B. and I headed to the bank today to open his first checking account. It was a long, drawn out process - his savings account (which we've had since he was a baby) had to be closed and a new one opened when we realized that the account had somehow been included in the family trust - which is not right. So that piece took a bit longer. We finally were successful. He will get his own ATM card, his own checkbook and (eventually) set up his paychecks to go in via Direct Deposit. Because we linked the account to our accounts, he received an upgraded account with no fees. I'm not sure he was 'happy' to have me on the account with him (not on the checks - just on the account) but when I told him that it would be much easier for us to transfer money to him if I was on the account with him, he said he understood. So that's what we did. Guess the thought of getting cash from your family outweighs the desire for independence.
The account opening was certainly a milestone. He will turn 18 in January - the first among his friends to reach that milestone. I have thought of a couple MAJOR ways to celebrate - but since we are limiting expenditures, it's hard to know what to do. We will host a party of some kind - though his winter birthday is always a challenge. We may take him and some of his closest friends snowboarding for a weekend. We'll see.
Now comes the hard part - teaching him to balance his checkbook; enter his expenditures in the register. His questions made it pretty clear that he has no clue how to manage his money. I guess I didn't expect him to - and yet, the differences between boys and girls is so evident. I had my own checking account when I was 16 - and my mom never had to help me with it. Never. But boys are different....so different. The attention to detail is just not as natural for them as it is for girls, I think.
His first check written will be to pay for his monthly gym membership. And possibly his phone bill - we're negotiating that, still.
Wow. My baby's going to be an adult soon.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Seeing the Light
I talked to my former boss today - in itself, a rare and wonderful event. The guy never answers his phone - 'cuz he's rarely in his office. But I caught him at the end of the day and a conversation commenced...he's the greatest!
He informed me that he, the most dedicated, long-term Republican EVER voted for Obama! It was Palin that put him over the edge - that she was the candidate for VP. And then he said that a mutual friend - ANOTHER staunch Republican we both know ALSO voted for Obama.
There was much rejoicing in my office! I told him I'm so proud of him!! Yeah.
I feel hope ~~~~
He informed me that he, the most dedicated, long-term Republican EVER voted for Obama! It was Palin that put him over the edge - that she was the candidate for VP. And then he said that a mutual friend - ANOTHER staunch Republican we both know ALSO voted for Obama.
There was much rejoicing in my office! I told him I'm so proud of him!! Yeah.
I feel hope ~~~~
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Checking
I lost another checkbook. I shouldn't say that so 'matter of fact-ly'...so resigned to acknowledge that me and checkbooks have a long history of mishaps. I really blame it on technology - how we so rarely write checks these days. Most bills are paid automatically electronically. Money zips out and in via the stratosphere and I rarely have to sign the document anymore. I sort of miss those 'old' days since I love writing checks. Don't ask me why. I rarely carry the checkbook in my purse, but I did - and my current theory is that someone grabbed it out of my purse while I was out and about last week. Not sure...but that's my theory.
Anyway, we realized about this time yesterday morning that someone had our checkbook. The clue was a check that cleared for $108. A check that I had written for $108 and left in the checkbook. Unsigned. No payee. No date. In hindsight, I don't even remember what I was writing that check for - and I didn't complete it and left it in the checkbook. J. recalls it being there because he wrote a check and entered the sequential number in the register and then realized 'oh, wait - she's used that check and here it is'. I don't know what I was thinking.
The check cleared our account over the weekend - $108. There's a signature and an account number on the back - so we'll see if they can actually find the person who used the check. In the mean time, we had to go to the bank last night to open a new account pronto. There are bills to pay. Direct deposits coming in. Etc, etc.
The banker at the office was very nice and helpful - and only slightly irritating. She said 'why do you think it was fraud'. I said 'um, because the check isn't signed'. She said 'who was the payee?'
I said 'there was no payee - that's the point. No payee, no signature. Look at the check online'. Which resulted in a 'oh'. I said 'I should be asking you how your bank let that check hit our account'. She had no reply for that one.
She also tried to 'follow the procedure' and update all our personal information. Now, we've banked with this institution for over two decades. My husband has worked for this institution for over three decades. When she started asking me (not J. - because he's an employee and they won't pry into an employees business) things like our mortgage balance, our equity line balance, etc. I said 'no, I'm not going to answer those things. I don't need to be sold products from this bank 'cuz he works for the bank and we know all about what's available. No, I'm not giving you all that information. I just want to open a new checking account'. She said 'it's just procedure. I need to do my job'. I said 'you are doing a great job and I decline to answer those questions'. End of discussion.
Over an hour later, we left with a new account.
I now have two full boxes of really pretty checks that I will have to shred. We get free checks - and I typically just use the free checks. But every once in awhile, I like to splurge on 'pretty' checks, which I did. Just before I lost the checkbook (again). Damn. It seems like splurging on pretty checks is the nail in the checkbook coffin. I'm pretty sure this happened last time I bought pretty checks. Damn flowers. I'm sticking with boring 'blue safety' from now on. They're free. They're not inspiring or uplifting - but their functional and free. Free is good.
Anyway, we realized about this time yesterday morning that someone had our checkbook. The clue was a check that cleared for $108. A check that I had written for $108 and left in the checkbook. Unsigned. No payee. No date. In hindsight, I don't even remember what I was writing that check for - and I didn't complete it and left it in the checkbook. J. recalls it being there because he wrote a check and entered the sequential number in the register and then realized 'oh, wait - she's used that check and here it is'. I don't know what I was thinking.
The check cleared our account over the weekend - $108. There's a signature and an account number on the back - so we'll see if they can actually find the person who used the check. In the mean time, we had to go to the bank last night to open a new account pronto. There are bills to pay. Direct deposits coming in. Etc, etc.
The banker at the office was very nice and helpful - and only slightly irritating. She said 'why do you think it was fraud'. I said 'um, because the check isn't signed'. She said 'who was the payee?'
I said 'there was no payee - that's the point. No payee, no signature. Look at the check online'. Which resulted in a 'oh'. I said 'I should be asking you how your bank let that check hit our account'. She had no reply for that one.
She also tried to 'follow the procedure' and update all our personal information. Now, we've banked with this institution for over two decades. My husband has worked for this institution for over three decades. When she started asking me (not J. - because he's an employee and they won't pry into an employees business) things like our mortgage balance, our equity line balance, etc. I said 'no, I'm not going to answer those things. I don't need to be sold products from this bank 'cuz he works for the bank and we know all about what's available. No, I'm not giving you all that information. I just want to open a new checking account'. She said 'it's just procedure. I need to do my job'. I said 'you are doing a great job and I decline to answer those questions'. End of discussion.
Over an hour later, we left with a new account.
I now have two full boxes of really pretty checks that I will have to shred. We get free checks - and I typically just use the free checks. But every once in awhile, I like to splurge on 'pretty' checks, which I did. Just before I lost the checkbook (again). Damn. It seems like splurging on pretty checks is the nail in the checkbook coffin. I'm pretty sure this happened last time I bought pretty checks. Damn flowers. I'm sticking with boring 'blue safety' from now on. They're free. They're not inspiring or uplifting - but their functional and free. Free is good.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Choice
One of the ballot measures we Californians are considering is Proposition 8, now titled 'Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry'. It was originally titled 'California Marriage Protection Act'. This proposition would eliminate the right of same sex couples to marry in California. The title was changed by our State's Attorney General "to more accurately reflect the measure" and was also supported by the Supreme Court - the same Supreme Court who agreed that same sex couples unequivocally have the constitutional right to marry in this State.
Now, I know this is a controversial proposition - and I know many of the people reading may possibly never read again once I've expressed my view. I don't want to offend anyone. We are all certainly entitled to our strongly held personal opinions. I have mine. You have yours. Let's agree we may not agree and agree to just listen.
Our church is working hard on community outreach. Our pastor has created two positions for 'church planting' - going out into our community and reaching out to people who need hope. Who are looking for a faith home to feel welcome in. It's working. Our Sunday crowd is growing and the people attending cross all economic sectors and all races. It's wonderful. I love it. I love that it's working and people are coming to Jesus. And those individuals coming to our services include some gay couples... which I also love. I have many friends who are gay. I love the diversity of our State and our progressive views on things like people choosing to love who they love - regardless of gender.
So it's upsetting to me to hear that our Pastor is encouraging people to vote 'Yes' on Proposition 8 - which if the 'yes' votes prevail, will eliminate the ability of same-sex couples to marry. Set aside your feelings of 'yuck' (if that's the reaction you have thinking of same-sex couples) and realize that what this Proposition is basically about is rights. It's about the right to legally make your partner your legal partner - with all the legal protections that designation allows. Without it, they cannot make decisions for each other in times of crisis. They cannot protect their loved one from financial ruin in the event of death. They are just asking to have the same legal rights as any married couple. Oh, and they are simply asking for the right to publicly declare they will be with each other for the rest of their lives. What is possibly wrong with that?
It has bothered me so much that I honestly have been avoiding church lately. I personally don't think Jesus cares....I think He, of ALL people, would want people to love who they love. That's what we've taught our kids. When they would come home from preschool saying 'Sara says her mom says that two ladies who love each other are from Mars', we would reply 'well, that's not true - and in this family, we think people can love whomever they choose. It's love that's important. Not the gender of the persons in love'. It's what I believe in my core. With all my heart. And it breaks my heart to find out that the Pastor that has changed my view of Jesus and faith is now also encouraging our entire congregation to vote 'yes' on the Proposition that will eliminate the right that allows ANY COUPLE - including same sex couples - in our State to marry.
I don't think the measure will pass. I think we are a very, VERY progressively thinking State and I think the majority of our voters support the rights of couples to marry. Period. But I know that clearly, our church - or at least, our church leader - doesn't. And I'm not sure how to wrap my head around that right now.
J. and I have talked a lot about it. When we joined the church, the 'what are your feelings on homosexuality' was not a question we asked. And I told J. 'I didn't ask because I think I knew the answer - and I loved the church and loved the belonging and loved the people - so I didn't ask 'cuz once I asked, I'd know - and I would probably have to decide to not attend there'.
So I'm on the fence about the church part. I still go. And I still love our pastor - an amazing man who loves Jesus and God more than anyone I've ever met. He is still amazing. But I don't want to welcome people into our church home who then feel offended at being there. How can we welcome EVERYONE and then say 'but we don't think you deserve the legal protection and the right to marry each other? But hey, Jesus loves you and so do we'? It just feels hypocritical. And I'm really wrestling with it.
Now, I know this is a controversial proposition - and I know many of the people reading may possibly never read again once I've expressed my view. I don't want to offend anyone. We are all certainly entitled to our strongly held personal opinions. I have mine. You have yours. Let's agree we may not agree and agree to just listen.
Our church is working hard on community outreach. Our pastor has created two positions for 'church planting' - going out into our community and reaching out to people who need hope. Who are looking for a faith home to feel welcome in. It's working. Our Sunday crowd is growing and the people attending cross all economic sectors and all races. It's wonderful. I love it. I love that it's working and people are coming to Jesus. And those individuals coming to our services include some gay couples... which I also love. I have many friends who are gay. I love the diversity of our State and our progressive views on things like people choosing to love who they love - regardless of gender.
So it's upsetting to me to hear that our Pastor is encouraging people to vote 'Yes' on Proposition 8 - which if the 'yes' votes prevail, will eliminate the ability of same-sex couples to marry. Set aside your feelings of 'yuck' (if that's the reaction you have thinking of same-sex couples) and realize that what this Proposition is basically about is rights. It's about the right to legally make your partner your legal partner - with all the legal protections that designation allows. Without it, they cannot make decisions for each other in times of crisis. They cannot protect their loved one from financial ruin in the event of death. They are just asking to have the same legal rights as any married couple. Oh, and they are simply asking for the right to publicly declare they will be with each other for the rest of their lives. What is possibly wrong with that?
It has bothered me so much that I honestly have been avoiding church lately. I personally don't think Jesus cares....I think He, of ALL people, would want people to love who they love. That's what we've taught our kids. When they would come home from preschool saying 'Sara says her mom says that two ladies who love each other are from Mars', we would reply 'well, that's not true - and in this family, we think people can love whomever they choose. It's love that's important. Not the gender of the persons in love'. It's what I believe in my core. With all my heart. And it breaks my heart to find out that the Pastor that has changed my view of Jesus and faith is now also encouraging our entire congregation to vote 'yes' on the Proposition that will eliminate the right that allows ANY COUPLE - including same sex couples - in our State to marry.
I don't think the measure will pass. I think we are a very, VERY progressively thinking State and I think the majority of our voters support the rights of couples to marry. Period. But I know that clearly, our church - or at least, our church leader - doesn't. And I'm not sure how to wrap my head around that right now.
J. and I have talked a lot about it. When we joined the church, the 'what are your feelings on homosexuality' was not a question we asked. And I told J. 'I didn't ask because I think I knew the answer - and I loved the church and loved the belonging and loved the people - so I didn't ask 'cuz once I asked, I'd know - and I would probably have to decide to not attend there'.
