My DH is mad at me. He was flipping through channel and All Dogs Go to Heaven appeared on the TV. I told DD, who was sitting on my lap at the kitchen table, "Look at the dogs!" Ava looked over and started watching the TV. Steve started flipping the channels again (after all, the pre-game shows have started), and DH cries out, "I want the dogs! I want the dogs!" So, DH turns back to the cartoon, and DD hightails it to the living room and tosses herself on the sofa. I started perusing the internet.
Well, as happens with TV shows, it was time for a commercial. Steve decided to flip channels to catch a glimpse of a football game. DD, not realizing that he wasn't planning to stay on the football channel, cries out in distress. So I bring her upstairs and tuck her in to our bed with her Maxie (my DH's dog from his childhood), Buddy (the puppy she has had since birth) and Jraf (the giraffe).
During this, B, our oldest, was supposed to be getting ready to take a shower. So, I get DD comfortable (hoping that she would fall asleep...it's near naptime), and start the shower.
My, but I do use the word "so" a lot.
I went back to check on DD, and B hollers out, "I threw up!!! Mom, I threw up!" I rush back to the bathroom, and see B bent over with his mouth open. He was letting the water from the shower head roll over the sides of his head and fall over his mouth, making it look like something was flowing out. "I'm just kidding!" he giggled, straightening up. Not quite 7 yet, and he's already playing pranks on his mom.
So, I did the mom thing and told him to wash his hair.
The joys of children....how many more years until I can pack them off for college?
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Due to popular demand
OK, my arm has been twisted (cha ching!).
This is the sweet potato casserole recipe that I "borrowed" from my friend Debbie. Who or where she got it from, I do not know. Note however, that this makes a lot, so I usually do a half recipe for just the family, and we still eat it for days afterwards as it's very rich.
Potato Mixture:
3 large eggs
5 lbs. sweet potatoes (peeled, boiled, drained & mashed)
2/3 c. sugar
2/3 c. melted margarine or butter
1/3 c. heavy cream
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
Beat eggs; stir in potatoes until blended. Add remaining ingredients. Spread in greased 2 quart casserole.
Topping:
1 c. light brown sugar
1/3 c. flour
1 c. finely chopped pecans
1/3 c. margarine or butter, cut into small pieces
pecan halves
Mix sugar, flour and chopped pecans. Work in butter with your hands until it makes fine crumbs and sprinkle over potato mixture. Garnish with pecan halves.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
This is the sweet potato casserole recipe that I "borrowed" from my friend Debbie. Who or where she got it from, I do not know. Note however, that this makes a lot, so I usually do a half recipe for just the family, and we still eat it for days afterwards as it's very rich.
Potato Mixture:
3 large eggs
5 lbs. sweet potatoes (peeled, boiled, drained & mashed)
2/3 c. sugar
2/3 c. melted margarine or butter
1/3 c. heavy cream
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
Beat eggs; stir in potatoes until blended. Add remaining ingredients. Spread in greased 2 quart casserole.
Topping:
1 c. light brown sugar
1/3 c. flour
1 c. finely chopped pecans
1/3 c. margarine or butter, cut into small pieces
pecan halves
Mix sugar, flour and chopped pecans. Work in butter with your hands until it makes fine crumbs and sprinkle over potato mixture. Garnish with pecan halves.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Long weekends
Ah, Thanksgiving weekend is almost over. It actually made me thankful that I have a job to go to. It's been a fun filled four days, with the kiddoes couped up for longer than they are used to. On the bright side, they did not fill the bathroom with water again. I'm not sure what they are up to now, but something tells me that ignorance is bliss....
We had the usually Turkey day fair, created by yours truely. I do cook a good bird, by the way. I started on putting everything together Tuesday,by doing all of the chopping of the veggies for the stuffing and for the broth and roasted veggie portion of the gravy. I chopped the nuts for the stuffing and the sweet potatoe (a la Quayle) casserole--one of the best but positively worth heath-wise. I'm not talking canned yams with marshmallows. I'm talking sweet potatoes, cream, eggs and spices with a pecan and brown sugar crumb topping. Mmmmmmmm. This was in addition to green bean casserole with a kick, rolls (OK, I cheat here and use premade, heat 'n serve ones), sage and onion stuffing made from homemade bread crumbs, cranberry sauce, and apple pie.j (<----the "j" is DD's contribution. "I need gotta push 'j'.") I had everything done by 3 p.m. Thursday afternoon. And the feasting commenced.
bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb(<-----also added by DD. "I need gotta push 'b' one time.")
I finally had to check to see what the boy children were up to... They have unloaded all of the shoes from the shoe box by the front door and are sending them flying with the sit 'n spin. At least they aren't playing in traffic and the sit n' spin is getting some use. Thank goodness for that!
We had the usually Turkey day fair, created by yours truely. I do cook a good bird, by the way. I started on putting everything together Tuesday,by doing all of the chopping of the veggies for the stuffing and for the broth and roasted veggie portion of the gravy. I chopped the nuts for the stuffing and the sweet potatoe (a la Quayle) casserole--one of the best but positively worth heath-wise. I'm not talking canned yams with marshmallows. I'm talking sweet potatoes, cream, eggs and spices with a pecan and brown sugar crumb topping. Mmmmmmmm. This was in addition to green bean casserole with a kick, rolls (OK, I cheat here and use premade, heat 'n serve ones), sage and onion stuffing made from homemade bread crumbs, cranberry sauce, and apple pie.j (<----the "j" is DD's contribution. "I need gotta push 'j'.") I had everything done by 3 p.m. Thursday afternoon. And the feasting commenced.
bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb(<-----also added by DD. "I need gotta push 'b' one time.")
