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.

I'm not a universal genius

Of course DH wanted me to post this since I didn't do as well as he did...

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.

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.

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.

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.

What Time Of Day Are You?

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.

Counting Down to the New Year

Ah, the quiet after Christmas. Younger-DS is napping, exhausted from two days of mad playing and shrieking and running. DD and Older-DS are chewing Chicklets and pal-ing around in low volume.

We had a good Christmas this year. For the first time since we've been married, we actually made it to mass, er, church, er, service...whatever they call it in non-Catholic terms--still trying to get used to the terminology of Protestantism (and gearing up for my trip to heck-in-a-handbasket, as the nuns in school would say...don't tell my parents ;-) )--on Christmas Eve for a candlelight vigil. DD and younger-DS hung out in the nursery, and you could see a little blonde head running hither and yon through the window. As we found out later, she was using her star wand to turn everyone to stone. Older-DS did a very good job sitting still, even though he was ready to fall asleep (as it lasted past bedtime).

We hightailed it home after services and put the rugrats to bed, and they finally all passed out mid-protest. Nooooooooooooo....snore.

Sometime around midnight, Santa came and put the presents under the tree. Older-DS woke up around 3. DH heard some rustling downstairs and when to check it out. Older-DS was arranging all the presents by whom they belonged to, in order to keep himself from opening them. DH did what he could to get ODS back into bed, but he was way too excited, so he was allowed to play on the computer for a while. Then he was ready to go back upstairs to sleep for an hour or so. He popped in our room around 4:30, when he was told to go into his sister's room and read for a bit, as his sister was curled up on our bed at the foot (right where my legs should have been if I had been allowed to sleep in non-fetal position). He came in again around, then 5:30. Around 5:45 we gave up and crawled out of bed. DD did not want to get up until she heard the word "Santa." Then we woke up Younger-DS and went downstairs to open them up.

They all had a wonderful time tearing off paper and finding the surprises inside. Younger-DS managed to open up a few items before getting completely pre-occupied by his stocking (which, btw, Gramma, you did a wonderful job!!! She has made stockings for all three of the kiddoes and they are gorgeous!). He did a better job at age 2 then his brother did...the first thing older-DS did at 2 was to pull out a set of alphabet flash cards from his stocking and would not open another present for several hours.

Our living room has not been the same since, with all the cardboard boxes and twist ties and various pieces of theft resistance packaging.

Yesterday they played and played and played and blew bubbles and shrieked and hooted and hollered and ran up and down the stairs and through the hallways, kitchen and living room and over furniture and under tables and up the walls and danced on the ceiling and crashed cars and turned us all into statues. Then cried, "Noooooooooosnore!" when we put them to bed.

The oldest two were a bit more mild mannered today, but that may have been their trip to the dentist and their favorite hygenist (who someone has a BIG crush on).

Tomorrow I head back to work. I could still use a few more days of vacation. Had a half day on Friday, we were given the day off on Monday, and I used up my last personal (use-it-or-lose-it) day on Tuesday and a vacation day for today. Luckily, tomorrow will be my only full day, as we will probably close around 3 on the Friday for New Years. Yea!

I think the kids are itchin' to get back to school, at least the older two. We'll see how Younger-DS does when he starts back to daycare next Tuesday, after staying home for three weeks. Should be interesting.

Well, here's the new year and all sorts of new adventures. Wish you all happiness and prosperity and a good night's sleep.

Christmas is coming...

Well, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas here. The tree went up yesterday afternoon, with much "help" from the young 'uns. It even has the "beautiful" angel that older-DS made with Gramma a couple of years ago.





The youngest found his favorite part of the festivities, as well.



It took a while, but we finally managed to get all of the ornaments up without too many problems, and gathered around for a mug of hot mulled cider. DD was enthralled with my old smiley face mug, and showed it off to all of us, over and over and over.

The tree is surviving the best that it can. I have never seen an artificial tree have to try so hard...it's been knocked down twice so far, with glass balls flying. Oh well, younger-DS will grow and lose his fascination with pushing it over (hopefully). Last year, we put our tree away on the 26th, after older-DS and DD were running around like banshees and caused the poor tree to topple. This poor tree has had more bad luck than the one in the Charlie Brown special.

