Happy Belated Easter!

I hope everyone had a great one. 

I had a great time at church and then afterwards I picked up L and we headed on up to La Conner to see Mom and Dad - it's so nice to have someone in the car with me - makes the drive go a lot quicker.  This was an all encompassing dinner - we celebrated Easter - Mother's Day - L's B-day!  Since it was L's B-day we had Flank Steak and Yorkshire Pudding for dinner!  It was really really good!  Dad's Flank Steak is always good but this was exceptional - cooked just right and the marinade made a crispy layer on the outside.  Yorkshire {Pudding was wonderful as usual.  We also had asparagus - L and I will eat the stems and Mom prefers the flower end - same with broccoli.  I helped clear the table and clean the dishes and then it was time for dessert.  I made individual cheesecakes - they turned out really well!  I think I have found my new specialty!  This time around not one cheesecake cracked - served them with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. 

I didn't bring Chrissy with me - she was being a pain earlier in the day - I was feeling kinda sorry for her though because she had been in the kitchen for so long.  Well - that feeling went away when she so excitedly greeted me at the front door! My little escape artist!  I kept asking her how long she had been out but she was not telling! Neither of the cats would spill the beans either.

De

Just Some Observations

•  What has happened to the smile and wave?  It used to be that when you let a car go in front of you or the car to your right go first at a 4-way stop or the person waiting to cross the parking lot at the grocery store - you would get a smile and nod or a smile and wave.  I don't get those anymore.

•  To the young gal working at the drive-thru window tonight - I didn't appreciate when I asked you for a straw your response of rolling the eyes, the huffy attitude, the response of "I put one in the bag" as you grabbed a straw and shoved it at me out the window.  I'm not new to ordering at drive-thrus - I checked the bag before I asked you and There Was No Straw!!

• It cost me $40 to fill-up my car this morning!  When I drove pass the Klahanie Chevron station my mouth dropped - The price is now at 4.05/gal!!  Ridiculous!!

• When I am depressed is the perfect time to go to Michael's - I have no motivation to be creative so I don't spend money on tons of beads.  I was able to go in - get the one thing I needed - and leave.

• Bed, Bath, and Beyond is just as dangerous to wander through as Target.  Impulse shopping trip netted me Pedi-Paws for trimming the pets nails, a cute hedgehog toy for Chrissy, a brown basket like container to hold my magazines/remote/word search puzzles/pen by my bed, a large fruit slicer that is a larger version of the slicer that cuts apples into wedges - this one is for melons - perfect wedges of watermelon/cantaloupe/honeydew.  Impulse shopping when depressed is not a good idea.

• God knows when you need a hug and he provides for you - I hardly ever see anyone I know at the QFC but tonight I ran in to Brother and Sister Bennett from church - they live in Preston so they're not usually at this QFC.  It was exactly what I needed - I got great big hugs from both of them.  

De

A Poem

It comes out of nowhere
That thing that changes you in a flash
You go from laughing and enjoying life
To feeling worthless and crying

It hits you like the heat on a summer day
You can't breathe
A weight settles on you
Wrapping it's arms tightly around you

Sleep becomes your friend
Slowly pulling you into oblivion
The comfort makes you want to stay
No energy left for the fight



De

Heavens To Murgatroid!

What a day what a day!  I swear - sometimes I think I should try to record the phone calls I have with L just so I can replay them and prove that I'm not making this stuff up and to make sure I'm not crazy - that I am hearing her say the things she says - and so I can try to transcribe this correctly for my blog!  Disclaimer - this may not be word for word but it is close enough and carries the basics! 

The set-up is this:  L is moving this week (that's a whole nuther story that I will get into another day)  she has requested boxes and I told her I would try to get some from work - operative work being try - and I gave her some ideas on other places she could go to to get some.  The other issue is the unemployment check that gets delivered to my house - the last conversation we had about this weeks was that she wanted me to leave it inside the house and she would come by and get it (she still has a key for now).

Text message sent to me last night at 1134:  Can you drop my unemployment check off at my work tomorrow morning?  Or at my place or something . . C is gonna take me to cash it when I'm off.  I of course was asleep so I didn't get until this morning. 

My response at 712:  I'm not driving to work.  I can leave it under the mat here and you can come by and get it.  

