I went and saw Slumdog Millionaire today. I wanted to see what all the hype was about and whether it really deserved the Oscar. Well . . . . . . . . it definitely lived up to the hype and winning the Oscar was well deserved! Usually I am not a fan of the movies that win the Oscar for Best Picture - they're usually overly dramatic - set in really old times - a movie that not many people go see. Slumdog was so not like that!! I really enjoyed it - it was different - not a recycled story that a lot of movies are these days. I recommend you go see it - I would definitely go see it again. Best movie I've seen in a long time.
Nothing else exciting today. L just got home a little bit ago from her road trip to Walla Walla State Penitentiary. She didn't really say much - just that it was a lot of driving but it was worth it.
Muppet's haircut is at 9 tomorrow morning so I'm heading to bed.
De
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Surpised or Not Surprised . . . That Is The Question
Yay Weekend! I know I only worked three days this past week but I am so glad it's the weekend. I need the 2 days to to get myself ready for month end next week. I went out with a few people for a beer after work - needed to just breathe - and try to relieve some of my frustration. Lord - grant me patience.
L called me to day to let me know that her tax refund had been deposited in her account so she could pay me back - she said she was going to come home in a bit - take a shower - and she would leave me a check. I asked her if she knew how much it needed to be - No - I told her it was $417 for towing, ticket, and gas. She started to disagree with me - she didn't remember anything about a ticket - thankfully I have a great memory so I reminded her which kinda just ticked her off. I got home after work and of course there was no check - Surprise! I tried calling her and she didn't answer so I texted her - no answer. She called me back about 15 min later and I asked her where my check was - Oh, her and Kelley got busy running errands and she never made it home but that she would pay me tomorrow night when she got home. I let her know that if she didn't pay me or if the check bounces she is out of the house. Yeah, Yeah. Her and Kelley were running errands to prepare for their road trip tomorrow - they are heading to Walla Walla to visit their friend Mikey who is serving an 11 year sentence for attempted burglary and assault - he stabbed a man in the back for his iPod.
Right now I am watching Curling on TV - US Olympic Trials! I actually find it interesting to watch - I don't quite understand all the rules and logistics to the game but I enjoy it.
Muppet is getting a much needed haircut on Sunday - I will post before and after pictures!
Have a good weekend!
De
L called me to day to let me know that her tax refund had been deposited in her account so she could pay me back - she said she was going to come home in a bit - take a shower - and she would leave me a check. I asked her if she knew how much it needed to be - No - I told her it was $417 for towing, ticket, and gas. She started to disagree with me - she didn't remember anything about a ticket - thankfully I have a great memory so I reminded her which kinda just ticked her off. I got home after work and of course there was no check - Surprise! I tried calling her and she didn't answer so I texted her - no answer. She called me back about 15 min later and I asked her where my check was - Oh, her and Kelley got busy running errands and she never made it home but that she would pay me tomorrow night when she got home. I let her know that if she didn't pay me or if the check bounces she is out of the house. Yeah, Yeah. Her and Kelley were running errands to prepare for their road trip tomorrow - they are heading to Walla Walla to visit their friend Mikey who is serving an 11 year sentence for attempted burglary and assault - he stabbed a man in the back for his iPod.
Right now I am watching Curling on TV - US Olympic Trials! I actually find it interesting to watch - I don't quite understand all the rules and logistics to the game but I enjoy it.
Muppet is getting a much needed haircut on Sunday - I will post before and after pictures!
Have a good weekend!
De
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Children
Last night I had to give some thought to this blog and decide whether or not I was going to keep writing. Yesterday I received a call from L because she had found this website and had read something that hurt her feelings - it had to do with her getting a job and not saving money. I told her that I was sorry it hurt her feelings - these are my thoughts though and I like this outlet to be able to share frustration, anger, disappointment, happiness, my weirdness sometimes, and just day to day things going on in my life. She said she just wanted to call and let me know it hurt her feelings that I had written that she wasn't capable of saving money - I asked her if she had saved money - she said No, but just because I haven't done it doesn't mean I'm not capable! I told her to prove me wrong then. SO I thought about this last night and have decided that I am going to continue writing and I hope that my followers will continue to read.
This morning I woke up - heard a very bad 4-Letter word on the news - SNOW!! Not again! I got up and looked out the window - hmmm - no snow here - it must just be in that convergence zone. I got busy getting read for work - hair, clothes, face takes about 45 minutes - turned off the TV grabbed Muppet and headed out to the living room to put on shoes and take her outside. Opened the front door - she ran out - I looked about - WTH! There was snow on the ground and coming down from the sky pretty heavy! Wow - things sure can change in 45 minutes! It was the kinda snow that sticks to your hair and clothes but doesn't melt - Muppet is in real need of a hair cut so the snow had lots of fur to cling to - she was looking pretty darn cute with snow all over her face! I got her back inside the house - got her all set up in the kitchen - packed my lunch (Leftover Chicken Taco from last night :) ) and set out to the park and ride. It had now been snowing for about 25 minutes and I was trying to go catch the 638 bus. Driving in this snow was like driving in a blizzard - it was coming down fast, thick, and the flakes were big - You know how it is - the flakes look like they are coming straight at you - it's mesmerizing. I got to the Park and Ride at 640 and there was a huge line of people - No Buses had come by yet!! None!! It hod only just started snowing up on the plateau less than an hour ago. I figured if the bus couldn't get there I wasn't going to try driving - I would just wait it out and hope a bus came soon. I waited . . . . .waited . . . . . . . and waited. People gradually left to either go home or drive to work - which meant that I moved up in the line! A bus finally showed up at 730! With all the people that had left I was able to get a seat on the bus - we were packed in there like sardines! It didn't take very long to get in to Seattle and our bus driver had no idea why no other bus had shown up - he was surprised to hear he was the first bus to some through. Have I said yet that I am so over the snow . . . . I have had more than enough this year . . . . . I am ready to start getting some Spring weather. I am so glad I am heading down to Texas in 2 weeks - let's hope that they don't have a sudden cold snap when I get down there. It was going to be in the mid to upper 80's today!
I have been listening to the radiothon the past 2 days. This is the One Big Kiss for Children's that Jackie and Bender on Kiss 106.1 do every year. This is the 8th radiothon they have done. The stories that they share are just amazing - Jonathon's Story is my favorite - they are happy, sad, and some are heartbreaking. The most inspiring moment this year was when 8 year old Eric came in to donate money he had been raising to help Brain Tumor Research - his best Friend Kyle was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 4 - when Eric was in 1st grade he decided he wanted to raise money so he wrote a letter and showed it to people. Eric - one 8 year old boy - came to the hospital yesterday and brought with him a check in the amount of $21, 215.81!!! His friend Kyle passed away from his brain tumor on Feb 7, 2009 at the age of 8. The money that Eric raised will go directly to the research lab and hopefully one day no more kids will lose their battle with this disease. What Jackie and Bender do every year is absolutely amazing. I have been a Kiss Club Member for 5 years now - You join the club and have $20 or more charged to your credit card each month - when you think about it that's only $5 a week, less than $1 a day . The radiothon started yesterday at 500 in the morning and is ended tonight at 700 - I am listening to the radio right now to find out how much they raised. There is a song they have been playing over these 2 days that just sums everything up - If You're Out There by John Legend - you really need to listen to it. If I knew how to embed it in this blog I would do it! OK - Grand Total Time . . . . . . . . . . . . drum roll please . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $902,151.80!!!!!!!!!!!!
