isn't so heavily sedated, she's able to experience the pain more fully. I wonder if it was better when she was knocked out all the time ~ at least then she was healing and not feeling any pain.
Feast One Hundred & Sixty Six
Appetizer
Name a great website you would recommend to others.
I guess I'm incredibly boring, because I really don't frequent any one website a lot. I mostly just check my email and read a select few blogs. Although I do check out the Tigers website quite often during baseball season.
Soup
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 as highest), how often do you dream at night?
I used to have really weird dreams all the time, but now Vic wishes me her version of "sweet dreams" every night and I guess that psychologically scares the weird dreams away. Odd, huh?
Salad
Did you have a pet as a child? If so, what kind and what was its name?
We never had any pets, but I think I'm more than making up for it now! We have a dog, gecko, aquarium full of fish and 12 cats.
Main Course
If you had the chance to star in a commercial, what would you choose to advertise?
My own travel show!
Dessert
What is your favorite kind of hard candy?
Watermelon Jolly Ranchers.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Good News, Bad News
The good news is that I've got a job! The bad news is that I've got a job. I've really liked being a housefrau these past couple of months. I've made myself little "to do" lists and have slowly been tackling projects around the house that I've kept putting off. It's nice not having to wake to an alarm every morning, too. But alas, in order to keep Vickie living in the lifestyle she is accustomed to (heat, food, All My Children), I must go out and make a little money.
I got a job offer from the company I had the third interview with. I start work on Friday, which will be 1 month exactly from the date of my first interview with this same company. I'll be working dayshift, weekends & holidays off, business casual dress. It's been years since I've worked a dayshift, so this will be quite an adjustment for me, but a nice one, I think. It'll be nice having my evenings free to do whatever. I hate having to dress up for work, though. Of course, I'll be able to wear my Christmas socks now...and I have heaps of Christmas socks!
I got a job offer from the company I had the third interview with. I start work on Friday, which will be 1 month exactly from the date of my first interview with this same company. I'll be working dayshift, weekends & holidays off, business casual dress. It's been years since I've worked a dayshift, so this will be quite an adjustment for me, but a nice one, I think. It'll be nice having my evenings free to do whatever. I hate having to dress up for work, though. Of course, I'll be able to wear my Christmas socks now...and I have heaps of Christmas socks!
Monday, October 22, 2007
Want Fries With That?
We got our computer back today - it was a problem with the memory. I didn't realize how much I've come to depend on my computer! It seems like there were about 300 things I wanted to look while she was gone! As soon as she got back home, I promptly did a backup of all our files and breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
Now that the weather is starting to turn a little cooler, the squirrels have been out in force burying their nuts for the winter. This little guy was enjoying a piece of apple tart in our backyard the other morning. And did I tell you that Macy Grey Kitty has day people? She came by the other night with a flea collar on! I attached a little note to it introducing ourselves, but she returned the next day with our note still attached and no reply. Vickie promptly cut off the note and the flea collar and we pretend we never saw it. I wonder if she'll come inside when it starts snowing?
My third interview went well, but then so did the first two! She said she'll let me know her decision tomorrow. I'll believe it when I hear it. You know what's going to happen, dontcha? I'll get three job offers all on the same day. Of course by then I'll have found gainful employment at McDonalds and who can turn down "all the fries you can eat?"
Now that the weather is starting to turn a little cooler, the squirrels have been out in force burying their nuts for the winter. This little guy was enjoying a piece of apple tart in our backyard the other morning. And did I tell you that Macy Grey Kitty has day people? She came by the other night with a flea collar on! I attached a little note to it introducing ourselves, but she returned the next day with our note still attached and no reply. Vickie promptly cut off the note and the flea collar and we pretend we never saw it. I wonder if she'll come inside when it starts snowing?
My third interview went well, but then so did the first two! She said she'll let me know her decision tomorrow. I'll believe it when I hear it. You know what's going to happen, dontcha? I'll get three job offers all on the same day. Of course by then I'll have found gainful employment at McDonalds and who can turn down "all the fries you can eat?"
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Sick
Here I sit at my college's computer lab using their computer to tell you all that I have no computer of my own...AGAIN! For some reason, it just quit working. No indication anything was going wrong, no slow-down, no awful clunking noise, no nothing! Phil, the computer guy, has had it since early Friday morning. I talked to him today and he assured me it is definitely not the hard drive (thank God!), but he still doesn't know for sure what it is. He did say that the unknown problem is pretty severe, though. I wonder if this is residual fallout from the previous virus?
I wanted to take this opportunity to say a great, big, bear hug of a thanks to everyone who has sent positive thoughts this way concerning both Vic's mom and my job quest. THANKS!! Mom really hasn't shown any improvement lately. She is breathing more on her own, but it's still very labored. There is really no telling when she'll be leaving the ICU and this is very frustrating for both her and Vic. I wish I had better news, but it seems like her condition changes daily and usually never for the better. It's almost like she only has bad days and worse days now. Poor Mom and Vic.
I have two interviews this Monday; the first is at a company that monitors people who have to wear those Britney Spears ankle bracelets ~ sounds kinda interesting. The second is the third interview for the medical equipment company I first interviewed with at the end of September! I guess they're just really slow movers. I haven't heard back from the hospital (the job I really wanted the most), but seeing that it took almost a month for these guys to contact me, maybe I'll be hearing from the hospital some time soon! I'd love to find a nice midnight shift job again, but I'll take just about anything right now.
Hopefully, I'll be able to give you all good news about Vic's mom and my job search from my newly fixed computer on Monday night!
I wanted to take this opportunity to say a great, big, bear hug of a thanks to everyone who has sent positive thoughts this way concerning both Vic's mom and my job quest. THANKS!! Mom really hasn't shown any improvement lately. She is breathing more on her own, but it's still very labored. There is really no telling when she'll be leaving the ICU and this is very frustrating for both her and Vic. I wish I had better news, but it seems like her condition changes daily and usually never for the better. It's almost like she only has bad days and worse days now. Poor Mom and Vic.
I have two interviews this Monday; the first is at a company that monitors people who have to wear those Britney Spears ankle bracelets ~ sounds kinda interesting. The second is the third interview for the medical equipment company I first interviewed with at the end of September! I guess they're just really slow movers. I haven't heard back from the hospital (the job I really wanted the most), but seeing that it took almost a month for these guys to contact me, maybe I'll be hearing from the hospital some time soon! I'd love to find a nice midnight shift job again, but I'll take just about anything right now.
Hopefully, I'll be able to give you all good news about Vic's mom and my job search from my newly fixed computer on Monday night!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Let The Wooing Begin
Ya know, I think I'm an above average interviewee. I'd even go as far as to say that I'm pretty darn good at being interviewed. I dress appropriately, nod at the right times, always maintain eye-contact, look interested, ask the right questions, and make quirky banter about non-work stuff the interviewer and I have in common, like pets or hurricanes. So why then am I not juggling job offers?! I should need an entirely different phone line just to handle the overwhelming amount of calls from prospective employers trying to woo me. A woo line ~ that's what I should have. I should be like a Lending Tree, deftly deflecting all the offers. At this point I'd even settle for being a Lending Shrub.