L 821:  Well c was gonna pick me up at my place . . . . how am I supposed to get boxes if your not driving.  

As I was texting her back she called me at 822.  A little on the impatient side much!  So here's how the convo went:

L:  Have you left for work yet? 
De: Yeah - I'm almost to the park and ride
L:  How am I supposed to get boxes?
De:  I told you I haven't found any boxes yet and I'm not gonna drive everyday hoping to find some.
L:  I need to get out of my place what am I supposed to do?
De:  Not really my problem
L:  How am I supposed to get my check
De:  If C is taking you to cash your check it's not that far out of the way to get it from my place.
L: I'm in Seattle why didn't you just bring my check with you?
De:  I didn't know you were in Seattle
L:  I told you I was going to K's
De:  Well how was I supposed to know that.  Also - the last thing I knew you wanted to pick the check up at my house.  You know what - you are moving in to an apartment so you need to just get the address on this check changed to your new address.
L:  I texted you that C was picking  me up from my house and taking me to cash my check.
De:  You texted me at 1130 - I was asleep
L:  Why can't you just drive
De:  Gas and Parking are too much
L:  What am I supposed to do - why are you getting all huffy

There was more of her trying to get me to change my plans - I just hung up and have not heard from her since. 

There was some other stuff that happened today but I am really tired - it took me too long to write this because I was watching the movie Whip It while writing this - now it's 1100 and I so need to go to bed so I can get up and go to work in the morning.  Oh - and - Whip It is a really cute movie!!

De

4.01

Besides empty wallets and the possibility of needing a second mortgage just to pay for gas these days there is another issue that has arisen from the rise in gas prices ($4.01 in Issaquah today) - the dreaded New Bus Riders!! 

These are the people who have never taken public transportation - or at least not on any consistent basis.  They don't know the rules or else they think they are above them.  My two pet peeves about new riders - the "I should be able to get on when I want to" and the "I want to share my music with everyone" riders!!

This morning at the park and ride - the regular riders were lining up waiting for the  bus - the 8:05 bus is a popular time so there are a lot of people.  When the bus pulls up - opens it doors - we start filing on - there is a lady who just came out from the parking area and just steps right in front of me and on to the bus!  WTH!!  So not cool!  The voices in my head got a little loud and said "What, you think you should just be able to cut in front of all of us who have been waiting in line!"  Luckily - either the voice wasn't too loud or else she was hard of hearing because she didn't respond at all.

Tonight on the way home I had the pleasure of sitting next to a young rider - probably early twenties - who was enjoying listening to her iPod and thought everyone around her wanted to listen too!  She had her ear buds in but the sound was turned up soooo loud! Even with the sound of the bus wheels on the road I could still hear the music.  There is even a sign on the bus saying to please keep the sound down - not to share with your neighbors! 

This surge in new riders is going to drive me insane!  I definitely need to work on keeping my thoughts to myself - and I probably should wear my ear buds so I don't have to listen to everyone around me. 

De

Sissy Has Gone Home

Niki and Chrissy are looking around for C - they want to know where their new friend went. We all enjoyed having her visit.

Saturday the family was reunited!  C and I trekked on up to La Conner to be with the parents.  We loaded up Chrissy and headed off around 1030 - of course the first stop was Starbucks for C - McDonalds for a Large Coke for me.  The Garmin gave us a time that we would arrive there and the goal was to beat that time!  Took 5 minutes off - got there in one piece.  We listened to the Mariners lose their game on the way up.  The tulips haven't poked their heads out yet so we didn't see any fields - there was one field of color off in the distance when we drove towards La Conner - but not like it usually is.  I will be heading up again next weekend so it will be interesting to see if there is more color.  Dinner was at the Tav - C got her Fish and Chips!  When we got back to the house Mom told us there were 24 Easter Eggs hidden - Easter Egg Hunt!!  Yay!!  As C posted on FB - We are always kids when we go home.  I found my 12 eggs way before C did!  It was sooo much fun!  Sunday we had a nice breakfast with Mom and Dad - then we drove home - beat the Garmin by 5 min again!  Either I am really good or the Garmin is off by 5 min! 

