Sunday, December 09, 2007
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Over my allotment of posts for the month, but here it goes....
What a full weekend. Work let out earlier for some than others (like me, but what's new...).
Started putting everything together Wed afternoon, chopping the veggies, baking the sweet potato casserole (non-marshmallow version), cooking the cranberries in sugar water (homemade cranberry sauce is that easy), and tossing together the stuffing from scratch (although I did use bakery bread to make fresh bread crumbs over the weekend, if that still counts). Thursday morning, around 8:30-ish I stuffed the bird's backside and let hubby fill in the neck area since I was having some trouble keeping the flap open and jamming the breading into the cavity. Then we placed it in the V-rack, greased up it's skin and loaded the bottom of the pan with veggies and broth and the roasting began. After 8 trips to the oven to baste and refill the pan with broth (and later water) to keep the veggies moist, the bird was ready. I just had to heat up the rolls, green bean casserole (which I nuked ahead of time to melt everything), bake the remaining stuffing, nuke the peas, and make the gravy (hence the roasted veggies in the bottom of the pan-you press them through a strainer and use the extracted juices in the gravy along with the drippings). Hubby was in charge of the garlic smashed potatoes, which I only had to coach slightly.
We had dinner on the table by 2:30. Stinky Magee requested that we each go around the table and say what we were all thankful for after we said grace. He is grateful for his teachers, Apple Pie was thankful your welcome, and Pumpkin was thankful for the food, DH and I were thankful for our families.
We stuffed our bellies then I threw together the apple pie (an actual pie, not the child listed above) for later in the evening. We lazed around for most of the afternoon and evening, after the dishes were washed.
Friday was uneventful as well, as the weather turned this weekend: cold and wet. So we were all stuck inside and refused to fight the crowds in the malls or the traffic with all of the nearby road construction. We ate leftovers for a couple of meals, and watched movie (OK, I watched Days of Our Lives, too, but who's counting that, since I have not seen it in a couple of years and had to catch up on all the mad-cap goings-on). Stinky-M and Pumpkin broke the wishbone together and the entire top broke off. I have never seen that before. They both ended up with the short sticks. So, either they will both get their wishes or neither. I prefer the former notion.
Saturday was DH's and my anniversary. The day started off nicely, with Stinky-M bringing me a card that he and his brother and sister signed, then I came downstairs to coffee brewing. After sipping a cup I went upstairs to check on Pumpkin who decided to watch Madagascar, and through the amazing wonders of movie previews, watched an ad for Over the Hedge and learned that she could burp the ABC's. Yes, my beautiful, angelic 5 y.o. DD is now running around burping the alphabet (thank you, Steve Carell). What more could a doting mother ask for.
Since it was our anniversary, we thought we would live it up by going out to eat. We mulled long and hard. OK, we drove up 290 and decided that IHOP was appropriate to take a 3 y.o. who had not had a nap. And it wasn't crowded, since it was only 5:30. After a surprisingly pleasant meal (well behaved non-rested children for once!), we stopped by Target to grab a couple of long-sleeved shirts for the DD and a new jacket for oldest-DH (since he lost the one I bought last month). By the time we got home, it was close to bedtime, so I bathed the two youngest while Stinky-M worked on one of his puzzle books and DH played around on the computer. Then we tucked them all in bed, nuked some popcorn and watched an episode of Band of Brothers (how romantic).
Today was rather mellow (or at least to the standards of parents who are used to the temperaments of 3 children. The kiddoes watched Sleeping Beauty and Madagascar. I drank some coffee, showered and made myself presentable to get a burger, since DH did not want turkey for lunch again. So we loaded up the car and went to Becks Prime. Then we returned home and lazed around some more, between loads of laundry. The kids are finally in bed and DH is ironing shirts for next week. Thank goodness for his military training because I am terrible at ironing. That is where I have no patience. And yes, the government did teach him how to properly iron, because making your uniform stand up by itself is step one in defending our country.
Tomorrow, we head back to work and school. Rats. It's been a nice break for the last few days.
Started putting everything together Wed afternoon, chopping the veggies, baking the sweet potato casserole (non-marshmallow version), cooking the cranberries in sugar water (homemade cranberry sauce is that easy), and tossing together the stuffing from scratch (although I did use bakery bread to make fresh bread crumbs over the weekend, if that still counts). Thursday morning, around 8:30-ish I stuffed the bird's backside and let hubby fill in the neck area since I was having some trouble keeping the flap open and jamming the breading into the cavity. Then we placed it in the V-rack, greased up it's skin and loaded the bottom of the pan with veggies and broth and the roasting began. After 8 trips to the oven to baste and refill the pan with broth (and later water) to keep the veggies moist, the bird was ready. I just had to heat up the rolls, green bean casserole (which I nuked ahead of time to melt everything), bake the remaining stuffing, nuke the peas, and make the gravy (hence the roasted veggies in the bottom of the pan-you press them through a strainer and use the extracted juices in the gravy along with the drippings). Hubby was in charge of the garlic smashed potatoes, which I only had to coach slightly.
We had dinner on the table by 2:30. Stinky Magee requested that we each go around the table and say what we were all thankful for after we said grace. He is grateful for his teachers, Apple Pie was thankful your welcome, and Pumpkin was thankful for the food, DH and I were thankful for our families.
We stuffed our bellies then I threw together the apple pie (an actual pie, not the child listed above) for later in the evening. We lazed around for most of the afternoon and evening, after the dishes were washed.
Friday was uneventful as well, as the weather turned this weekend: cold and wet. So we were all stuck inside and refused to fight the crowds in the malls or the traffic with all of the nearby road construction. We ate leftovers for a couple of meals, and watched movie (OK, I watched Days of Our Lives, too, but who's counting that, since I have not seen it in a couple of years and had to catch up on all the mad-cap goings-on). Stinky-M and Pumpkin broke the wishbone together and the entire top broke off. I have never seen that before. They both ended up with the short sticks. So, either they will both get their wishes or neither. I prefer the former notion.
