This day is starting out very oddly.
8:00 – I arrived to find the new girl sitting at her desk…alone. The pit bull wasn’t here yet. So, I started showing her around…unlocking things…what needs to be done to begin the day etc..
8:10 – The pit bull arrived and took over. She doesn’t want me to train at all…she told the new girl that she will be learning as she teaches her…that’s scary. There are too many things that the pit bull doesn’t know.
9:09 – So far, I have addressed an envelope to go out and answered the phone. It’s gonna be a long day. I feel sorry for the other new girl…and I’m glad that I won’t be staying….I just heard a long list of the duties that Erin has decided the person at my desk will be assuming…it consists of ALL of the grunt work. Unlocking in the morning, locking up at night, emptying the shredder, cleaning the kitchen, making the coffee, watering the multitude of plants, etc…and she will be required to know all of the things that the other girl does as well…in order to back her up. Previously, the grunt work was shared by both parties…as were all duties. My position here would be changing drastically…for the worse! If I had any doubts about whether I did the right thing in leaving…they are gone now.
9:30 – Well…two peas in a pod. The pit bull and the new girl, are making snide remarks about the girl who quit on Thursday…interestingly…the new girl never even met the girl who quit. They seem particularly amused about the fact that the girl who quit felt overwhelmed. It won’t be long before the new girl will rue those remarks. This is like watching a train wreck…it’s hideous…but I can’t look away.
10:00 – My post office run is being taken over by my boss today. I’m not sure why I am here.
11:14 – A task that should have been completed in about an hour…has taken the trainer/trainee team over 3 hours…and they aren’t finished yet. However, the pit bull just got a call that she has to go to court at 1:00. Since they have not even finished the morning stuff yet…she asked if I would mind the new girl sitting with me this afternoon instead of her going home. Halleluiah! I won’t have to while away the afternoon too!
1:16 – So…I went to lunch, and a couple of odd things happened…
1) While I was out…my boss called me to ask if I had my keys with me…I replied that I did not. It seems that he forgot to stop and pick up the mail while he was out…picking up the mail…so I just got back from getting it.
2) For my lunch, I decided to grab a Heavenly Snow. I pulled up to the drive thru, and the woman inside took my order, I noticed that she was acting a bit odd. I watched as she made my drink…she was pale, moving very slowly, and having some coordination issues. As she brought it to the window to hand it out, her speech was slurred. I handed her the money, and she seemed to not recognize it. She looked at me in a dazed…confused way, and said, “I don’t have any air-conditioning here today…” The temperature is already 103 degrees, and there she was, in a small metal trailer…with no air. In soft, slow, slurred speech…she told me my order was free today, and disappeared back inside. I pulled forward and called 911. Bless her heart!!
2:00 – Well, it seems that there is some difference between the things that the pit bull is teaching the new girl…and the way they should be done. I tried tactfully, to rectify them…to no avail. I feel sorry for the new girl…stuck in the middle. So…I will back off, time will be their best teacher.
3:54 – Only a little more than 30 minutes left in this day. The new girl says she ‘isn’t comfortable with the phone’, so Erin hasn’t required her to do it… so I have answered every call today…many times…reaching across the new girl, at her own desk, because she sat there like a lump looking at it, while it rang. I am counting the days again.
Be Well!
Monday, July 17, 2006
Friday, July 14, 2006
Fabulous Friday!
It's Friday!!! You can't see me....but I'm doing the dance of JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!! This has been a long, hard, emotional, nasty week!! I am so glad to see it end!! I'm hoping for brighter days ahead!!
Work has been slow, and for some reason, the pit bull has not bared her teeth this day! I was so angry when I left yesterday that I was ready to scream. I had already decided that if today was a replay of yesterday, I would hit the door. It wasn't...and I didn't...! And that is better for all concerned!
With Shane and Candy out of town for the weekend...our group will be small tonight! Marvin, Chas and I are meeting at Freddie's for a burger, then on to see Pirates of the Caribbean! I hope I don't fall asleep in the theater! I slept really well ONE nght this week, so I am beat.
One of our outside brokers came in a bit ago. He said "I hear you are leaving us...?" I said I was, and he shook his head and replied, "THAT is a shame! You made it nice to come in here! I will miss you!" It made my day! I doubt that anyone else will miss me at all...they are pretty busy sucking up to the pit bull. I don't blame them...if I had half as many brains as vinegar...I would learn to suck up too...it just isn't in me. He advised me to get my license and keep moving forward. I will consider that.
Here's to a weekend full of hope and sunshine!
Be Well!
Work has been slow, and for some reason, the pit bull has not bared her teeth this day! I was so angry when I left yesterday that I was ready to scream. I had already decided that if today was a replay of yesterday, I would hit the door. It wasn't...and I didn't...! And that is better for all concerned!
With Shane and Candy out of town for the weekend...our group will be small tonight! Marvin, Chas and I are meeting at Freddie's for a burger, then on to see Pirates of the Caribbean! I hope I don't fall asleep in the theater! I slept really well ONE nght this week, so I am beat.
One of our outside brokers came in a bit ago. He said "I hear you are leaving us...?" I said I was, and he shook his head and replied, "THAT is a shame! You made it nice to come in here! I will miss you!" It made my day! I doubt that anyone else will miss me at all...they are pretty busy sucking up to the pit bull. I don't blame them...if I had half as many brains as vinegar...I would learn to suck up too...it just isn't in me. He advised me to get my license and keep moving forward. I will consider that.
Here's to a weekend full of hope and sunshine!
Be Well!
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Holy cow...
It is unbelievable what a difference a day can make! I handed in my resignation letter yesterday, had a very nice chat with my boss…we are parting friends. For the first time in a week, my stomach felt almost normal. I actually slept last night too.
