It never fails…come to work in a good mood…they can trash it in an instant. It seems that our mode of dress is unacceptable now. What next? At this point…who cares? I prayed about where God wanted me to work on the way in this morning…asking for guidance. I asked that He would show me where I should be…give me a sign…just help me know…I think He just did. It doesn’t matter what we do…or how hard we try…it isn’t enough anymore. I have lengthened my skirts (of my own accord) since I came to work here, I iron my clothes every morning, I don’t wear flashy stuff, and only a minimal amount of jewelry. It seems that my blouses are objectionable now…and my co-workers as well. We expected something like this…a strict dress code was suggested and shot down a few weeks ago. We thought that she would simply implement her dress code a piece at a time, as a result of not being allowed to make it ‘policy’…and that’s what is happening. It appears though that it doesn’t apply to her…she wears the same type of clothing that we do...in fact, she sat there this morning wearing two of the things that we have been instructed not to wear anymore. Not to mention the brokers…who are wearing shorts, t-shirts, and rubber flip flops.
I vowed not to let them make me cry anymore…and I won’t. After ‘the talk’ I was asked, “So how do you feel about this? Do you feel like it is unfair?” I thought for just a moment about all of the ‘unfairness’ going on here lately, decided that it really doesn’t matter what I think…that has become abundantly clear. I wondered why they bothered to ask. Then I replied, “It doesn’t matter what I think, it’s your office…your rules…I will abide by them…obviously.” The meeting was over, so I came back to my desk. The day has a stinking cloud over it now…I don’t want to change jobs again…but…she is determined to keep both of us as miserable as possible, and life is too short to live like that. My co-worker came in this morning after a good cry…just at the thought of dealing with the superior personality down the hall for another 8 hours…it shouldn’t be that way. Every day it is some new thing…mostly petty things that don’t make any difference at all in relation to our work…but make her feel ‘above’ us. It is sad when people have to keep everyone around them as far ‘down’ as possible, in order to feel good about themselves.
So…practicing my typing again…checking the ads…praying for where to go…what to do.
To borrow a phrase from Shane...Suck is life.
Be Well.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Monday, June 12, 2006
Rainy days always get me down...
Storms began around 1:30 this morning, at first gently rolling, then progressing rapidly, with increasing fury. It is almost 11:00 am, and the rain is still coming down…but only occasional thunder and lightening now. It is fitting weather for a Monday. Back to work, stress, and drudgery.
The weekend was great! Mostly sunny skies and hot temps…perfect for the pool and cooking outdoors! We slept in on Saturday, then I cleaned house while Marvin mowed the yard. Around noon, we got in the pool and stayed for a couple of hours. It was nice!
Then, we headed over to Chas’s to check out the damage on her car (which turned out to be tree sap and not damage after all). Then stopped in at Shane’s (however, he wasn’t home). On to dinner at Shorty Small’s, then Wal-Mart to pick up a few odds and ends (our second Wal-Mart trip this weekend). Back home afterwards, to watch a movie and hit the sack around midnight.
Sunday was perfect! Church was great, then everyone came over to the house for a cookout and pool party! Good food and lots of sun and fun! Around 4:45 or so, we went in and looked at the CD’s of Vegas pictures for almost an hour and a half! Shane made CD’s for everyone to keep (which was awesome, thank you Shaner)! Diane headed out first (around 6:00), then Shane and Candy. Chas stayed for a bit and watched Last Vacation with us (it was hilarious), then she headed home around 9:00. Marvin had begun to feel the combined effects of his cold and the sun, so we were in bed by 9:45 or so.
Unfortunately, it was one of those nights…my mind was running ninety miles an hour, so I didn’t fall asleep until around midnight. I awoke for the storm and a phone message at 1:47, again at 2:30, and finally fell asleep again around 4:00, the alarm went off at 5:45 and it was tough to get out of bed!
Viewing the Las Vegas pics was really fun…but somewhat painful. It made me realize how badly I need to get back into the exercise groove and take off some tonnage (literally). So…my lunch hours will be for walking in the air conditioned mall from now on. It’s funny how we get out of the habit of exercise. I really enjoy walking…aerobics…etc…but, somehow I just quit over the past three months or so. It is difficult to do those things alone…but pictures don’t lie…so necessary overrides difficult!
Be Well!
The weekend was great! Mostly sunny skies and hot temps…perfect for the pool and cooking outdoors! We slept in on Saturday, then I cleaned house while Marvin mowed the yard. Around noon, we got in the pool and stayed for a couple of hours. It was nice!
Then, we headed over to Chas’s to check out the damage on her car (which turned out to be tree sap and not damage after all). Then stopped in at Shane’s (however, he wasn’t home). On to dinner at Shorty Small’s, then Wal-Mart to pick up a few odds and ends (our second Wal-Mart trip this weekend). Back home afterwards, to watch a movie and hit the sack around midnight.
Sunday was perfect! Church was great, then everyone came over to the house for a cookout and pool party! Good food and lots of sun and fun! Around 4:45 or so, we went in and looked at the CD’s of Vegas pictures for almost an hour and a half! Shane made CD’s for everyone to keep (which was awesome, thank you Shaner)! Diane headed out first (around 6:00), then Shane and Candy. Chas stayed for a bit and watched Last Vacation with us (it was hilarious), then she headed home around 9:00. Marvin had begun to feel the combined effects of his cold and the sun, so we were in bed by 9:45 or so.
Unfortunately, it was one of those nights…my mind was running ninety miles an hour, so I didn’t fall asleep until around midnight. I awoke for the storm and a phone message at 1:47, again at 2:30, and finally fell asleep again around 4:00, the alarm went off at 5:45 and it was tough to get out of bed!
Viewing the Las Vegas pics was really fun…but somewhat painful. It made me realize how badly I need to get back into the exercise groove and take off some tonnage (literally). So…my lunch hours will be for walking in the air conditioned mall from now on. It’s funny how we get out of the habit of exercise. I really enjoy walking…aerobics…etc…but, somehow I just quit over the past three months or so. It is difficult to do those things alone…but pictures don’t lie…so necessary overrides difficult!
Be Well!
Friday, June 09, 2006
Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's Friday afternoon, and only 25 minutes until time to go home!! Yea!!!!!!!!!! It has been a slow day....which is a good thing....my co-worker bailed at 2:30. All of the brokers are gone, and the controller and I are all that is left. I just returned from making the bank deposits, and I have locked all filing cabinets for the weekend!!
In this entire day, I have made a few observations...which I will now impart to you!
1) People who have been intrusted with millions of dollars are sometimes the biggest liars on the planet.
2) Heavenly Snow crushed ice drinks make a fantastic lunch.
3) Pink shoes should not happen.
4) There hasn't been an original thought anywhere on earth in the last hundred years.
5) Jim Croce was a genius.
See ya on the flip side!!
Be Well!
In this entire day, I have made a few observations...which I will now impart to you!
1) People who have been intrusted with millions of dollars are sometimes the biggest liars on the planet.
2) Heavenly Snow crushed ice drinks make a fantastic lunch.
3) Pink shoes should not happen.
4) There hasn't been an original thought anywhere on earth in the last hundred years.
5) Jim Croce was a genius.
See ya on the flip side!!
Be Well!
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Sleep...elusive sleep...
Another tired morning! I woke up at 1:20 and stayed awake most of the night (except for a few minutes off and on). This is getting very old!! I wake up thinking about a million things, then my thoughts are joined by snoring(not mine), then I get frustrated…then I wake up even more. Oh well…this too shall pass.
So far the day is slow. That usually doesn’t last long though. We have seen trading decline sharply during the past two weeks, and have heard rumblings of the bottom falling out of the brokerage business. I have only a minimal understanding of the stock market and what actually drives/affects it, although I am learning more as we go along. With my luck…just about the time I figure it all out…it will be a mute point.
I got my nails done on my lunch hour today. I have been trying to do that lately, so that I am not sitting in the nail salon on Saturday. That elusive sleep…came to me as I sat there under the warm light with the tech working on one hand, and the other hand under the light. I realized that my head was falling over…I was quickly drifting off to sleep…how embarrassing. Honestly, I would have given a days pay to curl up under that lamp for about 4 hours.
I have been told twice in the past month, that there is a woman in the building that I work in, who looks like my twin sister. To top it off…the lady who told me yesterday said “You won’t believe this…but she is even dressed just like you today, except that instead of a black shirt, she is wearing a pink one.” I was wearing a Khaki skirt, black tank, black sleeveless shirt over the tank, and black heels…oddly enough…I usually wear a pink shirt over the black tank. Who is this person? Hmmm…in years past, I have literally been introduced to siblings that I didn’t know existed…on my doorstep. Is this another one? If so… I hope she is wealthy…and generous.
Be Well!
So far the day is slow. That usually doesn’t last long though. We have seen trading decline sharply during the past two weeks, and have heard rumblings of the bottom falling out of the brokerage business. I have only a minimal understanding of the stock market and what actually drives/affects it, although I am learning more as we go along. With my luck…just about the time I figure it all out…it will be a mute point.
I got my nails done on my lunch hour today. I have been trying to do that lately, so that I am not sitting in the nail salon on Saturday. That elusive sleep…came to me as I sat there under the warm light with the tech working on one hand, and the other hand under the light. I realized that my head was falling over…I was quickly drifting off to sleep…how embarrassing. Honestly, I would have given a days pay to curl up under that lamp for about 4 hours.
I have been told twice in the past month, that there is a woman in the building that I work in, who looks like my twin sister. To top it off…the lady who told me yesterday said “You won’t believe this…but she is even dressed just like you today, except that instead of a black shirt, she is wearing a pink one.” I was wearing a Khaki skirt, black tank, black sleeveless shirt over the tank, and black heels…oddly enough…I usually wear a pink shirt over the black tank. Who is this person? Hmmm…in years past, I have literally been introduced to siblings that I didn’t know existed…on my doorstep. Is this another one? If so… I hope she is wealthy…and generous.
Be Well!
Green Lantern...
(Wednesday)
Today has been slow. Lots of controversy and ‘stuff’ going on around me…but I am steering clear. I took my car to the Green Lantern car wash on my lunch hour. They did a really good job inside and out!! I was impressed and would definitely recommend them!
I was sitting there in the waiting area trying to decide how much, and who…to tip…when I saw the sign on the wall “No tips please”. I hope that means that they pay their people well, because they certainly earn it!
I have never been to a car wash like that…so, when I pulled in, I put the car in park and waited. Turns out…you put it in neutral, let go of the steering wheel and keep your foot OFF the brake. A conveyer belt carries the car all the way through! It was a weird feeling. Especially when the cloth thingies came down and began to beat the tar out of the car…I couldn’t see a thing, but I could feel the forward motion.
After the car wash I drove through McDonalds and had a fruit and yogurt and a diet coke. For some reason…I thought that I was ordering a frozen yogurt…so when I put that first spoonful of ‘not-frozen’ yogurt in my mouth, it was a little strange. But…it turned out to be good after all, and I’m sure it was better for me than a burger and fries!
The work week is more than halfway over….yea!!!! Tomorrow is Friday eve!!
Be Well!
Today has been slow. Lots of controversy and ‘stuff’ going on around me…but I am steering clear. I took my car to the Green Lantern car wash on my lunch hour. They did a really good job inside and out!! I was impressed and would definitely recommend them!
I was sitting there in the waiting area trying to decide how much, and who…to tip…when I saw the sign on the wall “No tips please”. I hope that means that they pay their people well, because they certainly earn it!
I have never been to a car wash like that…so, when I pulled in, I put the car in park and waited. Turns out…you put it in neutral, let go of the steering wheel and keep your foot OFF the brake. A conveyer belt carries the car all the way through! It was a weird feeling. Especially when the cloth thingies came down and began to beat the tar out of the car…I couldn’t see a thing, but I could feel the forward motion.
After the car wash I drove through McDonalds and had a fruit and yogurt and a diet coke. For some reason…I thought that I was ordering a frozen yogurt…so when I put that first spoonful of ‘not-frozen’ yogurt in my mouth, it was a little strange. But…it turned out to be good after all, and I’m sure it was better for me than a burger and fries!
The work week is more than halfway over….yea!!!! Tomorrow is Friday eve!!
Be Well!
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Tuesday...
First day back to work…yech! I can’t believe vacation went so fast!!
The office is a bit weird today, I had a million emails to sort through, and phone messages, and stuff to fix that was not quite right. Overall though…not too bad. It is warm and sunny outside, and very difficult to stay here!
Sleeping last night was next to impossible. I stared at the ceiling more of the night than I stared at the back of my eyelids. Marvin snored, lightening crashed, thunder rolled, and next door, a dog barked and howled. At one point the thunder seemed to be almost rhythmic…I wondered then if perhaps I was asleep after all …dreaming that I was awake. About that time, the wind picked up, the rain went from a soft patter to a roaring torrent, and small hail pinged the deck. The snoring stopped and Marvin got up to check it out. I lay there, imagining the wind ripping off the roof and the bed being swept up into a gentle current…swirling, and swirling through the sky, gently rocking back and forth, as the storm carried it higher and higher. The barking and howling changed to a yelp, as the dog next door soared past the foot board.
“We got dogs…” I thought, chuckling.
Suddenly, my great Grandma Helm stood at the side of the bed…debris blowing around behind her as she floated there…
“You’ve made your bed missy…now you have to lay in it!” she shrieked, then she began wringing her hands and whining about Mama Cookies as she disappeared, a long belt of red plastic monkeys flapping behind her.
“Nutty old bat”….I thought…rolling over on my side. Out of the darkness came the sound of a chant…I opened my eyes to find the bed surrounded by huge red plastic monkeys…hooked together, arm in arm.
“She heard you, she heard you, she heard you…” they sang in unison…I rubbed my eyes with one hand. A telephone appeared on the pillow next to me…ringing loudly.
“Hello…” I stammered into the receiver…
“Are you listening to me…?” demanded Grandma, babbling faster and faster on the other end of the line. She seemed to be spewing poetry of some sort.
“BWWWWPPP”…I replied, “You’re breaking up grandma!” With that, I tossed the phone into the swirling storm. The monkeys flew away after it. In their place appeared a man in a tuxedo, with an oversized microphone in one hand…
“More fun than a barrel of monkeys...” he bellowed. Through the storm came a loud, rumbling noise. I covered my ears with both hands, squeezing my eyes shut tightly as I cringed against the sound. The bed stopped, the wind quieted, and I opened my eyes…I was back in the bedroom…the roof secure…Marvin snoring beside me. After that…sleep just seemed boring.
Be Well!
The office is a bit weird today, I had a million emails to sort through, and phone messages, and stuff to fix that was not quite right. Overall though…not too bad. It is warm and sunny outside, and very difficult to stay here!
Sleeping last night was next to impossible. I stared at the ceiling more of the night than I stared at the back of my eyelids. Marvin snored, lightening crashed, thunder rolled, and next door, a dog barked and howled. At one point the thunder seemed to be almost rhythmic…I wondered then if perhaps I was asleep after all …dreaming that I was awake. About that time, the wind picked up, the rain went from a soft patter to a roaring torrent, and small hail pinged the deck. The snoring stopped and Marvin got up to check it out. I lay there, imagining the wind ripping off the roof and the bed being swept up into a gentle current…swirling, and swirling through the sky, gently rocking back and forth, as the storm carried it higher and higher. The barking and howling changed to a yelp, as the dog next door soared past the foot board.
“We got dogs…” I thought, chuckling.
Suddenly, my great Grandma Helm stood at the side of the bed…debris blowing around behind her as she floated there…
“You’ve made your bed missy…now you have to lay in it!” she shrieked, then she began wringing her hands and whining about Mama Cookies as she disappeared, a long belt of red plastic monkeys flapping behind her.
“Nutty old bat”….I thought…rolling over on my side. Out of the darkness came the sound of a chant…I opened my eyes to find the bed surrounded by huge red plastic monkeys…hooked together, arm in arm.
“She heard you, she heard you, she heard you…” they sang in unison…I rubbed my eyes with one hand. A telephone appeared on the pillow next to me…ringing loudly.
“Hello…” I stammered into the receiver…
“Are you listening to me…?” demanded Grandma, babbling faster and faster on the other end of the line. She seemed to be spewing poetry of some sort.
“BWWWWPPP”…I replied, “You’re breaking up grandma!” With that, I tossed the phone into the swirling storm. The monkeys flew away after it. In their place appeared a man in a tuxedo, with an oversized microphone in one hand…
“More fun than a barrel of monkeys...” he bellowed. Through the storm came a loud, rumbling noise. I covered my ears with both hands, squeezing my eyes shut tightly as I cringed against the sound. The bed stopped, the wind quieted, and I opened my eyes…I was back in the bedroom…the roof secure…Marvin snoring beside me. After that…sleep just seemed boring.
Be Well!
Monday, June 05, 2006
It was great!!
Here I sit, Monday morning, wondering where the week of vacation went...just as I knew I would be, as we sat on the runway getting ready for take off a week ago! Why is it that work drags and fun flies?
Vacation was wonderful!! I really didn’t expect to enjoy Vegas as much as I did! I was excited to spend the week with the people that I love most in the world, but I expected to be bored and unimpressed with sin city. Boy was I wrong!! I have never seen so much extravagance in my life!! Everywhere I looked, there were more beautiful, or bizarre (as the case may be) things to see! It was absolutely amazing!
We had a whirlwind, marathon week of sightseeing that I believe is unparalleled in our vacation experience thus far! To relate each day of activity, would be to create a blog so long that no one would read it, so…here is a brief rundown…
Day one (Sunday) –
Vacation started off with the flight to Vegas and…of course…turbulence. Not too bad though…until the landing. We happened to be seated next to a local restaurant owner from Wichita, who is a ‘Vegas Veteran’. He filled us in on tons of ‘must see, and must do’ things! I think that we actually did see and do most of them too! As we came into the airport, he pointed out many attractions from the window and my excitement began to mount! We got off the plane, picked up our rental car, and checked into the hotel. Then we began the Vegas Odyssey in earnest! We walked, and walked and walked some more! The highlight of our first night was the Bellagio Fountains! They were absolutely gorgeous! We saw lights, and neon wonders, and freaks galore! It was fantastic!!