At least we haven't had to pull either of the cats out of it...(knock on wood). Although, they may have knocked it down in years past, too.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I am posting a couple of pics of my recent creations.

This sterling bracelet is made with a Bali silver ball, noodles (aka tube beads, but that doesn't sound as fun), various SS beads and crystal rondells.



The necklace on the right was stitched in odd-count tubular peyote with silver-lined, matte cyrstal , size 11 Japanese seed beeds, with SS beadcaps and AB crystals.











Here on the left is an illusion necklace, this time with 10mm amazonite rounds with SS diamond dust (aka snowball) beads, spiral spacers and crystals.

I've made a couple of pairs of earrings, too, but have not tried to photograph them. They are based on a pair that I saw in one of my beading books. I would give credit if I could remember off hand who designed them, but I can't, and I don't feel like getting up to find the book, and have been fighting with the pictures in this post, which wouldn't move where I wanted them, and then wouldn't let me type where I needed to. Grrrr.

That's it for now. Need to get back to the laundry and give the stew a stir. Maybe I will post a second time in December...it's worth a shot.


A special note from DD, to wish you a happy holiday season (OK, I admit that I like the term "happy holidays" because to me, (1) it's inclusive of all the celebrations around and this time and (2) it's alliterative):
VVBHGGFGFdtffRUJYHGYTUGSYFTEYGTYTRTF HUU
UTYTTYRTREU
FGHfgffdfDDSGHJHGHFGSHF
MOM FF DADDY TTFTEREDRT
FDSFAGSDAFGDTGHDSRDRSDTDRRRDSXSZTADFDSG

R5RT55 R6TRREDRSWUJGTTWADFRDRWHYER
,TFGFTDRSQESW.GFTERF FTFDADGSA
HYGTFHFRTHDRSDRWSDHTWTEDER
frgdcfGXSDFSZDFSDFXGVGFCFGHDFGDCGDFGHffgdfrghfsgtfxgxfdfdx
sedsdesd
tdrderdertererewsreaa
gfyggugytfrytgfrugumgggggggmggyrftfrnfrnhtertffffcedxfAFGFGHFGH
SHFGHFDSGFCGEYFTEYSGYWRTRFD
FFGTDTGDTHRDRESW
Love, DD

Now a special note from Older-DS:
Happy Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

November's Post

You Are The Chariot

You represent a difficult battle, and a well-deserved victory. You tend to struggle to get what you want, both internally and externally. You excel at controlling opposing forces, getting down the same path. In the end, you bring glory and success - using pure will to move forward. Your fortune: There is great conflict in your life right now, either with yourself or others. You must find a solution to this conflict, which is likely to be a "middle road" between the two forces. You posses the skills to triumph over these struggles, as long as your will is strong. You are transforming your inner self, building a better foundation for future successes.

What Tarot Card Are You?

I have been rather behind in posting. Work is keeping me very busy, staying late almost every evening, then rushing to pick up the kids and make dinner. Sometimes not eating until nearly 7, which is tough on the little on the little ones. Then I get to spend the next hour nagging my 7 year old to finish his homework and do his mandatory 20 minutes of reading that must be logged and initialed by me. The tuck them all in bed by 8, so they can get enough sleep for school, since they need to get up at 6 a.m. I feel bad sometimes, that I don't really get to enjoy the only time I get to spend with my kids during the work week.

But they are all healthy, and don't seem too much worse for the wear right now. Today, while DH was at school studying for finals (which he has been doing for most of this weekend) and younger DS was napping, DD and older DS and I weeded out on the patio and found some snails and a small anole (lizard), which periodically would peek its head out and watch us. We had a good time.

We watched The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe numerous times this weekend, as well. That seems to be the favorite movie for November. At least it wasn't Sleeping Beauty, which was the previous flavor of the month.

I also managed to purge several bags worth of old paperwork and broken toys and torn books. That was only the beginning. Still need to finish the rest of the family room and move the table and couch to find out what has migrated under there, as well. Even did about 10 loads of laundry. Someday, I would love to have a housekeeper.