I came to work this morning, a bit early, in order to get things started…lots of training to do with the new girl. At 8:05 I asked if anyone had heard from the new girl…she has been getting here around 7:45 all week, and she wasn’t here yet. No one had. At 8:10, she called and asked me to tell our boss that she quit. She said that the position is just too overwhelming…there is too much to do and learn…! She had been up since 5:00 this morning with a nervous stomach…which is actually a part of this job description. So…I got the morning reports out…the Pit Bull took her daughter to have her teeth cleaned and to see her grandmother. She arrived around 11:00. Talk about a nasty mood! Whew! The only times she has spoken to me were to inform me that she will be taking over this and that and the other thing…and when I asked if she had a list of reports…she snapped “I know how to do them!” So…fine.
The afternoon was atrocious…however, they do have someone starting Monday to fill the position vacated this morning…and someone starting on August 8th , to fill mine. I’m sure that I will clean up more messes tomorrow…she says she will do all confirms, tickets, and reports in the morning…she seems to have some sort of adversity to asking me for any help…so…good luck! She insisted on posting deposits this afternoon…and when she couldn’t…she literally tossed them on my desk as she walked off, saying “I don’t have a password yet…you do these!” Then I heard her calling tech support…for access to areas required to do daily work…and telling them that ‘she is new’…!
What a week it has been. I'm considering selling all of our earthly possessions, and becoming a beach bum! I'm tired of working for people who are jerks...and smiling when I want to lash out irrationally...and pretending to be what I'm not, in order to fit into some idiot's idea of an employee.
I'd say life was certainly simpler when we were kids...but...it was actually worse. So...there it is...the bright spot....I'm not 12 anymore and I never have to be again!
Okay...I'm clutching at straws...
Be Well!
I came to work this morning, a bit early, in order to get things started…lots of training to do with the new girl. At 8:05 I asked if anyone had heard from the new girl…she has been getting here around 7:45 all week, and she wasn’t here yet. No one had. At 8:10, she called and asked me to tell our boss that she quit. She said that the position is just too overwhelming…there is too much to do and learn…! She had been up since 5:00 this morning with a nervous stomach…which is actually a part of this job description. So…I got the morning reports out…the Pit Bull took her daughter to have her teeth cleaned and to see her grandmother. She arrived around 11:00. Talk about a nasty mood! Whew! The only times she has spoken to me were to inform me that she will be taking over this and that and the other thing…and when I asked if she had a list of reports…she snapped “I know how to do them!” So…fine.
The afternoon was atrocious…however, they do have someone starting Monday to fill the position vacated this morning…and someone starting on August 8th , to fill mine. I’m sure that I will clean up more messes tomorrow…she says she will do all confirms, tickets, and reports in the morning…she seems to have some sort of adversity to asking me for any help…so…good luck! She insisted on posting deposits this afternoon…and when she couldn’t…she literally tossed them on my desk as she walked off, saying “I don’t have a password yet…you do these!” Then I heard her calling tech support…for access to areas required to do daily work…and telling them that ‘she is new’…!
What a week it has been. I'm considering selling all of our earthly possessions, and becoming a beach bum! I'm tired of working for people who are jerks...and smiling when I want to lash out irrationally...and pretending to be what I'm not, in order to fit into some idiot's idea of an employee.
I'd say life was certainly simpler when we were kids...but...it was actually worse. So...there it is...the bright spot....I'm not 12 anymore and I never have to be again!
Okay...I'm clutching at straws...
Be Well!
Holy cow...
It is unbelievable what a difference a day can make! I handed in my resignation letter yesterday, had a very nice chat with my boss…we are parting friends. For the first time in a week, my stomach felt almost normal. I actually slept last night too.
I came to work this morning, a bit early, in order to get things started…lots of training to do with the new girl. At 8:05 I asked if anyone had heard from the new girl…she has been getting here around 7:45 all week, and she wasn’t here yet. No one had. At 8:10, she called and asked me to tell our boss that she quit. She said that the position is just too overwhelming…there is too much to do and learn…! She had been up since 5:00 this morning with a nervous stomach…which is actually a part of this job description. So…I got the morning reports out…the Pit Bull took her daughter to have her teeth cleaned and to see her grandmother. She arrived around 11:00. Talk about a nasty mood! Whew! The only times she has spoken to me were to inform me that she will be taking over this and that and the other thing…and when I asked if she had a list of reports…she snapped “I know how to do them!” So…fine.
The afternoon was atrocious…however, they do have someone starting Monday to fill the position vacated this morning…and someone starting on August 8th , to fill mine. I’m sure that I will clean up more messes tomorrow…she says she will do all confirms, tickets, and reports in the morning…she seems to have some sort of adversity to asking me for any help…so…good luck! She insisted on posting deposits this afternoon…and when she couldn’t…she literally tossed them on my desk as she walked off, saying “I don’t have a password yet…you do these!” Then I heard her calling tech support…for access to areas required to do daily work…and telling them that ‘she is new’…!
What a week it has been. I'm considering selling all of our earthly possessions, and becoming a beach bum! I'm tired of working for people who are jerks...and smiling when I want to lash out irrationally...and pretending to be what I'm not, in order to fit into some idiot's idea of an employee.
I'd say life was certainly simpler when we were kids...but...it was actually worse. So...there it is...the bright spot....I'm not 12 anymore and I never have to be again!
Okay...I'm clutching at straws...
Be Well!
I came to work this morning, a bit early, in order to get things started…lots of training to do with the new girl. At 8:05 I asked if anyone had heard from the new girl…she has been getting here around 7:45 all week, and she wasn’t here yet. No one had. At 8:10, she called and asked me to tell our boss that she quit. She said that the position is just too overwhelming…there is too much to do and learn…! She had been up since 5:00 this morning with a nervous stomach…which is actually a part of this job description. So…I got the morning reports out…the Pit Bull took her daughter to have her teeth cleaned and to see her grandmother. She arrived around 11:00. Talk about a nasty mood! Whew! The only times she has spoken to me were to inform me that she will be taking over this and that and the other thing…and when I asked if she had a list of reports…she snapped “I know how to do them!” So…fine.
The afternoon was atrocious…however, they do have someone starting Monday to fill the position vacated this morning…and someone starting on August 8th , to fill mine. I’m sure that I will clean up more messes tomorrow…she says she will do all confirms, tickets, and reports in the morning…she seems to have some sort of adversity to asking me for any help…so…good luck! She insisted on posting deposits this afternoon…and when she couldn’t…she literally tossed them on my desk as she walked off, saying “I don’t have a password yet…you do these!” Then I heard her calling tech support…for access to areas required to do daily work…and telling them that ‘she is new’…!