It was back to work today after dropping C off at the airport.  It was nice to have the time off - and there wasn't too much on my desk to get caught up with - just mail/invoices - so, same old, same old! 

Now it's bedtime - at least for me - if Chrissy had her way we would be up for a couple more hours for playtime - I didn't get home until 800 tonight so she is wanting to run run run!  Oh well - my house my rules!  And she and Buffy are getting on my nerves!

De

Sissy's Here

Sissy got here yesterday - flight was an hour late because it was delayed in TX.  Only had to drive around the Arrival Loop at the airport twice though so not bad.  First stop was at McDonalds - L was working - she was able to take her break while we were there.  We got there and she had her back to us - I called her name - she said why is everyone yelling my name today - I responded with "Because your mother is here!" She turned around and was "Oh!!"  Came out and hugged C then proceeded to tell us how she was really hung over because she had gotten hammered the night before - she parties hard all the time!  We ordered our food - I got 50% off because I am her Mom!  Then we sat down and ate until she was able to come out on her break.  Most of her conversation revolved around drinking - getting hammered - being wasted!  She just knows how to make her mama proud . . . . . Not! 

After McDonalds we went to my place - had to turn up the heat and turn on the fire - C was a bit chilled - she never took her coat off!!  We then met with one of her friends for dinner at Cucina Cucina - good food - good conversation - they had good wine - and I had a strawberry lemonade! 

This morning I woke up once at 515 and then again at 9!  I thought C had probably been up for a while but she said nope - she had just gotten out of bed too.  We got ready - made a stop at Sbux - then headed to Bellevue Square.  Did some shopping - steered clear of the Apple Store - I Do Not Need An iPad!!  I get into trouble in that store when I am with Sissy - I think she is secretly on their payroll and gets commission on anything she can talk me into getting.  Every Apple item I have I've gotten when I was with her!  After shopping we went and saw a movie - Source Code w/Jake Gylenhal - it was a good movie.  Some action - some suspense - and a real mind bender.  Then it was off to the UW Bookstore - it was awful!!  They don't sell WSU stuff there anymore so I was surrounded by Dawgs and Purple!  It was horrible!!

For dinner tonight we went and tried a newer place in Issaquah - Field of Champions Bar and Grill - we decided to order a few appetizers to share - Onion Rings, Potato Skins, Chicken Quesadilla - she had a beer and I had a coke.  The beer looked so good though - it was tough and tempting - but I stayed with my soda.  The appetizers were really good and when the bill came we realized that we had ordered during Happy Hour (M-F 3-6) so the appetizers were half off!!  Nice!!

Now we are home - sitting on the couch watching the Mariners game.  Sissy is in her sweats underneath the comforter from my bed!!  Me - I'm in sweat bottoms and a T-shirt!  Too Funny! 

The plan for tomorrow is to head up to Mom and Dads and to hopefully see some Tulips.  We'll see - its been wet and cold so I'm not sure if there are very many blooming yet.

De

Yellow Is Expensive

Well . . . . . that little yellow check engine light in my car turned out to be rather expensive!!  I Hate Car Problems!!!  They're never simple and they're never cheap!  Diagnostics, oil change, brake inspection $150 - the little yellow light was for a failed fuel injection sensor $380 - front brake replacement/smoothing of rotors $340 - Alignment $90 - usually this little list would end with something that was priceless . . .but nothing was priceless today!  The only 2 positives out of this were - I got a mile walk in today because of walking to the park and ride after dropping off my car and then picking it back up - the weird sound my tires were making on the drivers side were from a hubcap rubbing on the tire. 

Right now I am watching Survivor - I Love Rob - He is my boy!  Best line so far tonight - The Mariano Crime Syndicate!!  He instituted a Buddy System so no one in the alliance would be left on their own to be approached by other tribe members.  Too Funny!  I won't ruin the show by saying who gets voted out tonight - but these tribal councils are so entertaining! Ooooohhhhh - it's a double tribal council tonight!  This could be very interesting.

OK - I need to go take care of my bedroom - try to make it look not so cluttered!  Sissy is here tomorrow.

De

Tomorrow Is My Friday!

