Today was a weird day - it was an "in case you didn't know the economy sucks, let me hit you upside the head" day.
Got to work at 7 - around 9 I wondered a little about where Matt was (my manager) - he's usually in around 845. I was then called in to an office where they explained a few things about the economy and our company - and then told me that Matt had been laid off. This came as a huge shock to me and others in the department. I'm still in a state of shock - also a state of stress. When your manager isn't safe from the economy it makes you start to wonder if you yourself are safe. I have never been through layoffs like this before. When I worked for Western we had layoffs when the company was bought out - but we were given 3 months notice and in my case 9 months. We had time to prepare and figure out what we wanted to do. This type of layoff is like getting fired - you're told you are done, your security is revoked, and you're given a box to pack your belongings in. I started looking at my desk today - I don't think all my crap will fit in one box!
I baked tonight but that didn't help relax me like it usually does. So - I am going to head to bed - read my People Magazine - get some sleep - Thank God that I still have a job right now - get up and face tomorrow.
De
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Not Much
Not sure what to write about tonight. L has been living with me again for about 2 weeks and so far so good - knock on wood quick! She's not here very much and seeing as most everything she owned was stolen there's not a lot for her to leave lying around the place. We have not had any disagreements and I hope it stays that way until she moves on.
Work got interesting - the gal that reported to me was let go yesterday. The reassignment of her duties hasn't been made clear yet so for now it is being split between myself and David. I went through her desk today to get an idea of what needs to be done - month end is coming up at the end of the week and I want to make sure I am on top of things. I pride myself on meeting month end deadlines.
Mom and Dad are headed down to Texas in the morning to spend Super Bowl weekend with the Musielak Clan. I am jealous - I wish I could be down there this weekend too. It's been a year and a half since we were all together. I miss having the whole family around. I know I get to go visit Texas in March but I wish I could be there this weekend too. Hmm . . . . . last minute ticket to Dallas for the weekend would cost me $780!!!!! Guess I'll just hope to be able to listen in during the game on Sunday using video chat!! Still need to figure out a way to get the chips and dip to pass through the Internet!!
Time For Bed!
De
Work got interesting - the gal that reported to me was let go yesterday. The reassignment of her duties hasn't been made clear yet so for now it is being split between myself and David. I went through her desk today to get an idea of what needs to be done - month end is coming up at the end of the week and I want to make sure I am on top of things. I pride myself on meeting month end deadlines.
Mom and Dad are headed down to Texas in the morning to spend Super Bowl weekend with the Musielak Clan. I am jealous - I wish I could be down there this weekend too. It's been a year and a half since we were all together. I miss having the whole family around. I know I get to go visit Texas in March but I wish I could be there this weekend too. Hmm . . . . . last minute ticket to Dallas for the weekend would cost me $780!!!!! Guess I'll just hope to be able to listen in during the game on Sunday using video chat!! Still need to figure out a way to get the chips and dip to pass through the Internet!!
Time For Bed!
De
Cynic or Realist
Am I cynical or just facing reality? A comment on yesterday's blog suggested I should give people the opportunity to prove they are trustworthy and that if I had gone back to the gas station I might have been surprised to find my card either still there on the ground or having been turned in to the cashier. That's possibly true and a few years ago I would have done that and would have been surprised if it wasn't there or hadn't been turned in. I was very trusting and believed everyone was good - I would never think to steal anything from someone, I would never keep something of importance that I found, and I figured everyone was like that - some would say I was a little naive. The past year though I have been the victim of not so trustworthy people - house broken in to, money taken, etc. L had her car stolen with all of her belongings. Two friends had their CC numbers stolen and had thousands of dollars charged to their cards from Internet purchases. Has this turned me cynical or just helped to take the blinders off and face the reality of what the world has become - you can't trust everyone - there are people out there that want to take advantage of good people - you need to protect yourself first - random acts of kindness are rare these days.
De
De
Monday, January 26, 2009
Time For Another Spell
Just when you think your luck has changed - you get smacked upside the head and brought back to reality.
I left work at 300 with the intention of running a couple errands in Issaquah and then a couple up on the Plateau. I went to Michael's and purchased some silver beads that I needed for a new creation - stuck to my list and didn't buy any additional items! Next stop was the gas station to fill her up and then get her washed - my car definitely needed to be cleaned after all the snow and rain and the sand that was put on the roads to keep cars form sliding. My next to last stop was up on the Plateau to pick up Muppet's med refill. I started walking towards the vet's office - reached in to my pocket to get out my Visa card - it wasn't there!! I stopped - checked every single pocket twice - headed back to the car to see if it had fallen out on the seat - checked the pockets of my purse twice and then my coat pockets another time - It was no where to be found. I knew I had it when I filled up with gas because that's how I paid for it - I remember checking my pocket for it as the car was filling up to make sure it was there - and then I didn't check again until I got to the vet's. Oh wait - it was in my coat pocket at the gas station - it was in the same pocket as my car keys - I bet the dang thing fell out of my pocket when I grabbed my keys to get back in the car. Just great - absolutely great!! It started to send me in to a tailspin but I took some deep breaths and told myself that it had only been about 15 minutes so I when I get home I can cancel it and hopefully no large charges will have been made on it yet. Which is what I did - so the card has been cancelled - no additional charges had been made yet - I should get a new card in about a week. I've been placed on a spending hold!!
I hope I'm not going to have 2 more bad things happen - you know they come in threes! If I do, I hope they're not as irritating as this one.
I'm going to go do a good luck spell now!
De
I left work at 300 with the intention of running a couple errands in Issaquah and then a couple up on the Plateau. I went to Michael's and purchased some silver beads that I needed for a new creation - stuck to my list and didn't buy any additional items! Next stop was the gas station to fill her up and then get her washed - my car definitely needed to be cleaned after all the snow and rain and the sand that was put on the roads to keep cars form sliding. My next to last stop was up on the Plateau to pick up Muppet's med refill. I started walking towards the vet's office - reached in to my pocket to get out my Visa card - it wasn't there!! I stopped - checked every single pocket twice - headed back to the car to see if it had fallen out on the seat - checked the pockets of my purse twice and then my coat pockets another time - It was no where to be found. I knew I had it when I filled up with gas because that's how I paid for it - I remember checking my pocket for it as the car was filling up to make sure it was there - and then I didn't check again until I got to the vet's. Oh wait - it was in my coat pocket at the gas station - it was in the same pocket as my car keys - I bet the dang thing fell out of my pocket when I grabbed my keys to get back in the car. Just great - absolutely great!! It started to send me in to a tailspin but I took some deep breaths and told myself that it had only been about 15 minutes so I when I get home I can cancel it and hopefully no large charges will have been made on it yet. Which is what I did - so the card has been cancelled - no additional charges had been made yet - I should get a new card in about a week. I've been placed on a spending hold!!
I hope I'm not going to have 2 more bad things happen - you know they come in threes! If I do, I hope they're not as irritating as this one.
I'm going to go do a good luck spell now!
De
Can you have too much . . . . . . . .
Sleep! I went to bed at 10:30 on Saturday night and slept until 1130 Sunday morning! I then had a 2 hour nap before heading out at 530 to go to dinner with some friends. Got home last night and again fell asleep around 1030 and had soooo much trouble getting out of bed this morning. So - either I have gotten too much sleep and my body can't get out of the sleep cycle or else I am coming down with something and my body just needs sleep.
Dinner was fun last night - went to Cucina Cucina with my 40 Something Club - had a chopped salad and lots of good conversation! After dinner I went to Barnes and Noble - which is right next door to the restaurant so I couldn't not go! Went in to just "browse" and get one book that I had been thinking about getting - I had some gift cards from Christmas that were burning a hole in my pocket! I went in - browsed - purchased - and left! Oh - I did end up with more than the one book I was looking for - I ended up with 5 Books!!!! Good heavens - Barnes and Noble to me is like crack for a drug addict. I get such a rush when I go in to the store and then when I find a new book it is amazing! I guess if I am going to have another addiction this one isn't so bad doesn't - make you fat - interfere with day to day activity - cost too much if you can get people to help support it! Of course - I am running out of room for all the books - they don't all fit in the bookcase and I am having trouble finding places to put them all.