So why am I not a shrubbery? I tell myself it's because there was someone equally qualified as myself that also applied for the position, and the HR person just chose the wrong person. I tell myself that because I don't want to believe that the reason I wasn't offered the position was because A.)I'm gay or B.)I'm not physically attractive. I could actually understand being turned down for the B reason if I was applying at Mode Magazine and they had already met their quota when they hired Betty Suarez, but Mode is one of the few places I haven't applied to!
So, to all the employers who haven't called because of A or B, shame on you! And I wouldn't work for a company whose employees are shallow, misoginistic, narrow-minded, sexist, agist, homophobic, pencil-dick twits!
Of course, if you haven't called yet because Marge the coffee lady just passed away or some other office calamity has befallen you, then just never-mind about the last few rantings. I was overcome with temporary stupid-headedness brought about by my ever-dwindling checking account. When would you like me to start? And I need November 5th off for the Bruce concert.
So why am I not a shrubbery? I tell myself it's because there was someone equally qualified as myself that also applied for the position, and the HR person just chose the wrong person. I tell myself that because I don't want to believe that the reason I wasn't offered the position was because A.)I'm gay or B.)I'm not physically attractive. I could actually understand being turned down for the B reason if I was applying at Mode Magazine and they had already met their quota when they hired Betty Suarez, but Mode is one of the few places I haven't applied to!
So, to all the employers who haven't called because of A or B, shame on you! And I wouldn't work for a company whose employees are shallow, misoginistic, narrow-minded, sexist, agist, homophobic, pencil-dick twits!
Of course, if you haven't called yet because Marge the coffee lady just passed away or some other office calamity has befallen you, then just never-mind about the last few rantings. I was overcome with temporary stupid-headedness brought about by my ever-dwindling checking account. When would you like me to start? And I need November 5th off for the Bruce concert.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Looking Out My Backdoor
Okay, maybe not exactly my backdoor, but wouldn't it be great if it was? The leaves are beginning to change in my neighborhood and the temperatures are getting cooler. I know that the leaves are at their peak leaf-peeping colors in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan already. A lot of the trees around my area are starting to get redish at their tops, so I think SE Michigan should be awash in oranges and reds in just a few short weeks. Chimney Cricket is coming Wednesday to clean and inspect our chimney for the upcoming chilly nights. We're looking forward to building fires in our wood burning stove again this year.
Do you ever wonder who is reading your blog? Vic tells me a lot of friends we left behind in P'Cola check in on a regular basis to see what's new with us, but none of them ever leave a comment. So, anyone reading today's blog (not just the P'Cola folks) leave a short comment and let me know you're out there! I can't wait to hear from you!
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Good News, Bad News and No News
Good News
On our daily trip to the hospital on Thursday, Vic's mom was looking terrible. She went from pasty white to ashy grey and she looked the worst we've seen her since this all started way back in May. Friday, however, we got to the hospital and she was not only awake, but she recognized us and actually smiled! Yea!! She's still unable to talk (due to the trach tube), but she can answer simple yes/no questions and she seems very aware of her surroundings, so this is really a giant step on the road to recovery.
Bad News
Our computer started doing some funky stuff on Thursday, so I took it into the computer guy who kept her until earlier this morning. Turns out she had a pretty nasty virus. Fortunately, we didn't lose any data and we have a really nice computer guy who fixed the problem for free, so a bad situation actually turned out to be okay. He said the virus was spying on us and recording all our keystrokes. Kinda scary, huh?
No News
The lady I interviewed with at the hospital last week said I would definitely know about the job, either good or bad, by the end of this week. Well, the end of this week is officially over and I haven't heard anything. I guess no news is better than bad news, but it's still pretty frustrating. I've got an interview at another place on Tuesday and something else in the works, so hopefully I'll have some good news soon. Of course even better news would be that I won the lottery and didn't have to look for a job at all.
Feast One Hundred & Sixty Four
Appetizer
When was the last time you were surprised?
Friday, when we got to the hospital and found Vic's mom awake.
Soup
Fill in the blanks: My eyes are ________, but I wish they were __________.
My eyes are droopy (the right one) from a bout of Bells Palsy, but I wish they were not.
Salad
If you were a Beanie Baby, what would you look like and what would your name be?
I'd be a Blue-Footed Booby and my name would be Casey.
Main Course
Name two things you consistently do that you consider to be healthy habits.
Floss and treadmill.
Dessert
What brand of toothpaste are you using these days? Do you like it? Why or why not?
It's Crest Cool Mint something. I have very neutral feelings toward it. I use whatever makes Vic happy.
On our daily trip to the hospital on Thursday, Vic's mom was looking terrible. She went from pasty white to ashy grey and she looked the worst we've seen her since this all started way back in May. Friday, however, we got to the hospital and she was not only awake, but she recognized us and actually smiled! Yea!! She's still unable to talk (due to the trach tube), but she can answer simple yes/no questions and she seems very aware of her surroundings, so this is really a giant step on the road to recovery.
Bad News
Our computer started doing some funky stuff on Thursday, so I took it into the computer guy who kept her until earlier this morning. Turns out she had a pretty nasty virus. Fortunately, we didn't lose any data and we have a really nice computer guy who fixed the problem for free, so a bad situation actually turned out to be okay. He said the virus was spying on us and recording all our keystrokes. Kinda scary, huh?
No News
The lady I interviewed with at the hospital last week said I would definitely know about the job, either good or bad, by the end of this week. Well, the end of this week is officially over and I haven't heard anything. I guess no news is better than bad news, but it's still pretty frustrating. I've got an interview at another place on Tuesday and something else in the works, so hopefully I'll have some good news soon. Of course even better news would be that I won the lottery and didn't have to look for a job at all.
Feast One Hundred & Sixty Four
Appetizer
When was the last time you were surprised?
Friday, when we got to the hospital and found Vic's mom awake.
Soup
Fill in the blanks: My eyes are ________, but I wish they were __________.
My eyes are droopy (the right one) from a bout of Bells Palsy, but I wish they were not.
Salad
If you were a Beanie Baby, what would you look like and what would your name be?
I'd be a Blue-Footed Booby and my name would be Casey.
Main Course
Name two things you consistently do that you consider to be healthy habits.
Floss and treadmill.
Dessert
What brand of toothpaste are you using these days? Do you like it? Why or why not?