De
This morning I woke up - heard a very bad 4-Letter word on the news - SNOW!! Not again! I got up and looked out the window - hmmm - no snow here - it must just be in that convergence zone. I got busy getting read for work - hair, clothes, face takes about 45 minutes - turned off the TV grabbed Muppet and headed out to the living room to put on shoes and take her outside. Opened the front door - she ran out - I looked about - WTH! There was snow on the ground and coming down from the sky pretty heavy! Wow - things sure can change in 45 minutes! It was the kinda snow that sticks to your hair and clothes but doesn't melt - Muppet is in real need of a hair cut so the snow had lots of fur to cling to - she was looking pretty darn cute with snow all over her face! I got her back inside the house - got her all set up in the kitchen - packed my lunch (Leftover Chicken Taco from last night :) ) and set out to the park and ride. It had now been snowing for about 25 minutes and I was trying to go catch the 638 bus. Driving in this snow was like driving in a blizzard - it was coming down fast, thick, and the flakes were big - You know how it is - the flakes look like they are coming straight at you - it's mesmerizing. I got to the Park and Ride at 640 and there was a huge line of people - No Buses had come by yet!! None!! It hod only just started snowing up on the plateau less than an hour ago. I figured if the bus couldn't get there I wasn't going to try driving - I would just wait it out and hope a bus came soon. I waited . . . . .waited . . . . . . . and waited. People gradually left to either go home or drive to work - which meant that I moved up in the line! A bus finally showed up at 730! With all the people that had left I was able to get a seat on the bus - we were packed in there like sardines! It didn't take very long to get in to Seattle and our bus driver had no idea why no other bus had shown up - he was surprised to hear he was the first bus to some through. Have I said yet that I am so over the snow . . . . I have had more than enough this year . . . . . I am ready to start getting some Spring weather. I am so glad I am heading down to Texas in 2 weeks - let's hope that they don't have a sudden cold snap when I get down there. It was going to be in the mid to upper 80's today!
I have been listening to the radiothon the past 2 days. This is the One Big Kiss for Children's that Jackie and Bender on Kiss 106.1 do every year. This is the 8th radiothon they have done. The stories that they share are just amazing - Jonathon's Story is my favorite - they are happy, sad, and some are heartbreaking. The most inspiring moment this year was when 8 year old Eric came in to donate money he had been raising to help Brain Tumor Research - his best Friend Kyle was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 4 - when Eric was in 1st grade he decided he wanted to raise money so he wrote a letter and showed it to people. Eric - one 8 year old boy - came to the hospital yesterday and brought with him a check in the amount of $21, 215.81!!! His friend Kyle passed away from his brain tumor on Feb 7, 2009 at the age of 8. The money that Eric raised will go directly to the research lab and hopefully one day no more kids will lose their battle with this disease. What Jackie and Bender do every year is absolutely amazing. I have been a Kiss Club Member for 5 years now - You join the club and have $20 or more charged to your credit card each month - when you think about it that's only $5 a week, less than $1 a day . The radiothon started yesterday at 500 in the morning and is ended tonight at 700 - I am listening to the radio right now to find out how much they raised. There is a song they have been playing over these 2 days that just sums everything up - If You're Out There by John Legend - you really need to listen to it. If I knew how to embed it in this blog I would do it! OK - Grand Total Time . . . . . . . . . . . . drum roll please . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $902,151.80!!!!!!!!!!!!
De
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
I'm Still Here
So much for being a daily blogger these days!
Monday I took a planned day off from work - Mental Health Day. Tuesday was an unplanned day of from work - Sick Day. I guess once I got my mental health under control my body decided it needed some attention!
Monday I was able to thoroughly clean my bedroom and my bathroom. Not what most people would plan on doing on a day off but having a clean room is good for my Mental Health. Everything looks so nice and sparkly! I hung up all my clothes - by color and sleeve length - a little OCD but it looks nice - and makes it easy to find something to wear in the morning. I spent all day doing the cleaning and come evening time I started to feel like crap. Oh - L called my cell around 1 and was like - are you at work - Nope - where are you - Home - why - Just because - oh . . . . .long pause . . . . . Kelley and I were going to head home to hang out and I wanted to know if there was anything I could do around the house to make money - Nope, I'm cleaning right now - ok. Her and Kelley did end up coming by and hanging out for a bit. hey stayed until around 9 and then headed back to Kelley's house. As they were leaving L said she was probably going to have to stay at Kelley's for a few days until her Tax refund comes through because she only has enough gas to get Kelley back home. I am sure she was hinting around to try and get me to give her gas money - I just said OK - see ya whenever. I did make a comment about how she certainly goes through a tank of gas really fast. She tried to tell me it was because she had her air conditioning on the last couple days. . . Yeah, whatever!
Woke up Tuesday morning around 3 drenched in sweat - I know TMI - and then around 5 still not feeling well I emailed work and went back to sleep. I woke up again around 9 and started working with the IT group from work to set my computer up to VPN in and to access Remote Desk Top so I could do some work while hanging out in bed. I worked for a few hours - took a nap - worked for a few more hours - took Muppet out - made lunch - played a computer game - watched The Bonnie Hunt Show, part of a Leverage Marathon, and NCIS. Now it's about 730 and I think I am going to go pop some ibuprofen and get some sleep. I am sure I will be in to work tomorrow.
De
Monday I took a planned day off from work - Mental Health Day. Tuesday was an unplanned day of from work - Sick Day. I guess once I got my mental health under control my body decided it needed some attention!
Monday I was able to thoroughly clean my bedroom and my bathroom. Not what most people would plan on doing on a day off but having a clean room is good for my Mental Health. Everything looks so nice and sparkly! I hung up all my clothes - by color and sleeve length - a little OCD but it looks nice - and makes it easy to find something to wear in the morning. I spent all day doing the cleaning and come evening time I started to feel like crap. Oh - L called my cell around 1 and was like - are you at work - Nope - where are you - Home - why - Just because - oh . . . . .long pause . . . . . Kelley and I were going to head home to hang out and I wanted to know if there was anything I could do around the house to make money - Nope, I'm cleaning right now - ok. Her and Kelley did end up coming by and hanging out for a bit. hey stayed until around 9 and then headed back to Kelley's house. As they were leaving L said she was probably going to have to stay at Kelley's for a few days until her Tax refund comes through because she only has enough gas to get Kelley back home. I am sure she was hinting around to try and get me to give her gas money - I just said OK - see ya whenever. I did make a comment about how she certainly goes through a tank of gas really fast. She tried to tell me it was because she had her air conditioning on the last couple days. . . Yeah, whatever!
Woke up Tuesday morning around 3 drenched in sweat - I know TMI - and then around 5 still not feeling well I emailed work and went back to sleep. I woke up again around 9 and started working with the IT group from work to set my computer up to VPN in and to access Remote Desk Top so I could do some work while hanging out in bed. I worked for a few hours - took a nap - worked for a few more hours - took Muppet out - made lunch - played a computer game - watched The Bonnie Hunt Show, part of a Leverage Marathon, and NCIS. Now it's about 730 and I think I am going to go pop some ibuprofen and get some sleep. I am sure I will be in to work tomorrow.
De
Sunday, February 22, 2009
And The Oscar Goes To . . . . . . .
Happy Oscar Night! I am watching the Academy Awards right now - love this show even though I haven't seen any of the movies nominated for Best Picture tonight. It's fun to watch and see if the ones I predicted would win actually do win. So far I am 2 for 2!! Supporting Actress - Penelope Cruz and Best Animated Picture WALL*E. Commercial right now so let's review the weekends activities starting with Friday
Friday -
Ooh - the award I have been waiting for - Supporting Actor . . . . The Oscar Goes To . . . . . .Heath Ledger!! So So Sad that he is no longer with us. He truly was an incredible actor and will be missed.