Oh - no one else showed up at the dog park on Saturday so poor Muppy didn't get to make any new friends. She did get sniffed by a lot of other big dogs though! She is kinda like that character Flower in the Bambi movie - she just wanders slowly sniffing at everything completely oblivious to all that is going on around her. She never once reacted to having a cold nose sniffing her butt! I kinda wish she would run around a little when we are at the park but I guess if she is happy just sniffing it's fine. The fresh air does her good and tires her out.
Time to start the work day!
De
Dinner was fun last night - went to Cucina Cucina with my 40 Something Club - had a chopped salad and lots of good conversation! After dinner I went to Barnes and Noble - which is right next door to the restaurant so I couldn't not go! Went in to just "browse" and get one book that I had been thinking about getting - I had some gift cards from Christmas that were burning a hole in my pocket! I went in - browsed - purchased - and left! Oh - I did end up with more than the one book I was looking for - I ended up with 5 Books!!!! Good heavens - Barnes and Noble to me is like crack for a drug addict. I get such a rush when I go in to the store and then when I find a new book it is amazing! I guess if I am going to have another addiction this one isn't so bad doesn't - make you fat - interfere with day to day activity - cost too much if you can get people to help support it! Of course - I am running out of room for all the books - they don't all fit in the bookcase and I am having trouble finding places to put them all.
Oh - no one else showed up at the dog park on Saturday so poor Muppy didn't get to make any new friends. She did get sniffed by a lot of other big dogs though! She is kinda like that character Flower in the Bambi movie - she just wanders slowly sniffing at everything completely oblivious to all that is going on around her. She never once reacted to having a cold nose sniffing her butt! I kinda wish she would run around a little when we are at the park but I guess if she is happy just sniffing it's fine. The fresh air does her good and tires her out.
Time to start the work day!
De
Saturday, January 24, 2009
OCD
Started cleaning my room last night - sat down on the couch to take a break - woke up this morning at 5! Now it's time to start the weekend. This morning Muppet and I are headed to Marymoore Park to meet up with other Shih Tzu owners - hopefully little Muppy behaves herself!
Yesterday I had a conversation at work with Laurie and discovered that we have some little OCD things in common! It got me thinking - are they really OCD or just little quirks - is it just a few of us or does everyone have things like this. Here are some of my OCD issues:
Have a good weekend!
De
Yesterday I had a conversation at work with Laurie and discovered that we have some little OCD things in common! It got me thinking - are they really OCD or just little quirks - is it just a few of us or does everyone have things like this. Here are some of my OCD issues:
- When someone stops the microwave early and then doesn't reset the clock I have to reset it. At work, every time I walk by the microwave I check to see if it has the correct time.
- When I fill my car up with gas, the price must end in either a 0 or a 5. If it lands on that naturally it means it is going to be a good day.
- When grocery shopping I need to go through the store the same way every time - not just starting on the same side but going up and down the aisles the same direction.
- I have to fix tags on people's shirts if they're sticking up and their hoods if they are flipped inside out. I have been known to do this to strangers but I am getting better at fighting that urge.
- I used to have to double check to make sure all appliances were unplugged before I left the house. I fixed that by not using any in the morning!
- I check 2 -3 times that I have my keys in my purse or pocket before I lock my car door and close it - then I check again as I walk away from the car.
Have a good weekend!
De
Friday, January 23, 2009
Stress
So glad it is Friday!! Definitely ready for a weekend.
I decided I need to stop listening to the news. Every day there is another story about another company announcing layoffs. Makes me nervous and I start to stress out. Yesterday's announcement from Microsoft was very stressful - if a company that announced 4th Qtr profits of $16.63 billion dollars feels the need to cut back on their workforce then we don't stand a chance. I certainly hope things can get turned around with the new administration. I heard on the radio yesterday that President Obama's economic advisor thinks that the rest of the bail out money should be used to start building projects that will create jobs but that it shouldn't go to the experienced, white, male construction worker it should go to the out of work minorities who have no experience and need to have on the job training. That's a little scary - let's penalize those people that have worked and gained experience and reward those that have done nothing and are always waiting for someone to bail them out.
What do you think?
De
I decided I need to stop listening to the news. Every day there is another story about another company announcing layoffs. Makes me nervous and I start to stress out. Yesterday's announcement from Microsoft was very stressful - if a company that announced 4th Qtr profits of $16.63 billion dollars feels the need to cut back on their workforce then we don't stand a chance. I certainly hope things can get turned around with the new administration. I heard on the radio yesterday that President Obama's economic advisor thinks that the rest of the bail out money should be used to start building projects that will create jobs but that it shouldn't go to the experienced, white, male construction worker it should go to the out of work minorities who have no experience and need to have on the job training. That's a little scary - let's penalize those people that have worked and gained experience and reward those that have done nothing and are always waiting for someone to bail them out.
What do you think?
De
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
No Lessons Learned Yesterday
Hmm - for a human she's not very smart. You would think she would have learned from yesterday but oh no - she gets home today - lets me out of the kitchen - then says we are going on a walk. Good grief - she's got to be kidding! Then - to make it even worse - she put me in my Christmas coat - what if I run into another Shih Tzu out there - I'll be the laughing stock of the breed. On went the collar and leash and we headed out the door. This time I decided not to wait until we got to the trail to let my opinion be known - as soon as we got out on the sidewalk I sat down. Oooh - that wasn't good - it kinda made her crabby - she tugged on the leash and told me to behave and walk. I'll show her who's boss - I sat down again and this time I pulled back with my head. Didn't work - well at least not for the walking part - it did get her to take off my coat. I was happy about that so I walked with her for awhile to show her how happy I was - she told me "Good Puppet", "Good Walk", "You're Being So Good" - dang it, now she thinks I'm enjoying this. I sat down again and looked around - oh good, here comes another Shih Tzu with it's human - maybe I can get some breed support here and Mom will take me back home. Oh great - this one is following it's human all trotting along, tongue hanging out the side of it's mouth, generally behaving like a follower and not a leader. This is not going to help my cause - at least I wasn't wearing my coat! Yup - Mom just said - "Look at that nice puppy following along, walking where it's owner wants to go - being a really good puppy. Why can't you walk like that. I think this is the part where I'm supposed to say - if other dogs were jumping off a bridge would you want me to do that too! We got to the trail head and I was getting ready to sit down again when she stopped and let me smell around the grass for a bit - there are so many interesting smells out there - I like to bury my nose in the grass or a bush and just sniff, sniff, sniff. Time to walk again - OK she let me sniff around so I will be nice and walk with her for a bit. This give and take continued for the rest of the walk. I think maybe on this walk I finally got my human trained a little - she has learned that if she lets me stop and smell the roses - or grass, weeds, dog poop - I will be happy to walk with her. Now if I can just train her to bring cookies on these walks maybe they won't be so bad. I have my first meet-up with other Shih Tzus and their humans on Saturday - I will have to talk to them and see if they have any suggestions!
Oh - Human just got up and started turning out lights - must be time for bed - I better follow her down the hall so we can go to sleep.
Muppet
Oh - Human just got up and started turning out lights - must be time for bed - I better follow her down the hall so we can go to sleep.
Muppet
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
New Day - New Hope - New Game
Got up this morning and decided it was going to be a good day! Left the house at a good time this morning - 5:50 - not early enough to catch the 5:54 bus so I decided to drive in and made excellent time - pulled in to the parking lot at 6:30! I really, really, like getting to work so early. I was able to leave work today at 2:45 which gave me a lot of time when I got home this evening.