It's Crest Cool Mint something. I have very neutral feelings toward it. I use whatever makes Vic happy.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Macy Grey
Man is the only animal who will take in a completely different species, providing it with food and shelter, for no other reason than companionship. ~ Unknown
Growing up, we never had a pet other than some fish that mysteriously disappeared, aquarium and all, after about 4 weeks. I guess my mom didn't want to have to take care of a dog or cat and she didn't think I would or could do it, so no pets. I got my first cat when I was 21 and luckily I was living with someone who had pets all her life, so she was able to show me the ropes.
Skip ahead about 20 years... Vickie and I both share a love of animals, but Vic's need to take in every last kitty or doggie that makes boo-boo lips at her far outweighs mine. Throughout the years our conversations have gone something like this:
Me: No more cats. I MEAN IT THIS TIME!
Vic: Okay. I know you're right. No more cats.
That said, I'd like to introduce you to our newest kitty, Macy Grey.
Macy lounging on the patio after enjoying a snackie.
Growing up, we never had a pet other than some fish that mysteriously disappeared, aquarium and all, after about 4 weeks. I guess my mom didn't want to have to take care of a dog or cat and she didn't think I would or could do it, so no pets. I got my first cat when I was 21 and luckily I was living with someone who had pets all her life, so she was able to show me the ropes.
Skip ahead about 20 years... Vickie and I both share a love of animals, but Vic's need to take in every last kitty or doggie that makes boo-boo lips at her far outweighs mine. Throughout the years our conversations have gone something like this:
Me: No more cats. I MEAN IT THIS TIME!
Vic: Okay. I know you're right. No more cats.
That said, I'd like to introduce you to our newest kitty, Macy Grey.
Macy lounging on the patio after enjoying a snackie.Macy is actually an outside kitty...for now. We already have 12 (TWELVE!!) inside kitties, so we can't have any more (see the above conversation). Macy, however, showed up on our back porch one day and now visits nightly for kitty snackies and some light conversation. She's very vocal and loves to shmooze. She's also very territorial ~ she hisses at any other outside kitties that try to muscle in on her snackie/shmoozing action. We don't know where she lives during the daylight hours, but wherever it is her people must take pretty good care of her.
Today was the first day she stopped by during the day. It was quite a surprise to hear her calling us at the back door! I wonder what's going to happen when the snow starts falling in a few short months and it gets bitterly cold outside? I don't even want to think about it!
Friday, October 05, 2007
Positive Chi
I see I've been somewhat of a bad blogger this week. It seems like every day was filled with stuff, but when I look back on the week, very little got accomplished. A lot of time was spent going to and from the hospital to visit with Vic's mom. She had to have another emergency surgery yesterday to repair something that came undone from the last emergency surgery. She's still sedated and will probably remain so for at least another 4 weeks or so. It's hard on Vic (and everyone else who cares about her) to see her this way. It would be a huge relief if she could manage to just say a few words and know when we are in the room.
Yesterday, I had a job interview for a positon at one of the hospitals in town (we have several). I think it went really well and Ursula the interviewer said she will definitely call by the end of the week to let me know the result, either way. So send some positive thoughts Ursula's way and maybe I'll have some good news to report.
I've been working on homework a lot this week, too. Mine and my friend Laurie's. We are both taking a class called Intro to Windows. It's only a 5-week course and I thought it would be a piece of cake and an easy A. I guess that really only applies if you know something about computers, because although it's cake for me, it's more like a big popcorn kernal stuck in your tooth for Laurie. I hope I'm able to help her out, because I'd hate to see her have to take the class over again.
So this coming week I'll be working on 1.)looking for a job, 2.)doing well on my first Micro quiz, and 3.)trying to focus positive energy in the direction of Vic's mom, my job prospects, and school work in general. Maybe if you're not busy, you could send some positive thoughts my way, too.
Feast One Hundred & Sixty Three
Appetizer
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you look forward to your birthday?
About a 5. Birthdays stopped being a big deal for me at around 13. Instead of a gift someone feels obligated to buy, I'd rather have a nice card to let me know you're thinking of me. Or breakfast at a bagel shop. I love bagels! (My b-day is Dec. 12th)
Soup
What is one word you don’t like the sound, spelling, or meaning of?
Lesbian. Lezzzzzbian - It sounds hard and scary and it makes me think of a mob of angry ax-wielding women on PMS. Why can't we just say "women" and be done with it? Do we really need that label?
Salad
Do you wear sunglasses when you’re outside? If so, what does your current pair look like?
Yes, when it's sunny. I always buy the cheapo ones - they are close to my hair color, goldish.
Main Course
If you were to write a book, to whom would you dedicate it?
To all the people who never believed in me....HA!
Dessert
Name a beverage that you enjoy.
On a hot day, nothing beats an ice cold Diet Pepsi. Or a pina colada with pineapple chunks and orange slices on a little red sword.
Yesterday, I had a job interview for a positon at one of the hospitals in town (we have several). I think it went really well and Ursula the interviewer said she will definitely call by the end of the week to let me know the result, either way. So send some positive thoughts Ursula's way and maybe I'll have some good news to report.
I've been working on homework a lot this week, too. Mine and my friend Laurie's. We are both taking a class called Intro to Windows. It's only a 5-week course and I thought it would be a piece of cake and an easy A. I guess that really only applies if you know something about computers, because although it's cake for me, it's more like a big popcorn kernal stuck in your tooth for Laurie. I hope I'm able to help her out, because I'd hate to see her have to take the class over again.
So this coming week I'll be working on 1.)looking for a job, 2.)doing well on my first Micro quiz, and 3.)trying to focus positive energy in the direction of Vic's mom, my job prospects, and school work in general. Maybe if you're not busy, you could send some positive thoughts my way, too.
Feast One Hundred & Sixty Three
Appetizer
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you look forward to your birthday?
About a 5. Birthdays stopped being a big deal for me at around 13. Instead of a gift someone feels obligated to buy, I'd rather have a nice card to let me know you're thinking of me. Or breakfast at a bagel shop. I love bagels! (My b-day is Dec. 12th)
Soup
What is one word you don’t like the sound, spelling, or meaning of?
Lesbian. Lezzzzzbian - It sounds hard and scary and it makes me think of a mob of angry ax-wielding women on PMS. Why can't we just say "women" and be done with it? Do we really need that label?
Salad
Do you wear sunglasses when you’re outside? If so, what does your current pair look like?
Yes, when it's sunny. I always buy the cheapo ones - they are close to my hair color, goldish.
Main Course
If you were to write a book, to whom would you dedicate it?
To all the people who never believed in me....HA!
Dessert
Name a beverage that you enjoy.
On a hot day, nothing beats an ice cold Diet Pepsi. Or a pina colada with pineapple chunks and orange slices on a little red sword.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Mom Update
For some reason, Vic's mom has taken a turn for the worse today. Hopefully this is just a temporary setback. It became very difficult for her to breathe and initially the doctors thought she had pericardial fluid obstructing her lungs, but now they're not really sure. They are going to put a scope down her esophagus tomorrow to take a better look and hopefully figure out what the problem is so we can start treating it. So, in addition to the 6 or 7 tubes she already had stuck all over her body, she now has a rather large breathing tube shoved down her throat, too. Needless to say, she's miserable...and so is Vic.