I finally had to check to see what the boy children were up to... They have unloaded all of the shoes from the shoe box by the front door and are sending them flying with the sit 'n spin. At least they aren't playing in traffic and the sit n' spin is getting some use. Thank goodness for that!
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Countdown
Another day at the salt mine. Only 30 minutes to go until we close. We're off early today for Thanksgiving. For that I give thanks.
I've been killing time cruising the net, reading about stamping techniques. It's one of my hobbies that I find I have less and less time to indulge in. Although, I'm still hell bent on making my Christmas cards this year. I did make a few last year, but didn't quite get them all done in time to mail. And I wasn't completely pleased with the results. At least this year I have the idea together and have started the project. I'm doing a better job of assembly-lining, and hope to have stage 2 done by the end of this weekend. (haha) After I finish watercoloring everything, I will be ready to do all of the cut and paste work and then put everything together into the actual cards.
Twenty-six minutes to go....
I've already recorded the holiday greeting on for our office. Yes, that's my lovely voice that you hear when you call and the "night answer" message kicks in. Thank you for calling, but we're not here because our bosses are letting us have the day off while you slave away. Either that, or it's the weekend so leave us alone. And have a nice day. (<---that's for you DH)
No, I really don't say "and have a nice day." Well, not at work. I have put it on our home answering machine because it drives my hubby batty.
Eighteen minutes to go....
Saturday, I made the mistake of untying the children while DH was at school. Suffice to say, when he walked in after class, I was in the middle of flailing my arms around wildly after walking in on Sean filling the toilet with toilet paper and Ben and Ava throwing water from a plastic bottle, which they filled from the sinkful of water, all over the bathroom from ceiling to floor. He told me to leave and not come back until after they were in bed.
I decided to catch a movie, since I didn't want to go to the mall (and I thought the violent urge to cut my hair off might be stress motivated). After dialing Movie Phone, which I never believed anyone really used it, I chose Pride and Prejudice with DH's dream girl Kiera Knightly (which, by the way, she spells incorrectly. My best friend in preschool and kindergarten spelled it Kira, which is the right way and will always be the right way.). I have to admit that it was well done. (Although I still want to see the BBC mini-series version that I always miss when it's run on PBS.) It's a gorgeous movie and the audience got the humor.
Time's up....
Yea! Answering the phone killed those last few minutes. If I don't blog between now and tomorrow, have yourself a safe an happy Thanksgiving!!!
I've been killing time cruising the net, reading about stamping techniques. It's one of my hobbies that I find I have less and less time to indulge in. Although, I'm still hell bent on making my Christmas cards this year. I did make a few last year, but didn't quite get them all done in time to mail. And I wasn't completely pleased with the results. At least this year I have the idea together and have started the project. I'm doing a better job of assembly-lining, and hope to have stage 2 done by the end of this weekend. (haha) After I finish watercoloring everything, I will be ready to do all of the cut and paste work and then put everything together into the actual cards.
Twenty-six minutes to go....
I've already recorded the holiday greeting on for our office. Yes, that's my lovely voice that you hear when you call and the "night answer" message kicks in. Thank you for calling, but we're not here because our bosses are letting us have the day off while you slave away. Either that, or it's the weekend so leave us alone. And have a nice day. (<---that's for you DH)
No, I really don't say "and have a nice day." Well, not at work. I have put it on our home answering machine because it drives my hubby batty.
Eighteen minutes to go....
Saturday, I made the mistake of untying the children while DH was at school. Suffice to say, when he walked in after class, I was in the middle of flailing my arms around wildly after walking in on Sean filling the toilet with toilet paper and Ben and Ava throwing water from a plastic bottle, which they filled from the sinkful of water, all over the bathroom from ceiling to floor. He told me to leave and not come back until after they were in bed.
I decided to catch a movie, since I didn't want to go to the mall (and I thought the violent urge to cut my hair off might be stress motivated). After dialing Movie Phone, which I never believed anyone really used it, I chose Pride and Prejudice with DH's dream girl Kiera Knightly (which, by the way, she spells incorrectly. My best friend in preschool and kindergarten spelled it Kira, which is the right way and will always be the right way.). I have to admit that it was well done. (Although I still want to see the BBC mini-series version that I always miss when it's run on PBS.) It's a gorgeous movie and the audience got the humor.
Time's up....
Yea! Answering the phone killed those last few minutes. If I don't blog between now and tomorrow, have yourself a safe an happy Thanksgiving!!!
Shameless Business Promotion...
As the holidays approach, I must do a little business promotion…
Don’t slog through the streams of people at the mall, slowing circling the parking lot like a vulture and creeping behind your prey from the store exit to their parking space. Shop with me!!! (<----click) I can put together a gift for you. Don’t forget about teachers, co-workers, moms, sisters, wives, husbands, brothers, dads, girlfriends, babysitters, and holiday party hostesses. I can drop it off locally or ship it to your receipient (free shipping on orders over $50). Remember, order early, as some items will sell out!