So I'm on the fence about the church part. I still go. And I still love our pastor - an amazing man who loves Jesus and God more than anyone I've ever met. He is still amazing. But I don't want to welcome people into our church home who then feel offended at being there. How can we welcome EVERYONE and then say 'but we don't think you deserve the legal protection and the right to marry each other? But hey, Jesus loves you and so do we'? It just feels hypocritical. And I'm really wrestling with it.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Shock
I recently learned that friends of ours have lost their home. H. is good friends with the son - and H. helped them move into their 'new' home. The story was 'oh, they are moving into a better house just down the street from their old house'. And 'they're holding onto their old house for awhile'. It didn't seem implausible - though it did seem suspicious. I sort of thought at the time 'I hope they are OK'. But H. kept saying 'so now they have two homes'.
The father of this family died a couple years ago. And it didn't seem too off the wall that perhaps the insurance money, etc. was enough to snap up a 2nd property - prices are so low, and all.
But sadly, that is not what happened. The wife is working 4 jobs trying to keep up - and somehow got into an adjustable loan that adjusted to a payment she can't afford on her own. It's so sad.
The thing that really bothers me the most is this: this wonderful lady treats H. as her own. H. had been eating there a few nights each week. I commented to H. once 'honey, it's expensive to feed a bunch of teen boys - you need to eat at home'. He said 'Mom, she loves to feed us - it's what she does. She loves it. She doesn't mind'.
And now I find out that she was losing her home - struggling to make ends meet.
We aren't in a position to offer much help. I wish we could. I wish we could pay off her mortgage so she could stay in the home she and her husband bought together. Though that house is also the house where her husband died - getting a load of laundry out of the dryer one morning. He had a massive heart attack and died in minutes....so maybe moving out of that home is a good thing. Still, I wish we were in a position to help her somehow.
My current plan includes mailing Safeway gift cards anonymously - as many as I can afford. Anything I can do to help her out. She is a wonderful person, a wonderful mother. And a great friend. And most of her friends have absolutely no idea that she moved because she's walking away from a mortgage she can't afford. She didn't buy a 2nd home. She's walking away from her home and renting another. And doing her best to make a home for her teenage son while he adjusts to life without his dad, who was his best-est best friend.
It's so sad. She's a casualty of this economy - of few jobs. Higher expenses. And unscrupulous lenders who took advantage of her. We will do what we can to help her, without her knowing it's us. It's the least we can do.
And I make H. come home when he's over there at dinner time. She shouldn't have to feed my son. Even though I know it gives her joy to do it, it also is money out of her pocket that she just can't do right now. And she won't let us reciprocate in any obvious way - so I'm going to send gift cards...as often as I can. Her groceries can be on us for a couple months. At least.
The father of this family died a couple years ago. And it didn't seem too off the wall that perhaps the insurance money, etc. was enough to snap up a 2nd property - prices are so low, and all.
But sadly, that is not what happened. The wife is working 4 jobs trying to keep up - and somehow got into an adjustable loan that adjusted to a payment she can't afford on her own. It's so sad.
The thing that really bothers me the most is this: this wonderful lady treats H. as her own. H. had been eating there a few nights each week. I commented to H. once 'honey, it's expensive to feed a bunch of teen boys - you need to eat at home'. He said 'Mom, she loves to feed us - it's what she does. She loves it. She doesn't mind'.
And now I find out that she was losing her home - struggling to make ends meet.
We aren't in a position to offer much help. I wish we could. I wish we could pay off her mortgage so she could stay in the home she and her husband bought together. Though that house is also the house where her husband died - getting a load of laundry out of the dryer one morning. He had a massive heart attack and died in minutes....so maybe moving out of that home is a good thing. Still, I wish we were in a position to help her somehow.
My current plan includes mailing Safeway gift cards anonymously - as many as I can afford. Anything I can do to help her out. She is a wonderful person, a wonderful mother. And a great friend. And most of her friends have absolutely no idea that she moved because she's walking away from a mortgage she can't afford. She didn't buy a 2nd home. She's walking away from her home and renting another. And doing her best to make a home for her teenage son while he adjusts to life without his dad, who was his best-est best friend.
It's so sad. She's a casualty of this economy - of few jobs. Higher expenses. And unscrupulous lenders who took advantage of her. We will do what we can to help her, without her knowing it's us. It's the least we can do.
And I make H. come home when he's over there at dinner time. She shouldn't have to feed my son. Even though I know it gives her joy to do it, it also is money out of her pocket that she just can't do right now. And she won't let us reciprocate in any obvious way - so I'm going to send gift cards...as often as I can. Her groceries can be on us for a couple months. At least.
Cooking
I shocked the heck out of the entire family by cooking a 'Sunday dinner' on a Saturday. I'm going through a 'live off the land' and 'don't spend any money' phase - so I cooked baked chicken, stuffing, broccoli and ...believe it or not...baked a devil's food cake. No occasion. Just had a cake mix and decided we didn't need a special occasion to bake a cake. It's Saturday and we were all home for dinner - isn't that special enough?
Of course, son #1 didn't bother to come downstairs and eat when we called him. And son #2 was at a friends house and came home after J. and I had already eaten. I think my cooking will 'draw' everyone together and create family moments. It doesn't. The only thing that would have gotten them together was if we'd gone out - and since I'm really buckling down on the expenditure budget, we are not eating out every weekend. Once a month - possibly twice. That's it. A night or two of pizza and Subway when I have a Board meeting or a late night. But our days of eating out weekly are over....for awhile.
The boys are both spending the night elsewhere. We have no plans tomorrow other than a trip to Costco and me continuing to work on my desk.
I have completely and totally done absolutely no work - never even went in for my laptop. Feels kind of good to have really taken a 'vacation'. Enjoyed my time at home just piddling around. No huge accomplishments but got a few things done. It was great to sleep in a bit each morning and spend time at home, alone.
I did the practical things and cancelled the Disneyland reservation. Didn't want to - but realized that going into debt is not the answer...and we actually have 'charged' a bit this month that we will have to carry for a few months - the family pictures, wedding trip, etc. - and that's my 'limit' on the revolving debt I'm willing to rack up. The economy is freakishly scary and I just can't handle the uncertainty....so practicality won out. I knew it would. I'm careful.
Last night was another snack bar night and J. graciously helped us out - we were short handed last night. It was fun - but exhausting. J. enjoyed it so much, he's volunteered for our next two games - in two weeks, and then another one the next week. If the team makes the playoffs, we'll be working an extra game or two. We've done a very good job and have raised a lot of money for the ASB athletics group fund for the high school. And we've had fun doing it. It's been great! I did leave after 4.5 hours yesterday - and felt a tad guilty but then thought 'hey, I brought another set of hands so that counts for 9 hours of contribution'. Someone said 'but M., it's half time' (as I was leaving). I said 'I know - but I'm not staying. I'm done'. I was getting stiff and sore and was positively determined to not repeat the agony of the last game. I didn't want to spend my weekend in bed. And I haven't - felt pretty good today - not too sore and have some energy.
I'm catching up on all the shows I've taped - watching Dirty, Sexy Money tonight. Heading to bed shortly. Tomorrow is errands, tidying up around here and preparing to return to work. Will be diving in head first Monday morning - much to do, as always,
Of course, son #1 didn't bother to come downstairs and eat when we called him. And son #2 was at a friends house and came home after J. and I had already eaten. I think my cooking will 'draw' everyone together and create family moments. It doesn't. The only thing that would have gotten them together was if we'd gone out - and since I'm really buckling down on the expenditure budget, we are not eating out every weekend. Once a month - possibly twice. That's it. A night or two of pizza and Subway when I have a Board meeting or a late night. But our days of eating out weekly are over....for awhile.
The boys are both spending the night elsewhere. We have no plans tomorrow other than a trip to Costco and me continuing to work on my desk.
I have completely and totally done absolutely no work - never even went in for my laptop. Feels kind of good to have really taken a 'vacation'. Enjoyed my time at home just piddling around. No huge accomplishments but got a few things done. It was great to sleep in a bit each morning and spend time at home, alone.
I did the practical things and cancelled the Disneyland reservation. Didn't want to - but realized that going into debt is not the answer...and we actually have 'charged' a bit this month that we will have to carry for a few months - the family pictures, wedding trip, etc. - and that's my 'limit' on the revolving debt I'm willing to rack up. The economy is freakishly scary and I just can't handle the uncertainty....so practicality won out. I knew it would. I'm careful.
Last night was another snack bar night and J. graciously helped us out - we were short handed last night. It was fun - but exhausting. J. enjoyed it so much, he's volunteered for our next two games - in two weeks, and then another one the next week. If the team makes the playoffs, we'll be working an extra game or two. We've done a very good job and have raised a lot of money for the ASB athletics group fund for the high school. And we've had fun doing it. It's been great! I did leave after 4.5 hours yesterday - and felt a tad guilty but then thought 'hey, I brought another set of hands so that counts for 9 hours of contribution'. Someone said 'but M., it's half time' (as I was leaving). I said 'I know - but I'm not staying. I'm done'. I was getting stiff and sore and was positively determined to not repeat the agony of the last game. I didn't want to spend my weekend in bed. And I haven't - felt pretty good today - not too sore and have some energy.
I'm catching up on all the shows I've taped - watching Dirty, Sexy Money tonight. Heading to bed shortly. Tomorrow is errands, tidying up around here and preparing to return to work. Will be diving in head first Monday morning - much to do, as always,
Friday, October 24, 2008
Memento
One of the things I purchased on my IKEA odyssey in Phoenix this past weekend were two rectangle baskets - one in blue and one in yellow. My 'vision' was to replace the broken, messy Mexican ceramic fish bowl on the boys' bathroom counter with two baskets - one for each son - to store their 'stuff' in.
Sadly, only one basket will fit where the fish bowl resided. It was hard to toss that bowl - but it's chipped and broken. Which prompted the basket purchase. And then, on closer inspection, I realized it's also disgustingly gross. Congealed, dried hair gels, with various 'things' stuck in it - like hair clips (mine), hair ties (mine), various caps from products long since removed (toothpaste tops, acne medicine caps, etc.) - all rock solid stuck to the bowl. So I happily tossed it, since keeping it would mean working way too hard to get those things unstuck. I just don't have the impetus for that...not today, not on vacation...not any day in the foreseeable future. That's 5-10 minutes of my life I would never get back - so I passed. Now, there's one basket with various products - and other things - on the counter.
Next, I'm searching for something for each son to store their growing earring collection in. That's a sentence I never imagined writing when I had babies. But they have pierced ears (both boys, both ears) and there is an assortment of earrings, and earring backs all over the place as well - and that needs to be contained somehow. Possibly The Container Store - just two small clear plastic boxes with lids would do the trick. I could find something 'cuter' or 'prettier' - but they are boys and don't give a hoot about aesthetics. I'll prettify the bathroom a bit when they've moved out. For now, it's a boys bathroom....
One of the things I put back in the basket is a travel size Soft & Dri deodorant. It made it's way home with H. when he went to the snowboard camp in Oregon a couple summer's ago (the summer B. went to Europe, H. went to a camp on Mt. Hood which has year round snow. I kid you not). Anyway...this deodorant returned with him - and he will not allow me to toss it. He certainly isn't using it - it's a girl's product, for sure. But when I inquire about 'hey, can we toss this now?', his eyes get a little softer and he says, with a smile, 'no'.
Now, I know there's a memory attached to that deodorant. Possibly a first kiss? A first something (which I'd rather not think about/know about since he was only 13 at the time and anything but kissing is not something I'm up to acknowledging - certainly not). It had to be a first kiss....
Someday, I hope he'll tell me about the memory attached to that Soft & Dri. Someday.
For now, it's in the basket on the bathroom counter, where he sees it daily. I leave it there. He's entitled to his memento....
Sadly, only one basket will fit where the fish bowl resided. It was hard to toss that bowl - but it's chipped and broken. Which prompted the basket purchase. And then, on closer inspection, I realized it's also disgustingly gross. Congealed, dried hair gels, with various 'things' stuck in it - like hair clips (mine), hair ties (mine), various caps from products long since removed (toothpaste tops, acne medicine caps, etc.) - all rock solid stuck to the bowl. So I happily tossed it, since keeping it would mean working way too hard to get those things unstuck. I just don't have the impetus for that...not today, not on vacation...not any day in the foreseeable future. That's 5-10 minutes of my life I would never get back - so I passed. Now, there's one basket with various products - and other things - on the counter.
Next, I'm searching for something for each son to store their growing earring collection in. That's a sentence I never imagined writing when I had babies. But they have pierced ears (both boys, both ears) and there is an assortment of earrings, and earring backs all over the place as well - and that needs to be contained somehow. Possibly The Container Store - just two small clear plastic boxes with lids would do the trick. I could find something 'cuter' or 'prettier' - but they are boys and don't give a hoot about aesthetics. I'll prettify the bathroom a bit when they've moved out. For now, it's a boys bathroom....
One of the things I put back in the basket is a travel size Soft & Dri deodorant. It made it's way home with H. when he went to the snowboard camp in Oregon a couple summer's ago (the summer B. went to Europe, H. went to a camp on Mt. Hood which has year round snow. I kid you not). Anyway...this deodorant returned with him - and he will not allow me to toss it. He certainly isn't using it - it's a girl's product, for sure. But when I inquire about 'hey, can we toss this now?', his eyes get a little softer and he says, with a smile, 'no'.