Oh yeah, and I also make the traditional turkey dinner. With sausage stuffing made from fresh bread crumbs, smashed garlic potatoes, green bean casserole, peas (for those who don't like green bean casserole, DH), rolls (OK, these were heat and serve), sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, and gravy from the drippings and roasted veggies that baked under the turkey. It was pretty good, although next year, I think I will stuff my bird, instead of cooking the turkey unstuffed. Although it cooks faster, it seems that the bird itself was a little drier, even though I started cooking it breast side down and make DH flip it over for the last hour of roasting. (It's easier to flip unstuffed). Still, older DS gave it a thumbs up, which is pretty good, since he's at the stage where he moans and groans over just about everything that I make.

Now, I get to find a cheap, yet experienced, babysitter for Saturday. We are having our office party that evening. Any volunteers? Try as I might, no one else in our office would go for a lunch hour. Seems most everyone wanted an "upscale" dinner with adults, which I had to coordinate. Of course, next year, I will be starting that in early October. It was quite a mistake to wait until November, since the only private dining rooms left had $2K+ minimums. We'll be close to that with gratuity, with 12 people (including spouses), but those minimums don't include tips, which are usually calculated around 20% (which I have found out since coordinating our Broker event for December).

Now it time to start getting ready for the holidays. Older DS's birthday and Christmas, all within a week of each other. Somewhere in there I need to take some vacation days, although part of me it tempted to wait until January so I can have some time alone in the house to get it cleaned from top to bottom, including the carpets. For some reason, I don't think that is what most people plan during time off, but it will never get done any other way. How do other women manage to keep everything coordinated? Gads.

On the lighter side, I have managed to make another necklace and a couple of pairs of earrings. The earrings will be Christmas gifts, I think. I'll have to post some pictures as soon as I find the batteries that I bought for our digital camera. (I even made a special trip, and for the life of me, can't remember where I put them.) I have had a couple of offers from people to buy some the items that I have made, a couple of the necklaces and a bracelet. One of these days I will have to take them up. I ought to start pricing everything while I'm making them, so I know what to say.

The kids are themselves as much as ever. DH posted about what DD was thankful for (for being a princess, for those who may have glossed over that), and older DS's list of 50 or so items was read over the intercom at school. He's even thankful for our cats, one of whom has his head resting on the back of my left hand, which is making typing a bit of a challenge. (I guess the drumming of my fingers on the keyboard is like a massage for him.) Younger DS is his chipper self, when he gets his way. He acts more and more like his older boy sibling at age 2, including the scowl when he is crossed, and his love of climbing out of his crib and dislike of going to bed. Although, he does look peaceful when he succumbs to slumber, unlike his sister who always looks P.O.'ed when she finally passes out. Younger DS is talking up storm now, although I'm still unsure of everything that he is talking about. I've probably sold my soul to the devil several times over during all of the yeses and mmm hmmms that I have done during his monologues.

Well, I guess it's time to take a break from the typing and join DH while he watches America's Next Top Model.

Your Element Is Water

A bit of a contradiction, you can seem both lighthearted and serious. That's because you're good at going with the flow - but you also are deep. Highly intuitive, you tune in to people's emotions and moods easily. You are able to tap into deep emotional connections and connect with others. You prefer a smooth, harmonious life - but you can navigate your way around waves. You have a knack for getting people to get along and making life a little more peaceful.

What's Your Element?

Busy

I noticed that it has been a full month since posting. Life is busy. With DH at school 4 nights per week (with the computer) I have had little time to spare (and even less internet access) to jot a quick note on this here blog.

Since my last posting, work has been non-stop. My boss has been a joy to work with so far. He has even thanked me for my work on our last office move, even though he had no part of it. He was surprised that I was not given any sort of over-time pay or comp-time for my efforts, as I had little help in our office, and I managed to take care of the move and do all of my regular duties, and told me that that situation would never happen again. It was nice to hear that efforts were appreciated, even from someone outside of the situation.

Older-DS and I had an interesting converstion the other week. We were sitting around the kitchen table while he finished his dinner. We were discussing how someone in his class had gone to summer school and that he wanted to go. I explained that summer school is generally for those who failed a class and needed to make it up. In other words, he really did not want to go. Then I explained that when he was older that the only summer school that I would not be upset about him having to take was Driver's Ed. That was when Daddy had taken the class, while I took it during the school year.