Saturday was DH's and my anniversary. The day started off nicely, with Stinky-M bringing me a card that he and his brother and sister signed, then I came downstairs to coffee brewing. After sipping a cup I went upstairs to check on Pumpkin who decided to watch Madagascar, and through the amazing wonders of movie previews, watched an ad for Over the Hedge and learned that she could burp the ABC's. Yes, my beautiful, angelic 5 y.o. DD is now running around burping the alphabet (thank you, Steve Carell). What more could a doting mother ask for.
Since it was our anniversary, we thought we would live it up by going out to eat. We mulled long and hard. OK, we drove up 290 and decided that IHOP was appropriate to take a 3 y.o. who had not had a nap. And it wasn't crowded, since it was only 5:30. After a surprisingly pleasant meal (well behaved non-rested children for once!), we stopped by Target to grab a couple of long-sleeved shirts for the DD and a new jacket for oldest-DH (since he lost the one I bought last month). By the time we got home, it was close to bedtime, so I bathed the two youngest while Stinky-M worked on one of his puzzle books and DH played around on the computer. Then we tucked them all in bed, nuked some popcorn and watched an episode of Band of Brothers (how romantic).
Today was rather mellow (or at least to the standards of parents who are used to the temperaments of 3 children. The kiddoes watched Sleeping Beauty and Madagascar. I drank some coffee, showered and made myself presentable to get a burger, since DH did not want turkey for lunch again. So we loaded up the car and went to Becks Prime. Then we returned home and lazed around some more, between loads of laundry. The kids are finally in bed and DH is ironing shirts for next week. Thank goodness for his military training because I am terrible at ironing. That is where I have no patience. And yes, the government did teach him how to properly iron, because making your uniform stand up by itself is step one in defending our country.
Tomorrow, we head back to work and school. Rats. It's been a nice break for the last few days.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Happy Turkey Day!
| You Are The Stuffing |
 You're complicated and complex, yet all your pieces fit together. People miss you if you're gone - but they're not sure why. |
Sunday, November 18, 2007
I get the impression...
| You Are Impressionism |
 You think the world is quite beautiful, especially if you look at it in new and interesting ways. You tend to focus on color and movement in art. For you, seeing the big picture is much more important than recording every little detail. You can find inspiration anywhere... especially from nature. |
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
November's long post
Well, the first week and three days at the new job have past. I'm still alive, still trying to figure out what in the world I'm doing. A bit disappointed at the lack of training on simple things, like how to use the phone, no updated phone list, etc. Nothing like picking up a call and (1) not knowing if the person works there, (2) what extension he/she is at, and (3) how to get the caller off my line and either to the other party or in their voicemail. I felt bad that I only had 4 days to train my replacement at my last job, and here I was kinda dropped in a desk and told to fend for myself.
Oh well, I'm getting the hang of it, even if I feel a bit harried and hurried. Not quite up to speed on their systems and not quite used to answering to seven people at the same time, but I can only do what I can do.
Other than that everything is OK.
Halloween came and went trick-or-treating as a Mad Scientist (Stinky), the Little Mermaid (Pumpkin) and "Buzz-Like-Year" (Apple-S). We still have not carved the pumpkin. Stinky, Pumpkin and Apple did draw all over it with a Sharpie, so there are two faces, a cat, and some random letters and numbers and dots. Quite a bit more creative than anything DH or I could have done with a knife. And we haven't had to deal with the guts yet. Perhaps this weekend we'll dig in and I'll roast up some seeds.
I still haven't finished my last pearl necklace. Poor thing is sitting in the glass bowl and staring at me from under the pile of other items that have landed on it in the interim. Maybe later this week I'll pull it out and work another inch or two. Part of the problem is that I saw a mistake that I made about 1.5 inches ago. Part of me wants to take the whole thing apart and start over (yikes!) since I know the error is there (which with this type of stitch isn't exactly a piece of cake). Part of me thinks I'm the only one who sees the extra loop, so what's the big deal. They're arguing, so the project just sits. You'd think I'd pick up something else while my brain duels it out, but I haven't yet, although I have several ideas bouncing around in my head.
Seems this is turning into a list of things i haven't done, so...
I did do about about eight loads of laundry over the weekend and went grocery shopping. I'm sure that is thrilling news. I did put gas in the car and attempted to find a quicker way to and from work (hahaha). I watched TV and looked for one of the four books that I am reading (and will eventually finish).
We drove northbound and visited Debbie and Nuje and their family and went to park and chased the kids and played Frisbee. Then fed the ruggers and sent them upstairs to watch The Incredibles while we bowled on the Wii. I won 2 out of 4 rounds, which is pretty good considering I have never played before. (Honey, maybe we should start saving up for Christmas...after all YOU got the X-Box that the kids broke and the DS to keep Stinky occupied while you all were fishing...what do I have to play with?)
The big news, though most of you already know, is that hubby passed the bar with flying colors! Yeah! Three years of sacrificing. Here's to a nice pay-off, or at least enough money to put the kids through college and have a comfortable retirement with lots of travel, and maybe cable-TV and a DSL or wireless Internet connection.... And a vacation (kids attendance is optional). OK, and a house with a guest room for our always-welcome families to stay and an office for DS and a hobby room for me (rooms for the kids are also optional--we can always make them "outdoor" children, which is a joke only my mom will get, but to me it's hilarious).
Oh well, I'm getting the hang of it, even if I feel a bit harried and hurried. Not quite up to speed on their systems and not quite used to answering to seven people at the same time, but I can only do what I can do.
Other than that everything is OK.