Now, I know there's a memory attached to that deodorant. Possibly a first kiss? A first something (which I'd rather not think about/know about since he was only 13 at the time and anything but kissing is not something I'm up to acknowledging - certainly not). It had to be a first kiss....
Someday, I hope he'll tell me about the memory attached to that Soft & Dri. Someday.
For now, it's in the basket on the bathroom counter, where he sees it daily. I leave it there. He's entitled to his memento....
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Demise
During brunch with friends - after our county's quarterly finance advisory meeting, a few of us decided to extend our meeting and have brunch - I mentioned that I was planning to go to Mervyn's to look for some shoes and that I'd forgotten my 15% off coupon. A friend said 'you'd better use it quickly since they're closing at the end of the year'. I was stunned. I hadn't heard anything.
This evening, while wading through the never ending stack of stuff that arrived while we were out of town, I finally (FINALLY) got the the newspaper stack and saw the headline on the Saturday paper. They are closing. Their efforts to emerge from bankruptcy were thwarted by a bad economy. And bad management.
I was pretty sure the store was heading towards the point of no return - and have been sure of that for some time. I worked there in the 80's - Mervyn's put me through college, basically - I worked full time to pay for school. I worked in the store office and then moved up to the Bay Area for the opportunity of a lifetime - a Financial Management Training program. I interviewed and was one of 3 people they offered a job to - and the only one from the stores. I moved to Hayward, CA and worked at the corporate office. For 18 months, I worked in all the different departments of the Finance division. At the end of the 18 months, I was offered a job in the credit department and accepted. It's where I started my career path - staying in the credit industry for two decades.
Anyway, the stores have changed a lot in the 20 years since I first shopped there. And while we clothed the kids there through most of their early childhoods (before they started caring about what they wore and being picky about their attire and shoes, etc.), there are very few things they will wear that Mervyn's carries. I can sometimes get them underwear and socks there...but if they see a Mervyn's bag, they will be less inclined to wear it.
It's true for me, too. I only just recently - for the first time in YEARS - found some tops that I can wear to work. I'm in my late 40's - and the target market of Mervyn's lately is most definitely not middle aged, working women. I don't wear sparkles or glitter or tight fitting tops or pants. I wear nice looking, 'business casual' clothes - not sweats. Not jeans. Mervyn's doesn't carry a lot of those items anymore. They are competing with WalMart now. That's not what I want to buy.
I feel sad for the employees - I still have friends there and they are now out of work. And it's sad for the Bay Area, where Mervyn's got their start. They are a Bay Area tradition and now, they are a sad reminder that the economy is seriously in trouble. And a reminder that often, people buy companies who know absolutely nothing about what that company does. And when that happens, the inevitable will result: once you've sold off the real estate properties you own, there's not much left. And if you've done that, and are now paying rent for your stores when people aren't shopping much, you are in deep trouble.
I've shopped there for 30 years. It's going to be sad to see them close. Especially here - near their home base. What a sad story....for all of us.
This evening, while wading through the never ending stack of stuff that arrived while we were out of town, I finally (FINALLY) got the the newspaper stack and saw the headline on the Saturday paper. They are closing. Their efforts to emerge from bankruptcy were thwarted by a bad economy. And bad management.
I was pretty sure the store was heading towards the point of no return - and have been sure of that for some time. I worked there in the 80's - Mervyn's put me through college, basically - I worked full time to pay for school. I worked in the store office and then moved up to the Bay Area for the opportunity of a lifetime - a Financial Management Training program. I interviewed and was one of 3 people they offered a job to - and the only one from the stores. I moved to Hayward, CA and worked at the corporate office. For 18 months, I worked in all the different departments of the Finance division. At the end of the 18 months, I was offered a job in the credit department and accepted. It's where I started my career path - staying in the credit industry for two decades.
Anyway, the stores have changed a lot in the 20 years since I first shopped there. And while we clothed the kids there through most of their early childhoods (before they started caring about what they wore and being picky about their attire and shoes, etc.), there are very few things they will wear that Mervyn's carries. I can sometimes get them underwear and socks there...but if they see a Mervyn's bag, they will be less inclined to wear it.
It's true for me, too. I only just recently - for the first time in YEARS - found some tops that I can wear to work. I'm in my late 40's - and the target market of Mervyn's lately is most definitely not middle aged, working women. I don't wear sparkles or glitter or tight fitting tops or pants. I wear nice looking, 'business casual' clothes - not sweats. Not jeans. Mervyn's doesn't carry a lot of those items anymore. They are competing with WalMart now. That's not what I want to buy.
I feel sad for the employees - I still have friends there and they are now out of work. And it's sad for the Bay Area, where Mervyn's got their start. They are a Bay Area tradition and now, they are a sad reminder that the economy is seriously in trouble. And a reminder that often, people buy companies who know absolutely nothing about what that company does. And when that happens, the inevitable will result: once you've sold off the real estate properties you own, there's not much left. And if you've done that, and are now paying rent for your stores when people aren't shopping much, you are in deep trouble.
I've shopped there for 30 years. It's going to be sad to see them close. Especially here - near their home base. What a sad story....for all of us.
Announcements
Holy Crap! I just spent $275 on B.'s senior package - announcements, thank you notes, cap and gown, etc. And we haven't even ordered his class ring yet. Wow.
It really isn't the money that's got me flummoxed. It's just the first real, tangible 'proof' that my baby is growing up. He will be 18 in three months - and I look at him and just think 'where did it go? When did his childhood get replaced with adulthood? Was I there? Did I witness it? 'Cuz I don't remember much about it - except he used to be the size of a loaf of bread. He used to laugh at my jokes and try so hard to make me laugh. He used to think I was the coolest person he knew - me and his dad were his best friends. Where did all that go?'.
People say 'don't worry - he'll come back'. Acknowledging that all teens pull away - and desire to be as far, far away as humanly possible. I DO remember those feelings in myself as a teen. My mom was just so 'uncool' and completely didn't understand me. I wanted to live anywhere but where I was living and wanted to live with anyone but who I was living with. I do remember those feelings. And then, somewhere along the road, my mom was my best friend for a long time, in my college years and young adult years. And I came back. So I hope all those people are right. I hope there will come a day when he will be happy to see us, happy to spend hours sharing his life with us over a cup of coffee and/or dinner now and then. I pray for that.
For now, he's excited about his future (as he should be) and looking forward to some 'new' independence at college (also as he should be). And I place the orders and pay the bills and think 'I miss my baby'. My sweet, bald-headed, blue-eyed wonder kid.
He's still all those things - he's just a lot taller and has a lot more hair. And I love him beyond words. And am so incredibly proud of him.
Graduation announcements. Wow. Just ......wow.
It really isn't the money that's got me flummoxed. It's just the first real, tangible 'proof' that my baby is growing up. He will be 18 in three months - and I look at him and just think 'where did it go? When did his childhood get replaced with adulthood? Was I there? Did I witness it? 'Cuz I don't remember much about it - except he used to be the size of a loaf of bread. He used to laugh at my jokes and try so hard to make me laugh. He used to think I was the coolest person he knew - me and his dad were his best friends. Where did all that go?'.
People say 'don't worry - he'll come back'. Acknowledging that all teens pull away - and desire to be as far, far away as humanly possible. I DO remember those feelings in myself as a teen. My mom was just so 'uncool' and completely didn't understand me. I wanted to live anywhere but where I was living and wanted to live with anyone but who I was living with. I do remember those feelings. And then, somewhere along the road, my mom was my best friend for a long time, in my college years and young adult years. And I came back. So I hope all those people are right. I hope there will come a day when he will be happy to see us, happy to spend hours sharing his life with us over a cup of coffee and/or dinner now and then. I pray for that.
For now, he's excited about his future (as he should be) and looking forward to some 'new' independence at college (also as he should be). And I place the orders and pay the bills and think 'I miss my baby'. My sweet, bald-headed, blue-eyed wonder kid.
He's still all those things - he's just a lot taller and has a lot more hair. And I love him beyond words. And am so incredibly proud of him.
Graduation announcements. Wow. Just ......wow.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Torpedo Dog
Chloe is home....as soon as she saw me at the kennel, she bounded across the lawn, ears flapping, smiling the entire way...and then launched past me in her best 'torpedo dog' fashion, running back and forth and back and forth, as fast as she could. She was so excited, she couldn't stop moving! She's a bit skinnier (which is fine 'cuz she was getting a bit pudgy) from all her exercise. The kennel owner said there were 4 dachshunds there this weekend, so Chloe had a lot of fun with her friends. She is glad to be home. Drank some water and collapsed on the floor right behind me. She won't let me out of her sight, which is sweet.
She'll likely repeat that same scenario when the boys get home from school in about 20 minutes.
She'll likely repeat that same scenario when the boys get home from school in about 20 minutes.
Home
We arrived home close to 5PM last night - a long day. We stopped for a nice 'sit-down' lunch at The Apple Shed restaurant in Tehachapi. Good food and fun. The kids played with 'brain teaser' puzzles that were on the table - and we purchased one for keeps. Another well spent $6.99 + tax, as it kept H. occupied most of the trip home. The drive was pleasant enough. Thank goodness for the new car's Sirius satellite radio - we listened to comedy stations all the way home and laughed a lot. Passed the time fairly quickly. Traffic was OK - not too bad.
We made quite a few stops at Starbucks during our weekend travels and introduced staff all over CA and AZ to the new 'gold card'. Turns out the discount isn't 'automatic'. The register person has to hit a 'button' on their register in order for the 10% discount to be calculated. So now that I know that, I can ensure I get the discount, which I did not for most of the first week of having the card. Oh well. I intend to write a letter about that and already got a 'free beverage' card from our local store who couldn't figure out how to give me the discount before we left town last week.
On our way out of town on Sunday, we visited the cemetery where my mom and dad are buried. And while we were there, we also stopped in the office and located the grave sites of my dad's parents and put flowers on their graves, also. It was a 'nice' stop - the sadness isn't there anymore and it felt good to 'honor' them by making a special stop before we left town. My sister and her (new) hubby also went with us and I know they will be returning now and then - more often than we can get there - to tidy up and keep pretty flowers on the graves. I really like the cemetery - I know that sounds strange. My parents are both in the mausoleum section - and it's beautiful there. There's a trickling fountain, and they always play pretty music. Benches and chairs allow for sitting and 'visiting'. That probably sounds maudlin but it's really anything but - it feels peaceful and serene - and isn't that what you want to feel when you've lost people you love? They're not 'there' - and yet, they are. And it feels so 'right' to see their names on the tomb together - my mother, who never remarried after 30+ years of being a widow, finally with my dad. I didn't have that feeling of 'ok-ness' about it all 8 years ago when she joined him. It was a funeral and it was sad. But visiting again, it just felt 'right'. They are together...as they should be.
The boys returned to school today and J. returned to work. I am off....but looking at mountains of laundry and stuff around the house to do. I will be busy. Chloe can be picked up later this afternoon - the kennel owners aren't home this morning and I was relieved when J. told me that, knowing I don't have to rush to get her nor feel guilty for not particularly wanting to get her right this minute. The quiet is nice. Just the cats coming down for a 'hey, there's no dog here' visit with me - gently scolding me for being gone so long but rubbing against me constantly to acknowledge they forgive me. They survived, as did the bird.
The trip was great. I haven't done the math yet on what we saved by driving. I think we saved a little - but perhaps flying for the summer trip is something to consider. It was 4 days of travel time that we could spend visiting and vacationing, vs. driving. I'll have to think about it. I know we probably saved at least a few hundred dollars by driving - but I'll have to think about 'was it worth it?'. It was a lot of time in the car - and we arrived after 6-8 hours of driving each day exhausted and ready to crash. I could never drive it straight through, I don't think. I have done that - in college - but now, I don't see how it's feasible. I'll have to start budgeting for the trip in the summer so we can hopefully fly and rent a car while we're there.
OK - time to get to work. At home. I'm not checking my work email quite yet. Soon, but not yet.
We made quite a few stops at Starbucks during our weekend travels and introduced staff all over CA and AZ to the new 'gold card'. Turns out the discount isn't 'automatic'. The register person has to hit a 'button' on their register in order for the 10% discount to be calculated. So now that I know that, I can ensure I get the discount, which I did not for most of the first week of having the card. Oh well. I intend to write a letter about that and already got a 'free beverage' card from our local store who couldn't figure out how to give me the discount before we left town last week.
On our way out of town on Sunday, we visited the cemetery where my mom and dad are buried. And while we were there, we also stopped in the office and located the grave sites of my dad's parents and put flowers on their graves, also. It was a 'nice' stop - the sadness isn't there anymore and it felt good to 'honor' them by making a special stop before we left town. My sister and her (new) hubby also went with us and I know they will be returning now and then - more often than we can get there - to tidy up and keep pretty flowers on the graves. I really like the cemetery - I know that sounds strange. My parents are both in the mausoleum section - and it's beautiful there. There's a trickling fountain, and they always play pretty music. Benches and chairs allow for sitting and 'visiting'. That probably sounds maudlin but it's really anything but - it feels peaceful and serene - and isn't that what you want to feel when you've lost people you love? They're not 'there' - and yet, they are. And it feels so 'right' to see their names on the tomb together - my mother, who never remarried after 30+ years of being a widow, finally with my dad. I didn't have that feeling of 'ok-ness' about it all 8 years ago when she joined him. It was a funeral and it was sad. But visiting again, it just felt 'right'. They are together...as they should be.