Work as a whole started late today - we all gathered around computers and watched the Inauguration and listened to President Obama's speech. I was thinking this morning about other Inaugurations and realized I don't remember watching any others - if someone were to ask me, before today, what comes to mind when you hear Inauguration I would say The Inauguration Day Storm back in 1995! It was very interesting to me that so many people were gathered around to watch this one - when Putbory got to work she said it was so quiet out on the streets of Seattle when she walked in to the building - everyone must have been glued to their screens. I could not believe how many people were actually in Washington DC - I have been there and remember the long walk across the mall from the Capital Building to the Washington Monument -and that area was completely covered with people. When they showed the spot where the new Vice President and President were going to stand to take their oath I felt a little awed - I have stood there - I have pictures of both my Mom and I each standing there. So - 900 came around and there we were - all watching our screens to see history being made - I felt excitement and hope as I watched and listened. I wonder if this is how my parent's generation felt when they saw JFK sworn in as President. The feeling that you are witnessing something absolutely historic and with so much hope and promise.
I got home today before 400 and decided to take Muppet outside - it was light out and I was full of energy and the motivation to walk. I put on her leash and we headed out. She was excited at first - then she realized we were actually going to walk somewhere and not just a quick out and back. The walk now turned in to a new game/exercise that I have named Walk-Tug-Drag! I believe when most dog owners play this game the Tug and Drag part are done by the dog with the owner hanging on for dear life - not with Muppet! The Tug and Drag part were me trying to get her to keep walking and to stop sitting down! This was not just once - not just twice - but for most of the walk!! I would get her to go for a bit and then she would stop - plant her back feet firmly on the ground - and refuse to move any further. This would start the Tugging of the leash - eventually she would start walking again. Towards the end of the walk the Tug turned into a Drag! She sat down on the ground and refused to get up and move even when I tugged on the leash - this resulted in her being dragged across the ground! At one point she was able to wiggle out of her collar and she just gave me a look as if she was laughing at me and saying - Now What Are You Going To Do - she should have gotten up and started walking away instead of sitting there giving me the look because I was able to just grab her and put the leash back on. We finally made it back home and she has been sacked out ever since! Not sure how much cardio exercise I got on this walk but I think my arms got a good work out from tugging on the leash.
De
Work as a whole started late today - we all gathered around computers and watched the Inauguration and listened to President Obama's speech. I was thinking this morning about other Inaugurations and realized I don't remember watching any others - if someone were to ask me, before today, what comes to mind when you hear Inauguration I would say The Inauguration Day Storm back in 1995! It was very interesting to me that so many people were gathered around to watch this one - when Putbory got to work she said it was so quiet out on the streets of Seattle when she walked in to the building - everyone must have been glued to their screens. I could not believe how many people were actually in Washington DC - I have been there and remember the long walk across the mall from the Capital Building to the Washington Monument -and that area was completely covered with people. When they showed the spot where the new Vice President and President were going to stand to take their oath I felt a little awed - I have stood there - I have pictures of both my Mom and I each standing there. So - 900 came around and there we were - all watching our screens to see history being made - I felt excitement and hope as I watched and listened. I wonder if this is how my parent's generation felt when they saw JFK sworn in as President. The feeling that you are witnessing something absolutely historic and with so much hope and promise.
I got home today before 400 and decided to take Muppet outside - it was light out and I was full of energy and the motivation to walk. I put on her leash and we headed out. She was excited at first - then she realized we were actually going to walk somewhere and not just a quick out and back. The walk now turned in to a new game/exercise that I have named Walk-Tug-Drag! I believe when most dog owners play this game the Tug and Drag part are done by the dog with the owner hanging on for dear life - not with Muppet! The Tug and Drag part were me trying to get her to keep walking and to stop sitting down! This was not just once - not just twice - but for most of the walk!! I would get her to go for a bit and then she would stop - plant her back feet firmly on the ground - and refuse to move any further. This would start the Tugging of the leash - eventually she would start walking again. Towards the end of the walk the Tug turned into a Drag! She sat down on the ground and refused to get up and move even when I tugged on the leash - this resulted in her being dragged across the ground! At one point she was able to wiggle out of her collar and she just gave me a look as if she was laughing at me and saying - Now What Are You Going To Do - she should have gotten up and started walking away instead of sitting there giving me the look because I was able to just grab her and put the leash back on. We finally made it back home and she has been sacked out ever since! Not sure how much cardio exercise I got on this walk but I think my arms got a good work out from tugging on the leash.
De
Pretty Boring
Hey - sorry no post last night for those of you that are regular readers - nothing exciting happened yesterday and there hasn't really been any L drama to write about. No word on her car - she comes home at 1030 at night - I'm usually asleep so I haven't really even seen much of her over the past few days. I do need to have a conversation with her soon though - I want to make sure she knows that this situation is not indefinite and that there is a date of when she needs to be out so she better start doing some serious looking for a room to rent. She gets paid on 2/5, which is a Thursday - I figure she should have a place secured by then and move out that weekend. That gives her 3 weeks which I think is enough time - there are a ton of listings on craigslist for roommates wanted. **Still no word on her car**
I am participating in my first Fantasy Football - it has been for the playoffs and will conclude with the Super Bowl Game on 2/1. My team name is Scooby Gang - those of you that know me and my obsessions know that this a reference to Buffy The Vampire Slayer. So - Scooby Gang is actually doing pretty well - my boy Kurt Warner has given me lots of points and has taken his team to the Super Bowl! I am currently in first place and am hoping to walk away with the $30!! This is a nice warm up to next years full Fantasy Football!!
I am going to get going on my day - Yes I am already at work - got here at 6:30 this morning.
De
I am participating in my first Fantasy Football - it has been for the playoffs and will conclude with the Super Bowl Game on 2/1. My team name is Scooby Gang - those of you that know me and my obsessions know that this a reference to Buffy The Vampire Slayer. So - Scooby Gang is actually doing pretty well - my boy Kurt Warner has given me lots of points and has taken his team to the Super Bowl! I am currently in first place and am hoping to walk away with the $30!! This is a nice warm up to next years full Fantasy Football!!
I am going to get going on my day - Yes I am already at work - got here at 6:30 this morning.
De
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Small World
I went to my very first Book Club meeting today. It was pretty good. The book was My Sisters Keeper - I had read this a while ago and probably should have done a little more re-reading of it. It was a good discussion though. I really like how Jodi Piccoult writes so I had a hard time with the criticism some of the group members had - but everyone has their opinion and I still will read every Jodi book that comes out.
The weird part of the meeting was when we went around and introduced ourselves - there was an older couple there and the gentleman introduced himself as Glen. He started talking about how he is a retired music teacher and is doing some substitute teaching in the Seattle School District. He then mentioned that he had spent most of his years teaching in Issaquah - I said I grew up in Issaquah and asked if he had taught at Issaquah High School - yup for 25 years!! He said - we probably know each other - I asked what his last name was - Lutzenhiser - OMG! Glen Lutzenhiser!! He was the Marching Band director when I was in the Drill Team at IHS. I pulled out my old Yearbooks when I got home and looked him up! I will have to bring one of them to next month's meeting if he is going to be there. It is such a small world! Who would have ever thought that 27 years after getting out of high school I would end up in a random book club with a teacher!
I get to go to work tomorrow - another one of those company holiday days that Finance has to work. Oh well, I get an extra PTO Day for going in - which will kinda help with having lost 3 days at the end of the year.
De
***No Word on L's Car - so I guess BJ's prediction was wrong.**
The weird part of the meeting was when we went around and introduced ourselves - there was an older couple there and the gentleman introduced himself as Glen. He started talking about how he is a retired music teacher and is doing some substitute teaching in the Seattle School District. He then mentioned that he had spent most of his years teaching in Issaquah - I said I grew up in Issaquah and asked if he had taught at Issaquah High School - yup for 25 years!! He said - we probably know each other - I asked what his last name was - Lutzenhiser - OMG! Glen Lutzenhiser!! He was the Marching Band director when I was in the Drill Team at IHS. I pulled out my old Yearbooks when I got home and looked him up! I will have to bring one of them to next month's meeting if he is going to be there. It is such a small world! Who would have ever thought that 27 years after getting out of high school I would end up in a random book club with a teacher!