Older-DS was upset about Driver's Ed. He has decided that he will not take this when he is 16 since it requires parent's permission and he will only get his license when he is 18 and can secure one (after passing the mandatory tests) without mom or dad. Somehow I think he will change his mind before he's 18. Of course, he may not just out of spite. He does have a bit of a stubborn streak.

Younger-DS has taken to using the X-box controller to play "football" (oh, come on!) while DH has the college or pro games on TV. This morning he was dragging it around calling for DH to play...even though it was 8 a.m. and there is no game on TV. He was quite upset when I told him that yes he could play, but it would be later. He plugging in the controller himself and demanded that I change the channels until a game was on. Not having cable, there wasn't much available other than 6 Spanish channels, a few religious programs, political shows and an info-mercial or two. Not quite controller fare, and it's difficult to make those politicians move around the table...unless you have a few green-backs in your pockets.

But the games have begun for the afternoon, so he is a happy camper.

DD is enjoying pre-K, even though she isn't as fond of being dropped off at daycare afterwards. But we drive by the "Blue Water" on the way and she seems to feel a bit better. "Blue Water" is a fountain at one of the local apartment complexes where they have colored the water, instead of painting the bottom of the fountain. Her first "school" pictures are on Friday.

DH has been studying hard. We're (I'm) counting down to the end of the semester...then the end of the year...then the bar...then life as a lawyer. The light is at the end of the tunnel, although DH still says he never really thought that he would make it through. Of course he would!

I have made a few pieces of jewelry, and thought I would share them. This is not all, but it's a good sampling...even if the pictures did not turn out well. Someday I would like to become proficient, but I'm still learning. My attempt at the Ndebele stick last night did not go quite as well, so I will be re-doing it with different beads. Or using the same beads with a different stick, since I like the colors.

Catchin' Up

You Are A Chestnut Tree

You are a born diplomat with a well developed sense of justice. And even though you're impressive and intimidating, you're also fun to be around. You can be irritated easily, and you sometimes act superior. Nevertheless, you are sensitive of others feelings and very loyal. Sometimes you feel misunderstood and are fiercely close to those who know you best.

What's Your Celtic Horoscope?

It's been a busy, busy month already. I'm in talks with my boss to get a receptionist, but we need to increase our NOI first. The kiddos are getting ready to go back to school next week. DD seems to be excited about pre-K. And my boss seems to be understanding about the fact that I will have to give up three "lunch hours" (which really aren't since that's when I try to run errands so that I don't have to drag the kids around from store to store during the weekend) to get DD from school and bring her to daycare. DH will be getting her the other two days. At least it's only for the semester (about 4 and 1/2 months). Plus, I will not be able to stay late for work after this week from M-Th (as I have for pretty much every evening since my new boss started), as DH has evening classes as well. Hopefully DH will have a more flexible schedule next semester.

Younger DS has been talking up a storm. Tonight he told DD that she had "'nuff" Parmesan cheese on her spaghetti, which she didn't eat. Last night he told her to "go room" when she raised her voice at the table.

Oldest DS, DH and I had a friendly game of "sock" this evening. Mostly, this means that we take turns pelting each other with DH's rolled up socks--unless you're me and you completely miss and the socks end up behind the couch. Ava had a rough evening and was in bed, asleep. (Although she did have a nice afternoon as DH picked her up from daycare and took her to see Cars as an early "what a big girl you are for starting school" present.)

Someday I'll really be able to catch everything up...or does that really ever happen?

Another couple of months in paradise

Things have been hopping around here. Our new boss has had me working like nobody's business. At his old post, he had three people available to help him out...I'm now those three people: office administrator/marketing assistant, executive assistant, and receptionist. I've been rather busy. In fact, last Friday, I was at work until 7. At four o'clock, I made the mistake of asking him if he needed anything else before I left for training. And he asked, "Where?" I said, "Training on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Remember, in Orlando?" He said, "Oh. I forgot. Um, yeah, I need the brochures for the (Tenant's name) space. Oh, and I'm sure that since this is small office and you know when everyone is out, but I can't keep track. Would you put together a calendar for me?"

Suffice to say, I want a receptionist. If nothing else, just to reduce the number of interruption when I'm trying to do legal documents or work on graphics.