The boys returned to school today and J. returned to work. I am off....but looking at mountains of laundry and stuff around the house to do. I will be busy. Chloe can be picked up later this afternoon - the kennel owners aren't home this morning and I was relieved when J. told me that, knowing I don't have to rush to get her nor feel guilty for not particularly wanting to get her right this minute. The quiet is nice. Just the cats coming down for a 'hey, there's no dog here' visit with me - gently scolding me for being gone so long but rubbing against me constantly to acknowledge they forgive me. They survived, as did the bird.
The trip was great. I haven't done the math yet on what we saved by driving. I think we saved a little - but perhaps flying for the summer trip is something to consider. It was 4 days of travel time that we could spend visiting and vacationing, vs. driving. I'll have to think about it. I know we probably saved at least a few hundred dollars by driving - but I'll have to think about 'was it worth it?'. It was a lot of time in the car - and we arrived after 6-8 hours of driving each day exhausted and ready to crash. I could never drive it straight through, I don't think. I have done that - in college - but now, I don't see how it's feasible. I'll have to start budgeting for the trip in the summer so we can hopefully fly and rent a car while we're there.
OK - time to get to work. At home. I'm not checking my work email quite yet. Soon, but not yet.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Hitched
Having just paid $9.99 for what will be around 2 hours of Internet access, I think a post is in order - justifying the expense. We will be checking out shortly - heading to brunch with family, then a stop at my aunt's house, then a stop at the cemetery where my parents are buried then on the freeway heading to Hesperia, CA where we will dock for the night.
The wedding was a great success - they are officially married! Everything went great - it was a beautiful ceremony, filled with a lot of humor and laughter. All the things you'd expect from a couple who've 'been here, done this' a couple times and therefore, don't feel the need for the typical 'traditional' wedding. It was great! Followed by good food, a few refreshing beverages AND a trip to IKEA with my niece, H. It's just down the freeway and I couldn't resist the allure - the 'calling out to me' feeling. So she took me there yesterday. $109 later, we returned with 'stuff' that will easily fit in the car (thank goodness!). There was furniture, etc. that I would have loved to buy - a new coffee table for our family room would be lovely, and new kitchen chairs. But we don't have room for that stuff and I'll just have to make time to drive the hour+ each way to an IKEA near me sometime in the not too distant future. I also wanted to get a bunch of picture frames for our upcoming family photos, but decided to wait and see about sizes, etc.
Observations on Arizona:
It is frickin' hot here. It is mid-October but it was 95+ yesterday - it was hot! Yikes. I grew up here and don't remember it being miserable. But it was really hot and I just kind of wither in the heat, now.
They don't landscape here with grass. Stones, some desert shrubs. But no grass. Some people throw caution to the wind and have grass in their backyards. But rarely in the front.
The toilet in our hotel is not a 'low-flow' toilet. The first time I flushed and watched the water literally fill up the bowl, I was sure it was going to overflow. It didn't. I'm just not used to seeing water fill a toilet bowl upon flushing. That doesn't happen in CA. Guess they can use the water they're saving on lawns to flush.
It's been a great trip and we are already planning a return trip in late-June to hopefully spend some time at my aunt's summer cabin in Prescott. That would be a lot of fun!
I've got to get into the shower before the boys wake up and take over the bathroom.
More tomorrow when we're back home!
The wedding was a great success - they are officially married! Everything went great - it was a beautiful ceremony, filled with a lot of humor and laughter. All the things you'd expect from a couple who've 'been here, done this' a couple times and therefore, don't feel the need for the typical 'traditional' wedding. It was great! Followed by good food, a few refreshing beverages AND a trip to IKEA with my niece, H. It's just down the freeway and I couldn't resist the allure - the 'calling out to me' feeling. So she took me there yesterday. $109 later, we returned with 'stuff' that will easily fit in the car (thank goodness!). There was furniture, etc. that I would have loved to buy - a new coffee table for our family room would be lovely, and new kitchen chairs. But we don't have room for that stuff and I'll just have to make time to drive the hour+ each way to an IKEA near me sometime in the not too distant future. I also wanted to get a bunch of picture frames for our upcoming family photos, but decided to wait and see about sizes, etc.
Observations on Arizona:
It is frickin' hot here. It is mid-October but it was 95+ yesterday - it was hot! Yikes. I grew up here and don't remember it being miserable. But it was really hot and I just kind of wither in the heat, now.
They don't landscape here with grass. Stones, some desert shrubs. But no grass. Some people throw caution to the wind and have grass in their backyards. But rarely in the front.
The toilet in our hotel is not a 'low-flow' toilet. The first time I flushed and watched the water literally fill up the bowl, I was sure it was going to overflow. It didn't. I'm just not used to seeing water fill a toilet bowl upon flushing. That doesn't happen in CA. Guess they can use the water they're saving on lawns to flush.
It's been a great trip and we are already planning a return trip in late-June to hopefully spend some time at my aunt's summer cabin in Prescott. That would be a lot of fun!
I've got to get into the shower before the boys wake up and take over the bathroom.
More tomorrow when we're back home!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Pre-Trip
Chloe is already at the puppy spa - the owners of the kennel called last night to have us bring her by 9:30 since they are out and about today. That's worked out well - we are now a 'gate-free' zone, which eliminates the need to climb over the 'baby gate' setup between our family room and the rest of the house. That will do my sore hips a world of good.
I have Map Quested every possible directional scenario for the comings and goings of the weekend. We should be at our destination this evening for our interim one night's stay by 10ish. That's allowing plenty of time for a stop for dinner and restroom stops as needed. Tomorrow's trip will be about 7 hours - all of those times are according to MapQuest, which in my experience are usually about 10-15% shorter than they say. So that would be good. We should arrive in plenty of time for pizza dinner tomorrow evening. Probably even early enough to possibly check in before dinner - but we'll see. It would save gas to just go to dinner first and then drive to the hotel - instead of backtracking. Wow - never thought I'd care about saving a little gas, but now I do. The economy - she is BAD.
J. took H. shopping last night - after reminding me (and practically peeling me off the ceiling) that H. had never spent all of his back to school money. Only thing is: the money for the BTS was on his Visa Buxx card - and they did not use that - they used our regular 'monthly expense' credit card. Buggers. Oh well - we'll use his Visa Buxx card for some of our expenses this weekend and that will even things out. Assuming he knows where his card is. I'll be going there with him when he gets home from school.
Next on my list is readying the bird cage; the cat supplies/litter boxes; getting a key over to our neighbor 'just in case'; packing; getting J's car in the garage so the van and B's car can be pulled into the driveway while we're gone; watering plants; etc. Yikes. Oh, and going to the bank for traveling cash.
Holy Cow! I gotta go!
I have Map Quested every possible directional scenario for the comings and goings of the weekend. We should be at our destination this evening for our interim one night's stay by 10ish. That's allowing plenty of time for a stop for dinner and restroom stops as needed. Tomorrow's trip will be about 7 hours - all of those times are according to MapQuest, which in my experience are usually about 10-15% shorter than they say. So that would be good. We should arrive in plenty of time for pizza dinner tomorrow evening. Probably even early enough to possibly check in before dinner - but we'll see. It would save gas to just go to dinner first and then drive to the hotel - instead of backtracking. Wow - never thought I'd care about saving a little gas, but now I do. The economy - she is BAD.
J. took H. shopping last night - after reminding me (and practically peeling me off the ceiling) that H. had never spent all of his back to school money. Only thing is: the money for the BTS was on his Visa Buxx card - and they did not use that - they used our regular 'monthly expense' credit card. Buggers. Oh well - we'll use his Visa Buxx card for some of our expenses this weekend and that will even things out. Assuming he knows where his card is. I'll be going there with him when he gets home from school.
Next on my list is readying the bird cage; the cat supplies/litter boxes; getting a key over to our neighbor 'just in case'; packing; getting J's car in the garage so the van and B's car can be pulled into the driveway while we're gone; watering plants; etc. Yikes. Oh, and going to the bank for traveling cash.
Holy Cow! I gotta go!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tides
The tides, they are a turnin'. That phrase keeps running through my mind. Certainly lots in our daily lives (politically) that speak to a change - I sure hope so. I'm so afraid of the outcome of the election, I can hardly handle thinking about it. It may look like a sure thing - but it's not a sure thing until it's done. So that pensive, scared feeling will continue for another three weeks...and this time, three weeks from now, we will hopefully feel 'better'.
There are changes at work, as well - and I'm thankful to say: they are for the better. Things are easing a bit. In all fronts. And I will offer this advice: communication is the key. That is the golden rule. I'm 48 years old and I'm still getting that message. Still having that learning. And that's not in any way an indication that it wasn't me (entirely) failing to communicate. It was a combination of things. And people. In general, many people say they want communication - but honestly, they don't. They want you to agree with everything they want; agree to everything they do. Want you to communicate as long as it's all 'great' stuff. But as any manager can tell you, it often times isn't 'great stuff'. It isn't. And sometimes, that's hard. It's hard setting the expectation and the 'norm' that says: we will communicate and sometimes, that communication is messy. And hard. And challenging. But we can't stop trying. We have to keep trying, over and over, until we get it 'right'. Or at least until we get it 'improved'. And that's happening. And it feels good. And I'm not too old to keep learning. Never going to stop learning. And that feels good, too.
I think things are greatly improving and I'm glad for that. Seriously happy about it. And I'm hoping things remain intact while I'm away for a week or so. And for the first time in 22 months, I'm reasonably sure things will be as good when I return as when I left today. And that's a huge difference. Huge. So pray for that for me, will 'ya? We all (my team and I) need that for each other - need to have that trust that things don't keep going 20 steps forward and 21 steps back - over and over. We are now making small steps forward daily and that is a wonderful thing. There is a bit of laughter these days - and that's really great 'cuz I've missed laughing. Really missed it. It's nice to have that back. And even nicer to think it may become a regular thing. That would be awesome.
There are changes at work, as well - and I'm thankful to say: they are for the better. Things are easing a bit. In all fronts. And I will offer this advice: communication is the key. That is the golden rule. I'm 48 years old and I'm still getting that message. Still having that learning. And that's not in any way an indication that it wasn't me (entirely) failing to communicate. It was a combination of things. And people. In general, many people say they want communication - but honestly, they don't. They want you to agree with everything they want; agree to everything they do. Want you to communicate as long as it's all 'great' stuff. But as any manager can tell you, it often times isn't 'great stuff'. It isn't. And sometimes, that's hard. It's hard setting the expectation and the 'norm' that says: we will communicate and sometimes, that communication is messy. And hard. And challenging. But we can't stop trying. We have to keep trying, over and over, until we get it 'right'. Or at least until we get it 'improved'. And that's happening. And it feels good. And I'm not too old to keep learning. Never going to stop learning. And that feels good, too.
I think things are greatly improving and I'm glad for that. Seriously happy about it. And I'm hoping things remain intact while I'm away for a week or so. And for the first time in 22 months, I'm reasonably sure things will be as good when I return as when I left today. And that's a huge difference. Huge. So pray for that for me, will 'ya? We all (my team and I) need that for each other - need to have that trust that things don't keep going 20 steps forward and 21 steps back - over and over. We are now making small steps forward daily and that is a wonderful thing. There is a bit of laughter these days - and that's really great 'cuz I've missed laughing. Really missed it. It's nice to have that back. And even nicer to think it may become a regular thing. That would be awesome.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Fall
The thermometer says it's 50.7 degrees outside. Autumn has officially arrived. I love that it's cool enough now to require some 'covers' on the bed - the weight of the light comforter I use (until it really gets cold and then the down comforter with it's purple duvet cover is the bomb!) feels really good. Nothing better than feeling a little chilly and pulling up the covers, getting that 'snuggly, hunker-down' feeling. Nothing better.... Of course, there's nothing worse than getting that wonderful snuggle feeling and realizing your alarm will go off in less than an hour.
It's 4:15AM and I am up and heading up to shower shortly. At this early hour, I needed a latte before getting wet. In the good old days of my early morning risings, Chloe would stay burrowed in her kennel and let me fire up my laptop, check emails (home and work), update our bank accounts, pay a few bills, etc. all in the relative quiet of the morning calm. These days, she is already whining to be up - and while I dearly love her, there's just something about a dog that's like a rocket first thing in the morning that I can't quite deal with yet this morning.
I decided to get up because yesterday, I woke up at the exact same time and didn't get up - and spent the next hour and a half trying to go back to sleep. Which of course, I did - right before the re-set alarm went off and I absolutely HAD to get up. So this morning, I just decided to skip that part. I'm up - listening to the sounds of the trains, and the quiet. And a whiny dog who I will go rescue from her puppy prison shortly.
The market rebounded a bit yesterday, which is good. And I think today will be another 'good' day, based on what I see on our funds that trade 'after hours'. So there's hope. Not that we'll recover everything in a week. But a sign of an incline instead of a decline would be a welcome change.