I get to go to work tomorrow - another one of those company holiday days that Finance has to work. Oh well, I get an extra PTO Day for going in - which will kinda help with having lost 3 days at the end of the year.
De
***No Word on L's Car - so I guess BJ's prediction was wrong.**
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Good Morning Readers!
No post last night - just too tired - long week. L headed out last night to hang with friends and "party" so I probably won't see her again until sometime tomorrow night. Gives me some time to just enjoy a quiet house.
Last night when I was getting in to bed I heard a loud car pull up outside - radio cranked - doors slamming - guys talking loud. I am curious so I look out my window to see what's going on. Imagine my surprise when I see two of the guys walk over to one of the trees in front of the building - whip it out - and pee on the trees!!!!! Then they went to one of the units for about 5 minutes - came back - and left. So - no working bathroom at the condo they were visiting??? I would have called someone but I knew they would be gone. I just shook my head - what's this world coming to!
Note - everyone who works needs to make sure they read the fine print concerning how much vacation your company allows you to carry over from year to year. I was not aware that my company only allows you to carry over 40 hours - at the end of December I had 63.12 hours - I lost the additional 23.12 hours - 3 Days!!!!
Today is chore day - tomorrow I am going to my first Book Club meeting.
Have a good weekend!!
De
Last night when I was getting in to bed I heard a loud car pull up outside - radio cranked - doors slamming - guys talking loud. I am curious so I look out my window to see what's going on. Imagine my surprise when I see two of the guys walk over to one of the trees in front of the building - whip it out - and pee on the trees!!!!! Then they went to one of the units for about 5 minutes - came back - and left. So - no working bathroom at the condo they were visiting??? I would have called someone but I knew they would be gone. I just shook my head - what's this world coming to!
Note - everyone who works needs to make sure they read the fine print concerning how much vacation your company allows you to carry over from year to year. I was not aware that my company only allows you to carry over 40 hours - at the end of December I had 63.12 hours - I lost the additional 23.12 hours - 3 Days!!!!
Today is chore day - tomorrow I am going to my first Book Club meeting.
Have a good weekend!!
De
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Drama Free
Deja Vu!! Got home from work today - there was a pile of clothes in the middle of the family room - lights on through out the house - 2 TVs on - the heat had been bumped up to 71* - and there were dishes and food in the second bedroom. I thought I had gotten rid of the mystical creature that likes to do all this stuff!! Please - whoever took the creatures stuff - bring it back so it can go back to where it was hiding!
That's about it - it was actually a fairly quiet day - knock on wood!!!
De
That's about it - it was actually a fairly quiet day - knock on wood!!!
De
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
She's Getting On With Life
No news on L's car and her belongings - BJ's prediction is that L will get a call at about 300 Sunday morning saying her car has been found. We'll see - I think it's gone forever. L found a car on craigslist for $750 - she has the money that her grandparents had been holding out of her paychecks. The person who is selling it is coming by tonight to show it to L - and I'm pretty sure she's going to buy it. She is so not her mother's daughter - I'd be asking everyone I know whether they thought this was a good deal - have someone else look at it with me - stressing out. She is just - I need a car and I need it now - I have the money and I'm going to spend it. She doesn't think ahead and worry about the fact that she now will only have $100 until 2/5 when she gets paid again. These next few weeks with her living here could be rather interesting. Here's a pic of the car she is most likely getting tonight.
The next step is for her to find a place to live. With her bank account on empty she is probably going to be here at least until Feb 5th - I hope we don't kill each other! So far so good - L seems to be really trying to make this work - probably because she knows I have no problem with kicking her out.
Have I mentioned that Niki seems to be going through a second kittenhood! Losing all her teeth seems to have re energized her - she runs around - plays with toys - wrestles with Buffy - climbs all over the counters - She is a changed cat.
Last night my routine was all messed up - I forgot to give Muppet her meds. I realized this at midnight when I woke up to find Muppet sitting at my head and staring at me. I picked her up to carry her to the kitchen and I could feel the seizure coming on - she was just all quivery under her skin and she was still staring off into space. I got to the kitchen and got her pills in her "cookies" and placed it by her nose - no reaction just a blank stare (kinda like when I am trying to talk to L about something I think is important!) She kinda snapped out of it and started to stick her tongue out so I broke the "cookie " into smaller pieces and was able to get her to eat them. The quivering subsided and she seemed to come back to earth with no problem - and no big seizure. I think she knew it was coming on and that's why she tried to wake me up - I was joking around the other day at work with Rick that I needed to get Muppet one of those dogs that can tell when a seizure is coming on so they could let me know - it looks like I might already have one.
De
The next step is for her to find a place to live. With her bank account on empty she is probably going to be here at least until Feb 5th - I hope we don't kill each other! So far so good - L seems to be really trying to make this work - probably because she knows I have no problem with kicking her out. Have I mentioned that Niki seems to be going through a second kittenhood! Losing all her teeth seems to have re energized her - she runs around - plays with toys - wrestles with Buffy - climbs all over the counters - She is a changed cat.
Last night my routine was all messed up - I forgot to give Muppet her meds. I realized this at midnight when I woke up to find Muppet sitting at my head and staring at me. I picked her up to carry her to the kitchen and I could feel the seizure coming on - she was just all quivery under her skin and she was still staring off into space. I got to the kitchen and got her pills in her "cookies" and placed it by her nose - no reaction just a blank stare (kinda like when I am trying to talk to L about something I think is important!) She kinda snapped out of it and started to stick her tongue out so I broke the "cookie " into smaller pieces and was able to get her to eat them. The quivering subsided and she seemed to come back to earth with no problem - and no big seizure. I think she knew it was coming on and that's why she tried to wake me up - I was joking around the other day at work with Rick that I needed to get Muppet one of those dogs that can tell when a seizure is coming on so they could let me know - it looks like I might already have one.
De
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
I Need The Charmed Ones
I am exhausted - stress has a tendency to do that to me - not to mention the fact that I have a pounding headache. Still no news on the car or the thief. BJ told me today that when he was renting a house with 4 other people right after college three of them had their cars stolen at one time or another - he said that they all got their cars back within about a week or two - I am hoping that will be the case with L's car. Until then, I went by Fred Meyer today after work and got her some basics - underwear, socks, toiletries. She really has absolutely nothing.
We have been in the same house for 24 hours now - no blow ups - things are going OK so far. She has been looking on craigslist to see if she can find a cheap car. She is the type of person who can't be in a house with no way of getting somewhere - she has never been able to just sit and do nothing - gotta be on the move all the time. She also pointed out that she can't look for a place to live if she doesn't have transportation. She did mention today that she might start looking at the rooms to rent section of craigslist now instead of trying to get an apartment on her own.
With all the issues that have come up over the past month or so I am starting to think I am cursed. I googled - How To Break a Curse - you would be surprised at all the websites that came up! I found one site that has Protection Spells and what you can do to prevent curses from getting you. I am actually considering trying one of these! Every little bit helps!
The roast I put in the oven for dinner is done so I am going to go slice it up - have a bit for dinner - and use the rest for sandwiches the rest of the week - yum!
De
We have been in the same house for 24 hours now - no blow ups - things are going OK so far. She has been looking on craigslist to see if she can find a cheap car. She is the type of person who can't be in a house with no way of getting somewhere - she has never been able to just sit and do nothing - gotta be on the move all the time. She also pointed out that she can't look for a place to live if she doesn't have transportation. She did mention today that she might start looking at the rooms to rent section of craigslist now instead of trying to get an apartment on her own.