What a week it has been. I'm considering selling all of our earthly possessions, and becoming a beach bum! I'm tired of working for people who are jerks...and smiling when I want to lash out irrationally...and pretending to be what I'm not, in order to fit into some idiot's idea of an employee.
I'd say life was certainly simpler when we were kids...but...it was actually worse. So...there it is...the bright spot....I'm not 12 anymore and I never have to be again!
Okay...I'm clutching at straws...
Be Well!
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Disaster master...
I can't even believe this day. After much thought, consideration, deliberation, prayer, discussion, and a sleepless night last night...I decided to take the new job. I called, accepted it, then went back to the office. As I sat at my desk, typing my resignation letter...I am called to the kitchen. EVERYONE was in there, with a big chocolate brownie (with a candle on it), and a carrot cake...to wish me congratulations on my one year anniversary with the company. :( My boss says, "We've had a hard year, with a LOT of turmoil...and you've hung right in there!" I felt like pond scum. This impromptu party was completely unexpected and totally uncharacteristic. I couldn't give them the letter today...after all of that. I will deliver it first thing tomorrow morning. I can't help but wonder...what is happening to my twin...in the parallel universe...that surely exists.
I almost decided to delete the letter. Then I remembered the past few months...and the fact that my co-worker was questioned about whether or not I was looking for a job...when she handed in her own resignation (a week and a half ago). Is this genuine change...or simply a last ditch effort to avoid having NO ONE there who knows how to do the necessary things? I don't know. I am tired from thinking about it...I wish people came with labels...I could turn theirs over and see if it reads "Desperate, lying, two-faced, sack of stuff" or "Turning over a new leaf, sorry we were jerks".
Be Well!
I almost decided to delete the letter. Then I remembered the past few months...and the fact that my co-worker was questioned about whether or not I was looking for a job...when she handed in her own resignation (a week and a half ago). Is this genuine change...or simply a last ditch effort to avoid having NO ONE there who knows how to do the necessary things? I don't know. I am tired from thinking about it...I wish people came with labels...I could turn theirs over and see if it reads "Desperate, lying, two-faced, sack of stuff" or "Turning over a new leaf, sorry we were jerks".
Be Well!
Friday, July 07, 2006
Finally...Friday...
I woke up this morning, only slightly comforted by the fact that it is Friday. The thought of getting through the day was getting me down before I opened my eyes. I stopped at the store on the way to work, and bought a big, frosted cookie, and had them write “Good Luck _ _ _ _ _” on it, and bought a couple boxes of Loft House cookies to go with it. I’m fairly certain that no one else here will do anything nice for her…which is sad. When the pit bull passed her test (after flunking it the first time), they had food catered in and threw her a party…but for someone who came in during a time of crisis, and spent almost a year working hard for them…nothing.
9:00 - It looks like they have hired a replacement. I will reserve comment until I see “which way the wind blows”. The pit bull is so excited about her, and they have been laughing uproariously…in her office for the past hour and a half…that I wonder if she is an acquaintance.
9:30 – I just received a ‘heads up’…apparently it was stated that ‘whatever the pit bull didn’t want to do…she would just have me take over. (Groan….)
10:45 - The pit bull just noticed the cookie in the kitchen. After cutting herself a big hunk, she came out and said to my co-worker “Uh…do you have lunch plans today? I guess I should have planned something for you…uh…why don’t I take you to lunch…” After much protest…from my co-worker…she insisted. What a load.
11:41 – Most of the rest of the office has gone to lunch. It is finally calm and almost quiet. I am continually amazed at the way that working in public changes us. In order to survive…we smile when we don’t feel even remotely happy, we nod and agree with things that appall us, we cow down and act as though we don’t mind being walked on…humiliated…and degraded. I have always been a person who spoke my mind…often to my own detriment. All of these ‘games’ don’t set will with me, and I have a hard time playing them.
1:53 – The new girl is being initiated. It takes months (literally) to learn all we need to know in this kind of business…she is getting a brief overview…and it is overwhelming. I’m sure she will go home tonight and worry about what in the world she has gotten into. Wait until the pit bull begins to dump on her…I hope she’s had her shots.
2:07 – Well…in the middle of training…the new girl informed us that she was told she could leave at 2:30 (she didn’t get here until 12:30). This is unbelievable. There aren’t enough expletives to describe my feelings at this moment.
The rest of the day is going to be spent in a much happier way! We are heading to Ark City for dinner at Green Door, and to deliver a TV to Marvin’s mom. We always have a great time together, and I am looking forward to an evening of talking, laughing, joking, fun, and forgetting about work!
Be Well!
9:00 - It looks like they have hired a replacement. I will reserve comment until I see “which way the wind blows”. The pit bull is so excited about her, and they have been laughing uproariously…in her office for the past hour and a half…that I wonder if she is an acquaintance.
9:30 – I just received a ‘heads up’…apparently it was stated that ‘whatever the pit bull didn’t want to do…she would just have me take over. (Groan….)
10:45 - The pit bull just noticed the cookie in the kitchen. After cutting herself a big hunk, she came out and said to my co-worker “Uh…do you have lunch plans today? I guess I should have planned something for you…uh…why don’t I take you to lunch…” After much protest…from my co-worker…she insisted. What a load.
11:41 – Most of the rest of the office has gone to lunch. It is finally calm and almost quiet. I am continually amazed at the way that working in public changes us. In order to survive…we smile when we don’t feel even remotely happy, we nod and agree with things that appall us, we cow down and act as though we don’t mind being walked on…humiliated…and degraded. I have always been a person who spoke my mind…often to my own detriment. All of these ‘games’ don’t set will with me, and I have a hard time playing them.
1:53 – The new girl is being initiated. It takes months (literally) to learn all we need to know in this kind of business…she is getting a brief overview…and it is overwhelming. I’m sure she will go home tonight and worry about what in the world she has gotten into. Wait until the pit bull begins to dump on her…I hope she’s had her shots.