Day two (Monday) –
We began Monday with pictures of everyone (in every combination) under the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign, then breakfast at McDonalds. After that, on to the Stratosphere! The Stratosphere is a very tall structure (112 stories I think), with an observation deck on top from which you can see for miles in every direction! It was very beautiful!! On the very tip top of this building, some genius (NOT), built three of the scariest thrill rides that I have ever lacked the courage to ride!
1 – Big Shot…a frightening version of the Detonator…shooting the riders straight into the air with a million (perhaps exaggerated a bit) G’s, then dropping them back to earth!
2 – Extreme – This might be the most frightening ride that I have ever seen! Riders are loaded into roller coaster cars, then shot straight out over the edge of the building on a very thin ramp…which then drops…as the riders hang suspended…facing the ground…112 stories below…then it backs them up and shoots them out again…this time dropping them a bit farther.
3 – Insanity – I almost threw up watching this one. Riders are loaded into 5 sets of cars (two riders to a set), then hoisted out over the city (again 112 stories up) and spun around as the cars they are in are tilted forward.
Candy and Shane rode all three…and survived! Marvin, Chas and I took pictures and prayed (only half joking here). After that…we purchased a yard of drink (non-alcoholic) in stratosphere containers a yard tall, then went to lunch at a great 50’s style diner, called Roxie’s. the food was super, and every 15 minutes, one of the staff grabbed a mike and sang to us!! More walking followed lunch, then on to the Venetian to pick up our Blue Man Group tickets! On the way, we took a stroll through the Mirage, to see the White tiger! It was beautiful! It seemed to know that it was being adored, and maintained a very regal pose the entire time! The Venetian was very cool! Gondola rides, upscale shops of every description, performers throughout the mall area…and of course…a humongous casino! Also located in the Venetian is Madame Tosaud’s (spelling…sorry Madame) Wax Museum, and that was our next stop! 99% of the likenesses inside were stunning in their detail! We had a great time posing with our favorites! Blue Man Group was AWESOME!!! The music was great! They rocked the house with percussion that went to the bone, combined with a hilarious and interactive show!!! After the show…on to Treasure Island for the 10:00 pirate show. This was probably the only disappointment of the trip…the actors, the script, the almost costumes, everything about it was poorly done. For reasons which shall remain in Vegas…we nicknamed this show T & A (it is actually TI). To top off an already bad performance…the show was stopped towards the last half, by a performer who proposed to his girlfriend on stage…it could have been a touching moment…but it wasn’t. The rest of the show was promptly cancelled (thank you Lord).
Day three (Tuesday) –
We slept in a bit, then left the hotel around 10:00 and headed for Hoover Dam. The dam itself was impressive, but I actually found the drive out more interesting! Being a Kansas Girl, I have never seen a place so barren as the desert. The red and black rock, the mountains, the canyons, cactus, and amazingly…flowers growing straight out of rock! It was awesome! Back to Vegas for lunch at Hard Rock Café (where my eyes saw Elvis’s guitar…but my brain apparently saw his umbrella). The rest of the day included The Excalibur, The Luxor, MGM Grand, New York New York, M&M World, Coca-Cola World, then back to the hotel for a swim and rest!
Day four (Wednesday) –
We started the day off with a trip to a place called The Drive. For a minimal fee, each of us chose two vehicles to drive on a performance, or test track! I chose a Corvette and a Solstice! Marvin chose a convertible truck and a Hummer, and Chas, Shane and Candy each drove a Corvette and a Hummer! We had a ball!! Afterwards…on to the Sahara, where Shane and Candy rode the fastest roller coaster that I have ever seen (the whole ride took less than 30 seconds). Lunch at NASCAR Café, then back to the hotel for some pool time! Around 4:30, we headed for the Bellagio for dinner (the biggest, best, and most expensive buffet that I have ever seen), and to pick up our tickets to Cirque de soliel “O”. The Bellagio defies description in its opulence! From the ornate ceiling and intricately detailed miniature villages in the lobby, to the theater…no expense was spared! The highlight of this day was “O”…there are no words to describe the performance that we saw!! It was absolutely amazing and may be the best show that I have ever seen!! Afterwards, we walked the mall area, where we passed Kelly Osbourne in the hallway! We forged ahead into the night towards the Paris Hotel and the Eiffel Tower (1/2 size of the real deal). It was amazing (from the ground). We took the elevator to the top, and I was promptly overcome by a panic that I have not experienced in a long time. I fought it for a bit…lost…and took the elevator back to the ground! Chas and Marvin and I headed back to the hotel shortly afterwards, (Shane and Candy stayed to check out the slots for a bit). On the way back, we passed the Belagio Fountains, and were treated to “All That Jazz” as the fountains swayed, exploded, and danced! Magnificent!
Day five (Thursday) –
We began Thursday with a visit to Circus Circus. It proved to be the most run down hotel that we had seen. Inside were a myriad of rides and attractions for young and old alike, but they had not been maintained very well. The air inside this place reeked of mold, and old. We went directly from there to the Wynn Hotel…it was like night and day! The elegance and opulence of the Bellagio can only be rivaled by the Wynn! It was beautiful!! We had a quick lunch at In & Out Burger, then back to the hotel for a swim and some rest for the sickly among us, (Chas, Shane, and Candy had all contracted sore throats and headaches the evening before). Around 5:00, we left for the Rio, to see the Masquerade parade in the sky! We stood amazed as floats carrying dancers emerged from a far wall. Suspended from the ceiling, they floated above the casino area as music blared from a million speakers all around us! We scrambled below to pick up bead necklaces that the dancers threw!! Very fun!! Dinner at a Mexican place called Bamboleo, then on to Freemont Street in Old Las Vegas for the Freemont Experience light show! This was very cool for a number of reasons…first, the hotels and casinos along Freemont are the original “old school” establishments that started the whole Vegas concept. The places where gangsters and movie stars partied, gambled, and were “seen” side by side! As we walked through…I pictured in my mind the costumes and attitudes of that long ago time…when elegance was in vogue, and flip flops had not yet been invented! Second, the entire two block strip has been covered with a huge ‘dome’ of light and sound equipment that is unbelievable! Every 15 minutes, all of the casino lights go out, and the canopy comes alive! We got back to the hotel around 11:00, and finally hit the bed sometime after midnight (after packing and preparing for departure at 4:00 a.m.).
Day six (Friday) –
The flight home was a tired, but contented one. Chas, Shane, and Candy were all three still under the weather, although Candy was feeling better. Marvin was nursing blistered feet and chapped ‘places’, and I was in need of sleep. It was an awesome week that ended all too quickly!!!
My summation of Vegas…awesome, fantastic, freaky, opulent, busy, bizarre, beautiful, sometimes garish, always amazing, and truly…the city that never sleeps!!!
Be Well!
Vacation was wonderful!! I really didn’t expect to enjoy Vegas as much as I did! I was excited to spend the week with the people that I love most in the world, but I expected to be bored and unimpressed with sin city. Boy was I wrong!! I have never seen so much extravagance in my life!! Everywhere I looked, there were more beautiful, or bizarre (as the case may be) things to see! It was absolutely amazing!
We had a whirlwind, marathon week of sightseeing that I believe is unparalleled in our vacation experience thus far! To relate each day of activity, would be to create a blog so long that no one would read it, so…here is a brief rundown…
Day one (Sunday) –
Vacation started off with the flight to Vegas and…of course…turbulence. Not too bad though…until the landing. We happened to be seated next to a local restaurant owner from Wichita, who is a ‘Vegas Veteran’. He filled us in on tons of ‘must see, and must do’ things! I think that we actually did see and do most of them too! As we came into the airport, he pointed out many attractions from the window and my excitement began to mount! We got off the plane, picked up our rental car, and checked into the hotel. Then we began the Vegas Odyssey in earnest! We walked, and walked and walked some more! The highlight of our first night was the Bellagio Fountains! They were absolutely gorgeous! We saw lights, and neon wonders, and freaks galore! It was fantastic!!
Day two (Monday) –
We began Monday with pictures of everyone (in every combination) under the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign, then breakfast at McDonalds. After that, on to the Stratosphere! The Stratosphere is a very tall structure (112 stories I think), with an observation deck on top from which you can see for miles in every direction! It was very beautiful!! On the very tip top of this building, some genius (NOT), built three of the scariest thrill rides that I have ever lacked the courage to ride!
1 – Big Shot…a frightening version of the Detonator…shooting the riders straight into the air with a million (perhaps exaggerated a bit) G’s, then dropping them back to earth!
2 – Extreme – This might be the most frightening ride that I have ever seen! Riders are loaded into roller coaster cars, then shot straight out over the edge of the building on a very thin ramp…which then drops…as the riders hang suspended…facing the ground…112 stories below…then it backs them up and shoots them out again…this time dropping them a bit farther.
3 – Insanity – I almost threw up watching this one. Riders are loaded into 5 sets of cars (two riders to a set), then hoisted out over the city (again 112 stories up) and spun around as the cars they are in are tilted forward.
Candy and Shane rode all three…and survived! Marvin, Chas and I took pictures and prayed (only half joking here). After that…we purchased a yard of drink (non-alcoholic) in stratosphere containers a yard tall, then went to lunch at a great 50’s style diner, called Roxie’s. the food was super, and every 15 minutes, one of the staff grabbed a mike and sang to us!! More walking followed lunch, then on to the Venetian to pick up our Blue Man Group tickets! On the way, we took a stroll through the Mirage, to see the White tiger! It was beautiful! It seemed to know that it was being adored, and maintained a very regal pose the entire time! The Venetian was very cool! Gondola rides, upscale shops of every description, performers throughout the mall area…and of course…a humongous casino! Also located in the Venetian is Madame Tosaud’s (spelling…sorry Madame) Wax Museum, and that was our next stop! 99% of the likenesses inside were stunning in their detail! We had a great time posing with our favorites! Blue Man Group was AWESOME!!! The music was great! They rocked the house with percussion that went to the bone, combined with a hilarious and interactive show!!! After the show…on to Treasure Island for the 10:00 pirate show. This was probably the only disappointment of the trip…the actors, the script, the almost costumes, everything about it was poorly done. For reasons which shall remain in Vegas…we nicknamed this show T & A (it is actually TI). To top off an already bad performance…the show was stopped towards the last half, by a performer who proposed to his girlfriend on stage…it could have been a touching moment…but it wasn’t. The rest of the show was promptly cancelled (thank you Lord).
Day three (Tuesday) –
We slept in a bit, then left the hotel around 10:00 and headed for Hoover Dam. The dam itself was impressive, but I actually found the drive out more interesting! Being a Kansas Girl, I have never seen a place so barren as the desert. The red and black rock, the mountains, the canyons, cactus, and amazingly…flowers growing straight out of rock! It was awesome! Back to Vegas for lunch at Hard Rock Café (where my eyes saw Elvis’s guitar…but my brain apparently saw his umbrella). The rest of the day included The Excalibur, The Luxor, MGM Grand, New York New York, M&M World, Coca-Cola World, then back to the hotel for a swim and rest!
Day four (Wednesday) –
We started the day off with a trip to a place called The Drive. For a minimal fee, each of us chose two vehicles to drive on a performance, or test track! I chose a Corvette and a Solstice! Marvin chose a convertible truck and a Hummer, and Chas, Shane and Candy each drove a Corvette and a Hummer! We had a ball!! Afterwards…on to the Sahara, where Shane and Candy rode the fastest roller coaster that I have ever seen (the whole ride took less than 30 seconds). Lunch at NASCAR Café, then back to the hotel for some pool time! Around 4:30, we headed for the Bellagio for dinner (the biggest, best, and most expensive buffet that I have ever seen), and to pick up our tickets to Cirque de soliel “O”. The Bellagio defies description in its opulence! From the ornate ceiling and intricately detailed miniature villages in the lobby, to the theater…no expense was spared! The highlight of this day was “O”…there are no words to describe the performance that we saw!! It was absolutely amazing and may be the best show that I have ever seen!! Afterwards, we walked the mall area, where we passed Kelly Osbourne in the hallway! We forged ahead into the night towards the Paris Hotel and the Eiffel Tower (1/2 size of the real deal). It was amazing (from the ground). We took the elevator to the top, and I was promptly overcome by a panic that I have not experienced in a long time. I fought it for a bit…lost…and took the elevator back to the ground! Chas and Marvin and I headed back to the hotel shortly afterwards, (Shane and Candy stayed to check out the slots for a bit). On the way back, we passed the Belagio Fountains, and were treated to “All That Jazz” as the fountains swayed, exploded, and danced! Magnificent!
Day five (Thursday) –
We began Thursday with a visit to Circus Circus. It proved to be the most run down hotel that we had seen. Inside were a myriad of rides and attractions for young and old alike, but they had not been maintained very well. The air inside this place reeked of mold, and old. We went directly from there to the Wynn Hotel…it was like night and day! The elegance and opulence of the Bellagio can only be rivaled by the Wynn! It was beautiful!! We had a quick lunch at In & Out Burger, then back to the hotel for a swim and some rest for the sickly among us, (Chas, Shane, and Candy had all contracted sore throats and headaches the evening before). Around 5:00, we left for the Rio, to see the Masquerade parade in the sky! We stood amazed as floats carrying dancers emerged from a far wall. Suspended from the ceiling, they floated above the casino area as music blared from a million speakers all around us! We scrambled below to pick up bead necklaces that the dancers threw!! Very fun!! Dinner at a Mexican place called Bamboleo, then on to Freemont Street in Old Las Vegas for the Freemont Experience light show! This was very cool for a number of reasons…first, the hotels and casinos along Freemont are the original “old school” establishments that started the whole Vegas concept. The places where gangsters and movie stars partied, gambled, and were “seen” side by side! As we walked through…I pictured in my mind the costumes and attitudes of that long ago time…when elegance was in vogue, and flip flops had not yet been invented! Second, the entire two block strip has been covered with a huge ‘dome’ of light and sound equipment that is unbelievable! Every 15 minutes, all of the casino lights go out, and the canopy comes alive! We got back to the hotel around 11:00, and finally hit the bed sometime after midnight (after packing and preparing for departure at 4:00 a.m.).
Day six (Friday) –
The flight home was a tired, but contented one. Chas, Shane, and Candy were all three still under the weather, although Candy was feeling better. Marvin was nursing blistered feet and chapped ‘places’, and I was in need of sleep. It was an awesome week that ended all too quickly!!!
My summation of Vegas…awesome, fantastic, freaky, opulent, busy, bizarre, beautiful, sometimes garish, always amazing, and truly…the city that never sleeps!!!
Be Well!
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Yea!!!!!!!
The first day of vacation has been great!! Trip to the nail salon this morning, with Candy, followed by shopping, lunch, then 3 hours in the pool (yep...we are burned)!!! Shane and Chas both came over this afternoon and that was fabulous!! Then, Marvin and I went out to find some more shorts for him and we ended the day with dinner at Famous Dave's! We still have a bit of last minute packing to do, and some instructions for the house sitter, then, hopefully a good night's sleep before tomorrow!
Vegas...here we come!!
Be Well!
Vegas...here we come!!
Be Well!
Friday, May 26, 2006
Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome Friday!!! I am so excited! In only 3 hours VACATION begins! At long last! It's been almost a year since I took more than a day at a time off...and those were for necessary things!I am soooooooooooooo looking forward to waking up every morning for the next week...without the alarm clock...and without having to jump right up and get ready to hit the shower and go to work. I realize that before we know it...we will be boarding the plane to come back...and wondering where the time went! But, for now...YIPPEE!!!!
There has been so much conflict, confusion, busy stuff, chaos, and 'upsidedown-edness' recently, that I haven't had the time or energy (at the same time), to write (prose or poetry). I have missed it very much! So...I am also hoping to let my mind spend some time in freedom and fantasy. Pondering the universe, life, people, and silliness(lots of silliness)! Work oriented thinking will be prohibited next week! No stocks, no bonds, no tickets, no reports, no correspondence, no compliance, no NASD, MSRB, DTC, SWST, KIS, SEC or any other alphabet soup that might cause brain drain or mental strain!
Be Well!
There has been so much conflict, confusion, busy stuff, chaos, and 'upsidedown-edness' recently, that I haven't had the time or energy (at the same time), to write (prose or poetry). I have missed it very much! So...I am also hoping to let my mind spend some time in freedom and fantasy. Pondering the universe, life, people, and silliness(lots of silliness)! Work oriented thinking will be prohibited next week! No stocks, no bonds, no tickets, no reports, no correspondence, no compliance, no NASD, MSRB, DTC, SWST, KIS, SEC or any other alphabet soup that might cause brain drain or mental strain!
Be Well!
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Two more days...
Only two more days until vacation! I am counting the hours! This has been one of those hard days...! The last hour has finally given us a chance to breathe! Every single muscle in my body hurts...and my brain is fried. I am tired of people who think that because they operate in a different (not necessarily better) social/economic strata, they have the right to be rude, and even mean and condescending to the rest of us. They suck.
I am so tired of going home sooooo tired. I work in an office...it shouldn't be this hard...every single day.
Be Well!
I am so tired of going home sooooo tired. I work in an office...it shouldn't be this hard...every single day.
Be Well!
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Scattered thoughts…
What a day! Added to the usual conflicts and chaos is now the sudden departure of a broker. He gave notice yesterday and starts his new job today.
Even though he has volunteered to take care of his accounts for a while…on his own time…his name is now followed by all kinds of negative words. He was a good employee…had many clients…and was well liked by everyone. It is amazing what a difference a day can make. The latest wrinkle in that mess, is a loud discussion over a letter that he wrote, to send out to his clients, letting them know that he will no longer be available during office hours, but will continue to maintain their accounts. There was much discussion about his grammar etc. (which was fine). Holy cow! It makes me wonder what will be said should I ever depart.
I bought luggage on my lunch hour today. Wal-Mart had a set of 5 nice black suitcases on wheels, with telescoping handles, for $59.00! I thought it was a bargain…so I partook!
The store was really crowded! It made me want to call in sick for he afternoon and join the shopping throng!!