With all the issues that have come up over the past month or so I am starting to think I am cursed. I googled - How To Break a Curse - you would be surprised at all the websites that came up! I found one site that has Protection Spells and what you can do to prevent curses from getting you. I am actually considering trying one of these! Every little bit helps!
The roast I put in the oven for dinner is done so I am going to go slice it up - have a bit for dinner - and use the rest for sandwiches the rest of the week - yum!
De
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Girl Is Back
Well - still no car. I picked L up from Tukwila this evening and she is here at my house for a few days while she figures out what to do. I am still hoping that her car shows back up - once that happens then she can start trying to get her life back together. If the car doesn't show back up I don't know what she's going to do - and I don't know how long I will be able deal with her being in the house. There was already an issues this evening because she didn't like what time I was picking her up at - she wanted to hang out for awhile and I told her I wanted to be home and that once I got home I wasn't leaving again so if she wanted a ride to my house she had to be ready or else she needed to find another way up here. She hung up on me. I called her back and explained that she needed to show some appreciation for the fact I was letting her come stay with me - I didn't have to.
Once we got home she seemed to calm down a bit. I now have to broach the subject of whether or not she gets a house key or if she is going to have to get up and leave at the same time as I do in the morning - which is rather early for her.
I really do feel bad for her - she definitely doesn't deserve this and I hope she gets the car back. I also feel bad for myself - I had gotten her out of the house - I was getting on with my life finally - I was enjoying the peace and quiet of the house. Now things are up in the air - I don't know how long she is going to be here - I just hope that when the time comes for her to leave it's not like last time.
De
Once we got home she seemed to calm down a bit. I now have to broach the subject of whether or not she gets a house key or if she is going to have to get up and leave at the same time as I do in the morning - which is rather early for her.
I really do feel bad for her - she definitely doesn't deserve this and I hope she gets the car back. I also feel bad for myself - I had gotten her out of the house - I was getting on with my life finally - I was enjoying the peace and quiet of the house. Now things are up in the air - I don't know how long she is going to be here - I just hope that when the time comes for her to leave it's not like last time.
De
No News - No Contact
I have no news on L and her car. I have not spoken with her since Sunday afternoon at 230. I Have been calling and texting her all day and have not gotten a response. I am stressing out - I feel so helpless - I just need to know that she's OK. I worry that her and her friends might have caught up with the person they think stole her car and had a confrontation.
Prayers and Positive Thoughts that she is OK and her car and belongings are found.
De
**UPDATE 2:42PM - I spoke with L - no car yet - I am picking her up after work and she will stay with me for a bit so she can walk to work**
Prayers and Positive Thoughts that she is OK and her car and belongings are found.
De
**UPDATE 2:42PM - I spoke with L - no car yet - I am picking her up after work and she will stay with me for a bit so she can walk to work**
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Latest News
Latest news - the gal who they think stole the car has a felony warrant out for her arrest so there are lots of police and other people looking for her. No news other than that. Please says prayers - cross your fingers - rub a good luck charm - or whatever you believe in that will bring good luck and help L to at least get her car and her clothes back.
Breaking News Update
L and her friends called the cops and an officer came out to Amber's house and they told him everything that happened including who they think stole the car - it is in the system now as stolen - L and her friends are calling everyone they can think of that might know where this girl is. If she or the car shows up they are to call the cop.
I am sick to my stomach over this. I have nightmares about waking up and my car being gone - I can't imagine that happening when all of my worldly possesions are in the car.
Do I let her come back and stay here?
De
I am sick to my stomach over this. I have nightmares about waking up and my car being gone - I can't imagine that happening when all of my worldly possesions are in the car.
Do I let her come back and stay here?
De
Breaking News
I got a call form L this morning at 800 - her car has been stolen and all her belongings were in the car because she had packed everything up from her grandparent's house - clothes, laptop, iPod, GPS, and the car. I called her back at 900 and she hadn't called the cops yet - the people she is with think they know who may have taken it so they are going to go looking for her first I guess. I told her to keep me posted so I will do the same here.
De
De
Living With Muppet
Yes it is 230 in the morning and I am blogging! I haven't been up all night - I just got woken up by Muppet - she had a seizure. It didn't last very long and she seems to be doing OK. She is in that wandering mode now and I have learned from many episodes of this - I have baby gated her in the kitchen. She has been known to wander for an hour and I am way too tired to follow her around for that long so I am out on the couch listening to her toenails click on the kitchen floor. She has lost control of her bodily functions before when she wanders, so the kitchen is the best place for her - easy clean up. Buffy is standing on the counter right now keeping an eye on Mup. I think she gets as worried as I do when this happens.
Besides this, the weekend has been fairly uneventful so far. I did some chores in the morning and then watched football. I watched the first playoff game with my sister - yes the sister in Texas and No she wasn't up here. The wonders of the Internet we had each other on live video chat so she could see me and I could see her and we could talk during the game. It was pretty darn interesting!! I told her we should do this during the Super Bowl when our parents are down visiting her and the family so I can feel like I'm apart of it too. Now, if we could just figure out a way to pass the chips and dip through the screen we would be set!
No plans for today yet - depending on how long Muppet wanders around I may actually end up sleeping in for a bit. I will then just finish up laundry and watch more football - not very exciting I know!
It sounds like Muppet has stopped walking around in the kitchen - a nice short wander this time. I am going to go check on her and then take us both back to bed.
De
Besides this, the weekend has been fairly uneventful so far. I did some chores in the morning and then watched football. I watched the first playoff game with my sister - yes the sister in Texas and No she wasn't up here. The wonders of the Internet we had each other on live video chat so she could see me and I could see her and we could talk during the game. It was pretty darn interesting!! I told her we should do this during the Super Bowl when our parents are down visiting her and the family so I can feel like I'm apart of it too. Now, if we could just figure out a way to pass the chips and dip through the screen we would be set!
No plans for today yet - depending on how long Muppet wanders around I may actually end up sleeping in for a bit. I will then just finish up laundry and watch more football - not very exciting I know!
It sounds like Muppet has stopped walking around in the kitchen - a nice short wander this time. I am going to go check on her and then take us both back to bed.
De
Friday, January 9, 2009
11.5 Hours
Long day at work - 630 am - 6:00 pm - I'm beat. It's been awhile since I've walked to catch the bus at 6:00 - I'd forgotten that when it gets dark in Seattle the colorful people come out - especially on a Friday night! First I saw a clown at Westlake Mall - yes a clown - the big shoes, colorful clothes, bright hair, and balloon animals hanging on him. I'm not sure if he was trying to make money or if he just liked to walk around dressed as a clown. I crossed 4th Ave and noticed the girl walking in front of me - why did I notice her - well it might have been the fact that she was wearing 1 jeans pant leg - not a pair of jeans with only one leg it was one pant leg without the rest of the jeans! It looked like she then had on a pair of boy shorts underwear and over that she was wearing a very thin, see through black skirt with black ribbons flowing from it - to top it off she was wearing white cat ears! Yes cat ears! Very very interesting.
Well - L didn't get the apartment she looked at on Tuesday. She has no credit history, no credit card, and they felt she didn't make enough. She called me at around 11 this morning to tell me and to ask if she could stay with me until she found a place. My answer was No - this of course did not go over well. I told her she shouldn't have left it until the last minute and she tried to tell me that she just found out a couple weeks ago that she had to leave. I don't believe this because her Bama told me at Thanksgiving that the deal was she could live with them until the beginning of the year - L's selective memory again and her trying to make me feel sorry for her. I said No again and that I wasn't bailing her out. She responded with "I am trying to talk calmly and not get angry" - I followed that with "Just because you're talking calmly doesn't mean I have to say Yes. The answer is NO you can't stay with me" She said "You're Stupid" and hung up on me.