2:07 – Well…in the middle of training…the new girl informed us that she was told she could leave at 2:30 (she didn’t get here until 12:30). This is unbelievable. There aren’t enough expletives to describe my feelings at this moment.
The rest of the day is going to be spent in a much happier way! We are heading to Ark City for dinner at Green Door, and to deliver a TV to Marvin’s mom. We always have a great time together, and I am looking forward to an evening of talking, laughing, joking, fun, and forgetting about work!
Be Well!
Thursday...
8:12 - Here we sit…waiting for the pit bull…again. She was supposed to be here at 7:30 to run reports and do morning confirmations…it is now 8:12 and she hasn’t shown up yet. So, we get to start another day…behind.
8:13 – Some people have more nerve than brains…she just came in the door…smiling ear-to-ear, then announced “Morning…you like my 7:30?”…flounced right on through…no apology…nothing. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr…….
9:56 – Well…big shock…she did half of the reports/confirms…then told us to finish, because “It’s all written down…if I can read, I can do it…” I’m remembering the conversation that I had with the vacuum cleaner….
10:33 – Have you ever seen a pit bull dance? This one is almost walking on air…to the point of being rude at how excited she is that one of the front office peons is leaving tomorrow. I would give a lot to be able to turn at 4:30 Friday and say “By the way…you will need someone to sit in my chair on Monday too.”
11:18 – Apparently, we need to send in stuff for a rebate on some equipment that was purchased this week…or should I say…I need to. I think that should be a task for the controller, who has all of the receipts etc…but…she is busy being important.
4:10 – Well…apparently the bank run (which was supposed to be done by someone else today) has fallen back to me. So…catch ya on the flip side!
Be Well!
8:13 – Some people have more nerve than brains…she just came in the door…smiling ear-to-ear, then announced “Morning…you like my 7:30?”…flounced right on through…no apology…nothing. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr…….
9:56 – Well…big shock…she did half of the reports/confirms…then told us to finish, because “It’s all written down…if I can read, I can do it…” I’m remembering the conversation that I had with the vacuum cleaner….
10:33 – Have you ever seen a pit bull dance? This one is almost walking on air…to the point of being rude at how excited she is that one of the front office peons is leaving tomorrow. I would give a lot to be able to turn at 4:30 Friday and say “By the way…you will need someone to sit in my chair on Monday too.”
11:18 – Apparently, we need to send in stuff for a rebate on some equipment that was purchased this week…or should I say…I need to. I think that should be a task for the controller, who has all of the receipts etc…but…she is busy being important.
4:10 – Well…apparently the bank run (which was supposed to be done by someone else today) has fallen back to me. So…catch ya on the flip side!
Be Well!
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Wednesday/Monday...
It feels like Monday today…because I was off Monday and Tuesday! This has been one of THOSE days. It looks like I will be stuck with 99% of the work, beginning Monday. The pit bull keeps promising to come up here and learn what we do so that she can help out whenever necessary…but…she always comes up with an excuse at the last minute, not to. This morning was no different. After leaving a phone message telling us NOT to start our morning reports and routine until she arrived, so that she could do it while we directed her…she came in late…as usual…then said she just didn’t have time to “mess with it” and directed us to do it. What a load of crap.
On the upside…we had a really nice holiday weekend! Especially the 4th! We spent the afternoon in the pool and on the deck visiting, then cooked dinner on the grill. After eating, we spent an hour or so just talking and resting, then played a new card game called Blitz. About 9:15, we headed to Wild West World to watch the Park City fireworks…which were beautiful!
By the time we got to bed (11:15), I was exhausted. I hated to sleep…because I knew sleeping would hasten the morning…which I was not looking forward to. Now…more than ever…I am counting the hours until the weekend.
Be Well!
On the upside…we had a really nice holiday weekend! Especially the 4th! We spent the afternoon in the pool and on the deck visiting, then cooked dinner on the grill. After eating, we spent an hour or so just talking and resting, then played a new card game called Blitz. About 9:15, we headed to Wild West World to watch the Park City fireworks…which were beautiful!
By the time we got to bed (11:15), I was exhausted. I hated to sleep…because I knew sleeping would hasten the morning…which I was not looking forward to. Now…more than ever…I am counting the hours until the weekend.
Be Well!
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Fallout...
Today…The fallout from my co-worker announcing her resignation yesterday, for a new and hopefully better job. I am sad to see her go. It looks as though the foreseeable future will suck…I will be taking on all of the front office duties until a replacement is found. If rumor is true…her replacement may be in the pit bull’s immediate family…which means there will be two diva’s instead of one to deal with. My own job search will now intensify…dramatically.
I think it’s interesting how blind some people can be! There was lots of anger and shock at my co-worker’s departure…what can we do to make it better here for you….blah…blah….blah. On and on…too little, too late. The pit bull, of course, was the only one not surprised…and she was ecstatic. Of course, she has engineered all of the mayhem leading up to the resignation that Big Spender held in his hand. Her immediate response was “I want my aunt to interview for this position.” Which is basically what we have suspected all along….she has other people in mind for our jobs. So…she keeps telling us that…if she were us…she would find somewhere else to work. At last count…my co-worker has been invited to leave 3 times, and I have been invited to leave twice. Well…she is getting what she wants…and I hope she chokes on it.
She has turned a pleasant, interesting place to work, into a place where we dread coming each day. A place where our supervisor’s idea of supervising is making sure that we know that she is in TOTAL control of our lives. The appreciation that we used to get has been replaced with nit-picking and criticism of EVERY thing that we say and do (including our clothing and the way we say “good morning”). Every opportunity to tell us how we have failed, and how inadequate we are, is used to the fullest extent possible. We work our butts off, while her main talent is delegating her work to us. Then there is the issue of her 64 hours (at the big bucks), which wouldn’t be so bad…if she didn’t take every opportunity to flaunt it in our faces.
They say time heels all wounds…and I believe that it also wounds all heels…what goes around…comes around. I hope it hurries.