Twelve Days of Christmas (12 box gift-tower, one for each of the 12 days before Christmas…I can leave one empty for your if you’d like to add something, too): $169-$239.
Satin Hands Set (includes hand cream, extra-emollient night cream, moisturizing wash and buffing cream): $28 ***best seller***
Coffee & Cream (coffee mug and gourmet coffee with your choice of “cream”):
Hand cream: $12
Shaving cream: $14
Mint Bliss foot and leg cream: $15
Give Her a Hand (hand cream, base coat, top coat and festive nail color): $25
Satin Lips Set (mask and lip balm): $18
Kissable Lips Set (Satin Lips set and Lip Outliner): $33
Pretty Pairs (nail color and lip gloss): $19
Deluxe Secretary Survival Kit (coffee mug, hand cream, Mint Bliss foot and leg cream, emery board, top coat, Satin Hands set): $61
Make-up Brush Set (5 brushes plus traveling case): $45
Eye Love It (oil-free eye makeup remover and Indulge soothing eye gel): $29
Private Spa Luxury Collection (sheer fragrance mist, body lotion, shower gel, sugar scrub): $58 ***note, the fragrance mist is more akin to eau de toilette, not an all-over body spray***
Tribute (my favorite fragrance): $40
For him:
Velocity gift set (cologne & body wash): $44
Tribute for him (cologne): $25
Domain: cologne-$34 , body wash-$18 , after-shave balm-$18
Check out my website for more gift ideas!
Friday, November 18, 2005
A moment
We had sandwiches for lunch that day. Sandwiches and lemonade--sweet and sour, with melting ice cubes rotating in lazy spirals. The condensation slipped down the acrylic tumbler and wedged against the table. I stared out over the field with grasses swaying to something like music, something just out of my hearing, leaving my ears straining. I wanted to kneel among those leaves and press my hands and face against their coolness and breathe the earth, to cocoon in the mass of greens and golds and browns and see how I emerged.
It was all a mess. Flashes of light. A prickly sensation through my skin. Heat. It was all that I could imagine, like some far away memory. It should be there, you've hear the story enough times, but there is just a vague shadow, an emotional imprint, but not a real image. Rather like peering into a room through frosted glass. I didn't know what to say. I shrugged and walked away.
It was all a mess. Flashes of light. A prickly sensation through my skin. Heat. It was all that I could imagine, like some far away memory. It should be there, you've hear the story enough times, but there is just a vague shadow, an emotional imprint, but not a real image. Rather like peering into a room through frosted glass. I didn't know what to say. I shrugged and walked away.
Saturday, November 12, 2005
76 Degrees +
My DH and I had an argument last night.
"Woman, it's burning up in here!"
"No, it's not."
"There's a reason why I'm running around in my boxers."
"There's a reason why I'm huddling under a blanket."
"Look at me. I'm sweating."
"I have been cold all day! I was shivering in my jacket at work. Someone set the thermostat for 73 degrees!"
"Um, that's called room temperature."
"Well, technically, any temperature that a room is would be room temperature."
We often wonder how we have stayed married. He's always hot. I think he's nuts. I am always cold when it's below 76 degrees. But, this Thanksgiving will be our four-year anniversary. We've survived San Angelo, three kids and the apartment from hell.
Here's to many more years of thermostat wars!
"Woman, it's burning up in here!"
"No, it's not."
"There's a reason why I'm running around in my boxers."
"There's a reason why I'm huddling under a blanket."
"Look at me. I'm sweating."
"I have been cold all day! I was shivering in my jacket at work. Someone set the thermostat for 73 degrees!"
"Um, that's called room temperature."
"Well, technically, any temperature that a room is would be room temperature."
We often wonder how we have stayed married. He's always hot. I think he's nuts. I am always cold when it's below 76 degrees. But, this Thanksgiving will be our four-year anniversary. We've survived San Angelo, three kids and the apartment from hell.
Here's to many more years of thermostat wars!
Friday, October 28, 2005
Typical day
Well, I just read our Office Administrator Manual from cover to cover in lieu of filing. Gosh, I missed quite a bit of info when I was sent home from our training session because of the hurricane that never hit Houston. It was rather enlightening, though. Now the fun part--getting everyone in our office to be compliant to the policies and procedures. They aren't too keen on that.
Oh well.
On the bright side I have cute kids, always smiling, doing what they are told, being polite and going to bed when they are told. My DH, on the other had, has kids who cry and refuse to put on their Holloween costumes for the party at daycare and sulk about brushing their teeth and refuse to stay tucked in.
This morning, our daughter threw a fit because DH would not give her cereal before going to daycare this morning. (She does get breakfast at daycare, too, so it's not like we were starving her by any means.) So, to show her displeasure, shrieked to the high heavens about having permission to wear her costume for the party today. Go figure. This is the costume that we practically had to pry off of her last week and had to put up in her closet to keep her from wearing it to shreds before Holloween, and she refused to wear it. Ah, the joys of childhood.
Oh well.
On the bright side I have cute kids, always smiling, doing what they are told, being polite and going to bed when they are told. My DH, on the other had, has kids who cry and refuse to put on their Holloween costumes for the party at daycare and sulk about brushing their teeth and refuse to stay tucked in.