Halloween came and went trick-or-treating as a Mad Scientist (Stinky), the Little Mermaid (Pumpkin) and "Buzz-Like-Year" (Apple-S). We still have not carved the pumpkin. Stinky, Pumpkin and Apple did draw all over it with a Sharpie, so there are two faces, a cat, and some random letters and numbers and dots. Quite a bit more creative than anything DH or I could have done with a knife. And we haven't had to deal with the guts yet. Perhaps this weekend we'll dig in and I'll roast up some seeds.
I still haven't finished my last pearl necklace. Poor thing is sitting in the glass bowl and staring at me from under the pile of other items that have landed on it in the interim. Maybe later this week I'll pull it out and work another inch or two. Part of the problem is that I saw a mistake that I made about 1.5 inches ago. Part of me wants to take the whole thing apart and start over (yikes!) since I know the error is there (which with this type of stitch isn't exactly a piece of cake). Part of me thinks I'm the only one who sees the extra loop, so what's the big deal. They're arguing, so the project just sits. You'd think I'd pick up something else while my brain duels it out, but I haven't yet, although I have several ideas bouncing around in my head.
Seems this is turning into a list of things i haven't done, so...
I did do about about eight loads of laundry over the weekend and went grocery shopping. I'm sure that is thrilling news. I did put gas in the car and attempted to find a quicker way to and from work (hahaha). I watched TV and looked for one of the four books that I am reading (and will eventually finish).
We drove northbound and visited Debbie and Nuje and their family and went to park and chased the kids and played Frisbee. Then fed the ruggers and sent them upstairs to watch The Incredibles while we bowled on the Wii. I won 2 out of 4 rounds, which is pretty good considering I have never played before. (Honey, maybe we should start saving up for Christmas...after all YOU got the X-Box that the kids broke and the DS to keep Stinky occupied while you all were fishing...what do I have to play with?)
The big news, though most of you already know, is that hubby passed the bar with flying colors! Yeah! Three years of sacrificing. Here's to a nice pay-off, or at least enough money to put the kids through college and have a comfortable retirement with lots of travel, and maybe cable-TV and a DSL or wireless Internet connection.... And a vacation (kids attendance is optional). OK, and a house with a guest room for our always-welcome families to stay and an office for DS and a hobby room for me (rooms for the kids are also optional--we can always make them "outdoor" children, which is a joke only my mom will get, but to me it's hilarious).
Sunday, October 28, 2007
First Day Jitters
Well, tomorrow is the first day of the new job. I'm a bit nervous, as I have to get to know a new set of co-workers and bosses and filing systems and a different coffee maker. Wish me luck!
(Just waiting for my nails to dry so I can lay in bed and stare at the ceiling and not sleep.)
(Just waiting for my nails to dry so I can lay in bed and stare at the ceiling and not sleep.)
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Conundrum
OK, here's the situation:
I was unable to sleep one evening and randomly submitted my resume to another company that was looking for an admin assistant position, and requested a salary requirement in the cover letter. I threw a number down, considerably higher than my current base salary and still higher than what I make with my quarterly and annual bonuses, thinking that I would never hear back.
Well, a week later I received a call from their Director of Operations who was very impressed with my resume and wanted to speak with me about the position. I managed to return his after a few misses, as it was difficult to find a quiet space to call and I had worked through my lunches and late. Well, he talked about the company and about the job and said that they were prepared to offer me what I was asking because I had experience in the area and I knew what "redlining" was and how to do it.
Anyway, I mentioned a couple of my concerns and the hours that I wanted to work, which are slightly different from their hours, because of daycare schedules. He said he would talk to the partners that I would be supporting and he didn't think it would be a problem. This job would basically entail supporting four Partners and the Director I spoke with with the basic, plus reviewing leases and proposals, etc.
My concerns are do I want to take a step backwards in title for more money. The office I would be working in is larger, so down the line there may be something better. But that's not guaranteed. The company I work with is growing, as well, but only has 8 (soon to be 9-10) people. I have my choice to support my current boss and continue to run the office or go more towards the marketing side and support our leasing rep and soon-to-be project manager. This would mean that I would get to do all the fun stuff that I like about my job (doing the creative bit). I think, if I had my druthers, I would work with the leasing rep on the marketing and run the office and let the new admin work support Joe and the project manager.
I don't know. I have my list of questions for the lunch meeting tomorrow, but need someone to start soon, and this is a bad time to leave my office. Our leasing rep's wife will be having the triplets within the next few weeks, and my boss will be out traveling for several upcoming meetings. Our associate property manager is on maternity leave, so we have a temp filling in with some of the support work and phones, while our customer service coordinator does the assoc. pm's job. The temp is leaving at the end of next week because she landed a permanent job elsewhere (child-welfare protection as a case worker).
I would hate to seem like I am taking advantage of the situation should my boss decide to give me a raise to keep me, but I also don't want to leave the team in a lurch, since I like them for the most part. Plus, my job is fairly interesting. Yikes. Then again, I have not officially been offered the job, even though the Director did seem quite interested in hiring me.
And we do need the extra money to pay off all of our debt (the horrors of having to use the cc to make it through the month) and start saving for a house and college funds for the kids.
So, what are your thoughts?
UPDATE:
I was offered the job officially today at a little lower than I was expecting, but not too much. DH has been hashing over the pros and cons and I still have not come to a conclusion. Now to talk to the boss tomorrow. Ack.
I was unable to sleep one evening and randomly submitted my resume to another company that was looking for an admin assistant position, and requested a salary requirement in the cover letter. I threw a number down, considerably higher than my current base salary and still higher than what I make with my quarterly and annual bonuses, thinking that I would never hear back.