I love the sights, sounds, and smells of spring and summer! The early morning air is so fresh and sparkling (yes SPARKLING). It invigorates me, just to be in it! Most mornings, the sky is that beautiful powder blue, with just a few, wispy clouds floating lazily overhead. The world is just waking up, birds are chirping, children are finding their way outdoors, chomping on pop tarts as they climb into swings, or settle into sandboxes. There is just a hint of cool moisture in the air. As the day progresses, those wispy clouds become big, fluffy cotton balls, the birds are hard at work flying to and fro with bits of grass and twigs, and children’s laughter permeates the air as they play hard at being…children. The air has become dry, and hot. All too quickly, afternoon gives way to evening. The sounds of birds are replaced by locusts, and the noises of night. Sleepy, happy, tired children are called in for baths and bedtime, as the sky becomes an ebony blanket filled with tiny, perfect diamonds. The air once again feels cool and moist. Sounds of silence dominate the night, punctuated occasionally, by barking dogs…and the night wind gently moving leaves, and brushing blades of grass against each other.
Welcome summer!
Be Well!
Even though he has volunteered to take care of his accounts for a while…on his own time…his name is now followed by all kinds of negative words. He was a good employee…had many clients…and was well liked by everyone. It is amazing what a difference a day can make. The latest wrinkle in that mess, is a loud discussion over a letter that he wrote, to send out to his clients, letting them know that he will no longer be available during office hours, but will continue to maintain their accounts. There was much discussion about his grammar etc. (which was fine). Holy cow! It makes me wonder what will be said should I ever depart.
I bought luggage on my lunch hour today. Wal-Mart had a set of 5 nice black suitcases on wheels, with telescoping handles, for $59.00! I thought it was a bargain…so I partook!
The store was really crowded! It made me want to call in sick for he afternoon and join the shopping throng!!
I love the sights, sounds, and smells of spring and summer! The early morning air is so fresh and sparkling (yes SPARKLING). It invigorates me, just to be in it! Most mornings, the sky is that beautiful powder blue, with just a few, wispy clouds floating lazily overhead. The world is just waking up, birds are chirping, children are finding their way outdoors, chomping on pop tarts as they climb into swings, or settle into sandboxes. There is just a hint of cool moisture in the air. As the day progresses, those wispy clouds become big, fluffy cotton balls, the birds are hard at work flying to and fro with bits of grass and twigs, and children’s laughter permeates the air as they play hard at being…children. The air has become dry, and hot. All too quickly, afternoon gives way to evening. The sounds of birds are replaced by locusts, and the noises of night. Sleepy, happy, tired children are called in for baths and bedtime, as the sky becomes an ebony blanket filled with tiny, perfect diamonds. The air once again feels cool and moist. Sounds of silence dominate the night, punctuated occasionally, by barking dogs…and the night wind gently moving leaves, and brushing blades of grass against each other.
Welcome summer!
Be Well!
Monday, May 22, 2006
Hmmm...this sucks.
Well...I am glad vacation is next week. This week is starting to suck! My co-worker in the front office took a two hour lunch today, she is taking off later in the week for a grade school graduation, and again for a doctors appt. Meanwhile, the pit bull is off on Wednesday for a seminar (after a four day weekend last week and another one coming next week). That means that my lunch and some part of each day will be a mess all week. There's something wrong with this picture...
Be Well!
Be Well!
What a weekend!
This weekend was one to remember! It started out normally enough. We got up Saturday morning and did our usual chores around the house, then went to the Food Court for lunch and perused the craft booths and walked around River Fest for a couple hours. There were lots of people and there was much to watch! People are fascinating! I will never understand how someone can pierce their nose, eyebrows, lip, and tongue…dye their hair jet black…put on theatre makeup…dress in bizarre clothing…and get upset when we stare at them! What is that about? I assume that the reason they do all of the above…is because they want to be noticed. Hmmmm….Anyway, everything from a hoola hoop contest to live music, and bathtub races on the river kept the massive crowd entertained! It really was fun to be there!
Saturday evening, we met Shane, Chas, Candy, Harold, and Diane, at Red Robin for dinner! Marvin’s birthday was Sunday, and Diane’s is today, so we had a birthday dinner for both of them! Afterwards, Marvin and I went over to Bradley Fair and walked around a bit, stopping in at Williams Sonoma, and Restoration Hardware to browse. Then we headed home and watched TV until about 10:00.
Shortly after 10:00, Marvin got in the shower, and I decided to check e-mail and see what Shane was up to on IM. I signed on and found a short message “Call me on my cell” from Shane, so I did immediately.
Riverfest always ends with a large fireworks display, which can be heard as far away as our house. Sugar is horrified of the sound of fireworks and thunderstorms. She was out in Shane’s backyard when the first boom of the fireworks began, and apparently, it caught her by surprise…to the extent that she bolted from the yard (we still don’t know exactly how…the gate was closed and the fence intact), and she was MIA. Chas and Marvin and I all three went directly to Shane’s house and joined in the search! Marvin and Chas drove up and down every street in the neighbor hood and Shane and I walked the same streets, as well as the local park and businesses, flashlights in hand, calling loudly every few steps.
As I said before, Sugar is terrified of storms and fireworks. The fireworks set her off…then…shortly after our search began…the thunder and lightening started. We walked and drove and called in the rain…to no avail. We finally called off the search around 12:30, and we left Shane’s house, brokenhearted for Shane, and worried for Sugar.
A fitful night of sleeplessness followed. I woke up over and over again. I had fallen asleep praying for comfort for Shane and safety for Sugar, and each time that I awoke, I prayed some more. We got up about 6:45 or so and I hit the shower, prayed some more and began running down a list of things to do, such as checking with the humane society to see if anyone had brought a frantic beagle in, making sure to pick up the staple gun and extra staples to help put up posters, knocking on doors at the apartment complex down the block from Shane, etc. Then…Marvin knocked on the bathroom door, “Sugar’s home! “ he called out! My heart leapt and an automatic smile plastered itself across my face!
Apparently, she came up onto the front porch about 7:30 a.m.. Too tired to bark…she whined at the door. She was fine, wet and caked with mud…and tired to the bone…but fine. We will never know where she went, or what sights she saw on her overnight adventure…but she was a very affectionate, sleepy little dog upon her return!
On to Lacey’s graduation Saturday afternoon! It was hotter than heck and I wimped out and went to the car to avoid a migraine. Apparently, the speakers felt the heat too…graduation was over in 1 ½ hours! Mom hosted a small reception at Cherokee Strip Museum for her, so we went there and ate, visited, and perused the museum for a bit, then headed back to Wichita. Once there, we ended the day with peanut butter chocolate pie and banana cream pie and ice cream for Marvin’s birthday!
Here it is…Monday morning. Cloudy and rainy. All Mondays should be like this…after all…Mondays are evil!
Be Well!
Saturday evening, we met Shane, Chas, Candy, Harold, and Diane, at Red Robin for dinner! Marvin’s birthday was Sunday, and Diane’s is today, so we had a birthday dinner for both of them! Afterwards, Marvin and I went over to Bradley Fair and walked around a bit, stopping in at Williams Sonoma, and Restoration Hardware to browse. Then we headed home and watched TV until about 10:00.
Shortly after 10:00, Marvin got in the shower, and I decided to check e-mail and see what Shane was up to on IM. I signed on and found a short message “Call me on my cell” from Shane, so I did immediately.
Riverfest always ends with a large fireworks display, which can be heard as far away as our house. Sugar is horrified of the sound of fireworks and thunderstorms. She was out in Shane’s backyard when the first boom of the fireworks began, and apparently, it caught her by surprise…to the extent that she bolted from the yard (we still don’t know exactly how…the gate was closed and the fence intact), and she was MIA. Chas and Marvin and I all three went directly to Shane’s house and joined in the search! Marvin and Chas drove up and down every street in the neighbor hood and Shane and I walked the same streets, as well as the local park and businesses, flashlights in hand, calling loudly every few steps.
As I said before, Sugar is terrified of storms and fireworks. The fireworks set her off…then…shortly after our search began…the thunder and lightening started. We walked and drove and called in the rain…to no avail. We finally called off the search around 12:30, and we left Shane’s house, brokenhearted for Shane, and worried for Sugar.
A fitful night of sleeplessness followed. I woke up over and over again. I had fallen asleep praying for comfort for Shane and safety for Sugar, and each time that I awoke, I prayed some more. We got up about 6:45 or so and I hit the shower, prayed some more and began running down a list of things to do, such as checking with the humane society to see if anyone had brought a frantic beagle in, making sure to pick up the staple gun and extra staples to help put up posters, knocking on doors at the apartment complex down the block from Shane, etc. Then…Marvin knocked on the bathroom door, “Sugar’s home! “ he called out! My heart leapt and an automatic smile plastered itself across my face!
Apparently, she came up onto the front porch about 7:30 a.m.. Too tired to bark…she whined at the door. She was fine, wet and caked with mud…and tired to the bone…but fine. We will never know where she went, or what sights she saw on her overnight adventure…but she was a very affectionate, sleepy little dog upon her return!
On to Lacey’s graduation Saturday afternoon! It was hotter than heck and I wimped out and went to the car to avoid a migraine. Apparently, the speakers felt the heat too…graduation was over in 1 ½ hours! Mom hosted a small reception at Cherokee Strip Museum for her, so we went there and ate, visited, and perused the museum for a bit, then headed back to Wichita. Once there, we ended the day with peanut butter chocolate pie and banana cream pie and ice cream for Marvin’s birthday!
Here it is…Monday morning. Cloudy and rainy. All Mondays should be like this…after all…Mondays are evil!
Be Well!
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Almost there........
It’s Friday eve! Cool beans! And on top of that…the pit bull is off today! Yes!!!!!!!
Only 7 working days until vacation! We are really getting excited! Shoe shopping last night was very productive! I got a nice pair of Nikes, and Marvin got a very comfortable pair of New Balance! I honestly never knew that tennis shoes could feel so good! But…I have to admit…I can tell the difference! This may be a bad deal in the end though! I am now wondering how more expensive dress shoes would feel!
We have received lots of advice on where to go and what to see, in Vegas…if we followed all of it…we would need a lot more time than a week! The best plan (or so it seems to me) is just to go, and do what seems fun when we get there! We do have tickets for Blue Man Group and Cirque Du Soleil, and I think the rest can be spontaneous!
The very best part of this vacation will be spending time with the people that I love most in this world!
Be Well!
Only 7 working days until vacation! We are really getting excited! Shoe shopping last night was very productive! I got a nice pair of Nikes, and Marvin got a very comfortable pair of New Balance! I honestly never knew that tennis shoes could feel so good! But…I have to admit…I can tell the difference! This may be a bad deal in the end though! I am now wondering how more expensive dress shoes would feel!
We have received lots of advice on where to go and what to see, in Vegas…if we followed all of it…we would need a lot more time than a week! The best plan (or so it seems to me) is just to go, and do what seems fun when we get there! We do have tickets for Blue Man Group and Cirque Du Soleil, and I think the rest can be spontaneous!
The very best part of this vacation will be spending time with the people that I love most in this world!
Be Well!
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
7 more work days...
I got here at 7:50 this morning, to find that I would be the only front office help for at least half of the day. I was a bit flustered for a moment, then Shane’s favorite saying hit me…”It is what it is.” I can only do what I can do…and no more. It was a heck of a morning. But…it passed!
Almost 4:15…I finally have another lull in the action. Only 7 more work days until vacation! I spent my lunch hour trying on tennis shoes at Famous Footwear. I can’t decide between the New Balance and Sketchers…they are both so comfortable!!! I have never bought a good pair of tennis shoes in my life, so the price is a bit intimidating…but both are on sale for $39.00! If I can find a pair of New Balance in all white…or mostly white…low cut…I will probably go with them!
I still need to get some comfortable sandals and shorts/skorts. Saturday will be a busy day…shopping for Marvin’s bday, Mom’s bday, and vacation. I love to shop…but not under pressure. I hope I can find something, somewhere, that looks nice on me.
I put chicken in the crock pot this morning, so I think I will go home and fix some potatoes and gravy and veggies, and set the table on the deck tonight! That sounds incredibly nice!!
Be Well!
Almost 4:15…I finally have another lull in the action. Only 7 more work days until vacation! I spent my lunch hour trying on tennis shoes at Famous Footwear. I can’t decide between the New Balance and Sketchers…they are both so comfortable!!! I have never bought a good pair of tennis shoes in my life, so the price is a bit intimidating…but both are on sale for $39.00! If I can find a pair of New Balance in all white…or mostly white…low cut…I will probably go with them!
I still need to get some comfortable sandals and shorts/skorts. Saturday will be a busy day…shopping for Marvin’s bday, Mom’s bday, and vacation. I love to shop…but not under pressure. I hope I can find something, somewhere, that looks nice on me.
I put chicken in the crock pot this morning, so I think I will go home and fix some potatoes and gravy and veggies, and set the table on the deck tonight! That sounds incredibly nice!!
Be Well!
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
8 1/2 work days to go...
One battle down…who knows how many to go? A huge ticket mess this morning…due to a malfunction of the SWST website. It took until 9:30, but I got it straightened out.
It is a beautiful day outside! My lunch is at 12:30 today, and I am looking forward to just sitting in the sun somewhere! I am pondering the food court for supper tonight…not sure they have anything chewable. We may check and see.
I am still trying to figure out how I am supposed to conduct myself here. I am told that I don’t have enough interaction with the principals and controller. Yet…I interact, whenever it is necessary. I smile and speak when they come in at 8:00, and whenever they pass my desk. Many times we pass in the hallway. During those times, we are both “on a mission”, or we wouldn’t be in the hallway to begin with. I deliver reports, mail, faxes, and documents to be signed, quietly and unobtrusively. In this office, the principals and brokers are usually on the phone, or typing away at their computers. It seems rude to me, for the administrative assistant, to insert herself into those moments of concentration with idle chatter and small talk. When I need an immediate answer or signature, I ask quietly, and wait for it. I’m not sure what else to do. Perhaps I need to develop a new ‘persona’. Maybe I should shout out the name of the person’s office as I enter, and follow that up with “How the heck are ya?” When passing in the hallway, maybe I should reach out and slap the back or shoulder of the person who I am passing by. When I need a signature, or deliver a document…perhaps I should yell out “yoohoo” as I place them on the desk…then plop myself in a nearby chair and deliver a short narrative of my day thus far. I have no clue. I really believe that common courtesy and manners… have completely slipped away from us as a society…and…believe it or not, I do my utmost to exhibit those things, in the workplace. I guess my efforts to be professional, have been interpreted as my being ‘aloof’. How confusing.
Be Well!
It is a beautiful day outside! My lunch is at 12:30 today, and I am looking forward to just sitting in the sun somewhere! I am pondering the food court for supper tonight…not sure they have anything chewable. We may check and see.
I am still trying to figure out how I am supposed to conduct myself here. I am told that I don’t have enough interaction with the principals and controller. Yet…I interact, whenever it is necessary. I smile and speak when they come in at 8:00, and whenever they pass my desk. Many times we pass in the hallway. During those times, we are both “on a mission”, or we wouldn’t be in the hallway to begin with. I deliver reports, mail, faxes, and documents to be signed, quietly and unobtrusively. In this office, the principals and brokers are usually on the phone, or typing away at their computers. It seems rude to me, for the administrative assistant, to insert herself into those moments of concentration with idle chatter and small talk. When I need an immediate answer or signature, I ask quietly, and wait for it. I’m not sure what else to do. Perhaps I need to develop a new ‘persona’. Maybe I should shout out the name of the person’s office as I enter, and follow that up with “How the heck are ya?” When passing in the hallway, maybe I should reach out and slap the back or shoulder of the person who I am passing by. When I need a signature, or deliver a document…perhaps I should yell out “yoohoo” as I place them on the desk…then plop myself in a nearby chair and deliver a short narrative of my day thus far. I have no clue. I really believe that common courtesy and manners… have completely slipped away from us as a society…and…believe it or not, I do my utmost to exhibit those things, in the workplace. I guess my efforts to be professional, have been interpreted as my being ‘aloof’. How confusing.
Be Well!
Monday, May 15, 2006
Monday...monday...munday...mughysd...
This day sucked! Too much work...too many diva's...not enough common sense...good grief Charlie Brown...I'm tired.
9 more work days...and counting...
Be Well!
9 more work days...and counting...
Be Well!
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Great weekend!
This weekend was absolutely awesome! Both of the kids graduated with honors! It has been a long road for them! We are both so proud that I'm not sure we will ever stop smiling!
We had a reception for them at the house after graduation, and about 40 people showed up for it! It was great! Many family members that we hadn't seen for a while came, as well as friends and co-workers of both kids! The absolute hit of the day, was the chocolate fountain! Every man, woman and child enjoyed it!! One little guy in particular ate so much chocolate, that I was extremely glad he wasn't riding the hour home, in my car! LOL!
Then, on Sunday, we slept in (I know...) but it felt sooooo good! We were all exhausted! We met the kids at Abuelo's for lupper (lunch/supper)at 3:00! The food was great! But the best part was spending time with the three people most important in the world to me!! My kids and my husband! I am truly the most blessed mom in the world!
Only 10 work days until vacation!! I am sooooo excited! Tomorrow...a dreaded workplace event...but...it too shall pass.
Be Well!
P.S. Happy Birthday Carolyn!! :)
We had a reception for them at the house after graduation, and about 40 people showed up for it! It was great! Many family members that we hadn't seen for a while came, as well as friends and co-workers of both kids! The absolute hit of the day, was the chocolate fountain! Every man, woman and child enjoyed it!! One little guy in particular ate so much chocolate, that I was extremely glad he wasn't riding the hour home, in my car! LOL!
Then, on Sunday, we slept in (I know...) but it felt sooooo good! We were all exhausted! We met the kids at Abuelo's for lupper (lunch/supper)at 3:00! The food was great! But the best part was spending time with the three people most important in the world to me!! My kids and my husband! I am truly the most blessed mom in the world!
Only 10 work days until vacation!! I am sooooo excited! Tomorrow...a dreaded workplace event...but...it too shall pass.
Be Well!
P.S. Happy Birthday Carolyn!! :)
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Wednesday morning…
The alarm went off this morning at 5:45, as usual, and as usual…we remained in bed until 6:00. Getting up is very difficult lately.
The smell of fresh coffee lingered in the air as we both moved, mechanically, through our morning routines. The shower was a welcome friend, waking me gently with its warm caresses. By 6:30, a steady rain had begun to fall…only confirming our expectations for a dreary Wednesday.