This morning, our daughter threw a fit because DH would not give her cereal before going to daycare this morning. (She does get breakfast at daycare, too, so it's not like we were starving her by any means.) So, to show her displeasure, shrieked to the high heavens about having permission to wear her costume for the party today. Go figure. This is the costume that we practically had to pry off of her last week and had to put up in her closet to keep her from wearing it to shreds before Holloween, and she refused to wear it. Ah, the joys of childhood.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Well, it seems that it's been a while since I posted. I've been busy procrastinating again. Imagine that. Me. Procrastinating. I mean, really.
I'm a bit unmotivated at the moment. My "to be filed" piled has replicated exponentially. I have no idea how, but during the night the pile grows...and the more nights I leave it to its own devices, the greater the pile is. Worse than rabbits.
So, my new goal it is to be organized. I think I'll start next week.
Next month (oops, next week is next month).
Maybe it will be my New Year's resolution.
I'm a bit unmotivated at the moment. My "to be filed" piled has replicated exponentially. I have no idea how, but during the night the pile grows...and the more nights I leave it to its own devices, the greater the pile is. Worse than rabbits.
So, my new goal it is to be organized. I think I'll start next week.
Next month (oops, next week is next month).
Maybe it will be my New Year's resolution.
Friday, October 07, 2005
I was losing myself within the world wide web for long while today, between casual glances at the Wall Street Journal (it was sitting on my desk) and answering phone calls and organizing the people in our office, and figuring out a presenation for a lunch that we are sponsoring but didn't know anything about because our boss left the company and forgot to tell us, and reading emails, and putting out fires, and drinking a Diet A&W Root Beer and it suddenly dawned on my why I never get around to blogging: I'm too busy thinking everyone else's thoughts for them. (Gack...I just ate a rotten nut. It tastes exactly how a dirty diaper smells, and it's stuck in my teeth. Excuse me for a moment.)
OK, so I decided to attempt to have a thought to myself and I was smited from above, well, sort of...through a plastic bag.
Of course, I'm sure it the Red Bull talking now. After my forehead hit my desk, I decided to chug one down. Since then, I've straigtened up our breakroom, finished the WSJ and learned that a rubberband ball really does bounce, although not quite as high as the rubber ball my daughter left in my purse. By the way, no, I did not make the rubberband ball. It came that way. Although I think I'm going to tell people that I did make it, since they keep asking me while looking at me slightly sideways and with an eyebrow cocked. Ah, I am the poster child for what a college education will do for you. Tens of thousands of dollars spent so that I can play with a rubberbands. I make my parents proud.
OK, so I decided to attempt to have a thought to myself and I was smited from above, well, sort of...through a plastic bag.
Of course, I'm sure it the Red Bull talking now. After my forehead hit my desk, I decided to chug one down. Since then, I've straigtened up our breakroom, finished the WSJ and learned that a rubberband ball really does bounce, although not quite as high as the rubber ball my daughter left in my purse. By the way, no, I did not make the rubberband ball. It came that way. Although I think I'm going to tell people that I did make it, since they keep asking me while looking at me slightly sideways and with an eyebrow cocked. Ah, I am the poster child for what a college education will do for you. Tens of thousands of dollars spent so that I can play with a rubberbands. I make my parents proud.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Hurricane Tracker
Hurricane Tracker
Another way to waste a few minutes at work. You can watch old hurricanes spin around the ocean. I do have a legitimate reason to have this at work, though (we do have to prepare our tenants, after all).
Another way to waste a few minutes at work. You can watch old hurricanes spin around the ocean. I do have a legitimate reason to have this at work, though (we do have to prepare our tenants, after all).
1-2-3 Repeater
My husband is picking on me because I said "Oh Phooey!" What in the world does he want me to yell out him when our kids are in the next room watching Shrek? Especially when we have "repeater" children. In fact, last week, we were cruising the town in our mini-van with The Wiggles blaring, when our daughter yells out "CRAP!" from the back seat.
And let's not forget the time when our oldest son was two and he was trying to climb up on the sofa and couldn't quite get there. "Oh F***!" Not that that would have been my fault, any means, since I was a single mom at the time. (There, DH, I'm not saying it's your fault.)
Which brings us back to our daughter, again. Hubby was playing a wicked game of NCAA Football on the X-Box and have a bit of trouble with the computer "cheating," as he calls it. "That's bullsh**!" A few minutes later, DH gets upset again at the game (hey...no wet willies while you're reading over my shoulder!!!). DD, in her sweetest voice pipes, "More bullsh**, Daddy?"
So, yes, I watch my language now, and you'll hear an occasionally "phooey" and "drat" and "gaaaaaaaaargggggggg."
And let's not forget the time when our oldest son was two and he was trying to climb up on the sofa and couldn't quite get there. "Oh F***!" Not that that would have been my fault, any means, since I was a single mom at the time. (There, DH, I'm not saying it's your fault.)
Which brings us back to our daughter, again. Hubby was playing a wicked game of NCAA Football on the X-Box and have a bit of trouble with the computer "cheating," as he calls it. "That's bullsh**!" A few minutes later, DH gets upset again at the game (hey...no wet willies while you're reading over my shoulder!!!). DD, in her sweetest voice pipes, "More bullsh**, Daddy?"