Sissy's here on Thursday!  Yay! I have been working to try and get the house to not look so "hoardy"!  It's not perfect but I think it looks better than it did last time she was here!  I still have one more night before she's here so we will see what all I can get done.  At least she has a room to stay in - it might be bright green but it has a Futon, Internet, and a TV!  What more could you ask for.

Tomorrow I get to drop off my car to be looked at - check engine light!  Keep your fingers crossed that it's not something that will cost me an arm and a leg - not sure I have anymore to pay with!  Also hope it's something that can be fixed in a day - otherwise I will need to rent a car to go pick up Sissy!!  I could rent a sports car - we could be 2 Gals on the Town!!

I will give an update tomorrow!!

De

Let's Recap

I think at least once a month I have to do the obligatory catch up post!!  So here it goes:

L

• Still livin' under that lucky start - she had no cash but did have a lottery scratch ticket worth $1.  She turned it in at her Chevron station  for another ticket - won another $1!  Turned that one in for another ticket - won $10!!  Turned it in for a pack of cigarettes!  Really!  She is low on cash and out of thin air she gets $10 - I'm low on cash and all I get are bills!
• Her old boyfriend E sent her a text over the weekend just wanting to chat.  Wanted to know if she had a new boyfriend  - she said not really - he then wanted to know if they could "hang out".  The quotes mean that he was really trying to get a Booty Call!!!  He told her that he missed that part.  She told him he was crazy and that absolutely NOT!  Good for her - Stupid Creep!
• She does have a new boyfriend - C.  Not sure where the met up - they just hang out together.  Not sure if they also "hang out" and I am so not going to ask!  Sometimes it is just better not to know!
• Work is going well for her - she is getting more hours next week so hopefully that means things are picking up.  She has been there for 7 Months!  Yay!  
• She turns 21 in 5 weeks!  Who would have thought we'd ever get there. 

Chrissy

• She will chew on absolutely anything and everything.  She has gotten rather sneaky about it too.  She finds the items she wants to chew up - brings it out to the living room - and chews on it right next to one of her toys with her back to me so if I look over there it looks like she is chewing on one of her own toys.  But Oh No - closer look when she really gets in to it - I find hair bands - her sweater - kitchen towel - my underwear!  Yes you read that last one correctly!!  She gets into my laundry basket and chews up my underwear!  Thank goodness they're only from Target and not very expensive.
• She got a much needed bath this week.  She is so fluffy now and smells sooooo good!  

Me

• My sleep patterns have been disrupted - for some reason I can't go to sleep at night and then I can't get up in the morning!  It's like being bipolar - reved up and full of energy at night but slow and tired in the morning.  I prefer the Morning Person I was and not this Night Owl!
• Cooking - well actually Baking!  I have been baking a lot lately - last week I made my very first Original Cheesecake which turned out pretty good.  When I was baking it though I had forgotten to put a baking sheet underneath it so when the butter in the crust heated up it melted and dripped down to the bottom of the oven.  Tonight I am baking something new - I turned on the oven to preheat it and when I opened the door to put the crust in - my kitchen filled with smoke from the burning butter on the bottom of the oven!!  Good Grief!!  I opened the back door and am trying to air the house out - one good thing I can say about this - Thank Goodness I need to replace the batteries in my smoke detectors!!  Oh - and when I opened the back door I discovered an inch of snow on my deck!!
• I discovered a new App for my iPhone - Stumbleupon - it's an app that lets you literally surf the web - kinda like Channel Surfing on the TV.  You choose your favorite categories on the App - like cooking, animals, books, etc - and then when you click on the icon it surfs the web to find articles, pics, or videos that match your likes!  When you're done with the first one - you tap the icon again and "surf" to the next one.  It's very fun and that's where I got the recipe for what I'm baking tonight Warm Toasted Marshmallow S'more Bars. 
• I have one weekend left to try and get my house in some kind of shape before Sissy gets here next week.  Last year the house looked like they were filming an episode of Hoarders and . . . . . well . . . . . it hasn't really gotten much better.  Some of the stuff from last year has been moved or gotten rid of - but it was replaced with new stuff.  I so need someone to just come in - clear it all out - haul it down the stairs - and let me start from scratch!  Raise Your Hand if you want to help . . . . . anyone . . anyone!

 OK - off to finish the treat for tomorrow.

De