Well, a week later I received a call from their Director of Operations who was very impressed with my resume and wanted to speak with me about the position. I managed to return his after a few misses, as it was difficult to find a quiet space to call and I had worked through my lunches and late. Well, he talked about the company and about the job and said that they were prepared to offer me what I was asking because I had experience in the area and I knew what "redlining" was and how to do it.
Anyway, I mentioned a couple of my concerns and the hours that I wanted to work, which are slightly different from their hours, because of daycare schedules. He said he would talk to the partners that I would be supporting and he didn't think it would be a problem. This job would basically entail supporting four Partners and the Director I spoke with with the basic, plus reviewing leases and proposals, etc.
My concerns are do I want to take a step backwards in title for more money. The office I would be working in is larger, so down the line there may be something better. But that's not guaranteed. The company I work with is growing, as well, but only has 8 (soon to be 9-10) people. I have my choice to support my current boss and continue to run the office or go more towards the marketing side and support our leasing rep and soon-to-be project manager. This would mean that I would get to do all the fun stuff that I like about my job (doing the creative bit). I think, if I had my druthers, I would work with the leasing rep on the marketing and run the office and let the new admin work support Joe and the project manager.
I don't know. I have my list of questions for the lunch meeting tomorrow, but need someone to start soon, and this is a bad time to leave my office. Our leasing rep's wife will be having the triplets within the next few weeks, and my boss will be out traveling for several upcoming meetings. Our associate property manager is on maternity leave, so we have a temp filling in with some of the support work and phones, while our customer service coordinator does the assoc. pm's job. The temp is leaving at the end of next week because she landed a permanent job elsewhere (child-welfare protection as a case worker).
I would hate to seem like I am taking advantage of the situation should my boss decide to give me a raise to keep me, but I also don't want to leave the team in a lurch, since I like them for the most part. Plus, my job is fairly interesting. Yikes. Then again, I have not officially been offered the job, even though the Director did seem quite interested in hiring me.
And we do need the extra money to pay off all of our debt (the horrors of having to use the cc to make it through the month) and start saving for a house and college funds for the kids.
So, what are your thoughts?
UPDATE:
I was offered the job officially today at a little lower than I was expecting, but not too much. DH has been hashing over the pros and cons and I still have not come to a conclusion. Now to talk to the boss tomorrow. Ack.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
A Moment of Silence, Please
Marcel Marceau has died at the age of 86. He was an inspiration to many, including Micheal Jackson, who reportedly borrowed Marceau's "walking against the wind" routine and created the Moonwalk.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
What to do
Well I have already posted for the day, or month. On our way back from dinner (reminder of why we have not gone out to eat in public in some time, outside of the lack of dinero), we were thinking of what to watch together after the kids go to bed. This reminded me of another fascinating part of the summer's felicities: Fame.
A long time back, I had found a deal on DVD's (buy 2 on sale, get 1 free). Well, two ended up as gifts (the first season of Scrubs and the first season of Radio City). The free one was the first season of Fame, and I subjected my long-suffering husband to a weekend of Leroy, Julie, Coco, Doris, Bruno, Ms. Grant, Ms. Sherwood, Mr. Shirofsky and the rest of the crew. It was a warm, fuzzy reminder of childhood, kinda like Little House on the Prairie.
I wonder if more seasons are available... Or maybe I should look into Little House? Honey, how would you like a weekend of Half-pint, Ma, Pa and Mary?
A long time back, I had found a deal on DVD's (buy 2 on sale, get 1 free). Well, two ended up as gifts (the first season of Scrubs and the first season of Radio City). The free one was the first season of Fame, and I subjected my long-suffering husband to a weekend of Leroy, Julie, Coco, Doris, Bruno, Ms. Grant, Ms. Sherwood, Mr. Shirofsky and the rest of the crew. It was a warm, fuzzy reminder of childhood, kinda like Little House on the Prairie.
I wonder if more seasons are available... Or maybe I should look into Little House? Honey, how would you like a weekend of Half-pint, Ma, Pa and Mary?
Incommunicado
For some reason I have not made the time to post here. I find myself closing doors that should be at least left cracked, not returning phone calls, not chit-chatting around the water cooler. Maybe it's a regrouping, regathering of the spiritual troops. Taking a breather from life. Vacation helped a little, but not much. I find myself very impatient and frustrated by the same old crap from the same old people. Not being supportive when I know I should be, wanting to give a kind word or a pat on the back, but feeling feeling "out of sorts" instead. I know this, too, will pass. Another period of the blah's.
As always, there are blessings to count. DH has a contract job for the next 10-12 weeks. Stinky Magee is enjoying school (except for Language Arts...not the teacher, just the work). Pumpkin Pie has had a harder time adjusting, as she is the socialite, the drama queen, and cannot hold her tongue, but some days she does manage to stay on "green." Apple-S has enjoyed his time home with Dad, going to the park or to the Y. He's still not keen on using the potty, especially #2, but hopefully, before he starts dating, he will be consistent. (Right now, he his hands and half of his face are teal from the marker he was using to write the alphabet.)
And now that Fall has begun, it's time for the "What I Did While on Summer Vacation" essay....
This summer our family went to the Swiss Alps and French Riviera and blew glass with the Venetians.
Or not.
Like most people, it revolved around work and the kids. One bright spot was the week we spent up at my folks, mostly just hanging out on the back porch and watching for deer in the evening. We went to Rural King and looked at farm equipment and bought cracked corn out of barrel to feed the ducks at the park. We shared ice cream cones outside the old-fashioned Dairy Queen and left behind little puddles of vanilla. One afternoon was spent in IL in Amish country, seeking some little shop the DH wanted to investigate, watching the horses and buggies, and trying to guess which of the homesteads were Amish (based on paint color and propane tanks). We did stop to pan for diamonds in Arkansas, but only found a bit of quartz and various colored stones.