De
Friday -
- I was going to sleep in a bit Friday morning and get to work around the same time as everyone else but I was woken up a few times during the night by Muppet digging around the comforter trying to uncover my feet. AT around 430 she uncovered my feet - licked my toes a bit - and then bit down on one of them! That really hurt - woke me up with a start - got the adrenalin going - so I got up and got ready for work - catching the 626 bus which got me to work by 700.
- I have a routine when I get to work. I login - pull up the Kiss 106.1 website so I can listen to the radio and watch Kiss TV. Next I open up Microsoft Outlook to see what emails have come in since the previous day and answer anything that can be answered without any research. Next I open up another Windows Explorer so I can check email and stuff. Well - this morning I couldn't get in to my email - couldn't even get in to the Company Intranet. I thought is was just a problem with the server but when others got in they were able to sign on. I didn't do anything about it until almost 500 when Jason asked if I had contacted Helpy - nope - so I sent an email - the responded telling me to run a virus scan - it took 32 minutes to run and came back with 4 viruses that could no be automatically cleaned form my system. Dang!!
- I was still at work at 5 because our postponed work Christmas Party was Friday night at 7. i decided it would be easier to just stay at work than to go home and then head back in. The party was at the W Hotel and was lots of fun. The entertainment was a Henna Tattoo artist, a Caricature Drawer, and a Game Show. I got 2 Henna Tattoos! I was sitting at a table with other Finance people and had enjoyed watching people participate in the Game Show - It was trivia questions using music clips and TV show clips. In between contests they played music and the song Another One Bites The Dust came on and I started bobbin
g my head and was talking to Jason when I realized that the Game Show host was talking about someone getting in to the music, and that they were one of the next contestants. I turned my head and realized he had walked up to our table and was talking about me!! I was able to pick a partner so I grabbed Jason and up we went. We did pretty well - we got to a 300 point tie with the other 2 groups - and then missed the final question. It was a lot of fun! - Leash Laws - the law states that a dog must be on a leash at all times - I don't think it says anything about a human having to hold on to the other end of the leash. While riding the bus home Friday night I saw a dog on a leash walking down the sidewalk with the other end of the leash in his mouth! He was out walking himself and following the leash law!! It was the funniest thing I had seen - I almost laughed out loud but I was on the bus at 1030 at night and I didn't want any of the crazies to think I was crazy! There is definitely a different crowd of people riding the bus later in the evening than those that ride it at rush hour!
Ooh - the award I have been waiting for - Supporting Actor . . . . The Oscar Goes To . . . . . .Heath Ledger!! So So Sad that he is no longer with us. He truly was an incredible actor and will be missed.
De
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Coming Up . . . . . . .
Got in late last night and have been curled up on the couch all day not feeling well. Now Muppet is sick - throwing up all over so she has been moved in to the kitchen with her bed. I will hopefully be feeling better tomorrow and I will fill you in on everything that I have been up to. Here is what you have to look forward to:
De
- A toe eater
- Internet Issue
- Xmas in February
- Game Show Fun
- A way around the leash law
De
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Can You Use The Automated Machine
Tuesday I went to the Post Office to mail off some packages to my nieces Lindsay and Krystina - this is a tradition I started when Lindsay first went off to college. I know what it's like to be away at college and not getting a whole lot of mail - when you get a box it is very exciting and I like to send care packages. I include food items, candy, things I have found while out shopping - my favorite place is the Target Dollar Aisle - they actually have a lot of fun things there.
When I go to the Post Office I like to use the automated station - saves time and I don't have to talk to anyone - get in get out! No such luck on Tuesday! It's not that the Automated Stations weren't working or that there was a long line - it was because the elderly lady in front of me had absolutely no idea how to use the Automated machine!! She had passed the part where you choose whether your sending a letter, large envelope, or a package - oh and in case you have never used one of these it is all touch screen with pictures and words to make it easy to use! She had chosen package - even though what she was sending was a large envelope. She had touched the screen to say she was using her own packaging and not a flat rate box from the post office - seeing as it was her own package, she needed to put in the measurements (L-W-H). This is where she got stumped! The back part of the station - just behind the flat scale - has big rulers attached to the frame for L-W-H. The touch screen plays a video for you showing you that you need to slide your package off the scale - move it in to the corner where the rulers meet - look at the measurements - enter them on the touch screen. She just couldn't grasp it - she watched the video a couple times - I finally went up to her to see if I could help but she had given up and just entered any old numbers! Now - if she had chosen Large Envelope at the first screen like she was supposed to she never would have had to enter measurements. This got me thinking - I think they should have rules for Automated Machines - Rule 1 - If you are not part of the computer generation, you must go to the counter. Rule 2 - If you have never used a touch screen computer, you must go to the counter. Rule 3 - If you can't follow simple directions in words, pictures, and video you must go to the counter. These rules should also be for the self check out lines at the grocery store - but that is for another blog!
Quick L Update - she is out of money, low on gas, and no job in sight. She also thinks she is too good to work fast food! I told her that in these economic times you take whatever job you can find. She is not "too good" for fast food - I worked fast food, her Dad worked fast food, her Auntie Colleen, Uncle Tony, Aunt Gerri, and Uncle Chris all worked in fast food at one time or another. I told her tonight that there is going to be a deadline for how long she can stay with me - it is not going to be indefinitely , I am not waiting around for her to get a job and save money - which we all know she is just not capable of doing - I told her I would think on it a bit tonight and let her know how long she had but that as of right now I was leaning towards 3 weeks when I head to Texas.
Tomorrow is Friday - Yay! Tomorrow night is a company gathering - theme is red so I made a necklace tonight to wear. Hopefully it will be fun - although it feels a little weird to be having a party when we have just laid off a group of people - which is why this party was moved from Christmas to now.
Heading to bed ~
De
When I go to the Post Office I like to use the automated station - saves time and I don't have to talk to anyone - get in get out! No such luck on Tuesday! It's not that the Automated Stations weren't working or that there was a long line - it was because the elderly lady in front of me had absolutely no idea how to use the Automated machine!! She had passed the part where you choose whether your sending a letter, large envelope, or a package - oh and in case you have never used one of these it is all touch screen with pictures and words to make it easy to use! She had chosen package - even though what she was sending was a large envelope. She had touched the screen to say she was using her own packaging and not a flat rate box from the post office - seeing as it was her own package, she needed to put in the measurements (L-W-H). This is where she got stumped! The back part of the station - just behind the flat scale - has big rulers attached to the frame for L-W-H. The touch screen plays a video for you showing you that you need to slide your package off the scale - move it in to the corner where the rulers meet - look at the measurements - enter them on the touch screen. She just couldn't grasp it - she watched the video a couple times - I finally went up to her to see if I could help but she had given up and just entered any old numbers! Now - if she had chosen Large Envelope at the first screen like she was supposed to she never would have had to enter measurements. This got me thinking - I think they should have rules for Automated Machines - Rule 1 - If you are not part of the computer generation, you must go to the counter. Rule 2 - If you have never used a touch screen computer, you must go to the counter. Rule 3 - If you can't follow simple directions in words, pictures, and video you must go to the counter. These rules should also be for the self check out lines at the grocery store - but that is for another blog!
Quick L Update - she is out of money, low on gas, and no job in sight. She also thinks she is too good to work fast food! I told her that in these economic times you take whatever job you can find. She is not "too good" for fast food - I worked fast food, her Dad worked fast food, her Auntie Colleen, Uncle Tony, Aunt Gerri, and Uncle Chris all worked in fast food at one time or another. I told her tonight that there is going to be a deadline for how long she can stay with me - it is not going to be indefinitely , I am not waiting around for her to get a job and save money - which we all know she is just not capable of doing - I told her I would think on it a bit tonight and let her know how long she had but that as of right now I was leaning towards 3 weeks when I head to Texas.