I spent Sunday and last night continuing the culling of my desk and there has been significant progress. I can see the surface of the desk now - blue Formica-like counter top which matches the blue 'trim' on the top of the upper cabinets. I picked this design and these cupboards myself - maple, which I covet - and I love this space. I love it even more when it's not piled high with 'stuff'. I went through so much mail - all 'junk' mail that I put aside after I've read the 'real' mail - it was incredible. I've got a 'tray' ready now where I will toss the mail each evening and then once a week, I'll wade through it. Recycling most of it; shredding what needs to be shred. We average about 5-7 requests for our money from charities EVERY DAY - so that stack builds up pretty quickly. This year, they aren't getting much. Things are just too tight - but I am still giving to our church, Shepherd's Gate (a women/children shelter), Salvation Army, Toys for Tots and the Food Bank. Those are my 'top picks' this year and I'm being as generous with them as we can be.
I am heading into work shortly because I'm working on culling off that desk as well - it is a disaster. I was a dweeb on Sunday, using the system down time as an excuse to not go in. There's so much stuff I could have dealt with that didn't require using the finance system. Or emails. Oh well. I got a lot done yesterday and will continue today - and am at work late this evening anyway since it's a Board night. It is likely I will also work a little bit of time on Thursday morning, depending on how much packing and house stuff there is to 'settle' in preparation for our trip. I am hosting the monthly meeting of all the county CBO's tomorrow - and the Treasurer of our county and his Deputy Treasurer are attending - a big deal. Yikes. So I'll be up early again tomorrow and at work rearranging the Board Room to more of a meeting setting instead of a public forum setting. And picking up food, coffee, etc. Busy morning. And then J. and I are running an errand related to the wedding trip and while I should just stay at work, I want to go with him on this errand - so that's the plan, so far. That I will leave work after the meeting and take most of the afternoon to run this errand with him. We'll see. Traffic wise, it would be better for him to go in the AM. We will hit a lot of traffic on the return trip if we wait too long. He may go solo and I'll give him a list of my 'additional items to procure' while he's at this place that we rarely ever go to.
I called the high school and was honest. I told the attendance clerk that we had a family wedding to attend out of state and that I wasn't going to call in and lie about it. She was very nice and said 'I've recorded the absences as personal for both of them'. We will let their teachers know and hopefully, they can get some of their assignments. H. is missing a big lab in chemistry - and it's the lab he was most looking forward to. Oh well. He'll live. He's also looking forward to two days off school, a long weekend and a wedding. He loves weddings.
Chloe just quieted down, which of course makes me feel guilty. She's going to the puppy spa on Thursday - which she loves. They have over an acre of land and she gets the run of the house - they love her and keep her inside with them most of the day. She will come back smelling like a 'country dog' and spend the first couple days we're home sleeping.
Signing off for now. Let's hope the market upswing continues, shall we?
It's 4:15AM and I am up and heading up to shower shortly. At this early hour, I needed a latte before getting wet. In the good old days of my early morning risings, Chloe would stay burrowed in her kennel and let me fire up my laptop, check emails (home and work), update our bank accounts, pay a few bills, etc. all in the relative quiet of the morning calm. These days, she is already whining to be up - and while I dearly love her, there's just something about a dog that's like a rocket first thing in the morning that I can't quite deal with yet this morning.
I decided to get up because yesterday, I woke up at the exact same time and didn't get up - and spent the next hour and a half trying to go back to sleep. Which of course, I did - right before the re-set alarm went off and I absolutely HAD to get up. So this morning, I just decided to skip that part. I'm up - listening to the sounds of the trains, and the quiet. And a whiny dog who I will go rescue from her puppy prison shortly.
The market rebounded a bit yesterday, which is good. And I think today will be another 'good' day, based on what I see on our funds that trade 'after hours'. So there's hope. Not that we'll recover everything in a week. But a sign of an incline instead of a decline would be a welcome change.
I spent Sunday and last night continuing the culling of my desk and there has been significant progress. I can see the surface of the desk now - blue Formica-like counter top which matches the blue 'trim' on the top of the upper cabinets. I picked this design and these cupboards myself - maple, which I covet - and I love this space. I love it even more when it's not piled high with 'stuff'. I went through so much mail - all 'junk' mail that I put aside after I've read the 'real' mail - it was incredible. I've got a 'tray' ready now where I will toss the mail each evening and then once a week, I'll wade through it. Recycling most of it; shredding what needs to be shred. We average about 5-7 requests for our money from charities EVERY DAY - so that stack builds up pretty quickly. This year, they aren't getting much. Things are just too tight - but I am still giving to our church, Shepherd's Gate (a women/children shelter), Salvation Army, Toys for Tots and the Food Bank. Those are my 'top picks' this year and I'm being as generous with them as we can be.
I am heading into work shortly because I'm working on culling off that desk as well - it is a disaster. I was a dweeb on Sunday, using the system down time as an excuse to not go in. There's so much stuff I could have dealt with that didn't require using the finance system. Or emails. Oh well. I got a lot done yesterday and will continue today - and am at work late this evening anyway since it's a Board night. It is likely I will also work a little bit of time on Thursday morning, depending on how much packing and house stuff there is to 'settle' in preparation for our trip. I am hosting the monthly meeting of all the county CBO's tomorrow - and the Treasurer of our county and his Deputy Treasurer are attending - a big deal. Yikes. So I'll be up early again tomorrow and at work rearranging the Board Room to more of a meeting setting instead of a public forum setting. And picking up food, coffee, etc. Busy morning. And then J. and I are running an errand related to the wedding trip and while I should just stay at work, I want to go with him on this errand - so that's the plan, so far. That I will leave work after the meeting and take most of the afternoon to run this errand with him. We'll see. Traffic wise, it would be better for him to go in the AM. We will hit a lot of traffic on the return trip if we wait too long. He may go solo and I'll give him a list of my 'additional items to procure' while he's at this place that we rarely ever go to.
I called the high school and was honest. I told the attendance clerk that we had a family wedding to attend out of state and that I wasn't going to call in and lie about it. She was very nice and said 'I've recorded the absences as personal for both of them'. We will let their teachers know and hopefully, they can get some of their assignments. H. is missing a big lab in chemistry - and it's the lab he was most looking forward to. Oh well. He'll live. He's also looking forward to two days off school, a long weekend and a wedding. He loves weddings.
Chloe just quieted down, which of course makes me feel guilty. She's going to the puppy spa on Thursday - which she loves. They have over an acre of land and she gets the run of the house - they love her and keep her inside with them most of the day. She will come back smelling like a 'country dog' and spend the first couple days we're home sleeping.
Signing off for now. Let's hope the market upswing continues, shall we?
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Pasta
Dinner was terrific! I enlisted the help of my able-bodied kitchen assistant J. who helped with the chopping. Onions, parsley, bacon. We de-glazed the pan (see how chefly we are already?) with the only white wine we have in the house - a 14 year old chardonnay we bought from a v. Sattui winery in Napa. Still delicious. Their wines only available at the winery - they don't sell in stores. We need to make a trip up there in the near future 'cuz we need some wines. We're drinking the remainder since we only needed 1 cup for the recipe. (I'll be asleep within an hour probably, since I so rarely drink).....really. Rarely. As evidenced by our ability to hold onto a bottle of wine for a decade and a half!
While on the subject of alcoholic beverages, I'm looking for chocolate flavored vodka. I found many other flavored vodka's at the grocery store - but no chocolate. I don't know why I want it - except it sounds good mixed with Kahlua and cream. I've never had Kahlua and cream, but I think I'd like to try it.
HOT FLASH! Oh my - I hate them. It's 73 degrees in here and suddenly, I'm sweating. One sip of wine....and I'm flaming hot. Love menopause. Love it.
OK - adios for now! May be blogging lite this week but will catch up when I'm (hopefully) off a bit. I will take my laptop with me to Phoenix and may be able to write about the events!
While on the subject of alcoholic beverages, I'm looking for chocolate flavored vodka. I found many other flavored vodka's at the grocery store - but no chocolate. I don't know why I want it - except it sounds good mixed with Kahlua and cream. I've never had Kahlua and cream, but I think I'd like to try it.
HOT FLASH! Oh my - I hate them. It's 73 degrees in here and suddenly, I'm sweating. One sip of wine....and I'm flaming hot. Love menopause. Love it.
OK - adios for now! May be blogging lite this week but will catch up when I'm (hopefully) off a bit. I will take my laptop with me to Phoenix and may be able to write about the events!
Downtime
All day yesterday, I thought 'I will go into work tomorrow. I will go into work tomorrow. Tomorrow, I will go to work'. All day.
I got up around 7ish this morning...enjoyed a latte and started dutifully, and productively working on clearing my desk (I just typed clearning, which is a new word: the act of cleaning and clearing done simultaneously). Progress has been made, though I wish I could reconfigure this entire area. I just don't have the 'right' layout - but I did make some progress. H. spent the morning watching TV and shredding my shred bin stuff for me.
So around 11ish, it hit me. Holy crap! I am going to work today. Only at exactly the same moment, I also remembered, vaguely, an email that we received advising that our entire system would be down all day Sunday. If ever there was a God moment, this was one. Why I didn't remember that email yesterday, I have no idea - if I had, I would have worked yesterday. But, I didn't - truly, honestly had absolutely no recollection of the email - nor my the same email being forwarded to me by my boss (who apparently realizes that I do live at work, actually) - so I didn't work this weekend. Which is OK. Not great, but OK. What is there to be done will still be there tomorrow. And I will get to as much as I can in the next few days. Do as much as possible. I could even, theoretically, work on Wednesday afternoon (after running an errand with J. related to my sis' wedding which I can't tell you about something I have planned for her) and work most of Thursday since we aren't actually leaving town until the kids get home from school. So we'll see. There's still plenty of hours between now and 'vacation' to get stuff done.
I have a bit of a cold - just the annoying, runny nose, scratchy throat part. I took a nap today and slept like a log for a couple of hours, which is good.
I'm making Pasta Carbonara for dinner - not from a mix, either. From 'scratch'. I've decided to make cooking a 'hobby' - instead of eating out, I'll find some recipes and spend time cooking - usually on the weekends, and hopefully creating some leftovers to help us get through the week. I went to the supermarket where B. works and had the checker page him twice - to help me to my car. I am unclear about his work ethic - we stopped there last night when he was working and noticed him flipping (picture him tossing a drum stick (not poultry - the kind you play drums with) every item in the air, catching it and THEN bagging it - but he is well liked and the checker that helped me said he's doing a good job. Though he was having an 'off' day today - thinking too much about his band, apparently....which was news to me 'cuz I'd been under the impression the band was history. Maybe not.
H's girlfriend is here - she wasn't 'allowed' to come over for a very long time - and now she's here a lot. I'm fine with either. We keep going upstairs for 'no apparent reason' to ensure the doors are open, they are not necking in the playroom, etc. I don't know what they do - hang and go on MySpace and play Playstation, etc. I guess. They are 'chillin' which is what I'm told when I ask what they're doing.
Ok - heading to the kitchen to start cooking. Wish me luck. I'm hoping this is edible. I can cook. I just don't like to...but I'm going to learn.
I got up around 7ish this morning...enjoyed a latte and started dutifully, and productively working on clearing my desk (I just typed clearning, which is a new word: the act of cleaning and clearing done simultaneously). Progress has been made, though I wish I could reconfigure this entire area. I just don't have the 'right' layout - but I did make some progress. H. spent the morning watching TV and shredding my shred bin stuff for me.
So around 11ish, it hit me. Holy crap! I am going to work today. Only at exactly the same moment, I also remembered, vaguely, an email that we received advising that our entire system would be down all day Sunday. If ever there was a God moment, this was one. Why I didn't remember that email yesterday, I have no idea - if I had, I would have worked yesterday. But, I didn't - truly, honestly had absolutely no recollection of the email - nor my the same email being forwarded to me by my boss (who apparently realizes that I do live at work, actually) - so I didn't work this weekend. Which is OK. Not great, but OK. What is there to be done will still be there tomorrow. And I will get to as much as I can in the next few days. Do as much as possible. I could even, theoretically, work on Wednesday afternoon (after running an errand with J. related to my sis' wedding which I can't tell you about something I have planned for her) and work most of Thursday since we aren't actually leaving town until the kids get home from school. So we'll see. There's still plenty of hours between now and 'vacation' to get stuff done.
I have a bit of a cold - just the annoying, runny nose, scratchy throat part. I took a nap today and slept like a log for a couple of hours, which is good.
I'm making Pasta Carbonara for dinner - not from a mix, either. From 'scratch'. I've decided to make cooking a 'hobby' - instead of eating out, I'll find some recipes and spend time cooking - usually on the weekends, and hopefully creating some leftovers to help us get through the week. I went to the supermarket where B. works and had the checker page him twice - to help me to my car. I am unclear about his work ethic - we stopped there last night when he was working and noticed him flipping (picture him tossing a drum stick (not poultry - the kind you play drums with) every item in the air, catching it and THEN bagging it - but he is well liked and the checker that helped me said he's doing a good job. Though he was having an 'off' day today - thinking too much about his band, apparently....which was news to me 'cuz I'd been under the impression the band was history. Maybe not.
H's girlfriend is here - she wasn't 'allowed' to come over for a very long time - and now she's here a lot. I'm fine with either. We keep going upstairs for 'no apparent reason' to ensure the doors are open, they are not necking in the playroom, etc. I don't know what they do - hang and go on MySpace and play Playstation, etc. I guess. They are 'chillin' which is what I'm told when I ask what they're doing.