The year is flying by, hard to believe that it is nearly the end of September. Less than three months until Stinky's b-day, then Christmas. MIL will be stopping by (hopefully) for a visit during the holidays.
Now to finish up the books that I have started this week and finish work on a couple of necklaces that are still in progress, one with freshwater pearls and Japanese seed beads, the other with SS chain, garnets and onyx. The latter will be a two-strand necklace, of which the first is done and I have worn, but I think I need to shorten. I plan to make it so that you can wear them together or apart. The former is a double-spiral that takes forever to stitch, as I have only finished about 2 1/2 inches, and plan to get about 8 or 9 inches done before I use up the pearls. I'll finish with about 3 1/2 inches of double spiraled seed beads on each side and SS cones to cover the ends, if I can find some decent ones that I like. Can't decide if I want to do a pretty clasp or a lobster claw with an extended chain. I, obviously, have time to decide.
As always, there are blessings to count. DH has a contract job for the next 10-12 weeks. Stinky Magee is enjoying school (except for Language Arts...not the teacher, just the work). Pumpkin Pie has had a harder time adjusting, as she is the socialite, the drama queen, and cannot hold her tongue, but some days she does manage to stay on "green." Apple-S has enjoyed his time home with Dad, going to the park or to the Y. He's still not keen on using the potty, especially #2, but hopefully, before he starts dating, he will be consistent. (Right now, he his hands and half of his face are teal from the marker he was using to write the alphabet.)
And now that Fall has begun, it's time for the "What I Did While on Summer Vacation" essay....
This summer our family went to the Swiss Alps and French Riviera and blew glass with the Venetians.
Or not.
Like most people, it revolved around work and the kids. One bright spot was the week we spent up at my folks, mostly just hanging out on the back porch and watching for deer in the evening. We went to Rural King and looked at farm equipment and bought cracked corn out of barrel to feed the ducks at the park. We shared ice cream cones outside the old-fashioned Dairy Queen and left behind little puddles of vanilla. One afternoon was spent in IL in Amish country, seeking some little shop the DH wanted to investigate, watching the horses and buggies, and trying to guess which of the homesteads were Amish (based on paint color and propane tanks). We did stop to pan for diamonds in Arkansas, but only found a bit of quartz and various colored stones.
The year is flying by, hard to believe that it is nearly the end of September. Less than three months until Stinky's b-day, then Christmas. MIL will be stopping by (hopefully) for a visit during the holidays.
Now to finish up the books that I have started this week and finish work on a couple of necklaces that are still in progress, one with freshwater pearls and Japanese seed beads, the other with SS chain, garnets and onyx. The latter will be a two-strand necklace, of which the first is done and I have worn, but I think I need to shorten. I plan to make it so that you can wear them together or apart. The former is a double-spiral that takes forever to stitch, as I have only finished about 2 1/2 inches, and plan to get about 8 or 9 inches done before I use up the pearls. I'll finish with about 3 1/2 inches of double spiraled seed beads on each side and SS cones to cover the ends, if I can find some decent ones that I like. Can't decide if I want to do a pretty clasp or a lobster claw with an extended chain. I, obviously, have time to decide.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
I'll take this result.
She's always been one of my favorite actresses.
Your Score: Katharine Hepburn
You scored 11% grit, 28% wit, 47% flair, and 19% class!
You are the fabulously quirky and independent woman of character. You
go your own way, follow your own drummer, take your own lead. You stand
head and shoulders next to your partner, but you are perfectly willing
and able to stand alone. Others might be more classically beautiful or
conventionally woman-like, but you possess a more fundamental common
sense and off-kilter charm, making interesting men fall at your feet.
You can pick them up or leave them there as you see fit. You share the
screen with the likes of Spencer Tracy and Cary Grant, thinking men who
like strong women.
Find out what kind of classic leading man you'd make by taking the
Classic Leading Man Test.
| Link: The Classic Dames Test written by gidgetgoes on OkCupid, home of the The Dating Persona Test |
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
This is why I was late getting home...
Your results:
You are Spider-Man
Click here to take the "Which Superhero am I?" quiz...
You are Spider-Man
| You are intelligent, witty, a bit geeky and have great power and responsibility.  |
Click here to take the "Which Superhero am I?" quiz...
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Hello Again
I have been thinking about blogging for a while, but never seem to get around to it. So here's the update...
Working, working and more working. Imagining having a clean home. Beading a bit. Looking around home and wishing it would clean itself. Picking up socks from the floor. Doing laundry. Playing with the rugrats. Debating what to do about the cats. Wondering why my home won't clean itself, so scrubbing the kitchen counters. Weeding the herb garden. Debating about getting a haircut. Resolving to clean at least the bathrooms today. Counting the days until DH's graduation and knowing that I have to finish cleaning. Wishing I had trained the family better in putting their things away and not leaving papers and coke bottles and socks and toys all over the place.
DH and I took Stinky Magee, Pumpkin Pie and Apple-S on a picnic Saturday, per Pumpkin Pie's request. It was a lovely afternoon, just the right temperature in the shade. Threw some sandwiches, cherry tomatoes, pickles, chips and water bottles in a bag and set out for Nob Hill Park. The kids had a great time with the jungle gyms and the water fight. (Thank goodness for fountains to get refills on ammunition.) DH started it (imagine that!). The kids ran around, screaming "Get me! Get me!" By the time we headed home so DH could get some more work done on his take-home final, the kids were soaked. Of course, DH and I were tired from being out in the (gasp!) sun and ended up taking naps. I fell asleep in Pumpkin Pie's room, since DH, Apple-S and Pumpkin Pie were sacked out together.