Feast One Hundred & Sixty Two
Appetizer
How are you today?
Frustrated because the Tigers were eliminated from the playoffs and because I still haven't found a job. Concerned because of Vic's mom's current condition. Giddy because I am starting a new cross-stitch (little mousies sewing). Anticipatory because my first week of classes is now over and I'm ready for the next 12 weeks to get going. And lucky because I have Vic whose nurturing side has really been highlighted since her mom's illness.
Soup
Name 3 television shows you watch on a regular basis.
Ugly Betty - I love Amanda & Mark
Grey's Anatomy - Hopefully there will be less whining this season
Masterpiece Theatre - They usually have British shows and we love the way those Brits talk
Salad
What’s the scariest weather situation you’ve experienced?
Hurricane Ivan in 2005 - it was the final straw in our decision to move north.
Main Course
If you could wake up tomorrow morning in another country, where would you want to be?
Ireland, definitely
Dessert
What do you usually wear to sleep?
A roomy t-shirt and boxer shorts.
Feast One Hundred & Sixty Two
Appetizer
How are you today?
Frustrated because the Tigers were eliminated from the playoffs and because I still haven't found a job. Concerned because of Vic's mom's current condition. Giddy because I am starting a new cross-stitch (little mousies sewing). Anticipatory because my first week of classes is now over and I'm ready for the next 12 weeks to get going. And lucky because I have Vic whose nurturing side has really been highlighted since her mom's illness.
Soup
Name 3 television shows you watch on a regular basis.
Ugly Betty - I love Amanda & Mark
Grey's Anatomy - Hopefully there will be less whining this season
Masterpiece Theatre - They usually have British shows and we love the way those Brits talk
Salad
What’s the scariest weather situation you’ve experienced?
Hurricane Ivan in 2005 - it was the final straw in our decision to move north.
Main Course
If you could wake up tomorrow morning in another country, where would you want to be?
Ireland, definitely
Dessert
What do you usually wear to sleep?
A roomy t-shirt and boxer shorts.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Escapee
What would you do...work at a job that pays well-ish, but that you hate, or work for less money, but in a position that makes you happier? It's hard to put into words just how miserable I was at my last job ~ when I quit, it felt like I had escaped from prison. Of course I didn't realize how difficult it would be to find another job, but I really don't think I would have changed my mind had I known. It's been great being off and I've gotten a lot of little stuff done around the house since I have all this free time, but I either need to win the lottery or find a job soon.I've already interviewed at a couple of places and have a final interview at one of them this Thursday, so I guess things are looking up. I know that great job is still lurking out there somewhere. I just have to find it now. I'll miss being a housewife, though. I'm hoping a winning lottery ticket is also lurking in the nearby area.
School starts again tomorrow night. This quarter I'll have Microbiology on Wednesdays and Intro to Windows for five weeks on Thursdays. The Windows class should be an easy A ~ it's one of those required classes every student has to take. Yawn. Hopefully Micro will be interesting and not too difficult.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Autumnal Feast
Happy Autumn! I really love this time of year and I'm really looking forward to the new leaf colors in the coming months. I'm hoping for a chilly October and November and a mild winter. I'm also hoping I'll fit into last year's winter clothes!Vic's mom's surgery went very well. She'll spend the next 10 days or so in ICU and she's in quite a bit of pain, but I think that's to be expected after having her insides all cut up and rearranged for the last 6 months. The doctor promised "no more surgeries," so now we just have to concentrate on getting her well again. Hopefully she'll be annoying the hell out of Vic in a couple weeks ~ that's usually how we can tell she's doing better.
We are babysitting a friend's dog this weekend. Actually it's just overnight, but it's going to seem like a week! Abbie is a chocolate Lab and only about 2 years old, so she has boundless energy and is practically bouncing off the walls. She's quite a change from our Shannon who is 9 years old and happiest when she can take a nap all night. Shannon is just very mellow where Abbie is a total spaz!
Feast One Hundred & Sixty One
Appetizer What is your favorite type of art?
I don't think I have a favorite. I really like paintings (any medium) of landscapes, especially nature.
Soup When was the last time you got a free lunch (or breakfast or dinner)? Who paid for it?
I guess that would have to be on my last day of work. The Lt. bought us pizza for dinner.
Salad On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how emotional are you?
About a 4 for every day emotional-type stuff. However, for some reason, I really get weepy about sports. Whenever I hear the playback of Ordonez's walk-off homerun that sent the Tigers to the World Series I get teary eyed. Vic usually laughs mercilessly at me.
Main Course Approximately how long do you spend each day responding to emails?
Hardly no time at all. Very few people send my emails that require a response.
Dessert To what temperature do you usually set your home’s thermostat?
It really doesn't matter what temp I set it on because Vickie always changes it to something colder.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Just Around the Corner...
Down the LaneI felt like adding a little color to today's blog and chose the above picture to do it with. Hope you like it. It seems very relaxing to me. I love the colors and the winding road and the bicycle. That's kind've how most of my evenings seem to me ~ relaxing. I had my second interview at Piper Industries and feel I did pretty well, but I don't think I got the job. I think the interviewer got the impression that I wanted something more than just 30 hours a week...and she's right. I can't help feeling that the "really great job" is just around the corner, but I just can't seem to make it to the corner. If offered the job, I'll accept, but I'll continue to keep looking around corners...or down the lane.
On the upside, being a housewife is great! While looking for jobs for myself, I've also been looking for higher paying jobs for Vickie. If I can find her a nice $30 an hour gig somewhere, I could stay home permanently. Maybe volunteer at the library or join a morning bowling league. I've really enjoyed keeping the house neat and tidy. I try to do something significant around here daily. If I don't hear from the Piper lady by Monday, I think I'll start painting the kitchen.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Aaarrrgghhh!
I guess I'm not one of those people who can whine "I never win anything." In the past I've won several contests, some kick-ass cool like our recent trip to London and some just blah like the Wendy's beach towel that we now use to dry Shannon off after baths. But yesterday I won another cool prize. On the way home from a job interview (more on that in a bit) I was caller 10 on the "beat the box office" contest and won 2 tickets to the upcoming Springsteen show in November!!! Yea!!!! The tickets don't even go on sale until Friday, but I know they're going to be $$$, so I didn't even think about going ~ who wants to spend heaps of money for seats that'll practically be out in the parking lot? But free, now that's a different story. I was so excited that I didn't even ask where the seats are. I guess I'll find out when the radio station promotion guy calls back in a few weeks. Bruce concerts are a blast ~ I've been to a few, one in a huge soccer stadium in Germany (1985). He always puts on an excellent show. I can't wait till November.