So, yes, I watch my language now, and you'll hear an occasionally "phooey" and "drat" and "gaaaaaaaaargggggggg."
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Light a penny candle
My MIL sent this link today (OK, it really isn't "today" anymore as this has been sitting in my draft folder for about a month or so....): Candles. It was rather interesting to read other's posts on there and wonder what's going on in other people's lives.
Friday, July 08, 2005
Manners
This topic was posted in a yahoo group that I receive a digest from: Trolling
OK, I'll admit that I belong to a couple of groups with regards to the fact that I sell Mary Kay as a side job, and I like to learn about sales techniques and different types of classes. (Quick plug--fabulous skin care products with a 100% money back guarantee!!! My mother-in-law has used MK for years and she has amazing skin... click here.) The story begins with a woman, I believe, who no longer sells MK, but has decided to post some Canadian statistics on several boards, and knock a few people down a peg in the process. The flame war that ensued on one of the boards utterly amazed me. The anonymity that the internet provides certainly allowed for this escalate to the point where people were calling each other names and insulting their ability to even know how to breath. It was an internet "catfight." It was easy to imagine a high school girl fight with slapping and hair pulling and a few "b" words thrown in for good measure.
It's hard to believe that these are "grown" women. It reminds me of the conversations I had and posts I've read with regard to TV and changing the channel. What happened to these women's "delete" button? I know it happens in other boards, and I'm guilty of playing the devil's advocate from time to time; however, I usually do it tongue in cheek (e.g. on Bingo Ditch or Dingo Ate My Baby blog where I compared getting your nails done to swimming in Galveston Bay...which really is kinda true, inasmuch as you can get that flesh eating bacteria from swimming there...but I really was agreeing with my husband that there are certainly far more urgent issues.).
And what ever happened to plain and simple good manners?
OK, I'll admit that I belong to a couple of groups with regards to the fact that I sell Mary Kay as a side job, and I like to learn about sales techniques and different types of classes. (Quick plug--fabulous skin care products with a 100% money back guarantee!!! My mother-in-law has used MK for years and she has amazing skin... click here.) The story begins with a woman, I believe, who no longer sells MK, but has decided to post some Canadian statistics on several boards, and knock a few people down a peg in the process. The flame war that ensued on one of the boards utterly amazed me. The anonymity that the internet provides certainly allowed for this escalate to the point where people were calling each other names and insulting their ability to even know how to breath. It was an internet "catfight." It was easy to imagine a high school girl fight with slapping and hair pulling and a few "b" words thrown in for good measure.
It's hard to believe that these are "grown" women. It reminds me of the conversations I had and posts I've read with regard to TV and changing the channel. What happened to these women's "delete" button? I know it happens in other boards, and I'm guilty of playing the devil's advocate from time to time; however, I usually do it tongue in cheek (e.g. on Bingo Ditch or Dingo Ate My Baby blog where I compared getting your nails done to swimming in Galveston Bay...which really is kinda true, inasmuch as you can get that flesh eating bacteria from swimming there...but I really was agreeing with my husband that there are certainly far more urgent issues.).
And what ever happened to plain and simple good manners?
Friday, July 01, 2005
Dinner
We were out and about, looking for somewhere to have dinner one evening.
Ben shouted, "Let's go there!"
"There? Why?"
"Because they have balloons, and they're open!"
Sometimes the best lessons come from our kids. Balloons—who can argue with a priority like that?
Ben shouted, "Let's go there!"
"There? Why?"
"Because they have balloons, and they're open!"
Sometimes the best lessons come from our kids. Balloons—who can argue with a priority like that?
Monday, June 27, 2005
At Steve's request
OK, so Steve has been pestering me to post a blog. I've been busy. (Some of us work for a living--wink, wink). Usually I have some opinion that disagrees with my husband, but I can't think of anything off hand, and it's hard to type with wet nails. Although, it is easier on his laptop than on a normal key-board (thanks, honey).
Other than finally getting all of the paint out of my hair--only took 9 or so days--and working and playing with the kids and trying to make myself get up at 4:45 a.m. so that I can go to the gym before work, not much is going on. I did pull out a few grey hairs, too. I still need to research a few online MBA programs, so if anyone knows of any good ones, let me now. The company I work for offered to pay half.
Other than finally getting all of the paint out of my hair--only took 9 or so days--and working and playing with the kids and trying to make myself get up at 4:45 a.m. so that I can go to the gym before work, not much is going on. I did pull out a few grey hairs, too. I still need to research a few online MBA programs, so if anyone knows of any good ones, let me now. The company I work for offered to pay half.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Grrrr
OK, here's where my lowly admin's point of view comes into play. It has been yet another fun day at the office. I wait all day for documents that I was told we were sending to our Regional Director that have been sitting on the Vice President's desk. I have been in and out of his office pestering him for them. I have been back and forth with the Property Manager because she needs them signed so that we can have invoices totaling over $100K paid. (I composed this Amendment two weeks ago and it's been in limbo since).
So, five o'clock rolls around (quitting time) and it's still not on my desk. Fed-Ex has come and gone ,and I'm prepared to take it to Fed-Ex myself. I've been once again in the VP's office to pick up the paperwork. He's been on the phone.