Be Well!
I think it’s interesting how blind some people can be! There was lots of anger and shock at my co-worker’s departure…what can we do to make it better here for you….blah…blah….blah. On and on…too little, too late. The pit bull, of course, was the only one not surprised…and she was ecstatic. Of course, she has engineered all of the mayhem leading up to the resignation that Big Spender held in his hand. Her immediate response was “I want my aunt to interview for this position.” Which is basically what we have suspected all along….she has other people in mind for our jobs. So…she keeps telling us that…if she were us…she would find somewhere else to work. At last count…my co-worker has been invited to leave 3 times, and I have been invited to leave twice. Well…she is getting what she wants…and I hope she chokes on it.
She has turned a pleasant, interesting place to work, into a place where we dread coming each day. A place where our supervisor’s idea of supervising is making sure that we know that she is in TOTAL control of our lives. The appreciation that we used to get has been replaced with nit-picking and criticism of EVERY thing that we say and do (including our clothing and the way we say “good morning”). Every opportunity to tell us how we have failed, and how inadequate we are, is used to the fullest extent possible. We work our butts off, while her main talent is delegating her work to us. Then there is the issue of her 64 hours (at the big bucks), which wouldn’t be so bad…if she didn’t take every opportunity to flaunt it in our faces.
They say time heels all wounds…and I believe that it also wounds all heels…what goes around…comes around. I hope it hurries.
Be Well!
Saturday, June 24, 2006
The Lake House...
What a nice day this turned out to be! Slept in (8:15), then showered, cleaned house a bit, unpacked from our 'untrip', then read for a while! Marvin spent the morning trying to load music on his mp3 player...which turned out to be trickier than it sounds.
Around 1:30, he gave up and we went to The Good Egg for breakfast/lunch, then on to Ultimate Electronics, Pier 1, and finally to the 13th St Warren to see The Lake House! What a good movie! I don't care what the revues say...GO SEE IT!! Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock are perfectly matched and capture the hearts of viewers...from the get go! I left the theater, dabbing tears (of joy) from my eyes! One revue said that the movie wasn't good because it was based on an impossibility...SO FREAKING WHAT? Take a good hard look at reality sometime....it ain't what it's cracked up to be honey!! I'll take a good, old fashioned, fantasy anytime...something that makes me smile at the end of the day!!!
After the movie, we stopped in at Petland to see Bubbles (so dubbed by yours truly) a perfect, spunky, fiesty, tiny, white Maltese puppy. Then on to Heavenly Snow to top off the afternoon!
After a quick shower...we will settle in to watch either "Rumor Has It"...or "Family Stone"! We watched "Ringer" last night...it was hilarious!!
The forecast had called for storms this afternoon...they didn't materialize! Perhaps, that is a sign that a cloud free week (metaphorically speaking) is ahead of us! I know we can use it!
Be Well!!
Around 1:30, he gave up and we went to The Good Egg for breakfast/lunch, then on to Ultimate Electronics, Pier 1, and finally to the 13th St Warren to see The Lake House! What a good movie! I don't care what the revues say...GO SEE IT!! Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock are perfectly matched and capture the hearts of viewers...from the get go! I left the theater, dabbing tears (of joy) from my eyes! One revue said that the movie wasn't good because it was based on an impossibility...SO FREAKING WHAT? Take a good hard look at reality sometime....it ain't what it's cracked up to be honey!! I'll take a good, old fashioned, fantasy anytime...something that makes me smile at the end of the day!!!
After the movie, we stopped in at Petland to see Bubbles (so dubbed by yours truly) a perfect, spunky, fiesty, tiny, white Maltese puppy. Then on to Heavenly Snow to top off the afternoon!
After a quick shower...we will settle in to watch either "Rumor Has It"...or "Family Stone"! We watched "Ringer" last night...it was hilarious!!
The forecast had called for storms this afternoon...they didn't materialize! Perhaps, that is a sign that a cloud free week (metaphorically speaking) is ahead of us! I know we can use it!
Be Well!!
Friday, June 23, 2006
Freaky Friday...
Aren’t words weird? I guess that’s why I like them so much! Take the word Freak for instance…when I typed it just now…I meant that today is a weird Friday…strange..out of the ordinary. When I was a teenager…a Freak referred to a person who did lots of drugs…oddly enough…Freaks were considered to be totally trustworthy, dependable, and ‘good people’. I guess this was primarily because of their own level of paranoia…towards ‘the man’. Anyone who had such a dislike for authority…could definitely be trusted…right? Interestingly…two of the definitions that Webster gives us are ‘a person who uses illicit drugs’ and ‘HIPPIE’. There are lots of kinds of Freaks though…circus freaks…freaks of nature…mall freaks…
Well…I just got a call from my dad. The news is bad…there is a tumor on my step mom’s spine that is pinching it. They are rushing her to Tulsa now in order to begin radiation ASAP. So far…a treatment today, another one first thing tomorrow…and we don’t know what from there. On top of everything else…she fell off the porch after arriving home late last night. My dad’s voice kept breaking…which broke my heart.
Please pray for them.
Be Well
Well…I just got a call from my dad. The news is bad…there is a tumor on my step mom’s spine that is pinching it. They are rushing her to Tulsa now in order to begin radiation ASAP. So far…a treatment today, another one first thing tomorrow…and we don’t know what from there. On top of everything else…she fell off the porch after arriving home late last night. My dad’s voice kept breaking…which broke my heart.
Please pray for them.
Be Well
Thursday...
8:00-This morning is starting out strangely…apparently we have a new cleaning crew and things are amiss…and a missing…
9:00-Reports and tickets are finished, all without incident. However, voices are raised and there is trouble in the air…! Holy cow…door slamming has begun. At least it isn’t directed at me this time. That is a good thing…if it ever is again…I will walk. Like Sweet Baby James says “The walkin man (woman) walks…!”
1:41-Lunch was good. I had another Heavenly Snow today. Creamy Coconut flavor and Ice Cream flavor, poured over crushed ice, really was heavenly! I now have a punch card with 4 holes punched! After 9…I get a regular free…after 12 I get a large free!! Cool beans! I have only actually been there 3 times…but, (hold on to your hat), Wednesdays are double punch days!! Yea!!