Tomorrow is Friday - Yay! Tomorrow night is a company gathering - theme is red so I made a necklace tonight to wear. Hopefully it will be fun - although it feels a little weird to be having a party when we have just laid off a group of people - which is why this party was moved from Christmas to now.
Heading to bed ~
De
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
People People Everywhere
The city is crawling with local tourists!! What is a local tourist - it's someone who lives in Washington but rarely ventures in to the big city!! They are coming out of the woodwork for the annual flower show at the Washington Convention Center. They are very easy to spot! Look for the following:
On a related topic - the driver of the 218 Bus that arrives at my stop at 4:07 is a Nascar Driver wannabe! He drives so fast! I think he is working on his personal best - trying to knock minutes off his fastest time from Seattle to the Issaquah Highlands! When we got to the park and Ride he announced what time it was - thanked everyone for riding with him today - and says he hopes we'll ride with him again! Today he got to the Park and Ride at 4:40 - scheduled to be in at 4:42 - he knocked 2 minutes off his time!
De
- Dressed in shorts and sandals on a cold morning so they won't get warm/hot in the Convention Center.
- Dressed in bright "flower" colors even though they don't go together. Can you say Purple and Bright Pink!
- Flowers in their hair - the big plastic kind - I kid you not!
- Fanny Packs!! No self-respecting Seattlite would be seen wearing a fanny pack.
- Some want to try and blend so instead of a fanny pack they will wear a purse that is slung over a shoulder and across their body. Gotta have free hands to carry all those flowers.
- They don't know how to stand in line at a Starbucks or how to place an order!! They are afraid to move in front of the display case so they back the line up. They order a "small" drink? They don't know to move over to the bar to wait for their drink to be called?
- They stop in the middle of the sidewalks to stare up at all the tall buildings! Gee Ma - look at them there buildings - they touch the sky! We must take pictures of every single one!!
On a related topic - the driver of the 218 Bus that arrives at my stop at 4:07 is a Nascar Driver wannabe! He drives so fast! I think he is working on his personal best - trying to knock minutes off his fastest time from Seattle to the Issaquah Highlands! When we got to the park and Ride he announced what time it was - thanked everyone for riding with him today - and says he hopes we'll ride with him again! Today he got to the Park and Ride at 4:40 - scheduled to be in at 4:42 - he knocked 2 minutes off his time!
De
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Work + Year-End + Auditors = Stress!
Going from a month with many work holidays (December) - to two months with holidays that finance didn't get to take (Jan 2, MLK Day) - along with Year-End Processing, January Close, and the presence of Auditors on a daily basis - add into the mix one of our team members getting laid off - you get a very stressed, cranky, tired, department. I know I have been irritable, stressed, and cranky - my tone of voice with co-workers has probably not been very nice and I know I have been short with some people. I think I just need some time off. Today the Auditors came back with yet another list of selections that they wanted pulled - which means they need to be pulled, copied, and reviewed. I swear - some of their selections I have pulled and copied multiple times! Just when it is about time for the Auditors to probably leave the office we will need to close out February. these first two months of the year have just been a blur of work.
Last Friday was Matt's last day in the office - his official last day of work is Feb 28th but he won't be coming in anymore. It was tough on Friday. His going away party was fun up until the time I had to say good-bye. I am going to miss working with him - not that he was perfect and
great to work for all of the time but he was definitely a manager I felt I could ask questions of and he would help me work things out. I took some pictures 
at the party but some people from the department were quite vocal about not wanting their picture posted on the internet. So here are just a few pics - we were at Tap House Grill in the back room with the pool tables. Oh - and I discovered a really good drink - cranberry juice, Citroen absolute, and a lime!! Very tasty and very dangerous - tastes like juice!
"The Aliens lowered the light helmets to suck out Matt's brain!!"
"We enjoyed appetizers too. Finance likes to eat!"
De
Last Friday was Matt's last day in the office - his official last day of work is Feb 28th but he won't be coming in anymore. It was tough on Friday. His going away party was fun up until the time I had to say good-bye. I am going to miss working with him - not that he was perfect and
great to work for all of the time but he was definitely a manager I felt I could ask questions of and he would help me work things out. I took some pictures 
at the party but some people from the department were quite vocal about not wanting their picture posted on the internet. So here are just a few pics - we were at Tap House Grill in the back room with the pool tables. Oh - and I discovered a really good drink - cranberry juice, Citroen absolute, and a lime!! Very tasty and very dangerous - tastes like juice!
"The Aliens lowered the light helmets to suck out Matt's brain!!"
"We enjoyed appetizers too. Finance likes to eat!"
De
Monday, February 16, 2009
Breathe
I have Lindsay Enchiladas in the oven - Muppet has been taken care of - I finished my purple bracelet - now I can just sit back and relax for a bit. I have been getting a lot of funny questionnaires on Facebook lately - here is the one I did earlier - it was silly and fun - which I really needed.
Directions For This Questionnaire
1. Put Your iTunes on Shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write down the name of the song no matter how silly it sounds!
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Listen to Your Heart (D.H.T.)
IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY?
La Traviata (The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Twilight Soundtrack)
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Livin' la Vida Loca (Ricky Martin)
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Fall for You (Secondhand Serenade)
HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Pretty Amazing Grace (Neil Diamond)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Crazy People (The Wreckers)
WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?
Voice Inside My Head (Dixie Chicks)
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Higher (Creed)
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Spotlight (Twilight Mix) (Mutemath . Twilight soundtrack)
WHAT IS 2 + 2?
Love Don't Live Here (Lady Antebellum)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
The Long Way Around (Dixie Chicks)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
A Perfectly Good Heart (Taylor Swift)
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Go (Hanson)
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Friends Don't Let Friends Dial Drunk (Plain White T's)
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Sooner Surrender (Matt Nathanson)
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Light On (David Cook) . . . . OK That's just kinda spooky!
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Write You a Song (Plain White T's)
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Born Losers (Matthew Good)
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Detroit Waves (Matt Nathanson)
WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
Leave Out All the Rest (Linkin Park . . . Twilight Soundtrack)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Never (Moving Pictures . . . . .Footloose Soundtrack)
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Breathe (Taylor Swift)
Directions For This Questionnaire
1. Put Your iTunes on Shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write down the name of the song no matter how silly it sounds!
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Listen to Your Heart (D.H.T.)
IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY?
La Traviata (The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Twilight Soundtrack)
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Livin' la Vida Loca (Ricky Martin)
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Fall for You (Secondhand Serenade)
HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Pretty Amazing Grace (Neil Diamond)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Crazy People (The Wreckers)
WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?
Voice Inside My Head (Dixie Chicks)
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Higher (Creed)
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Spotlight (Twilight Mix) (Mutemath . Twilight soundtrack)
WHAT IS 2 + 2?
Love Don't Live Here (Lady Antebellum)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
The Long Way Around (Dixie Chicks)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
A Perfectly Good Heart (Taylor Swift)
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Go (Hanson)
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Friends Don't Let Friends Dial Drunk (Plain White T's)
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Sooner Surrender (Matt Nathanson)
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Light On (David Cook) . . . . OK That's just kinda spooky!
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Write You a Song (Plain White T's)
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Born Losers (Matthew Good)
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Detroit Waves (Matt Nathanson)
WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
Leave Out All the Rest (Linkin Park . . . Twilight Soundtrack)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Never (Moving Pictures . . . . .Footloose Soundtrack)
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Breathe (Taylor Swift)
Confusion
Today is going to be a very weird day at work. This is the first day without Matt. I have never been with a company where there were layoffs like this. It makes it even harder when you don't understand how they came to the decisions as to who should stay and who should go. Matt was such an integral part of our department and I think we are going to be feeling this loss for months to come. I know I relied on him for quite a few things - and as usually happens with departures like this - I think the people who made the decision are going to realize just how much he contributed to the success of the department now that he's gone. I like having a job though so I will just keep my head down and get my work done.