I survived the Orlando trip. The airplane ride was uneventful (always a good thing), and I was even able to catch an earlier flight home (6:30 instead of 8). The only bad part was when DD burst into tears because I couldn't take her with me, and then she told me she hated me. I started tearing up then, too. DH, in his attempt to lighten things up, told me there's no crying in baseball. OK, coach. Several times, I called home, but the only rugrat who would talk to me was younger-DS. Apparently, Arthur (on PBS) ranks higher on the social scale than me.

Of course, everyone who saw my pics of them on my phone said how utterly adorable they are. Not that I am biased, but I think they are the cutest and smartest and most huggable children in all the world.

DH did a wonderful time keeping the kids (yes, there were still three when I got home), even though it rained the whole time, and he had to stay indoors with them. Poor guy, I know it wasn't easy to remain sane.

Grandma and Grandpa arrived yesterday evening. They will be watching the rugrats while DH and I go to my co-worker's wedding. It will be a nice break to have an evening with adults (and no kids to keep entertained). We haven't had one of those since the Christmas dinner for work. I was hoping to be able to take some vacation time off while they were here, but it looks like the only day will be Friday. Rats!

Our property manager will be out for budget training from Tuesday through Thursday, and our customer service coordinator (who takes the tenant's calls when things break) will be out on her honeymoon all week. I have been designated to handle all of that as well. Not that I don't already have a full plate on my hands. For some reason, although our CSC had decided that our tech should call the vendors when needed since he knows who to call, our property manager has decided that she does not want our tech calling, so now I get to do that as well. And our property manager decided to set up painting at some of the buildings and air quality testing that week, too, and I'm now the point of contact for any questions or concerns per her emails to the tenants. I need a significant raise.

Enough venting.

The kids are playing/fighting over the Coca Cola chess set and I need to finish making my necklace for the wedding tonight. I wasn't happy with the way it turned out, so I'm going to make a couple of small additions to it. Should only take an hour or so to fix it up. I'm done with the earrings. I'll have to post pics of them later, along with the two bracelets that I beaded, as soon as I put the clasps on them. Oh yeah, and I made another necklace that I received a bunch of ooohs and aaahs over, even though it was a really simple design with some left over findings, chain, and light green Swarovski crystals.

Ups and Downs

It's been another wild week at the old H Ranchero. Ups and downs all over the place.

Ups:
*My favorite co-worker was finally given the boot.
*We finally have a new boss who everyone in the company says is fabulous...including the team that is losing him, as he is transferring from another office (more about this in the down side).
*With our new boss is corporate's offer to pump muchos dineros into acquisition and development of millions of square feet of industrial and office space into our office's portfolio, so we will be growing by leaps and bounds.
*My co-workers gave me a huge bouquet of flowers for a belated birthday gift.
*I read about a website called Bookins in a newsletter that I receive from the USPS about a site where you can trade books. You only pay shipping. Thought this is would be a good way to get rid of those books that I know I will not read again, and pass them on to someone who will.

Downs:
*We are getting a new boss because we will be closing another office.
*We were the recipients of a hit-and-run. Luckily, everyone is OK. But we aren't sure, yet, what this will mean to my beloved mini-van. She looks pretty bad. Idiot driver decided to go over a concrete curb for a protected left turn lane and hit us practically head on. Then backed up, did a 180 and high-tailed it through a parking lot and down a side street. (But they did hit us hard enough to leave their license plate at the scene, so we will be able to track them down.)
*3 weeks until we have to have a community outreach project and everything gets shot down by a co-worker who doesn't want to work outside, but refuses come up with alternate ideas or places to book. I may need to make the executive decision and let the chips fall where they may.
*Our next-door tenant told me that he would like to expand into our new office by the end of this year. Gads!!! Maybe this time I will be the one to go on vacation the week before we move again.
*I'm cleaning out my coffee-maker so our house smells like hot vinegar.

Nothing too unbearable to complain about. Things could be better, but things could be a zillion times worse. We're all still "alive and kickin'." (<--that's for your Lady Fan)

Socialism?

You are a Social Liberal (60% permissive) and an... Economic Liberal (20% permissive) You are best described as a: Democrat Link: The Politics Test on OkCupid Free Online Dating Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

My hubby posted his results, so I thought I would share mine.

My, it's been a while....