The drive to work was uneventful. I took surface roads instead of 135 (I am such a coward). The thought of hydroplaning, or skidding out of control as some nit-wit cut me off…just wasn’t attractive. I arrived at work at 7:52. The rain was still coming down in sheets, so I gathered my things, then slipped my umbrella out and popped it open. Apparently, the wind was lying in wait for me…just as my umbrella opened completely, a huge gust caught it and I found myself holding on with both hands to keep from doing a “Mary Poppins”. I realized that the wind was winning, as my umbrella threatened to turn wrong side out, so I whirled around and pointed the tip of it into the wind. That was almost disastrous! I was very nearly blown over. Which, in retrospect, could have been the highlight of my day.
The post office was an experience this morning. I picked up the mail as usual, then noticed that a statement that we have already taken back once…had shown up again. The client address has been confirmed, but the post office keeps returning it to us, marked “Incorrect Address”. As long as we don’t open the envelope, they will resend it free, if we have confirmed that the address is correct. So…I stood in line with the offending envelope….waiting. The line began to grow, and added to our numbers was a young man in jeans and flip flops. He was carrying a paper sack and appeared to be somewhat agitated. First he paced back and forth between the back of the line and the door, then he stepped to the divider and addressed the postal workers.
“Can I ask a quick question?” he inquired.
All three workers looked up and raised their eyebrows in unison.
“Of course,” answered the one at the middle window…with an undertone of “How dare you…”
Raising his sack in the air, he asked, “Do I need to put this in an envelope…or can you guys just take care of it?”
Apparently, he was unfamiliar with postal customs here, on Planet Earth. The postal worker looked at him like he was nuts. I wondered if she would pull out her Uzi.
“What is it?” she snarled.
“It’s just a lease that needs to get to California…” he replied, pulling out a handful of loose papers.
She then directed him to the envelopes. Amazing. As I exited the building…I looked around for the Mother Ship…but it must have been using a cloaking device.
Lunch time finally arrived. I headed to Dillons to order cake for the graduation party. As I stood in line at the check out, waiting to pay for my lunch (mac and cheese and peach cobbler), the man in front of me wrote out a check to pay for his purchases. He handed it to the checker, who then asked to see his I.D. I couldn’t believe my ears…he was very indignant! I wanted to shake him! I watched him fish for his wallet, as he complained. I wondered if he was complaining so much because he was guilty of something. Then I wanted to smack him.
Back to work…which was a disaster.
1 – Huge blow up while I was gone over the on going issues that have plagued us for weeks.
2 – Much upset over approval of a frivolous expenditure – after refusal of a legitimate one.
3 – An odor which seemed to be that of hot wiring.
4 – Rage over unreasonable demands being made.
In other words…the usual.
Be Well!
The smell of fresh coffee lingered in the air as we both moved, mechanically, through our morning routines. The shower was a welcome friend, waking me gently with its warm caresses. By 6:30, a steady rain had begun to fall…only confirming our expectations for a dreary Wednesday.
The drive to work was uneventful. I took surface roads instead of 135 (I am such a coward). The thought of hydroplaning, or skidding out of control as some nit-wit cut me off…just wasn’t attractive. I arrived at work at 7:52. The rain was still coming down in sheets, so I gathered my things, then slipped my umbrella out and popped it open. Apparently, the wind was lying in wait for me…just as my umbrella opened completely, a huge gust caught it and I found myself holding on with both hands to keep from doing a “Mary Poppins”. I realized that the wind was winning, as my umbrella threatened to turn wrong side out, so I whirled around and pointed the tip of it into the wind. That was almost disastrous! I was very nearly blown over. Which, in retrospect, could have been the highlight of my day.
The post office was an experience this morning. I picked up the mail as usual, then noticed that a statement that we have already taken back once…had shown up again. The client address has been confirmed, but the post office keeps returning it to us, marked “Incorrect Address”. As long as we don’t open the envelope, they will resend it free, if we have confirmed that the address is correct. So…I stood in line with the offending envelope….waiting. The line began to grow, and added to our numbers was a young man in jeans and flip flops. He was carrying a paper sack and appeared to be somewhat agitated. First he paced back and forth between the back of the line and the door, then he stepped to the divider and addressed the postal workers.
“Can I ask a quick question?” he inquired.
All three workers looked up and raised their eyebrows in unison.
“Of course,” answered the one at the middle window…with an undertone of “How dare you…”
Raising his sack in the air, he asked, “Do I need to put this in an envelope…or can you guys just take care of it?”
Apparently, he was unfamiliar with postal customs here, on Planet Earth. The postal worker looked at him like he was nuts. I wondered if she would pull out her Uzi.
“What is it?” she snarled.
“It’s just a lease that needs to get to California…” he replied, pulling out a handful of loose papers.
She then directed him to the envelopes. Amazing. As I exited the building…I looked around for the Mother Ship…but it must have been using a cloaking device.
Lunch time finally arrived. I headed to Dillons to order cake for the graduation party. As I stood in line at the check out, waiting to pay for my lunch (mac and cheese and peach cobbler), the man in front of me wrote out a check to pay for his purchases. He handed it to the checker, who then asked to see his I.D. I couldn’t believe my ears…he was very indignant! I wanted to shake him! I watched him fish for his wallet, as he complained. I wondered if he was complaining so much because he was guilty of something. Then I wanted to smack him.
Back to work…which was a disaster.
1 – Huge blow up while I was gone over the on going issues that have plagued us for weeks.
2 – Much upset over approval of a frivolous expenditure – after refusal of a legitimate one.
3 – An odor which seemed to be that of hot wiring.
4 – Rage over unreasonable demands being made.
In other words…the usual.
Be Well!
Monday, May 08, 2006
Monday morning blues...
This morning started out badly. I had had a migraine since Sunday afternoon, and it stayed with me all night long. I finally got up at 5:25 a.m. and took some more meds, then called in sick, and went back to bed. By about 7:00, it finally began to subside. I had been awake all night long with the pounding in my head, so as soon as it stopped, I fell blissfully asleep. The phone rang at 10:00, and by the time I woke up enough to get across the room, whoever it was had hung up...and of course the caller ID said "out of area". At first I wanted to find Mr/Mrs "out of area" and pummel them...but then I realized how late it was and was actually kind of grateful that I had been awakened.
The pain was extremely minor by then, so I combed my hair, pulled on my homeless shorts and my tie dyed t-shirt,and shoved a pair of sunglasses on my face, then drove to Dillons drive-thru to pick up some meds. By the time I got home, I was pooped out again.
Throughout the day, I have improved steadily, and I feel human now! Although...looking back on my trip to Dillons earlier...I shudder to think of the trauma that I may have caused anyone unfortunate enough to have seen me driving around with no makeup on. Such is life!
Daytime TV is actually worse than evening TV...the number of ridiculously stupid things on is astounding! I think the dumbest thing that I encountered today, was a live broadcast of David Blaine...in his water bubble. Apparently, between the hours of 8:00 and 10:00 this evening, he will attempt to hold his breath for 9 minutes. I'm not sure why this is so important to him...or why we are expected to watch. For some ridiculous reason...he has been in this bubble for several days already. His skin is apparently beginning to peel off, and he is taking great pride in showing it to passers by. One has to wonder, what it is inside us that attracts us to things like this. The sidewalk around his little bubble was filled with spectators, and I'm sure that this evening, it will be impossible to get close enough to see him. The bottomline is...all of those people will flock to the site of this stunt...because of the possibility that he will drown. That's sick! I am not a David Blaine fan...in fact...I find him very disturbing...spiritually. But, if he were to drown...even I would not want to see that.
Life is so strange sometimes. I wrote a new poem last week, about an obituary. I am still tweaking it, but since I wrote it...I have run across several other things written and/or posted by people, that I have never met, during the same time period,...about the same thing. It would seem that in some odd way...the cosmos have influenced a number of people...in the same way, at the same time. How odd.
Be Well!
The pain was extremely minor by then, so I combed my hair, pulled on my homeless shorts and my tie dyed t-shirt,and shoved a pair of sunglasses on my face, then drove to Dillons drive-thru to pick up some meds. By the time I got home, I was pooped out again.
Throughout the day, I have improved steadily, and I feel human now! Although...looking back on my trip to Dillons earlier...I shudder to think of the trauma that I may have caused anyone unfortunate enough to have seen me driving around with no makeup on. Such is life!
Daytime TV is actually worse than evening TV...the number of ridiculously stupid things on is astounding! I think the dumbest thing that I encountered today, was a live broadcast of David Blaine...in his water bubble. Apparently, between the hours of 8:00 and 10:00 this evening, he will attempt to hold his breath for 9 minutes. I'm not sure why this is so important to him...or why we are expected to watch. For some ridiculous reason...he has been in this bubble for several days already. His skin is apparently beginning to peel off, and he is taking great pride in showing it to passers by. One has to wonder, what it is inside us that attracts us to things like this. The sidewalk around his little bubble was filled with spectators, and I'm sure that this evening, it will be impossible to get close enough to see him. The bottomline is...all of those people will flock to the site of this stunt...because of the possibility that he will drown. That's sick! I am not a David Blaine fan...in fact...I find him very disturbing...spiritually. But, if he were to drown...even I would not want to see that.
Life is so strange sometimes. I wrote a new poem last week, about an obituary. I am still tweaking it, but since I wrote it...I have run across several other things written and/or posted by people, that I have never met, during the same time period,...about the same thing. It would seem that in some odd way...the cosmos have influenced a number of people...in the same way, at the same time. How odd.
Be Well!
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Productive day!
What a day! We slept in until almost 9:00 this morning! That was great all by itself! By 10:00, we had started moving furniture, and shampooing carpets! We finished the entire upstairs and both of the stair cases! It really looks great! Then, we went grocery and party shopping!
I think everyone and his brother was out this afternoon! The stores and streets were crowded! Long lines at the checkouts, and in the parking lots! Ironically, in spite of the dreary, rainy weather...people seemed to be in a good mood and almost everyone that we encountered was courteous and pleasant!
We got back home around 6:00, vacuumed the dry carpets...put the furniture back in place, and put the groceries away...(not in that order).
I think a hot shower is now in order!
Be Well!
I think everyone and his brother was out this afternoon! The stores and streets were crowded! Long lines at the checkouts, and in the parking lots! Ironically, in spite of the dreary, rainy weather...people seemed to be in a good mood and almost everyone that we encountered was courteous and pleasant!
We got back home around 6:00, vacuumed the dry carpets...put the furniture back in place, and put the groceries away...(not in that order).
I think a hot shower is now in order!
Be Well!
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Thoughts...
Last night went a bit differently than I had expected. After surgery, Lacey began to have pain in her legs that worsened continually throughout the day. By 6:30, they had taken her down for an MRI to determine the cause. There was much concern, speculation, and apparently…even panic. In the end…the MRI was absolutely fine. The nerve endings were simply ‘angry’ and needed time to settle down. So, I took Bill home with me, and Mom spent the night in the hospital with a very cranky Lacey.
I got up extra early this morning so that I could take Bill back to the hospital, and check on Lacey, before I went on to work. She is much better today, and I am sure she will get to go home.
This morning is dark, cloudy, rainy, and dreary. I am tired of this weather! I just want summer to get here and stay here! Tempers and dispositions are not optimal today…I think we are all tired of doing the work of three people…while our supervisor works part time…for a full time salary…and delegates her work to us.
Compliance continues to be an ugly issue…there seems to be a desire to circumvent instead of comply. Let me just say…I am the head rebel most of the time…but even I know where to draw the line.
Be Well!
I got up extra early this morning so that I could take Bill back to the hospital, and check on Lacey, before I went on to work. She is much better today, and I am sure she will get to go home.
This morning is dark, cloudy, rainy, and dreary. I am tired of this weather! I just want summer to get here and stay here! Tempers and dispositions are not optimal today…I think we are all tired of doing the work of three people…while our supervisor works part time…for a full time salary…and delegates her work to us.
Compliance continues to be an ugly issue…there seems to be a desire to circumvent instead of comply. Let me just say…I am the head rebel most of the time…but even I know where to draw the line.
Be Well!
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Hmmm...
The day dawned warm and sunny, but clouds are gathering on the horizon. Today, however, most of the clouds are of the literal variety (for a change). Most things are returning to normal. Work continues to be a “challenge” to put it mildly, and I am counting the days until vacation (18 work days left)! I don’t count weekends…because those are days that I enjoy. Basically…I count the crap days left until I will have 7 days in a row…without crap!
Lacy’s surgery went well, and hopefully her recovery will also. I have learned things in the past 24 hours that I never knew before, about people that I should have known better.
1 – My mother likes poetry, even if it doesn’t involve anyone from Nantucket.
2 – Lacy is actually a pretty ‘well read’ person. The last that I knew, she was limited to romance novels. It seems that she has read and enjoyed many of the classics.
3 – Brittany is an artist…she not only enjoys sketching (and apparently is very good at it), but she also writes poetry.
Life is strange.
Be Well!
Lacy’s surgery went well, and hopefully her recovery will also. I have learned things in the past 24 hours that I never knew before, about people that I should have known better.
1 – My mother likes poetry, even if it doesn’t involve anyone from Nantucket.
2 – Lacy is actually a pretty ‘well read’ person. The last that I knew, she was limited to romance novels. It seems that she has read and enjoyed many of the classics.
3 – Brittany is an artist…she not only enjoys sketching (and apparently is very good at it), but she also writes poetry.
Life is strange.
Be Well!
Monday, May 01, 2006
Better late than never...
I really meant to post something this weekend…but…you know where the road that is paved with good intentions leads to! Anyway, we had a good, productive weekend! The prospect of a new job on Monday, made the entire weekend better! The worry and stress of the past 11 weeks began to melt away!
We started the weekend by sleeping in on Saturday (8:00), and then watching a bit of TV while we drank coffee in our PJ’s. Then we headed to town! Our first stop was Mimi’s (home of the beautiful nail people). Then we went to a new sporting goods store similar to Gander Mountain. It was a nice store…as sporting goods stores go. There weren’t many dead animals and no live fish...so compared to Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shop…it was a dud! Although, Marvin did find a nice pocket knife!
We spent the rest of the day shopping for a carpet shampooer and a chocolate fountain. We found both on sale!!
The service on Sunday was very good…although the music was messed up. Afterwards, Chas and Marvin and I went to Applebee’s for a bite of lunch. Shane and Candy were on their way home from KC about that time, after having been stranded in Lawrence overnight, by the storm.
After lunch, we changed clothes, and headed to Home Depot to buy supplies for the deck extension! Shane met us at the house, and Chas followed soon afterwards! We all four spent the next couple of hours helping Marvin frame up the deck.
Pizza for supper, then a hot shower!
Be Well!
P.S. I am trying my hand at links...so forgive the overabundance of them.:)
We started the weekend by sleeping in on Saturday (8:00), and then watching a bit of TV while we drank coffee in our PJ’s. Then we headed to town! Our first stop was Mimi’s (home of the beautiful nail people). Then we went to a new sporting goods store similar to Gander Mountain. It was a nice store…as sporting goods stores go. There weren’t many dead animals and no live fish...so compared to Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shop…it was a dud! Although, Marvin did find a nice pocket knife!
We spent the rest of the day shopping for a carpet shampooer and a chocolate fountain. We found both on sale!!
The service on Sunday was very good…although the music was messed up. Afterwards, Chas and Marvin and I went to Applebee’s for a bite of lunch. Shane and Candy were on their way home from KC about that time, after having been stranded in Lawrence overnight, by the storm.
After lunch, we changed clothes, and headed to Home Depot to buy supplies for the deck extension! Shane met us at the house, and Chas followed soon afterwards! We all four spent the next couple of hours helping Marvin frame up the deck.
Pizza for supper, then a hot shower!
Be Well!
P.S. I am trying my hand at links...so forgive the overabundance of them.:)
Friday, April 28, 2006
Answered prayer!
Yay!!! We started the day off badly yesterday…but it ended up really well! Marvin got up depressed, with a terrible headache, and a trip to the doctor. By the time he got home from the clinic…he had a message to come in to McCormick Armstrong for an interview…and by 3:30…he had a job! The job is one that he is familiar with, enjoys, and will be comfortable doing, and the company is one that he wanted to work for!
I am thanking God continually for this huge answer to prayer!! And I thank everyone who has been praying for him/us! I feel like this is one of a series of mini miracles that God has blessed us with!
Today, Marvin woke up smiling! Blood Pressure is still a bit high, but lower than yesterday! He will stop by the clinic to have some routine blood work, then on to buy some new pants and polo shirts to wear to his new job! It is sooooo good to have the old Marvin back again!
Be Well!
I am thanking God continually for this huge answer to prayer!! And I thank everyone who has been praying for him/us! I feel like this is one of a series of mini miracles that God has blessed us with!
Today, Marvin woke up smiling! Blood Pressure is still a bit high, but lower than yesterday! He will stop by the clinic to have some routine blood work, then on to buy some new pants and polo shirts to wear to his new job! It is sooooo good to have the old Marvin back again!
Be Well!
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Rubber Ducky…he’s the one!
(This should have posted Tuesday...sorry)
On my way to the post office this morning, I saw the cutest thing! A mama duck and 8 tiny ducklings waddling down the gutter! They were just about 1/3 of a block off of the busiest street in Wichita (Kellogg), on Armour. I have no idea where they came from…there are no ponds or large bodies of water that I know of close to where they were. I was driving on down Armour, on the other side of Kellogg, thinking about how odd it was to see such a sight in such a busy area…when it happened again. I turned onto Douglas, toward Rock Road, and there was a huge pool of rain water…right next to the mall. Floating in the rain water, with their heads tucked under their wings, were four large ducks! Isn’t it a shame that real ducks aren’t bright yellow…like rubber ducks?! Even so…ducks are cool!!
I had lunch at Cameron’s today. It is a small, nondescript café, just across Kellogg. They have a full menu of plain old, every day, home cooked food. The wait staff is quick, efficient, friendly, and cliché. Today, I had 2 eggs over easy (of which I ate mostly the yolk), and one biscuit with gravy. It was very good, and the total bill was only $3.90!