Stinky Magee has been practicing for his play. He plays "Grubworm" in the upcoming Second Grade production of "Bugz." He does have a speaking role (8 lines) and has had to stay late for after school rehearsals. The show is on the 8th at 7 p.m. for all those fans of his. Poor DH will miss it, since he has a final that evening. I'm excited for Stinky, and he seems to be excited as well.
Counting down the days until DH's graduation: May 19th. This will be an extraordinarily busy week. Sun is Mom's Day, on which I will be traveling for work (yea.). Monday through Wednesday will be an office administrators meeting at our corporate office. That Tuesday will be my b-day (I'll be 29...again). I'll get home late on the 16th and head to work. My folks will arrive on the 17th and my MIL and MIF will come in the 18th, along with the kid's early dismissal from school. Then the main event (Graduation) on Saturday. Followed by DH's fishing trip with the Dads on the 20th and carting MIL and FIL to the airports on the 21st. (Thank goodness I'm taking the day off from work). My folks leave on the 22nd (which is my mom's b-day).
Speaking of the 22nd, it's a milestone b-day and I'm trying to come up with ideas for the 21st. Was thinking, perhaps, an morning at a spa or something, but not sure. Actually, I don't know any good ones around this area, so I'm open for recommendations or other ideas.
School ends for Stinky and Pumpkin on the 24th or 25th. Another year is almost done. Yikes!
One a side note, I'm thinking of packing in my Mary Kay business. No time to fit my schedule right now. I still love the products though, and will use up what's left of the formulas that work for me. So.... now's the time to stock up. I'm selling off the remainder of my inventory at my cost + shipping to you. I'll put in one last order in the next week or so if there is something on the website that you need and I don't have. Shoot me an email if you want anything.
Working, working and more working. Imagining having a clean home. Beading a bit. Looking around home and wishing it would clean itself. Picking up socks from the floor. Doing laundry. Playing with the rugrats. Debating what to do about the cats. Wondering why my home won't clean itself, so scrubbing the kitchen counters. Weeding the herb garden. Debating about getting a haircut. Resolving to clean at least the bathrooms today. Counting the days until DH's graduation and knowing that I have to finish cleaning. Wishing I had trained the family better in putting their things away and not leaving papers and coke bottles and socks and toys all over the place.
DH and I took Stinky Magee, Pumpkin Pie and Apple-S on a picnic Saturday, per Pumpkin Pie's request. It was a lovely afternoon, just the right temperature in the shade. Threw some sandwiches, cherry tomatoes, pickles, chips and water bottles in a bag and set out for Nob Hill Park. The kids had a great time with the jungle gyms and the water fight. (Thank goodness for fountains to get refills on ammunition.) DH started it (imagine that!). The kids ran around, screaming "Get me! Get me!" By the time we headed home so DH could get some more work done on his take-home final, the kids were soaked. Of course, DH and I were tired from being out in the (gasp!) sun and ended up taking naps. I fell asleep in Pumpkin Pie's room, since DH, Apple-S and Pumpkin Pie were sacked out together.
Stinky Magee has been practicing for his play. He plays "Grubworm" in the upcoming Second Grade production of "Bugz." He does have a speaking role (8 lines) and has had to stay late for after school rehearsals. The show is on the 8th at 7 p.m. for all those fans of his. Poor DH will miss it, since he has a final that evening. I'm excited for Stinky, and he seems to be excited as well.
Counting down the days until DH's graduation: May 19th. This will be an extraordinarily busy week. Sun is Mom's Day, on which I will be traveling for work (yea.). Monday through Wednesday will be an office administrators meeting at our corporate office. That Tuesday will be my b-day (I'll be 29...again). I'll get home late on the 16th and head to work. My folks will arrive on the 17th and my MIL and MIF will come in the 18th, along with the kid's early dismissal from school. Then the main event (Graduation) on Saturday. Followed by DH's fishing trip with the Dads on the 20th and carting MIL and FIL to the airports on the 21st. (Thank goodness I'm taking the day off from work). My folks leave on the 22nd (which is my mom's b-day).
Speaking of the 22nd, it's a milestone b-day and I'm trying to come up with ideas for the 21st. Was thinking, perhaps, an morning at a spa or something, but not sure. Actually, I don't know any good ones around this area, so I'm open for recommendations or other ideas.
School ends for Stinky and Pumpkin on the 24th or 25th. Another year is almost done. Yikes!
One a side note, I'm thinking of packing in my Mary Kay business. No time to fit my schedule right now. I still love the products though, and will use up what's left of the formulas that work for me. So.... now's the time to stock up. I'm selling off the remainder of my inventory at my cost + shipping to you. I'll put in one last order in the next week or so if there is something on the website that you need and I don't have. Shoot me an email if you want anything.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
I'm not a universal genius
Of course DH wanted me to post this since I didn't do as well as he did...
Friday, February 23, 2007
Mid- to late- February
| You Belong in Amsterdam |
 A little old fashioned, a little modern - you're the best of both worlds. And so is Amsterdam. Whether you want to be a squatter graffiti artist or a great novelist, Amsterdam has all that you want in Europe (in one small city). |
What European City Do You Belong In?
I think I am looking for excuses to take these silly online quizzes. Oh well, a little self-indulgence from time to time is entertaining--for me, at least.
Anyway, as usual, our family has been quite busy. Working over 45 hrs. or more per week, since I have been staying late and working through lunch. Eventually, the piles on my desk will go down (I hope!). But my boss thanked me the other day, and told me that I have doing a great job helping him out. It was nice to hear...never got compliments from my old boss.
Kids are doing well. Younger-DS has changed his name to Apple-S___ (no! not that word, but his name). It stems from DD mentioning that she was too old to be called Pumpkin, so she needs to be called Pumpkin Pie now. Anyway, Apple-S now says that his name begins with A instead of S.