Ok - heading to the kitchen to start cooking. Wish me luck. I'm hoping this is edible. I can cook. I just don't like to...but I'm going to learn.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Looked
If you haven't already, DON'T DO IT. Don't look at your 401K statement(s), or any other brokerage accounts you may hold. Just don't do it. It's like a train wreck. And I expected the carnage, even as I logged in....I knew it would be bad. But OMG - it is horrific. What a week, huh? And I don't think it's over yet. I'm paralyzed with fear...and I have nothing to worry about, really. But it's as scary as anything I've ever experienced to see our future perilously close to dissolving before our eyes. I just can't get over the train wreck we all just experienced. WTF? Seriously. I don't know what else to say. Holy crap also fits. We will be working far past when we'd hoped, at this point. We are 'holding' everything - what else can we do? And I had an instinct a month ago to move absolutely everything into bonds or something. But how do you know? The decline had already started and selling at that point - at a low - seemed like a mistake. It wouldn't have been. Crap. So we sit tight, still? I don't know if it's right, but that's what we're doing. What else can we do?
And I am shocked and disappointed in the approach being taken by the McCain/Palin campaign. Their 'fringe' supporters trying to insight some kind of 'fear mentality' against Senator Obama is unforgivable. At least I give McCain credit for finally (FINALLY) trying to stop the fear faction. What an atrocity. I an stunned that people in our country feel this way. Just stunned. What have we become? It just shocks me. And scares me - that there are people in this country that will do that. I am stunned.
I didn't get an interview for the job - which I'm not surprised about. Even as I was filling out the application, I was reasonably sure it was really a long shot - but since I'm in a job that I applied for as a long shot, what did I have to lose? Oh well. It wasn't meant to be and something will come along. In the mean time, I have a good paying job close to home. I'm lucky.
We are heading into the week of our trip to Phoenix. So much to do at work - and at home. This time next week, my sister will be married - YIPPEE!! Looking forward to a fun weekend of friends, family and partying!
As the financial markets crashed around us, I made a decision.....
So, Majah, now that your financial future has crumbled all around you and you are left stunned and skeptical on the curb of life, what will you do next?
WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYLAND!
Possibly. I made reservations for the week of Thanksgiving - and we will see what we think as the date gets closer. We aren't mentioning it to the kids. We shouldn't spend the money. Right this minute, J. is at the tire store getting 2 new tires for B.'s car - and also heading to the phone store to replace B's phone (which fell into a toilet last night - at a friends house). We don't have the $$ to go to Disneyland - and if we indeed go, we will be breaking our rule and 'charging' the trip and paying it off over time. There's no rational reason to do that...we shouldn't. But damn it all to heck - we are so friggin' careful all the time - what does it matter? Seriously, what's a teeny, tiny bit of debt for a few months?
We probably won't go...this 'mood' I'm in will pass and I'll realize a trip to Disneyland won't fix everything. But I long for some escape. And the kids - well, B. will be 18 in January - and this might be the last chance we have as a family to visit the Magic Kingdom. The next time we go there might very well with my grand kids - something to look forward to, for sure....but it's a long way off.
We'll see. I want to go. But I also want to be rational and not use the economy's collapse as an excuse to spend money that I know I shouldn't.
And even with the collapse - even with the devastation to our retirement funds - we are still so much better off than many people. So I know I'm blessed. I really am.
And I am shocked and disappointed in the approach being taken by the McCain/Palin campaign. Their 'fringe' supporters trying to insight some kind of 'fear mentality' against Senator Obama is unforgivable. At least I give McCain credit for finally (FINALLY) trying to stop the fear faction. What an atrocity. I an stunned that people in our country feel this way. Just stunned. What have we become? It just shocks me. And scares me - that there are people in this country that will do that. I am stunned.
I didn't get an interview for the job - which I'm not surprised about. Even as I was filling out the application, I was reasonably sure it was really a long shot - but since I'm in a job that I applied for as a long shot, what did I have to lose? Oh well. It wasn't meant to be and something will come along. In the mean time, I have a good paying job close to home. I'm lucky.
We are heading into the week of our trip to Phoenix. So much to do at work - and at home. This time next week, my sister will be married - YIPPEE!! Looking forward to a fun weekend of friends, family and partying!
As the financial markets crashed around us, I made a decision.....
So, Majah, now that your financial future has crumbled all around you and you are left stunned and skeptical on the curb of life, what will you do next?
WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYLAND!
Possibly. I made reservations for the week of Thanksgiving - and we will see what we think as the date gets closer. We aren't mentioning it to the kids. We shouldn't spend the money. Right this minute, J. is at the tire store getting 2 new tires for B.'s car - and also heading to the phone store to replace B's phone (which fell into a toilet last night - at a friends house). We don't have the $$ to go to Disneyland - and if we indeed go, we will be breaking our rule and 'charging' the trip and paying it off over time. There's no rational reason to do that...we shouldn't. But damn it all to heck - we are so friggin' careful all the time - what does it matter? Seriously, what's a teeny, tiny bit of debt for a few months?
We probably won't go...this 'mood' I'm in will pass and I'll realize a trip to Disneyland won't fix everything. But I long for some escape. And the kids - well, B. will be 18 in January - and this might be the last chance we have as a family to visit the Magic Kingdom. The next time we go there might very well with my grand kids - something to look forward to, for sure....but it's a long way off.
We'll see. I want to go. But I also want to be rational and not use the economy's collapse as an excuse to spend money that I know I shouldn't.
And even with the collapse - even with the devastation to our retirement funds - we are still so much better off than many people. So I know I'm blessed. I really am.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Debate
I've never been one for watching the debates. Like when I was a kid (in the days of there only being three channels to watch), when I hear there's a debate on, I sort of let out a slight 'groan' - ridiculous in this day and age 'cuz there's 125+ other channels to choose from, or the Internet. Or sleep. Or cleaning the kitchen. A myriad of 'other things' that I could do if, indeed, there's nothing on TV I want to watch.
But this election cycle, I just feel there's so much at stake, I can't not tune in. So we watch. We love the 'meter' thing that shows how the audience is responding to the answers. I know others detest it - but J. and I are information junkies - and we like 'watching' the meter reads.
Obama won. No doubt. And I'm glad for that. And more and more relieved and convinced that he is what we - this amazing country that is struggling at the moment - he is what we need. I'm sure of it.
And just so we're clear - John McCain, you are not my friend. Quit saying 'my friends' a gazillion times. You look moronic to assume that every single person listening to you thinks of you as a friend. At least 1/2 of America doesn't feel that way about you. So it's sort of condescending, rude and presumptuous. Cut it out. And quit referring to Obama as 'that one'. I don't think you meant it racially - I doubt you did. But that's how it comes across. DON'T DO THAT. It's just wrong. It's the first rule of public speaking - engage people. Don't piss them off.
I can't wait for the next/final debate - and I must be getting old 'cuz I never thought I'd be looking forward to watching a debate.
But this election cycle, I just feel there's so much at stake, I can't not tune in. So we watch. We love the 'meter' thing that shows how the audience is responding to the answers. I know others detest it - but J. and I are information junkies - and we like 'watching' the meter reads.
Obama won. No doubt. And I'm glad for that. And more and more relieved and convinced that he is what we - this amazing country that is struggling at the moment - he is what we need. I'm sure of it.
And just so we're clear - John McCain, you are not my friend. Quit saying 'my friends' a gazillion times. You look moronic to assume that every single person listening to you thinks of you as a friend. At least 1/2 of America doesn't feel that way about you. So it's sort of condescending, rude and presumptuous. Cut it out. And quit referring to Obama as 'that one'. I don't think you meant it racially - I doubt you did. But that's how it comes across. DON'T DO THAT. It's just wrong. It's the first rule of public speaking - engage people. Don't piss them off.
I can't wait for the next/final debate - and I must be getting old 'cuz I never thought I'd be looking forward to watching a debate.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Market
So, I avoided reading anything about the world markets imploding. Have decided not to look at any brokerage statement for the next six months. Seriously. Why torture ourselves? I heard from someone 'you're OK if you plan to leave what you have where it is for at least five years' and since that definitely applies to us, I felt a bit relieved and vowed to just avoid looking at the steep decline - and instead, look forward to the steep incline somewhere down the road. It may be 'head in the sand' mentality, but it works for me...so I'm going with it.
I had a really bad night - as if my back/hip/muscle pain wasn't bad enough, I added some bladder stuff in for a more restless night. Went to the doctor this morning and he will send my urine off for a 'microscopic' exam (vs. the dip strip they use). And he reminded me that I am still to get the CT scan he ordered a month or more ago - it's on my list for during my week off. I hope. I can't actually find the order but I know it's on this desk somewhere. I will find it.
It was a relatively quiet Monday, all things considered. Getting my year-end stuff filed away and working on setting up all the State funds that we couldn't set up before 'cuz there was no State budget. It will be a busy week. Board meeting next week and a lot to get prepared for that - and then I'm off for most of that week and all of the week after, I hope. Planning to get caught up on the home front a bit. And maybe an afternoon of Jackson or a movie or something fun.
J. is stuck in a lot of traffic - it's after 7 and he's still not home. Dinner is ready (we've eaten). Baking some cookies since I'd already heated the oven and we have multiple packs of frozen cookie dough that we bought as part of a fundraiser. We are 'living off the land' - meaning when J. said he was going to Costco this evening, I declined giving him any list. Told him I've decided to stay the heck away from Costco. Use Smart & Final and the 'regular' grocery store instead. It will save us a fortune - avoiding the zillions of things I didn't know I needed or wanted until I see them. Which I won't if I don't set foot in that place. I can still get gas there 'cuz it's the best price in town.
Don't watch the stock market. And vote Obama for America!
I had a really bad night - as if my back/hip/muscle pain wasn't bad enough, I added some bladder stuff in for a more restless night. Went to the doctor this morning and he will send my urine off for a 'microscopic' exam (vs. the dip strip they use). And he reminded me that I am still to get the CT scan he ordered a month or more ago - it's on my list for during my week off. I hope. I can't actually find the order but I know it's on this desk somewhere. I will find it.
It was a relatively quiet Monday, all things considered. Getting my year-end stuff filed away and working on setting up all the State funds that we couldn't set up before 'cuz there was no State budget. It will be a busy week. Board meeting next week and a lot to get prepared for that - and then I'm off for most of that week and all of the week after, I hope. Planning to get caught up on the home front a bit. And maybe an afternoon of Jackson or a movie or something fun.
J. is stuck in a lot of traffic - it's after 7 and he's still not home. Dinner is ready (we've eaten). Baking some cookies since I'd already heated the oven and we have multiple packs of frozen cookie dough that we bought as part of a fundraiser. We are 'living off the land' - meaning when J. said he was going to Costco this evening, I declined giving him any list. Told him I've decided to stay the heck away from Costco. Use Smart & Final and the 'regular' grocery store instead. It will save us a fortune - avoiding the zillions of things I didn't know I needed or wanted until I see them. Which I won't if I don't set foot in that place. I can still get gas there 'cuz it's the best price in town.
Don't watch the stock market. And vote Obama for America!
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Musings
Since my entire premise for this blog was musings, that will be today's title. And it will be a compilation of random thoughts. Apologies in advance....
First, B. has announced that he wants to attend medical school. Now I know what you're thinking....'oh, you must be so proud'. Um, yeah. I'm proud of him. I know him - and if that's what he's determined to do, I have no doubt he will do it. Once he sets his mind to something, he does not let go. The kid is a fantastic musician who had absolutely no sense of rhythm and appeared to be tone deaf as a toddler - and now look at him. So, uh, yeah, he could be a doctor. And he might. I let him know that I completely support his endeavors and have absolutely no doubt he can do it, if that's what he really wants to do. However, his motivation for doing it is money. Doctors make a lot of money - and it's true, they do. But they do that AFTER years of struggling. And mountains of debt to get through med school. And because I'm his mom, I reminded him of that....because it's the truth. And I suggested that if he's doing it because he loves what he's doing, then it's all good. And the way to see about that is to go to college as a pre-med major and see how it goes. The first four years are 'on us'. After that, it's all him. There's absolutely no way we will be paying for medical school. No way. So it will take a lot of motivation and hard work on his part to make that dream a reality. Secretly, I think he will do it - I think he's born to do it. I've known from the minute he was conceived that he is no ordinary child - trust me on that. He is destined for something far beyond a normal life. ....I just don't know what that destiny is, yet. But I know it is destiny and trust it to play out as it should. Rock on, B.
H. reminded me a couple days ago that he'll be driving in a month - time to get his permit in November, around Thanksgiving. Within a few days after making that proclamation, he approached me to OPEN THE PLASTIC WRAP surrounding a package of frozen cookie dough. I sent him back to the kitchen to figure it out for himself and issued the gentle reminder that if he thought I was going to allow him behind the wheel of a CAR in a month, he really needed to figure out how to REMOVE PLASTIC WRAP from a package of frozen dough. Oh, and be able to turn on the oven, put the dough on a cookie sheet and make his own darn cookies. Again - not because I can't. But because holy heck - he's going to be DRIVING IN A MONTH and still regularly asks us to make him food. Good grief! He said 'it's not the same thing'. I said 'you're absolutely right it's not the same thing. It's PLASTIC WRAP vs. DRIVING A MACHINE THAT ACCELERATES TO 100MPH+ IN ABOUT A MINUTE - AND YOU HAVE TO STEER, SIGNAL, BRAKE, USE THE GAS PEDAL AND A WHOLE HOST OF OTHER STUFF ALL BY YOURSELF...WHILE AVOIDING OTHER CARS, PEDESTRIANS, PAYING ATTENTION TO STREET LIGHTS, ROAD CONDITIONS, TRAFFIC, ETC. So get yourself into the kitchen and make your cookies. It's good practice for driving. Arghh.