I never understood what the kids meant when they joked about eating at a table for one…until I started working where I do now. A couple of times a week, Marvin picks me up for lunch, but the rest of the time, I walk at the mall and have a snack at my desk, or drive through somewhere, and eat in my car. However, one day I just didn’t feel like doing either of those things, so I headed over to Cameron’s alone (for the first time). I walked in and waited to be seated…only to have the waitress lead me to a very large booth, that could have easily accommodated 6 people. I ordered, then sat there feeling silly. No one to talk to…nothing to read…so, I subtracted my checkbook, read through the phone numbers programmed into my cell phone, then sat there some more. My food came quickly (thank heavens), I ate it in record time, and got the heck out. I slid in behind the wheel in the car, then realized that the sum total of 20 minutes had elapsed since I had gotten out of the car. Today, I took a newspaper in with me! I still had time to eat, then go to Target (next door) for a bit.
It was a strange feeling to sit there alone…I didn’t know how to ‘put my face’. Isn’t it odd how things like that affect us? A simple thing like eating a meal…turned into 20 minutes of stress and indecision…all because society dictates the boundries of ‘normal’ and ‘acceptable’. Why shouldn’t we feel okay about sitting alone in a restaurant, or a theater, or any number of other venues…if that’s what circumstances dictate?
Be Well!
On my way to the post office this morning, I saw the cutest thing! A mama duck and 8 tiny ducklings waddling down the gutter! They were just about 1/3 of a block off of the busiest street in Wichita (Kellogg), on Armour. I have no idea where they came from…there are no ponds or large bodies of water that I know of close to where they were. I was driving on down Armour, on the other side of Kellogg, thinking about how odd it was to see such a sight in such a busy area…when it happened again. I turned onto Douglas, toward Rock Road, and there was a huge pool of rain water…right next to the mall. Floating in the rain water, with their heads tucked under their wings, were four large ducks! Isn’t it a shame that real ducks aren’t bright yellow…like rubber ducks?! Even so…ducks are cool!!
I had lunch at Cameron’s today. It is a small, nondescript café, just across Kellogg. They have a full menu of plain old, every day, home cooked food. The wait staff is quick, efficient, friendly, and cliché. Today, I had 2 eggs over easy (of which I ate mostly the yolk), and one biscuit with gravy. It was very good, and the total bill was only $3.90!
I never understood what the kids meant when they joked about eating at a table for one…until I started working where I do now. A couple of times a week, Marvin picks me up for lunch, but the rest of the time, I walk at the mall and have a snack at my desk, or drive through somewhere, and eat in my car. However, one day I just didn’t feel like doing either of those things, so I headed over to Cameron’s alone (for the first time). I walked in and waited to be seated…only to have the waitress lead me to a very large booth, that could have easily accommodated 6 people. I ordered, then sat there feeling silly. No one to talk to…nothing to read…so, I subtracted my checkbook, read through the phone numbers programmed into my cell phone, then sat there some more. My food came quickly (thank heavens), I ate it in record time, and got the heck out. I slid in behind the wheel in the car, then realized that the sum total of 20 minutes had elapsed since I had gotten out of the car. Today, I took a newspaper in with me! I still had time to eat, then go to Target (next door) for a bit.
It was a strange feeling to sit there alone…I didn’t know how to ‘put my face’. Isn’t it odd how things like that affect us? A simple thing like eating a meal…turned into 20 minutes of stress and indecision…all because society dictates the boundries of ‘normal’ and ‘acceptable’. Why shouldn’t we feel okay about sitting alone in a restaurant, or a theater, or any number of other venues…if that’s what circumstances dictate?
Be Well!
Monday, April 24, 2006
It seems like it's always Monday....
I can’t believe how quickly Monday rolls around every week! It was a busy weekend, but good!
Friday night – Supper with the kids at Chas’s! We had a good time visiting and eating spaghetti and chocolate silk pie! Afterwards, Marvin and I headed home and spent a while loading the truck for Saturday morning’s free dump day! The truck was piled up above the top of the cab…and all of the appliances were loaded except the fridge. Apparently, there are coolant disposal issues…so we will have to find someone to come and get it.
Saturday - I slept until 7:00 on Saturday morning, which doesn’t sound like much…but when you are used to getting up at 5:45…it felt nice! Marvin headed out to wait in line at the dump site, and I checked email, made the bed, cleaned the kitchen counter, then showered and got dressed. Around 9:30, we began to power wash the deck and stairs out back. That was a huge job and took almost 3 hours…but it looks really good! Then…we inaugurated the pool! The water temp was only 70, so it was a bit nippy…but still fun! By 4:00, I had developed a nasty migraine, so I took 3 extra strength Tylenol and went to bed for about 2 ½ hours. By the time I got up around 6:30, it was almost gone! We spent a quiet, uneventful evening, watching TV! It was great!
Sunday – Church was good! We had a guest speaker (the pastor and his wife took a weekend off and went to Texas). The guest speaker was the youth pastor, and he was excellent! Unfortunately, my mind began to stray about half way through the sermon…when I noticed that the veins on the back of my hand were the same color as my bracelet. I know…pitiful. Lunch at Carlos after church was excellent, and then we went to JC Penney’s with Shane and Candy. By the time we got home (around 3:00) another migraine was threatening…so I stayed in the cool house and IM Shane and Rich. Unfortunately, Shane was hit by the migraine monster, and ended up going to bed for a while. Around 7:00 or so, he began to feel better, so he brought Sugar over, to stay with us for a few days!
Monday – We awoke this morning to a stormy day! By 7:25, we had pea to marble sized hail, and both of the kids had tangerine to baseball sized hail on their side of town! I waited until it subsided, then headed to work. It caught up with me shortly after I left the house and for the next half hour…I drove…in pouring rain, mixed with hail. It has cleared up a bit now…but this afternoon is slated to be stormy again. I hope the storms move out quickly…so that Shane’s flight will not be bumpy! I do hate turbulence! Chas likes it…it just scares the heck out of me! I think the roughest flight that I have ever been on was the one piloted by Captain Linda. When the stewardess announced that we had a female pilot…named Captain Linda… … I thought,“Good…if men can fly planes…so can women!” Well…long story short…if you are ever on a plane, and the stewardess announces “Captain Linda” as the pilot…JUMP!!
More changes in the workplace…ugly ones. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse…POW!
Be Well!
Friday night – Supper with the kids at Chas’s! We had a good time visiting and eating spaghetti and chocolate silk pie! Afterwards, Marvin and I headed home and spent a while loading the truck for Saturday morning’s free dump day! The truck was piled up above the top of the cab…and all of the appliances were loaded except the fridge. Apparently, there are coolant disposal issues…so we will have to find someone to come and get it.
Saturday - I slept until 7:00 on Saturday morning, which doesn’t sound like much…but when you are used to getting up at 5:45…it felt nice! Marvin headed out to wait in line at the dump site, and I checked email, made the bed, cleaned the kitchen counter, then showered and got dressed. Around 9:30, we began to power wash the deck and stairs out back. That was a huge job and took almost 3 hours…but it looks really good! Then…we inaugurated the pool! The water temp was only 70, so it was a bit nippy…but still fun! By 4:00, I had developed a nasty migraine, so I took 3 extra strength Tylenol and went to bed for about 2 ½ hours. By the time I got up around 6:30, it was almost gone! We spent a quiet, uneventful evening, watching TV! It was great!
Sunday – Church was good! We had a guest speaker (the pastor and his wife took a weekend off and went to Texas). The guest speaker was the youth pastor, and he was excellent! Unfortunately, my mind began to stray about half way through the sermon…when I noticed that the veins on the back of my hand were the same color as my bracelet. I know…pitiful. Lunch at Carlos after church was excellent, and then we went to JC Penney’s with Shane and Candy. By the time we got home (around 3:00) another migraine was threatening…so I stayed in the cool house and IM Shane and Rich. Unfortunately, Shane was hit by the migraine monster, and ended up going to bed for a while. Around 7:00 or so, he began to feel better, so he brought Sugar over, to stay with us for a few days!
Monday – We awoke this morning to a stormy day! By 7:25, we had pea to marble sized hail, and both of the kids had tangerine to baseball sized hail on their side of town! I waited until it subsided, then headed to work. It caught up with me shortly after I left the house and for the next half hour…I drove…in pouring rain, mixed with hail. It has cleared up a bit now…but this afternoon is slated to be stormy again. I hope the storms move out quickly…so that Shane’s flight will not be bumpy! I do hate turbulence! Chas likes it…it just scares the heck out of me! I think the roughest flight that I have ever been on was the one piloted by Captain Linda. When the stewardess announced that we had a female pilot…named Captain Linda… … I thought,“Good…if men can fly planes…so can women!” Well…long story short…if you are ever on a plane, and the stewardess announces “Captain Linda” as the pilot…JUMP!!
More changes in the workplace…ugly ones. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse…POW!
Be Well!
Friday, April 21, 2006
Observations of a crazy woman...
1. Two year olds, and government auditors never get tired.
2. Ice cream tastes better out of the carton…with the freezer door open…during a commercial.
3. The best dogs…are the mutts that wonder into the yard, hungry and tired.
4. In our lives, we will have thousands of acquaintances, but only a few true friends…and most of them will be family.
5. If it looks like a duck…and walks like a duck…it will probably poop on the carpet.
6. If someone you know, always comes up smelling like a rose…even though they treat people like crap…they may have one of those car deodorizers stuck up their hiney with that big stick.
7. When grandma said “Life isn’t fair!” she wasn’t kidding.
8. If you smell something funky…check your own pits first.
9. Placing rubber “doggie doo” in the container with your lunch is the best way to prevent co-workers from eating your food!
11. Don’t paint in the nude…there are just some places that you can’t scrub with turpentine.
Be Well!
2. Ice cream tastes better out of the carton…with the freezer door open…during a commercial.
3. The best dogs…are the mutts that wonder into the yard, hungry and tired.
4. In our lives, we will have thousands of acquaintances, but only a few true friends…and most of them will be family.
5. If it looks like a duck…and walks like a duck…it will probably poop on the carpet.
6. If someone you know, always comes up smelling like a rose…even though they treat people like crap…they may have one of those car deodorizers stuck up their hiney with that big stick.
7. When grandma said “Life isn’t fair!” she wasn’t kidding.
8. If you smell something funky…check your own pits first.
9. Placing rubber “doggie doo” in the container with your lunch is the best way to prevent co-workers from eating your food!
11. Don’t paint in the nude…there are just some places that you can’t scrub with turpentine.
Be Well!
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Not hillbillies...really...
We honestly aren’t hillbillies, but you will probably wonder after reading the following.
We had to replace our dishwasher the day after Christmas this year, and the old one had found a home on the deck (just until we could haul it away :)). Park City clean up day is this coming Saturday, and we will be able to take a truck load of stuff to a dump point, free of charge…so we have been planning to load it up!
I had coerced Marvin into going on my walk with me last night, and for some distance, we had discussed whether or not the two of us could get the dishwasher down the deck stairs and around the house without help (I am a huge wienie and have no upper body strength what-so-ever). As we came in the front door, from our walk, I said, “Hey, let’s go see if we can move the dishwasher right now. If we can get it to the side of the house…cool beans! If not…we will know, before Saturday morning, that we need some help with it!”
Marvin consented…although he did not look excited. So…out we went. After much shifting, groaning, starting over, and laughter…we succeeded. We finally set it down beside the house to take a breath.
“So, where shall we put it…beside the refrigerator…or the hot water heater?” I asked…giggling.
“Yeah…there,” said Marvin wryly.
From across the fence came “All you need now’s a stove…”
I cracked up all the way into the house!
In our defense…none of our appliance cache is visible from the street. It is all tucked neatly away, behind and beside the house and fence. We will get rid of this stuff Saturday though…if we have to pay someone to take it!
Be Well!
We had to replace our dishwasher the day after Christmas this year, and the old one had found a home on the deck (just until we could haul it away :)). Park City clean up day is this coming Saturday, and we will be able to take a truck load of stuff to a dump point, free of charge…so we have been planning to load it up!
I had coerced Marvin into going on my walk with me last night, and for some distance, we had discussed whether or not the two of us could get the dishwasher down the deck stairs and around the house without help (I am a huge wienie and have no upper body strength what-so-ever). As we came in the front door, from our walk, I said, “Hey, let’s go see if we can move the dishwasher right now. If we can get it to the side of the house…cool beans! If not…we will know, before Saturday morning, that we need some help with it!”
Marvin consented…although he did not look excited. So…out we went. After much shifting, groaning, starting over, and laughter…we succeeded. We finally set it down beside the house to take a breath.
“So, where shall we put it…beside the refrigerator…or the hot water heater?” I asked…giggling.
“Yeah…there,” said Marvin wryly.
From across the fence came “All you need now’s a stove…”
I cracked up all the way into the house!
In our defense…none of our appliance cache is visible from the street. It is all tucked neatly away, behind and beside the house and fence. We will get rid of this stuff Saturday though…if we have to pay someone to take it!
Be Well!
Sunday, April 16, 2006
End of a very nice weekend...
Weekend recap...
Friday was a lazy day...
Slept until 7:30 - had coffee, set up the deck chairs, watched Good Morning America. Showered, gve myself a manicure and pedicure, then took Silas Marner out to the deck and finished reading it while I dried!
12:00 - I came in and fixed lunch, then cleaned the kitchen, checked email, and went back outside. Marvin worked on the pool pump a bit, then we took turns vacuuming the bottom and skimming the top.
3:00 - Finished the pool opening and cleaning, changed clothes and went to Ultra Modern Pool and Patio for chemicals.
5:30 - Met Chas, Shane, and Candy at Larkspur for dinner, then sat and talked and laughed until about 7:15 or so.
7:15 - Headed home, took the long way with the top down! Channel hopped until about 10:30, then went to bed.
Saturday -
5:45 - The alarm went off and I made my way to the shower. We got around and left the house at 7:30.
8:00 - Picked Chas up at her house and headed for Coffeyville. Shane didn't go this time, he is absolutely snowed under with work stuff, his final paper for school, etc. I am so glad he only has one class left! He desperately needs a break! Hopefully he will be able to meet us for supper though!
10:30 - Arrived at Dad and Becky's house. Becky had a fresh pan of brownies waiting...still warm and delicious!
11:30 - Kami arrived with the new baby and we all took turns holding him! What a doll! A short time later, Dawn called and Kami went to pick her up. After Dawn got there...we spent the next hour trying to figure out how to put the "Pack and Play" (that we took to the baby) together. We finally gave up and decided it would be a fantastic job for the baby's daddy to do...at home...later! :) We visited for another hour or so, then ate lunch and headed back to Wichita (via Ark City). I slept all the way to Ark City...I can't believe I did that. Shane met us at Green Door, and we had a super good dinner of great Mexican food, with the absolute best chips on earth! After dinner we went out to visit Mom and Bill, then headed home!
11:00 - Finally hit the bed again!!
Sunday -
7:45 - The alarm went off and I ignored it until 8:20.
8:20 - Finally got up and in the shower.
10:00 - Headed across town to church.
10:30 - The Easter service was very good...although, for some reason I had trouble concentrating. My attention was diverted repeatedly by silly things. The music was wonderful though.
12:00 - Back home for lunch! Marvin cooked hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill! They were great! I baked fries in the oven...not so great! But...the cookies and cream cake and chocolate ice cream made up for the nappy fries! The kids checked out their Easter bags full of chocolate, and we watched TV for a while. Shane brought his laptop and worked on his last paper for a bit, then he headed home to hopefully get some much needed shut-eye! I copied some addresses from Chas's address book so that I could get Shane's announcements ready to send out, and Chas went home soon after Shane did.
4:00 - We vacuumed the pool again (Marvin vacuumed while I watched), and I fixed scrambled eggs and hashbrowns for a quick supper, then worked on typing in the list of addresses to send to Shane for approval.
6:00 - Marvin and I planned out the invitations for the after graduation party, decided what to serve, and kicked around some fun things to do to make it more festive.
7:00 - We watched West Wing...only 4 episodes left (I think)...too bad, it is a good show and there aren't a lot of those on anymore. With summer coming, we won't spend much time watching TV anyway though.
8:44 - Almost time for bed...I hate to see this time off end...but it has been good! Hopefully, good enough to hold me through the week from hell ahead...NASD audit all week.
Be Well!
Friday was a lazy day...
Slept until 7:30 - had coffee, set up the deck chairs, watched Good Morning America. Showered, gve myself a manicure and pedicure, then took Silas Marner out to the deck and finished reading it while I dried!
12:00 - I came in and fixed lunch, then cleaned the kitchen, checked email, and went back outside. Marvin worked on the pool pump a bit, then we took turns vacuuming the bottom and skimming the top.
3:00 - Finished the pool opening and cleaning, changed clothes and went to Ultra Modern Pool and Patio for chemicals.
5:30 - Met Chas, Shane, and Candy at Larkspur for dinner, then sat and talked and laughed until about 7:15 or so.
7:15 - Headed home, took the long way with the top down! Channel hopped until about 10:30, then went to bed.
Saturday -
5:45 - The alarm went off and I made my way to the shower. We got around and left the house at 7:30.
8:00 - Picked Chas up at her house and headed for Coffeyville. Shane didn't go this time, he is absolutely snowed under with work stuff, his final paper for school, etc. I am so glad he only has one class left! He desperately needs a break! Hopefully he will be able to meet us for supper though!
10:30 - Arrived at Dad and Becky's house. Becky had a fresh pan of brownies waiting...still warm and delicious!
11:30 - Kami arrived with the new baby and we all took turns holding him! What a doll! A short time later, Dawn called and Kami went to pick her up. After Dawn got there...we spent the next hour trying to figure out how to put the "Pack and Play" (that we took to the baby) together. We finally gave up and decided it would be a fantastic job for the baby's daddy to do...at home...later! :) We visited for another hour or so, then ate lunch and headed back to Wichita (via Ark City). I slept all the way to Ark City...I can't believe I did that. Shane met us at Green Door, and we had a super good dinner of great Mexican food, with the absolute best chips on earth! After dinner we went out to visit Mom and Bill, then headed home!
11:00 - Finally hit the bed again!!
Sunday -
7:45 - The alarm went off and I ignored it until 8:20.
8:20 - Finally got up and in the shower.
10:00 - Headed across town to church.
10:30 - The Easter service was very good...although, for some reason I had trouble concentrating. My attention was diverted repeatedly by silly things. The music was wonderful though.