Five-twenty rolls around...I'm back in the VP's office. "It's not going." Apparently, sometime between 4:30 and 5:00 (before the last phone call he received) this was decided. He told the PM, but not me. So, I have to cancel the shipment. Of course, I could have done this at 4:30, when it was decided that the documents were not going. For some reason, I'm the last to find out. It's always like that. I'm responsible to organizing everything, and get reprimanded when something falls through the cracks, yet I'm not never in the loop when decisions affecting my job are made.
So, those of you who have admins now...and those of you who will be using them often...take note. I really don't appreciate having my time wasted any more than you do. I don't appreciate being called out for a mistake or oversight when my own boss can't find the time or have the courtesy to pass on needed information. Yes, I know in this case it was only a Fed-Ex shipment, but when I don't get paid overtime because I'm salaried, and I have children waiting for me to pick them up, I feel a bit put-out.
Well, that's my gripe for the day.
And if that's all I have to complain about, I will consider myself lucky.
So, five o'clock rolls around (quitting time) and it's still not on my desk. Fed-Ex has come and gone ,and I'm prepared to take it to Fed-Ex myself. I've been once again in the VP's office to pick up the paperwork. He's been on the phone.
Five-twenty rolls around...I'm back in the VP's office. "It's not going." Apparently, sometime between 4:30 and 5:00 (before the last phone call he received) this was decided. He told the PM, but not me. So, I have to cancel the shipment. Of course, I could have done this at 4:30, when it was decided that the documents were not going. For some reason, I'm the last to find out. It's always like that. I'm responsible to organizing everything, and get reprimanded when something falls through the cracks, yet I'm not never in the loop when decisions affecting my job are made.
So, those of you who have admins now...and those of you who will be using them often...take note. I really don't appreciate having my time wasted any more than you do. I don't appreciate being called out for a mistake or oversight when my own boss can't find the time or have the courtesy to pass on needed information. Yes, I know in this case it was only a Fed-Ex shipment, but when I don't get paid overtime because I'm salaried, and I have children waiting for me to pick them up, I feel a bit put-out.
Well, that's my gripe for the day.
And if that's all I have to complain about, I will consider myself lucky.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Texans need to get their heads out of clouds and think
Well, Texas has passed a law that forbids doctors to perform abortions on minors without parental permission, except in cases where there may be abuse, in which case the minor must go before the judge and prove her case to get permission.
I am opposed to this law. I do understand that parents should know what their children are doing, especially considering the possibility of medical complications. However, I do have issues regarding the abuse aspect. (1) How is a child who is being abused going to be able to get legal representation and be able to take time off from school in order to get permission from a judge without her parents finding out? (2) What if the pregnancy is a product of the abuse and she does not want, at the time, to deal with the implications of going before a judge and discussing this in addition to dealing with a pregnancy? Beside the fact that, per capita, few abortions are taking place now then when abortion was illegal.
Another problem I have is the fact that Texas teaches abstinence without discussing birth control. I feel this is entirely irresponsible. Yes, I understand that parents may want to exercise their control over what their children are learning, so teach them at home or send them to private school. This is not just a matter of religious preferences, but it's also a matter of public health. If a minor chooses (and I'm not condoning the behavior) to have a physical relationship, at least give them the tools and knowledge to be responsible for their behavior. It's the parents responsibility to instill the moral values into their children so that they can make the decision. That's what the parents need to be concerned about. If parents are taking the time to teach their children morality, then it won't matter if their children know what a condom is or what birth control pills are for. What happens when they move away from home and are faced with such a decision? What decision can someone make without practical information?
I know my parents (college educated, nurse & doctor) never told me about the birds and the bees. Of course, I never bothered to ask them, either. I learned from Catholic school doctrine, public school doctrine, and my friends. Catholic school teaches you that you will go crazy if you get an abortion and that you will spend the rest of your time on earth in morbid depression, crying your eyes out every time you see a child. At least if you're female. They never say anything about the father. I'm not saying that there are no emotional side effects to abortion. Quite the contrary. The women I know who have had them do still think about the child that might have been, but they also recognize that they were not in positions to take care of the child properly. (I know I'm digressing, but until all the unwanted and neglected children in this world are cared for, I don't think there should be a law banning abortion. I have not seen all of the activists offering to adopt all the kids at the orphanages, or taking in a houseful of foster children, or getting involved when they see abuse and neglect.)
In retrospect, I think it would have been helpful to hear about not only the aspect of birth control, but also concepts of respect for your body and the consequences of behavior. If bringing up birth control, then bring up the possibility of pregnancy and the PARENTAL and FINANCIAL issues that both partners may have to face. I believe we should give our kids knowledge so that they can protect themselves now and in the future. Isn't education supposed to be about giving our children knowledge to prepare themselves for the FUTURE.
If we are responsible about teaching our kids then the law that was passed by Texas would not be necessary. I don't believe teens are running about willy nilly getting abortions. And if a teen is that frightened by what they have done to own up and take responsibility, how great of a parent are they going to be anyway? Who is going to take care of the baby finacially? The grandparents? The State and Medicaid? How effective of a parent will a 15 or 16 year old make? Should she drop out of school and get a job and pay for daycare like the rest of the working world? What is going to happen to the baby?