The weekend with L didn't produce any drama - it just has me confused as to what is really going on. She came back to the house on Saturday afternoon - bringing me a rose for Valentines Day. She tried to be all friendly as if nothing was going on. I asked her why she hadn't come home on Thursday for the meeting she set up and I got the usual excuses - her and Kelley got lost - oh her phone died and the charger was at Justin's. I told her I was tired of that excuse - didn't anyone else have a phone. And if her phone was dead - why was she getting text messages while she was talking to me - hmmmmmm?!? I asked her what she had been doing about getting a job - her and Kelley had been applying at places. I asked her if she had the money to pay me - oh yeah she said, I just don't know where my checkbook is - it's out on the couch I told her - gee she left the house without paying me, which is fine because I knew she didn't have enough in her checking account to cover it and I didn't want a bounced check running through my account. She did clean her room while she was home - and I told her that she was going to be expected to do more chores around the house seeing as she was out of work. She headed out to Justin's around 6 or so and that was the end of any contact until I received a text last night around 10 letting me know that she was staying over at Kelley's and would be home some time today to finish doing chores. Yeah right - I'm holding my breath.
So here are the questions -
The weekend with L didn't produce any drama - it just has me confused as to what is really going on. She came back to the house on Saturday afternoon - bringing me a rose for Valentines Day. She tried to be all friendly as if nothing was going on. I asked her why she hadn't come home on Thursday for the meeting she set up and I got the usual excuses - her and Kelley got lost - oh her phone died and the charger was at Justin's. I told her I was tired of that excuse - didn't anyone else have a phone. And if her phone was dead - why was she getting text messages while she was talking to me - hmmmmmm?!? I asked her what she had been doing about getting a job - her and Kelley had been applying at places. I asked her if she had the money to pay me - oh yeah she said, I just don't know where my checkbook is - it's out on the couch I told her - gee she left the house without paying me, which is fine because I knew she didn't have enough in her checking account to cover it and I didn't want a bounced check running through my account. She did clean her room while she was home - and I told her that she was going to be expected to do more chores around the house seeing as she was out of work. She headed out to Justin's around 6 or so and that was the end of any contact until I received a text last night around 10 letting me know that she was staying over at Kelley's and would be home some time today to finish doing chores. Yeah right - I'm holding my breath.
So here are the questions -
- Is she just playing me again, wanting to have a place to dump her clothes and shower so she can spend her days out running around with friends with no responsibilities and/or obligations?
- Does she have any intention of getting another job?
- When I go to Dallas in 3 1/2 weeks will I come back to a trashed home?
- Should I add the additional lock to the door so that when I am out of town she won't be able to get in to the house?
- Does she need to leave again?
I am thinking that she should have to leave until she can pay me back and get herself back on track. How do I do it? She certainly must have somewhere she can stay seeing as she hasn't slept in the condo for over a week.
I am so confused!!
De
Friday, February 13, 2009
No Word
I know - it's rather early for me to be posting. I am at work right now but not really clocked in for work. I got in at 7 so my 8 hours are up but I am staying until 5 so that I can go to Tap House Grill for Matt's Good-Bye gathering.
I have not heard a word from L today. No text - no call - no trying to give excuses as to why she didn't come by last night for the meeting she scheduled. She hasn't been home - except for sleeping in the house on Sunday and coming by to grab things while I'm at work - since she lost her job. She has managed to go through almost all of her paycheck in the past week - don't ask me how I know - so I expect her to be home soon to beg for money. I don't think I'm going to be there when she comes by and I don't think she'll be getting in to the house anymore while I'm not there. If she's blown $600 in a week she's going to need a refill very soon and I don't want to be the victim of her getting it. I plan on stopping by Home Depot on my home tonight and purchasing a door handle that has a lock in it - right now the door lock is just a dead bolt so I am going to swap out the existing handle for a new locking handle. L must have a place to stay seeing as she hasn't been home to sleep in a week.
Silly me - I had thought that the experience of losing all her stuff and not having anywhere to go - had actually helped her to grow up a bit - but I guess I was wrong. She took one step forward over the 5 weeks she was living with me and then 3 steps backwards in the week since she lost her job.
This is potentially going to be a very interesting weekend.
De
I have not heard a word from L today. No text - no call - no trying to give excuses as to why she didn't come by last night for the meeting she scheduled. She hasn't been home - except for sleeping in the house on Sunday and coming by to grab things while I'm at work - since she lost her job. She has managed to go through almost all of her paycheck in the past week - don't ask me how I know - so I expect her to be home soon to beg for money. I don't think I'm going to be there when she comes by and I don't think she'll be getting in to the house anymore while I'm not there. If she's blown $600 in a week she's going to need a refill very soon and I don't want to be the victim of her getting it. I plan on stopping by Home Depot on my home tonight and purchasing a door handle that has a lock in it - right now the door lock is just a dead bolt so I am going to swap out the existing handle for a new locking handle. L must have a place to stay seeing as she hasn't been home to sleep in a week.
Silly me - I had thought that the experience of losing all her stuff and not having anywhere to go - had actually helped her to grow up a bit - but I guess I was wrong. She took one step forward over the 5 weeks she was living with me and then 3 steps backwards in the week since she lost her job.
This is potentially going to be a very interesting weekend.
De
Thursday, February 12, 2009
No Show
730 right now and my evening has not gone at all how I thought it would. I received a text message this morning from L and she wanted to know what time I wanted to talk to her tonight. I let her know I planned on leaving work on time today - I had to stop at the grocery store - run to the vets office to get special food for Niki - and then I would be home. I asked her what time she would be home to talk and she said between 5/530 - supposedly to give me time to unwind from work and settle in. Well - 730 and she's a no show - no call - no text - no IM. So glad she's being mature and talking to me like an adult. I know she was at home at some point in the day today - lights were left on - including my bathroom light and closet light - would love to know what she was looking for in there.
Tomorrow is Matt's last day at work so I am baking blueberry muffins from scratch tonight. I tasted one and it tastes ok - they don't look pretty! I need to make some adjustments to the recipe next time - I think by tripling the recipe the balance of liquid to dry goods gets a little out of whack - more milk next time. They kinda look like blueberry biscuits and not muffins!
Well - I am done baking - I think my late night last night is catching up to me so I am heading to bed.
Any bets on whether L comes home tonight or not?
De
Tomorrow is Matt's last day at work so I am baking blueberry muffins from scratch tonight. I tasted one and it tastes ok - they don't look pretty! I need to make some adjustments to the recipe next time - I think by tripling the recipe the balance of liquid to dry goods gets a little out of whack - more milk next time. They kinda look like blueberry biscuits and not muffins!
Well - I am done baking - I think my late night last night is catching up to me so I am heading to bed.
Any bets on whether L comes home tonight or not?
De
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
I Think I was In Africa
I just got home from my date with Lydia - we went to see The Lion King - The Musical. OMG!! It was incredible! I wasn't sure how I was going to like it - I am a big fan of the movie. I couldn't quite picture in my head how they were going to portray all the different animals. My favorite part of the movie is the beginning when all the animals come to see the presentation of Simba and I didn't think they would be able to capture that on a small stage. Boy was I mistaken. The animals come down from the wings on the stage and down the aisles. The giraffes were huge and I can't even describe the elephant that came right by where we were sitting. Through out the whole production I would forget that there were people up there - I would focus on the animal heads and not the actor that was saying the words and making the movements. The opening sent chills down my spine and towards the end when Simba hears his father Mufasa talk to him I got tears in my eyes - The way they made the shapes come together so that Mufasa's face appears was magical - even better than the growing tree in the Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker. The stage show stays true to the movie and brings it to life in such a way that you feel like you are in Africa witnessing this story. If you ever get the chance to see this you absolutely must go!