I guess I better prepare my resolve for possible crying phone calls to start Sunday Night. Tough Love - She needs to figure it out - Stop coasting through thinking someone will always be there to rescue her or that things will just fall into her lap without having to do anything.
I am heading to bed for a much needed good night sleep.
De
Well - L didn't get the apartment she looked at on Tuesday. She has no credit history, no credit card, and they felt she didn't make enough. She called me at around 11 this morning to tell me and to ask if she could stay with me until she found a place. My answer was No - this of course did not go over well. I told her she shouldn't have left it until the last minute and she tried to tell me that she just found out a couple weeks ago that she had to leave. I don't believe this because her Bama told me at Thanksgiving that the deal was she could live with them until the beginning of the year - L's selective memory again and her trying to make me feel sorry for her. I said No again and that I wasn't bailing her out. She responded with "I am trying to talk calmly and not get angry" - I followed that with "Just because you're talking calmly doesn't mean I have to say Yes. The answer is NO you can't stay with me" She said "You're Stupid" and hung up on me.
I guess I better prepare my resolve for possible crying phone calls to start Sunday Night. Tough Love - She needs to figure it out - Stop coasting through thinking someone will always be there to rescue her or that things will just fall into her lap without having to do anything.
I am heading to bed for a much needed good night sleep.
De
Thursday, January 8, 2009
They Come In Threes
This was my 3 day. What is a 3 day you might ask - well it is always said that bad luck comes in 3's and I definitely had 3 things today - well 4 if you count the little detour this morning. Which I guess if I count that then I have 2 more to come - dang it!
Here's to hoping tomorrow is a better day.
De
**Quick L update - she is on her own cell plan now. She looked at a studio apartment on Tuesday and the management company called me to check on her - she put me down as a former landlord. I haven't heard from her since then - I hope she gets the apartment.**
- I got up on time this morning - everything going pretty good - I was out of the house and on the road to work by 6:00. I decided to go down Gilman Blvd instead of getting directly on to I90. The parking lot by Lombardi's was completely under water - then as I approached the stoplight by Jack In The Box and Target I saw flashing lights - there was a cruiser blocking the road and having people turn around - water over the roadway. I turned left at the light not realizing that there was a pretty good body of water growing there too - I thought my car was going to stop! Lucky for me I had those new tires because they grabbed hold and got me through. (So not sure this counts as 1 - it was just a little bump in the road)
- Went on my regular walk with BJ to Starbucks - on the way back as we got to our building I thought I saw a drip come off the cup - got on the elevator and I realized that my cup had sprung a leak and I had hot chocolate running all over - I put my hand under the cup but it was coming out too fast - we got to our floor and raced to the kitchen to grab another cup - did I mention that I order my Hot Chocolate Extra Hot - my hand was burning. I poured it in to a new cup and then looked at the bottom of the cup. The seal had come apart and the bottom was falling off! I kept the cup and I'm bringing it back tomorrow - see if they give me a free drink.
- Today was check run day - It took all day to get them printed because it is also Year End and I needed to answer questions and help to research items. I needed to leave by 300 because Niki had her follow up appointment with the Vet Dentist. I was finally printing the checks at 200 - the printer grabbed 2 checks at once so the numbers were off! I had to void them and rerun the process and print new checks.
- I left at 300 - Niki's appointment was at 430 - traffic was horrible getting form Seattle to I90 - I got home to pick up the cat at 340 - back on the road by 350 - took me 30 minutes just to get to I405 and then 45 minutes on I405 to get to the appointment. I don't think traffic got above 10 mph. I have a new cell phone and I haven't moved my numbers over yet so I couldn't call to say I was on my way. I got there at 500 - as I was walking in the front door the vet was leaving out the back door! I didn't know that at the time - the bell rang when I walked in - no one was at the front desk - I rang the bell - no one came around. After 5 minutes I heard someone talking in the room and asked them if anyone with EVD was still around. They had someone come out and she told me the vet had just left. After the day I had had I just couldn't deal with it - I had spent 2 hours on the road and now Niki wasn't going to see the vet.
Here's to hoping tomorrow is a better day.
De
**Quick L update - she is on her own cell plan now. She looked at a studio apartment on Tuesday and the management company called me to check on her - she put me down as a former landlord. I haven't heard from her since then - I hope she gets the apartment.**
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Cinematic Classic . . . . . I Don't Get It
During my 40+ years I have heard raves about a movie - many times people have quoted the movie and cracked up laughing - when I tell people I have never seen this movie they are shocked and say You must watch it. It is great. It was a discount rent pick on iTunes $.99 - I decided to rent it and see what all the hullabaloo was all about. What movie am I talking about . . . . . . . Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
I like John Cleese - I enjoyed watching him in Fawlty Towers and A Fish Called Wanda. I like English Humor. This movie though has left me scratching my head and wondering WTH! This had to be one of the dumbest movies I have ever seen - even worse than Napoleon Dynamite which is another 2 hours of my life I will never get back. I just didn't get it. I heard all the little sayings that people would quote - "What are you going to do, bleed on me?" (said with an English accent), "Runaway, Runaway", "We are the Knights who say . . . . NI", "Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries" - they say these things and then just start laughing. I'm telling you - they're not that funny - not in the movie or when other people say them. I was telling Putbory how stupid this movie was and David was like - great movie - I said I didn't get it and then quoted the line "What are you going to do Bleed on me" He started laughing. I'm thinking this might be a guy thing. If I remember correctly it was mostly guys back in high school that talked about this movie. I didn't find it funny or entertaining - the ending was really stupid - I can't believe I wasted 2 hours on this. But, if you think Englishman galloping around on pretend horses and talking about things that don't make sense is hilarious then this movie is for you. And when you start quoting the movie I will just shake my head - roll my eyes - and runaway runaway!
De
I like John Cleese - I enjoyed watching him in Fawlty Towers and A Fish Called Wanda. I like English Humor. This movie though has left me scratching my head and wondering WTH! This had to be one of the dumbest movies I have ever seen - even worse than Napoleon Dynamite which is another 2 hours of my life I will never get back. I just didn't get it. I heard all the little sayings that people would quote - "What are you going to do, bleed on me?" (said with an English accent), "Runaway, Runaway", "We are the Knights who say . . . . NI", "Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries" - they say these things and then just start laughing. I'm telling you - they're not that funny - not in the movie or when other people say them. I was telling Putbory how stupid this movie was and David was like - great movie - I said I didn't get it and then quoted the line "What are you going to do Bleed on me" He started laughing. I'm thinking this might be a guy thing. If I remember correctly it was mostly guys back in high school that talked about this movie. I didn't find it funny or entertaining - the ending was really stupid - I can't believe I wasted 2 hours on this. But, if you think Englishman galloping around on pretend horses and talking about things that don't make sense is hilarious then this movie is for you. And when you start quoting the movie I will just shake my head - roll my eyes - and runaway runaway!
De
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Cats and Dog Working Together
I think I have lost control of the house and the animals have taken over - at least they are taking steps in that direction!
I get home from work and I am immediately greeted by Niki - she's usually hiding and asleep when I get home so this should have tipped me off but it didn't. I sat on the couch and she was just on me purring - wanting to be petted - being a big ol' love bug. We were that way for a few minutes and then I said I should probably go let the dog out of the kitchen. She just dug her claws in to my shirt and didn't want me to get up and/or put her down. I finally got up off the couch and started moving towards the kitchen. Buffy came running down the hall and cut me off on her way to the scratching post - was this an accident or was it the purrfect plan of two diabolical cats.
I get to the kitchen and start unlatching the gate - where's Muppet - she is usually at the gate dancing just waiting for me to open it and let her out. I turned on the light and peeked around the corner - Muppet was curled up tight in her bed - almost as if she were trying to make herself as small as possible so I wouldn't see her - or she wasn't feeling well and was just sacked out. Then I saw it - right next to her bed - the plastic jar of Muppet Cookies sitting on the floor with the lid open - and about half of the cookies gone!!! They probably would have been all gone if she could have gotten her head all the way inside the container.