Granted, if my daughter became pregnant, I would want to know if she had an abortion. However, I hope that I teach her well enough to have enough respect for herself and her body to wait to have sex and to use protection in the future when she's an adult. The same goes for my sons. I hope to teach them to have respect for their bodies and for the girls they date. I'm not about to stick my head in the sand and assume that none of them will have a physical relationship before they get married, but I at least hope that they will be responsible enough to wait until they are adult enough to handle adult consequences.
I am opposed to this law. I do understand that parents should know what their children are doing, especially considering the possibility of medical complications. However, I do have issues regarding the abuse aspect. (1) How is a child who is being abused going to be able to get legal representation and be able to take time off from school in order to get permission from a judge without her parents finding out? (2) What if the pregnancy is a product of the abuse and she does not want, at the time, to deal with the implications of going before a judge and discussing this in addition to dealing with a pregnancy? Beside the fact that, per capita, few abortions are taking place now then when abortion was illegal.
Another problem I have is the fact that Texas teaches abstinence without discussing birth control. I feel this is entirely irresponsible. Yes, I understand that parents may want to exercise their control over what their children are learning, so teach them at home or send them to private school. This is not just a matter of religious preferences, but it's also a matter of public health. If a minor chooses (and I'm not condoning the behavior) to have a physical relationship, at least give them the tools and knowledge to be responsible for their behavior. It's the parents responsibility to instill the moral values into their children so that they can make the decision. That's what the parents need to be concerned about. If parents are taking the time to teach their children morality, then it won't matter if their children know what a condom is or what birth control pills are for. What happens when they move away from home and are faced with such a decision? What decision can someone make without practical information?
I know my parents (college educated, nurse & doctor) never told me about the birds and the bees. Of course, I never bothered to ask them, either. I learned from Catholic school doctrine, public school doctrine, and my friends. Catholic school teaches you that you will go crazy if you get an abortion and that you will spend the rest of your time on earth in morbid depression, crying your eyes out every time you see a child. At least if you're female. They never say anything about the father. I'm not saying that there are no emotional side effects to abortion. Quite the contrary. The women I know who have had them do still think about the child that might have been, but they also recognize that they were not in positions to take care of the child properly. (I know I'm digressing, but until all the unwanted and neglected children in this world are cared for, I don't think there should be a law banning abortion. I have not seen all of the activists offering to adopt all the kids at the orphanages, or taking in a houseful of foster children, or getting involved when they see abuse and neglect.)
In retrospect, I think it would have been helpful to hear about not only the aspect of birth control, but also concepts of respect for your body and the consequences of behavior. If bringing up birth control, then bring up the possibility of pregnancy and the PARENTAL and FINANCIAL issues that both partners may have to face. I believe we should give our kids knowledge so that they can protect themselves now and in the future. Isn't education supposed to be about giving our children knowledge to prepare themselves for the FUTURE.
If we are responsible about teaching our kids then the law that was passed by Texas would not be necessary. I don't believe teens are running about willy nilly getting abortions. And if a teen is that frightened by what they have done to own up and take responsibility, how great of a parent are they going to be anyway? Who is going to take care of the baby finacially? The grandparents? The State and Medicaid? How effective of a parent will a 15 or 16 year old make? Should she drop out of school and get a job and pay for daycare like the rest of the working world? What is going to happen to the baby?
Granted, if my daughter became pregnant, I would want to know if she had an abortion. However, I hope that I teach her well enough to have enough respect for herself and her body to wait to have sex and to use protection in the future when she's an adult. The same goes for my sons. I hope to teach them to have respect for their bodies and for the girls they date. I'm not about to stick my head in the sand and assume that none of them will have a physical relationship before they get married, but I at least hope that they will be responsible enough to wait until they are adult enough to handle adult consequences.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Birthdays
Well, my birthday came and went the weekend without too much fanfare. Spent the day with my family...took the kids to the park, had cake and ice cream, ran around the apartment, then went to dinner at IHOP. The kids were little monsters, acted like we never let them in public. Oh well. On the bright side, it's still my birthday month, so I will keep celebrating it until May is over. I love my birthday, even with my little monsters.
I love birthdays in general. I much prefer them to regular holidays. It's so much easier to focus on one person at a time and make them feel special than a whole crowd. As much as I love the family time and general spirit of Christmas and other holidays, I'd still rather celebrate someone's birthday. I don't understand people who don't like to admit to their birthdays. It's not about getting older, it's about beginning another year of life (even if this year's is my fourth try at 29).
So celebrate your birthday...it's all about you!
I love birthdays in general. I much prefer them to regular holidays. It's so much easier to focus on one person at a time and make them feel special than a whole crowd. As much as I love the family time and general spirit of Christmas and other holidays, I'd still rather celebrate someone's birthday. I don't understand people who don't like to admit to their birthdays. It's not about getting older, it's about beginning another year of life (even if this year's is my fourth try at 29).
So celebrate your birthday...it's all about you!
Monday, May 09, 2005
Define Normal
How Normal Are You?