I drove back to work and sat in the car eating my ice…reading my book…and letting the sun warm me! It was fabulous! I kept my phone within easy reach…but no calls from anyone desiring to hire a crazy woman.
2:45-The call to hire a crazy woman came…but…they wanted to pay her less than she is making now…so…she will wait for another call.
3:00-This entire day has been one long succession of closed door meetings and attorney conference calls. My question at this point would be, “How many meetings does it take to screw a partner?” I’m sure the answer will be forthcoming.
Be Well!
9:00-Reports and tickets are finished, all without incident. However, voices are raised and there is trouble in the air…! Holy cow…door slamming has begun. At least it isn’t directed at me this time. That is a good thing…if it ever is again…I will walk. Like Sweet Baby James says “The walkin man (woman) walks…!”
1:41-Lunch was good. I had another Heavenly Snow today. Creamy Coconut flavor and Ice Cream flavor, poured over crushed ice, really was heavenly! I now have a punch card with 4 holes punched! After 9…I get a regular free…after 12 I get a large free!! Cool beans! I have only actually been there 3 times…but, (hold on to your hat), Wednesdays are double punch days!! Yea!!
I drove back to work and sat in the car eating my ice…reading my book…and letting the sun warm me! It was fabulous! I kept my phone within easy reach…but no calls from anyone desiring to hire a crazy woman.
2:45-The call to hire a crazy woman came…but…they wanted to pay her less than she is making now…so…she will wait for another call.
3:00-This entire day has been one long succession of closed door meetings and attorney conference calls. My question at this point would be, “How many meetings does it take to screw a partner?” I’m sure the answer will be forthcoming.
Be Well!
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Another day...another 50 cents...
Morning reports are finished…waiting for copies to be faxed in from a wayward broker to complete tickets. So far it is a quiet morning…but that can change in an instant.
The sky is not cloudy…but it is a bit hazy…almost overcast. I am anxious to go to the post office this morning…
I had hoped that during the post office run, I could return a call to a prospective employer who left a message on my home phone last night…alas…I got his voice mail at 10:00 and again at 1:15. I guess I will wait until Wednesday to try again…I don’t want to irritate him before I ever meet him.
I took a bond bid downtown this afternoon, then went on to the bank. The sun was shining and the breeze (about 40 mph) felt fabulous!! It was very hard to come back to work.
A customer came into the office this afternoon, and by the time he left I wanted to smack him. He was a big, loud, boisterous man. He bordered on rude, just in the way he spoke to us. His wife came in with him and she was a tiny, sweet, quiet oriental woman. He swept right by her in the hallway, and she followed meekly…like a puppy. As they sat in the broker’s office…she sat with her chair about 3 feet behind his. I wanted to march in there and pull her chair up even with his and tell him to “KNOCK IT OFF!” I realize that there are cultural differences…and she may have been doing what was comfortable to her…but she isn’t less than him…and I wish she knew it.
Be Well!
The sky is not cloudy…but it is a bit hazy…almost overcast. I am anxious to go to the post office this morning…
I had hoped that during the post office run, I could return a call to a prospective employer who left a message on my home phone last night…alas…I got his voice mail at 10:00 and again at 1:15. I guess I will wait until Wednesday to try again…I don’t want to irritate him before I ever meet him.
I took a bond bid downtown this afternoon, then went on to the bank. The sun was shining and the breeze (about 40 mph) felt fabulous!! It was very hard to come back to work.
A customer came into the office this afternoon, and by the time he left I wanted to smack him. He was a big, loud, boisterous man. He bordered on rude, just in the way he spoke to us. His wife came in with him and she was a tiny, sweet, quiet oriental woman. He swept right by her in the hallway, and she followed meekly…like a puppy. As they sat in the broker’s office…she sat with her chair about 3 feet behind his. I wanted to march in there and pull her chair up even with his and tell him to “KNOCK IT OFF!” I realize that there are cultural differences…and she may have been doing what was comfortable to her…but she isn’t less than him…and I wish she knew it.
Be Well!
Monday, June 19, 2006
Monday funk...
The day dawned dark, cloudy, and rainy…perfect for a Monday. A funk has set in…almost imperceptibly…it took over my thoughts. As I sat, typing away, I realized what was happening. Now forcing myself to smile…I am hoping that I will begin to feel a smile inside too.
The weekend was good, although it began with a trip that I had intended NOT to be an all day affair. We left Saturday around noon, to go to Ark City for ‘a few hours’…we got back home sometime around 9:00 p.m….sorry guys! Even though it took longer than we planned, it was a good trip, and we did have fun!! We laughed and talked all the way there, and all the way back, and had a good visit with everyone who we stopped to see! I always have fun when we go anywhere together!!
Church was good on Sunday, then we went to Outback Steak House for Father’s Day lunch…which was excellent! After lunch, back to our house to swim and soak up some sun for a few hours! That was really great!!
Supper was Pizza Hut delivery (not Digiorno). The kids headed home around 6:30 or so, and we spent the rest of the evening watching TV.
After talking to my dad on Saturday evening, we are concerned that my step-mother’s cancer is probably active again. She is showing a marked decline in motor skills and memory…within the past week. We knew that it would happen eventually…but it is very hard to think about. She has done so well…for so long…that we have become complacent. My heart breaks for her and for my dad…and there is not one single thing that we can do to ‘help’. This can’t be ‘helped’ or ‘fixed’, but it must be endured. She is one of the strongest people that I have ever known. In spite of everything…she always smiles, and her reply to “How are you feeling?” is always “I’m doing great!” Please pray for her and for my dad…she is the love of his life.
Be Well!
The weekend was good, although it began with a trip that I had intended NOT to be an all day affair. We left Saturday around noon, to go to Ark City for ‘a few hours’…we got back home sometime around 9:00 p.m….sorry guys! Even though it took longer than we planned, it was a good trip, and we did have fun!! We laughed and talked all the way there, and all the way back, and had a good visit with everyone who we stopped to see! I always have fun when we go anywhere together!!