I think the next musical on our list to go see is Wicked - it is playing in September. The only problem with that is Lydia is expecting her first child - that I am calling Widget for the time being - at the end of August. Hopefully she can let Ron take the baby for a few hours so she can get out and we can go. I have heard all good things about Wicked - I read the book and really liked it.
It is late and I need to get some sleep - 430 will be here very soon.
De
**Oh - I got my new sweatshirt in the mail today. I am a huge fan of Twilight and I got a hooded sweatshirt from Forks High School with the name Cullen on the back!***
I think the next musical on our list to go see is Wicked - it is playing in September. The only problem with that is Lydia is expecting her first child - that I am calling Widget for the time being - at the end of August. Hopefully she can let Ron take the baby for a few hours so she can get out and we can go. I have heard all good things about Wicked - I read the book and really liked it.
It is late and I need to get some sleep - 430 will be here very soon.
De
**Oh - I got my new sweatshirt in the mail today. I am a huge fan of Twilight and I got a hooded sweatshirt from Forks High School with the name Cullen on the back!***
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Negative To Positive
I am in a cranky mood. Stress from work - which I think is being created by myself and my worries about my job. Stress from my tenant - hasn't been home since Sunday night -at least that's the last time I saw her - I think she may have been home at some point today because there was a pair of tennis shoes right inside the front door that I know weren't there when I left this morning. My writing has reflected this stress- very negative. So here is a list of positive/happy things that have happened, I've noticed, or are going on right now.
I'm heading to bed.
De
- All 3 animals are sitting on the couch with me - it's like one big happy family - or else they are just trying to stay warm.
- Muppet playing with her Snowflake Man - she likes to grab it and shake it around and then she kisses it.
- The quiet this morning when I took Muppet outside. There was just enough snow on the ground and in the trees to keep sounds from traveling too far - I closed my eyes and just absorbed the quiet peace and the crisp air. I really like 530 AM outside - no one else out there.
- I didn't have to give my order at Starbucks this morning - the Barista saw me come in and started my drink right away!
- Muppet laying on my feet Sunday afternoon while we napped together.
- A new bus driver on the 340 bus in the afternoon - a much smoother ride.
- Leftovers for dinner tonight tasted better than they did last night
I'm heading to bed.
De
Monday, February 9, 2009
Snow Again
I woke up to snow this morning! What The Hell!! Last week we had spring like weather - 55/60 degree days - yesterday was a nice sunny day - nothing in the news about the possibility of snow. My alarm went off - I hit snooze - and was listening to the news on the TV when I heard them say that the Bellevue School district was one 1 hour delay and the Issaquah Schools were on a 2 hour delay. Dang - I had hoped we were done with that cold white stuff.
Got home tonight to a quiet house - I have no idea where the unemployed 18 year-old is - I'm sure she's not out looking for a job. She probably spent the day driving around and hanging with friends - not worrying about how she's going to pay for that gas she's using - the phone she has - or the insurance on her car. I think her second car is still sitting at the Shell Station waiting for her to go get the keys and to try and sell it. Oh yeah - probably hasn't thought of that either - takes planning and actual work to try and sell a car.
Time for sleep.
De
Got home tonight to a quiet house - I have no idea where the unemployed 18 year-old is - I'm sure she's not out looking for a job. She probably spent the day driving around and hanging with friends - not worrying about how she's going to pay for that gas she's using - the phone she has - or the insurance on her car. I think her second car is still sitting at the Shell Station waiting for her to go get the keys and to try and sell it. Oh yeah - probably hasn't thought of that either - takes planning and actual work to try and sell a car.
Time for sleep.
De
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Chocolate + Friends + Sleep = Perfect Weekend
This was a good weekend! I was busy on Saturday and on Sunday I just caught up on some much needed sleep!
Saturday I met up with my 40 Something Club for a tour of Boehm's Candies. I remember touring this place back when I was in Camp Fire Girls - oh about 30+ years ago! That's how long this place has been around in Issaquah. On the tour you not only get to see the chocolate factory where they make all the wonderful confections but you also get to see Julius Boehm's home above the candy store and the chapel he had built on the grounds. On my first tour it was lead by Julius him self! The tour guide was very knowledgeable about everything and we learned all sorts of history about Julius himself. His home is like a museum now - the tour guide said they have not moved anything since his death - they dust and clean but have not moved any of the items he collected. The factory doesn't work on the weekend so we had to imagine what it would be like with the workers making the chocolate - it still smelled wonderful and we still got samples!! After the tour they let us loose in the shop! A bunch of 40 year-olds acting like kids in a candy shop!!
After the tour a small group of us went out to lunch at the Issaquah Brewhouse. Lydia had come on the tour with me so we went with the group to lunch. It was a lot of fun! I had a Yellow Snow beer - Rob decided to stay with the theme of the day and he had a Chocolate Stout beer. He couldn't finish it though because he said it tasted too much like chocolate - but at least he tried it! It was a lot of fun!
Sunday was nap day! Muppet had a seizure early in the morning so we both spent the day napping on the couch. I relaxed - stayed in my jammies - snuggled with the pup - very relaxing up until the time a couple hours ago when L called to say she was coming home and could she bring Kelley with her. I decided I better get up off the couch.
I now have some laundry going - I'm going to go clean out the dishwasher and get something for dinner.
De
Saturday I met up with my 40 Something Club for a tour of Boehm's Candies. I remember touring this place back when I was in Camp Fire Girls - oh about 30+ years ago! That's how long this place has been around in Issaquah. On the tour you not only get to see the chocolate factory where they make all the wonderful confections but you also get to see Julius Boehm's home above the candy store and the chapel he had built on the grounds. On my first tour it was lead by Julius him self! The tour guide was very knowledgeable about everything and we learned all sorts of history about Julius himself. His home is like a museum now - the tour guide said they have not moved anything since his death - they dust and clean but have not moved any of the items he collected. The factory doesn't work on the weekend so we had to imagine what it would be like with the workers making the chocolate - it still smelled wonderful and we still got samples!! After the tour they let us loose in the shop! A bunch of 40 year-olds acting like kids in a candy shop!!
After the tour a small group of us went out to lunch at the Issaquah Brewhouse. Lydia had come on the tour with me so we went with the group to lunch. It was a lot of fun! I had a Yellow Snow beer - Rob decided to stay with the theme of the day and he had a Chocolate Stout beer. He couldn't finish it though because he said it tasted too much like chocolate - but at least he tried it! It was a lot of fun!
Sunday was nap day! Muppet had a seizure early in the morning so we both spent the day napping on the couch. I relaxed - stayed in my jammies - snuggled with the pup - very relaxing up until the time a couple hours ago when L called to say she was coming home and could she bring Kelley with her. I decided I better get up off the couch.
I now have some laundry going - I'm going to go clean out the dishwasher and get something for dinner.
De
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Full Circle
Yesterday just took way too much out of me so no writing. This morning I am up, showered, ready for the day, and trying to look at everything in a new light.
I worked way too many hours yesterday. Got to work at 615 am and didn't leave until 530 pm. Busy the whole time - no break for lunch except for grabbing a sandwich on my way back from making the bank deposit. New duties have been added to my desk with the layoffs and with it happening right at month end I don't feel like I have had an opportunity to organize my thoughts let alone my desk. My desk is covered with stacks of paper and I think it is so overwhelming that it resulted in making me so exhausted. I am tempted to go in there over the weekend just to organize my desk and try to get a handle on what needs to be done. Maybe tomorrow - I have plans for this afternoon already.