12:00 - Back home for lunch! Marvin cooked hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill! They were great! I baked fries in the oven...not so great! But...the cookies and cream cake and chocolate ice cream made up for the nappy fries! The kids checked out their Easter bags full of chocolate, and we watched TV for a while. Shane brought his laptop and worked on his last paper for a bit, then he headed home to hopefully get some much needed shut-eye! I copied some addresses from Chas's address book so that I could get Shane's announcements ready to send out, and Chas went home soon after Shane did.
4:00 - We vacuumed the pool again (Marvin vacuumed while I watched), and I fixed scrambled eggs and hashbrowns for a quick supper, then worked on typing in the list of addresses to send to Shane for approval.
6:00 - Marvin and I planned out the invitations for the after graduation party, decided what to serve, and kicked around some fun things to do to make it more festive.
7:00 - We watched West Wing...only 4 episodes left (I think)...too bad, it is a good show and there aren't a lot of those on anymore. With summer coming, we won't spend much time watching TV anyway though.
8:44 - Almost time for bed...I hate to see this time off end...but it has been good! Hopefully, good enough to hold me through the week from hell ahead...NASD audit all week.
Be Well!
Thursday, April 13, 2006
End of the day...
4:00 – The day is done…the work week will be in 30 minutes. Most of the broker’s are gone, and our work is completed. The final touch was applied to the new policy of keeping me in my place today…and it really hurt. But I guess that’s life. It’s not like I have enough stake in what I do to consider it a career anyway…just a job. I am officially a nobody... I came in this morning in a good mood…and, like every day this week… I will leave at 4:30 down in the dumps. The one difference today will be that there is the possibility of a good weekend ahead. I will do my best not to even think of Monday until it is unavoidable.
I have begun to realize that everything...everything...is unbelievably fragile, and effort is rewarded mostly by a kick in the teeth. No matter how hard one tries to do a good job...it can all be mute in the blink of an eye. Life in general teters on the edge of a slippery precipice, and fate waits in the shadows to give us that one final nudge.
Be Well!
I have begun to realize that everything...everything...is unbelievably fragile, and effort is rewarded mostly by a kick in the teeth. No matter how hard one tries to do a good job...it can all be mute in the blink of an eye. Life in general teters on the edge of a slippery precipice, and fate waits in the shadows to give us that one final nudge.
Be Well!
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Cloudy day...
9:26 – Reports are finished, FINCEN tracking completed, confirmations have been mailed. A very quiet morning so far…probably won’t last long. My headache is trying to come back.
2:42 - We have done an amazing amount of work today! Just about time to go to the bank. I am looking forward to going outside for a bit! That darn headache is trying to whack me and I am fighting hard! Maybe fresh air will help!
3:23 – John volunteered to make the bank run on his way home…so that fresh air will have to wait. Most of the brokers have gone now…so peace reigns supreme.
4:17 – More shirking from the pitbull. Means hours (literally) of work for us….what else is new…
4:20 – I am so looking forward to an evening of something to take my mind from this mess.
Be Well!
2:42 - We have done an amazing amount of work today! Just about time to go to the bank. I am looking forward to going outside for a bit! That darn headache is trying to whack me and I am fighting hard! Maybe fresh air will help!
3:23 – John volunteered to make the bank run on his way home…so that fresh air will have to wait. Most of the brokers have gone now…so peace reigns supreme.
4:17 – More shirking from the pitbull. Means hours (literally) of work for us….what else is new…
4:20 – I am so looking forward to an evening of something to take my mind from this mess.
Be Well!
Monday, April 10, 2006
Scattered thoughts...
It is so nice outside today that it is hard to stay here. But, the mortgage company and our utilities are counting on me…so I will.
It has been a busy day, getting ready for an NASD audit…all next week. I’ve never been here for one of those, so it will be interesting. No one seems concerned…so, I’m not going to lose any sleep over it. As Shane says…it is what it is.
I have had a headache for the better part of three days now…I am really hoping that a three day weekend will help. I hope I don’t have a blasted headache all three days.
Marvin had an interview this morning…the interview went well, but the company is trying to prepare for a possible opening due to illness…so it will be at least two weeks before they do anything at all. Mixed feelings…profiting from someone else’s misfortune. But…as long as someone is going to get the job…I hope it’s Marvin.
The kids are wrapping up school, and I couldn’t be more proud of them if I tried! There are not even words to express it! They have both completed their degrees, while working full time, and taking care of homes, church, and life in general! If I could change one thing about the way their education has gone…it would be, to have had the money to pay for it for them. I wish with all of my heart that we could have done that! They are both such wonderful, special kids…! We are the most blessed parents on earth!
One of my friends (from writer’s group) has been asked to do a reading of his poetry. He has a family friend who is the head librarian at a local library, and she has given him this opportunity. I think it is wonderful, and so exciting! We are planning to go and hear him tomorrow evening. Meanwhile…I got a rejection letter from another children’s publisher Saturday. My file is growing! I think I will try something new…the next batch that I send out will be adult poetry…not children’s. I definitely need some rejections from a variety of publishers.
Almost time to go home...finally.
Be Well!
It has been a busy day, getting ready for an NASD audit…all next week. I’ve never been here for one of those, so it will be interesting. No one seems concerned…so, I’m not going to lose any sleep over it. As Shane says…it is what it is.
I have had a headache for the better part of three days now…I am really hoping that a three day weekend will help. I hope I don’t have a blasted headache all three days.
Marvin had an interview this morning…the interview went well, but the company is trying to prepare for a possible opening due to illness…so it will be at least two weeks before they do anything at all. Mixed feelings…profiting from someone else’s misfortune. But…as long as someone is going to get the job…I hope it’s Marvin.
The kids are wrapping up school, and I couldn’t be more proud of them if I tried! There are not even words to express it! They have both completed their degrees, while working full time, and taking care of homes, church, and life in general! If I could change one thing about the way their education has gone…it would be, to have had the money to pay for it for them. I wish with all of my heart that we could have done that! They are both such wonderful, special kids…! We are the most blessed parents on earth!
One of my friends (from writer’s group) has been asked to do a reading of his poetry. He has a family friend who is the head librarian at a local library, and she has given him this opportunity. I think it is wonderful, and so exciting! We are planning to go and hear him tomorrow evening. Meanwhile…I got a rejection letter from another children’s publisher Saturday. My file is growing! I think I will try something new…the next batch that I send out will be adult poetry…not children’s. I definitely need some rejections from a variety of publishers.
Almost time to go home...finally.
Be Well!
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Thursday...
Another day closer to Friday! I can't believe this day. Called into the office for 'not being happy'. Can you believe it?! Apparently, my work is fine, they are just concerned that I am not as happy as I used to be. Hmmmm....I freely admitted that "No, I am not..." But, this too shall pass. I guess tomorrow I will wear my jester suit and hop on one leg all day while laughing like a maniac.
Be Well!
Be Well!
Monday, April 03, 2006
Throw Down...??
Okay…I’m just an old Kansas hippie…I’ve seen a lot of concerts in my time. Concert names usually mean something. By the title…one gets a foretaste of some aspect of the concert. For instance…Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” tour, occurred during the summertime and was a celebration of personal freedom, Cher’s many “Farewell Tours” afforded her the opportunity to say goodbye to her fans…repeatedly, even Dr Hook’s Medicine Show gave some hint of what was to come…and to no one’s surprise…many medicinal herbs as well as pharmaceuticals out the wazoo were available to the crowd. However, I just saw a tour bus…with a title on the side that I don’t understand. It said “Toby Keith’s Throw Down Tour”. It is my understanding that ‘throw down’ means to ‘fight’. So…I don’t know who Toby Keith is…but are we to assume that concert goers will be ushered in…a few at a time…to a large roped off area…where Mr. Keith will beat the tar out of them??? I think I will skip this one…
Be Well!
Be Well!
Friday, March 31, 2006
The long day...
7:35 – Driving to work is very hard this morning. The sun is shining and it is going to be a beautiful day. I haven’t had any real time off (to just enjoy the day) since I started last July. I am tired, and I hate (with all my heart) being stuck in a stupid office all day when it is so nice outside. I am longing to spend the day sitting on the deck reading, then going for a long walk.
8:00 – Only 13 confirmations, looking to be a slow day.
9:25 – Big, closed door meeting going on. I wonder what’s up now. No doubt the fate of the free world is at stake.
10:56 – Back from the post office. It seems that I have to make an extra trip to the bank today…on my lunch hour. The same broker who we have been fielding calls for (from bill collectors) needs his check deposited at noon so that he can draw on it from SWST immediately. This means making an extra bank run for his personal benefit…not to mention a separate posting and separate paperwork. I don’t understand why it is my responsibility to continually cover his rear end because he is a deadbeat. This is very irritating. I don’t think there is even a salve for this kind of irritation.
1:27 – Back from the first bank run, and lunch. Marvin surprised me by taking me to lunch today. He had to go to Haysville to take a couple of resumes to ad agencies, so he was at this end of town at the right time! We sat in line at Intrust (to make the deadbeat deposit) for almost 10 minutes. At 11:45 we headed for Freddies! I have never seen that place so crowded as it was today! Lots of people on their way out for the afternoon to enjoy the sunshine…I wish we were among them. Marvin had a big burger and fries, I had the fish basket (hoping it would be easier to chew…but I was wrong). Then…back to work. Before Karen left she asked me to do 4 tickets that John had given her before he left for lunch. I did those just in time for John to get back and bring me two more, then he brought me a couple that he had screwed up and asked me to fix them. I swear…sometimes I feel like a judge on the take…(“I got these tickets…can you fix them…?”), except that my bank account doesn’t seem to be growing by leaps and bounds.
2:22 – Entering lots of tickets…all bonds. (That ‘slow day’ thing…not so much!) Inventory 614 and 618 will be top heavy on Monday. We have two files missing…completely. This has happened several times in the past two months. Then they have shown back up after a few days…and no one seemed to know where they had been. We will see what happens with these. So frustrating.
2:34 – Karen is just about at the end of her rope…John keeps changing his mind about a personal spread sheet he is having her do for him. He has a CPA, but says he can save a bunch of money by having her do it instead. First he wanted everything consolidated…as soon as she finished that…he decided he wanted it in sections…she started over. If I ever have a ton of money…I pledge right now…I will not use it as an excuse to use and abuse people around me.
3:10 – AHA!!!!!!!! The missing files just turned up…IN THE BROKERS DRAWER! A HUGE NO NO!! Good grief Charlie Brown…are there any adults working here? Going to the bank now…
3:50 – Back from the bank. What a beautiful day outside. I put the top down and took the long way. As I passed a house in East Borough….I saw something horrifying. Scattered randomly around one of the yards…several gigantic, pastel eggs. I mean…these things are huge! I bet my arms would barely fit around one of them! What terrifying creature could be responsible for these? Can you imagine the screams and cries of children as they run for cover….when this massive Easter bunny comes thundering out from wherever it is hiding? What sick mind conjured up these props…?
4:00- John left a few minutes ago…jokingly he said “You guys wouldn’t mind working until 6:00 or so would you?” I replied, “Not if you beg on your knees…!” followed by fake laughter as I made a mental note to put ‘a little something extra’ in his bottled water next week.
4:05 – My co-worker is using the last few minutes of the week to kiss the Pit Bull’s hiney. Disgusting. I hope she gets distemper.
Be Well!
8:00 – Only 13 confirmations, looking to be a slow day.
9:25 – Big, closed door meeting going on. I wonder what’s up now. No doubt the fate of the free world is at stake.
10:56 – Back from the post office. It seems that I have to make an extra trip to the bank today…on my lunch hour. The same broker who we have been fielding calls for (from bill collectors) needs his check deposited at noon so that he can draw on it from SWST immediately. This means making an extra bank run for his personal benefit…not to mention a separate posting and separate paperwork. I don’t understand why it is my responsibility to continually cover his rear end because he is a deadbeat. This is very irritating. I don’t think there is even a salve for this kind of irritation.
1:27 – Back from the first bank run, and lunch. Marvin surprised me by taking me to lunch today. He had to go to Haysville to take a couple of resumes to ad agencies, so he was at this end of town at the right time! We sat in line at Intrust (to make the deadbeat deposit) for almost 10 minutes. At 11:45 we headed for Freddies! I have never seen that place so crowded as it was today! Lots of people on their way out for the afternoon to enjoy the sunshine…I wish we were among them. Marvin had a big burger and fries, I had the fish basket (hoping it would be easier to chew…but I was wrong). Then…back to work. Before Karen left she asked me to do 4 tickets that John had given her before he left for lunch. I did those just in time for John to get back and bring me two more, then he brought me a couple that he had screwed up and asked me to fix them. I swear…sometimes I feel like a judge on the take…(“I got these tickets…can you fix them…?”), except that my bank account doesn’t seem to be growing by leaps and bounds.
2:22 – Entering lots of tickets…all bonds. (That ‘slow day’ thing…not so much!) Inventory 614 and 618 will be top heavy on Monday. We have two files missing…completely. This has happened several times in the past two months. Then they have shown back up after a few days…and no one seemed to know where they had been. We will see what happens with these. So frustrating.
2:34 – Karen is just about at the end of her rope…John keeps changing his mind about a personal spread sheet he is having her do for him. He has a CPA, but says he can save a bunch of money by having her do it instead. First he wanted everything consolidated…as soon as she finished that…he decided he wanted it in sections…she started over. If I ever have a ton of money…I pledge right now…I will not use it as an excuse to use and abuse people around me.
3:10 – AHA!!!!!!!! The missing files just turned up…IN THE BROKERS DRAWER! A HUGE NO NO!! Good grief Charlie Brown…are there any adults working here? Going to the bank now…
3:50 – Back from the bank. What a beautiful day outside. I put the top down and took the long way. As I passed a house in East Borough….I saw something horrifying. Scattered randomly around one of the yards…several gigantic, pastel eggs. I mean…these things are huge! I bet my arms would barely fit around one of them! What terrifying creature could be responsible for these? Can you imagine the screams and cries of children as they run for cover….when this massive Easter bunny comes thundering out from wherever it is hiding? What sick mind conjured up these props…?
4:00- John left a few minutes ago…jokingly he said “You guys wouldn’t mind working until 6:00 or so would you?” I replied, “Not if you beg on your knees…!” followed by fake laughter as I made a mental note to put ‘a little something extra’ in his bottled water next week.
4:05 – My co-worker is using the last few minutes of the week to kiss the Pit Bull’s hiney. Disgusting. I hope she gets distemper.
Be Well!
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Hump day...
Wednesday is almost over...hump day is almost finished and I have decided it is aptly named! The 'hump' in this week has been huge! A very busy day...the pit bull has developed a bad case of rabies. We are steering clear whenever possible, and she is still nipping at our heels, for no apparent reason, other than self- gratification and control. I wonder if she is housebroken...?
I am tired out, fed up, broken down, and my neck hurts. But it's almost 4:30! Still praying for those miracles! Please keep our whole family in your prayers!
Be Well!
I am tired out, fed up, broken down, and my neck hurts. But it's almost 4:30! Still praying for those miracles! Please keep our whole family in your prayers!
Be Well!
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Saturday...
Today was a good day, and last night was a good evening! Chas made dinner last night (goulash, mac & cheese, and garlic toast, with chocolate pie for desert), we ate and laughed and it felt like old times! It was wonderful! ! I know that Shane was having a lot of back pain...but his spirits seemed lifted a bit! We spent the afternoon with the kids, and by the end of the day...everyone was smiling...including Shane! We've had a rough six weeks...maybe this will signal the turning point! Please continue to pray for our family...I'm still expecting those miracles!
Evermore…
On the eve of evermore…
I hope to understand,
The things I never could before…
Fate’s hateful slight of hand.
Why wicked people prosper,
Righteous are the victims…
Incidious plots are fostered,
It seems to be the dictum.
In our souls, confusion reigns…
Terror stings our shattered hearts,
Our lives assaulted by such things…
While destiny flaunts her selfish part.
Will it then, be clear to me…
Mysteries of the universe,
Why good suffers heavily…
And bad are none-the-worse.
Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved.
Be well!
Evermore…
On the eve of evermore…
I hope to understand,
The things I never could before…
Fate’s hateful slight of hand.
Why wicked people prosper,
Righteous are the victims…
Incidious plots are fostered,
It seems to be the dictum.
In our souls, confusion reigns…
Terror stings our shattered hearts,
Our lives assaulted by such things…
While destiny flaunts her selfish part.
Will it then, be clear to me…
Mysteries of the universe,
Why good suffers heavily…
And bad are none-the-worse.
Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved.
Be well!
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Today...
7:17 – A very slick drive to work this morning. Ice underneath the snow made the appearance of the roads very deceptive at first. It didn’t take long to adjust, I only slid through one intersection, and thankfully, I was the only one there (access road behind Kellogg).
7:45 – Arrived at work a bit later than I had wanted to, but not as late as it could have been.
7:50 – Courtney is here to man the phones today. She is a very nice person and I really enjoy having her here. She brought her little black Pekinese (Tomo) with her today! That is an extra nice treat! It sure beats the Pit Bull who has the next two days off!
8:00 – Confirmations are copying, and reports are printing.
9:00 – Reports double checked for accuracy, then distributed, confirmations, and tickets are finished! Not bad for only one person. Petted dog.
9:30 – Finished stock transfers for Steve, and gave John confirmation of the KPERS material that he was stressing about.
9:40 – Customer documents stuffed and stamped. Petted dog.
9:45 – Morning ‘Customer Filing’ organized…I will slide it in somewhere during the day.
9:50 – Restocked the fridge. Petted dog.
10:00 – Going to the Post Office
10:34 – Back from the Post Office, the ice and snow are almost completely melted from the streets. The only problem spots now are elevated roads, bridges, and shady places. A small mail day, so we’ll see what transpires next. Petted dog.
11:13 – Finished morning bank deposits and postings…darn multiple accounts are quadruple the work and time. Marvin called, he is heading out to begin the day of job hunting. He was really down. Still praying for those Miracles.
11:45 – Finished all morning filing, check okay and print, researching correct address for Meritage. Petted dog.
1:00 – Back from lunch. My gums finally felt good enough today to eat eggs and biscuits with gravy for lunch! Silly I know…but it tasted sooooo much better than soup and applesauce. Petted dog.