Older-DS (who won't let me give him a nickname...so I think I will start calling him Stinky McGee) had Rodeo Day at school. They were to dress in "Rodeo" attire. Yes, cowboy hats, boots and the like. Um, we don't have those. One of the groups of trail-riders passed in front of their school, so they got to watch the horse riders.
I managed to catch a gander at a group on the way to work, right along Fairbanks. I felt bad for the cars trying to get to work, as this is a heavily traveled road in the mornings.
Pumpkin Pie had Rodeo Day on Wednesday, and had farm animals at school today. She was excited to see the donkey and pig and lambs and goats. But you cannot shriek and talk loudly and hit the animals, or else it will scare them and they will run away. You have to be quiet and pet them very softly. It was pretty humorous to hear her explaining this, oh so very seriously.
It is driving me nuts! The rugrats keep doing things that I intend to write down, but when I finally have a free moment to type everything up, I cannot remember a darn thing. I really need to start taking notes. Once, my memory was iron clad, but ever since I had kids, it seems nothing sticks around. Gads.
Oh well, this weekend will be busy. I've been purging the house, working my way through. I think we have tossed out about 15 boxes of crap in the last 3 weeks. Tomorrow I'm going to start tackling the kitchen and the rest of the living room. I've mostly finished the master bedroom and closet, Pumpkin Pie's room, part of Stinky McGee's/Apple-S's room, and the front half of the living room.
I don't know what has happened, but I am so tired of the clutter. DH even asked if I was pregnant. Thank goodness not! I can barely keep up with the three I have now.
Anyway, as usual, our family has been quite busy. Working over 45 hrs. or more per week, since I have been staying late and working through lunch. Eventually, the piles on my desk will go down (I hope!). But my boss thanked me the other day, and told me that I have doing a great job helping him out. It was nice to hear...never got compliments from my old boss.
Kids are doing well. Younger-DS has changed his name to Apple-S___ (no! not that word, but his name). It stems from DD mentioning that she was too old to be called Pumpkin, so she needs to be called Pumpkin Pie now. Anyway, Apple-S now says that his name begins with A instead of S.
Older-DS (who won't let me give him a nickname...so I think I will start calling him Stinky McGee) had Rodeo Day at school. They were to dress in "Rodeo" attire. Yes, cowboy hats, boots and the like. Um, we don't have those. One of the groups of trail-riders passed in front of their school, so they got to watch the horse riders.
I managed to catch a gander at a group on the way to work, right along Fairbanks. I felt bad for the cars trying to get to work, as this is a heavily traveled road in the mornings.
Pumpkin Pie had Rodeo Day on Wednesday, and had farm animals at school today. She was excited to see the donkey and pig and lambs and goats. But you cannot shriek and talk loudly and hit the animals, or else it will scare them and they will run away. You have to be quiet and pet them very softly. It was pretty humorous to hear her explaining this, oh so very seriously.
It is driving me nuts! The rugrats keep doing things that I intend to write down, but when I finally have a free moment to type everything up, I cannot remember a darn thing. I really need to start taking notes. Once, my memory was iron clad, but ever since I had kids, it seems nothing sticks around. Gads.
Oh well, this weekend will be busy. I've been purging the house, working my way through. I think we have tossed out about 15 boxes of crap in the last 3 weeks. Tomorrow I'm going to start tackling the kitchen and the rest of the living room. I've mostly finished the master bedroom and closet, Pumpkin Pie's room, part of Stinky McGee's/Apple-S's room, and the front half of the living room.
I don't know what has happened, but I am so tired of the clutter. DH even asked if I was pregnant. Thank goodness not! I can barely keep up with the three I have now.
| Your Scholastic Strength Is Deep Thinking |
 You aren't afraid to delve head first into a difficult subject, with mastery as your goal. You are talented at adapting, motivating others, managing resources, and analyzing risk. You should major in: Philosophy Music Theology Art History Foreign language |
What Should You Major In?
I thought I would see what I should have studied when I was in school. Funny thing is, I didn't really care for most of the above subjects. My Italian was atrocious. History was OK. I thought about taking Art classes(but chickened out). Theology, um, well, four years of Catholic school killed that. Hated applying the rules of Logic to Philosophy. As for Music, my husband knows just how well I can carry a tune.
Oh well, some day I will figure out what to be when I grow up.
Oh well, some day I will figure out what to be when I grow up.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
This week
So, we are all "alive and kicking" still (as one of my dear friends loves to hear). This has been one of our tougher weeks. I'm getting used to Steve's school schedule after, after having a few weeks off from single-parent evenings. But this semester, there are only two days per week, plus one partial, where he leaves for school about an hour before the kids' bedtime. So, it's not so bad, and not quite as hectic in the evenings as in past years.
My kids were little troupers, though, on Tuesday when I managed to miss the first step while carrying laundry down the stairs. I flew down head first, managed to grab on to the railing, of which the metal support promptly snapped in half, and barely managing to pull myself upright before hitting the ground, found myself wedged between the opposite wall and the railing doing the hurdler stretch. Suffice to say, I was doing everything in my power to not cry and scare the kids. Older-DS hearing the ruckus, tore up the stairs with DD on his heels. "You broke the railing!"
"Yes, honey, I fell down the stairs. Please give me a moment."
"Can I see? Ohmygosh, you'll be OK, Mommy. Just take a deep breath. You'll be OK; it'll only hurt for a little while."
DD, peering around Older-DS, cried out, "Mommy, are you OK? You broke the railing!"
Patting me on the back, Older-DS reiterated, "You'll be OK, Mommy. Now Ava, help me pick up the laundry so the cat doesn't pee on it. We'll put it by the washer." And he and DD, kindly gathered up the laundry and brought it the rest of the way downstairs and put it by the floor of the washing machine." (Of course, when DH called to let me know he was on his way home from class, they told him that I had broken the rail, without telling him how.)