Well, it's been a busy few weeks in this neck of the woods. We finished our office move. I only had to stay late a zillion extra (unpaid) hours, while others took vacation or couldn't come in or else they would have to be paid over-time.

My favorite co-worker threw a hissy-fit that we were storing items in our "spec" building that has not been leased (we finished the building about 5 months ago, so it's not really a speculative building anymore), and showed up at the spec building as the movers were finishing unloading and then told us that everything had to be moved to the other end because this LR was going to lease that end first (insert major chuckle here, as if he could lease anything on his own...). Not only was this something that LR could have told me while the movers where at our office, but LR had an appointment in that part of town and could have gone with the movers to show exactly where to put everything instead of me wasting half the day and then having to work until 9:45 p.m. packing up the rest of the office. LR did manage to pack his desk, but used 3 more barely-filled boxes--as in 2" of 14" deep boxes--than his allotted amount and pitched another fit because (1) I condensed his boxes because I needed them to pack the rest of the office and (2) I had to put some other items into his boxes like his PHONE and same other marketing materials that he did not pack. He also asked if he should pack up one of our old internal items in the drawers of the desk he had spread out his marketing materials on, because it was not his stuff. Good Lord, take some initiative!!!! I almost told him where to pack it. One of the other co-worker's about fell over trying not to laugh after the look I gave.

Other than a few minor bumps, the move went smoothly, and I received some kudos for a job well done.

Home life has been relatively quite for me, but poor DH is stressed out about finals. Hopefully, he'll be able to relax a little when the tests are done and the term paper is turned in.

Older-DS got to eat his first home-grown tomato on Monday. Our container gardening is going fairly well, but it looks like we won't be getting that many tomatoes this year. The herbs are growing like mad, and I used the first of the basil and oregano this weekend. The sage is huge, too. Too bad the parsley are not doing quite as well, but they may take a bit longer, as they started directly from seed. I'm trying to give away some of the extra catnip and mint seedlings, as I feel bad about throwing them away, but no takers so far. So, if anyone wants them, let me know, and they're yours.

Right now, well, not really at this particular minute because I'm still at work (shhhhhh, don't tell anyone) I'm struggling with Jack's Mama's birthday gift. I've had to redo it at least a dozen times so far, and I screwed it up again last night. Tonight, I will try to fix it one more time. If it doesn't work, I'll scrap it and come up with something else. I can't figure out why I'm having such problems, as it's not a complicated layout. Grrrrr.

Oh yeah, Jack's Mama sent me a package, but I haven't had a chance to go to the post office yet to pick it up. Hopefully, tomorrow. They don't deliver anything larger than an envelope to our apartments. If it doesn't fit in the mini-slot or if it isn't some sort of mass junk mailing, then we have to pick it up. They are not friendly at that post office.

I'm sure there is more to tell, but it's time to leave and I still need to publish this bad-boy. So here ya go....

The end of the first full week of April

I've been trying to read a book for the last few weeks, but it has taken forever to get through. The blurb on the front cover by The New York Times summarizes it perfectly: "A slim volume of terrifying power."

The book in reference is Night, by Nobel Prize winner Elie Wiesel. It's his account his experiences in the German concentration camps during WWII.

Younger-DS is in the middle of a temper tantrum because I would not get him another thing to eat. He just finished lunch and had a some goldfish. He's mad because I'm holding out on the oranges for later this afternoon. Apparently, he is a big eater at daycare, too.

DD went to the grocery store with me this morning. (I have to make several dozen cookies for a PTA function on Tuesday.) She did pretty well, other than complaining that she got a pink balloon instead of purple. Pink or purple, it bounced off the side of my head for the whole shopping experience, so I looked like a chia pet by the time we made it back to the car.

Older-DS is sitting at the table, writing out his list of students and adding up the check marks by their names. I just asked, and the check marks are good because that means that they are here today, and the X's are bad because that means that they are not here. And they are here to learn.