After sending out literally dozens of resumes, I finally got a call from one of the places. I had my initial interview yesterday and was called today to go to the second interview tomorrow. The job seems pretty cool (it's kind of an office assistant/gopher position) and the people seem nice, but the pay definitely sucks. And it's less than 40 hours a week, so no benefits either. But some money is still better than no money and it works great around my school hours. I haven't been offered the job yet, but at least things are starting to move in the right direction.
Did you know that today is "Talk Like a Pirate Day?" The day is almost over and I missed out on all the fun. The media really needs to make the public better aware of such things.
After sending out literally dozens of resumes, I finally got a call from one of the places. I had my initial interview yesterday and was called today to go to the second interview tomorrow. The job seems pretty cool (it's kind of an office assistant/gopher position) and the people seem nice, but the pay definitely sucks. And it's less than 40 hours a week, so no benefits either. But some money is still better than no money and it works great around my school hours. I haven't been offered the job yet, but at least things are starting to move in the right direction.
Did you know that today is "Talk Like a Pirate Day?" The day is almost over and I missed out on all the fun. The media really needs to make the public better aware of such things.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Leafless
This turned out to be a pretty uneventful weekend, but relaxing, which was really nice. We got the gutters cleaned out and put up the "leaf stay out" mesh stuff. My main job was to hold the ladder and get pelted with wet bunches of leaves. I excelled at both.
Vic's mom has surgery (again) this Friday, so we'll be spending the whole day at the hospital. The surgery is supposed to last several hours. Waiting around a hospital waiting room all day can really be frustrating. And tiring. Her mom is anxious to get the surgery over with already, but she's also a little scared, so I hope having me and Vic there will make her feel a little better.
Vic's mom has surgery (again) this Friday, so we'll be spending the whole day at the hospital. The surgery is supposed to last several hours. Waiting around a hospital waiting room all day can really be frustrating. And tiring. Her mom is anxious to get the surgery over with already, but she's also a little scared, so I hope having me and Vic there will make her feel a little better.
Friday, September 14, 2007
The Weekend Ahead
This picture pretty much sums up what our weekend is going to be all about ~ cleaning out the gutters and putting up "leaf stay out" things over them. Autumn is fast approaching southeast Michigan. It's starting to get dark earlier in the day and apple festivals are in full swing every weekend. We'll probably wait to take our annual trip to the apple orchards until October, but the yardwork is going to have to start happening soon. We decided to take care of the leafy gutters first and we'll probably be ordering firewood soon.
Autumn is my favorite time of year, more so since we moved back north! I love sweater weather and the beautiful orange and red leaves that will be soon gracing our yard. Everything just looks and smells great outside!
Vic's mom has her surgery to reattach everything this coming Friday. If everything goes as planned, she'll spend about a week in the hospital and then will gradually start back on solid food soon after that. Hopefully she'll be feeling good by Christmas. I expect her to be at 100% by then, but hopefully she'll be back on solids and able to move around a lot better.
Feast One Hundred and Sixty
Appetizer
When was the last time you visited a hospital?
Last week when Vic & I took her mom to see the doctor.
Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how ambitious are you?
Probably about a 6ish.
Salad
Make a sentence using the letters of a body part. (Example: (mouth) My other ukelele tings healthily.)
Timid Owls Eat Skittles.
Main Course
If you were to start a club, what would the subject matter be, and what would you name it?
"The Stitch Witches" and it would be a weekly meeting of people who like to do needle crafts (cross-stitch, knitting, crocheting) while watching Tigers games.
Dessert
What color is the carpet/flooring in your home?
We have beige carpet in the family room, icky brown carpet in our bedroom, blue/grey tile in the kitchen, and hardwood floors everywhere else. (I just Liquid Golded them this week!)
Autumn is my favorite time of year, more so since we moved back north! I love sweater weather and the beautiful orange and red leaves that will be soon gracing our yard. Everything just looks and smells great outside!
Vic's mom has her surgery to reattach everything this coming Friday. If everything goes as planned, she'll spend about a week in the hospital and then will gradually start back on solid food soon after that. Hopefully she'll be feeling good by Christmas. I expect her to be at 100% by then, but hopefully she'll be back on solids and able to move around a lot better.
Feast One Hundred and Sixty
Appetizer
When was the last time you visited a hospital?
Last week when Vic & I took her mom to see the doctor.
Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how ambitious are you?
Probably about a 6ish.
Salad
Make a sentence using the letters of a body part. (Example: (mouth) My other ukelele tings healthily.)
Timid Owls Eat Skittles.
Main Course
If you were to start a club, what would the subject matter be, and what would you name it?
"The Stitch Witches" and it would be a weekly meeting of people who like to do needle crafts (cross-stitch, knitting, crocheting) while watching Tigers games.
Dessert
What color is the carpet/flooring in your home?
We have beige carpet in the family room, icky brown carpet in our bedroom, blue/grey tile in the kitchen, and hardwood floors everywhere else. (I just Liquid Golded them this week!)
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Booby Update
You'll be happy to know (or maybe you won't care at all) that the Blue Footed Booby and the trunk he was sitting on in the middle of our family room have been moved to more appropriate locations in the house. I've also just completed organizing all our bookcases. When we moved in, over 2 years ago, we just upacked the book boxes and put the books anywhere on the bookshelves. I told Vic that I wanted the rearranging of the books to be one of our top priorities after we got everything unpacked. I guess my priorities shifted a bit because I just got around to the books today. It took almost 6 hours, but I think it looks heaps better.
Still no job, which explains why I'm getting all this stuff around the house done. I really really like not having a job, but unless we win the lottery, I'm going to have to go back to work somewhere soon. I can honestly say, though, that I don't regret quitting my job one bit. It was so bad there that I was getting physically ill...and was turning into quite the bitch, too. I'm confident something will turn up soon!
Still no job, which explains why I'm getting all this stuff around the house done. I really really like not having a job, but unless we win the lottery, I'm going to have to go back to work somewhere soon. I can honestly say, though, that I don't regret quitting my job one bit. It was so bad there that I was getting physically ill...and was turning into quite the bitch, too. I'm confident something will turn up soon!
Friday, September 07, 2007
Booby
Since painting the family room, we are slowly hanging pictures on the walls and putting other stuff back where it belongs. Right now we have a medium-sized trunk sitting in the middle of the room and on top of it are several stuffed animals; all bears except for one yellow Peep bunny and a Blue Footed Booby. Thus the picture...
Soup
Salad
Main Course
Dessert
The Booby, in case you are wondering, can be found only on the Galapagos Islands (and in the middle of my family room, for now). I really like our Booby, but he is a reminder of the unfinished projects we need to complete. Most of them I am unable to do without Vickie's help. I'm pretty good at scrapbooking and cross-stitching, but you definitely want to keep saws or other plug-in tools away from me. Maybe the Booby will motivate us this weekend...
Using only one word, how does grocery shopping make you feel?