I was proud of my little ones, who were quick to re-assure me and prompt to take action-even if the main excitement was the fact that the railing was broken and the scraped off portion of my shin, while I managed to only cry a little before limping the rest of the way down the stairs.
Suffice to say, I'm still not walking normally, and most of my foot up to about 2/3 of the way up my shin is a lovely mix of greens and yellows and blacks with a fist sized bruise on my other leg. But, now that I've stayed off of my foot for most of the weekend, my foot and ankle have stopped swelling up. It was lovely during the week, since I was still wearing "work" shoes and hobbling around. I didn't break anything, I don't think, but there are two spots on my shin that still really hurt, and DD kicked them last night while she was sleeping in our bed.
Wednesday my grandmother on my dad's side passed away. She's been ill for some time, and has been doing very poorly for the last couple of months. My parents have been traveling to VA to visit her frequently. Unfortunately, life got in the way of my little family seeing her. In fact, I have not seen her since junior high, I think. Military families don't seem to be that close to outside relatives. I don't really remember her coming to visit us very often growing up. And she lived in AZ after my grandfather retired. (He passed on in the early 80's). I do remember her, though, as quite the cosmopolitan lady. She seemed to always be traveling after my grandfather died, visiting her scattered family--brothers and sisters and their families. I think she visited my aunt and my uncle and his family more often, though, than us. I feel for my father, though, as he has had to watch his mother's failing health.
Thursday, Youngest-DS when do the doctor with suspected Pink-eye, which he has (but is nearly gone now).
Friday, DD woke up in the middle of the night with a fever and ran one around 102.7 for Saturday, with Older-DS quickly following with one just under 102. They're feeling better today, though, and are hovering just over 99 with a bit of a cough and runny noses.
The good news of the week: Older-DS received 2 awards during an assembly this week-Perfect Attendance and All A's Honor Roll.
It's Sunday and the beginning of a new week. Hopefully this one will run a bit smoother.
My kids were little troupers, though, on Tuesday when I managed to miss the first step while carrying laundry down the stairs. I flew down head first, managed to grab on to the railing, of which the metal support promptly snapped in half, and barely managing to pull myself upright before hitting the ground, found myself wedged between the opposite wall and the railing doing the hurdler stretch. Suffice to say, I was doing everything in my power to not cry and scare the kids. Older-DS hearing the ruckus, tore up the stairs with DD on his heels. "You broke the railing!"
"Yes, honey, I fell down the stairs. Please give me a moment."
"Can I see? Ohmygosh, you'll be OK, Mommy. Just take a deep breath. You'll be OK; it'll only hurt for a little while."
DD, peering around Older-DS, cried out, "Mommy, are you OK? You broke the railing!"
Patting me on the back, Older-DS reiterated, "You'll be OK, Mommy. Now Ava, help me pick up the laundry so the cat doesn't pee on it. We'll put it by the washer." And he and DD, kindly gathered up the laundry and brought it the rest of the way downstairs and put it by the floor of the washing machine." (Of course, when DH called to let me know he was on his way home from class, they told him that I had broken the rail, without telling him how.)
I was proud of my little ones, who were quick to re-assure me and prompt to take action-even if the main excitement was the fact that the railing was broken and the scraped off portion of my shin, while I managed to only cry a little before limping the rest of the way down the stairs.
Suffice to say, I'm still not walking normally, and most of my foot up to about 2/3 of the way up my shin is a lovely mix of greens and yellows and blacks with a fist sized bruise on my other leg. But, now that I've stayed off of my foot for most of the weekend, my foot and ankle have stopped swelling up. It was lovely during the week, since I was still wearing "work" shoes and hobbling around. I didn't break anything, I don't think, but there are two spots on my shin that still really hurt, and DD kicked them last night while she was sleeping in our bed.
Wednesday my grandmother on my dad's side passed away. She's been ill for some time, and has been doing very poorly for the last couple of months. My parents have been traveling to VA to visit her frequently. Unfortunately, life got in the way of my little family seeing her. In fact, I have not seen her since junior high, I think. Military families don't seem to be that close to outside relatives. I don't really remember her coming to visit us very often growing up. And she lived in AZ after my grandfather retired. (He passed on in the early 80's). I do remember her, though, as quite the cosmopolitan lady. She seemed to always be traveling after my grandfather died, visiting her scattered family--brothers and sisters and their families. I think she visited my aunt and my uncle and his family more often, though, than us. I feel for my father, though, as he has had to watch his mother's failing health.
Thursday, Youngest-DS when do the doctor with suspected Pink-eye, which he has (but is nearly gone now).
Friday, DD woke up in the middle of the night with a fever and ran one around 102.7 for Saturday, with Older-DS quickly following with one just under 102. They're feeling better today, though, and are hovering just over 99 with a bit of a cough and runny noses.
The good news of the week: Older-DS received 2 awards during an assembly this week-Perfect Attendance and All A's Honor Roll.
It's Sunday and the beginning of a new week. Hopefully this one will run a bit smoother.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Another random personality test...
| You Are Midnight |
 You are more than a little eccentric, and you're apt to keep very unusual habits. Whether you're a nightowl, living in a commune, or taking a vow of silence - you like to experiment with your lifestyle. Expressing your individuality is important to you, and you often lie awake in bed thinking about the world and your place in it. You enjoy staying home, but that doesn't mean you're a hermit. You also appreciate quality time with family and close friends. |
Hmmm...nothing like those skinny "Dad" legs
This about knocked me out of my chair.
According to Yahoo News, we can look forward to this starting in the Fall. Send our thanks to Milan and all the wonderful fashionistas of the world.
According to Yahoo News, we can look forward to this starting in the Fall. Send our thanks to Milan and all the wonderful fashionistas of the world.
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