Our container gardening experiment is having mixed results. My mom bought older-DS a tomato plant, and so far, we have 3 tomatoes coming in. The parsley I bought is only doing so-so, but the sage had taken off. I broke the tops of the basil off accidentally, but they are coming back, and the rosemary and oregano are doing well, too. Unfortunately, the seeds doing quite as well as I hoped. A few of them started well, then quickly keeled over, so no dill and very few chives this year. The lemon balm, sage, borage, mint, and catnip are doing quite well. There are a couple of anise, and one each of marjoram, savory and parsley coming up. I'm not too surprised about the seeds, as they were left over from a few years ago. It's nice to have a patio that we can actually use, and where I don't have to worry about the kids falling through the bars.

We're getting through the office move. Hopefully, I'll be back in the loop at some point, and next time they do any major changes they will inform me before I have meetings with vendors. There's nothing like having a discussion with someone, only to find out that they have a different set of notes than me. I hate feeling like an idiot.

I have to run. Apparently, I'm now the principal in Older-DS's school. He told me to pick a name, but didn't like my choices: Mrs. Ruler-of-the-Universe, Mrs. Ruler-of-the-School, or Mrs. Omniscient. So, I must be content with Mrs. H-I love the name, but the first one sure had a nice ring to it.

I'm getting old. It's just after 9 p.m. and I'm ready to crash for the night and the weekend. The kids are in bed...although not quite asleep. DD was in the room while I was washing my face and trying to bribe me into reading a story to her, the "if you won't read this, then you're not my friend" song-and-dance. I told her to go to bed. She told me I was not her friend.

On a happy note, oldest DS lost his 2nd top tooth tonight. He was excited because he can suck more noodles through the gap where his teeth used to be.

Youngest DS was not a pleasant child at daycare today. After losing 3 hours of sleep last night, he only napped for 20 minutes. Suffice to say, I think the poor teachers there were relieved to see me. But he heartily and cheerily wave good-bye and then immediately looked for his siblings.

Work is trucking along. Sitting in on phone conferences and waiting on bids for movers. One has been turned in...I haven't heard yet from the others. And it looks like we will be moving on a Saturday now, and that I have to have the phone/data cabler and an electrician on hand in order to pull the cords out of the cubicles and de-electrify before the movers cut everything. They also have to be there to pull everything through the cubicles when the movers set them up in the new space. Can't wait.

The big topic at work right now are the construction difficulties with the Comcast Center. Apparently, the plumber's union is fighting the use of waterless urinals, which may cost the building it's LEED "Green Building" rating. It would be the tallest Green building on the East coast. If they cannot get the permits for these urinals (which will save 1.6 mil gallons of water per year), then the Bank of America building in NYC will get the honors for the tallest Green building. Of course there are those that do not like them for other reasons. I have no opinion.

Sundays

DH made me get up early this morning in order to go out for breakfast with the kiddoes. It's always a bit of an under-taking, involving much "Go get your shoes and socks on now!" (Not to me, but to the kids.) Oldest DS hates going anywhere in the morning...I have no idea where he gets that from. I'm always up for adventure before the sun gets up, even without copious amounts of coffee. (Eeeek! Lightning!)

I finally finished one of my projects last night and have posted it for all to gaze upon. I'm slowly teaching myself a new hobby.



That one took forever as it required much weaving of seed beads and bugles, and of course, I have similar one in progress with AB clear bugles and clear/pink seed beads. Here's one that I finished a while ago:


It's just memory wire with some light grey glass pearls and silver beads and a pair of earings to match. Since I had a bunch of the grey beads left, I also made a similar necklace and earings with different silver spacers. I'll post it another time.

When I had finally finished the project and right before I went to bed, DD trotted into the room to tell DH and me that she had "fallen out of the bed." DH looked at her and said, "Well, climb back into bed." She pondered for a moment and said, "OK." And jogged back to her room.

As it stands right now, Oldest DS's tooth is still hanging on, but barely. Youngest DS is napping after a fun post-breakfast at BN and the park, where the kids hair stood up completely on end after flying down the slides. Gotta love that static electricity. The rest of the day is full of laundry and dozing while DH finishes his reading for school.

Oh yeah, and for dinner yesterday, DH made me cook, so I put together a shrimp boil (kinda like a crawfish boil, but no crawfish, and no newspaper-covered picnic table in the backyard to dump out the crawfish and corn and pototoes on...well, there was no sausage either). OK, so maybe it wasn't really too much like a crawfish boil, other than I boiled some shrimp in seasoning with corn and potatoes. But it sure was tasty!