1:45 – Opened two new accounts, I actually have one more, but it is under the same name as one of the other two, and I don’t want to give SWST a chance to mess them up…so I will send it AFTER the other two are finished. Afternoon deposits are filled out, still need posted… Petted dog.
3:00 – Entered some tickets, corrected one ticket, processed the new accounts that I opened earlier, responded to a problem at SWST about one of them. Posted deposits. Petted dog. Dog went home.:(
4:00 – Intercepted a UPS package that had not been copied into the correspondence file, copied it into the correspondence file and sent it out. Typed out/distributed (via email) a new Inventory for John.
4:17 – Set coffee up for morning, emptied shredder
4:30 - Out of here!
Be well!
7:45 – Arrived at work a bit later than I had wanted to, but not as late as it could have been.
7:50 – Courtney is here to man the phones today. She is a very nice person and I really enjoy having her here. She brought her little black Pekinese (Tomo) with her today! That is an extra nice treat! It sure beats the Pit Bull who has the next two days off!
8:00 – Confirmations are copying, and reports are printing.
9:00 – Reports double checked for accuracy, then distributed, confirmations, and tickets are finished! Not bad for only one person. Petted dog.
9:30 – Finished stock transfers for Steve, and gave John confirmation of the KPERS material that he was stressing about.
9:40 – Customer documents stuffed and stamped. Petted dog.
9:45 – Morning ‘Customer Filing’ organized…I will slide it in somewhere during the day.
9:50 – Restocked the fridge. Petted dog.
10:00 – Going to the Post Office
10:34 – Back from the Post Office, the ice and snow are almost completely melted from the streets. The only problem spots now are elevated roads, bridges, and shady places. A small mail day, so we’ll see what transpires next. Petted dog.
11:13 – Finished morning bank deposits and postings…darn multiple accounts are quadruple the work and time. Marvin called, he is heading out to begin the day of job hunting. He was really down. Still praying for those Miracles.
11:45 – Finished all morning filing, check okay and print, researching correct address for Meritage. Petted dog.
1:00 – Back from lunch. My gums finally felt good enough today to eat eggs and biscuits with gravy for lunch! Silly I know…but it tasted sooooo much better than soup and applesauce. Petted dog.
1:45 – Opened two new accounts, I actually have one more, but it is under the same name as one of the other two, and I don’t want to give SWST a chance to mess them up…so I will send it AFTER the other two are finished. Afternoon deposits are filled out, still need posted… Petted dog.
3:00 – Entered some tickets, corrected one ticket, processed the new accounts that I opened earlier, responded to a problem at SWST about one of them. Posted deposits. Petted dog. Dog went home.:(
4:00 – Intercepted a UPS package that had not been copied into the correspondence file, copied it into the correspondence file and sent it out. Typed out/distributed (via email) a new Inventory for John.
4:17 – Set coffee up for morning, emptied shredder
4:30 - Out of here!
Be well!
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Wednesday...almost over the hump...
I am trying to implement a new policy (within myself). I am…by nature, a low key person…it takes a lot to make me “lash out”. The only things that really make me blind with rage are when people mess with the three people in my life who are the most dear to me…the three that are a part of my heart and soul….they are my breath…My husband and my kids. I have begun to notice lately, that I am allowing myself to be a doormat at work…mostly due to my own reluctance to stand up for myself. So…I’m trying hard to grow a backbone…not an easy task at 51 years old. Who knows…it could happen.
Essence…
Not that…which we can see
Or hear, or taste, or give away,
But rather that which we can be…
What it is…we cannot say.
It is the marrow of our soul,
The center of our heart…
Over us it holds control,
A master work of art.
It is the basis, for our hopes…
The roadmap for our dreams,
Ups and downs, slippery slopes…
The substance of our schemes.
Our essence…or essentia…
In that vast expanse of evermore,
Tells us who we cannot stand…
And who we shall adore!
Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved
Essence…
Not that…which we can see
Or hear, or taste, or give away,
But rather that which we can be…
What it is…we cannot say.
It is the marrow of our soul,
The center of our heart…
Over us it holds control,
A master work of art.
It is the basis, for our hopes…
The roadmap for our dreams,
Ups and downs, slippery slopes…
The substance of our schemes.
Our essence…or essentia…
In that vast expanse of evermore,
Tells us who we cannot stand…
And who we shall adore!
Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
I have a request...
It’s finally slowed down enough that I can sit back and breathe. I am so tired…I could easily fall asleep. The market closed at three…so the brokers are beginning to drift out now, that’s a good thing! I am amazed to see that I am caught up on everything (even filing). If I can keep on top of it all week, it will literally be unbelievable!
Speaking of miracles…I have an odd request…I have no idea how many people actually read this blog…but I am going to relate an experience that I had this morning as I was driving to work.
It was about 7:20 a.m., and I was driving down I-35 on my way to work. There are several times during the day that I normally use as a prayer time…my drive to work is one of those times each and every day (don’t worry…I don’t close my eyes). This morning I was having a difficult time praying…I have been pretty down lately from the onslaught of things that have beset our family. Unemployment, plumbing problems, hernia surgery, home robbery, my hospitalization, my dental problems, stuff at work….! Finally, I just began to search my brain…”How do I pray? Do I pray for all of these things individually…as I have been…do I simply ask for God to cover us with His grace…what do I do?”
Then…I felt God telling me “Pray for a miracle.” Over and over, I felt it…! I figure that if God tells me to do it…I need to do it. So, I did. My request is that everyone who reads this would also pray for a miracle…selfishly…I would ask that you pray for our family…but also for other things all around us. God is in the business of miracles….please help me ask Him.
Be Well!
Speaking of miracles…I have an odd request…I have no idea how many people actually read this blog…but I am going to relate an experience that I had this morning as I was driving to work.
It was about 7:20 a.m., and I was driving down I-35 on my way to work. There are several times during the day that I normally use as a prayer time…my drive to work is one of those times each and every day (don’t worry…I don’t close my eyes). This morning I was having a difficult time praying…I have been pretty down lately from the onslaught of things that have beset our family. Unemployment, plumbing problems, hernia surgery, home robbery, my hospitalization, my dental problems, stuff at work….! Finally, I just began to search my brain…”How do I pray? Do I pray for all of these things individually…as I have been…do I simply ask for God to cover us with His grace…what do I do?”
Then…I felt God telling me “Pray for a miracle.” Over and over, I felt it…! I figure that if God tells me to do it…I need to do it. So, I did. My request is that everyone who reads this would also pray for a miracle…selfishly…I would ask that you pray for our family…but also for other things all around us. God is in the business of miracles….please help me ask Him.
Be Well!
Monday, March 20, 2006
Grumpy warning...
The past few days have been the worst that we've seen in a while. Shane's house being broken into, my time in the hospital...still no job prospects. But, it's over...for now anyway. I find myself tense wondering what will happen next. Still...there were good things mingled with the bad...Shane wasn't home when they robbed him (I thank God for that over and over), Sugar didn't get run over while she was out romping the neighborhood (and she found her way back), we had insurance to cover the hospital and I didn't require surgery, and we are still able to pay the bills and keep our house (so far).
So...I know how ungrateful it may sound...but this was still a crummy day. I went back to work, before I really felt like going, because I knew there would be no one else there to do the day-to-day grunt work. And of course, it was horribly busy. At least twice during the day, I looked around me at the piles of work and wondered if I could get them all taken care of without mixing things up and sending things to the wrong places...or leaving half the information off of something. I don't have a clue how that turned out...time will tell I suppose.
Tonight, my hand and arm hurt...but they are both lots better than even yesterday. If I can just get some energy back now, I'll be good to go. I didn't walk my usual mile tonight...I just didn't have it in me. Hopefully tomorrow though. Walking is more than just exercise for me...it is a time to let go of the day...to clear away the dark clouds and grab a piece of sunshine, I actually need to walk and be outdoors...just a time to not think about anything except the music on my ipod and good things. No expectations...no rules...no anything...just the sky, and the ducks, and the dogs, and the wind, and the kids laughing and playing, and the walk.
Tomorrow is another day. It's kind of scary.
Be Well!
So...I know how ungrateful it may sound...but this was still a crummy day. I went back to work, before I really felt like going, because I knew there would be no one else there to do the day-to-day grunt work. And of course, it was horribly busy. At least twice during the day, I looked around me at the piles of work and wondered if I could get them all taken care of without mixing things up and sending things to the wrong places...or leaving half the information off of something. I don't have a clue how that turned out...time will tell I suppose.
Tonight, my hand and arm hurt...but they are both lots better than even yesterday. If I can just get some energy back now, I'll be good to go. I didn't walk my usual mile tonight...I just didn't have it in me. Hopefully tomorrow though. Walking is more than just exercise for me...it is a time to let go of the day...to clear away the dark clouds and grab a piece of sunshine, I actually need to walk and be outdoors...just a time to not think about anything except the music on my ipod and good things. No expectations...no rules...no anything...just the sky, and the ducks, and the dogs, and the wind, and the kids laughing and playing, and the walk.
Tomorrow is another day. It's kind of scary.
Be Well!
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Trashed...
Okay...I just got back from my noon walk at the mall. I think I may be losing it...!
After completing 4 laps, I stopped at the Arby kiosk to get my usual iced tea. Intensely aware of the trash can lurking only a few yards away...I put my Sweet 'n' Low in the glass, at the counter, and handed the clerk the trash. I turned to walk away...glancing sideways at the leering container...I thought to myself "TAKE THAT! NO TRASH FOR YOU TODAY! HA!"
I'm afraid "The whole world's gone mad but thee and me...perhaps just thee?"
I fear I am becoming the 'trash nazi'.
Be Well!
After completing 4 laps, I stopped at the Arby kiosk to get my usual iced tea. Intensely aware of the trash can lurking only a few yards away...I put my Sweet 'n' Low in the glass, at the counter, and handed the clerk the trash. I turned to walk away...glancing sideways at the leering container...I thought to myself "TAKE THAT! NO TRASH FOR YOU TODAY! HA!"
I'm afraid "The whole world's gone mad but thee and me...perhaps just thee?"
I fear I am becoming the 'trash nazi'.
Be Well!
One Hot Day...
I received an email Saturday…that really made my day! The Butler County Community College literary magazine accepted one of my poems for publication this year! They published a prose piece that I submitted last year also. I am very grateful to them for the opportunity! It also helps to soften the blow of my rapidly growing pile of rejections from other publishers! The piece that they accepted is one that I wrote after pondering the plight of the elderly in rest homes. It is a sad thing to visit someone in one of those places…and as I thought about it…I imagined what it would be like if the ‘inmates took over the asylum’ (so to speak). I know…my mind isn’t ‘normal’….but honestly…’normal’ is over rated!
One Hot Day
They sat in the courtyard
In the noonday sun,
The attendants had left them
alone, just for fun.
Sweating and swearing,
Four of them there,
Three sporting walkers,
One in a chair.
“Shady Pines” was a drag,
Of this be assured,
To this little group
Thoughts of mischief occurred.
The sun was so hot,
The fountain looked cool,
“We mustn’t” said Gertie,
“You know the rule!”
I’m eighty!” cried Gus,
“I’ll do what I please!”
“Me too!” added Betty,
As they made for the trees.
Walkers cast off,
Wheelchair forsaken,
The going was rough,
But haste they were makin!
Support hose, suspenders,
Granny panties and sensible shoes,
“Take it all off!” yelled Burt.
“We’ve nothing to lose!”
The rest is a legend
I know you’ve all heard,
It was the day “Shady Pines”,
Became “The Jay Bird”.
Copyright©2005 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved.
Be Well!
One Hot Day
They sat in the courtyard
In the noonday sun,
The attendants had left them
alone, just for fun.
Sweating and swearing,
Four of them there,
Three sporting walkers,
One in a chair.
“Shady Pines” was a drag,
Of this be assured,
To this little group
Thoughts of mischief occurred.
The sun was so hot,
The fountain looked cool,
“We mustn’t” said Gertie,
“You know the rule!”
I’m eighty!” cried Gus,
“I’ll do what I please!”
“Me too!” added Betty,
As they made for the trees.
Walkers cast off,
Wheelchair forsaken,
The going was rough,
But haste they were makin!
Support hose, suspenders,
Granny panties and sensible shoes,
“Take it all off!” yelled Burt.
“We’ve nothing to lose!”
The rest is a legend
I know you’ve all heard,
It was the day “Shady Pines”,
Became “The Jay Bird”.
Copyright©2005 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved.
Be Well!
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Tuesday afternoon...
A busy day, without a doubt. Not overwhelming though. Marvin came for lunch (after his interviews). No real results yet…but a possibility, perhaps by Friday or so. A way will come.
It’s almost 4:00 now…the market closed at 3:00, so most of the brokers have gone. It is finally quiet, giving us time to tie up all of those loose ends. All checks have been posted, and the bank run is done. Now we just wait…while the clock ticks…and we lose more time inside this concrete prison. Daylight slips away like the precious thing that it is. If I ever have my own business…I will close the doors everyday as soon as the days work is complete. There will be none of this nonsense of waiting until the appointed time to leave…just because “that’s what we do”. Life is too short to spend it in limbo. The sign on the door will read:
Open - Monday-Friday by 9:00 a.m. (approximately)
Closed – When we are finished (no later than 3:00 p.m.)
Our holidays will be:
Friday afternoons
All legal holidays
All bank holidays
All federal holidays
Birthdays of all employees
Any day that it snows
Any day when the sun shines and the temperature is above 70, we will dismiss at noon
Anytime you can convince me that it should be a holiday
We will have offices indoors and outdoors…a pool will be provided for those who wish to work poolside. Chocolate, diet coke, and Icees will always be available in the breakroom. Dress code will be…whatever you are comfortable in.
Okay…I might not be in business very long…but it will be fun while it lasts!
Be Well!
It’s almost 4:00 now…the market closed at 3:00, so most of the brokers have gone. It is finally quiet, giving us time to tie up all of those loose ends. All checks have been posted, and the bank run is done. Now we just wait…while the clock ticks…and we lose more time inside this concrete prison. Daylight slips away like the precious thing that it is. If I ever have my own business…I will close the doors everyday as soon as the days work is complete. There will be none of this nonsense of waiting until the appointed time to leave…just because “that’s what we do”. Life is too short to spend it in limbo. The sign on the door will read:
Open - Monday-Friday by 9:00 a.m. (approximately)
Closed – When we are finished (no later than 3:00 p.m.)
Our holidays will be:
Friday afternoons
All legal holidays
All bank holidays
All federal holidays
Birthdays of all employees
Any day that it snows
Any day when the sun shines and the temperature is above 70, we will dismiss at noon
Anytime you can convince me that it should be a holiday
We will have offices indoors and outdoors…a pool will be provided for those who wish to work poolside. Chocolate, diet coke, and Icees will always be available in the breakroom. Dress code will be…whatever you are comfortable in.
Okay…I might not be in business very long…but it will be fun while it lasts!
Be Well!
Monday, March 13, 2006
Blow by blow...
Monday morning…
8:30 – I started the day off right…tried to crease a confirmation and got a paper cut all the way along the side of my hand.
8:56 - it looks like a quiet day so far…kind of scary! Days that begin this way usually end up being fast and frantic! I hope that’s not the case today!
9:00 – There is a lively discussion about our Controller’s ex-husband…apparently, she and one of our other co-worker’s is planning to play some mind games with him. They tried to bring me into the plan…I refused. It isn’t that I don’t agree that the ex is acting like a jerk…but I grew up with divorced parents who couldn’t quit hacking each other to death. It isn’t the adults who suffer in these battles, it’s the children. In this case there is a sweet three year old involved…I won’t be a part of this. It isn’t a game. Grow the heck up!
9:36 – A client who has her accounts set up with her two daughters…as JTWROS…is requesting/demanding that we issue a check to her WITHOUT her daughters names on the check. She is requesting a sizable amount of money…but that is really irrelevant.
We cannot issue a check (of any size) to only one of the people on an account of that nature. The broker is asking me to do it anyway…I refused.
9:43 – The broker found a way around it…we will ACH the funds. Creative brokering.
9:50 – Marvin just called…the interview this morning went well…but the position hasn’t even been funded yet. It could be anywhere from two days to two months before they are ready to actually hire.
10:00 – My arm (tendonitis) is hurting like a !$@(%*^&! this morning. I just put my stupid brace on…fortunately I wore a ¾ length sleeve this morning, so the brace won’t show. It is really uncomfortable though. I know…gripe, gripe, gripe…at least I have both arms.
10:34 – Back from the post office. It is a light mail day. Just got an email from Karen…apparently her son is flying in to Mid Continent, at 12:45 and out again at 2:15…so she is taking a long lunch to go eat with him. She is off all next week too. I am the only one here who doesn’t take long lunches sporadically. I‘m getting really tired of being responsible and doing the ‘right thing’ all the time. One of these days I will leave for lunch and just keep driving…(well, I’d like to…but my eye would twitch so bad from doing something ‘out of kilter’ that I wouldn’t be able to see to drive very far). I’m hopeless…I wonder where I might purchase some backbone!
12:45 – I went to the mall and did 4 laps for lunch…then came back and ate some whipped yogurt for lunch. Karen is gone to her lunch appt. so it is quiet…I caught up on all of my filing.
While I was walking at the mall…
The mall was pretty busy today, all of the usual ‘walkers’, and an assortment of odd folk.
1 – A boy-boy-girl trio of teenagers who I would bet money were skipping school today….very busy looking over their shoulders, paranoid to the 10th power.
2 – A woman with pastel pink hair (probably 60 – 65 years old…the woman…not the hair).
3 – A couple of ‘hippie wanna be’s’, long hair, jeans, t-shirts. They didn’t have a clue though…attitude was all wrong, and they were wearing shoes.
4 – A very scary woman with a small child on a leash. I concluded that the child wasn’t on the leash to keep it from wondering off…but to keep it from running away, screaming whenever it looked at mom.
5 – Lots of women wearing the new fashion craze ‘the booby sweater’. If you aren’t familiar with this piece of apparel…it is a small sweater, long sleeves, usually either knit or crochet, it hits the wearer just below the bra line. HINT: If your belly is bigger than your boobs…do not wear these…they make you look like an idiot.