Church was good on Sunday, then we went to Outback Steak House for Father’s Day lunch…which was excellent! After lunch, back to our house to swim and soak up some sun for a few hours! That was really great!!
Supper was Pizza Hut delivery (not Digiorno). The kids headed home around 6:30 or so, and we spent the rest of the evening watching TV.
After talking to my dad on Saturday evening, we are concerned that my step-mother’s cancer is probably active again. She is showing a marked decline in motor skills and memory…within the past week. We knew that it would happen eventually…but it is very hard to think about. She has done so well…for so long…that we have become complacent. My heart breaks for her and for my dad…and there is not one single thing that we can do to ‘help’. This can’t be ‘helped’ or ‘fixed’, but it must be endured. She is one of the strongest people that I have ever known. In spite of everything…she always smiles, and her reply to “How are you feeling?” is always “I’m doing great!” Please pray for her and for my dad…she is the love of his life.
Be Well!
Friday, June 16, 2006
Looking forward....
Friday! Yea!!!!!!!!!!! This has been a long week and I am NOT sorry to see it end!! Although…HORROR OF HORRORS…I forgot to wear jeans this morning. It has been suggested that I go to Wal-Mart on my lunch hour and get jeans or capri’s to wear this afternoon. My co-worker is feeling a bit out of place…she is in casual Friday jeans…and I am wearing a ‘compliance’ skirt and top with heels. I’m thinking it over.
It appears that there was only one error in all of the frantically entered tickets yesterday…and it was not mine! So…I am doing the dance of joy this morning (inside).
The pants situation was resolved…Marvin came to have lunch with me! That is always a happy thing!! And…I didn’t have to go try on clothes in a stuffy fitting room!
3:31 – Big spender gave us ½ hour off…we get to leave at 4:00…after he made sure that we weren’t going to expect to be paid for the time. I would gladly have forfeited two or three hours of pay in order to get off early…it’s not the money that bugs me. It’s the fact that we have put in a helacious week, and there isn’t even enough appreciation for the ‘over and above’ things that we have done to give us 30 minutes paid. People suck.
Oh well…it’s not going to mar my weekend!! Onward and upward!! Hopefully, news of a new job by next week! For now…on to Red Robin for dinner with the most wonderful family on earth!!!!!!!!
Be Well!
It appears that there was only one error in all of the frantically entered tickets yesterday…and it was not mine! So…I am doing the dance of joy this morning (inside).
The pants situation was resolved…Marvin came to have lunch with me! That is always a happy thing!! And…I didn’t have to go try on clothes in a stuffy fitting room!
3:31 – Big spender gave us ½ hour off…we get to leave at 4:00…after he made sure that we weren’t going to expect to be paid for the time. I would gladly have forfeited two or three hours of pay in order to get off early…it’s not the money that bugs me. It’s the fact that we have put in a helacious week, and there isn’t even enough appreciation for the ‘over and above’ things that we have done to give us 30 minutes paid. People suck.
Oh well…it’s not going to mar my weekend!! Onward and upward!! Hopefully, news of a new job by next week! For now…on to Red Robin for dinner with the most wonderful family on earth!!!!!!!!
Be Well!
Thursday, June 15, 2006
The Two Stooges Mail a Package....
What a day! This morning started out slow…then…bam! It hit like diarrhea at 3 a.m.! It all started about 12:45…by the time it ended at 3:10, we had done 32 bond ,order entry tickets. It was all so fast and furious (about half of them weren’t set up yet), that I am terrified to find out (tomorrow) what kind of error rate we had. Thus far…only one MSRB report has resulted…and that was just to confirm what seemed, to them, to be a questionable date…but it was correct. By 9:00 a.m. Friday…we will know for sure. If there were errors…there will be a conference in the aisle…with the ever popular ‘now ladies…we cannot make errors!’ speech. If there are no errors…if we did everything perfectly…not one word will be said. Sad huh?
Lunch was hurried today…I took a faulty toner cartridge back to the re-packer and picked up a new one, then went over to a packaging store to have my dad’s father’s day gift boxed, and mailed to him. I still had about 20 minutes of lunch time left, so I stopped at Target and bought a skirt (yes…it is my third ‘compliance’ skirt this week), and a pair of slides (gasp)…I have been having shoe withdrawal. I got back to work with 5 minutes to spare!
The trip to the packaging store was rather amusing…it could have been entitled…”The Two Stooges Mail a Package.”
I walked into the store, and went directly to the card rack to select a Father’s Day card to enclose with the gift, then took my place in line. While I waited, I scribbled a quick note inside the card, then put it into the envelope and sealed it.
My turn came, and I handed the man behind the counter a three foot long, wooden airplane propeller, with a clock in the middle. He took it to a table, backed away a bit and sized up the situation. I watched as he selected a long, skinny box, then took the propeller and the box to the bubble wrap dispenser. After some speculation, he decided on the bubble wrap with the huge bubbles and began to wind it around the propeller like there was no tomorrow.
“That sucker is never going to fit into that box.” I thought as I watched.
Having used at least two yards of the stuff…he finally taped the edges down, picked up the box, and attempted to stuff it in. Twice, he looked up over the top of his glasses to see if I was watching, then he laughed one of those “I’m such an idiot” laughs (which I actually invented), then he took the whole thing to the shrink wrap table and girdled in all that bubble wrap with shrink wrap! The look of victory on his face was priceless! After several minutes of pushing and tucking, the propeller was in the box! He then cut the box down in length (it was about 8 inches too long), and taped the whole thing shut, with massive amounts of 3” wide tape.
Time for the label now…
“Name?” he asked.
“V….. S……..” I replied, then spelled it out for him.
“Address?” he asked.
“Mine?” I asked.
“Yes…” he said. So I gave him mine.
“To…” he answered. So I gave him my dads address, then I gave him my dad’s name…spelling it out also.
“Who’s that?” he asked.
“Uh…my dad.” I replied…wondering what business it was of his.
“That address should be in our database…” he said.
“Excuse me…?” I said.