So - besides the work issues another L drama happened yesterday afternoon. I got a call from her at about 1230 - which is around her lunchtime so I didn't think twice about it when I answered the phone. I hear this voice say Mom! - I could tell she was crying. I asked her what happened and she told me she had just gotten fired from her job!!! Not again! I think last year at this time she had gotten fired from the same job and for the same reasons - attendance problems. She of course was in the mode of - I don't know what they're talking about - I have been getting there on time and sometimes early - I sub for other people who keep calling in sick - I just don't understand. I asked if she had asked Mary to give her some examples of what she was talking about and she said no that Mary had just told "them" to leave. I said "them" - yeah - Jessica got fired too. Hmmm. . . . . . . . . . Jessica is a gal from work that L hangs out with a lot. I am thinking that there is probably more to this than she is really saying but I didn't say that to her I just told her that if she really felt she hadn't done anything wrong then she needed to calmly call Mary and ask her for specifics about what had been wrong with her attendance. All L said was Yeah and then said she was going to shower and then head to Kelley's house - which usually means she's going to go get stoned - which, with everything that has been going on this week I really don't blame her - if I had a vice I would probably be doing it too. I just came home and sat down with a beer - relaxed a bit - and then went to bed.
So now she is without a job - has 2 cars - no income - and is living with me again. Yup - full circle from last year. Dang it! I'm never going to get my house back. Well - it was a good 2 months. I am going to have to give her some firm deadlines about finding a job and if she doesn't follow them then she is out. Also - if she is going to be home all day then I think she should be doing some chores around the house to earn her room and board. We'll have to see how well that goes over.
De
I worked way too many hours yesterday. Got to work at 615 am and didn't leave until 530 pm. Busy the whole time - no break for lunch except for grabbing a sandwich on my way back from making the bank deposit. New duties have been added to my desk with the layoffs and with it happening right at month end I don't feel like I have had an opportunity to organize my thoughts let alone my desk. My desk is covered with stacks of paper and I think it is so overwhelming that it resulted in making me so exhausted. I am tempted to go in there over the weekend just to organize my desk and try to get a handle on what needs to be done. Maybe tomorrow - I have plans for this afternoon already.
So - besides the work issues another L drama happened yesterday afternoon. I got a call from her at about 1230 - which is around her lunchtime so I didn't think twice about it when I answered the phone. I hear this voice say Mom! - I could tell she was crying. I asked her what happened and she told me she had just gotten fired from her job!!! Not again! I think last year at this time she had gotten fired from the same job and for the same reasons - attendance problems. She of course was in the mode of - I don't know what they're talking about - I have been getting there on time and sometimes early - I sub for other people who keep calling in sick - I just don't understand. I asked if she had asked Mary to give her some examples of what she was talking about and she said no that Mary had just told "them" to leave. I said "them" - yeah - Jessica got fired too. Hmmm. . . . . . . . . . Jessica is a gal from work that L hangs out with a lot. I am thinking that there is probably more to this than she is really saying but I didn't say that to her I just told her that if she really felt she hadn't done anything wrong then she needed to calmly call Mary and ask her for specifics about what had been wrong with her attendance. All L said was Yeah and then said she was going to shower and then head to Kelley's house - which usually means she's going to go get stoned - which, with everything that has been going on this week I really don't blame her - if I had a vice I would probably be doing it too. I just came home and sat down with a beer - relaxed a bit - and then went to bed.
So now she is without a job - has 2 cars - no income - and is living with me again. Yup - full circle from last year. Dang it! I'm never going to get my house back. Well - it was a good 2 months. I am going to have to give her some firm deadlines about finding a job and if she doesn't follow them then she is out. Also - if she is going to be home all day then I think she should be doing some chores around the house to earn her room and board. We'll have to see how well that goes over.
De
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Now For The News
Tonight on the 11 o'clock news . . . . . .
Earlier today, a 1991 Toyota Camry was recovered in Federal Way, WA. The car had been reported stolen 3 1/2 weeks ago. The car was discovered at an apartment complex in Federal Way. The Federal Way Police called the owner, L, who happily exclaimed - "Yes, that's my car!!" She was instructed to contact the towing company to arrange pick up. L and her Mom drove down to Kent with anticipation - not knowing what they were going to find. Would the car be in one piece - would it still run - would there been any remnants of the items that had been in the car at the time of it's abduction. After filling out the paperwork they were led into the lot to look for the car. The first car that L saw was munched up and she said she hoped hers didn't look like that. They slowly made there was down the line when the attendant said I think that's your car right there. L exclaimed - It has doors!! She ran up to the car - she was so excited it was like Christmas morning! The body of the car looked undamaged - well, there was no new damage! The stuffed animals that L had in the back window were all still there - that was about it though. In the trunk was some garbage - a paid of slippers - some pajama bottoms - coloring book and crayons - and according to L it smelled like butt! She popped the hood to make sure all the engine parts were there - I wouldn't have thought to do that I would have just gotten in and tried to start it. Everything looked intact so now it was the moment of truth - she climbed in to the driver's seat, put the key in the ignition, turned it, and . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the car started right up!!!! L looked around inside the car and discovered that the thief had taken the radio along with all her other belongings. She got out of the car and hugged it!! The attendant was thoroughly entertained. She drove it out of the lot and parked it by my car - she needed to put some oil in the car. It was now time to take her baby home! On a side note - she now has the address of where the car was found. Sources close to L have confirmed that the suspected thief's dealer lives there. L was told by her Mom not to go do anything stupid - she knew L wanted to go try and confront the girl but she needed to just let it go. We shall see.
Today we received a call from a 4-year-old saying she had been left at home by herself all day long. Here's the story in her own words. I got up this morning at my regular time - stretched as big as I could - licked some toes - and got ready for the day. I went outside to do my "business" and then came back inside. My Mom scratched my belly and gave me some cookies! She then prepared my day room with a new puppy pad - fresh water - food. She gave me a crunchy cookie and said she would be home later. I ate my cookie - peed on my pad - drank some water - and curled up in my bed. Buffy and Niki jumped into my day room and visited for a bit then they climbed up on the counter and went back out in to the rest of the house. I sat in my bed and waited for Mom to get home . . . . .I waited and waited and waited and waited. She's usually home before it gets dark but not tonight. She didn't get home until 1000!!! I heard her come in the door and I was so ready to give her a piece of my mind but as soon as I saw her I couldn't help myself - I started wagging my tail and dancing around - I was so excited to see her. It was a good day after all.
Story #3 - So you first get screwed when your car gets stolen. You have to go through the process of reporting it - the grief of losing everything - and resigning yourself to the fact that everything is gone and you need to get on with life. You then get the call that it's been found and you need to go pick it up from the towing company - and oh - by the way - it's going to cost you $200+ to get it back!!! You first get screwed by the thief and then you get screwed by the towing company!! Doesn't seem fair at all. You would think they would waive the fee for stolen vehicle recoveries.
Our final story of the evening is a personal story. I think I may have set a world record today for taking the longest amount of time to go the shortest distance. I left work today at 445 to head home so I could help L go get her car. It usually takes me about 30 - 40 minutes to drive home. Today through there was police activity on 5th between Union and Pike - close to my work - so all the cars were being rerouted to the same roads I take to get to I5. I kid you not - it took me from 445 to 610 just to get to the friggin freeway!! At one light I sat through 5 cycles before I was finally able to make it across that block on to the next. The guy behind me kept honking - as if that was going to make things move any faster or make more room in front so we could get through the light. There were some people that were driving in the other lane - trying to skip the line up and then pull back into line once they got to the on ramp to I5. There was no way I was letting any of them sneak in in front of me! It was all very frustrating.
That's the news for this the 4th day of February. Reporting from Issaquah, Washington this is De signing off. Be safe out there and have a good night!!