Now I know I put the container on the counter this morning after I had given Muppet her cookie - it wasn't on the edge of the counter it was sitting firmly on the counter. Sometime during the day one of the cats must have gotten up on the counter and knocked the cookie jar down for Muppet!! Which one of you knuckleheads got the cookies down for the dog - Niki just kept staring int the fire place and Buffy looked up from her spot under the chair as if to say - I have no idea what you're talking about.
Needless to say - I need to go to the pet store tomorrow to pick up more Muppet Cookies - which is really code word for pill pockets that I use for giving her her meds.
Too bad I don't have a web cam set up - it would be interesting to see how this whole thing played out!
De
I get home from work and I am immediately greeted by Niki - she's usually hiding and asleep when I get home so this should have tipped me off but it didn't. I sat on the couch and she was just on me purring - wanting to be petted - being a big ol' love bug. We were that way for a few minutes and then I said I should probably go let the dog out of the kitchen. She just dug her claws in to my shirt and didn't want me to get up and/or put her down. I finally got up off the couch and started moving towards the kitchen. Buffy came running down the hall and cut me off on her way to the scratching post - was this an accident or was it the purrfect plan of two diabolical cats.
I get to the kitchen and start unlatching the gate - where's Muppet - she is usually at the gate dancing just waiting for me to open it and let her out. I turned on the light and peeked around the corner - Muppet was curled up tight in her bed - almost as if she were trying to make herself as small as possible so I wouldn't see her - or she wasn't feeling well and was just sacked out. Then I saw it - right next to her bed - the plastic jar of Muppet Cookies sitting on the floor with the lid open - and about half of the cookies gone!!! They probably would have been all gone if she could have gotten her head all the way inside the container.
Now I know I put the container on the counter this morning after I had given Muppet her cookie - it wasn't on the edge of the counter it was sitting firmly on the counter. Sometime during the day one of the cats must have gotten up on the counter and knocked the cookie jar down for Muppet!! Which one of you knuckleheads got the cookies down for the dog - Niki just kept staring int the fire place and Buffy looked up from her spot under the chair as if to say - I have no idea what you're talking about.
Needless to say - I need to go to the pet store tomorrow to pick up more Muppet Cookies - which is really code word for pill pockets that I use for giving her her meds.
Too bad I don't have a web cam set up - it would be interesting to see how this whole thing played out!
De
Monday, January 5, 2009
Flat Tire
Who knew it could be so difficult to get a flat tire fixed! I have been trying ever since Friday.
Friday - put air in my tire and parked it at the Park and Ride to take the bus in to work. After work drove the car down to Big O Tires - they were getting ready to close and there was no way they could fix it. OK - went by the Shell station and put more air in it again.
Saturday - Took the car to the Shell Station and they couldn't fix it - booked solid for that day but the mechanic told me to come by on Monday at 7 when they opened and they could do it then. Went to the air station and put more air in the tire. This was a pretty good leak - when the car was parked you could hear the air leaking out of the tire.
Sunday - No Service stations are open. I have never understood this - wouldn't the weekend be a busy time - both days and not just Saturday. They seem to fill up rather quickly on Saturdays - the overflow could come in on Sunday to get things done. If you have a good answer as to why these places are all closed on Sunday I would love to know!
Monday - Got up and went to the Shell Station to be there when they opened at 7 like the mechanic told me to do - oh gee, they were already full and wouldn't be able to get to it today. Went to their air station to put air in the tire - it wasn't working!! You've got to be kidding!! Slowly drove down in to town - went to the Shell Station - their air machine was out of order!! It's a conspiracy! Went across the street to the Chevron Station - their machine was working but it wasn't free air it cost .75 - why is it that some stations give the air away free and others charge you for it? Is it really that expensive to suck air through a tube and into a tire!! So got air in the tire so that I could now drive to Big O Tires and sit in my car until they opened at 8 so I could see if they could fix my tire - it was only 7:15 so I had to sit in the cold car for 45 minutes. I was the first one in though!! They were able to work on my car!! Oh Gee - they couldn't fix the flat - the hole was too close to the edge and the tread on all the tires was really really low. That's right - you guessed it - the flat tire has now turned into needing to get a full set of new tires. So that's what I had done - out of there by 8:45 and in to work by 9:30. Perfect Monday Morning. . . . . . . . . . NOT!!
AWOL Update - I texted with L this afternoon and she said that Talon went back to the base in Texas this morning. YAY! I texted that that was good - I didn't want him to have to be on the run and worrying about going to jail. She said neither did she.
The stress of today has resulted in . . . . . . . . . . . what's my stress relief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . that's right . . . . . . . . . . . . BAKING!! I baked up a double batch of banana muffins which will be brought in to work tomorrow for the Finance Team to enjoy. It's Year End so I know they will appreciate having them.
De
Friday - put air in my tire and parked it at the Park and Ride to take the bus in to work. After work drove the car down to Big O Tires - they were getting ready to close and there was no way they could fix it. OK - went by the Shell station and put more air in it again.
Saturday - Took the car to the Shell Station and they couldn't fix it - booked solid for that day but the mechanic told me to come by on Monday at 7 when they opened and they could do it then. Went to the air station and put more air in the tire. This was a pretty good leak - when the car was parked you could hear the air leaking out of the tire.
Sunday - No Service stations are open. I have never understood this - wouldn't the weekend be a busy time - both days and not just Saturday. They seem to fill up rather quickly on Saturdays - the overflow could come in on Sunday to get things done. If you have a good answer as to why these places are all closed on Sunday I would love to know!
Monday - Got up and went to the Shell Station to be there when they opened at 7 like the mechanic told me to do - oh gee, they were already full and wouldn't be able to get to it today. Went to their air station to put air in the tire - it wasn't working!! You've got to be kidding!! Slowly drove down in to town - went to the Shell Station - their air machine was out of order!! It's a conspiracy! Went across the street to the Chevron Station - their machine was working but it wasn't free air it cost .75 - why is it that some stations give the air away free and others charge you for it? Is it really that expensive to suck air through a tube and into a tire!! So got air in the tire so that I could now drive to Big O Tires and sit in my car until they opened at 8 so I could see if they could fix my tire - it was only 7:15 so I had to sit in the cold car for 45 minutes. I was the first one in though!! They were able to work on my car!! Oh Gee - they couldn't fix the flat - the hole was too close to the edge and the tread on all the tires was really really low. That's right - you guessed it - the flat tire has now turned into needing to get a full set of new tires. So that's what I had done - out of there by 8:45 and in to work by 9:30. Perfect Monday Morning. . . . . . . . . . NOT!!
AWOL Update - I texted with L this afternoon and she said that Talon went back to the base in Texas this morning. YAY! I texted that that was good - I didn't want him to have to be on the run and worrying about going to jail. She said neither did she.
The stress of today has resulted in . . . . . . . . . . . what's my stress relief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . that's right . . . . . . . . . . . . BAKING!! I baked up a double batch of banana muffins which will be brought in to work tomorrow for the Finance Team to enjoy. It's Year End so I know they will appreciate having them.
De
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Another Dramatic Year Ahead
If today is any indication, 2009 is going to be as interesting a year as 2008.
This morning I received a call form Talon's mom. Talon is a friend of L's who she likes to refer to as her gay husband - they have been friends for 2 years although most of that time Talon has been in another state and most recently he was at basic training for the Army. Talon was able to get leave for the holidays and after visiting his Mom in Minnesota he came here to visit his Dad and see L. So the call this morning was surprising - Talon's Mom called to say that her son was AWOL - he had never gone back to the base in Texas. She said she had left a message for L and wanted me to talk to L and try to get her to understand that this wasn't helping Talon and that she needed to try and get him to call his parents and get this straightened out. I called L and she first said she didn't know where Talon was but then after I talked to her a bit she said she would call and see if she could get a hold of Talon.