Hungry
Soup
What is your favorite part about the season of Autumn?
The leaves changing color
Salad
Have you ever had any bad experiences online?
Not really. I hate when I get all those "enlarge your penis" emails, but I don't think that really counts as a bad experience.
Main Course
Name three things that make you happy daily.
Other than Vickie & Shannon...
1. the birdies and squirrels in our backyard
2. not having to go to my old job any more
3. the touch-lamp on my desk
Dessert
What one household cleansing or organizing item would you not want to be without?
A dustpan and the little broom that comes with it. (I'm always sweeping up kitty litter.)
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Karma and School
I'd have to agree with Autumn Zephyr's statement about college; I feel like I've been going since I graduated from high school in 1984 and still don't have any type of degree. I've got tons of credits - probably enough for at least a Bachelor's, but just not all in the same field.
I've been pretty diligent about my latest scholastic endeavors, though. I finally settled on pursuing a degree as a surgical technician and I only have 3 classes left before I can actually start the program! This upcoming semester I'll be taking Microbiology (with lab) and Intro to Windows (yawn). My remaining class is only offered in the winter or spring, so I'll take it then.
I spent all day today doing the "job hunt" thing. I've applied everywhere, including online, but haven't heard from anyone yet. I'm trying to remain positive about the whole thing, and I have been getting quite a bit done around the house and that's always a good thing. I just keep hoping that some of that good karma will come my way soon!
I've been pretty diligent about my latest scholastic endeavors, though. I finally settled on pursuing a degree as a surgical technician and I only have 3 classes left before I can actually start the program! This upcoming semester I'll be taking Microbiology (with lab) and Intro to Windows (yawn). My remaining class is only offered in the winter or spring, so I'll take it then.
I spent all day today doing the "job hunt" thing. I've applied everywhere, including online, but haven't heard from anyone yet. I'm trying to remain positive about the whole thing, and I have been getting quite a bit done around the house and that's always a good thing. I just keep hoping that some of that good karma will come my way soon!
Monday, September 03, 2007
LABOR day weekend
Vic and I spent our Labor Day weekend painting the living room (or the family room, depending on who you talk to). It was an icky shade of pukey tan. It is now a bright and cheery shade of Moonlit Yellow with an accent wall of Blustery Day Blue and Ultra Pure White trim. It looks about a trillion times better now. It would've been nice to just sit and relax, but now that it's done, I'm really glad we painted.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Martha
I went to Michael's yesterday to get a few unneeded items and use my 40% off coupon before it expired. So I picked up some pretty string from the Martha Stewart collection and took my purchases to cashier lady. Cashier lady told me that I could not use my coupon on any Martha Stewart items because Martha doesn't accept coupons of any kind.
Okay, first of all, who even knew Martha started dabbling in scrapbook stuff? I thought she was strictly pots, pan, over-priced magazine and sheets queen. And second, who knew Martha was so hard up that she needed my $1.60 and therefore would not accept my coupon? Bless her heart. I had no idea things were so tough for Martha. I guess once you're an ex-con, nobody will give you a break.
Feast One Hundred & Fifty Eight
Appetizer
Who is the easiest person for you to talk to?
Vickie. Always.
Soup
If you could live in any ancient city during the height of the quality of its society and culture, which one would you choose?
Not a clue. Maybe Rome. Definitely a place where I was royalty, though.
Salad
What is the most exciting event you’ve ever witnessed?
Magglio Ordonez's walk-off homerun that sent the Tigers to the World Series. That was on TV, though. In person, I'd probably have to go with Hurricane Ivan in 2005.
Main Course
If you were a celebrity, what would you do for a publicity stunt?
I'd do something good for animals. Maybe I could be the UN ambassador for animal rights. Angelina & I could sit next to each other on the UN jet and I could find out what the hell she was thinking when she wore Billy Bob's blood in a vile around her neck.
Dessert
What do you consider the ideal age to have a first child?
Late 20's. I think everyone should have pets first, though.
Okay, first of all, who even knew Martha started dabbling in scrapbook stuff? I thought she was strictly pots, pan, over-priced magazine and sheets queen. And second, who knew Martha was so hard up that she needed my $1.60 and therefore would not accept my coupon? Bless her heart. I had no idea things were so tough for Martha. I guess once you're an ex-con, nobody will give you a break.
Feast One Hundred & Fifty Eight
Appetizer
Who is the easiest person for you to talk to?
Vickie. Always.
Soup
If you could live in any ancient city during the height of the quality of its society and culture, which one would you choose?
Not a clue. Maybe Rome. Definitely a place where I was royalty, though.
Salad
What is the most exciting event you’ve ever witnessed?
Magglio Ordonez's walk-off homerun that sent the Tigers to the World Series. That was on TV, though. In person, I'd probably have to go with Hurricane Ivan in 2005.
Main Course
If you were a celebrity, what would you do for a publicity stunt?
I'd do something good for animals. Maybe I could be the UN ambassador for animal rights. Angelina & I could sit next to each other on the UN jet and I could find out what the hell she was thinking when she wore Billy Bob's blood in a vile around her neck.
Dessert
What do you consider the ideal age to have a first child?
Late 20's. I think everyone should have pets first, though.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Odds & Ends
* I decided that my next book is going to be Daisy Fay & the Miracle Man by Fannie Flagg. I wanted something light and humorous to occupy the next couple of weeks before school starts back up. I had forgotten about this book and found it on the bookcase while I was cleaning. What a nice surprise!
* I've been trying to exercise more and I think I'm doing pretty well, so far. I've been alternating bike riding and the treadmill. I can definitely feel the difference in my thighs.
* I got my hair cut shorter for the rest of the summer and Vic gave me the Miss Clairol treatment the other night. I'm not sure if we grabbed the wrong box or if the shorter length of my hair makes a difference, but my hair is now a lot darker; it's almost a reddish-brown color. I like it and it's nice to have hair that I don't have to fuss with.
* I've been scouring the papers and the internet for a new job, but no success yet. It's really hard to get a hospital job for some reason. I think it's one of those "you gotta know somebody" type deals. I'm getting a little frustrated. But I must say that I'm really enjoying the time off of work. I've been organizing like crazy and I'm getting almost-finished projects finished. I think next week I'll have to just give in and start painting. I absolutely hate painting! I just suck at it. Why can't I cross-stitch the walls instead?
* You know how you'll discover a food that's been around forever, but that you never really tried and now you eat it all the time? No? Well, I have and it's flavored Twizzlers. Who knew?
* I've been trying to exercise more and I think I'm doing pretty well, so far. I've been alternating bike riding and the treadmill. I can definitely feel the difference in my thighs.
* I got my hair cut shorter for the rest of the summer and Vic gave me the Miss Clairol treatment the other night. I'm not sure if we grabbed the wrong box or if the shorter length of my hair makes a difference, but my hair is now a lot darker; it's almost a reddish-brown color. I like it and it's nice to have hair that I don't have to fuss with.