“Well…your name was here…” he mumbled, staring at the screen.
“Okay, I’m not sure what we’ve done…but my address is…..and his is…..and I want to send this to HIM.” I offered.
“Ahhh…” he replied, “I see..okay.”
Finally finishing the label, he announced the cost, I wrote him a check, and as I handed it to him he saw the envelope in my hand.
“Did you want that to go with the package?” he asked.
I was struggling not to double over laughing at the ridiculosity of this situation.
“Yeah…could you put it inside?” I asked…my face almost straight.
He turned to look at the finished product…in all it’s taped up glory…and I have to hand it to him…he did good!
“Sure…” he said, “not a problem!” He then picked up the box, slit the end open, stuffed in the envelope and taped it all up again!
Tomorrow sometime, my dad will receive the ugliest package ever sent…with enough tape around it to secure all the noses on Mt Rushmore, and enough bubble wrap to protect his entire house…the next time it hails! Happy Father’s Day!!
Be Well!
Lunch was hurried today…I took a faulty toner cartridge back to the re-packer and picked up a new one, then went over to a packaging store to have my dad’s father’s day gift boxed, and mailed to him. I still had about 20 minutes of lunch time left, so I stopped at Target and bought a skirt (yes…it is my third ‘compliance’ skirt this week), and a pair of slides (gasp)…I have been having shoe withdrawal. I got back to work with 5 minutes to spare!
The trip to the packaging store was rather amusing…it could have been entitled…”The Two Stooges Mail a Package.”
I walked into the store, and went directly to the card rack to select a Father’s Day card to enclose with the gift, then took my place in line. While I waited, I scribbled a quick note inside the card, then put it into the envelope and sealed it.
My turn came, and I handed the man behind the counter a three foot long, wooden airplane propeller, with a clock in the middle. He took it to a table, backed away a bit and sized up the situation. I watched as he selected a long, skinny box, then took the propeller and the box to the bubble wrap dispenser. After some speculation, he decided on the bubble wrap with the huge bubbles and began to wind it around the propeller like there was no tomorrow.
“That sucker is never going to fit into that box.” I thought as I watched.
Having used at least two yards of the stuff…he finally taped the edges down, picked up the box, and attempted to stuff it in. Twice, he looked up over the top of his glasses to see if I was watching, then he laughed one of those “I’m such an idiot” laughs (which I actually invented), then he took the whole thing to the shrink wrap table and girdled in all that bubble wrap with shrink wrap! The look of victory on his face was priceless! After several minutes of pushing and tucking, the propeller was in the box! He then cut the box down in length (it was about 8 inches too long), and taped the whole thing shut, with massive amounts of 3” wide tape.
Time for the label now…
“Name?” he asked.
“V….. S……..” I replied, then spelled it out for him.
“Address?” he asked.
“Mine?” I asked.
“Yes…” he said. So I gave him mine.
“To…” he answered. So I gave him my dads address, then I gave him my dad’s name…spelling it out also.
“Who’s that?” he asked.
“Uh…my dad.” I replied…wondering what business it was of his.
“That address should be in our database…” he said.
“Excuse me…?” I said.
“Well…your name was here…” he mumbled, staring at the screen.
“Okay, I’m not sure what we’ve done…but my address is…..and his is…..and I want to send this to HIM.” I offered.
“Ahhh…” he replied, “I see..okay.”
Finally finishing the label, he announced the cost, I wrote him a check, and as I handed it to him he saw the envelope in my hand.
“Did you want that to go with the package?” he asked.
I was struggling not to double over laughing at the ridiculosity of this situation.
“Yeah…could you put it inside?” I asked…my face almost straight.
He turned to look at the finished product…in all it’s taped up glory…and I have to hand it to him…he did good!
“Sure…” he said, “not a problem!” He then picked up the box, slit the end open, stuffed in the envelope and taped it all up again!
Tomorrow sometime, my dad will receive the ugliest package ever sent…with enough tape around it to secure all the noses on Mt Rushmore, and enough bubble wrap to protect his entire house…the next time it hails! Happy Father’s Day!!
Be Well!
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Sweet Baby James...
The drive to work was nice this morning…James Taylor sang my blues away as the sunshine warmed my arms. I am dressed totally in compliance with her highnesses wishes today. Of course…I look like a dork. My co-worker came in somewhat distressed…hoping she wouldn’t be in violation. She spent the evening worrying about her wardrobe…I spent it buying additions to mine. I feel like sending someone a bill.
Onward and upward…! Today is the first day of the rest of my life…and the first day of what will most likely be a long and frustrating search…so it begins! My resume is in the hands of a professional, and I will proceed from there. I am encouraged this morning by a magnet on my pencil holder that states the following:
“You can’t make footprints in the sands of time if you’re sitting on your butt. And who wants to make butt prints in the sands of time?”
(Thank you Bob Moawad)
So…off my butt (so to speak), and on my feet! Even though I feel a sense of relief at having made the decision to move on…words can’t describe the dread…or the knot in my stomach. There is always the possibility of jumping out of the frying pan…into the fire. Having seen the trouble that Marvin had getting another job…I am also concerned about how long I will sit here in the frying pan. But…I am ‘borrowing trouble’ as grandma would say…so…here’s to positive thinking!
Be Well!
Onward and upward…! Today is the first day of the rest of my life…and the first day of what will most likely be a long and frustrating search…so it begins! My resume is in the hands of a professional, and I will proceed from there. I am encouraged this morning by a magnet on my pencil holder that states the following:
“You can’t make footprints in the sands of time if you’re sitting on your butt. And who wants to make butt prints in the sands of time?”
(Thank you Bob Moawad)
So…off my butt (so to speak), and on my feet! Even though I feel a sense of relief at having made the decision to move on…words can’t describe the dread…or the knot in my stomach. There is always the possibility of jumping out of the frying pan…into the fire. Having seen the trouble that Marvin had getting another job…I am also concerned about how long I will sit here in the frying pan. But…I am ‘borrowing trouble’ as grandma would say…so…here’s to positive thinking!
Be Well!
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
The pit bull bites again...
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.
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.
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!
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