This afternoon I spoke with L's Bama - she confirmed that they had given L money this past week for gas too - they gave her about $16 and we're both pretty sure it was probably used for cigarettes and food. She also told me that L had been given the chance this past month to manage her money on her own - this means that they didn't take half her check and she has shown she doesn't have the ability to manage her money on her own. They have about $600+ from her first paycheck and are holding it so she will be able to pay first and last months rent if/when she gets a place. They have extended her stay at their house for about a week - giving her until this coming Saturday to find a place. So I pretty much have a week to brace myself for the possibility of late night calls and begging for a place to stay. I did just text her and tell her to try looking on craiglist for roommates wanted - I looked quickly and I saw a few that would be in her price range - one in Kirkland that was $325 a month + $80 for utilities. Her response was just OK. Her Bama had told me that she had given L the paper yesterday with roommates wanted circled and L didn't follow up on any of them. Everyone keeps reaching out and trying to help her but because she is expected to actual do something she just ignores it.
Well - here's to 2009 and Another Year With De and L.
De
This morning I received a call form Talon's mom. Talon is a friend of L's who she likes to refer to as her gay husband - they have been friends for 2 years although most of that time Talon has been in another state and most recently he was at basic training for the Army. Talon was able to get leave for the holidays and after visiting his Mom in Minnesota he came here to visit his Dad and see L. So the call this morning was surprising - Talon's Mom called to say that her son was AWOL - he had never gone back to the base in Texas. She said she had left a message for L and wanted me to talk to L and try to get her to understand that this wasn't helping Talon and that she needed to try and get him to call his parents and get this straightened out. I called L and she first said she didn't know where Talon was but then after I talked to her a bit she said she would call and see if she could get a hold of Talon.
This afternoon I spoke with L's Bama - she confirmed that they had given L money this past week for gas too - they gave her about $16 and we're both pretty sure it was probably used for cigarettes and food. She also told me that L had been given the chance this past month to manage her money on her own - this means that they didn't take half her check and she has shown she doesn't have the ability to manage her money on her own. They have about $600+ from her first paycheck and are holding it so she will be able to pay first and last months rent if/when she gets a place. They have extended her stay at their house for about a week - giving her until this coming Saturday to find a place. So I pretty much have a week to brace myself for the possibility of late night calls and begging for a place to stay. I did just text her and tell her to try looking on craiglist for roommates wanted - I looked quickly and I saw a few that would be in her price range - one in Kirkland that was $325 a month + $80 for utilities. Her response was just OK. Her Bama had told me that she had given L the paper yesterday with roommates wanted circled and L didn't follow up on any of them. Everyone keeps reaching out and trying to help her but because she is expected to actual do something she just ignores it.
Well - here's to 2009 and Another Year With De and L.
De
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Falling Off The Wagon
I think giving up being an enabler is almost like an alcoholic giving up drinking - there are going to be good days and then bad days. Today was a bad day - a slight bump in the road of recovery.
L called me asking for gas money - said she didn't have enough gas to get herself home. I stood my ground and said No - she kept arguing and made all sorts of promises about how she would pay me back when she gets paid on Monday. I stood my ground and kept saying No - told her the conversation was over and hung up the phone. Then the little nagging guilt started in - that old feeling of being the Mom and how could I let her be out there without any gas. So when she called I was in a weakened state - I also was afraid that these calls would keep coming and the thought of the phone ringing off the hook at midnight did not sound like fun. So - I asked her where she was and whether she could make it up to the Klahanie Shell Station - told her to be there in 20 minutes to meet me. I didn't give her cash but I did fill her tank for her. Fell off the wagon and enabled her and bailed her out of not having any money because she spent it all on who knows what during the month. But - like the alcoholic - I need to remember that this whole process is not going to go smoothly and be perfect over night - there are going to be bumps in the road and times when I will take two steps forward and then another step back. I won't beat myself up for this and will just learn from my error in judgement and go from there. I did find out today after I filled her tank that she had gotten $20 bucks on Tuesday from her Bepa to fill her tank. She has been playing us all - I gave her a $25 gas card for Christmas and she used that up already - She told me that it hadn't filled her tank but then today when I filled it for her it was only $23. So either she lied about the gas card not filling her tank or she lied to me about not having enough gas to get herself home. I need to build up some resolve because her last day with her Grandparents is supposed to be this Monday and I know she has not found a new place to live yet. I need to be strong when those late night calls come and she is cold outside. My health depends on it because I know I can't handle the stress of her living with me.
Keep us both in your thoughts.
De
L called me asking for gas money - said she didn't have enough gas to get herself home. I stood my ground and said No - she kept arguing and made all sorts of promises about how she would pay me back when she gets paid on Monday. I stood my ground and kept saying No - told her the conversation was over and hung up the phone. Then the little nagging guilt started in - that old feeling of being the Mom and how could I let her be out there without any gas. So when she called I was in a weakened state - I also was afraid that these calls would keep coming and the thought of the phone ringing off the hook at midnight did not sound like fun. So - I asked her where she was and whether she could make it up to the Klahanie Shell Station - told her to be there in 20 minutes to meet me. I didn't give her cash but I did fill her tank for her. Fell off the wagon and enabled her and bailed her out of not having any money because she spent it all on who knows what during the month. But - like the alcoholic - I need to remember that this whole process is not going to go smoothly and be perfect over night - there are going to be bumps in the road and times when I will take two steps forward and then another step back. I won't beat myself up for this and will just learn from my error in judgement and go from there. I did find out today after I filled her tank that she had gotten $20 bucks on Tuesday from her Bepa to fill her tank. She has been playing us all - I gave her a $25 gas card for Christmas and she used that up already - She told me that it hadn't filled her tank but then today when I filled it for her it was only $23. So either she lied about the gas card not filling her tank or she lied to me about not having enough gas to get herself home. I need to build up some resolve because her last day with her Grandparents is supposed to be this Monday and I know she has not found a new place to live yet. I need to be strong when those late night calls come and she is cold outside. My health depends on it because I know I can't handle the stress of her living with me.
Keep us both in your thoughts.
De
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Welcome 2009!
Out with the old and in with the new - 2009 is here whether you're ready or not!
I made it to midnight at Lyd's house - Texas time that is! I left her house a little after 11 my time - got home with 5 minutes to spare before the big ball dropped. I had a single serving bottle of champagne in my fridge so I poured a little glass and toasted in the New Year.
New Years Day - thought I was going to have to go in to work - some data we use at Quarter End has to be pulled on the first day of the month - Indri can login from home so she said she would do it for me. So I get the day off!! No snow on the ground so I may go do some of the things I was planning on last week during my vacation. We shall see!
L called me this morning - not to wish my a Happy New Year - to ask me to buy her iTunes card off her - she needs gas. I told her no - same answer I gave her on Sunday - and she hung up on me. Girl needs to learn how to plan ahead and not be driving all over the place when she can't afford to fill up her car. I think 2009 is going to be a year of tough lessons for her.
De
I made it to midnight at Lyd's house - Texas time that is! I left her house a little after 11 my time - got home with 5 minutes to spare before the big ball dropped. I had a single serving bottle of champagne in my fridge so I poured a little glass and toasted in the New Year.
New Years Day - thought I was going to have to go in to work - some data we use at Quarter End has to be pulled on the first day of the month - Indri can login from home so she said she would do it for me. So I get the day off!! No snow on the ground so I may go do some of the things I was planning on last week during my vacation. We shall see!
L called me this morning - not to wish my a Happy New Year - to ask me to buy her iTunes card off her - she needs gas. I told her no - same answer I gave her on Sunday - and she hung up on me. Girl needs to learn how to plan ahead and not be driving all over the place when she can't afford to fill up her car. I think 2009 is going to be a year of tough lessons for her.
De
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