- Four-year-old left home by herself. We hear directly from the victim.
- Girl gets screwed coming and going.
- Longest Drive - Shortest Distance - might be a record!
Earlier today, a 1991 Toyota Camry was recovered in Federal Way, WA. The car had been reported stolen 3 1/2 weeks ago. The car was discovered at an apartment complex in Federal Way. The Federal Way Police called the owner, L, who happily exclaimed - "Yes, that's my car!!" She was instructed to contact the towing company to arrange pick up. L and her Mom drove down to Kent with anticipation - not knowing what they were going to find. Would the car be in one piece - would it still run - would there been any remnants of the items that had been in the car at the time of it's abduction. After filling out the paperwork they were led into the lot to look for the car. The first car that L saw was munched up and she said she hoped hers didn't look like that. They slowly made there was down the line when the attendant said I think that's your car right there. L exclaimed - It has doors!! She ran up to the car - she was so excited it was like Christmas morning! The body of the car looked undamaged - well, there was no new damage! The stuffed animals that L had in the back window were all still there - that was about it though. In the trunk was some garbage - a paid of slippers - some pajama bottoms - coloring book and crayons - and according to L it smelled like butt! She popped the hood to make sure all the engine parts were there - I wouldn't have thought to do that I would have just gotten in and tried to start it. Everything looked intact so now it was the moment of truth - she climbed in to the driver's seat, put the key in the ignition, turned it, and . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the car started right up!!!! L looked around inside the car and discovered that the thief had taken the radio along with all her other belongings. She got out of the car and hugged it!! The attendant was thoroughly entertained. She drove it out of the lot and parked it by my car - she needed to put some oil in the car. It was now time to take her baby home! On a side note - she now has the address of where the car was found. Sources close to L have confirmed that the suspected thief's dealer lives there. L was told by her Mom not to go do anything stupid - she knew L wanted to go try and confront the girl but she needed to just let it go. We shall see.
Today we received a call from a 4-year-old saying she had been left at home by herself all day long. Here's the story in her own words. I got up this morning at my regular time - stretched as big as I could - licked some toes - and got ready for the day. I went outside to do my "business" and then came back inside. My Mom scratched my belly and gave me some cookies! She then prepared my day room with a new puppy pad - fresh water - food. She gave me a crunchy cookie and said she would be home later. I ate my cookie - peed on my pad - drank some water - and curled up in my bed. Buffy and Niki jumped into my day room and visited for a bit then they climbed up on the counter and went back out in to the rest of the house. I sat in my bed and waited for Mom to get home . . . . .I waited and waited and waited and waited. She's usually home before it gets dark but not tonight. She didn't get home until 1000!!! I heard her come in the door and I was so ready to give her a piece of my mind but as soon as I saw her I couldn't help myself - I started wagging my tail and dancing around - I was so excited to see her. It was a good day after all.
Story #3 - So you first get screwed when your car gets stolen. You have to go through the process of reporting it - the grief of losing everything - and resigning yourself to the fact that everything is gone and you need to get on with life. You then get the call that it's been found and you need to go pick it up from the towing company - and oh - by the way - it's going to cost you $200+ to get it back!!! You first get screwed by the thief and then you get screwed by the towing company!! Doesn't seem fair at all. You would think they would waive the fee for stolen vehicle recoveries.
Our final story of the evening is a personal story. I think I may have set a world record today for taking the longest amount of time to go the shortest distance. I left work today at 445 to head home so I could help L go get her car. It usually takes me about 30 - 40 minutes to drive home. Today through there was police activity on 5th between Union and Pike - close to my work - so all the cars were being rerouted to the same roads I take to get to I5. I kid you not - it took me from 445 to 610 just to get to the friggin freeway!! At one light I sat through 5 cycles before I was finally able to make it across that block on to the next. The guy behind me kept honking - as if that was going to make things move any faster or make more room in front so we could get through the light. There were some people that were driving in the other lane - trying to skip the line up and then pull back into line once they got to the on ramp to I5. There was no way I was letting any of them sneak in in front of me! It was all very frustrating.
That's the news for this the 4th day of February. Reporting from Issaquah, Washington this is De signing off. Be safe out there and have a good night!!
BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!
Federal Way police have called to report that they have found L's missing car. It is being towed right now and we need to go pick it up tonight down in Federal Way. This of course will cost $215 - which doesn't seem fair but I will leave that for another blog.
**************News At 1100*******************
**************News At 1100*******************
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
AAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so pissed off right now!!!!!!! L's car is in the shop and she can't get it back until Thursday when she gets paid. I - being the nice and gullible Mom that I am - let her use my car last night to go to Kelley's house to pick up a few things and hang out. This was all with the understanding that I leave for work very early in the morning and so my car had to be back home. So. . . . . . . . . you guessed it . . . . . . . I get up this morning . . . . . . . . . . . . no L and no car!!!!! I have been calling her cell practically non-stop since 445 this morning with no answer. I can feel my blood pressure rising each time her frickin voicemail answers instead of her!!!!! So here I sit all ready to leave for work and no car!!! She finally answered her cell at 550 and was all - oh I spaced - I am so sorry - I am almost home. Which I am thinking is a big fat lie! I am sure she was just leaving Kelley's which means she isn't going to be here until 630 and I needed to be at work by 600 today. Month End - extra work because Vicky is no longer with us - I need to leave early for an appointment today - I am just getting more and more angry as I sit here waiting!!
I guess shame on me for trusting her. Things had been going so well between us so I didn't have a problem last night loaning her the car - I stressed with her over and over that I had to have the car early in the morning and she seemed to understand. I guess she is going to be without a car now until she can bail hers out of the shop. I can't have this happen again. Right now all I want to do is scream at the top of my lungs and hit something!!!!
OK - it is now 600 - 10 minutes after she said she was almost home and still no sign of her or the car. Told ya she was lying about almost being home. Kelley lives in Redmond and it takes a good 30 minutes to get from her house to ours - and that's without any morning traffic.
605 - 15 minutes - no L no car!!!
615 - she just got home - must have broken a few speed limits trying to get here.
I am heading to work.
De
I guess shame on me for trusting her. Things had been going so well between us so I didn't have a problem last night loaning her the car - I stressed with her over and over that I had to have the car early in the morning and she seemed to understand. I guess she is going to be without a car now until she can bail hers out of the shop. I can't have this happen again. Right now all I want to do is scream at the top of my lungs and hit something!!!!
OK - it is now 600 - 10 minutes after she said she was almost home and still no sign of her or the car. Told ya she was lying about almost being home. Kelley lives in Redmond and it takes a good 30 minutes to get from her house to ours - and that's without any morning traffic.
605 - 15 minutes - no L no car!!!
615 - she just got home - must have broken a few speed limits trying to get here.
I am heading to work.
De
Monday, February 2, 2009
Facebook High School
I am 44 years old and yet there are still times when I swear I feel like I am back in High School. All the same insecurities - wondering what it is that I did to make someone not like me - trying too hard to get people to like me - questioning my worth and value - being envious of what other people have - feeling the need to compete. Facebook has done this to me. It is just like high school - there are the same clicks. I have run in to people that will go ahead and "friend" me but then won't talk to me. This gets me wondering what did I do - what could have possibly happened 27 years ago that would still have someone so upset that they don't want to talk. Especially seeing as I have no idea what it was - at our age don't you think you should be able to come out and say what it is that has pissed you off for so long. Then again - at my age you would think I would be able to just let it flow off me like water off a duck's back. I have no idea why I let these things get to me. For 27 years I have let these people get to me - let their actions dictate my self-esteem - let them have the power. I just wish that we could get past the perceived slights from high school and reconnect as adults.
De
De
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