6 – A large group of people from a group home. Most of them wandering aimlessly in circles while making indiscernible noises…or sitting in wheelchairs staring at the ceiling and batting at unseen assailants above them. This group gave me pause for a moment…and actually caused me to change my usual walking course today. Several weeks ago, a man in a group like this viciously attacked an 18 month old baby in a shopping cart at Wal-Mart…I gave them a wide berth.
7 – Abercrombie and Fitch have an interesting display out in front of their store…a male manikin with his ‘parts’ all but hanging out. THEY ARE CALLED PRIVATES FOR A REASON MORONS! As soon as I figure out where to purchase that backbone…I plan to cruise by and pull his pants up around his neck!
8 – Last, but not least…my trash can…if nothing else…it is consistent. It spoke to the man in front of me…but as I deposited my Sweet ‘n’ Low wrappers…it remained silent.
1:46 – Busy work…CRD/AE list for John…checks to post.
2:18 – Karen is back, John can’t decide if he wants to make the bank run or if he wants me to, Rick wants a trust account opened…with no trust papers…no can do.
3:11 – Checks are all posted, deposits prepared…John still can’t decide who is going
today (very frustrating). Cut off time for check requests is 3:00…so of course…I just got a ‘rush’ request…the broker forgot to give it to me on Friday and ALL DAY TODAY.
3:35 – Back from bank (John finally made up his mind). “Rush” check okayed and delivered to broker.
4:18 – All files locked up for the evening, candles extinguished, blah, blah, yada, yada.
4:20 – 10 more minutes until time to go…Home Sweet Home!!
Be Well!
8:30 – I started the day off right…tried to crease a confirmation and got a paper cut all the way along the side of my hand.
8:56 - it looks like a quiet day so far…kind of scary! Days that begin this way usually end up being fast and frantic! I hope that’s not the case today!
9:00 – There is a lively discussion about our Controller’s ex-husband…apparently, she and one of our other co-worker’s is planning to play some mind games with him. They tried to bring me into the plan…I refused. It isn’t that I don’t agree that the ex is acting like a jerk…but I grew up with divorced parents who couldn’t quit hacking each other to death. It isn’t the adults who suffer in these battles, it’s the children. In this case there is a sweet three year old involved…I won’t be a part of this. It isn’t a game. Grow the heck up!
9:36 – A client who has her accounts set up with her two daughters…as JTWROS…is requesting/demanding that we issue a check to her WITHOUT her daughters names on the check. She is requesting a sizable amount of money…but that is really irrelevant.
We cannot issue a check (of any size) to only one of the people on an account of that nature. The broker is asking me to do it anyway…I refused.
9:43 – The broker found a way around it…we will ACH the funds. Creative brokering.
9:50 – Marvin just called…the interview this morning went well…but the position hasn’t even been funded yet. It could be anywhere from two days to two months before they are ready to actually hire.
10:00 – My arm (tendonitis) is hurting like a !$@(%*^&! this morning. I just put my stupid brace on…fortunately I wore a ¾ length sleeve this morning, so the brace won’t show. It is really uncomfortable though. I know…gripe, gripe, gripe…at least I have both arms.
10:34 – Back from the post office. It is a light mail day. Just got an email from Karen…apparently her son is flying in to Mid Continent, at 12:45 and out again at 2:15…so she is taking a long lunch to go eat with him. She is off all next week too. I am the only one here who doesn’t take long lunches sporadically. I‘m getting really tired of being responsible and doing the ‘right thing’ all the time. One of these days I will leave for lunch and just keep driving…(well, I’d like to…but my eye would twitch so bad from doing something ‘out of kilter’ that I wouldn’t be able to see to drive very far). I’m hopeless…I wonder where I might purchase some backbone!
12:45 – I went to the mall and did 4 laps for lunch…then came back and ate some whipped yogurt for lunch. Karen is gone to her lunch appt. so it is quiet…I caught up on all of my filing.
While I was walking at the mall…
The mall was pretty busy today, all of the usual ‘walkers’, and an assortment of odd folk.
1 – A boy-boy-girl trio of teenagers who I would bet money were skipping school today….very busy looking over their shoulders, paranoid to the 10th power.
2 – A woman with pastel pink hair (probably 60 – 65 years old…the woman…not the hair).
3 – A couple of ‘hippie wanna be’s’, long hair, jeans, t-shirts. They didn’t have a clue though…attitude was all wrong, and they were wearing shoes.
4 – A very scary woman with a small child on a leash. I concluded that the child wasn’t on the leash to keep it from wondering off…but to keep it from running away, screaming whenever it looked at mom.
5 – Lots of women wearing the new fashion craze ‘the booby sweater’. If you aren’t familiar with this piece of apparel…it is a small sweater, long sleeves, usually either knit or crochet, it hits the wearer just below the bra line. HINT: If your belly is bigger than your boobs…do not wear these…they make you look like an idiot.
6 – A large group of people from a group home. Most of them wandering aimlessly in circles while making indiscernible noises…or sitting in wheelchairs staring at the ceiling and batting at unseen assailants above them. This group gave me pause for a moment…and actually caused me to change my usual walking course today. Several weeks ago, a man in a group like this viciously attacked an 18 month old baby in a shopping cart at Wal-Mart…I gave them a wide berth.
7 – Abercrombie and Fitch have an interesting display out in front of their store…a male manikin with his ‘parts’ all but hanging out. THEY ARE CALLED PRIVATES FOR A REASON MORONS! As soon as I figure out where to purchase that backbone…I plan to cruise by and pull his pants up around his neck!
8 – Last, but not least…my trash can…if nothing else…it is consistent. It spoke to the man in front of me…but as I deposited my Sweet ‘n’ Low wrappers…it remained silent.
1:46 – Busy work…CRD/AE list for John…checks to post.
2:18 – Karen is back, John can’t decide if he wants to make the bank run or if he wants me to, Rick wants a trust account opened…with no trust papers…no can do.
3:11 – Checks are all posted, deposits prepared…John still can’t decide who is going
today (very frustrating). Cut off time for check requests is 3:00…so of course…I just got a ‘rush’ request…the broker forgot to give it to me on Friday and ALL DAY TODAY.
3:35 – Back from bank (John finally made up his mind). “Rush” check okayed and delivered to broker.
4:18 – All files locked up for the evening, candles extinguished, blah, blah, yada, yada.
4:20 – 10 more minutes until time to go…Home Sweet Home!!
Be Well!
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Saturday...
Just a short blog tonight...I'm bushed! Sugar is an early riser...so we got up this morning at 6:30 or so. Watched a movie, checked email...fixed lunch, cleaned house a bit, started the dishwasher then took a shower and got ready to go for the day. We went to Bullet Stop about 2:30 or so and had target practice for a couple of hours...I thought I had lost the 'knack'...but, it turns out the sight on my gun was loose! I traded Marvin pistols...and was back in the zone! Although...I have to admit that he outshot me today (doesn't happen often)! Afterwards, we went to Shane's for a bit. He is doing much better! While we were there, Chas called to say that she had a backed up kitchen drain, so we went over to take a look.
The drain was indeed backed up...and...despite Marvin's best efforts...it is still clogged! He went to the hardware store and came back with a 'drain snake'...which got stuck in the pipe (after it took a wrong turn in the 'y' and went up instead of down). A couple more mishaps followed, including a leak...then Chas and I went to Walgreens to buy Drano. Hopefully, by morning the drain will be clear and the leak can be fixed and all will be well! We will see!
On the upside...Chas had spent the afternoon fixing potato/leek soup and it was delicious!!
Back home just before 10:00...and heading for bed soon!
Be Well!
The drain was indeed backed up...and...despite Marvin's best efforts...it is still clogged! He went to the hardware store and came back with a 'drain snake'...which got stuck in the pipe (after it took a wrong turn in the 'y' and went up instead of down). A couple more mishaps followed, including a leak...then Chas and I went to Walgreens to buy Drano. Hopefully, by morning the drain will be clear and the leak can be fixed and all will be well! We will see!
On the upside...Chas had spent the afternoon fixing potato/leek soup and it was delicious!!
Back home just before 10:00...and heading for bed soon!
Be Well!
Friday, March 10, 2006
Friday doldrums.....
I’ve been staring out the massive 7th story window for several minutes…my mind begins to wander. I imagine picking up my insufferable computer and hurling it through the glass. I watch as it meets the ground in an extremely satisfying explosion of parts. The morning breeze lifts my bangs gently as I step out onto the ledge…people are gathered below, eyes lifted skyward searching for the source of the debris in the parking lot! As they realize the pile of pieces was once a Dell…several point to me and begin to applaud, two of the older gentlemen snap to attention and salute. I smile, wave, and bow ever-so-slightly…holding onto the inside of the window frame with one hand.
Closing my eyes, I feel the warm spring breeze caress my face and a mixture of relief and euphoria wash over me. With my free hand, I remove my clothing, dropping it below. I watch as it drifts downward, settling gently on the pavement. Releasing my hold on the window, I step forward. The crowd is silent…shading their eyes from the sun as they crane their necks. Spreading my arms, I push off with the balls of my feet…a woman screams somewhere below me. The arms of the wind wrap around my body, lifting me slightly as I relax into its strength. Opening my eyes, I watch as the trees become smaller and the cars turn into toys. Turning my body slightly to the right, I circle around and head back toward the building. Birds chirp a friendly ‘hello’ to me as I soar past them. The crowd below watches in amazement as I swoop down within 6 feet of the ground and buzz through their midst. Smiling from ear to ear now…I decide to entertain them a bit more. Closing my eyes, I tuck my knees into my chest and turn summersaults across the sky. My body jars violently, and my eyes fly open…I have fallen out of my chair…thank heavens everyone else is at lunch.
Be Well!
Closing my eyes, I feel the warm spring breeze caress my face and a mixture of relief and euphoria wash over me. With my free hand, I remove my clothing, dropping it below. I watch as it drifts downward, settling gently on the pavement. Releasing my hold on the window, I step forward. The crowd is silent…shading their eyes from the sun as they crane their necks. Spreading my arms, I push off with the balls of my feet…a woman screams somewhere below me. The arms of the wind wrap around my body, lifting me slightly as I relax into its strength. Opening my eyes, I watch as the trees become smaller and the cars turn into toys. Turning my body slightly to the right, I circle around and head back toward the building. Birds chirp a friendly ‘hello’ to me as I soar past them. The crowd below watches in amazement as I swoop down within 6 feet of the ground and buzz through their midst. Smiling from ear to ear now…I decide to entertain them a bit more. Closing my eyes, I tuck my knees into my chest and turn summersaults across the sky. My body jars violently, and my eyes fly open…I have fallen out of my chair…thank heavens everyone else is at lunch.
Be Well!
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Wednesday...
Shane’s surgery is over with, and it went well! A bit more involved than we had anticipated…but well none-the-less! Marvin’s latest job prospects fell through yesterday, and we are reminding ourselves continually, that God is still in control and there are better things in the future.
Today is my birthday…I am 51. I suppose that I should be in some sort of depression about that…but there are other, more pressing things in our lives at this moment than vanity. On my 30th birthday, I realized that age is a state of mind anyway…we are as old as we feel…and we feel as old as we want to feel. I don’t feel old…so there!
The sun is shining and a warm wind is blowing…just a brief glimpse of the long anticipated, changing of the seasonal guard….I am looking forward to summer with every part of me, but, as with most good things in life…we have to go through some crap to get there. The next few weeks will most likely be full of severe storms, tornadoes, hail, damaging winds, property damage and destruction, injury, and perhaps even loss of life. Welcome to Kansas!
Sugar is staying with us until Shane is healed a bit more….I let her outside at 1:11 this morning, and as I stood there looking out the deck doors at the pool, watching it’s grey vinyl cover rise and fall with the wind…almost as if it were breathing…it occurred to me how we are encouraged/discouraged by so many little things in life. On those warm, summer nights, when I look out across the yard, I see a glistening pool of blue…a thousand stars shimmer on the surface, bouncing points of light against the house and even the walls inside. I return to bed, contented, relaxed and anticipating the morning. In contrast…during the winter…that ugly grey cover simply punctuates the utter desolation of nature, inflicted on the landscape by the ravages of winter. On those nights…I return to bed feeling tense, cold, and dreading the morning to come…which holds only the promise of bone chilling winds, freezing temperatures, and dreary skies. What fickle creatures we are.
Be Well!
Today is my birthday…I am 51. I suppose that I should be in some sort of depression about that…but there are other, more pressing things in our lives at this moment than vanity. On my 30th birthday, I realized that age is a state of mind anyway…we are as old as we feel…and we feel as old as we want to feel. I don’t feel old…so there!
The sun is shining and a warm wind is blowing…just a brief glimpse of the long anticipated, changing of the seasonal guard….I am looking forward to summer with every part of me, but, as with most good things in life…we have to go through some crap to get there. The next few weeks will most likely be full of severe storms, tornadoes, hail, damaging winds, property damage and destruction, injury, and perhaps even loss of life. Welcome to Kansas!
Sugar is staying with us until Shane is healed a bit more….I let her outside at 1:11 this morning, and as I stood there looking out the deck doors at the pool, watching it’s grey vinyl cover rise and fall with the wind…almost as if it were breathing…it occurred to me how we are encouraged/discouraged by so many little things in life. On those warm, summer nights, when I look out across the yard, I see a glistening pool of blue…a thousand stars shimmer on the surface, bouncing points of light against the house and even the walls inside. I return to bed, contented, relaxed and anticipating the morning. In contrast…during the winter…that ugly grey cover simply punctuates the utter desolation of nature, inflicted on the landscape by the ravages of winter. On those nights…I return to bed feeling tense, cold, and dreading the morning to come…which holds only the promise of bone chilling winds, freezing temperatures, and dreary skies. What fickle creatures we are.
Be Well!
Wednesday...
Shane’s surgery is over with, and it went well! A bit more involved than we had anticipated…but well none-the-less! Marvin’s latest job prospects fell through yesterday, and we are reminding ourselves continually, that God is still in control and there are better things in the future.
Today is my birthday…I am 51. I suppose that I should be in some sort of depression about that…but there are other, more pressing things in our lives at this moment than vanity. On my 30th birthday, I realized that age is a state of mind anyway…we are as old as we feel…and we feel as old as we want to feel. I don’t feel old…so there!
The sun is shining and a warm wind is blowing…just a brief glimpse of the long anticipated, changing of the seasonal guard….I am looking forward to summer with every part of me, but, as with most good things in life…we have to go through some crap to get there. The next few weeks will most likely be full of severe storms, tornadoes, hail, damaging winds, property damage and destruction, injury, and perhaps even loss of life. Welcome to Kansas!
Sugar is staying with us until Shane is healed a bit more….I let her outside at 1:11 this morning, and as I stood there looking out the deck doors at the pool, watching it’s grey vinyl cover rise and fall with the wind…almost as if it were breathing…it occurred to me how we are encouraged/discouraged by so many little things in life. On those warm, summer nights, when I look out across the yard, I see a glistening pool of blue…a thousand stars shimmer on the surface, bouncing points of light against the house and even the walls inside. I return to bed, contented, relaxed and anticipating the morning. In contrast…during the winter…that ugly grey cover simply punctuates the utter desolation of nature, inflicted on the landscape by the ravages of winter. On those nights…I return to bed feeling tense, cold, and dreading the morning to come…which holds only the promise of bone chilling winds, freezing temperatures, and dreary skies. What fickle creatures we are.
Be Well!
Today is my birthday…I am 51. I suppose that I should be in some sort of depression about that…but there are other, more pressing things in our lives at this moment than vanity. On my 30th birthday, I realized that age is a state of mind anyway…we are as old as we feel…and we feel as old as we want to feel. I don’t feel old…so there!
The sun is shining and a warm wind is blowing…just a brief glimpse of the long anticipated, changing of the seasonal guard….I am looking forward to summer with every part of me, but, as with most good things in life…we have to go through some crap to get there. The next few weeks will most likely be full of severe storms, tornadoes, hail, damaging winds, property damage and destruction, injury, and perhaps even loss of life. Welcome to Kansas!
Sugar is staying with us until Shane is healed a bit more….I let her outside at 1:11 this morning, and as I stood there looking out the deck doors at the pool, watching it’s grey vinyl cover rise and fall with the wind…almost as if it were breathing…it occurred to me how we are encouraged/discouraged by so many little things in life. On those warm, summer nights, when I look out across the yard, I see a glistening pool of blue…a thousand stars shimmer on the surface, bouncing points of light against the house and even the walls inside. I return to bed, contented, relaxed and anticipating the morning. In contrast…during the winter…that ugly grey cover simply punctuates the utter desolation of nature, inflicted on the landscape by the ravages of winter. On those nights…I return to bed feeling tense, cold, and dreading the morning to come…which holds only the promise of bone chilling winds, freezing temperatures, and dreary skies. What fickle creatures we are.
Be Well!
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Keep on keepin on...
Normal still hasn't returned to our lives...there are job offers, and promises to call back...but not one of them has had the courtesy to follow through, even to say "never mind". So...we wait. It is much more difficult on my husband than it is on me...he is very frustrated. There isn't really anything that I can do to help him...except love him...which I do with all my heart. Better days are ahead!
Normal…
Goulash, cookie dough…
Mashed potatoes ‘tween my toes…
Where did all the ‘normal’ go?
Dogs that hop, cats that fly,
Two down low, one up high…
What is ‘normal’…by-the-by?
The sky is green, the grass is pink…
Water flows but none to drink…
Down the block the statues wink.
The days have turned into the night…
Peace doves walk, Snakes take flight…
The moon is checkered, the sun is white.
This is the ‘normal’, new to me…
It isn’t what it used to be…
That doesn’t mean it’s bad…you know…
We’ll wait and watch…and let it go.
Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved
Normal…
Goulash, cookie dough…
Mashed potatoes ‘tween my toes…
Where did all the ‘normal’ go?
Dogs that hop, cats that fly,
Two down low, one up high…
What is ‘normal’…by-the-by?
The sky is green, the grass is pink…
Water flows but none to drink…
Down the block the statues wink.
The days have turned into the night…
Peace doves walk, Snakes take flight…
The moon is checkered, the sun is white.
This is the ‘normal’, new to me…
It isn’t what it used to be…
That doesn’t mean it’s bad…you know…
We’ll wait and watch…and let it go.
Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved
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