* I've been scouring the papers and the internet for a new job, but no success yet. It's really hard to get a hospital job for some reason. I think it's one of those "you gotta know somebody" type deals. I'm getting a little frustrated. But I must say that I'm really enjoying the time off of work. I've been organizing like crazy and I'm getting almost-finished projects finished. I think next week I'll have to just give in and start painting. I absolutely hate painting! I just suck at it. Why can't I cross-stitch the walls instead?
* You know how you'll discover a food that's been around forever, but that you never really tried and now you eat it all the time? No? Well, I have and it's flavored Twizzlers. Who knew?
Monday, August 27, 2007
Finished
This turned out to be a pretty productive weekend as far as projects go. First I finished our London scrapbook. We took the trip in March '05, so finally getting the scrapbbook of our trip finished was quite an accomplishment. It seemed like there was always something to keep me from working on the book, but at the beginning of last week I decided I was thru looking at it and spent almost every night in the the craft room. Now I can finally get started on the every day journal of our life. I'm only 2 years behind!
I also finally finished the last Harry Potter book. It was definitely one of the best books in the series. Finishing it was kind've sad, though, because this means there won't be any more Harry books to read. I really became quite attached to him and the rest of the gang over the years. I'm not sure what I'll read next. I'm leaning toward either a Martha Grimes book or one of James Patterson's.
I also finally finished the last Harry Potter book. It was definitely one of the best books in the series. Finishing it was kind've sad, though, because this means there won't be any more Harry books to read. I really became quite attached to him and the rest of the gang over the years. I'm not sure what I'll read next. I'm leaning toward either a Martha Grimes book or one of James Patterson's.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Rainy Weekend
I just got home from my bike ride in the park and it looks like I just beat the rain. It's thundering & lightning something fierce outside right now. I'm glad I'm home for Shannon, because when it's thundering out, she gets to be the size of a chihuahua.
If it's not raining in the morning, Vic & I are going to try to do hit a few garage sales. We keep saying we're going to go some weekend, but haven't yet.
Feast One Hundred & Fifty Seven
Appetizer Say there’s a book written about your life. Who would you want to narrate the audio version?
Sigourney Weaver or Stockard Channing
Soup Take the letters from your favorite kind of nut and write a sentence. (Example: Perhaps every avenue needs understanding today.)
All little monkeys open new doors.
Salad If you could go back in time and spend one week in another decade, which decade would you choose?
The late 1800s, but only if I was very rich.
Main Course Name a song that brings back memories for you.
"Rock Me Amadeus" It was very popular while I was living in Germany and whenever I hear it I think of my time spent overseas.
Dessert Do you prefer to wash your hands in cold water or warm water?
Cold, I think.
If it's not raining in the morning, Vic & I are going to try to do hit a few garage sales. We keep saying we're going to go some weekend, but haven't yet.
Feast One Hundred & Fifty Seven
Appetizer Say there’s a book written about your life. Who would you want to narrate the audio version?
Sigourney Weaver or Stockard Channing
Soup Take the letters from your favorite kind of nut and write a sentence. (Example: Perhaps every avenue needs understanding today.)
All little monkeys open new doors.
Salad If you could go back in time and spend one week in another decade, which decade would you choose?
The late 1800s, but only if I was very rich.
Main Course Name a song that brings back memories for you.
"Rock Me Amadeus" It was very popular while I was living in Germany and whenever I hear it I think of my time spent overseas.
Dessert Do you prefer to wash your hands in cold water or warm water?
Cold, I think.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Life of the Unemployed
I wasn't sure what life would be like after I quit my job, but now that I've been a kept-woman for just short of two weeks I must say that it feels like the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders. Of course a different "oh my god, how are we gonna pay the bills when the money runs out" burden has taken its place, but that's for a different blog. I was sooo incredibly stressed out by my job ~ not just the hours and the people, but I think I finally reached that burned-out point where you just can't take hearing about another person who was raped, or kids stealing cars, or people screaming at me that they need the police to discipline their children. I had become so jaded and distrustful of everyone I met. I really needed to get away from the whole law enforcement arena.
I've been actively looking for another job, preferably in the medical field, but I've also been putting this "down time" to good use. Since I absolutely suck at painting, I've been concentrating on organizing; getting rid of stuff we don't need, creating better accesability to the stuff we do need, and trying to keep the house tidy (and somewhat clean) on a daily basis. I've also started exercising more and really working on trying to catch up with the scrapbooks. I know that eventually I'll find a job, even if it's just something short-term, so right now I'm just enjoying not having any work-related stress to deal with.
I've been actively looking for another job, preferably in the medical field, but I've also been putting this "down time" to good use. Since I absolutely suck at painting, I've been concentrating on organizing; getting rid of stuff we don't need, creating better accesability to the stuff we do need, and trying to keep the house tidy (and somewhat clean) on a daily basis. I've also started exercising more and really working on trying to catch up with the scrapbooks. I know that eventually I'll find a job, even if it's just something short-term, so right now I'm just enjoying not having any work-related stress to deal with.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
The Unsuccessful List
Since I am now at the tender age of forty-something, I have come to realize that there are some things I'm just never going to achieve success at in my lifetime. Although a little disheartening, I'm still pretty much okay with this realization, because there are a lot of things I'm capable of doing pretty well. But still, wouldn't it be great if I didn't have a list like the following at all?
Stuff I Will Never Do Successfully
by: Casey
1. Climb Mount Everest
2. Compete in the X-Games
3. Paint the bathroom trim without backing into it before it's dry or finding drip marks after it's completed
4. Pee while standing up (without dribbling on my shoes)
Stuff I Will Never Do Successfully
by: Casey
1. Climb Mount Everest
2. Compete in the X-Games
3. Paint the bathroom trim without backing into it before it's dry or finding drip marks after it's completed
4. Pee while standing up (without dribbling on my shoes)
Monday, August 20, 2007
A Splash of Nice
The picture of Vickie shmooshing her nose against my Jeep window has absolutely nothing to do with this past weekend, but I really thought it would be a waste not to share her weirdo-ness with everyone I know. This past Saturday was a beautiful, breezy day...which turned to cold and rainy by the evening. It's been raining non-stop since about 7pm Saturday night. This is actually a good thing because our grass really needed it and rainy weather is good for studying for finals. It's also been cold (ish). We've been wearing sweats all weekend and it's been kind've a nice change of pace. I'm sure we'll have plenty more hot days, but this little splash of Fall is a nice surprise.
Today was my last day of class (yea!) until the Fall quarter begins at the end of September. I think I did pretty good on my final, but won't find out for sure until later this week. I hate having to wait for my grade. I think they should be able to give it to us the next day. School twits!
Today was my last day of class (yea!) until the Fall quarter begins at the end of September. I think I did pretty good on my final, but won't find out for sure until later this week. I hate having to wait for my grade. I think they should be able to give it to us the next day. School twits!