J. has been taking excellent care of me this weekend. I am still incredibly sore. Though I did get a lot of sleep last night, thanks to the over the counter sleep aid Doxylamine Succinate - it (Simply Sleep, Unisom, etc.) worked like a charm and I slept great. All night. And most of the day, too. So ...that's good. I needed it. I am one lucky lady to have a hubby who holds down the home front when I'm MIA.
H's girlfriend (who is NOT the girl that invited him to Girls Treat - he is going to that dance with another girl who is a 'friend'. Not his girlfriend 'cuz she doesn't go to his school.) is here and has spent the afternoon with us. And dinner. And is still here. Which is fine, except her mother is so incredibly protective that she rarely lets her come over. And yet today, she's been here for close to 7 hours and we have no idea when she'll be picked up. She's a sweet girl. Pleasure to have around. But it's bed time around here shortly. Oh well. [She just left. She is really a nice young lady and if I had a daughter, I'd be carefully watching over her all the time also, so I completely understand her mom].
While she was here, we hear a 'uh, Dad, could you please come to the kitchen'. The door handle to the refrigerator compartment completely fell off. We can still open it, but by grabbing the top of the door and pulling. Sears has been called and they'll be out on Friday, which is the earliest day they could come that one of us would be home to let them in. I think we have a service warranty on it - I hope.
The only errand I ran today was to the pet store for pet food. And I bought the large size bag of cat show 'cuz there was a $10 mail in rebate - but lifting that bag hurt a lot. And it was a mistake and definitely not worth $10. Now, in addition to my lower back pain, I have upper back pain. So I'll be taking medicine again to get to sleep - only I'll take 1/2 tonight so I hopefully won't be comatose at work tomorrow. That would be bad.
J. has been continuing to work on the music play lists for the reception - progress has been made. We got all the 'party cd's' I ordered from Amazon.com and he's adding songs from those CDs as well. I still have no idea what we're going to wear to the wedding - but we have music!
The audit team has left the building (at work) which means this will be a relatively 'calm' week, as weeks go. I have plenty to do in prep for our next Board meeting - and just general 'stuff' that's all been moved to the back burner during year end time. So plenty to do. But I don't think I'll feel compelled to go in at the crack of dawn this week. Try to get there by 7:30 and home by 5 - still longer days, but that's normal for me. Have a lot to do pre-vacation, in order to take the week off after our trip to Phoenix that I desperately want to take off.
Like most of America, we are feeling the 'squeeze' of higher prices. We are fine, completely fine. But I feel compelled to work harder at cutting expenses; watching our savings like a hawk.; etc. We didn't go to Costco - and we're trying to go as infrequently as possible because we spend too much when we go there. We've been using Smart and Final more, which has much of the same selection and fewer 'impulse' buy items. S&F has the food that we need at better prices than the grocery stores - but they don't have aisle after aisle of Christmas stuff, electronics, clothing, tools, appliances, books, etc. that tempt you as you shop. It's one of the biggest budget changes we could make - less Costco shopping. It's helping a bit. So is the 2nd hybrid - I am noticing we are spending far less on gas.
OK - musings over for now. Boring, I know. Sorry. It's just my life - such as it is. Thanks for reading - have a great week!
First, B. has announced that he wants to attend medical school. Now I know what you're thinking....'oh, you must be so proud'. Um, yeah. I'm proud of him. I know him - and if that's what he's determined to do, I have no doubt he will do it. Once he sets his mind to something, he does not let go. The kid is a fantastic musician who had absolutely no sense of rhythm and appeared to be tone deaf as a toddler - and now look at him. So, uh, yeah, he could be a doctor. And he might. I let him know that I completely support his endeavors and have absolutely no doubt he can do it, if that's what he really wants to do. However, his motivation for doing it is money. Doctors make a lot of money - and it's true, they do. But they do that AFTER years of struggling. And mountains of debt to get through med school. And because I'm his mom, I reminded him of that....because it's the truth. And I suggested that if he's doing it because he loves what he's doing, then it's all good. And the way to see about that is to go to college as a pre-med major and see how it goes. The first four years are 'on us'. After that, it's all him. There's absolutely no way we will be paying for medical school. No way. So it will take a lot of motivation and hard work on his part to make that dream a reality. Secretly, I think he will do it - I think he's born to do it. I've known from the minute he was conceived that he is no ordinary child - trust me on that. He is destined for something far beyond a normal life. ....I just don't know what that destiny is, yet. But I know it is destiny and trust it to play out as it should. Rock on, B.
H. reminded me a couple days ago that he'll be driving in a month - time to get his permit in November, around Thanksgiving. Within a few days after making that proclamation, he approached me to OPEN THE PLASTIC WRAP surrounding a package of frozen cookie dough. I sent him back to the kitchen to figure it out for himself and issued the gentle reminder that if he thought I was going to allow him behind the wheel of a CAR in a month, he really needed to figure out how to REMOVE PLASTIC WRAP from a package of frozen dough. Oh, and be able to turn on the oven, put the dough on a cookie sheet and make his own darn cookies. Again - not because I can't. But because holy heck - he's going to be DRIVING IN A MONTH and still regularly asks us to make him food. Good grief! He said 'it's not the same thing'. I said 'you're absolutely right it's not the same thing. It's PLASTIC WRAP vs. DRIVING A MACHINE THAT ACCELERATES TO 100MPH+ IN ABOUT A MINUTE - AND YOU HAVE TO STEER, SIGNAL, BRAKE, USE THE GAS PEDAL AND A WHOLE HOST OF OTHER STUFF ALL BY YOURSELF...WHILE AVOIDING OTHER CARS, PEDESTRIANS, PAYING ATTENTION TO STREET LIGHTS, ROAD CONDITIONS, TRAFFIC, ETC. So get yourself into the kitchen and make your cookies. It's good practice for driving. Arghh.
J. has been taking excellent care of me this weekend. I am still incredibly sore. Though I did get a lot of sleep last night, thanks to the over the counter sleep aid Doxylamine Succinate - it (Simply Sleep, Unisom, etc.) worked like a charm and I slept great. All night. And most of the day, too. So ...that's good. I needed it. I am one lucky lady to have a hubby who holds down the home front when I'm MIA.
H's girlfriend (who is NOT the girl that invited him to Girls Treat - he is going to that dance with another girl who is a 'friend'. Not his girlfriend 'cuz she doesn't go to his school.) is here and has spent the afternoon with us. And dinner. And is still here. Which is fine, except her mother is so incredibly protective that she rarely lets her come over. And yet today, she's been here for close to 7 hours and we have no idea when she'll be picked up. She's a sweet girl. Pleasure to have around. But it's bed time around here shortly. Oh well. [She just left. She is really a nice young lady and if I had a daughter, I'd be carefully watching over her all the time also, so I completely understand her mom].
While she was here, we hear a 'uh, Dad, could you please come to the kitchen'. The door handle to the refrigerator compartment completely fell off. We can still open it, but by grabbing the top of the door and pulling. Sears has been called and they'll be out on Friday, which is the earliest day they could come that one of us would be home to let them in. I think we have a service warranty on it - I hope.
The only errand I ran today was to the pet store for pet food. And I bought the large size bag of cat show 'cuz there was a $10 mail in rebate - but lifting that bag hurt a lot. And it was a mistake and definitely not worth $10. Now, in addition to my lower back pain, I have upper back pain. So I'll be taking medicine again to get to sleep - only I'll take 1/2 tonight so I hopefully won't be comatose at work tomorrow. That would be bad.
J. has been continuing to work on the music play lists for the reception - progress has been made. We got all the 'party cd's' I ordered from Amazon.com and he's adding songs from those CDs as well. I still have no idea what we're going to wear to the wedding - but we have music!
The audit team has left the building (at work) which means this will be a relatively 'calm' week, as weeks go. I have plenty to do in prep for our next Board meeting - and just general 'stuff' that's all been moved to the back burner during year end time. So plenty to do. But I don't think I'll feel compelled to go in at the crack of dawn this week. Try to get there by 7:30 and home by 5 - still longer days, but that's normal for me. Have a lot to do pre-vacation, in order to take the week off after our trip to Phoenix that I desperately want to take off.
Like most of America, we are feeling the 'squeeze' of higher prices. We are fine, completely fine. But I feel compelled to work harder at cutting expenses; watching our savings like a hawk.; etc. We didn't go to Costco - and we're trying to go as infrequently as possible because we spend too much when we go there. We've been using Smart and Final more, which has much of the same selection and fewer 'impulse' buy items. S&F has the food that we need at better prices than the grocery stores - but they don't have aisle after aisle of Christmas stuff, electronics, clothing, tools, appliances, books, etc. that tempt you as you shop. It's one of the biggest budget changes we could make - less Costco shopping. It's helping a bit. So is the 2nd hybrid - I am noticing we are spending far less on gas.
OK - musings over for now. Boring, I know. Sorry. It's just my life - such as it is. Thanks for reading - have a great week!
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Game
The football game/snack bar gig has kicked my butt. Seriously. There were close to 5,000 people there last night - and our lines were long ALL NIGHT. We don't open until 5 - but we started selling 'easy' things (candy, popcorn, soda) at 4 - and could have sold burgers, hot dogs and pizzas then as well, if we'd have them ready.
I am so sore today, I can barely move. And that same soreness kept me awake all night. I think I finally dozed off around 4AM - got up at 8:30. I'm still in my PJs and I just finished dinner - 'cuz I've been in bed off and on all day. Holy Crap. I cannot do this every other week and then take days to recover.
I think I've figured out the 'issue' - I just have to figure out how to implement the correction plan.
We sign up in shifts. I've always signed up for the early shift on the theory that I can come in around 4, help set up, work until 8ish and be done. And that would work - EXCEPT that it's so busy, and so many other folks don't show up on time, I keep working. And working. I was on my feet, moving heavy boxes, working the window, washing/scrubbing dishes, etc. for seven hours straight. And that was after I had arrived in my office at just after 6AM. I left work around 1:30ish, came home and tried to power nap for a bit (unsuccessful) and then grabbed something to eat at Quizno's (hadn't eaten anything but yogurt all day) and headed to the high school. The set up was a lot of work, but the time goes quickly. It's a fun group and we work well together - especially those of us on the set up shift.
I'm going to have to somehow, someway LEAVE at the end of my shift. I just have to. It irritates the heck out of me how some folks are showing up at 7ish or 8ish - and then they just work the windows until the game's over - while the rest of us - the same group of people who had set up the place - start cleaning up. Moving boxes into the store room; tearing down boxes into the recycle bin; putting away food; scrubbing heavy pans; taking down the soda machines and cleaning every nook and cranny to prevent ants. It was a hell of a lot of work - and I don't mind working hard. I DO work hard - as anyone in our club will tell you. But oh my gosh - I cannot do 7 or 8 hours of that - or I will pay for it, like I did today. I am so sore...so exhausted.
I just ate some sushi for dinner (J. picked it up) and I'm heading back upstairs soon. Hoping I can find one comfortable position that will let me sleep.
I will miss the next game 'cuz I'll be in Phoenix for my sister's wedding. I'm sorry to miss it - but secretly, relieved.
I arrived home at 10:30 - J. had fired up the hot tub (after I phoned to ask him to thinking a hot soak would help). I was basically walking by 'shuffling' - so sore, I could barely move. Dropped a friend off at her house - hot tubbed with the family for an hour (my patience for my children's hot tub conversation is limited - things like how they will 'better' discipline their kids by spanking them; H. wants a motorcycle....or a car....soon....; etc. . I finally realized it was no longer fun to listen to them and got out. Headed upstairs shortly after, got straight into bed - and did not sleep. Hips, feet, back, legs - ached and ached. Took ibuprofen - and was still in pain.
Tomorrow will be better.
I am so sore today, I can barely move. And that same soreness kept me awake all night. I think I finally dozed off around 4AM - got up at 8:30. I'm still in my PJs and I just finished dinner - 'cuz I've been in bed off and on all day. Holy Crap. I cannot do this every other week and then take days to recover.
I think I've figured out the 'issue' - I just have to figure out how to implement the correction plan.
We sign up in shifts. I've always signed up for the early shift on the theory that I can come in around 4, help set up, work until 8ish and be done. And that would work - EXCEPT that it's so busy, and so many other folks don't show up on time, I keep working. And working. I was on my feet, moving heavy boxes, working the window, washing/scrubbing dishes, etc. for seven hours straight. And that was after I had arrived in my office at just after 6AM. I left work around 1:30ish, came home and tried to power nap for a bit (unsuccessful) and then grabbed something to eat at Quizno's (hadn't eaten anything but yogurt all day) and headed to the high school. The set up was a lot of work, but the time goes quickly. It's a fun group and we work well together - especially those of us on the set up shift.