You Are 45% Normal(Somewhat Normal)
While some of your behavior is quite normal...Other things you do are downright strangeYou've got a little of your freak going onBut you mostly keep your weirdness to yourself
You Are 45% Normal(Somewhat Normal)
While some of your behavior is quite normal...Other things you do are downright strangeYou've got a little of your freak going onBut you mostly keep your weirdness to yourself
Friday, May 06, 2005
Jury Duty
I had jury duty this week. I didn't realize how much it affected me until yesterday evening on my way home from a meeting. For some reason, I just burst into tears. It suddenly struck me that I and eleven other people just sentenced a man to die in jail. We basically said that he wasn't going to be reformed at 50 years old, and we gave him 60 years for robbery (downgraded from aggravated robbery because there was not enough proof to say that he had a gun in his towel wrapped hand).
Although we only knew of the specific incident during the trial, we found out during sentencing that he had held up the same Subway two weeks before that--with the same person at the cash register, and another Subway two weeks before that where he had threatened to kill a family if they didn't sit back down. (The father had seen the defendant come into the store with a bag over his hand and act suspiciously. When he gathered his wife and two kids to immediately leave, that's when the defendant ordered them to sit back down.)
I'm trying to figure out what made this man turn out this way. He had a clean record until his 40s, when he had 5 felony cocaine possession charges against him. What happened before that. No one stood up on his behalf during the sentencing phase. Not a neighbor or friend or relative. Now that I'm removed from the situation of deciding the sentence, I'm realize just how terribly tragic that is. No mother, no wife, no children to stand up for him. What if that were my son or brother in the defendent's seat (heaven forbid!). I'm sure jail will do nothing for his apparent drug addiction. How many bridges did he burn to end up this way?
I know I should be focusing on the victims to his crimes: the employee who was held up twice and so shooken up that he couldn't even dial 911 because his hands were shaking too hard, and the other employee who the defendent told he would kill if she looked at him (she was a hard working woman with 6 children and was near tears when she looked at the defendent to identify him). And the man and his wife and kids from his first robbery who couldn't even go out in public for several months without fear, with the wife still being nervous 8 months later. Not to mention the other employees from his first robbery whom we didn't hear from. I'm sure none of them are the same either. What if it were my mom whom he pointed his towel wrapped hand at and threatened? What if it were my children in the store while he was robbing it, threatening their lives and the life of my husband?
I wish I could shake the bit of sadness I feel from telling someone that their life is worthless and that they will never be able to make good for what he has done. Something is just not resting with me well. I don't want to have jury duty again.
Although we only knew of the specific incident during the trial, we found out during sentencing that he had held up the same Subway two weeks before that--with the same person at the cash register, and another Subway two weeks before that where he had threatened to kill a family if they didn't sit back down. (The father had seen the defendant come into the store with a bag over his hand and act suspiciously. When he gathered his wife and two kids to immediately leave, that's when the defendant ordered them to sit back down.)
I'm trying to figure out what made this man turn out this way. He had a clean record until his 40s, when he had 5 felony cocaine possession charges against him. What happened before that. No one stood up on his behalf during the sentencing phase. Not a neighbor or friend or relative. Now that I'm removed from the situation of deciding the sentence, I'm realize just how terribly tragic that is. No mother, no wife, no children to stand up for him. What if that were my son or brother in the defendent's seat (heaven forbid!). I'm sure jail will do nothing for his apparent drug addiction. How many bridges did he burn to end up this way?
I know I should be focusing on the victims to his crimes: the employee who was held up twice and so shooken up that he couldn't even dial 911 because his hands were shaking too hard, and the other employee who the defendent told he would kill if she looked at him (she was a hard working woman with 6 children and was near tears when she looked at the defendent to identify him). And the man and his wife and kids from his first robbery who couldn't even go out in public for several months without fear, with the wife still being nervous 8 months later. Not to mention the other employees from his first robbery whom we didn't hear from. I'm sure none of them are the same either. What if it were my mom whom he pointed his towel wrapped hand at and threatened? What if it were my children in the store while he was robbing it, threatening their lives and the life of my husband?
I wish I could shake the bit of sadness I feel from telling someone that their life is worthless and that they will never be able to make good for what he has done. Something is just not resting with me well. I don't want to have jury duty again.
Monday, May 02, 2005
And so it begins
Well, here I go and add my two bits to the ever-changing digital world. Sometimes I cannot fathom how we even get around without computers. Even if you shut yourself off in your house in the dark can you be away from computers, then? What if the phone rings? What if your car alarm goes off? Everything is controlled by the computer.
Not that I'm against them. To the contrary, I enjoy working with them. They do tend to make my typing easier (thank goodness for spellcheck), which makes my job easier. I hated using the typewriter. I remember having to hand-type some checks a few years back for a job. What a miserable experience. Made me realize what a horrid typist I really am. And I love playing with digital photographs and creating newsletters and internet shopping.
I'm not sure what my purpose is in setting up this site. Who knows who will find it. But I would love to hear any who stumble my way.
Not that I'm against them. To the contrary, I enjoy working with them. They do tend to make my typing easier (thank goodness for spellcheck), which makes my job easier. I hated using the typewriter. I remember having to hand-type some checks a few years back for a job. What a miserable experience. Made me realize what a horrid typist I really am. And I love playing with digital photographs and creating newsletters and internet shopping.
I'm not sure what my purpose is in setting up this site. Who knows who will find it. But I would love to hear any who stumble my way.
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