Friday, August 17, 2007
Feasting
Monday is my last day of class, so a major part of this weekend will probably be spent studying for my final. I really want to get an "A" in this class. I'm looking forward to school being over; my plan is to begin the various painting jobs I have set up around the house. We really need to paint the living room, so that will probably be the first room I tackle.
Feast One Hundred & Fifty Six
Appetizer
Describe your laundry routine. Do you have a certain day when you do it all, or do you just wash whatever you need for the next day?
I usually wait until the laundry basket is full and then I'll start washing clothes. I really try to get all the laundry finished in one day.
Soup
In your opinion, what age will you be when you’ll consider yourself to truly be old?
I'm not sure. It'll probably be when I have to start wearing Depends.
Salad
What is one of your goals? Is it short-term, long-term, or both?
To get into better shape. I've set a series of short-term goals in the hope that this will make it easier to achieve my long-term goal.
Main Course
Name something unbelievable you’ve seen or read lately.
The Tigers have optioned Omar Infante down to their AAA Toledo club. Infante is an excellent utility player, capable of filling-in at just about any position. I think that was a real bonehead move on the Tigers part.
Dessert
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how happy are you today?
A solid 10. There is a wonderful breeze out, I don't have to go to work, and I'm looking forward to studying this afternoon and watching the Tigers whoop the Yankees this evening!
Feast One Hundred & Fifty Six
Appetizer
Describe your laundry routine. Do you have a certain day when you do it all, or do you just wash whatever you need for the next day?
I usually wait until the laundry basket is full and then I'll start washing clothes. I really try to get all the laundry finished in one day.
Soup
In your opinion, what age will you be when you’ll consider yourself to truly be old?
I'm not sure. It'll probably be when I have to start wearing Depends.
Salad
What is one of your goals? Is it short-term, long-term, or both?
To get into better shape. I've set a series of short-term goals in the hope that this will make it easier to achieve my long-term goal.
Main Course
Name something unbelievable you’ve seen or read lately.
The Tigers have optioned Omar Infante down to their AAA Toledo club. Infante is an excellent utility player, capable of filling-in at just about any position. I think that was a real bonehead move on the Tigers part.
Dessert
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how happy are you today?
A solid 10. There is a wonderful breeze out, I don't have to go to work, and I'm looking forward to studying this afternoon and watching the Tigers whoop the Yankees this evening!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
The Week In Review
Thursday - Thursday was my last night at work and it seemed like that night lasted a week! I thought 11:00pm would never come! But it did, and now I am a "kept woman." Our friends, Steph and Dee, drove up from TN and arrived shortly before I came home and we spent the remainder of the evening catching up on stuff.
Friday - We got up earlyish and the four of us headed north to beautiful Ontario, Canada and the Celtic Festival in Goderich. We took the ferry over, instead of taking the Bluewater Bridge, and took our time driving thru Ontario. The route we drove took us thru some beautiful farmland and into some quaint little towns. Along the way, we stopped for a quick swim at Ipperwash Beach on Lake Huron; I've now swam in two of the five Great Lakes. (Erie was the first.) We arrived at our motel in Goderich early that evening and settled in with a few beers and Mike's Hard Lemonades.
Saturday - We spent all of Saturday at the Celtic Festival. What a blast. We heard some great music and just spent the day relaxing and enjoying a few more adult beverages. That night, we made friends with our motel room neighbors, a couple of Canadian women who leave their husbands behind and have come to the last 8 festivals. They were really fun and we agreed to meet up again for next year's festival.
Sunday - We took our time driving back home and when we got to the border found we had a 3 hour wait at the bridge! So we took a detour and headed for the ferry...where we had a 3 hour wait. At least we weren't stuck on a bridge and we were able to get out of the car and wander around. Conveniently, there was a souvenir shop and an ice cream stand right near the ferry departure point, so we kept occupied.
Monday - Monday night we all went to the Tigers game. This was Dee's first ever major league sporting event. Unfortunately, the Tigers lost. The girls drowned their sorrows in MANY beers.
Tuesday - This was Steph and Dee's last night, so we grilled a few steaks (I set the table) and played cards (and drank) all night. This was a great way to end their vacation before their 12-hour drive on Wednesday. Vic & I always have a lot of fun when they visit. Steph and Vic went to school together, and I think she is trying to talk Dee into moving north. The Summers are just too unbearably hot in TN.
Wednesday - Today was spent catching up. I visited with Vic's mom for a few hours in the morning and have spent the remainder of the day doing laundry and studying for my final next Monday. The idea of not having to go to work hasn't really sunk in yet. I think I'll really feel it next week, after class on Monday morning. I'm looking forward to getting some stuff done around the house and just not stressing about that dumb job anymore. I'll keep you updated.
Friday - We got up earlyish and the four of us headed north to beautiful Ontario, Canada and the Celtic Festival in Goderich. We took the ferry over, instead of taking the Bluewater Bridge, and took our time driving thru Ontario. The route we drove took us thru some beautiful farmland and into some quaint little towns. Along the way, we stopped for a quick swim at Ipperwash Beach on Lake Huron; I've now swam in two of the five Great Lakes. (Erie was the first.) We arrived at our motel in Goderich early that evening and settled in with a few beers and Mike's Hard Lemonades.
Saturday - We spent all of Saturday at the Celtic Festival. What a blast. We heard some great music and just spent the day relaxing and enjoying a few more adult beverages. That night, we made friends with our motel room neighbors, a couple of Canadian women who leave their husbands behind and have come to the last 8 festivals. They were really fun and we agreed to meet up again for next year's festival.
Sunday - We took our time driving back home and when we got to the border found we had a 3 hour wait at the bridge! So we took a detour and headed for the ferry...where we had a 3 hour wait. At least we weren't stuck on a bridge and we were able to get out of the car and wander around. Conveniently, there was a souvenir shop and an ice cream stand right near the ferry departure point, so we kept occupied.
Monday - Monday night we all went to the Tigers game. This was Dee's first ever major league sporting event. Unfortunately, the Tigers lost. The girls drowned their sorrows in MANY beers.
Tuesday - This was Steph and Dee's last night, so we grilled a few steaks (I set the table) and played cards (and drank) all night. This was a great way to end their vacation before their 12-hour drive on Wednesday. Vic & I always have a lot of fun when they visit. Steph and Vic went to school together, and I think she is trying to talk Dee into moving north. The Summers are just too unbearably hot in TN.
Wednesday - Today was spent catching up. I visited with Vic's mom for a few hours in the morning and have spent the remainder of the day doing laundry and studying for my final next Monday. The idea of not having to go to work hasn't really sunk in yet. I think I'll really feel it next week, after class on Monday morning. I'm looking forward to getting some stuff done around the house and just not stressing about that dumb job anymore. I'll keep you updated.
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