I'm going to have to somehow, someway LEAVE at the end of my shift. I just have to. It irritates the heck out of me how some folks are showing up at 7ish or 8ish - and then they just work the windows until the game's over - while the rest of us - the same group of people who had set up the place - start cleaning up. Moving boxes into the store room; tearing down boxes into the recycle bin; putting away food; scrubbing heavy pans; taking down the soda machines and cleaning every nook and cranny to prevent ants. It was a hell of a lot of work - and I don't mind working hard. I DO work hard - as anyone in our club will tell you. But oh my gosh - I cannot do 7 or 8 hours of that - or I will pay for it, like I did today. I am so sore...so exhausted.
I just ate some sushi for dinner (J. picked it up) and I'm heading back upstairs soon. Hoping I can find one comfortable position that will let me sleep.
I will miss the next game 'cuz I'll be in Phoenix for my sister's wedding. I'm sorry to miss it - but secretly, relieved.
I arrived home at 10:30 - J. had fired up the hot tub (after I phoned to ask him to thinking a hot soak would help). I was basically walking by 'shuffling' - so sore, I could barely move. Dropped a friend off at her house - hot tubbed with the family for an hour (my patience for my children's hot tub conversation is limited - things like how they will 'better' discipline their kids by spanking them; H. wants a motorcycle....or a car....soon....; etc. . I finally realized it was no longer fun to listen to them and got out. Headed upstairs shortly after, got straight into bed - and did not sleep. Hips, feet, back, legs - ached and ached. Took ibuprofen - and was still in pain.
Tomorrow will be better.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Girls Treat
This greeted me upon my arrival home today. Thankfully, J. had given me a 'heads up' call - saying (as I apologized profusely for still being at work after he's home - THAT is a sure sign I'm really late) - he said 'no, no not that. I just want you to NOT open the garage door when you come home'. I said, hesitantly 'um, OK. Why'? As my mind imagined what horrific things could be behind that door - something smashed to bits? An animal we are trying to keep contained (and it certainly couldn't be Chloe 'cuz she's obnoxious but hardly anything that necessitates keeping her in the garage)? A flood? Locusts? He said 'H.'s invitation to Girls Treat is on the garage door and I want you to see it'.
Isn't it 'sweet'? I think it's so nice of her to do that for him. Of course, he's being totally 'cool' about it - it's a guy thing, I guess. He will need a tux - but hopefully, most of the other expenses involved will be 'her treat'. That feels strange to me - but I'm hoping I can resist the urge to offer to 'pitch in'. B.'s prom last Spring cost us close to $750 by the time it was all 'done'. So it would be nice to NOT have to shell out that kind of $$ this time.
It says 'out of all the fishes in the sea, I chose you. Will you go to Girls Treat with me'?
I know he's a terrific 'catch' and I'm glad it's not just me who thinks that.
Croutons
I'm eating a lettuce less salad - just beets and croutons - while I wait for dinner to come out of the oven. I am famished.
It's also convenient 'cuz I eat the beets when Joe Biden is speaking and I eat the croutons when Sarah Palin is speaking - so I don't have to hear her speak.
I will give her this: she is less grating and obnoxious than McCain was in his debate last week. He grated on my every nerve, like finger nails on a chalkboard.
She just makes me thankful God invented croutons.
Update post-debate:
OK - she didn't suck. I was 'impressed' and by that, I think I mean I really thought she might fall flat on her face and she didn't. And I give her a lot of credit for that.
And, her 'style' - her easy-going, communicative, friendly style is what I was 'missing' in Hilary. Hilary never felt 'real'. Sarah feels very 'real' - she seems sincere, and well-intentioned. And I like her for that.
I'm not voting for her 'cuz her running mate is a buffoon. But I don't dislike her. And she deserves a lot of credit for that - 'cuz I've really tried not to like her and I can't bring myself to do that.
It's also convenient 'cuz I eat the beets when Joe Biden is speaking and I eat the croutons when Sarah Palin is speaking - so I don't have to hear her speak.
I will give her this: she is less grating and obnoxious than McCain was in his debate last week. He grated on my every nerve, like finger nails on a chalkboard.
She just makes me thankful God invented croutons.
Update post-debate:
OK - she didn't suck. I was 'impressed' and by that, I think I mean I really thought she might fall flat on her face and she didn't. And I give her a lot of credit for that.
And, her 'style' - her easy-going, communicative, friendly style is what I was 'missing' in Hilary. Hilary never felt 'real'. Sarah feels very 'real' - she seems sincere, and well-intentioned. And I like her for that.
I'm not voting for her 'cuz her running mate is a buffoon. But I don't dislike her. And she deserves a lot of credit for that - 'cuz I've really tried not to like her and I can't bring myself to do that.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Gold
Finally! I just got an email offer from Starbucks to join their Starbucks Gold program. They're sending me a special card that will get me 10% off my order. It's rolling out to the public soon - and they sent emails (I presume) to people like me who have registered their Starbucks card and/or have automatic refill set up on their card. I've been thinking lately 'they should have a frequent purchaser program of some kind' - as I drove through the drive for my 3rd iced tea of the day.
I was on my way to help bag ice for the big game this weekend - we move ice from the gigantic ice machine (picture the biggest hotel ice machine you've ever seen - this one's bigger) into bags and into the freezer. Then the machine will fill up again between now and the game so we'll have plenty of ice.
I had to rush home from work when B. had a little accident. I called home to see if B. would be able to come to my office and pick up a ton of leftover Chinese food I had from lunch - enough to feed the two of them dinner. And when his brother tossed him the phone, he missed it and it clipped him above his eye - so he said 'Mom, I need to call you back 'cuz I'm bleeding from a head wound'. Great. So I checked in with the audit team (still there) and told them I would lock the door on my way out and reminded them to leave by 6 so they wouldn't get locked in when the preschool closed the gate. So, I took B. to the clinic just to be sure - I didn't think it needed stitches, but it was in a spot that was hard to know - it didn't. He just needed a tetanus shot, since he hadn't had one since we've been with this doctor.
He's fine - and it worked out well 'cuz I hadn't had anything but a bathroom break all day and I was ready to stop for the day. The conversion entries led to working on depreciation - it was a long, LONG day....and I am beat. Still have a lot more to do. I already warned J. that if I awaken at 3AM like I did today, I'm getting up and heading in as early as I possibly can. My desk is a disaster zone and I have a lot of deadlines looming that aren't audit related, which I need to get to. Just typing that sentence makes my stomach knot up - just so many things to take care of. One deadline after another after another - all looming over my head like a dark net waiting to drop on me and trap me forever. That's how it feels, anyway. It will pass.
Dirty, Sexy Money is on so gotta go!
I was on my way to help bag ice for the big game this weekend - we move ice from the gigantic ice machine (picture the biggest hotel ice machine you've ever seen - this one's bigger) into bags and into the freezer. Then the machine will fill up again between now and the game so we'll have plenty of ice.
I had to rush home from work when B. had a little accident. I called home to see if B. would be able to come to my office and pick up a ton of leftover Chinese food I had from lunch - enough to feed the two of them dinner. And when his brother tossed him the phone, he missed it and it clipped him above his eye - so he said 'Mom, I need to call you back 'cuz I'm bleeding from a head wound'. Great. So I checked in with the audit team (still there) and told them I would lock the door on my way out and reminded them to leave by 6 so they wouldn't get locked in when the preschool closed the gate. So, I took B. to the clinic just to be sure - I didn't think it needed stitches, but it was in a spot that was hard to know - it didn't. He just needed a tetanus shot, since he hadn't had one since we've been with this doctor.
He's fine - and it worked out well 'cuz I hadn't had anything but a bathroom break all day and I was ready to stop for the day. The conversion entries led to working on depreciation - it was a long, LONG day....and I am beat. Still have a lot more to do. I already warned J. that if I awaken at 3AM like I did today, I'm getting up and heading in as early as I possibly can. My desk is a disaster zone and I have a lot of deadlines looming that aren't audit related, which I need to get to. Just typing that sentence makes my stomach knot up - just so many things to take care of. One deadline after another after another - all looming over my head like a dark net waiting to drop on me and trap me forever. That's how it feels, anyway. It will pass.
Dirty, Sexy Money is on so gotta go!
Wednesday
Tuesday night is 'trash night' in our neighborhood - we all dutifully roll our bins out to the curb and fill them to the brim. This week it's trash and yard clippings. Next week it's trash and recycling. J. has it in his Blackberry 'cuz I can never remember which week it is...and it's important 'cuz our recycle bin is already FULL to the brim and we have another week to go.
H. told me 'we're already the greenest family I know - we have TWO hybrid cars and we recycle more than any of my friends'. I liked that he 'noticed' that. I don't even remember how that conversation started - I think it had something to do with what kind of car we would get him. Not that we are getting him ANY kind of car but the boy is obsessed. I said 'a hybrid is a good idea - it's a green thing to do'. And that's when he said it, I think.
So the trash trucks came around at 4AM and since I was wide awake, I noticed. And I immediately have an urge to run downstairs and make sure B. put the bins out - THAT would be a disaster of major proportion since I don't think we could cram more trash in to our bin for another week. I am obsessed with trash, it seems.
Cleaning crew came yesterday - and I usually love/enjoy coming home and seeing everything all sparkly and tidy - but since I didn't get home until 7:30 last night, I was too tired to notice. Auditors in the office makes for long days - thankfully, it's going fine and there's nothing major happening. I'll be glad when it's tomorrow and they are (hopefully) done - I will breathe a sigh of relief next week, for sure. I did love sinking into bed with nice, crisp, clean sheets. It was heaven. And I was out like a light quickly and slept at least 5 hours solid - which is really good for me. Since I barely slept the night before, I'm glad I got some sleep last night.
Heading out the door momentarily (it's not quite 6:30) and it will be another LONG day. This Friday, we have another football game - I missed our last one 'cuz of the concert and it was madness - they sold out of virtually everything. Hundreds of hot dogs, burgers, personal pizzas. This next game is the 'cross town classic' - our two town high schools duke it out. It will be even busier than the last game. I will probably have window duty and it will be exhausting. I'll report to the set up crew around 3PM and probably not get home until 10PM. I love doing it - it's always loads of fun, once you get there. But oh my gosh, WHY couldn't it be on a Tuesday or something? Getting 'amped' up for that massively exhausting activity at the end of a LONG week is really, really hard. Thankfully, it's only 6 Fridays of the year. At our club meeting, one of our members said that the 'charter' high school in our town asked if we wanted to do concessions at their games, which are on Saturday nights. We all looked at each other with sort of shell-shocked faces and replied (almost in unison): 'NO'. That would be too much. We are a small club and it takes 'all hands on deck' to pull off serving the kind of crowds we've been having lately.
OK - heading out the door now to work on conversion entries. Don't ask. Unless you work in a 'general ledger' role, you'll never need to know and I'll save you the headache. Taking two Tylenol right this minute.
H. told me 'we're already the greenest family I know - we have TWO hybrid cars and we recycle more than any of my friends'. I liked that he 'noticed' that. I don't even remember how that conversation started - I think it had something to do with what kind of car we would get him. Not that we are getting him ANY kind of car but the boy is obsessed. I said 'a hybrid is a good idea - it's a green thing to do'. And that's when he said it, I think.
So the trash trucks came around at 4AM and since I was wide awake, I noticed. And I immediately have an urge to run downstairs and make sure B. put the bins out - THAT would be a disaster of major proportion since I don't think we could cram more trash in to our bin for another week. I am obsessed with trash, it seems.
Cleaning crew came yesterday - and I usually love/enjoy coming home and seeing everything all sparkly and tidy - but since I didn't get home until 7:30 last night, I was too tired to notice. Auditors in the office makes for long days - thankfully, it's going fine and there's nothing major happening. I'll be glad when it's tomorrow and they are (hopefully) done - I will breathe a sigh of relief next week, for sure. I did love sinking into bed with nice, crisp, clean sheets. It was heaven. And I was out like a light quickly and slept at least 5 hours solid - which is really good for me. Since I barely slept the night before, I'm glad I got some sleep last night.
Heading out the door momentarily (it's not quite 6:30) and it will be another LONG day. This Friday, we have another football game - I missed our last one 'cuz of the concert and it was madness - they sold out of virtually everything. Hundreds of hot dogs, burgers, personal pizzas. This next game is the 'cross town classic' - our two town high schools duke it out. It will be even busier than the last game. I will probably have window duty and it will be exhausting. I'll report to the set up crew around 3PM and probably not get home until 10PM. I love doing it - it's always loads of fun, once you get there. But oh my gosh, WHY couldn't it be on a Tuesday or something? Getting 'amped' up for that massively exhausting activity at the end of a LONG week is really, really hard. Thankfully, it's only 6 Fridays of the year. At our club meeting, one of our members said that the 'charter' high school in our town asked if we wanted to do concessions at their games, which are on Saturday nights. We all looked at each other with sort of shell-shocked faces and replied (almost in unison): 'NO'. That would be too much. We are a small club and it takes 'all hands on deck' to pull off serving the kind of crowds we've been having lately.
OK - heading out the door now to work on conversion entries. Don't ask. Unless you work in a 'general ledger' role, you'll never need to know and I'll save you the headache. Taking two Tylenol right this minute.
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